Affordable Botswana Safari

A great itinerary packed with special experiences for those looking for a more affordable Botswana safari without compromising on game viewing. The Okavango and Makgadikgadi come together to offers a wonderfully varied and interesting safari. Staying at rustic but charming camps with great guides, this itinerary showcases the incredible diversity of Botswana’s landscapes. Visiting the dynamic Boteti river area and Makgadikgadi National Park offers diverse game viewing and the chance to enjoy a fascinating walk with San Bushman. In dry season you can sleep out on the salt pans beneath dazzling skies. Moving to the Okavango, explore the beautiful Khwai private reserve, enjoying photo hides, game drives, walks and mokoro rides. A great value safari.

This six night itinerary is split equally between the Boteti Rover area, the frontier between the Kalahari and Okavango eco-systems, and the Khwai Private Reserve in the eastern Okavango. Together they deliver a full Botswana safari experience, where desert and delta meet. The abundant game of the Okavango contrasts with the desert – adapted species of the Makgadikgadi.

These are simple, rustic camps however they are comfortable and offer a more authentic experience. With lovely settings, plenty of character and good guiding they provide a great all round Botswana adventure. Importantly they are some of the most affordable camps in Botswana, offering a great value safari.

The itinerary begins on the Boteti River, where Meno o Kwena Camp (translating as ‘teeth of the crocodile’) sits on a 100 ft high cliff with fantastic views of the Boteti River. In the dry season the concentration of animals at the river is incredibly impressive while the summer season sees the arrival of the second largest migration of mammals in Africa, as 40,000 zebra and wildebeest converge at the Boteti River. Camping out on the salt pans is offered in the dry season only. Bushman walks are offered throughout the year here. This is a very special experience offering fascinating insight into traditional San life.

Moving to the eastern Okavango to the Khwai Private Reserve, 200k hectares of pristine wilderness bordering the famous and game rich Moremi Game Reserve. The environments vary greatly within the reserve and this itinerary offers you the chance to explore both the forests in the north and the floodplains in the south.

The first night in the reserve is spent at Hyena Pan Camp, deep within the mopane forests which sees immense concentrations of elephants visiting the camp waterhole. A visit to the photographic hide here is always exciting – a wide variety of animals visit the waterhole throughout the day and the ground level hide offers a unique experience to view animals at close quarters.

Moving into the south of the reserve to the beautiful grasslands which surround the Khwai river to Little Sable Camp for your final two nights. This is classic Okavango scenery with tall palm trees, grass plains and little islands. The game is good- lion and leopard are spotted regularly as well as elephant and a variety of antelope, including the beautiful sable. Game drives and mokoro excursions are also offered here, water levels permitting.

An affordable and great value Botswana safari, especially in peak season.

Day 1 - Meno o Kwena Camp

On arrival in Maun, you will be met by a representative and assisted onto your road transfer to Meno o Kwena, a drive of about 1.5 hours. Driving through the small town of Maun, through local villages, offers the rare opportunity to see local village life. Most safaris begin by flying straight into the safari camps and offer no glimpse into modern life in Botswana. The last section of the drive is through the wilderness area so keep your eyes out for wildlife!

A warm Botswana welcome awaits. After some refreshments and having been introduced to the camp and team, your guide will give you an introduction to the area and activities available at Meno o Kwena.

Meno o Kwena offers game drives around the Boteti river and into the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, complete with bush picnics for a full day excursion. Bushman walks are available here and offer fascinating insight into the ancient survival skills of the nomadic people who once lived here. These walks are also a superb introduction into this unique eco-system. Boating is also possible when water levels permit. Sleeping out under the stars in the heart of Makgadikgadi Pans is also available, if pre-booked. (highly recommended)

You will have the chance to set off on your first activity or relax in camp after your long journey.
Setting out in the late afternoon for your first activity you will stop for sundowners as the sun sinks below the horizon and the nocturnal animals begin to stir.

The fire will be roaring as you return and dinner soon follows before your first night sleep in the Botswana.

Day 2 - Meno o Kwena Camp

The next morning starts with an early morning wake-up call followed by a light breakfast before setting off on your morning activity, usually a game drive. As soon as the sun is up you are off to discover the Boteti River area. This is the transition area between the Okavango and Kalahari desert and the game viewing is dynamic and interesting, varying with the seasons. Desert - adapted species are more prevalent in the dry season while a dazzling zebra migration passes through in the summer season.

Morning drives will last around 4 hours, stopping for a coffee break along the way. Returning to camp around mid-morning for a wonderful brunch you will then have a few hours to yourself before your afternoon activity. The animals rest in the heat of the day in the shade and you will too! Enjoy the beautiful surroundings, relax in your room, on your deck or by the pool. The views throughout the camp are wonderful and invite you to sit back and relax and watch the comings and goings of the river.

Mid-afternoon you come together again with your guide and enjoy some more refreshments before setting off for your chosen afternoon guided activity.

Game drives allow you to explore further and get closer to predators while bush walks offer deeper insight into this wonderful eco-system. Water levels permitting, you may also enjoy boat ride along the river, or visit the eye-level photo hide which offers a unique vantage point as the animals come to drink.

Day 3 - Meno o Kwena Camp

You daily safari schedule continues with early morning and late afternoon activities, with a chance to relax in camp between activities. You will discuss your particular interests with your guide and together plan your days to ensure you make the most of your time at Meno o Kwena.

Full day trips into the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park are highly recommended, this is a long day of driving but includes very beautiful scenery and interesting landscapes. In the dry season sleep outs on the pans offer guests the chance to sleep on glimmering salt pans below spectacular skies .

Day 4 - Hyena Pan Camp

This morning you depart at 10am for Maun Airport, where you are met and assisted onto your shared charter flight to the Okavango, which takes about 35 minutes depending on stops along the way. Your guide will be waiting on arrival to transfer you to camp, a 30 - minute game drive.

Hyena Pan is set deep within the mopane forest in the north of the Khwai private reserve, an area favoured by elephant who love the sweet leaves of the Mopane trees. The camp is built around a busy waterhole which draws your eyes from every angle. The swimming pool commands a great spot and often attracts elephants making it an excellent location to enjoy a safari from your sun lounger!

Having met the team, you will have a chance to settle into your room and relax - either in your room or perhaps by the pool, before high tea is served in the late afternoon.

Over tea your guide will discuss the area and activities on offer. Game drives are the main activity here, and a visit to the photographic hide at the waterhole, around 20 minutes’ drive away, is often a highlight. All sorts of animals come to drink here and the unique ground level vantage point offers a very special experience. Being only metres away from an elephant’s baggy foot is a memory which stays with you for a long time!

You will enjoy an afternoon activity and stop for a scenic sundowner before returning to camp for dinner and drinks around the camp fire.

Day 5 - Little Sable

Another early start to the day. Today your guide will co-ordinate your game drive with a transfer to your next camp – Little Sable is the sister camp to Hyena Pan and lies about 2 hours southwards, in the lush grasslands of the Khwai reserve. It’s an interesting drive with plenty of game viewing along the way.

Little Sable is a charming little camp overlooking wide open floodplains. The Khwai Private reserve is vast, and home to abundant game and this is a perfect location from which to explore the wilderness. Morning, afternoon and night drives are the main activity here as well as guided bush walks. Mokoro excursions are offered when water levels permit.

A warm welcome and lunch awaits your arrival. You will then have time to settle into your new safari home and final itinerary stop before your afternoon activity.

After meeting around 3.30pm for high tea you will then set off for your first activity that afternoon. You will begin to explore the stunning riverfront area and the beautiful open plains. Impala, kudu, sable, zebra, wildebeest, tsessebe, giraffe and other species wander these plains. And the predators follow!

Enjoying a drink as the sun sets. Returning to camp with a spot light you will look for cats as they begin their hunting and those smaller nocturnal animals which we rarely see without the spotlight like genet, bush babies and caracals.

Day 6 - Little Sable

Another early morning wake up call and breakfast heralds the start of a new day. Then you’re off on your morning game drive. Spend time tracking any interesting movements from the previous nights' cat activity or perhaps investigating areas where you may have heard unfamiliar sounds during the night before.

Returning for brunch you will then have a few hours to yourself to enjoy this charming little camp. Either relaxing on your private deck, by the pool, in the lounge or with a cat nap on your bed - a chance to recharge from the early morning wake up calls!

Around 4pm you set off for your afternoon activity, following up on sightings from earlier in the day or perhaps enjoying a water safari with a mokoro excursion. Stop for a sundowner drink and snack to enjoy one last Okavango sunset before returning for your final night in the Okavango.

Day 7 - End of Safari

The time for your flight to Maun will be finalized the day before your departure and your guide will advise you as to what time you will be leaving camp. The flight will always be scheduled to connect with any onward travel arrangements. Depending on the time of departure, you will enjoy one final morning activity and a hearty brunch before bidding farewell to the Okavango.

The flight to Maun will take approximately 30 minutes, depending on stops along the way. On arrival a representative will meet you to ensure you connect to your onward travel arrangements with ease.

Map View

Meno a Kwena

Meno a Kwena

Meno a Kwena

Hyena Pan Camp

Little Sable

Little Sable

Little Sable

Water Level

Book This Safari

At Okavango Delta Explorations we specialise in crafting safaris to this unique ecosystem.

Get in touch to begin your Okavango Delta Exploration

Enquire Now

Extensions to this safari

From USD 800 per person

Mapula Lodge

Mapula Lodge has one of the most beautiful Okavango settings, overlooking a glistening and lively lagoon. The game viewing, like the landscape, is varied and interesting. Mapula Lodge has had a series of management changes in recent years, it is no longer managed by Natural Selection. Until management plans have settled and we have undergone a site visit our sales of this camp have been paused.

Learn More
From USD 590 per person

Linyanti Ebony Camp

Linyanti Ebony Camp lies in the remote and exclusive Chobe Enclave on the edge of the Linyanti Marshes – an interesting and rich game area wedged between the Okavango and Chobe National Park. This charming little camp has just 4 tents and offers an wide range of activities - day and night drives (with off-roading) as well as walking, boating, fishing and mokoro (water levels permitting). A small, friendly and authentic camp.

Learn More

Experience the Okavango Delta

Contact us for more information and to start planning your Okavango safari

Contact
© 2024 Okavango Delta Explorations