The safari begins in Maun where your representative guide will meet you at 07h30 at a prearranged meeting point. You will then travel 180km to a game farm on the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game reserve, set up camp and join a safari briefing with your guide. This will include an introduction on what to expect in terms of activities, wildlife viewing and your semi participation camping experience during your upcoming safari journey.

In the afternoon you will participate in a nature walk led by local San Bushmen trackers. They will share their intricate knowledge of the African Bush and give extraordinary insight into their unique and intriguing culture which is one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world.

On arrival back at camp, the evening is spent enjoying a wholesome hearty dinner prepared by the camp assistant and served under the stars around the campfire at a pre - selected campsite with fixed ablutions as guests and guide alike share their adventure of the day. A well -deserved peaceful night’s sleep awaits you before the next adventure begins.

Distance from Maun to Game Farm in Hainaveld area (northern border CKGR): 180km , 4 hours

As dawn breaks and you awaken to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, your guide will prepare the vehicle and you will be driven to the entrance of the pristine wilderness area of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The following four days will be spent exploring the undeveloped wilderness of the northern region of the Kalahari systems as your safari group moves between various camps. Interpretive game drives hosted by your knowledgeable guide provide ample opportunity to witness Africa’s prolific wildlife species in the dry grasslands of Botswana’s largest and most remote natural game reserve. Savor the vast open spaces, clear night skies and uninterrupted natural scenery.

Bushways’ safari vehicles have side Perspex windows which are usually completely removed and stored at the back for best game viewing and which can be slid on each side if it is chilly or rainy.
The canvas roof and front windscreen can unfold for optimum viewing opportunities and numbers are limited to 12 guests to ensure maximum enjoyment and space while game viewing.
A compact fridge under the front row is available to keep cool drinks at hand at all times and there is a power point to charge camera batteries during the safari.

Today you experience adventure camping in its purest form as water and communications are limited and you travel as a self-sufficient group over a distance of approximately 120km into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve which may take 4 to 5 hours to cover. Camping is done in wilderness areas that are completely unfenced with no pre-existing facilities or equipment. The Bushways team sets up camp inclusive of shared bush toilets and bush shower, a mobile kitchen and a dining area or mess tent area where meals are shared and enjoyed together.

You are responsible for erecting your own tent on a suitable spot within the camp site.

Overnight is spent camping in a private designated campsite with fixed & bush ablutions. (B, L, D)

An early morning wakeup call alerts you to the sounds and smells of the African Bushveld just waiting to be explored.

The Passarge Valley is a remote region that due to its terrain and geology provides ideal grazing for herds of game such as Oryx and springbok, smaller groups of red-hartebeest, eland, blue wildebeest, southern giraffe and greater kudu. These animals are then followed by the predators popular to this region, those being lion, brown hyena, steppe eagle, cheetah, caracal amongst others.

Bushways’ safari vehicles have side Perspex windows which are usually completely removed and stored at the back for best game viewing and which can be closed on each side if it is chilly or rainy.
The canvas roof and front windscreen can unfold for optimum viewing opportunities and numbers are limited to 12 guests to ensure maximum enjoyment and space while game viewing.
A compact fridge under the front row is available to keep cool drinks at hand at all times and there is a power point to charge camera batteries during the safari.

After an exciting day in the valley, guests return to camp for a well -deserved hearty meal and a couple of idyllic hours relaxing and listening to the evenings sounds of the bush as the lesser known nocturnal animals come to life.

Overnight ccamping in a private designated campsite with fixed & bush ablutions. (B, L, D)

This morning, following an early breakfast the group continues to explore the Deception Valley area. San Bushmen of the Central Kalahari have lived in this region for over 20 000 years where they have adapted to survive in these hostile environmental conditions.
Interpretive bush walks and /or game drive today hosted by your guide are good opportunities to see the many animals that have adapted to living here as well including Gemsbok and Giraffe. This region is well known to be one of the best locations in Botswana to see Cheetah and the majestic Black-maned Kalahari Lion.

During the rainy season the valley is covered in green grass and the herds of animals that come to graze here make one forget how dry the area usually is. This habitat provides for wildlife year- round, even during the dry season when there is no surface water.

In the early evening hours, another delicious meal is prepared and enjoyed under the open African star- filled sky.

Your final day in the Central Kalahari region, your host guide may decide to continue with further game drives to the Passarge Waterhole or alternatively a guided nature walk through the pans and ancient riverbeds that dominate this area.

Guests are then transferred through by safari vehicle to the Deception Valley area – a game drive of a few hours in length that offers prolific game viewing and unlimited wildlife photographic opportunities for keen photographers. Deception valley derives its name from a water pan that displays a mirage-style effect and makes the clay pan look as though it is filled with water when it is completely dry. Causing confusion for travellers over thousands of years, this phenomenon is depicted most clearly from a light aircraft or plane.

Home for tonight is on a privately designated camping site with bush ablutions available for guests’ use.

Following your final morning game drive in the Kalahari region, your guide will transfer you back to the Maun area - a drive of approximately 6 hours over 370km where your accommodation will be confirmed at a pre-selected establishment in Maun or its outskirts.

During the afternoon, you will have the option of taking a scenic flight over the Delta at an additional cost (45 min. Maun to Maun scenic flight, rate TBA – to be booked during the safari, payment in cash only). This magical experience provides another perspective of the Okavango Delta’s distinctive water system. During the flight it is even possible to spot large game animals such as Elephant, Giraffe and Hippopotami.

Your evening will be enjoyed in the comfort of a suitable lodge. Dinner is at your own expense. (B, L)

Your safari itinerary now brings you to the southern tip of the paradise that is the Okavango Delta. The trip from Maun takes approximately 2 hours. Your guide will ensure your safe arrival at the edge of the Delta where you will meet your new guide polers from the local community with their mokoros (traditional dugout canoes).

Quietly cruising along reed lined channels and floodplains towards the deeper part of the Delta, you will enjoy the spectacular landscape of this tranquil wilderness recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Spend two days exploring this beautiful area on mokoro excursions and guided nature walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango, camping wild with bush ablutions on a small island for two nights. (B, L, D)

NOTE: You will leave your main luggage in the trailer and will need to pack a smaller bag (small backpack, hand luggage) with what you need for the 2 days on the island. Transfers from the mainland to the island where you will stay are done on traditional dugout canoes (mokoros) which cannot accommodate large bags. Your main luggage will safely remain in the vehicle that will be parked in a secured area while you are on the island.

Spend hours discovering the Delta as a true wilderness destination offering excellent wildlife viewing and gorgeous scenery. Wildlife is prolific here and one can easily encounter any four of the big five animals (Rhino only found in private areas where it has been reintroduced into Botswana).

The Okavango Delta is a haven for myriads of bird species and with its perfect African sunsets is also viewed as one of the most ideal destinations to gain invaluable wildlife photography experience in the company of your knowledgeable guide.

Traditional mokoro excursions and guided nature walks bring guests into close proximity to animals such as hippo, crocodile, giraffe, elephant, numerous antelope, lion, hyena and leopard amongst others.

Finish off a perfect day in the Delta with sundowners and a wholesome meal before settling down in your tent for a good night’s rest.

Make the most of your final few hours in the channels of the Delta this morning before departing for the drier regions of the delta and your next camp located in a concession outside the Moremi Game Reserve. (B, L, D).
Expect the duration of this trip to be approximately 2 hours in length.
Tomorrow morning brings with it your first expedition into the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve.

Following an early wake- up call and breakfast, your safari vehicle is loaded up once again as you make your way to the entrance gate of Moremi Game Reserve situated approximately 4 hours away by road. The Moremi game reserve is considered to be one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana and is located on the Eastern side of the Okavango Delta. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and natural splendor of this region.
Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will give you ample opportunity to view the prolific wildlife species found in this area. After your morning game drives, you will return to camp for lunch and a siesta. On Day 12 you will move campsites to explore a different area of this diverse park. Camping will be in private designated campsites with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Distance from the community campsite outside Moremi – Western Moremi: 80km, 3-4h (transfer and game drive).

On land, wildlife includes lions, leopards and rhinos in the Xakanaka area. Woodland, acacia forests, floodplains, lagoons, savanna woodland and areas that are permanently filled with water forms much of the landscape here allowing for the huge diversity of plants and animal species you will discover within the Western area of Moremi Game Reserve.

Twenty percent of the Okavango Delta itself is found within the borders of the Moremi Game Reserve. The best time to visit the Moremi is during the dry season from July to October when game viewing is at its optimum. Elephants herds thrive here, particularly during the dry season when they gather around the permanent waterholes and one can expect to see herds of grazing buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hyaena, jackal and antelope, inclusive of the elusive Sitatunga and the Red Lechwe. Regular sightings of wild dog contribute to an exciting wildlife viewing experience.

The Moremi Game Reserve has over 450 listed bird species and really is a birdwatcher’s paradise. From water dwelling species to woodland varieties the Moremi birding list covers many of the lesser seen birds such as Pel’s Fishing Owl, Slaty Egrets, Lesser Jacana and Bradfield’s hornbill.

Evenings during your stay in this are spent relaxing around the campfire set up on a preselected site in the Xanakaka area, where guests can relish the days’ adventures and the safari memories made.

This morning following a hearty breakfast, we move in a north Easterly direction as you are transferred by road from Western Moremi to the region surrounding the Khwai river (North-east Moremi / Khwai Concession). This region, formerly a well - known hunting concession, has amazing wildlife all year round and ecotourism is its main source of income for the local community.

The Khwai river is an extremely reliable water source attracting water loving animals such as antelopes, giraffes, buffalo, and zebras.

Enjoy your time here on exciting game drives as you explore these grasslands, floodplains and large patches of Mopane Forest. Game drives are sure to be action packed and include predators of all types: Hyena, elusive leopards and active prides of lion.

Camp is set up by your team in a suitable area, ready for your return after a long day of Safari action.
Eat well and indulge in a peaceful sleep before moving onto the famous Chobe area tomorrow morning.

An early start sees you on a lengthy game drive of approximately 8 hours until you reach the Southern Chobe National Park and the drier Savute region. The Savute channel has long been a mystery to travellers as it fills up with water and then dries up of its own accord seemingly unaffected by the regions’ rainfall pattern.

In recent years the channel has once again starting flowing giving rise to a landscape that is marsh-like and fertile and thus making an ideal habitat for large varieties of wildlife species.

Apart from the lonely Elephant bulls wandering this landscape, Savute is known for its rich predator populations. During January and February, the rainy season, the annual zebra migration occurs and moves from Northern Botswana via Savute -a sight every safari- goer wishes to witness.

Camp is set up at a suitable private site for the evening with bush ablutions The Chobe Riverside, to where you will travel tomorrow, is a completely different experience from Savute and has a magic of its own.

Heading Northwards from Savute , your group travels towards the Chobe River floodplains within the Northern Chobe National Park. This area is approximately 120 km away from the Savute area and your time here will be taken up by game drives along the Chobe Riverfront. Expect to witness large herds of elephants and Cape buffalo assembling along the Chobe Riverfront in the dry months.

On arrival at camp after a full days’ adventure in the wilderness, once again a delicious meal is prepared and served in the open air by your camp staff.

Camping tonight is in a private designated area with bush ablutions. (B, L, D).

As dawn breaks you awaken to the slightly different calls and sounds of Chobe’s Riverfront area.

Enjoy an early breakfast before departing on an early morning game drive to explore Northern Chobe and the floodplains. These adjacent floodplains adjacent to the Chobe River are rich in game and include vast herds of elephant and buffalo as well as a good following of popular predators. Interestingly the floodplains of Chobe are the only place in Southern Africa where the smaller Puku antelope reside. The Chobe floodplains boast a phenomenal exhibition of bird species such as the heaviest known flying bird - the Kori Bustard -Western- Banded Snake Eagles, Rufous Bellied Herons and Greater Swamp Warblers.

This is your final full day in the Chobe National Park. Spend the evening taking it all in and make the most of your evening in this world- renowned wildlife haven.

Once again, camping tonight is in a private designated area with bush ablutions. (B, L, D).

Tomorrow an exciting day lies ahead as you travel to Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side of the border.

This morning, following an early breakfast and a last -minute short game drive, your guide will assist in preparing your vehicle and you will set off in the direction of Victoria Falls, a famously historic tourist town popular for its adrenalin packed activities and fascinating history and home to the mighty Victoria Falls.
This will be a 3- hour journey inclusive of a border crossing where a visa will be required. Your guide will assist you with this process.
This afternoon you will enjoy a trip to the Victoria Falls formerly referred to as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or "the smoke that thunders”. Located within the Victoria Falls National Park, these waterfalls are known to be twice as long as Niagara Falls. The ‘mist’ rising from Victoria Falls is far as 50km away.
This excursion is followed by a couple of free hours where you will have the chance to explore the town a and purchase any curios you may wish to.
Dinner tonight is by your own arrangement and at your expense (B, L).
Accommodation will be provided in a suitable lodge for the evening.

Your safari officially ends after breakfast on Day 17, at the lodge.
Post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Victoria Falls airport or lodges or alternatively to Kasane in Botswana can be arranged by Bushways Safaris at an additional cost. Should guests wish to stay on in Victoria Falls, there is a bucket list of adventure and activities to be enjoyed including White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, canoeing on the upper Zambezi and Helicopter Flights over the Victoria Falls, please ask your guide for further details. (B)

End of Safari