There are perhaps no wilder parts of Africa than Botswana's Okavango Delta, Linyanti Concession, and the banks of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers. Our Botswana safari provides access to exclusive camps in wildlife-rich areas, and visits the remarkable Victoria Falls.

Botswana's Okavango Delta, Linyanti Concession, and the banks of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers are intensely beautiful wetlands attracting a diversity of wildlife that is breathtaking to behold – including lion, leopard, cheetah, numerous plains animals, and huge herds of elephants. Our safari in Botswana and Zambia provides access to remote and exclusive camps on private concessions bordering the Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, and near Zambia’s Victoria Falls, allowing for exploration of wildlife-rich areas seen by few other travelers.

Days 1-4: Safari in the Okavango Delta, Botswana; activities include game drives, nature walks, and mokoro canoeing; all based from some of the most luxurious permanent safari camps in Botswana.

Days 5-7: Safari in the Linyanti Concession bordering Chobe National Park, Botswana; from our deluxe permanent tented camp, embark on game drives and river explorations.

Days 8-9: Safari in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia; cruise the Zambezi River at sunset and visit the incredible Victoria Falls.

Boundless Journeys has partnered with Wilderness Safaris, widely recognized as the best safari outfitter in Southern Africa, to develop a truly unique adventure safari. In addition to experienced guides who seamlessly lead your entire journey, first-class vehicles, and a diverse selection of camp and lodge options, Wilderness Safaris’ conservation efforts and community-mindedness are great matches for Boundless Journeys’ core philosophy.

 THE BOUNDLESS JOURNEYS SAFARI ADVANTAGE

• Unique, award-winning itineraries. Our flexible, hand-crafted journeys have received accolades from the world’s most revered travel publications. Our chosen luxury camps allow us to be close to the action in privacy and in comfort. Hotel quality linens, full-sized beds (not cots), ensuite facilities with hot and cold water, a professional staff and food that is to-die-for make our selection of Okavango Delta camps an experience not to be missed.
• Small groups. We tread softly, and our group size is never more than 8 guests. We limit passengers in each vehicle so everyone has plenty of space, and open sides allow for an exciting, authentic safari experience.
• Flexibility to suit your travel style. We offer both small-group departures and Private Collection safaris, so that you can choose which works best for you.
• Insider connections. There is simply no substitute for traveling with a knowledgeable insider. Our Botswana and Zambia guides are enthusiastic naturalists, and are some of the most experienced guides in Southern Africa.
• A passion for travel. Simply put, we love to travel, and that is woven into every one of our journeys.
• Customer service that goes the extra mile. There is no request that is too big – or too small – for our staff to handle.
• Sustainability. We are committed to traveling responsibly – striving to preserve traditions and cultures around the world, and to protect fragile natural habitats.

Most Convenient Airport:

• For international flights into Africa: O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB)
• For arrival into Botswana on Day 1: Maun Airport, Maun, Botswana (MUB)
• For departure from Zambia on Day 10: Livingstone International Airport, Livingstone, Zambia (LVI)

Meeting Time and Place:
1 p.m., Maun Airport, Maun, Botswana

Departure Time and Place:
10:30 a.m., Livingstone International Airport, Livingstone, Zambia

WHAT TO EXPECT

Physical Activity
Boundless Journeys’ trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Wilderness Safari is rated 1, easy, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous). Our primary activities require little aerobic fitness, but some agility for getting in and out of vehicles and mokoro canoes, and walking through uneven terrain. This trip can be enjoyed by anyone who is in reasonably good health. We will walk where possible, but this is often determined by the local area and country regulations. NOTE: These optional walks are at your own risk, and can take you close to potentially dangerous wild animals.

Preparing for this Trip
If you would like to take advantage of the optional nature walks, you may wish to engage in easy aerobic activities for 30-45 minutes a few times a week for several weeks before the trip. Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program. 

The Safari Experience
A variety of activities are included on our Wilderness Safari, but the primary activity is game driving. The wildlife is typically most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon (these times also provide the best light for photography), and therefore we plan our activities accordingly. Typically, one of the camp staff will knock at your tent door early in the morning, and the group will gather for a quick, light breakfast and coffee or tea before departing camp as the sun rises. We move slowly, and even when animals are not present, the landscape and sounds of the bush are entrancing. We spend a few hours exploring and observing animals at watering holes or on the move from one region to another. As we come upon groups of animals, we allow plenty of time to simply observe and also take photographs. Our guides are experienced naturalists and will add greatly to your understanding of the animals. We keep a respectful distance – although the same cannot always be said about the animals, and it is not unusual to come nose-to-car with baboons, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and elephants. By mid-late morning, we return to camp where a delicious brunch awaits.

After brunch, we enjoy a few hours of down time, enjoying the amenities of camp, resting, birdwatching, photographing, or perhaps reading about the region you are visiting.

In the afternoon, we gather for hors d’oeuvres and drinks, before heading out for the afternoon activity. Some days this will be another game drive, while other times we may board mokoros for a quiet exploration of the waterways near camp or explore the area on foot in the company of our guide and a ranger. “Sundowners” – a light snack and cocktails in the bush, are an African safari tradition, and a great way to enjoy unforgettable African sunsets. We then make our way back to camp, sometimes driving with a spotlight to look for nocturnal animals.

In the evenings, dinner is enjoyed as a group, and will vary from seated meals ordered from the daily menu, to dining in the camp boma  (a traditional style protected outdoor dining area) with a feast of traditional African foods and entertainment by the camp staff. These are joyful performances where it is often difficult to tell who is having more fun – the staff or the camp guests!

Weather
Summer is from November to the end of March and usually brings very high temperatures. It is also the rainy season and cloud coverage and rain can cool things down, although usually for a short period of time.

The winter season begins in May and ends in August. This is also the dry season when virtually no rainfall occurs. Winter days are invariably sunny and cool to warm; however, evening and night temperatures can drop below freezing in some areas. Please be prepared for cold weather in the evening/night/morning and bring plenty of warm clothing, including a hat, gloves, long pants, fleece/wool top, and  a windbreaker jacket. Tents and public areas are not heated, though the public areas do have fire pits, and beds are warmed with hot water bottles on cold nights. Ponchos are available for use in the safari vehicles.

The in-between periods – April/early May and September/October – still tend to be dry, but the days are cooler than in summer and the nights are warmer than in winter.

The following are average temperatures in the regions we’ll be visiting:

                     high          low

May:               82°F        48°F
August:          91°F        55°F
September:    82°F        48°F

You may obtain other regional weather information on www.weatherbase.com.

When to Go
There are excellent reasons to visit Botswana and Zambia at any time of year. We have chosen May and August/September departures, which offer slightly different experiences. 

May: The summer rainy season has drawn to a close. The tall grasses are starting to lay down and some trees begin losing their foliage, allowing for easier game viewing. At the same time, the annual flooding of the Okavango Delta is on its way in from the mountains of Angola, creating abundant waterways of incredible beauty, and attracting a wide diversity of wildlife. Animals tend to be in good condition at this time of year, as the food supplies remain plentiful. Baby ungulates born in December are now adolescent, and can be observed testing the skills they’ll need as adults.

August/September: The dry winter season has begun to have an impact on both the landscape and the wildlife. The landscape is more arid in appearance although the floodwaters remain high, and the animals congregate in large numbers near the remaining watering holes. Predator and prey are often in close proximity in their intense need for water, leading to some memorable encounters.

No matter when you choose to go, you will see more elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, buffalos, hippos, and lions than you can keep track of. Each departure is a little different in terms of order of sites visited, but offers the same quality of experience.

Traveler’s Responsibility
Trip participants have certain responsibilities to both Boundless Journeys and your fellow travelers. This includes understanding the conditions described in the trip itinerary and making sure it is appropriate for your interests and abilities, based on a review of the trip ratings, consultation with Boundless Journeys’ staff, and perhaps your doctor. In addition, trip participants are responsible for preparing for a trip by undertaking the proper fitness training. At the guide’s discretion, a participant may be asked to leave the trip if the guide feels that the person’s further participation may be detrimental to the individual or to other trip participants. If you have any questions about the difficulty level of the trip you have chosen, please contact Boundless Journeys to speak with one of our Destination Managers.

Small group travel affords us the opportunity to seek out the most remote and exotic destinations on the planet. Often we are exploring these locales with just 6-12 guests. The nature of active group travel is such that not all participants have the same ability level or interests. Traveling at a pace that is comfortable for the entire group, with a spirit of flexibility and adventure are all part of this intimate experience.

Overview: Very comfortable, luxury permanent camps on mostly private wildlife concessions (all with full size beds, private baths, excellent cuisine, and extensive amenities).

Nights 1, 2 & 3: Chitabe Camp
Chitabe Concession, Okavango Delta
Botswana

A luxury safari camp consisting of eight “Meru-style” tents built on raised platforms, each with a private deck in front, en suite bathroom facilities, and indoor and private outdoor shower. The main dining, lounge, and pool areas are thatched structures on raised platforms, with glorious views across the floodplains and a pool for cooling off midday.

Nights 4 & 5: Kwetsani Camp
Jao Concession, Okavango Delta
Botswana

This five room luxury tented camp is raised on stilts, overlooking expansive floodplains. The main area includes a lounge, bar and tented dining area, along with a plunge pool. The spacious tented tree-house chalets are each built under a thatch roof and have en suite facilities including a shower, separate flush toilet, wash basin with running water, and outdoor shower.

Nights 6 & 7: Savuti Camp
Linyanti Concession, Northeast Okavango Delta
Botswana

This intimate camp’s en-suite accommodation is in seven large walk-in tents that are raised off the ground and face onto the famed Savute Channel. From the camp’s thatched dining area, a plunge pool and large viewing area with fire pit extend outwards on raised wooden decks, providing a wonderful view of the Savute Channel and its wildlife.

Night 8: Toka Leya Camp
Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park
Zambia

Recipient of Condé Nast's 2009 hotel "Hot List" award.

Overlooking the mighty Zambezi River and some of its islands, Toka Leya Camp consists of 12 spacious en suite safari-style tents. Wooden walkways snake between the units and main area, limiting our footprint on this pristine area. Tent interiors boast cool wooden flooring, tasteful, uncluttered African decor in earthy hues, climate-control for a cool summer sanctuary, and expansive wooden decks. The camp’s dining, lounge and bar areas offer ample space for relaxation and are complemented by an infinity pool, with meals served on the sundeck, the pool deck or dining room; all overlooking the Zambezi.

DAYS 1-3
Moremi Game Reserve Safari

Twice daily safari activities - Game driving and optional nature walks with an armed ranger – easy, approximate total of 5-6 hours of activities per day.

Upon arrival in Maun, you will be met by your guide and flown by light aircraft over the shimmering waters of the Okavango Delta. This initial flight provides a remarkable and beautifully scenic introduction to one of the world’s most unusual ecosystems. The Delta represents life at its most fertile – abundant water, sunlight, and rich soil combine to form a paradise bursting with life and a landscape of indescribable beauty.

By early afternoon, we arrive at our home for the next three nights, a eight-room, luxury tented camp located in the private Chitabe reserve to the southeast of the renowned Moremi Game Reserve.
While here, our guide introduces us to the wilderness on day and night game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles, as well as on nature walks. Chitabe’s variety of habitats ensures diverse and interesting wildlife viewing, including elephant, lion, zebra, giraffe, tsessebe, and impala, as well as the very special possible sighting of wild dogs.
Chitabe Camp, Chitabe Concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

DAYS 4 & 5 
Okavango Delta Safari

Twice daily safari activities - Day and night game drives, guided nature walks, and mokoro canoe excursions – easy, approximate total of 5-6 hours of activities per day.

After a final morning game drive and brunch at our camp on Day 4, a late morning bush flight brings us to Kwetsani Camp, situated in the western Okavango Delta. This camp is among the most remote in the entire delta and offers an unparalleled sense of wilderness. Surrounded by water and woods, all the Okavango big game can be found here – including excellent chances of spotting predators.

Activities over the next two days may include mokoroing (think Africa’s version of the Venetian gondola), walking on palm-fringed islands, and game drives during the day and night – all advantages of staying on a private reserve. Lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, buffalo, and elephant are all found in this area, as well as excellent concentrations of zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, and all of the plains animals.
Kwetsani Camp, Jao Concession, Okavango Delta, Botswana

DAYS 6 & 7
The Linyanti

Twice daily safari activities – easy, approximate total of 5-6 hours of activities per day.

After breakfast on Day 6 we fly northeast, departing the Okavango and entering the Linyanti Concession. After a short game drive we arrive at our next deluxe camp, which is elegantly set up facing the Savute Channel.

The landscape of the Linyanti region varies from floodplains to open, dry savannah and forest with sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. During our days here, our activities will include game drives in the private northern region of the concession. Here we explore a range of habitats, from riverbanks to scrub and forest, which reveal a myriad of wildlife en route to slake their thirst from the river. In particular, the world’s largest densities of elephants can be found in this region during the dry season (May-October). Impressive even in small family groups, when these animals gather together in numbers, it becomes an awe-inspiring sight you won’t soon forget. In addition to the elephants, seldom-seen sitatunga can often be spotted in the waterways, as well as rare plains game such as roan and sable antelope, and of course their predators, the lion and leopard – with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus.
Savuti Camp, Linyanti Concession, Botswana

DAY 8  
Chobe River Cruise and fly to Zambia

River Cruise, about 2-3 hours.

After a short morning drive and breakfast, we depart by light aircraft to the northern region of Chobe National Park. This area is also famous for its vast herds of elephants from June-October, and other unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river in the hottest hours of the day. We’ll enjoy a light lunch while cruising the Chobe River in a catamaran-style shaded boat.

We then leave Botswana, boarding a short flight to Zambia’s Livingstone International Airport, arriving at Toka Leya Camp in the late afternoon. On leaving Botswana, we fly over the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia meet; and as we approach Livingstone, it is often possible to see the spray of legendary Victoria Falls.

Toka Leya Camp, on Condé Nast’s “Hot List”, is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a few miles upstream from the falls.
Toka Leya Camp, Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia

DAY 9  
Victoria Falls and Departure

Walking tour of Victoria Falls – easy, about one hour.

The grand finale of our journey is a guided tour of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 meters wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 meters into the sheer Zambezi Gorge. It is a truly spectacular sight to behold and a fitting end to our exploration of the wonders of southern Africa.

By mid-morning we transfer to Livingstone Airport and bid farewell to our adventure in time for early afternoon flights homeward. You may also choose to extend your stay at this beautiful riverside camp in order to experience more of what the area has to offer.

Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience.  Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.

From $7,995 per person

May 21-29: $7,995 per person
September 18-26: $9,995 per person

• Expert naturalist guide
• Services of safari camp staff and camp gratuities
• Chartered bush flights
• All accommodations
• All meals and select alcoholic beverages
• All activities noted in the itinerary, such as daily game drives, night drives, mokoro excursions, tracking walks, and river cruises