Botswana Under Canvas

These tiny explorer-style camps (each has just 4-5 tents) combine the magic of camping - feeling incredibly close to nature, drinks around the campfire, and dining under the stars, with guest comfort, high levels of service, excellent food and a light footprint.

One of the features of a Botswana safari is the diversity of experiences on offer. This trip combines National Parks and Private Reserves giving you the opportunity to do day and night drives, off-roading, bush walks and boating for a fully immersive safari.

Much of Botswana’s wilderness is only accessible by air, so you’ll hop from camp to camp on short, scenic light-aircraft flights. These small planes often fly low allowing for fabulous views of the changing ecosystems, as well as some aerial game viewing of the larger animals.

Days 1-2: Chobe National Park

Arrive at Kasane Airport where you'll be met by a friendly safari guide and driven to Chobe Under Canvas. As you enter Chobe National Park on the way to the camp’s private location, the game viewing begins….

With the highest concentration of elephants in Africa, Chobe is a pachyderm lover’s paradise. In the dry season, herds can number in the hundreds and are a stable presence along the Chobe River where they are not at all camera shy! The park also has enormous herds of buffalo and plentiful lion and other predators.

Days 3-5: Selinda Reserve - Kwando-Linyanti

Head back to Kasane Airport to catch a short flight (about 50 minutes) to Selinda Airstrip and the next stage of your safari at Selinda Explorers Camp. After landing, you’ll game drive to the camp’s remote location in the shade of African ebony trees on the banks of the Selinda Spillway.

This exclusive and vast private reserve is a first class area for big game. The area is well known for wild dogs and also fantastic for leopard. Off-road driving is allowed here, so you won’t be disappointed if the wild dogs you’ve just spotted spring into action on a hunt – just be prepared for an African massage as you follow them cross-country!

This is an excellent camp for walking safaris – a great way to discover the bush from a different perspective, appreciate the smaller details and get active.

Night drives are also possible here to search for nocturnal creatures like civet, porcupine, bushbabies, owls and more. Many predators are also active at night…

Days 6-7 Jao Concession - Okavango Delta

Head back to Selinda Airstrip for another short flight south into the watery oasis of the Okavango Delta. Upon landing, your adventure continues with an exciting boat ride to Pelo Camp situated on a small, picturesque tree island.

Pelo is deep inside the waterways of the upper Okavango Delta, and the emphasis here is on water-based activities - primarily excursions by mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe). Glide gently through the papyrus-lined channels with deep blue skies above you while looking out for tiny reed frogs, shy sitatunga antelope, lazy hippo and a wonderful selection of birds.

‘Wet camps’ like Pelo can be a blissful opportunity to press pause and slow down the pace of your safari after the early morning starts on game drives!

Days 8-10: Khwai Private Reserve

Fly from Jao Airstrip to Khwai Airstrip and transfer to Little Machaba Camp in the pristine wilderness of the Khwai Private Reserve.

Situated at the southern end of the Okavango Delta, the Khwai area consists of floodplains and woodland interlaced with waterways. With more dry land here than around Pelo this is an extremely good area for general predator sightings – lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and zebra are also ever present. Besides game drives, you can also do guided walks and mokoro trips.

Day 11 Departure

Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to Botswana. Fly from Khwai Airstrip to Maun Airport (roughly 30 minutes) to arrive in good time for your international flight home.

This itinerary is just an example. In the peak season (July to October) it costs from around £12,000 pp excluding international flights. Plesae get in touch for a fully tailor made safari.

Travel Tip: Bring a power bank for your phone as these off-grid camps have limited/no charging facilities.