Botswana 9 Day Pioneer Maun to Maun (2027)

Welcome to the start of your Botswana wildlife adventure. You may choose to fly into Maun Airport and arrange a transfer to the lodge (at your own expense), where you'll meet the rest of your group. Drifters Maun Lodge is our peaceful home next to the Boteti River--enjoy a light lunch (own expense) before spending the afternoon at leisure. Unwind beside the pool, take a stroll along the riverbank, or simply soak up the tranquil atmosphere. The Boteti River's water levels and flow are largely dependent on rainfall in northern Botswana and Angola. When water flows strongly, it transforms the surrounding landscape into a haven for select wildlife. With water drawing animals to the river's edge, sightings of hippos, other wildlife, and an abundance of birdlife are often possible right from the lodge grounds, bringing the magic of Botswana's wilderness quite literally to your doorstep. This evening, enjoy dinner at the restaurant and get to know your fellow adventurers. An evening filled with excitement and anticipation for the wilderness experiences that await in one of Africa's most extraordinary safari regions. Overnight at Drifters Maun Lodge Campsite or similar - Dinner

With an early start, we embark on our journey to the Okavango Delta, a unique natural phenomenon. The Okavango River, born in the highlands of central Angola far to the northwest, flows southwards and eastwards before being swallowed by the Makgadikgadi sands. Between its rise and demise, you will find an enchanting inland delta - the only one of its kind on this planet. It's the way you get to experience it that makes all the difference... Glide through the maze of watery lagoons in a mokoro with your local guide, watch elephants wading through floodplains, and listen to the low hoot of the elusive Pel's fishing owl at dusk. Here, the hum of dragonflies sings with the splash of hippos, and you have exclusive seats to the spectacle. Walk on uninhabited islands, picnic lunch in the wilderness, enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise, or take a helicopter flip (at your own expense) - or relax and take it all in from the comfort of our camp on the edge of a mammoth lagoon. Overnight at Guma Lagoon Campsite or similar - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We return to Maun and head to the comfort of our camp for a good meal and a night of restorative sleep. Rest well and charge those batteries, because we are about to embark on the safari of a lifetime. Overnight at Drifters Maun Lodge Campsite or similar - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, we climb aboard our safari vehicles towards our secluded campsite on the banks of the Mbudi River. We head into another world on this four-day Botswana safari into the heart of Botswana's protected wilderness of the Khwai Concession or Moremi. Imagine parading elephant herds and leopards prowling in dappled shadows, or the drama of lions on the hunt, cheetahs in an electric sprint, and the dazzling dance of zebras and elegant antelope across the savanna. This 4-night safari, with daily game drives, is an unscripted adventure that takes shape according to the season's migrations. We will spend long, lazy hours at hides and waterholes, travelling with local Motswana guides in well-equipped, open safari vehicles built for wild places where roads are just tracks in the sand. After a day of rugged adventure, we arrive back at the oasis that is our camp at sunset, met by a chilled drink and a crackling campfire that is already dancing for the stories to come as night falls. After a soulful evening spent in good company under the infinite galaxy, drift off to sleep in your tent to the cackle of a hyena or the roar of a lion. This is raw Africa, and probably the furthest you will ever be from civilisation. Depending on the ever-changing conditions in the national parks, we may venture into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve or the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Overnight at Khwai Hippo Pools Campsite or similar - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Savour your final morning in the wild as we depart the Khwai Concession at a relaxed pace, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the remarkable landscapes and wildlife that make this region so special. The journey south traverses a mosaic of habitats, from riverine forests and floodplains to open grasslands and mopane woodlands. Keep your camera close at hand--this route often rewards travellers with sightings of elephants, giraffes, antelope, buffalo, and perhaps even predators making their final rounds before the heat of the day sets in. As we leave the pristine wilderness behind, the scenery gradually changes from the lush waterways and wildlife-rich ecosystems of the Okavango Delta to the drier savannah landscapes surrounding Maun. Birdlife remains abundant throughout the journey, with colourful bee-eaters, majestic fish eagles, and a variety of raptors often accompanying travellers along the way. Arriving in Maun, you'll have time to explore the town and enjoy lunch at your leisure where the adventure ends. We recommend extending the experience to South Africa before returning home. OPTIONAL Post-night at Drifters Maun Lodge or similar - Breakfast