Wildlife Encounters
Track elephants, lions, buffalo and hippos in the Delta, before discovering the uniquely adapted wildlife of the Kalahari.
Highlights of Botswana
A journey from the wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the savannah’s of the Kalahari…
This 10-day journey explores two contrasting regions of the Okavango Delta, from a classic private concession rich in wildlife and varied activities, to a remote and little-visited corner where the focus is on exploration and discovery. The journey then ends in the Kalahari Desert, an expansive environment shaped by big skies and shifting light.
The seasonal landscapes of Botswana make for an exceptional safari experience. Guiding is among the best in Africa, the camps are some of the finest, and the country continues to lead the way in responsible travel, with conservation of wildlife and culture at its heart.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
A Water Safari
A quieter, more elemental way to explore, drifting by mokoro and on foot through the Delta’s channels and floodplains.
Desert Landscapes
A striking contrast awaits in the Kalahari, with wide open spaces, golden light and a sense of stillness.
Distinctive Camps
Stay in a thoughtful blend of camps, from classic Delta comfort to more remote, exploratory settings.
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Day 1
Maun to Okavango Delta
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Days 2 - 3
Okavango Delta, Maxa Lagoon
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Day 4
Maxa Lagoon to Shinde Private Concession
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Days 5 - 6
Okavango Delta, Shinde Private Concession
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Day 7
Okavango Delta to Kalahari Desert
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Days 8 - 9
Kalahari Desert
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Day 10
Kalahari Desert to Maun
Day 1
Maun to Okavango Delta
Arrive into Maun and transfer by helicopter to your camp in the north-eastern Okavango Delta. This remote area near the Selinda Spillway offers a quiet, more exclusive introduction to the Delta.
Days 2 - 3
Okavango Delta, Maxa Lagoon
Over the next two days, explore the Delta at a gentle pace, by mokoro through quiet channels, on foot with your guide and on game drives. This is a more exploratory corner, where shifting water levels shape each day and time is spent following the rhythms of the landscape.
Day 4
Maxa Lagoon to Shinde Private Concession
After breakfast, transfer by helicopter to the Shinde Private Concession, a classic Delta landscape of floodplains and islands. Its private status means fewer vehicles and added flexibility in how you explore.
Days 5 - 6
Okavango Delta, Shinde Private Concession
Over the next few days, enjoy a range of activities on game drives, on foot and on the water, with a focus on varied wildlife viewing across this productive area of the Delta.
Day 7
Okavango Delta to Kalahari Desert
Transfer to the airstrip for your flight south to the Kalahari desert. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation on a private reserve bordering Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
Days 8 - 9
Kalahari Desert
Over the next 2 days explore the Kalahari, spending time with the people and wildlife that inhabit this desert.
Day 10
Kalahari Desert to Maun
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Maun and onward travel to Johannesburg and home.
More Details
Delta Days
Where Water Shapes the Wild
A year-round destination, the Okavango Delta shifts with the seasons. Floodwaters bring full channels and water-based safaris, while the dry season draws wildlife to remaining water, intensifying sightings.
This journey pairs a classic Delta setting with a more remote corner, reached by scenic helicopter transfer. Days unfold at a gentle pace, on foot, by mokoro or by vehicle, with expert guiding throughout.
Desert Days
Under Kalahari Skies
In contrast to the Delta, the Kalahari is a landscape of open plains, red sands and wide skies. Wildlife is more sparsely distributed, making each sighting feel considered and rewarding. Game drives reveal oryx, giraffe and Kalahari lion, while night drives may uncover more elusive species such as aardvark and brown hyena. Guided walks with San Bushmen offer a deeper connection to the land through tracking and storytelling.
Time here is as much about stillness as discovery. Watch wildlife at the waterhole, settle into a hide, or sleep out beneath clear, star-filled skies.
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It all starts here
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creating your tailor-made holiday.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Staying in camps set within private concessions helps protect Botswana’s most fragile ecosystems. Visitor numbers are carefully managed, allowing wildlife to thrive with minimal disturbance.
Each camp included in this holiday is thoughtfully designed to operate with a light footprint, using solar power, careful water management and locally sourced materials. Built to blend into their surroundings, they minimise environmental impact while maintaining comfort, ensuring that these sensitive landscapes are preserved over time.
The camps included employ and train staff from nearby communities, creating long-term opportunities in remote areas. Cultural experiences, such as guided walks with San Bushmen, offer a respectful insight into traditional knowledge, helping to preserve heritage while supporting sustainable livelihoods.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
Suggested Extension
Botswana: Namibia Cross Border
Extending into Namibia is easier than ever, thanks to improved air links between Maun and Windhoek. From here, explore the red dunes and salt pans of Sossusvlei.
Alternatively, travel north overland from the Okavango Delta into the Caprivi Strip, a narrow corridor shaped by colonial boundaries, where rivers and wetlands create a greener, more wildlife-rich setting. This lesser-visited region offers a quieter extension with a distinct sense of place and history.
7 days. Price on request
Suggested Extension
Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls
Extend your time in Africa and fly or travel overland to Victoria Falls to spend time taking in these mighty waterfalls plus activities including white water rafting and kayaking. From here it is easy to extend your adventures in Zimbabwe, encountering some of the continent’s best safari guides.
3 days. Price on request
Suggested Extension
Botswana: Chobe National Park
Continue to Chobe National Park, known for its large elephant herds and rich wildlife along the Chobe River. While this is one of Botswana’s more visited parks, it rewards with exceptional game viewing, particularly in the dry season when animals gather in large numbers at the water’s edge. Combine game drives with boat safaris, offering a different perspective from the river itself.
3 days. Price on request
Suggested Extension
Botswana: Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Extend your journey to the Makgadikgadi Pans, a landscape of open salt flats and wide skies. The experience here shifts with the seasons. In the dry winter months between May and October, the pans are stark and expansive, ideal for quad biking and exploring the open landscape. With the summer rains from December to March, seasonal grasses return and wildlife follows, including the zebra migration, while flamingos may gather when the pans fill with water.
4 days. Price on request
A note on price
This Itinerary
Price
From £10,850 Per person
When to travel
Botswana in January
A hot time of year, with thunderstorms periodically clearing the air. The peak of the wet season brings lush grass and the chance to spot newborn animals and birds.
Botswana in February
It remains hot and wet throughout the country, with the Central Kalahari turning into lush grasslands. Fruit sweetens and many different species scour the trees for a tasty meal.
Botswana in March
The high temperatures continue but the rains start to abate as the rainy season draws to a close.
Botswana in April
Temperatures start to drop, and days become drier. Antelope are breeding at this time, and are visible trying to flaunt themselves to their respective females.
Botswana in May
The start of the dry season. A good time of year to travel with pleasant temperatures, before the peak season.
Botswana in June
The winter brings warm days but chillier nights, so it is worth bringing a jacket. There is very little rainfall now, so wildlife is easier to spot around watering holes.
Botswana in July
The driest and coolest month across the country, with almost no rainfall at all. The waters of the Okavango rise as the rains finally filter down from the mountains of Angola. The aridity means that there are fewer mosquitoes at this time of year.
Botswana in August
Temperatures rise again, meaning less chilly nights and hot days, still with very little rainfall. A great time to spot wildlife in the Okavango delta as the waters reach peak levels.
Botswana in September
Continued rising temperatures and clear blue skies make for hot days and pleasantly warm evenings. Much of the country becomes dry and dusty as it has now been many months since any significant rains. Wildlife can be spotted easily around receding watering holes.
Botswana in October
The hottest month with some temperatures close to 40C, and the first signs of rain approaching. Water levels fall in the Okavango delta, causing catfish to migrate upstream, feeding on smaller fish along the way.
Botswana in November
The heat continues, as the rainy season begins. Greenery starts to return to the plains, and it is possible to spot some newborns.
Botswana in December
The rains return in full swing, with regular thunderstorms providing some relief from the heat. Grass carpets many of the landscapes, providing plenty of food for the young.
Holiday Ideas
Need inspiration? Here's a great place to start.
We know a thing or two about bespoke holidays – we’ve been creating them since 1989. Take a trip through the Botswana Holidays that we love today.
Why Choose Steppes?
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