Botswana: Desert and Delta (8N) – Classic

Days 1–3 : The Linyanti
Days 4–6 : Okavango Delta
Days 7–8 : Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Guide Price : £7,869 per person
Duration : 8 nights
Best Months : Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Countries : Botswana

This trip includes not only the Okavango Delta and the predator-rich Linyanti region to the west of Chobe National Park, but also the Kalahari Desert! We use superb camps located in wildlife-rich private reserves.

The adventure begins at Selinda Explorers Camp. This is an expedition-style property in an off-the-beaten-track location next to the Selinda Spillway, within North Botswana’s Selinda Reserve. Next, you’ll stay at Shinde Camp, a classic camp in the Okavango Delta’s northern region. Finally, you’ll head to the Central Kalahari, to Kalahari Plains, a simple tented camp set on the edge of a sprawling pan and with breathtaking views over the entire Pans region! All camps are small, with a highly exclusive feel.

During your stay at Selinda Explorers, you’ll enjoy vehicle and walking safaris, in addition to canoeing trips if you visit the camp during the months from May to September. Shinde offers expertly guided game drives, night drives, walking safaris, motorboat trips, mokoro excursions, and, from March to December, fishing too! And Kalahari Plains provides day game drives, star-bed sleep-outs, cultural experiences, and Photo Hub, an Olympus camera experience.

*Please note, this is just one example of a trip we could design for you. We tailor-make safari holidays that take you to the real Africa – no readymade tours or set departures. Do get in touch with one of our experts today to start creating your bespoke itinerary!*

All Of Our Holidays Are Tailor Made

The prices below are provided per person, and please note that the prices are approximate. Please contact us for accurate costings for the time of year you are considering for your holiday. There are multiple season changes across the year and numerous room categories that can change the price of any trip.

From approx £7,869 per person in low season

From approx £9,030 per person in high season

Prices include all internal flights, transfers, reserve fees, accommodation, and meals as specified in the day-to-day itinerary. Prices exclude international flights, tipping, visa, and any meals not included.

Days 1–3 The Linyanti

elephant and birdlife, botswana, africa areas and experiences

On Day 1 of your holiday, you’ll touch down at Maun Airport and board a flight to Selinda Airstrip. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll travel to Selinda Explorers Camp via shared road transfer. This property is located on a remote stretch of the Selinda Spillway. It has an adventurous feel, resembling a mobile camp yet boasting the style and luxury we associate with permanent lodges. The communal lounge and dining room occupy one tent each. Their interiors include immense floor cushions, brass lamps, and furnishings that recall the explorer era! This theme continues into the camp’s guest accommodation. Each of the four Meru-style tents is also very sumptuous, with furnishings that really take you back to the campaign days. We love the antique-y fans, classic writing desk, and twin brass sinks in the changing area! Every tent has open-air canvas-walled washing facilities too, comprising flush toilet and bucket shower. Activities from Selinda Explorers consist of morning and afternoon/evening game drives, guided walking safaris, and canoe trips (May–September). There’s plenty of wildlife to see here, such as lion, cheetah, buffalo, wild dog, lots of plains game, and more than 300 bird species!

Board basis and activities:
All-inclusive accommodation, featuring all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, all scheduled wildlife activities, transfers between the camp and Selinda Airstrip, and a laundry service.

View Lodge
View Park

Days 4–6 Okavango Delta

On the fourth day, you’ll travel from Selinda Explorers Camp to Selinda Airstrip via shared road transfer. You’ll fly to Shinde Airstrip and have another shared transfer to Shinde Camp, in the Delta’s northern region. This property has a lovely location on an island, on the edge of a lagoon. Its communal lounge and dining areas are housed in a multi-tiered structure under canvas, in the shade of ebony and mangosteen trees. There’s a fire-pit too, and a sparkling swimming pool! Guest accommodation consists of eight tents, all raised on wooden decking. Each features a comfortable double or twin bedroom, a seating area, a smart en-suite shower room, and a private deck with spectacular views over open plains! Shinde provides a high-quality base camp from which to explore the North Delta. Things to do include vehicle and walking safaris, motorboat trips, mokoro excursions, and fishing (March–December). Wildlife highlights comprise four of the Big Five, numerous smaller predators and herbivores, and hundreds of birds.

Board basis and activities:
All-inclusive accommodation, featuring all meals and snacks, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, game activities conducted by professional guides, all taxes, park entrance fees and service charges, emergency evacuation insurance (to regional medical facility), and a daily laundry service.

View Lodge
View Park

Days 7–8 Central Kalahari Game Reserve

For the final part of your trip, you’ll have a shared road transfer from Shinde Camp to Shinde Airstrip, before flying back to Maun Airport, connecting on to a flight to Kalahari Plains Airstrip, and travelling to Kalahari Plains via shared transfer. This simple tented camp is situated in a thrillingly remote region of the Central Kalahari. Its communal lounge and dining spaces boast breathtaking views over the pans, as does the camp’s highly inviting swimming pool! There are eight guest tents here, each featuring a comfortable bedroom, well-appointed en-suite facilities, and your very own sleep-out platform on the roof. The camp offers expertly guided morning and afternoon game drives, as well as cultural experiences and photographic safaris. The Central Kalahari is famous for its black-maned lions, and you can look out for cheetah too. From January to May, wildlife viewing is particularly good, as these months bring the rains and plenty of food for herbivores. However, outside green season, this is still a dream destination, for the sheer sense of wilderness.

Board basis and activities:
All-inclusive accommodation, featuring all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, twice-daily scheduled camp activities, park fees, and a laundry service.

On the last day, you’ll travel from Kalahari Plains to Kalahari Plains Airstrip and fly back to Maun Airport, arriving in good time for your flight/s home.