7 Day Botswana Safari Explorer: Maun to Victoria Falls (Lodge Overland Safari)
Overview: Embark on a budget-friendly Botswana safari exploring the beauty of the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert, and the iconic Victoria Falls. This 7-day Botswana safari offers an incredible journey from Maun through the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Makgadigadi Pans, Chobe National Park, and finally to the mighty Victoria Falls. Along the way, you will stay in comfortable, budget-friendly lodges and enjoy exhilarating wildlife experiences.
Day 1: Maun – Botswana
Our Botswana Explorer Lodge Overland Safari begins in Maun, where you will check into a riverside hotel. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and get to know your fellow travelers and crew. If time permits, opt for a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, taking in a stunning aerial view of this natural wonder.
Optional Activity: Okavango Delta scenic flight (time permitting)
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Maun to Khwai Conservation Area (Okavango Delta) – Botswana
Start early and embark on a two-day adventure into the Okavango Delta. Travel in smaller 4×4 safari vehicles to the Khwai River floodplains. Stay in a rustic mobile fly camp and enjoy a traditional mokoro boat trip through the waterways of the Okavango Delta. End the day with a sunset mokoro excursion.
Included Activity: Sunset Delta Mokoro Excursion
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Moremi Game Reserve – Botswana
Spend the day exploring the stunning Moremi Game Reserve, home to a variety of wildlife, including the African Big 5. This 5,000-square-kilometer sanctuary offers a rich landscape of grasslands, woodlands, and waterways teeming with animals like lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo.
Included Activity: Moremi Game Reserve Full Day Game Drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Khwai River Area to Maun & Nata (Makgadigadi Pans) – Botswana
Travel back to Maun and continue to the Makgadigadi Pans, a vast salt flat that stretches into the horizon. Stop at a viewpoint to take in the breathtaking landscape. In the evening, relax at a desert lodge near Nata Pan, where you can watch desert elephants at a nearby waterhole.
Included Activity: Makgadigadi Pans Viewpoint
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Nata to Kasane & Chobe National Park – Botswana
Travel northeast into Chobe National Park, famous for its large elephant populations. Stay at a riverside lodge in Kasane and enjoy a thrilling game-viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River. Observe hippos, crocodiles, and elephants along the riverbanks.
Included Activity: Chobe National Park Boat Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Kasane to Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
Cross the border into Zimbabwe and head to Victoria Falls. Spend the day exploring the falls, known locally as “Mosi-oa Tunya” (the smoke that thunders), and enjoy various activities like white-water rafting, bungee jumping, or a helicopter flight over the falls.
Optional Activities: White-Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Helicopter Flights, and more
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 7: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
On your last day, continue to explore the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls and its surroundings. After breakfast, take part in more optional activities or relax before your onward journey.
Optional Activities: White-Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Gorge Swing, Helicopter Flights, and more
Meals: Breakfast
Booking & Travel Notes
For this Botswana safari, we recommend booking your flights to arrive a day before the tour departs from Maun and to depart the day after it concludes in Victoria Falls. Pre-tour and post-tour accommodation can be added upon request to enhance your safari experience.
Alternative Options: This Botswana safari can also be done in reverse order from Victoria Falls to Maun, or you can choose the Botswana Explorer Camping Tour for a more budget-friendly option with camping accommodations.