A Romantic Botswana Safari
This 7-night diverse itinerary explores Botswana’s most alluring and uncrowded places; three destinations in this world-renowned safari country that are entirely different from one another, each possessing enchanting and breath-taking appeal.
Introduction
This 7-night diverse itinerary explores Botswana’s most alluring and uncrowded places; three destinations in this world-renowned safari country that are entirely different from one another, each possessing enchanting and breath-taking appeal. Beginning and ending in Maun, this tour of Botswana’s ‘Holy Trinity’ kicks off on the banks of the Boteti River, right on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park at Meno A Kwena, before immersing into the secrets of Khwai Private Reserve at Sable Alley, and ending on the unchartered fringe of the northern Okavango Delta at Mapula Lodge.
Pricing
From US$5350 in per person sharing.
Tailor-made Itinerary
As with all the tours on our website, this is just an example of the safaris we are able to arrange. We take pride in creating holidays and safaris from scratch, placing particular emphasis on matching the destinations and properties to your budget. Contact us now to start the process of arranging your dream holiday and safari.
Day 1 - 3: Meno A Kwena , Makgadigadi Pans
Upon arrival at Maun Airport, you will take a short 90-minute road transfer to Meno A Kwena (which means ‘place of the crocodile’), where the view is immediately mesmerising. Perched high up on the rocky banks of the Boteti River, each of Meno’s nine luxury tents look down on the glistening water and the gathering of elephant and zebra that is so often present on the opposite bank, which belongs to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The famous zebra migration of the area can be viewed in exclusive comfort from the swimming pool or the shady lounge located on the lip of the cliff.
Now known as the place Prince Harry took Meghan Markle, Meno A Kwena has always possessed an unusual and unique charm with interesting decor seemingly picked out of an old explorer museum, a long wooden dining table beneath the preserved fabric of an old parachute, and luxury safari tents that are reached via white, sandy pathways. There is an emphasis on history at Meno A Kwena, and a large part of that is the history of the San, who have traversed the Kalahari for thousands of years. The next two nights spent at Meno will be convivial, scrumptious, and quirky, with safari activities that include the unique experience of walking with the San Bushman, day-tripping to the Makgadikgadi salt pans, and cruising down the river spotting birds and wildlife on the banks. A time to entirely relax and partake in a bit of ‘armchair game watching’ from the comfort of your tent.
Day 3 - 6: Sable Alley , Khwai Private Reserve
On day 3, a road transfer will take you speedily back to Maun Airport to board a light aircraft to fly to Khwai Private Reserve airstrip, which serves Sable Alley. This spot is nothing less than indulgent in terms of wild, safari quality. A private concession of almost 500 000 acres is sprawled between Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve in the northeast of the Okavango Delta, so it is in the heart of Botswana’s most famous game viewing areas, yet it has none of the vehicle traffic due to its private status. Sable Alley, located on the banks of a busy lagoon, is ultra welcoming with vastly spacious tents, complete with outdoor showers with a view of the water, and it offers incomparable game viewing opportunities.
Three nights spent at Sable Alley will give you the chance to unwind among the harmonious melodies of the birds, resting in extreme comfort, and enjoying some sublime evenings around the dancing fire after the excitement of a game drive chock-a-block with wildlife activity. To explore this area from a different perspective, you are encouraged to lace up and join a walking safari along the Khwai River, led by one of Sable Alley’s expert guides. Alternatively (or additionally), spend a few hours being canoed through the lagoons in a traditional mokoro, which is a serene and enriching way to view the landscape, or stand the chance to watch an elephant crossing the water ahead.
Day 6 - 8: Mapula Lodge , Okavango Delta
The third component of Botswana’s Holy Trinity is the secretive and seductive northern fringe of the Okavango Delta, where Mapula Lodge finds its feet at the edge of a glassy lagoon, just north of the well known Vumbura Plains. The Delta is popularly travelled, and for very good reason, but Mapula’s private concession offers every luxury of this water-logged paradise without needing to share it. Those in the know will agree that this region of the Okavango is supreme and houses perhaps the greatest density of wildlife - particularly lions - compared to anywhere else in the wetland. You will fly in from Sable Alley in Khwai Private Reserve to Mapula Lodge’s private airstrip where highly reputable guides will be waiting to take you on a game drive to the lodge.
There are nine tents, made of canvas and thatch, dotted between the riverine trees that line the lagoon, looking right onto the magnificent view from the comfort of individual balconies. The main lodge is a spacious expanse of timber decking, which is built around the trunks of enormous, shady trees and extends to a jetty. A swimming pool provides relief on hot, summer days, and a vibrant outdoor fireplace attracts sociable conversation each evening beneath the stars. This sought after location will produce incredible results for bird watchers (Pel’s fishing owl and African skimmer are specials), while the most popular predator and large mammal species are frequent features on game drive. Mokoro and boat cruises are fantastic during mid-year, and fly camping, bush dinners, helicopter flights, and hot air balloon journeys offer extra special activities to guests with a desire for the exceptional.
