Deception, Delta and Falls – Botswana Small Group Tour

Day Overview

Days 1–2: Deception Valley Private Reserve (Central Kalahari)

Begin your Botswana safari in Maun, where you’ll meet your guide and travel to the Deception Valley Private Reserve, bordering the vast Central Kalahari Game Reserve. This remote wilderness offers sweeping grasslands, fossil riverbeds, and a striking blend of desert and savanna. Spend two days on morning and afternoon game drives in search of desert-adapted wildlife such as oryx, springbok, ostrich, and Kalahari lions. A highlight will be a guided walk with a San tracker, learning about traditional bushcraft, survival skills, and the cultural heritage of the San people. Evenings bring spectacular sunsets and stargazing under the endless Kalahari skies.

Day 3: Xhumaga (Makgadikgadi Region)

Travel east to the Makgadikgadi region, a vast area of ancient salt pans and open plains that were once part of a prehistoric super-lake. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route before arriving at your lodge near Khumaga village, overlooking the Boteti River—the only permanent water source on the western edge of the Makgadikgadi National Park. In the dry season, the river attracts large herds of zebra, wildebeest, and the predators that follow them. In the afternoon, visit Khumaga village for a cultural experience and an authentic look into rural Botswana life.

Days 4–6: Khwai Community Area (Okavango Delta Region)

Journey west toward the Okavango region, stopping in Maun for lunch before continuing to the Khwai Community Area, bordering the renowned Moremi Game Reserve. This area is known for its exceptional wildlife viewing, with elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and wild dogs frequenting the Khwai River. Spend three days exploring on morning and afternoon game drives, traversing floodplains, woodlands, and mopane forests.

A highlight is a mokoro (dugout canoe) excursion, gliding silently through the waterways with your local poler, observing aquatic plants, birdlife, and wildlife from a serene perspective. Between safaris, relax at camp and soak in the tranquility of this rich and diverse ecosystem.

Days 7–8: Chobe River Front (Chobe National Park)

Continue north through the Savuti region, famed for its open plains, lion prides, and elephant interactions, before reaching your camp near the Chobe River Front. Here, you’ll experience one of Botswana’s most wildlife-rich areas. Over two days, enjoy both game drives and a boat cruise along the Chobe River, where massive elephant herds, buffalo, hippos, and crocodiles gather. The combination of river and floodplain offers superb photography and unforgettable wildlife encounters, particularly during sunset when the park glows in golden light.

Days 9–10: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Cross into Zimbabwe and settle into your lodge in Victoria Falls town, just minutes from one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Spend your days exploring at your own pace. Walk to the thundering falls, browse local craft markets, or take part in a variety of optional activities. Popular choices include a helicopter flight over the falls, a sunset Zambezi River cruise, white-water rafting, or an evening BOMA cultural dinner. Whether seeking relaxation or adventure, Victoria Falls offers the perfect finale to your safari.

Day 11: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight. As you depart, reflect on your unforgettable journey from the Kalahari’s wide horizons and Makgadikgadi’s shimmering pans, to the Okavango’s wetlands, Chobe’s riverine wilderness, and the majestic spectacle of Victoria Falls. A truly complete and inspiring Southern African adventure.