Arriving in Maun Airport, Botswana, you are met by a representative and assisted onto your flight to the Okavango. This is a wonderful introduction to the Delta, which is truly beautiful viewed from above. On landing your guide will be waiting to transfer you to the lodge, a 20 minute game drive.

Set on the picturesque island of Xaxaba, Eagle Island Lodge is a beautiful retreat style lodge offering a quintessential Okavango water safari experience, water levels permitting. At certain times of year, depending on flood levels, this lodge turns into a land-focussed safari experience with incredible game viewing. Being within a private concession means you can enjoy night drives, off-roading and walking safaris. The focus during times of full flood is on a slower safari, enjoying the peace and beauty of the Okavango from the water and on foot. Each of the sumptuous guest rooms features a private deck and plunge pool and inside air-conditioning ensures a supremely comfortable stay.

Once you have settled into your new home your guide will discuss your interests while introducing you to the environment around the lodge and the activities. Mokoro excursions (traditional dug-out canoes) and boating are fantastic water safari experiences, while guided bushwalks offer guests a chance to understand the often overlooked smaller species and the diverse flora and fauna that make up this exceptional ecosystem.

Other activities (at an additional cost) include helicopter flights and horse-back riding(experienced riders only). Guests can visit Xaxaba village and witness a traditional Okavango village at work and play, as local people adapt ancient traditions to suit modern life.

Later that afternoon you will set off on your first activity – perhaps gliding along the shallow waters in a mokoro or exploring further into the deeper waters by boat. The emphasis is on the slower safari, a break from the game drives and instead enjoying the peace and tranquility of the Okavango.

Over the next twp days you will enjoy full days of activities as discussed with your guide.

This morning you will have the opportunity to enjoy another morning activity or perhaps a lie in for a change, before leaving the Okavango for your next camp, Savute Elephant Lodge. At a time advised the day before your guide will transfer you back to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Savute, a flight of about 30 minutes. The landscape changes dramatically as you leave the Okavango, the land dries up and the animals begin to congregate at the watering holes. You guide will be waiting for you on landing and a 30 min game drive takes you to the lodge.

Savute Elephant Lodge is one of the most luxurious lodges in Botswana and enjoys a prime location on the banks of the Savute channel – not far from the Savute Marsh, famous for the large Marsh pride of lion. With great views over the channel and a constant stream of animals arriving to quench their thirst, this is a fantastic spot. Game viewing can be enjoyed from the pool, the hide, the dining room and even your private deck.

Activities focus on morning and afternoon game drives . Day trips to see ancient san bushman rock art is also possible and function as game drives en route . These excursions come highly recommended. This is big game country and you can expect huge numbers of elephants in the dry season and buffalo too. The predators follow. The lion have learnt to hunt elephant and hippo here, and have a ferocious reputation.

You will enjoy an afternoon game drive with a stop for sundowners on the day or arrival, returning for dinner as the sun sinks.

Over the next two days you will explore Savute, with morning and afternoon game drives and plenty of time during heat of the day to enjoy the lodge and watching the comings and goings at the waterhole.

Today, depending on the time of your flight you may have a morning activity before your flight to Maun. The exact time of your flight will be fixed the day before and advised by your guide. Bidding farewell to the team you will be transferred back to the airstrip for your fight to Maun, a flight of about 30 minutes. There you will be met and assisted onto your onward flight.