9 Nights Botswana & Zambia Safari

On arrival in Maun, Botswana, you'll be met by a representative who will assist you with your connection onto a scenic light aircraft flight into the heart of the Okavango Delta. As the landscape transforms into a patchwork of lagoons, islands and winding waterways, you'll gain your first appreciation of one of Africa's most remarkable wilderness areas.

Your home for the next two nights is Xugana Island Lodge, beautifully positioned on a large permanent lagoon in one of the Delta's most scenic regions. Long regarded as one of the Okavango's classic water camps, Xugana offers a truly immersive Delta experience centred around boating, mokoro excursions and the tranquillity of the waterways.

Unlike many parts of the Delta that become increasingly seasonal as water levels fluctuate, Xugana enjoys reliable year-round water, making it one of Botswana's finest destinations for water-based safari activities. Explore papyrus-lined channels by boat, discover hidden lagoons and enjoy exceptional birdlife while experiencing the Delta from the water, as it was meant to be explored.

Between activities, relax on your private deck overlooking the lagoon and absorb the peace and beauty of this unique ecosystem as your Botswana and Zambia safari begins.

A short light aircraft transfer brings you to a completely different side of the Okavango Delta and the next stage of your safari adventure.

Situated within a large private concession in the northern Okavango, Mapula Lodge is renowned for its exceptional game viewing, diverse habitats and excellent guiding. While water levels have increased in the area in recent years, allowing for seasonal boating opportunities, the focus here is firmly on exploring this wildlife-rich wilderness by vehicle and on foot.

Mapula's private concession setting allows for a more exclusive and flexible safari experience than many public wildlife areas. Excellent predator sightings, large elephant herds and a healthy diversity of plains game make this one of the Delta's most rewarding safari destinations.

The contrast between Xugana and Mapula is one of the highlights of the journey. Having experienced the Delta's waterways, you'll now discover its productive grasslands, woodlands and floodplains, gaining a broader understanding of the remarkable diversity that makes the Okavango Delta one of Africa's great safari destinations.

Today you leave Botswana behind and fly onto Kasane for a road transfer to Livingstone, gateway to the mighty Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.

For the next two nights, you'll stay at Mukwa River Lodge, an elegant boutique retreat located on a peaceful stretch of the Zambezi River just upstream from Victoria Falls. Spending two nights here allows time to properly enjoy the river and its surroundings rather than simply passing through.

The atmosphere at Mukwa is intentionally relaxed. Enjoy sunset cruises on the Zambezi, watch kingfishers and fish eagles from the riverbank, explore nearby Victoria Falls or simply unwind and enjoy the views from camp. The permanent waters of the Zambezi create a beautiful backdrop throughout the year and attract abundant birdlife to the area.

This slower-paced interlude provides the perfect balance between the safari experiences of Botswana and the remote wilderness awaiting you in western Zambia.

Your final destination is one of Africa's most extraordinary and least-visited wilderness areas. A scheduled flight takes you to Liuwa Plain National Park, where vast grasslands, dramatic skies and abundant wildlife create an experience unlike anywhere else on the continent.

Over the next three nights, you'll stay at King Lewanika Lodge, the park's only permanent luxury lodge. Small, intimate and beautifully positioned overlooking the plains, it provides exclusive access to a wilderness that remains largely untouched by modern safari tourism.

Days are spent exploring this remarkable landscape in search of lion, cheetah, hyena, wildebeest, zebra and exceptional birdlife. The quality of guiding and the sheer sense of space are among Liuwa's greatest attractions, while the low visitor numbers create an authentic safari experience that feels truly wild.

For guests travelling during migration season, Liuwa is home to Africa's second-largest wildebeest migration, when thousands of animals move across the floodplains accompanied by predators and scavengers. Yet regardless of the season, Liuwa's greatest appeal lies in its remoteness, vast landscapes and genuine sense of exploration.

It is a fitting finale to a safari that combines the permanent waterways of the Okavango Delta and Zambezi River with some of Southern Africa's most exclusive and rewarding wildlife areas, showcasing the remarkable diversity of Botswana and Zambia.

On Day 10, a scheduled flight transfers you to Lusaka, where you will connect with your onward international travel arrangements. As with all of our safaris, this itinerary can be tailored to suit your interests, preferred pace of travel and available time. Additional nights can easily be added at any of the featured camps, while extensions to destinations such as Victoria Falls, Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa, Cape Town, Namibia or Rwanda can be incorporated to create a longer and even more comprehensive African safari experience.