Explore two of Botswana’s greatest river systems, the Linyanti and Okavango Delta, on this week long safari. A classic Okavango safari is combined with a visit to the remote and wild northern reaches of Botswana. This lesser known area is a pristine wilderness, home to immense elephant and buffalo herds and impressive predators numbers. Visiting three camps over the week, each set on game rich private concessions, this itinerary offers a superb tour of Botswana’s amazing river systems and the beautiful and game rich habitats surrounding them with land and water activities.
This itinerary begins on the northern frontier of Botswana, on the banks of the Kwando River – which forms the border between Botswana and Namibia. This is one of Botswana’s largest private reserves, the Kwando reserve is an astonishing 2,300km² and shared between just two camps. Vehicles are scarce, animals are not. This area really comes alive in the dry season when staggering numbers of elephants flock to the river. The area has good resident game too and predators are regularly seen here. Notably, this is one of the best places to see African wild dog.
Lagoon camp is a traditional camp with a simple style and a stunning setting on the banks of the river. Day and night drives are offered as well as walking and boating. Because this is a private concession off-roading is permitted and 4×4 game vehicles have both a tracker and guide. Across the two days you will explore the riverfront and deeper into this astonishing reserve.
Moving onto the Okavango, this itinerary explores the east and west of the Delta delivering a fantastic all round safari experience at Pom Pom Camp and Splash Camp. Both are set on private concessions with a full range of land and water activities in beautiful and diverse habitats, keeping the safari experience interesting, fresh and exciting every day.
Like Lagoon camp, both Pom Pom Camp and Splash Camp have a strong focus on tracking big game- all game drives feature both a tracker and guide. With permanent waters and good resident game this is a solid itinerary option for any time of year.
Two nights are spent in the west off the Okavango, at Pom Pom camp, followed by 3 nights in the east of the Okavango, at Splash Camp, the smarter camp ensuring a more luxurious experience at the end of your safari.
Pom Pom is a one of the oldest camps in the Okavango, and one of the most popular. This is a traditional tented camp, rustic but comfortable camp with a very scenic location overlooking the reed-fringed Pom Pom Lagoon. While the water levels of this lily peppered lagoon will vary with the rise and fall of the flood, the Xudum river system which reaches across the concession ensures water is never far away. As a result there is good resident game in this area, meaning Pom Pom ensures a good year round safari experience. Activities include day and night 4×4 game drives, boating, walking and mokoro trips – water levels permitting.
Splash Camp lies in the east of the Okavango, and is a new and more luxurious tented camp. Set on the vast private Kwara Concession of 232,000 hectares, this is an incredibly exclusive safari. The Kwando Reserve is one of the most famous in Botswana, with a fantastic range of habitats permanent water and prime game viewing- This area has great sightings of lion, leopard, wild dog and even cheetah which is rare in the Okavango.
Splash has a great track record for offering water activities year round so you can be confident of enjoying that quintessential Botswana safari experience, a mokoro trip, gliding silently through the waterways and seeing the game at eye level is a very special experience. Boating is also offered on a double decker boat which offers great views across the waters and floodplains.
All camps are operated by Kwando Safaris, one of the oldest Botswana operators who stand out for their focus on delivering superb game viewing experiences. To this end, and uniquely in Botswana, they have both a guide and a tracker on board, doubling the expert eyes on your drives and chances of finding those rare sightings.