Tour overview

This 12-day small-group safari explores Botswana's wildlife heartland in upgraded comfort, from Maun to Victoria Falls. Groups have between 2 and 12 travellers aged 16 and over, with an experienced tour leader throughout and specialist local guides. You travel by 4WD safari vehicle and motor launch, and stay in hand-picked lodges and camps, including luxury safari tents with private bathrooms, plus two nights on a houseboat reserved for the group. Breakfast is included daily, with six lunches and six dinners.

The trip begins at Thamo Telele, a private reserve near Maun with spacious safari tents and a pool. From here you drive to Mogogelo Camp, in a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve, for two days of morning and afternoon game drives in one of Africa's richest wildlife areas, looking for lions, leopards, wild dogs, hippos and the rare sitatunga antelope. Back at Thamo Telele, the resident naturalist introduces you to the reserve's giraffes.

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Next you drive up the Okavango Panhandle to Shakawe and board the Okavango Spirit, a houseboat that is yours for two nights, exploring the papyrus-lined waterways by motor launch with excellent birdwatching. From here you visit the Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site sacred to the San people, with more than 4,000 rock paintings across hundreds of sites. Meals on board are prepared by the crew and served on deck.

A long drive through Namibia's Caprivi Strip brings you to Kasane and three nights at Kubu Lodge on the Chobe River. Morning and afternoon game drives in Chobe National Park, home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, follow over two days. The trip ends at Victoria Falls, with a guided visit to the falls, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi and a free day for optional activities such as a scenic flight or white-water rafting.

The physical rating is low, though roads in Moremi are bumpy and the drive to Chobe takes eight to nine hours. This safari suits travellers who want an in-depth Botswana experience with comfortable lodges and plenty of game drives. Your leader handles all border crossings, permits and park fees.

Trip highlights

  • Game drives in a private concession bordering Moremi (Days 2–4)
  • A giraffe experience at Thamo Telele (Day 4)
  • Two nights on a private houseboat in the Okavango Panhandle (Days 5–6)
  • The rock paintings of the Tsodilo Hills (Day 6)
  • Two days of game drives in Chobe National Park (Days 8–9)
  • A sunset cruise on the Zambezi at Victoria Falls (Day 10)

Your route

6 stops from Maun (Thamo Telele) to Victoria Falls

12-day route: Maun – Moremi – Okavango Panhandle – Tsodilo Hills – Chobe – Victoria Falls
  1. Maun (Thamo Telele) Days 1 & 4
  2. Moremi (Mogogelo Camp) Days 2–3
  3. Shakawe (houseboat) Days 5–6
  4. Tsodilo Hills Day 6
  5. Kasane (Kubu Lodge) Days 7–9
  6. Victoria Falls Days 10–12

Why choose this tour

Upgraded lodges and a private houseboat, with a tour leader and specialist guides. Moremi, the Okavango Panhandle and Chobe in one in-depth safari.

Best suited to

  • Wildlife lovers wanting plenty of game drives
  • Travellers who want comfort without going fully luxury
  • Birdwatchers
  • Couples celebrating a special trip
Two male lions resting on dry grassland

Day-by-day itinerary

12 days from Maun, Botswana to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

  1. Day 1 · Maun, Thamo Telele Arrive in Maun

    Meet your group in Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta, and settle into your safari tent at Thamo Telele.

    Hotel
    Thamo Telele or similar
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Moremi Game Reserve To Moremi

    Drive by 4WD to a private concession bordering Moremi, with an afternoon game drive.

    Hotel
    Mogogelo Camp or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Moremi Game Reserve Moremi game drives

    Morning and afternoon game drives in search of the big five and a huge variety of birds.

    Hotel
    Mogogelo Camp or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Moremi, Thamo Telele Back to Thamo Telele

    A final morning game drive, then return to Thamo Telele for a giraffe experience.

    Hotel
    Thamo Telele or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Shakawe, Okavango Panhandle Okavango houseboat

    Drive up the Okavango Panhandle to Shakawe and board your private houseboat.

    Hotel
    Okavango Spirit houseboat or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Tsodilo Hills Tsodilo Hills

    Visit the Tsodilo Hills to see San rock paintings with an expert local guide.

    Hotel
    Okavango Spirit houseboat or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Caprivi Strip, Kasane To Chobe

    A long drive through Namibia's Caprivi Strip to Kasane on the Chobe River.

    Hotel
    Kubu Lodge or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  8. Day 8 · Chobe National Park Chobe National Park

    Morning and afternoon game drives along the Chobe River, home to vast elephant herds.

    Hotel
    Kubu Lodge or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Serondela, Chobe National Park Chobe National Park

    More game drives in Chobe, including the Serondela area.

    Hotel
    Kubu Lodge or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Victoria Falls, Zambezi River Victoria Falls

    Cross into Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls, then take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi.

    Hotel
    Batonka Guest Lodge or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Victoria Falls Free day

    A free day for a game drive in Zambezi National Park, a scenic flight or white-water rafting.

    Hotel
    Batonka Guest Lodge or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Victoria Falls Trip ends in Victoria Falls

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A giraffe in the bush in Botswana

Where you stay

  • Maun (1 night) Thamo Telele or similar
  • Moremi (2 nights) Mogogelo Camp or similar
  • Maun (1 night) Thamo Telele or similar
  • Okavango Panhandle (2 nights) Okavango Spirit houseboat or similar
  • Kasane, Chobe (3 nights) Kubu Lodge or similar
  • Victoria Falls (2 nights) Batonka Guest Lodge or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 9 nights in upgraded lodges and camps and 2 nights on a houseboat
  • Meals 11 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Transport 4WD safari vehicle and motor launches
  • Game drives in the Moremi area and Chobe National Park
  • A giraffe experience at Thamo Telele with the resident naturalist
  • Guided visit to the Tsodilo Hills
  • Sunset cruise on the Zambezi
  • Tour leader throughout, with specialist local guides

Not included

  • Flights to Maun and from Victoria Falls
  • Zimbabwe visa
  • Optional activities at Victoria Falls
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Elephants drinking at the water's edge at sunset in Botswana

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a short trip — this is a 12-day safari
  • You dislike long drives — the journey to Chobe takes most of a day
  • You want all meals included — some lunches and dinners are not
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

A great white pelican landing among egrets in the Okavango Delta

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £6,495 per person, twin share, tour only. 11 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What is the accommodation like?

Upgraded lodges and camps with private bathrooms, including luxury safari tents at Thamo Telele and Mogogelo, plus two nights on a houseboat that is simple but comfortable.

Is the houseboat private?

Yes, the Okavango Spirit is reserved for the group during your two nights.

How many game drives are there?

Several in the Moremi concession over three days and two full days of morning and afternoon drives in Chobe.

Which countries do we visit?

Botswana and Zimbabwe, passing through Namibia's Caprivi Strip on the way to Chobe.

When is the best time to go?

The dry season, from about June to October, is best for game viewing. The green season brings birds and newborn animals.

How many people travel together?

Between 2 and 12 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £6,495
See dates & prices