Botswana BIG 5 Safari

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

This 8-night, 9-day “Botswana BIG 5 Safari” offers a seamless, all-inclusive journey through some of Botswana’s most diverse and wildlife-rich regions, designed for maximum adventure and transparency with no hidden costs. Starting and ending in Maun, your safari begins with an immersive four-night stay at Grasslands Safari Lodge on the edge of the Central Kalahari. Here, you’ll delve into the unique desert ecosystem with game drives, thrilling rhino tracking, optional horseback safaris, and profound San Bushman cultural experiences, connecting deeply with the land and its ancient wisdom.

The adventure then transitions to the Southern Okavango for two nights at Losika Elephant Camp, a community-owned haven in the NG35 concession, offering authentic game drives and seasonal mokoro excursions amongst abundant elephants and diverse birdlife. Your journey culminates with two nights at Saguni Safari Lodge in the Khwai Concession, known for its exceptional wildlife sightings. This fully inclusive package combines varied habitats, intimate land and water-based activities, cultural encounters, and convenient charter flights, ensuring an unforgettable and comprehensive “Big 5” safari experience in the heart of Botswana.

Key Information

Grasslands Safari Lodge | Central Kalahari

Day 1: Welcome to Botswana

Arrive at Maun International Airport, where you are warmly welcomed and assisted onto a scenic charter flight to Grasslands Safari Lodge’s private airstrip. A short road transfer brings you to the lodge for a refreshing drink and a Kalahari welcome.

Highlights:

  • Panoramic flight over the Central Kalahari
  • Relaxing sundowner drive or leisure time overlooking the waterhole
  • Dinner under the expansive African night sky

Day 2: Wildlife Encounters and San Traditions

Begin with coffee or tea at your chalet, followed by a morning game drive. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the traditions and survival skills of the San Bushmen, gaining rare insights into their profound knowledge of the land.

Day 3: Rhino Tracking and Conservation Initiatives

Venture out to track rhino with expert guides, witnessing conservation efforts first-hand. Spend the afternoon on a horseback safari, a guided game drive, or relaxing at the lodge at your leisure.

Day 4: Farewell to the Kalahari

After a hearty breakfast, embark on a road transfer back to Maun, where your next adventure awaits.

Losika Elephant Camp | Southern Okavango (NG35)

Day 4 (Continued): Into the Delta

Transfer by road through the charming Shorobe community into the NG35 concession. Arrive at Losika Elephant Camp in time for a refreshing sundowner safari.

Day 5: Wilderness Immersion

Spend the morning exploring the untamed bush, with leisurely afternoons spent watching wildlife by the waterhole or relaxing by the pool. Evenings bring the magic of night drives and stargazing.

Day 6: Transfer to Xakanaxa & Delta Boat Safari

Into the Heart of the Okavango

Depart Losika and enjoy a game drive through Xakanaxa, the lush heart of the Moremi Game Reserve. After a scenic picnic breakfast, embark on a boat safari, drifting through the tranquil channels of the Delta. The journey concludes with a transfer to Khwai, where Saguni Safari Lodge becomes your home for the next two nights.

Saguni Safari Lodge | Khwai Concession

Days 7 – 8: Delta Elegance and Outstanding Wildlife

Saguni Safari Lodge is set on the banks of the Mbudi Lagoon, surrounded by pristine floodplains and dense forests.

Accommodation Option:

  • Forest Tents: Nestled under ancient trees for cool, shady seclusion
  • Each Tent blends harmoniously into the natural surroundings, offering refined comfort.

Signature Experiences:

  • Morning and afternoon game drives in the wildlife-rich Khwai Concession
  • Traditional mokoro excursions on serene waterways
  • Night drives to discover Africa’s elusive nocturnal species
  • Cultural exchanges with local communities
  • Relaxed evenings by the campfire under star-filled skies

Day 9: Farewell to the Wild

After a final early morning game drive and a hearty breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your scenic charter flight back to Maun, where your unforgettable Botswana safari concludes.

Grasslands Safari Lodge | Central Kalahari

A Hidden Gem on the Kalahari Frontier

Situated along the western boundary of the vast Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Grasslands Safari Lodge offers an authentic immersion into the Kalahari’s extraordinary wildlife, landscapes, and cultures. Accommodation is in comfortable en-suite chalets overlooking a bustling waterhole—a gathering place for desert-adapted species.

Signature Experiences:

  • Morning and afternoon game drives across a vast private concession
  • Guided horseback safaris across the Kalahari plains
  • Bushman cultural experiences, hosted by Neeltjie Bower, a sixth-generation San descendant
  • Rhino tracking expeditions with experienced trackers
  • Insights into Wild Dog research and White Rhino conservation initiatives

The Grasslands experience is not merely a safari; it is a heartfelt journey through ancestral lands, forging an intimate connection to the desert’s soul and wisdom.

Losika Elephant Camp | Southern Okavango (NG35)

Authentic Safari Spirit in the Okavango’s Hidden Corners

Located in Botswana’s citizen-owned NG35 concession, Losika Elephant Camp offers a truly intimate and authentic safari experience. Elevated en-suite tents overlook a seasonal pan, with a cozy central guest area featuring a lounge, bar, plunge pool, and open-air boma.

Signature Experiences:

  • Game drives through the southern Okavango’s floodplains
  • Seasonal mokoro excursions along quiet waterways
  • Cultural encounters and village visits
  • Optional night drives, guided walks, fishing expeditions, and scenic helicopter flights.

Wildlife Highlights:
Elephants abound, alongside leopards, wild dogs, abundant birdlife, and seasonal migrations of plains game.

SET DEPARTURE DATES - 2025/2026

February

START

22nd

END

2nd March

MARCH

START

8th

22nd

END

16th

30th

April

START

5th

19th

END

13th

27th

MAY

START

3rd

17th

31st

END

11th

25th

8th June

JUNE

START

4th

30th

END

22nd

8th July

JULY

START

14th

26th

END

22nd

3rd Aug

AUGUST

START

9th

23rd

END

17th

31st

SEPTEMBER

START

6th

20th

END

14th

28th

OCTOBER

START

4th

18th

END

12th

26th

NOVEMBER

START

1st

15th

30th

END

9th

23rd

8th Dec

What's included

  • Meet and Greet service at Maun International Airport
  • All internal scheduled transfers (charter flights, road transfers, and boating where applicable)
  • 8 nights’ accommodation at carefully selected camps and lodges
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, teas/coffees)
  • Local brand beverages (where specified)
  • Scheduled safari activities (game drives, mokoro excursions, boating, cultural visits)
  • All park entrance and conservation fees
  • VAT, government levies, and tourism taxes
  • Services of professional English-speaking safari guides
  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance (to the nearest appropriate medical facility)

Not included

  • International flights to/from Maun
  • Comprehensive travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Premium brand beverages (spirits, fine wines, imported beers)
  • Gratuities for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
  • Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, laundry, communication.)

Share this package with your friends!

What sets us apart

Crafted not from office desks but from decades of firsthand bush experience, our safaris are designed to reflect the true soul of Africa. Each element – from the lodges we select to the routes we follow – is chosen for its authenticity, character, and ability to deliver real value.

We don’t aim for opulence. We aim for the unforgettable. No surprises, no hidden extras – just exceptional experiences where every detail matters. You bring your sense of adventure; we’ll take care of the rest.

Ready to embark on on this Botswana adventure?