With its mighty lions, large herds of elephants and diverse terrain, Botswana offers some of the best safari experiences anywhere in Africa. From the Kalahari Desert through great expanses of mopane woodland to the delta itself, there are endless adventures to be had.
Positioned on the Thamalakane River in northern Botswana, the town of Maun is the jumping-off point for a number of safari trips. We’ve looked into the numerous tours available and picked out three of the best.
Wildest North tour
FROM $325 PER PERSON, PER NIGHT
This immersive 10-day tour is billed as an unadulterated wilderness experience , taking guests deep into some of Botswana’s finest areas for wildlife spotting, including the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and the Savuti Game Reserve. You can enjoy boat cruises and all-terrain vehicle transfers between stop-offs, and at night you’ll camp out under the stars. Meru style tents with en-suite bathrooms provide plenty of home comforts. Other highlights include a visit to Khwai, a community trust that abounds with lions, African wild dogs, leopards and hyenas, not to mention vast swathes of flora and fauna. Tours can also be extended to include a trip to the extraordinary Victoria Falls waterfall on the Zambezi River, where you can embark on a helicopter ride, do a sunset cruise on the river, or even a bungy jump. (Photo: Steve K. Lumpkin / Endless Treasures of Botswana)
Okavango Canoe Safari
FROM $125 PER PERSON
If you fancy the idea of observing incredible wildlife from the water, then this one-day canoe tour could be for you. After a morning pick up in Maun you’ll be transported to the majestic Okavango Delta where you’ll hop onto a motorboat or 4×4 and taken to the canoe docks. Here you and your dedicated tour guide will board a canoe before embarking on a magical journey along the interior waterways. During the trip your guide will offer you fascinating insights into the Delta and its exotic inhabitants. In the afternoon, you’ll stop off on an island for a picnic lunch before heading off on a walking tour if there’s time. Next you’ll embark your canoe for more cruising time before returning to the docks to complete the tour. You’ll return to Maun for arrival at around 5pm.
Moremi Game Reserve
FROM $332 PER PERSON
This day trip from Maun takes you on a traditional game drive safari in the Moremi Game Reserve. After an early morning pick up from your hotel you’ll make the 1-hour trip aboard a 4×4 safari vehicle, driven by an experienced tour guide who will regale you with fascinating titbits about the region and its array of wildlife throughout the day. For lunch you’ll stop off in a scenic spot for a picnic before heading off on a walking tour if time permits. That afternoon, you’ll return to your vehicle for further game driving, where you should get to see more species of wildlife. You’ll return to Maun for early evening.