The Okavango wilderness meets contemporary luxury when you stay in the Delta's private concessions and exclusive lodges. Big game wildlife extends in every direction, and you're miles from civilization, but there's still a wonderful sense of opulence. This 11-day safari is for those seeking an authentic Okavango safari with the reassurance provided by lavish private lodges. Stay in private concessions, try all the safari activities, see all the wildlife, and soak up Botswana's exclusivity.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Khwai Concession – Introductions to the Okavango Floodplains
The iconic Okavango impression is of flooded channels and marooned islands, of a landscape where hippos barge past elephants on the banks. It's this postcard image that you find at the Khwai Concession, one of the oldest gazetted areas within the Delta ecosystem. For over 30 years, your river lodge has provided a luxurious base within its local concession, with canvas chalets dotted amongst leadwood trees. Space is paramount here, with each chalet linked by a long wooden walkway above the floodplain. Delightful views come from your private verandah, an opulent en-suite bathroom is nothing like preconceptions of Africa, and the central area includes a lounge, bar, and stylish dining area.
Today you land at Maun International Airport, where you're assisted in transferring to a light aircraft. Part of your camp's exclusivity is its inaccessibility. You cruise above the channels, taking in surreal expressions of nature. Even from the air, the Delta extends beyond the horizon in every direction. Land at your lodge in the late afternoon, where you enjoy a spa treatment on your verandah. As a masseuse alleviates any travel aches, you're getting introduced to the Okavango floodplains, gazing out at passing elephant herds and congregations of wild antelopes. The evening is at your leisure, with dinner beneath the stars in the main part of the camp.
What's Included:
Day 2
Khwai Concession – Game Drives Through the Okavango
Day 3
Moremi Game Reserve – Luxury in the Wild Heart of the Okavango
Day 4
Moremi Game Reserve – Immersed in the Wilderness
Day 5
Vumbura Reserve – Crossing the Okavango By Boat
Day 6 - 7
Vumbura Reserve – Luxury Safari and Diverse Activities
Day 8
Selinda Concession – Exclusivity and Opulence in the Selinda Reserve
Day 9 - 10
Selinda Concession – Game Drives and Game Walks
Day 11
Selinda Concession to Maun – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy the Okavango's finest and most exclusive lodge-style accommodation, with four different stops in the Delta
- Spend ten days on safari and get close to all the famous animals, from huge lion prides to mass elephant herds, then aloof leopards to boisterous hippo pods
- Find the rare and unusual sights that make Okavango so special, such as packs of wild dogs and a variety of elusive antelopes
- Start your journey at two of Botswana's flagship luxury lodges, an exclusive offering in the private Khwai Concession and the opulence of found in Moremi Game Reserve
- Take regular game drives across the floodplains and woodland, marveling at the abundance and diversity of giant mammals
- Discover the contemporary luxury of two exclusive camps that invoke the feeling of opulent boutique hotels in the heart of the wilderness
- Eight of the safari days are spent in private concessions, where access to the landscape is limited to just a small handful of guests, and every sighting comes with a sense of exclusivity
- Staying in some of Botswana's finest lodges ensures there's always a wonderful view, with your verandahs overlooking some of the most important waterways in Southern Africa
Starting Price
$19,700 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.93 stars based on 440 reviews.
Our special trip surpassed all of our expectations!
We had a large group wanting to go on safari and started planning around a year in advance. We also had small children coming with us and we were celebrating a milestone birthday! My first call was with Zicasso’s travel agent, who had the best enthusiasm and confidence in delivering what we wanted. The other travel partner was my main point of contact afterwards and she probably ended up answering at least 10,000 questions for me!
Each moment of the trip was specially curated and special. They did a great job finding camps that would give us a unique experience rather than becoming redundant. The hospitality at the camps and accommodations were unique and comfortable. We were all so happy with how everything went! We would definitely use this travel company again for our travel needs!
Reviewed By Shruti B.
We had an amazing trip, planned by Zicasso's travel partner. This is the first time I've ever used a travel agent and I'll admit, I was nervous. She took all of our feedback into consideration while planning. I highly recommend!
Reviewed By Kris C.
The trip was carefully planned and we received optimal assistance throughout the trip and constant availability and monitoring during the journey. Our Zicasso travel agent was very professional and always available to respond to our requests and needs. The choice of hotels was excellent and reflected the expectations. The activities offered in the different locations were very well structured and the guides were of high quality, particularly those in Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta.
Reviewed By Roberto B.
We had a wonderful trip, with nearly seamless arrangements. All hopes and objectives were fulfilled. All camps were in good locations, with excellent service. We had experienced and knowledgeable guides at all camps. We were sorry to have it end!
Reviewed By Jean D.
Zicasso's trip designer arranged a flawless, extraordinary trip.
Reviewed By Bernard L.
We’re still not over our trip! Everything was absolutely fantastic. Thank you for organizing such a great experience and making it so effortless for me. I already have family and friends asking who I went through, and I’m guessing some of them will be reaching out to you in the next year.
I do have one small piece of constructive feedback about our camp in the Olifants West Nature Reserve. The staff, lodge, and food were wonderful, but unfortunately, the safari guide fell short. We had just come from the camp in the Thornybush Game Reserve (where we left our hearts—the guide there was truly exceptional, with such a great personality), so the difference stood out even more. At the Olifants West Nature Reserve camp, we saw very few animals and the guide didn’t engage much—he barely spoke, and when he did, it wasn’t very professional or kind, especially toward my son. My son even said the trip might have worked better in reverse, since after Botswana it was hard to adjust to seeing only a few animals a day.
That said, I’m so grateful for how smoothly you planned everything, especially on such short notice. It really was a trip of a lifetime for us.
Thank you again!
Reviewed By Mona P.