Botswana Bush Camping Safari
Summary of this
This 8 Day Botswana Bush Camping Safari is a bona fide safari exploring some of the best of Botswana and staying in classic safari camps.
Beginning at Tuskers Bush Camp we embark on wildlife viewing drives and nature walks in this 365 000 hectares private concession teeming with wildlife. From here we travel via safari vehicle and boat into the pristine, world-famous Okavango Delta. Our time here is spent at Xobega Island Camp where we glide through the waterways in traditional mokoros, poled by the locals and watch the sunset from motorboats deep in the Delta. This offers wildlife viewing from a different perspective and great photo opportunities. Finally, we fly to the prestigious Selinda Reserve and Motswiri Camp, set in the remote northern regions of Botswana. Our camp, set on the Selinda Spillway, is ideally located for panoramic views of the vast floodplains, swamplands and dry landscape which attracts prolific wildlife.
This authentic African safari will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Itinerary for this Tour
Day 1: Maun to Tuskers Bush Camp, Botswana
On arrival in Maun you will be met by your host from Tuskers Bush Camp and leave on the 1.5-hour journey to the camp. On arrival there’s time to settle in, enjoy some refreshment, before embarking on a sunset wildlife viewing drive in this 365 000 hectares private concession. We stop as the sun sets to enjoy some sundowners in the bush, before returning to our camp, looking out for nocturnal wildlife as we return.
After dinner, we gather around the campfire to recount the day’s adventure, before heading off to our lodge for our first night in the African bush.
Day 2: Tuskers Bush Camp, Botswana
The day begins early in the bush, an ideal time to spot wildlife. After some invigorating coffee and rusks (dry biscuits) you have the choice of a wildlife viewing drive or a nature walk with an experienced guide. The bush walk is another way to experience animals in the wild and enjoy the flora in the bush. Your guide will point out the signs of animal activity as well as divulging the secrets of the bush. You may even be fortunate to come across big game whilst on foot, unnerving, but safe in the knowledge that your armed guard is there to protect you. The wildlife in this unfenced reserve moves freely between this private wildlife concession and Moremi Game Reserve and is well known for sightings of four of the Big Five, namely lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard. The prolific birldlfe is also a sight to behold, particularly those birds that favour the watery wilderness.
We arrive back at camp for a hearty, welcome breakfast and then spend some time relaxing, having a snooze or, armed with binoculars, watching the waterhole for activity. Lunch is served later in the day, before departure on an afternoon game drive in open safari vehicles. We interrupt our game drive to watch the sunset over the horizon and enjoy a reviving sundowner, before making our way back to camp, on the lookout for wildlife as we drive. Back at camp dinner is waiting and then linger at the campfire to reflect on your day, before retiring to your safari tent for your last night at Tuskers Bush Camp.
Day 3: Tuskers Bush Camp to Xobega Island Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana
On day 3, after coffee and early morning breakfast, we take a wildlife viewing drive from Tuskers through Moremi Game Reserve to Khwai Riverfront, stopping en-route to enjoy a bush picnic. On arrival at Xakanaxa Boat Station, we are met by our guide from Xobega Island Camp, who arrives in a motorboat. Leaving our safari vehicle behind, we climb aboard and begin a 1.5 hour cruise through the meandering waterways to our island safari camp. Arriving at camp our host briefs us about the bush camp before we are shown to our classic safari tents. There we freshen up and enjoy some refreshment before departing on a sunset boat cruise. Our guide loads the boat with a cooler box complete with drinks of our choice and we cruise into the sunset. For two hours we are charmed by the prolific birdlife and wildlife that congregate at these reed-lined channels, before returning to camp, dinner and our first night on Xobega Island.
Day 4: Xobega Island Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana
An early wake-up call is followed by coffee and breakfast as we prepare to embark on a morning boat cruise through the world-famous Okavango Delta.
The sinuous waterways wind around a maze of small islands as we cruise deeper into the Delta. The diverse animal and birdlife habiting these islands and waterways is a photographer’s dream, so make sure you have your camera and sunblock with you.
We return to camp in the late morning and this is a good time to take a warm, refreshing bucket shower before sitting down to lunch. A siesta will probably be very welcome by now as high tea is served later in the afternoon before we leave on a sunset, sundowner cruise. As dusk gathers we return to our island camp for dinner and our last night in the idyllic paradise.
Day 5: Xobega Island Camp to Motswiri Camp, Selinda Reserve, Botswana
After breakfast on Day 5, we return to our motorboat to cruise through the Delta back to Xakanaxa Boat Station, where we bid farewell to our host. We take a short drive to the airstrip and board our light aircraft for the flight to Motswiri Camp in the Selinda Reserve (rumoured to be a favourite of Harry and Meghan’s). Another short drive takes us to Motswiri Camp and some refreshment. After settling into our rooms we depart on a sunset game drive and sundowners.
There is a diversity of wildlife and birdlife here as the prestigious reserve is a mix of swamp, floodplains and grasslands and is largely unexplored. The remoteness of the area and the environment attracts buffalo, Sable antelope, hippos, giraffe, wild dog, hyena, jackal and the predators to this private wildlife sanctuary.
In the evening we gather around the campfire sharing tales of the day before we sit down to a three-course dinner and a night spent in our luxurious, authentic safari tent.
Day 6 & 7: Motswiri Camp, Selinda Reserve, Botswana
We are privileged to spend two full days in this eco, privately owned reserve, far from the madding crowds. After an early morning hearty breakfast we embark on a wildlife viewing drive or immerse ourselves in nature on a guided walking safari. This is a fantastic way to examine animal tracks and signs, to track and possibly come face to face with wildlife. Fortunately, our experienced armed guide is there to protect us. There are great photo opportunities on these walks and a chance to cool off in the fresh water of the spillway before returning to camp for lunch.
The early afternoon is a time to relax and rest after the busy morning and hearty lunch. The swimming pool at the camp is a great spot to cool off. Refreshed we set out in the late afternoon for a game drive and sundowners in the bush, returning to camp for dinner and socialising around the campfire, before retiring for our final night in this magical place.
Day 8: Motswiri Camp, Selinda Reserve to Maun
Sadly today we say goodbye to this special place and our Botswana Bush Camping Safari, but we will take with us a lifetime of memories. Motswiri Camp is truly the pinnacle of the bush camps we have visited and spending time here is an amazing way to complete this safari
We travel through Selinda Reserve, spotting wildlife as we go on our way to our light aircraft for our transfer to Maun or Kasane
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