Hidden Gems of Botswana and Victoria Falls
Seasonal Information
This rather unique itinerary takes guests on a tour of some of the more intimate and unspoiled parts of Southern Africa’s deservedly renowned wildlife locations: the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls. The Khwai Concession in the Delta is home to the fascinating Khwai community, while Linyanti Marsh is a fantastically secluded location for game viewing. Finish your journey in luxury style at the incredible natural wonder that is Victoria Falls.
- Sweeping helicopter views of Linyanti Swamps
- Mokoro canoe trips in glistening channels
- Cultural interaction with local people in the Khwai Concession
- Thrilling bush walks
- Feeling the immensity of Victoria Falls before your eyes
- Rhino tracking in Zambia
Begin your safari among the islands and lagoons of the incredible Okavango Delta, in the Khwai Community Concession, set in the famous Moremi Game Reserve. Based among a forest of sycamore and leadwood trees, you will explore Botswana’s incredible range of ecosystems over land as well as water and encounter the breath-taking variety of wildlife that makes the delta its home. The Big Five can all be found, whether on game drives over the grasslands or from peaceful mokoro canoes on the channels that intersect them. This is an incredible natural environment where you will also have the opportunity to visit the neighbouring Khwai village and interact with the local people in a truly unique experience.
After three nights in the delta, you will fly to Chobe National Park where you will stay in the pristine beauty of Linyanti Marsh. This area is well-known for its large herds of elephant and buffalo but teems with all kinds of wildlife. Birding opportunities abound, thanks to the life sustained by the wetland, forests and grasses of Linyanti. Night drives are possible alongside daytime game drives, offering the rare opportunity to get close to some of Africa’s nocturnal species – as well as watching predators hunting away from the heat of the day. Best of all, Linyanti is a secluded wilderness, meaning it’s just you and the bush.
Your final stop is at the majestic Victoria Falls, Earth’s largest falling sheet of water. The falls cascade down gorges in a cacophony of noise and mist, giving rise to a rainforest at the foot of the falls, and a unique habitat for some of Africa’s rarest migratory birds. This incredible spectacle lies just downstream of the wonderful Zambezi National Park, whose broad, meandering river and rolling plains are perfect for safari as well as adrenaline activities and calm sunset river cruises. This is an excellent place to track black rhino, as well as to tour Livingstone and local villages.
On arrival at Maun Airport, you will be greeted by a member of the andBeyond team and assisted on your flight to Khwai Airstrip. Soak up views of pristine waterways below from your aircraft.
Your stay at Khwai Tented Camp will leave lasting memories. This delightful location at the edge of a seasonal lagoon allows you to feel true connection to the nature around you – as well as offering some of the best game viewing on the Moremi. Tents nestle beneath great trees, offering spacious and comfortable interiors for a luxurious stay in the bush. Delicious meals are inspired locally, while the blazing campfire is the perfect spot to exchange stories of the day’s adventures over a nightcap.
Khwai Camp invites guests to experience the Okavango Delta to its fullest, through a range of activities. Game drives roll over plains tracking the area’s high concentration of big cats, while expert-led walking safaris offer an exciting experience getting to grips with the area’s nature without the limitations of a vehicle.
Water is a big part of life in the Khwai Concession and no trip is complete without a mokoro (dugout canoe) safari, allowing you to glide along the tranquil waters and watch animals drinking from the shallows. Visits to a local Khwai bushman village give a fascinating insight into the communities that live on this land.
After a delicious breakfast, take a short game drive to Khwai Airstrip for your flight to Saile Airstrip.
Linyanti Bush Camp offers an exhilarating safari experience, set in the unspoiled natural beauty of the North Eastern area of Chobe National Park. It lies at the edges of the Linyanti marshes, a thriving wetland home to an incredible variety of plant and animal species. The highlight of this camp is the stunning view of the marshes, where elephants and buffalo roam freely, which can be seen both from the viewing deck as well as the gorgeous elevated dining room. A small bar and library also grace the guest areas of the camp, providing comfortable spaces to unwind in between safari or after a day exploring.
Game drives run twice daily and give guests the opportunity to see the amazing array of animals that live undisturbed in this part of Chobe. From big cats to elephants and everything in between, this is one of the richest safari destinations. Due to Linyanti Camp being on a private concession, night game drives are also possible for a further thrill. Guided walking is included in your stay and offers a bracing experience that allows you to truly feel the presence of the bush around you, soaking up the sights, sounds and feeling of the terrain underfoot and the wildlife all around.
Mokoro canoe excursions create placid encounters with nature from the unique perspective of the waterways, allowing guests to view life on the banks and in the channels in a quiet and immersive manner. Birdwatching is exceptional in this area, due to the range of life sustained by the marsh and surrounding plains.
Create truly special memories with the final part of your itinerary in Linyanti – a thirty-minute scenic helicopter flight. Take in the melting blues and greens of the landscape below, watch hippos move through the waterways and elephants tramping through the trees, while having the opportunity to take unforgettable photographs.
Enjoy a short game drive to Saile Airstrip for your scheduled charter flight to Kasane Airport, where you can take in the views of the stunning landscape below one last time. On arrival an andBeyond team member will welcome you and transfer you to Thorntree River Lodge.
The magnificent Thorntree River Lodge is an ecologically conscious retreat that blends modernity with classic African aesthetics – to delightful effect. Its eight suites are endowed with both indoor and outdoor bathrooms, as well as private verandas and invigorating plunge pools. A well-stocked wine cellar complements the fine African-inspired cuisine that is served, while a sunken boma and infinity pool make the guest area a delightful place to unwind in. A spa looks out over the river, ready to ease tired muscles at the end of a day in the bush.
Your only worry while staying on the Zambezi will be deciding what to do first. Game drives, rhino tracking and bush walks are all included and make up a handful of the options available to those thirsty for more wildlife interaction. Meanwhile, a cultural visit to the Simoonga village and a tour of the David Livingstone Museum are an excellent way to learn more about the background of Livingstone and the surrounding area.
Prepare to feel the might of the earth in a way you never have before on a tour of the crashing Victoria Falls, which promises an incredible sensory experience as well as immersion in the wildlife that makes up this unique biosphere. Canoeing is another pulse-racing possibility, while the Zambezi can be a source of tranquillity on a gentle sundowner cruise that caps off the day’s adventures.
After a tasty final breakfast, we bid a warm farewell as you are transferred from the lodge to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in time for your onward travel arrangements.
Dates are flexible so please make an enquiry and tell us a range of dates you are considering so we can check availability.
African Bush Camps
African Bush Camps (Khwai Tented Camp and Linyanti Bush Camp) dedicate themselves to holistic experiences that centre visitors and their interests. They have a dedicated and highly experienced team of guides. The African Bush Foundation is a non-profit that is committed to empowering the communities with which African Bush Camps work and conserving the areas in which they operate. Community empowerment initiatives, such as the Mola Wildlife Coexistence Programme, conservation projects and investment in education make up just some of the work they do.
Victoria Falls
The Zambezi River is nearly two kilometres wide at Victoria Falls. The gorges down which the river tumbles are home to several species of endangered and migratory bird species. The stunning iridescent mist created by the plummeting water can be seen from more than 20 kilometres away and gives rise to the delicately balanced rainforest-like ecosystem at the foot of the waterfall.
- Accommodation with three meals daily, local brands of drinks and laundry
- All road transfers:
– Khwai Airstrip/Khwai Tented Camp
– Khwai Tented Camp/Khwai Airstrip
– Saile Airstrip/Linyanti Bush Camp
– Linyanti Bush Camp/Saile Airstrip
– Kasane Airport/Thorntree River Lodge
– Thorntree River Lodge/Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport - All scheduled light aircraft flights:
– Maun International Airport/Khwai Airstrip
– Khwai Airstrip/Saile Airstrip
– Saile Airstrip/Kasane International Airport - Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance
- Administration Fee
- All flights
- Visa costs
- Vaccinations
- Health insurance
- Travel insurance
- Additional travel requirements outside of included transfers
- Gratuities
- Carbon Offsetting through Climate Care
Particularly suited to:
- Lovers of the water
- Explorers wanting to escape the crowds
- First-time travellers in Botswana
Suitable for ages 8 to 80
Khwai Tented Camp: children under 12 must share a tent with adults. Only those 16 and over may participate in walking or mokoro activities, and at the guide's discretion. Linyanti Bush Camp: children 7 years or older are welcome. Only those 16 and over may participate in walking or mokoro activities, and at the guide's discretion.
