9 Day Botswana's Finest Camps Safari

On arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, you are met by an African Sky representative who will be waiting for you as you enter the arrivals hall. You will be escorted to the appropriate departure terminal, where you’ll be assisted in boarding a local flight to Kasane, from where a short transfer will bring you to your lodge. Your activities in Chobe alternate between daily open 4x4 game drives in the park – for the most part keeping reasonably close to the river – and water-based game viewing on the Chobe River, arguably the single most rewarding wildlife activity on offer in Southern Africa today.

The Chobe Riverfront, where your lodge is located, is a hive of wildlife activity and one of a handful of “must-see” hotspots on the African continent. The riverfront is an “ecosystem within an ecosystem”, with large daily back-and-forth migrations as animals move into the surrounding woodland during the day to feed, only to return again in the late afternoon to quench their thirsts. The floodplain, close to the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, is an oasis in an often harsh and unforgiving environment. Hundreds of hippo, large Nile crocodile and an incredible variety of birdlife are just some of the animals encountered here. The floodplain is home to Botswana’s only population of puku antelope. Elephant herd numbering in the hundreds are regularly seen in the late afternoon, sometimes swimming across one of the many channels. Close encounters are all but guaranteed. Buffalo often wade across to the perennially green islands in search of better grazing. Lion, spotted hyena, wild dog and leopard are sometimes sighted along the riverbank.

After breakfast, you are transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft flight into the Linyanti region of northern Botswana. On arrival, you are met and transferred to King’s Pool Camp, set along the Linyanti River, where you are introduced to the activities available during your stay.

Your time in the Linyanti follows a typical safari rhythm, with two activities offered daily in the early morning and late afternoon. These usually take the form of game drives through a landscape of riverine woodland, open clearings, and seasonal floodplains, where large herds of elephant and buffalo are often encountered. The region is also well regarded for its predator activity, and sightings may include lion, leopard, and wild dog. In addition to game drives, water-based activities such as boat excursions along the Linyanti River may be offered, depending on water levels. Evenings are spent at camp, where the remote setting allows for clear views of the night sky, undisturbed by artificial light.

Today you depart the Linyanti region by light aircraft, enjoying a short scenic flight into the Okavango Delta. On arrival, you are met and transferred to Mombo Camp, located on Chief’s Island within the Moremi Game Reserve, where you are introduced to the activities available during your stay.

During your time at Mombo, two safari activities are offered daily, typically in the early morning and late afternoon when wildlife is most active. Activities focus on game drives across open floodplains and seasonal grasslands that support a remarkable concentration of wildlife. This area is known for its exceptional game viewing, with frequent sightings of large herbivores and predators. The open landscapes also provide excellent opportunities for birding and photography. As the camp is located within a protected reserve, activities take place during daylight hours, allowing evenings to be spent at leisure, often under a clear, star-filled sky.

Enjoy a last unhurried breakfast and a final morning game activity before bidding the Delta farewell and boarding your charter flight to Maun. From Maun you continue to Johannesburg, where an African Sky representative meets you on arrival to assist with any formalities, whether checking in for your international flight home or transferring to a hotel in Johannesburg or Pretoria.

As you retrace your route back to city life, you can reflect on the variety of experiences woven into this journey – riverfront Chobe, the remote Linyanti marshes and the iconic Okavango Delta – and the remarkable wildlife encounters that make Botswana's Finest Lodges Safari a lasting memory.