Botswana Adventure

Reiseverlauf 2026

1. Tag 1

   Windhoek

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   Welkom! Welcome to Namibia. Your adventure begins in Windhoek, where you‘ll be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, maybe wander the old German architecture in the town, passing the Tintenpalast (Ink Palace) and the Christuskirche (church). Tonight, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to get to know your local leader and fellow travellers. After, you might want to join your group for an optional welcome dinner.
   It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.
2. Tag 2

   Ghanzi

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   Today is a bit of a long travel day as you cross the border into Botswana and make your way to Ghanzi – known as the ‘Capital of the Kalahari’. Take the opportunity to grab a window seat and watch the landscape pass you by or get to know your fellow travellers a little better with some road trip games. When you arrive, settle into your lodge accommodation and soak up some Botswana sunshine or cool off in the pool.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
3. Tag 3

   Okavango Panhandle

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   This morning, you’ll head to the Okavango Delta – known for its sprawling grassy plains that flood seasonally, making the delta a lush animal habitat. When you arrive, board speedboats and make your way to your home for the next two nights – a houseboat in the Okavango Delta Panhandle. You can chill out on the deck or grab a few friends and attempt one of the onsite board games. For dinner, your captain will serve dinner on the deck, and you can watch the sunset while you eat and listen to the sounds of the nearby hippos on the water's edge.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours. You’ll need to pack a small bag or backpack for this trip, as you won't be taking all your luggage with you. Your floating home has twin-share cabins with bedding, towels and mosquito nets provided (no single supplement is available on these nights). Cabins are very small and basic.
4. Tag 4

   Okavango Panhandle

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   After breakfast, take a speedboat and a 4WD to a nearby polling station. From here, you can explore the waterways in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) with a local guide. Your guide will take you on a short nature walk around one of the many islands in the Delta Panhandle. Then, return to the houseboat where you can relax, read a book or do some fishing. This evening, grab a sundowner, pull up a chair and watch the often striking sunset.
5. Tag 5

   Maun

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   Leave your houseboat behind and again board the speedboats that take you back to dry land. Drive on to Maun – the gateway of the Okavango Delta. For those seeking an extra adventure, there's an opportunity to fly over the delta in a helicopter for a bird's-eye view! Your leader can give you more information on this activity and how to book, so just ask them if you’re interested. Alternatively, the afternoon is free for you to sit by the pool and take a breather when you arrive in Maun.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours. Today's optional scenic flight is very popular, so we strongly recommend you speak with your leader at the beginning of your trip to book your spot in advance. Flight prices are dependent on the number of passengers in the helicopter.
6. Tag 6

   Makgadikgadi Pans

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   Head to the Makgadikgadi Pans – the world’s largest prehistoric inland salt lake, in the middle of the dry savanna and now all that remains of the former Lake Makgadikgadi. Today you'll have an excursion in open 4WDs to spend time with a local meerkat community. Get close to them without disturbing their natural habitat and watch as they play together. Then, take a bush walk with one of southern Africa's oldest inhabitants and learn their way of life within the Kalahari Bushmen group. They will teach you how they interact with nature, keeping a well-balanced relationship with the local land. After, you'll head under the baobab trees for a night of dining under the stars. Known as the 'Tree of Life' or the 'Ancient Giants,' the iconic baobab tree is a defining feature of the Botswana Bushveld, particularly in the Makgadikgadi basin where they're densely populated. Tonight's three-course barbeque will be traditionally cooked over hot coals, so you can enjoy the delicious smells of your dinner in the open air, while you stargaze under the African sky.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Your accommodation tonight is simple but comfortable rondavels, which are equipped with ceiling fans, tea and coffee facilities, mosquito nets and an outdoor enclosed shower and toilet. During the wetter months, the pan sometimes floods, and the meerkat activity may not be available. In these instances, this activity will be replaced with an afternoon game drive at Chobe National Park the following day. Occasionally, due to weather conditions, you may not be able to have dinner outdoors tonight. In this case, you’ll have dinner at the lodge instead.
7. Tag 7

   Chobe National Park

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   This morning, make tracks towards Kasane, which sits on the edge of Chobe National Park. The stretch of road between Nata and Kasane is known as the 'Elephant Highway'. With no fences, elephants are free to move between Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Botswana. So, this is the perfect time keep your eyes peeled for roadside elephants during your drive! When you arrive in Chobe National Park – Botswana's first national park, known for its high concentration of elephants – settle into your lodge on the banks of the Chobe River and soak in the sounds of the wildlife.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
8. Tag 8

   Chobe National Park

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   Wake up nice and early this morning to take a dawn game drive in Chobe National Park. In the park, you might see the resident elephants drinking at the waters' edge, large herds of cape buffalo or one of the many impalas that call this place home. In the afternoon, you’ll take a scenic cruise on the Chobe River – ideal for spotting local bird life such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles and beautiful bee-eaters. As well as birds, look out for hippos, crocodiles and large families of elephants. There will also be an opportunity to enjoy a drink and watch the sunset over the river after the boat cruise.
9. Tag 9

   Victoria Falls

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   Travel on to Victoria Falls, crossing the border into Zimbabwe. Have lunch when you arrive. Victoria Falls is one of the world's natural wonders, and when in full flow, it forms the largest sheet of falling water on Earth. After visiting the falls, the rest of the day is yours to relax, or take part in the many optional activities available in Victoria Falls. This evening, why not share a final dinner with your travel crew and keep the night going to celebrate a trip well-travelled.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. We have not risk-assessed all activities on offer in Victoria Falls and only those listed in our trip notes are recommended. It’s against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of any activities that have not been risk-assessed or do not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities in our vehicles. You may notice businesses offering an optional 'Walk with the Lions' experience. We ask all Intrepid travellers to avoid this activity as it is contrary to our Responsible Travel policy. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many of our itineraries, we strive to only view animals in their natural habitats and to do so with the greatest level of respect. The lion walking industry directly contributes to the captive breeding and canned hunting of lions. Read more about animal welfare and our ‘Born to Live Wild’ pledge here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/purpose/animal-welfare.
10. Tag 10

    Victoria Falls

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    With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.