Holidays
Botswana Wildside Lodge Safari

11 reviews

Bestseller

Holidays

Botswana Wildside Lodge Safari

Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe

11 reviews

Available Departures: Jan, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

15 days from

US$4,550

without flights

View Dates & Prices

Wildlife

Guided Group

LEISURELY

Overland safari across the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Chobe NP and Vic Falls

Trip Code: OCV

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays

4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays

10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Section:

Botswana Wildside Lodge Safari

Name: Botswana Wildside Lodge Safari
Brand: KE Adventure Travel
Rating: 4.6818181818182 (11 reviews)

Highlights

Explore the Okavango Delta by traditional mokoro canoe and boat cruises in Chobe
Game drives in the sublime Moremi Game Reserve to see lion, buffalo, elephant and much more
Drive across the infinity of Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and see rhino at the Khama Sanctuary
Experience endless and stunning African night skies in wilderness tented lodges

At a Glance

Group Size 4 to 12
14 days sightseeing with safari game drives and short walks
Join In Johannesburg, Ends in Vic Falls (Zimbabwe)

Accommodation & Meals

13 Breakfasts
11 Lunches
6 Dinners
5 nights Lodge
3 nights Hotel
2 nights Wild Camp
3 nights Tented Lodge
1 nights Tented Camp

Overview

This overland safari adventure encompasses some of Africa’s most unique and diverse game reserves and national parks over more than 2700km. Departing Johannesburg for Botswana our first stop is the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, which provides prime habitat for the dwindling rhino population. We then head to the wetland of the Okavango Delta and leave behind our vehicles to be gently poled along the water systems of the Okavango Delta in a traditional Mokoro (a dug-out canoe). We can get up close and personal with the flora and fauna before returning to our wilderness camp for a sundowner. Moving on from the delta we head to the Moremi Game Reserve, with it abundance of wildlife, we spend each day searching for the big five under the expert eye of our guide. Upon leaving Moremi the landscape changes again as we follow Baobab trees, dotted across the glimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi. Heading for Chobe National Park, we hope to see the largest yet sensitive of all African animals, the elephant. Famed for its huge elephant population, Chobe is wonderful environment to view these amazing creatures. For our final stop, we cross into Zimbabwe, and see the incredible Victoria Falls, completing our African overland adventure.

Lodge sasfari not your thing? How about a camping trip instead? Check out our Best of Botswana Camping Safari for an alternative perspective on this sister trip. The majority of both trips cover the same ground, except for the final few days prior to Victoria Falls where our lodge safari visits the vast expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pans whilst the camping itinerary goes to the fantastic Savuti Game Reserve.

If you would like further information on when to go to Southern Africa on safari and which trip suits you the best, please refer to our detailed guide: Which safari is right for you?

Is this holiday for you?

Everything in Africa is on a big scale, and to cover the ground necessary, your journey across Southern Africa includes several long drives accompanied by Africa's spectacular scenery. Such drives, including your game drives, can often be on dirt tracks, graded roads and also tar highways. The driving times are indicated on each day. These times do not include stops along the way. We ensure tha …

Included in the itinerary are a variety of walks. These walks can be on paved surfaces, uneven sandy dunes or rocky terrain and are always accompanied by your experienced guide. Each walk is paced with time for your guide to interpret the environment around you. On some walks, it is vital to keep within the group in case of an animal encounter. When in the Okavango Delta we travel by mokoro canoe. These are traditional dug-out canoes and we may have to walk in the shallows to board at water level.

The accommodation will range from chalet style through to permanent tented lodges with en-suite facilities. There may be a bar/restaurant available and some lodges may have a swimming pool. When in the Okavango you will have 2 nights wild camping. Many of the meals are prepared by the guides and it is good group etiquette to help with preparation and washing up on these days and this is usually done on rotation. This journey is suitable for the adventure traveller looking to experience some of Africa's most special safari experiences!

Why KE?

Safari…So Good! Comfortable accommodation throughout with 2 nights camping in the Okavango Delta. To be able to experience the Okavango Delta fully overnighting here is the best…and there are no fixed establishments in this area, just wild camping in this stunning environment away from other tourists.

Itinerary

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Day 1

Arrive at Johannesburg Airport. Transfers to the group hotel are provided.

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Your holiday starts at the group hotel near Johannesburg Airport. Airport transfers to the group hotel are provided. The rest of the day is yours to either relax or explore Johannesburg a little. We can arrange half-day tours of Soweto or Maropeng Cradle of Humankind.

Accommodation

Hotel

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Day 2

Drive north across the border into Botswana and to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary.

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We make an early start to our African adventure, meeting our fellow travellers and guides before departing Johannesburg to landlocked Botswana. During the drive we hope to spot our first glimpse of African wildlife as we head to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This community wildlife project, was established in 1992 to assist the plight of dwindling rhino populations and restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state. After our long drive, we check in and head out into the sanctuary on a game drive hoping to spot white or endangered black Rhino. With a number of lush waterholes, Khama supplies the perfect habitat for rhinos to breed. Whilst the focal point of this visit is the rhinos, 230 species of birdlife and towers of giraffe all flourish within this rich environment. Staying in our here provides the perfect introduction to Africa and our safari holiday. Approximate drive time: 7 - 8 hours.

Accommodation

Lodge

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Day 3

Continue north-west to the Okavango Delta gateway town of Maun.

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Having acquainted ourselves with pace of Africa, we now travel further into Botswana, heading to Maun, where we prepare for our Okavango adventure the following day. Maun is the capital of the Batawana people and the word is derived from 'maung' which is 'place of short reeds'! Our guide will brief us, and we re-pack taking only what we need for the next 2 nights in our daypacks. Our main bags will travel separately to Moremi. Approximate drive time: 6-7 hours.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L

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Day 4

Transfer by 4WD and mokoro canoe to our private Okavango Delta camp. Afternoon walking safari to look for elephant, hippo and giraffe.

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Transferring into our open 4WD vehicles, we will drive into Okavango Delta. Every year, over 11,000 cubic kilometres of water flows from the Angolan Highlands into the delta, making it the worlds largest inland delta. Okavango's diversity stretches across 10,000 square miles and provides one the finest arena's to experience Botswana's wild side. We meet our local guides with their mokoro's, traditional dug-out canoes, at the water's edge and we complete our journey on the river being poled along with the chance to spot the wildlife of the river, such as hippo and elephant. Around midday we arrive at our wilderness camp and in the late afternoon we continue our exploration on foot. Before the walk our guides will give a safety briefing. We may encounter elephants, giraffe, zebra, red lechwe and even lions, on our walk and it is important to follow the instructions of the guides. After our walk we return to our camp for a traditional African 'sundowner'. We help out with the preparation of dinner and afterwards we settle down for the night in the delta accompanied by the soundtrack of croaking frogs and grunting hippos. It's incredible. Approximate transfer time to the delta: 2 hours.

Accommodation

Wild Camp

Meals

B L D

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Day 5

Mokoro canoe exploration of the UNESCO listed Okavango Delta waterways and pools, hoping to see more wildlife and birds.

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The best time of the day in Africa is the early morning and with the sounds of the dawn chorus all around us we set out in the relative cool on a nature walk to explore this wonderful wetland. Returning to our camp for a well-deserved brunch we have time to relax during the heat of the day. We head out again into the delta where we can enjoy another beautiful sunset on the mokoros before returning to camp or we may take another walk. Alongside the elephant and hippo we might also see wildebeest, impala mixed in with the giraffe and zebra munching on the lush vegetation of the delta and maybe some hyena. If we are extremely lucky we might glimpse a leopard and even rhino have been seen in this area in recent years. We settle down for a second night in this magical place.

Accommodation

Wild Camp

Meals

B L D

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Day 6

Depart the Delta and cross into the Moremi Game Reserve for more fabulous wildlife viewing.

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An early departure from the Delta provides us with a magnificent opportunity to catch the early chorus of Okavango's resident game as we drive across to the Eastern Delta in the 4WD, heading for the Moremi Game Reserve. Consisting of pans, floodplains, lagoons, grasslands, forests and savannahs Moremi was the Batswana tribe's richest hunting ground before the tribe declared it a game reserve in 1960's. Spending the next three nights in a comfortable tented lodge close to the park border means we are likely to have viewings of buffalo, elephant and possibly even cheetah or the rare Africa Wild Dog during our stay. Approximate drive time: 4 hours.

Accommodation

Tented Lodge

Meals

B L D

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Day 7

Full day of game driving in search of Moremi’s big cats and elephants.

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Over the next two days we make good use of our open sided 4WD vehicles to feel the essence of African game viewing. Under the guidance of our expert guides, we embark upon several game drives to seek out the Big 5. One of the focal points of Moremi is Chief's Island, the largest land mass within Moremi and famed for herds of impala, Red Lechwe, warthogs and Vervet Monkey. With such game in abundance, big cats are a common sighting and prides of lion, cheetahs are often spotted within the reserve.

Accommodation

Tented Lodge

Meals

B L D

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Day 8

Second full day in the wildlife rich Moremi Game Reserve. A Big Five (buffalo, lion, elephant, leopard and rhino) destination.

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We have a second day in Moremi to ensure that we have the best opportunity to see the most wildlife that we can here. The combination of the more arid regions of Moremi and the wetlands of the Okavango attracts some of the finest African wildlife. With the recent reintroduction of rhino in the area it is also a Big Five destination. So we should be in for some real treats as we drive through this beautiful reserve full of pools, grasslands with scattered acacia tress and mophane forest. In the dry season the game concentrate at the water as herds of elephant lead their young to water to quench the family thirst, and in the wet season most of the babies are born. Every day wildlife excitement is around the corner and your time here will provide the most memorable of wildlife encounters.

Accommodation

Tented Camp

Meals

B L D

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Day 9

Return to Maun. Optional helicopter flights over the Okavango Delta seeing herds of elephants and zebra with exceptional aerial views.

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Leaving Moremi we drive back to Maun. This afternoon we have some time to relax or enjoy an optional flight over the Okavango Delta. At the accommodation we can relax by the pool or we can explore the town which is the capital of Ngamiland, with a laid back atmosphere and several shops selling local handicrafts. This afternoon down-time in Maun is a great break as we prepare to depart the Delta region of Botswana. Approximate drive time: 4 hours

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Lodge

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Day 10

Drive to Nata and the endless Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.

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Today, we have another dramatic change in scenery as we travel and visit the shimmering salt pans of Makgadikgadi (pronounced ma hadee hadee). During the wet season when the pans transform into a valuable refuge of grassland, great herds of wildebeest and flamingos flock here in their thousands. However, in the dry season the expansive landscape transforms into a desolate and empty flat space from horizon to horizon, an eerily gigantic place to explore and appreciate. Although very little flora exists within the pans, Baobab trees thrive in this environment and have become very useful landmarks when navigating across this barren land. Approximate drive time: 4 hours.

Accommodation

Tented Lodge

Meals

B L

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Day 11

Drive to Kasane, on the edge of Chobe National Park. Optional afternoon game drive or cruise.

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Travelling north we drive through the bush passing isolated farms as we head for the Chobe National Park and Forest Reserve. The reserve is an exceptional example of managing wildlife and human habitation. We arrive at our lodge in the town of Kasane after lunch. We can relax at the lodge or we can get straight into the national park on an optional game drive or cruise on the water arranged locally. Approximate drive time: 4 hours.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L

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Day 12

Game drive and sunset cruise in Chobe surrounded by hippos, elephants and birds.

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Heading into Chobe National Park we have our final game drive of this African adventure, exploring the park with excellent opportunities to view the big cats which the area is known for, namely leopard and lions. We are also likely to spot Africa Wild Dog, zebra and the endemic Chobe Puku antelope. During the year the elephant population can vary from 500-50,000 and are most likely to be found on the banks of the Chobe, cooling off. Taking to the water in the afternoon, we embark on a sunset safari cruise to optimise our chances to meet herds of these majestic animals. Finishing the safari with the tradition of a sundowner, we return to our lodge for a final evening in Botswana.

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Lodge

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Day 13

Cross the border to the thundering experience of Victoria Falls.

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Heading for our third and final country, we cross the border into Zimbabwe and now we listen out for the distinctive thunder of the mighty Victoria Falls. This incredible natural wonder is twice as high as Niagara and spans 2km. Over 1000 cubic metres of water flows over the falls every second*, plunging 108 metres into the gorge below. Exploring the 'Smoke that Thunders' can be an almost deafening experience! Approaching our vantage point on foot we have excellent views of Victoria Falls in her full glory, including the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, commissioned by Cecil John Rhodes in 1900, which spans the immense gorge. With ample time to explore the falls we stay in a nearby hotel within the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Approximate drive time: 1 hour. *Please note, depending on the season, the water levels of the falls will vary. From late November to early April is the wet season for the upper reaches of the Zambezi and this is when the falls are at their loudest and most impressive. From April the flow gradually reduces, although this mostly affects the Zambia side and there is always a good flow over the rim on the Zimbabwe side of the falls.

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Hotel

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Day 14

Day to explore Victoria Falls and optional activities on the Zambezi River.

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We have a free day to enjoy the town and the Falls or to book one of the optional activities available here. The settlement of Victoria Falls began in 1901 and became the principal town from which to explore the falls. You may choose to meander through the handicraft markets for a last minute souvenir, or simply relax within the hotel gardens and pool. If you are feeling a little more adventurous or wish to see the falls from a different angle, you may wish to consider one of the extra activities that are available to book and payable locally. These include white water rafting, half-day canoeing the Zambezi or maybe a scenic flight. Whatever you chose you'll have a fabulous last day on this incredible journey through Southern Africa.

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Hotel

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Day 15

Departure day. Victoria Falls.

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Your holiday ends after breakfast in Victoria Falls. Airport transfers or extra hotel nights can be arranged on request.

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The Route

Airport

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Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

Holiday

General

Equipment

What's Included

Two professional and qualified guides
Airport transfer Day 1 the Land Only itinerary
All accommodation as described
Meals as described in the Meal Plan
Local payment paid on arrival by most other (non KE) clients
National Park entrance fees
All activities/excursions mentioned except where specified as 'optional'

What's not Included

Travel Insurance
Visas (if applicable)
Airport transfers on Day 15
Some meals as detailed in the Meal Plan
Any additional activities/excursions indicated as optional
Tips for local staff
Miscellaneous personal expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc

Joining Arrangements & Transfers

The group will meet at the group hotel near Johannesburg Airport.

On arrival airport transfers are provided to the group hotel.

On the last day of the Land Only itinerary, single timed airport transfers are provided to Victoria Falls Airport or Livingstone Airport. Please ensure return flights depart after 1300.

We can provide private transfers at an additional cost. Taxis are also available and are often cheaper.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

Meal Plan

13 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 6 dinners are included. Non-included meals are in the towns of Johannesburg, Maun, Nata, Kasane and Victoria Falls where we try out local restaurants. We recommend you budget £10 - 15 for each non-included meals.

Food & Water

It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. You should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

The majority of the meals are provided. Breakfast will be cereals and yoghurt, with coffee, tea, toast and the occasional cooked breakfast. Lunch will typically be picnic style - cold meats, cheese, salads, bread, rolls and fruit. Dinner will be potjies (traditional stews), braais (barbecue), stir fries, pasta dishes, curries etc. Very often cooking will be on an open fire. Fresh produce will be used wherever possible and fruit squash, tea and coffee will be served with breakfast and dinner. Many of the meals are prepared by the guides and it is good group etiquette to help with preparation and washing up on these days and this is usually done on rotation. Some meals are taken at the accommodation or in local restaurants. Special dietary requirements (vegetarian or allergies) can usually be catered for, but it is essential that this information is received on booking. There is one cool box available for the group to put your own drinks in. Stops at supermarkets are regular to pick up supplies such as alcohol and soft drinks.

Accommodation

This holiday has 12 nights staying at variety of different guesthouses, lodges, chalets, tented lodges, and hotels. Often they have an African style to them with colourful traditional blankets, ornaments and smiling friendly staff. The rooms are twin/double and mainly have en suite facilities. Some of the accommodations have a bar and a swimming pool.

When at a tented lodge you will stay in a classic canvas safari tent with twin beds, en suite facilities. It is built on a permanent base (concrete or wood platform) and might have a thatch roof. There is usually a main lodge area with a bar, and possibly a swimming pool and small shop. There is a shared kitchen and dining area which will be used by the group and the guides during meal times.

We have 2 nights at a wild bush camp in Okavango. The tents are comfortable (2.2 x 2.2 x 1.8 meters) and they are set up with camp beds and linen and en-suite chemical toilets. There is also a bucket shower tent with warm water from the fire.

If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. If you are planning on extending your holiday additional nights at the group hotel are available on request.

All accommodation is subject to change without prior warning.

SAFARI TRUCKS
Years of safari experience into the design of the trucks. The trucks are built to comply with the latest South African transport and safety regulations. Your comfort is catered for with individual seats (with safety belts), ample legroom and large vertical sliding windows for unobstructed viewing and photography.

There are roof hatches for excellent "open" views and an integral cab and passenger compartment so contact with the driver is easy. Each truck also has large packing compartments, a built in kitchen, freezer, drinking water tank, interior lights and a gas stove (to minimise use of wood and destruction of forest areas). There is also a pullout set of steps into the passenger compartment, making access for clients easier. There is usually a bank of plug sockets in the vehicles. These plugs are the South African 3 round pin or 2 round pin with a hexagonal base. We also use minibuses for some small group safaris. All of our vehicles are bought new and serviced by Mercedes and Toyota agents, thus ensuring trouble free touring with backup support in practically every town in Southern Africa.

Where road conditions allow, such as South Africa and parts of Botswana we may also use minibuses. On 5% of tours we may use minibuses with 12 seats and air conditioning (with trailer for equipment and baggage). The safaris often have several long days of travel providing for a beautiful journey on the way to exciting and varied destinations.

LAND CRUISERS (Okavango and Moremi)
The 4 wheel drive vehicles are based in Maun. For the national parks of Botswana we use these custom built 4WDs, with individual "bucket" seats, with trailers for the equipment. (We also use supply vehicles for Botswana camping groups of more than 9 clients.). These land cruisers also have a bank of plug sockets or USB ports for charging. Game viewing from an "open" vehicle is the best way to go for Botswana - small groups in Land Rovers and Land Cruisers have the best wildlife sightings!

These custom built game viewing vehicles are the first of their kind in Botswana. Each new vehicle has a built in "roll cage" that conforms to the latest safety standards of South Africa, and each individual bucket seat has a lap belt. The vehicles are constructed by a registered coach builder and ensure structural integrity of the passenger cabin in the unlikely event of a roll.

Group Leader & Support Staff

Group leaders are the key to any successful safari. On this adventure safari, you will travel with two qualified and experienced, registered field guides (FGASA). Two guides as crew, not a guide and a driver, adds up to an informative and interesting small group holiday. Our guides have a passion for Africa, her people and wildlife, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with you.

Spending Money

We estimate that a total of around £300-375 per person (or equivalent in euros/dollars) should be allowed for personal spending. This amount should be sufficient to cover non-included meals and miscellaneous expenses, including tips to local staff. If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs, considerable quantities of soft drinks / beer or undertake additional activities or excursions, you should budget accordingly (credit cards can be useful in this respect). You can choose to take your money in pounds sterling, dollars or euros. There will be the opportunity to change money into local currency on arrival at the airport (which we advise you to do) and your local leader will advise further places to change money en-route and at borders. Additionally, you will be able to get currency from bank ATMs in many of the towns that we will visit.

Many small traders will accept US$, Euro or GBP. Your notes should be clean and undamaged. And please avoid USD$100 and old issue ‘small head’ US$ notes as they might not be accepted.

There are many optional activities which you can take part in on this holiday. Some of these are: Half-day rafting $170 or half-day canoeing the Zambezi $115. All optional activities should be booked on arrival with your leader and paid for locally. All prices are approximate in USD$ and are subject to change without notice. All optional activities taken outside the KE holiday are at your own risk.

On day 1 ,on arrival at the hotel in Johannesburg you can book a half-day SOWETO tour for $75 per person, or an afternoon tour to Maropeng Cradle of Humankind and Sterkfontien Caves is also bookable for $100 per person (min 2 people). Please check that Sterkfontien Caves are open, as they can close due to high water levels. Both of these tours should be booked on arrival (before 12midday) with our local agent and are payable locally in cash.

Guidance on Tipping

Your tour leader also works extremely hard to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly and that you are happy. We suggest that a tip of £2–5 per client per day for your tour leader is reasonable. When it comes to tipping the guides that we sometimes use for various activities (e.g. game walks, polers in the Okavango Delta etc) we suggest that a tip of £1-3 per client per ½ day activity, or the local currency equivalent, is acceptable. As in all cases with tipping, the final decision of the amount tipped is up to the individual. It is up to you to decide if you thought the service was poor, or exceptional, and the amount tipped should reflect that. The amounts quoted above are guidelines for you to get an idea of what to tip.

Baggage Allowance

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Your baggage will travel in the gear compartment of the truck with the group, and there is a finite amount of space. Please keep the weight of your main luggage to 12kg. You should bring a soft bag as these are more suitable to pack in the vehicle. For the 2 nights wild camping in the Okavango Delta you will take only what you need and the remainder of your luggage will be transferred separately to Moremi.

Group Size & Holiday Status

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Group Members

We sell this holiday in conjunction with our local operator in Southern Africa. This enables us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get the holiday up and running quickly. For this holiday the minimum age is 12 yrs, however it is unusual to have people under 16yrs.

South Africa Indemnity Form

As a member of the South African Tourism Service Association, our ground agent in South Africa may require you to complete an indemnity form at the start of your holiday, which you will need your insurance details for. As a client of KE Adventure Travel, your rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangement Regulations (2018) are unaffected and KE Adventure Travel will remain liable for the actions of our suppliers.

Passport & Visas

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Visa Zambia

British passport holders do not need a visa in advance and can obtain a visa on arrival. The Government of Zambia recently announced the removal of all visa fees for British passport holders. However implementation of the policy has not yet been confirmed and British nationals may still be charged $25 on arrival.

Other nationals should check details online to see if they need an e-visa.

Important Note for Victoria Falls: Please check your itinerary and your arrival/departure flights. If your accommodation and flights are from a different side of the falls you may need both a Zambian and a Zimbabwe visa. The town of Victoria Falls is in Zimbabwe, and the town of Livingstone is in Zambia.

Additionally If you visit the falls (on the border) and wish to cross the bridge to the other side you will require a visa for both countries.

A KAZA UNIVISA for Zimbabwe and Zambia is cheaper than purchasing the two visas for Zambia and Zimbabwe separately. The visa is valid for 30 days as long as you remain within Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is also valid for day trips to Botswana crossing over the Kazangula borders. It will not be valid if you overnight in Botswana.

It’s available at the international airports in Lusaka and Livingstone and at the land borders at Livingstone (Zimbabwe border) and Kazungula (Botswana border). You can also apply online. It costs US$50 for single entry, or US$75 for double entry. Both are valid for 30 days from date of purchase.

Please note: The Government of Zambia recently announced the removal of all visa fees for British passport holders. However implementation of the policy has not yet been confirmed and British nationals may still be charged $25 on arrival. This may affect your decision to purchase a Kaza Univisa.

UK nationals do not normally need a visa to enter Botswana for stays of up to 90 days.

Travelling with children under 18yrs - Botswana

Parents travelling with children under 18 years will be asked to show the child’s full unabridged birth certificate. If the child is travelling with one parent, with another adult or unaccompanied, the parent or parents who aren't present will need to provide an affidavit giving their consent for the child to travel. Please note that they are very strict and they do not accept photocopies of birth certificates or short versions. This is also applicable if you are transiting through Botswana. For further details please see FCO website https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/botswana/entry-requirements

Visa South Africa

UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays. You must have 2 blank pages in your passport.

Rules on travelling with children under 18 years have been relaxed. Visa exempt children entering South Africa only need passports, and not birth certificates as previously required. This applies if the child is travelling with both parents, one parent or an adult who is not a biological parent, and school groups. There are some different requirements for unaccompanied children, and children who do not have UK passports or visa exempt passports. For full details please see the FCDO website.

Visa Zimbabwe

A visa is required. This is obtained on arrival and is $55 single entry and $70 for double. Payment must be in cash and you should take small denomination notes for this.

Important Note: Please check your itinerary and your arrival/departure flights. If your accommodation and flights are from a different side of the falls you may need both a Zambian and a Zimbabwe visa. The town of Victoria Falls is in Zimbabwe, and the town of Livingstone is in Zambia.

Additionally If you visit the falls (on the border) and wish to cross the bridge to the other side you will require a visa for both countries.

Health & Vaccinations

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

VACCINATIONS

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you specific require any vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella), along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis are required. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required if travelling from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hrs through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

Currency

The unit of currency in South Africa is the South African Rand.

The unit of currency in Botswana is the Pula.

The unit of currency in Zambia is the Zambian Kwacha.

The unit of currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). There is currently a shortage of available cash at the banks and ATM’s in Zimbabwe. US Dollars are still widely used, so exchange your currency in advance, or use credit cards where possible, as these are widely accepted also.

Climate

South Africa: May to August can be cool to very cold (in mountains) and days are pleasant and sunny in the north. September to April is pleasant, warm to hot with thunder showers in the north. January to early March light showers to heavy rains may occur throughout the country.

Botswana: This Central region of Southern Africa is subtropical being generally warm and mild to humid. October and November are hot, day and night. November to April is the hottest time of the year with chances of showers to heavy rains later in the season. May to September is cool and dry.

Travel Aware

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

Single Use Plastic

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Sustainable Travel

Save our Sausage Trees (SOS – Botswana)

A mokoro is the traditional canoe used in the Okavango Delta, and it is made from a single Kigelia Africana Tree (Sausage Tree). A mokoro lasts for around 5 years before it falls apart. With increased tourism using these scarce trees is not sustainable.

To save the Sausage Tree mekoro’s are being made from fiberglass. Our local partner supplies the fiberglass mokoro and the local poler will pay 50% of the cost price.

To learn more about this project please email sustainability@keadventure.com, or see our sustainability pages for further information on responsible travel within KE.

Save our Sausage Trees (SOS – Botswana)

To save the Sausage Tree mekoro’s are being made from fiberglass. Our local partner supplies the fiberglass mokoro and the local poler will pay 50% of the cost price.

To learn more about this project please email sustainability@keadventure.com, or see our sustainability pages for further information on responsible travel within KE.

Travel Insurance

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct. Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Explore International

This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience!

Equipment List

Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the ‘baggage allowance’ section for further details.

You should bring the following items:

Lightweight walking shoes or trainers
Sandals
Socks and underwear
Long lightweight trousers
Shorts
Lightweight waterproof jacket & trousers
T-shirts
Casual shirts with sleeves
Fleece jacket or warm jumper
Sunhat with wide brim
Sunglasses
Buff/scarf for dusty days
Small towel/Travel towel
Daypack 20-25 litres
Headtorch and spare batteries
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles 1 litre (x2) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
Water purification tablets
Washbag and toiletries (biodegradable soap is preferred)
Antibacterial handwash
Insect repellent
Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, re-hydration salts (Dioralite), anti-nausea tablets and antihistamine cream/tablets.

The following items are optional:

Light cotton dress or sarong
Swimwear
Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
A selection of dry bags for daypack/kit bag
Camera
Binoculars (highly recommended)
Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes:

Please be aware than in the Southern African the winter months, June-September, the nights can be cold with an average of between 0-5 degrees Celsius in some places, and the days can be warm between 20-30 degrees Celsius

Bright bold colours and white are not suitable for game viewing or bush wear as they attract insects and the attention of animals. Please do not bring camouflage or military style clothes as they can cause problems with local authorities

Please dress appropriately for border crossings, village and market visits – ie: no bare feet, no bare chests, no bikinis and no hats. A few restaurants are also not keen on T-shirts and jeans either.

For the 2 nights wild camping in the Okavango Delta, all linen and bedding is provided. On these nights you will take only essential items while your main luggage travels separately. Tents have mosquito netting on the windows and doors.

Recommended Outdoor Retailers

Many of the equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive a 12.5% discount with Cotswold Outdoor, Snow+Rock and Runners Need. The discount code can be downloaded from your MyKE account and you can use this code at the checkout, either in store or online.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 from 11 reviews

Amazing African Adventure ★★★★★

What a great adventure this was! There were so many incredible moments and highlights during this two week adventure. The (optional) helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta is well worth it as you get to see the delta from a totally different perspective and can appreciate the scale of the landscape - plus it was my first helicopter flight! Being poled along the river in a Mokoro is an experience itself. It was very relaxing and peaceful, there were hippos in the river, and a small family gro up of elephants came down to the river to drink, just magical. The hide at Moremi Game Reserve was a highlight for me - we spent over an hour watching elephants coming down to drink at the waterhole. Other highlights include seeing a male and a female leopard together (which is a pretty rare sight), and watching a family of African Wild Dogs relaxing by the den which I haven't seen before in the wild. We stayed in a mix of accommodation throughout the trip and I particularly loved the permanent tented camps at Moremi (Elephant Pools) and Nata (Nata Lodge) - the tents were huge and luxurious with everything you needed, including an open air shower. Elephant Pools is a small safari lodge and they really look after you incredibly well - everyone was very welcoming and friendly, and the food was fantastic, plus you get to watch animals at the waterhole while having a beer. Our guides Lloyd and Svenja were great. They were approachable, welcoming, passionate about wildlife, and very knowledgeable about the countries we visited, and the animals and birds we spotted. They took extra care to ensure I was well catered for as the only vegan, and I really appreciated that. There was lots of fresh salads, fresh fruit salads, and freshly prepared dinners - they even got soya mince, chick peas, and tofu so I had some protein! And they made sure the food was prepared and cooked separately from the meat dishes. They made a great team and I really enjoyed their company during the two week trip. I would have liked an extra day or two at Victoria Falls as there is so much you can do there, so if you have the time it might be worth stopping another day or two. There are a few long driving days to get from A to B but don't let that put you off, it's a great trip and I can recommend it.

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By Julia from Chesterfield - UK | 05 November 2024

Fabulous holiday ★★★★★

This was a fabulous holiday. We were very lucky with sightings. We saw about 40 lions, 3 leopards (including a courting male and female), and lots of elephants (my favourite).

I loved the permanent tented camps at Elephant Pools (or it might be Elephant Sands) at Moremi, and Nata Lodge at Nata. They were really spacious and luxurious - nicer than most of the chalet accommodation we stayed in.

Highlights included:
- The helicopter flight over the Okavango Del ta.
- The Mokoro along the delta river.
- The elephants at the hide in Moremi.
- Watching the elephants at the water hole while drinking a beer at Elephant Pools (Sands?) tented camp.
- The leopards in Moremi.
- The boat safari in Chobe and getting so close to the elephants.

Both Lloyd and Svenja were great. They were approachable, welcoming, passionate about wildlife, and very knowledgeable about the countries we visited, and the animals and birds we spotted. They took extra care to ensure I was well catered for as the only vegan, and I really appreciated that. There was lots of fresh salads, fresh fruit salads, and freshly prepared dinners - they even got soya mince, chick peas, and tofu so I had some protein! They made a great team and I really enjoyed their company during the two week trip.

By Julia from Chesterfield | 22 October 2024

Great game and landscapes ★★★★★

This was a thoroughly enjoyable tour, highlighting the contrasting landscapes and wildlife of the Okavango, Moremi and Chobe. I've been on high end safaris and I'd say that this one, while cheaper, is a very good introduction to southern Africa, without unnecessary luxury. The local operators and their guides, are highly professional and experienced and attract clients from around the world. One of the things that made the tour fun was the multinational nature of the group, with everyo ne being Swiss, Swedish, Scottish or Australian.

The highlights were probably walking among game in the Okavango delta, the scenery and wildlife along the Khwai river and the Chobe river, the sunset water safari on the Chobe, Victoria Falls (even at their driest), the pre tour option of a guided tour of Soweto in Johannesburg, the evening dinner cruise on the Zambezi, and the good company of the group. People who did the options of the flight over the Okavango and high tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel thoroughly enjoyed those experiences too.

Worth noting though that there is normally a max of 2 single spaces on these tours. Also worth noting that you will spend a long time sitting in vehicles on long transit and game drives, but it's necessary and worth it for reaching the different areas and getting so close to the lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, crocs, etc, etc. We went at an odd and very hot time, late November and early December, so the Okavango was not a waterland, but we were lucky to have the good game viewing afforded by the dry vegetation, combined with the first green shoots of the rainy season and the first babies of the zebra, wildebeest, impala, etc before the tracks became difficult with mud. And finally, you will probably need much more sunblock and insect repellent than you think!

By Bob from Edinburgh | 06 January 2024

Best of Botswana May 2018

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By Andrew from BRIDGWATER | 06 June 2018

A great first visit to Africa experience with excellent game viewing. ★★★★

We chose this tour because it wasn't full-on camping, but did offer some camping in the Delta, which was one of the highlights, largely made special by the local people used to ferry us into the Delta by Mokoros, keeping the camp fire going, guiding the walking safaris and providing fantastic entertainment on the last night, which they clearly enjoyed as much as us. There were so many WOW moments when it came to the animals and birds. We were lucky enough to see the Big 5, but also had time to watch and observe. In particular, the free afternoon in Moreimi at the gorgeous Hyena Pans Lodge, when we just watched elephants (literally hundreds!) coming to the waterhole all afternoon. The second leopard we saw was stalking prey and again there was time to stop and watch something very special. We not only saw White Rhino, but Black as well, who saw fit to scratch itself on the side of the 'Red Elephant' - this being the name given to our very comfortable form of transport. There are some long days on the road, so the comfort of the 'Red Elephant' was welcome, along with all the gear for delicious lunches along the way. The long trip into Moreimi and back is by open-sided safari vehicle, which can be chilly in the mornings (blankets provided) and also dry and dusty - we bumped into 3 of our party all buying vaseline for our dry lips on our return to Maun. The optional flight over the Okavango was very worthwhile - lots of game to be seen and it helps understand the delta area. Your pictures of the salt pans are out-of-date, as they are now filled with water again, after very good rains, so some good bird-watching and buffalo herds around and a great place to watch the African sunset. We didn't expect food to be a highlight of the trip, but the meals prepared by the guides and the meals out in restaurants were varied and delicious, though vegetarians may struggle with the meat-oriented menus. The meals and accommodation at Hyena Pans was wonderful - the glamping much-appreciated after the camping. We weren't sure about how to tackle a safari holiday, but knew we didn't want the experience of 20 vehicles, racing to see a lion. Yes, we did share the viewing of a leopard and a male lion with a kill, but only with 3-4 other vehicles and all were respectful of the animals, so we just watched their natural behaviour. So an excellent choice for a first trip to Africa

By Enid from Belford | 13 September 2017

Amazing African Adventure

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brilliant safari!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

An excellent first time experience on a safari. One of the highlights is the Okavango delta two nights camping in the bush. Saw four of the five big animals. Accommodatiion excellent. Food prepared by the guides varied and good. Only downside was the long drive from Johannesburg (2x7hr days) but we knew this.

By Dorothy from Keswick | 06 February 2017

Great lodges, people and guides; just amazing animals

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fantastic two weeks travelling through Botswana seeing the very best of Southern Africa. Too many highlights to list them all but the time spent swimming, walking and socalising in the Okavango Delta with the local guides was definitely a highlight whilst we had to pinch ourselves to make sure we were actually watching so much wildlife including a Leopard only 30m from the dining area in Moremi. Seeing Wild Dogs catch an Impala right by the vehicle was special if not necessarily everyone's cup of tea to be so close. I traveled in November which was great as we completed most of the trip before the rains came yet peak season ends in October so it was fairly quiet except for Chobe - it was pretty hot though!

By Craig from Castleford | 28 November 2016

geography and wildlife super

★ ★ ★ ★

This trip is extremely diverse in terms of its locations, accommodation and experiences. Learning about the culture of the local people is also an important part of the trip and the use of local guides helps you and them.

By Steven from Saltburn-by-the-Sea | 02 November 2016

Great wildlife viewing

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

If you would love to see a great variety of wildlife in their natural environment, have a spirit of adventure a flexible disposition and are prepared to be an active team member then you will enjoy this trip. There are early mornings starts and it's best to be organised with bags packed from the night before ! It is a privilege to have had the opportunity to stay at the Okavango Delta...and to spend time with the local guides. Travelling by mokoro canoe through the delta is so peaceful yet you can spot hippos or elephants nearby. Each of the destinations are special in their own way... Moremi Game Reserve is a wonderful place to see the animals and not so busy as Chobe National Park with the number of tourists . How wonderful to share the space where the lodges are with herds of elephants and many other creatures! It was great also to visit the community project established to protect rhinos in a secure habitat and we got to see white rhinos. The salt pan too is amazing. Useful items: foldaway waterproof bag for transfer of some items in moroko canoe for Okavango stay. A cowl neck/head scarf for early mornings and to protect on dusty road trips. It was very warm (in September) in the smaller tents at the delta - open the side vents for air circulation as front ones must be closed. Our guide Arthur was really good and worked well with all the group .

By Pauline from Tullow | 23 September 2016

Fantastic Holiday

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

<p>Fantastic holiday. the guides were great, the safaris excellent (we saw a leopard each day for four days and a litter of hunting dogs amongst other things). Victoria falls is amazing. Botswana is beautiful and the people are so friendly. we went in July and it was very cold some mornings so take fleeces/jacket/hat and gloves. The schedule is non stop so if you don't like getting up early each morning then think again- the latest start we had was 7.30 except for the last day when we opted for an optional start of 7 am for the white water rafting. White water rafting was superb but there is a fairly punishing walk down to and from the gorge. The guides Chris and Valentine were superb and really added to the trip. generally an excellent trip- we will be back!</p>

By Helen from Edinburgh | 18 July 2016

a few of the photos from our trip

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By Roger from BUCKFASTLEIGH | 18 October 2015

We enjoyed our holiday immensely

★ ★ ★ ★

With regard to the wildlife the holiday exceeded our expectations in every way. We saw several Rhino at the Khama wildlife reserve. Masses of Elephant, Buffalo and Hippo and several Lion and Leopard at close range as well as many species of antelope etc and also Wild Dog which are now very rare. The trip was also a paradise for birders. Our South African guides were immensely knowledgeable and Grace in particular was an excellent cook who produced tasty food which most of us preferred to the mea ls we took in the restaurants in the lodges. The trip into the Okavango by canoe was also a highlight. A slight downside was the lodges mostly produced buffet meals at a fixed price without the option of going a la carte. This is fine if you are a big eater and like whats provided. We would have preferred to be able to choose what and how much to eat from the menu. Where we were able to do this the food was good. The local guides for each national park and the Chobe River trip were very good and helpful in spotting and identifying animals and birds. You have to be prepared to put up with a few long days on the road which is understandable considering the distances involved. Early starts are also essential for game drives avoiding the heat of the day when animals are less active. The dates of our trip corresponded with a time when the bush was less leafy enabling us to observe animal much more easily but despite it being the dry season Victoria Falls was still an amazing sight. All in all a great trip. Roger and Di Simmons.

By Roger from BUCKFASTLEIGH | 12 October 2015

OCV Gallery

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By Lorraine from UK | 25 September 2015

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Botswana Wildside Lodge Safari
With Flights

Without Flights
Departure Reference: OCV /39/25/
This trip departs the UK on Fri 19 Dec returning to the UK on Sun 4 Jan

This trip begins on Sat 20 Dec and ends on Sat 3 Jan
This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$900
Single Supplement Price: US$985 - Single supplement includes all nights, as well as a single tent throughout the holiday. There are a limited number of singles available.
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Land Only Information

The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Johannesburg and ending in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Airport transfers are provided on arrival to the group hotel.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

Botswana Wildside Lodge Safari

Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

1 - 3 LEISURELY

4 - 6 MODERATE

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

10 - 12 TOUGH

Botswana Wildside Lodge Safari

Highlights

At a Glance

Accommodation & Meals

Overview

Is this holiday for you?

Why KE?

Itinerary

The Route

Essential Information

VACCINATIONS

You should bring the following items:

The following items are optional:

Notes:

Reviews

Traveller Reviews

Amazing African Adventure

Fabulous holiday

Great game and landscapes

Best of Botswana May 2018

A great first visit to Africa experience with excellent game viewing.

Elephants galore

Brilliant safari!

Great lodges, people and guides; just amazing animals

geography and wildlife super

Great wildlife viewing

Fantastic Holiday

a few of the photos from our trip

We enjoyed our holiday immensely

OCV Gallery

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DATES & PRICES

2025

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Flight Inclusive Information

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

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