Arrive in Maun by air in the early afternoon (usually from Johannesburg). Transit to a seat-rate air transfer that will take you over the centre of the Okavango to Mapula Camp’s airstrip. Settle into camp, then head out on your first safari activity after tea.

Overnight at Mapula Lodge, or an alternative that we recommend according to budget and preference (eg. Khwai Leadwood, Gomoti Plains, Gunn’s Camp)

Enjoy 3 full days exploring the wonderful natural environment around Mapula Lodge. Mapula is located in a beautiful position on a large private concession in the northern reaches of the Okavango, positioned on a large tree island surrounded by a matrix of seasonal floodplains, permanent water channels, grassland and woodlands – a classic delta landscape that’s also rich in wildlife. It lies just to the north of the Vumbura and Duba Plains concessions, which are highly renowned and carry a significantly higher price tag.

In 2018, the camp was taken over by the owners of Jack’s Camp (which is located in the Kalahari and has a good reputation and following) and given a stylish makeover and reboot. Day and night game drives are offered here, along with excursions by motorboat or mekoro during the main season, as water levels permit. There’s something for everyone here, including birders, and Mapula is an excellent choice for those seeking a good quality delta experience without a luxury price tag.

Overnight at Mapula Lodge, or an alternative that we recommend according to budget and preference (eg. Khwai Leadwood, Gomoti Plains, Gunn’s Camp)

Enjoy a final early morning safari activity and brunch at Mapula before transferring to Kanana Camp in the central south-west Okavango; you’ll be driven to Mapula’s airstrip to board a seat-rate air transfer to Kanana, a flight which takes around 20 minutes. Settle in to Kanana and enjoy a siesta before tea and your first afternoon safari activity in this water-dominated section of the Okavango.

Overnight at Kanana Camp on a fully inclusive basis

Enjoy morning and afternoon safari activities at Kanana Camp. Kanana is owned and operated by Ker & Downey Botswana, who have a good reputation in the delta and are very reliable and consistent. The camp has a traditional feel and guests are accommodated in safari-style tents which are both spacious and comfortable. Kanana Camp nestles among towering trees and overlooks the reedbeds of the Xudum River. During the seasonal flood the floodplains and channels around Kanana are usually filled and the main focus here is on water-based activities rather than land-based game viewing. Of particular note at Kanana is the exclusive access gained to one of the Okavango’s largest heronries, which is located about 40 minutes by boat from camp.

Overnight at Kanana Camp on a fully inclusive basis

Enjoy a final early morning safari activity and brunch at Kanana before transferring to Footsteps Camp in the Shinde Concession on the central north-eastern side of the Okavango; once again you’ll travel by seat-rate air transfer and this flight takes around 20 minutes. Once at Shinde, you’ll assemble with the others who will be joining the Footsteps Across the Delta walking safari and then game drive out to Footsteps Camp. This usually takes a minimum of 1 hour and 15 minutes and normally involves a short section in a mokoro. Settle in to Footsteps Camp, which involves a safety briefing and time to relax and take tea, before heading out on your first afternoon walk, returning to camp before the light fades.

Overnight at Footsteps Camp on a fully inclusive basis

Footsteps Across the Delta, as it is known, is one of the best walking-focussed safaris in the Okavango owing to its excellent setting, its genuine bush camp atmosphere, and it’s friendly, dedicated camp team headed by a personable, very client-focussed Matswana guide. Emphasis is placed on flexibility and as the camp only accommodates 6 guests, activities can be planned consensually – the main focus is walking, but mekoro are also available, and there’s a single vehicle which is useful for taking you off to other walk start points, or for very discretely dropping off a small table of drinks at strategic sundowner spots. Footsteps is operated by Ker & Downey Botswana, who also operate Kanana and are a first rate and consistent safari company we have worked with for many years.

Spending 3 full days at this intimate bush camp, exploring on foot in different parts of the concession and mixing this with occasional game drives or outings in mekoro as you see fit, is a very immersive experience and a great way to end your safari in the Okavango. The first camps you will have visited are great, but you’ll find you’ll get even closer to nature at Footsteps and will be ready for the change of pace, taking notice of the smaller fauna and flora as you explore on foot. For more detailed information on Footsteps, click … HERE.

Overnight at Footsteps Camp on a fully inclusive basis

Enjoy a last morning walk and brunch before departing Footsteps and heading to the airstrip. You’ll then fly to Kasane Airport in eastern Botswana. You’ll be met there by a driver who will drive you into Zambia and on to your chosen accommodation near Victoria Falls (around 1.5 hours). A nice way to start your stay here is to enjoy a sundowner cruise on the upper Zambezi – all the lodges we recommend have their own boats for this purpose.

There is a wide choice of accommodation in the vicinity of Victoria Falls and we will help you choose from a selection we recommend. If you wish to stay on the Zambian side, we recommend lodges that are located a little way upriver from the falls. The river environment is quieter and you’ll escape the clatter of helicopters buzzing over the falls. Coincidently, the nicest lodges are all positioned well-upstream of the falls.

Walks in Africa’s preferred lodges, which span a range of budgets, are: Chundukwa River Lodge, Sindabezi Island Camp (and its sister lodge, Tongabezi), Waterberry Lodge and Thorntree River Lodge. Good choices also exist on the Zimbabwean side if you wish to cross the border – the Victoria Falls Hotel is a colonial gem and an institution; Ilala lodge, also located in close proximity to the falls, is a reliable second choice. Both are situated within a short walk of the falls, on the edge of Victoria Falls Town, which has quite a lot going for it.

Overnight at one of our recommended lodges near Livingstone-Victoria Falls on a full board basis

We recommend that you aim to spend no less than 3 nights in the Victoria Falls environs if you can. This allows for a day to explore the falls area, as well as a day to focus on the environs of your lodge and the Zambezi River. All the Zambian lodges we like have wonderful locations on the river, which can be explored by boat. A range of gentle activities close to the lodge door are well-worth doing, eg. village visits, horse-riding, walking, boating and birding. It’s all too easy to come to Victoria Falls and end up spending too much time dashing from one activity to the next – time to relax in-lodge is important, especially in such idyllic natural locations as Sindabezi Island.

Overnight at one of our recommended lodges near Livingstone-Victoria Falls on a full board basis

Enjoy an optional early morning activity such as a birding trip out on the river or perhaps a ride. Return to the lodge for a relaxed brunch before departure. You’ll then be driven to Livingstone Airport in time for your international departure. Flights to Johannesburg typically depart Livingstone in the early afternoon and connect with evening departures to the UK and Europe.

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