Botswana Lodge Explorer

5.00 out of 5
(3 customer reviews)

From: $ 2,950.00 per person

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Experience the stunning beauty, unimaginable vastness, and open plains of the Nxai Pan, the world-famous Moremi Game Reserve and Khwai River Area and the untamed wildlife of the Chobe River and Chobe National Park. Your journey then takes you to Hwange National Park before ending at the spectacular Victoria Falls.

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US$ 350 Credit for Pre-Booked Optional Activities

Receive a US$ 350 per person credit to be used toward pre-booked optional activities for two of our very popular safaris, on set departure dates. This is only applicable when booked between 10 January and 10 February 2020.

Botswana Lodge Explorer Departure: 10 April 2020

Visit our Specials Page to view optional activities this credit can apply for.

Small-group lodge safari from/to Victoria Falls through Botswana &  Zimbabwe – 11 days

Tour Highlights:

Nxai Pan National Park –  The Nxai Pan National Park is a fascinating Botswana Safari destination due to the ample and varied animal life, as well as the Baobabs that lie scattered around the Nxai Pan.

Moremi National Park – Moremi has been described as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Africa, with a great diversity of plant and animal life – making it a ‘must see’ for any Botswana Safari.

Chobe National Park – Chobe National Park is well known for the beautiful Savuti region, a definite highlight on our safari in Botswana.  On our Chobe National Park safari, you will experience one of many natural phenomena, such as witnessing one of the largest elephant herds in the world, or possibly the annual zebra migration.

Hwange National Park – Situated on the main road between Bulawayo and the world famous Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park boasts a tremendous selection of wildlife and over 100 species of birds. Hwange carries 105 mammal species, including 19 large herbivores and eight large carnivores. The big five can all be found in Hwange, as well as many other predators.

Victoria Falls – Victoria Falls has been called “the greatest known curtain of falling water” – and it is a truly spectacular site to see. Victoria Falls borders on Zambia and Zimbabwe and can be viewed from vast distances from both sides.

Availibility

2020 Tour Departure Dates

DateAvailableSpecialLanguageStatusBook Now
17-Feb12ENGLISHBook Now
13-Mar0ENGLISH
03-Apr10GERMANBook Now
10-Apr6USD350 Activity Voucher Per Person BookedENGLISHBook Now
11-May3ENGLISHBook Now
11-Jun10FRENCHBook Now
12-Jul12GERMANBook Now
11-Aug0ENGLISH
29-Aug10GERMANBook Now
10-Sep0ENGLISH
18-Sep6ENGLISHBook Now
05-Oct3ENGLISHBook Now
20-Oct12GERMANBook Now
27-Oct12FRENCHBook Now
18-Nov12GERMANBook Now
07-Dec12ENGLISHBook Now
17-Dec12ENGLISHBook Now

Departure gauranteed
Departure not guaranteed
Limited seats
Full/Cancelled

Included / Excluded

Included

  • Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
  • All transport
  • Game drives and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Park entrance fees
  • Experienced local guide

Excluded

  • Flights
  • Pre and post tour accommodation
  • Optional activities
  • All drinks
  • Personal expenses such as telephone calls, curios and tips
  • Travel insurance and visas

Accommodation

We make use of mid-range typical African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps with en-suite bathrooms. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools, restaurants and/or bar areas.
Day 1: Thamalakane River or similar
Day 2: Planet Baobab or similar
Day 3: Planet Baobab or similar
Day 4 & 5: Bedouin Bush Camp or similar
Day 6: Chobe Safari Lodge or similar
Day 7 & 8 : Sable Sands or similar
Day 9 & 10: Ilala Lodge or similar

Pre Tour Prep

Transport: Jenman African Safaris uses fully equipped Toyota Land Cruisers, Sprinters,12-seater 4×4 safari vehicles or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, large windows for game viewing, a music and PA system and air-conditioning to be determined by the company. All luggage, besides hand luggage and photo equipment, is carried on the vehicle or trailer roof racks to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle. Some game drives may be conducted in open-sided safari vehicles. For transfers between Kasane and Victoria Falls (or vice versa), 2×4 vehicles may be utilised.

Travelling Time & Distances: All travelling times are affected by road conditions, border crossings, detours and weather conditions, therefore on certain days travelling times may be longer than anticipated especially where there is a lot of distance to be covered. Please keep in mind that the time it takes to travel 100 km in your home country is not equivalent to the time it takes to travel 100 km on African roads, therefore we encourage you to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery Africa has to offer. Where possible additional stops will be made to ensure your travelling comfort at all times.

Visas: The onus is on the client to organize all visas required to visit Botswana & Zimbabwe prior to departure. Please note that travellers entering Botswana will be required to present a valid international health certificate of vaccination for yellow fever should they originate from or have travelled through countries which have been declared yellow fever infected areas within the preceding 6 months.

Travel Insurance: Please note that travel and cancellation insurance is mandatory for every guest travelling with Jenman African Safaris. All insurance is solely the responsibility of our guests. Please ensure you arrange your own insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc. Please speak to your travel agent if you require assistance.

Making your Travels Meaningful: The Grow Africa Foundation (163-738 NPO) is the responsible tourism initiative started by Jenman African Safaris and Hideaways. The focus of Grow Africa is to make a positive impact on the environment, society and economy in the places we travel to. We do this by instigating and supporting local social and environmental projects.

Your booking makes a difference: With every booking to the value of R10,000 / US$1,000 / EUR1,000 or more a donation of R50 / US$5 / EUR5 will go to the Grow Africa Foundation. Click here to see the projects your booking is.

We are also proud members of Pack for a Purpose, a global initiative that allows you to make a lasting impact on the communities you visit. Use your excess luggage allowance to pack supplies needed by the Dingani Primary School in Zimbabwe. We’ll then make sure it gets delivered to them. Click hereto view Dingani’s current needs list.

Private Guided Tours

From 6 clients US$ 3635 / €2909
Single Supplement US$745/ €649

Interactive Itinerary

Click here to view the Interactive Itinerary.

3 reviews for Botswana Lodge Explorer

  1. 5 out of 5

    Joan Reardon –

    In one word – fantastic. It actually exceeded my expectations. I loved almost every minute of it and the ones I didn’t love had nothing to do with anything we, you or the tour had any control over. The guides were great, we were picked up on time at all airports and hotels and the tour guide in Botswana in particular was amazing. Our guide Owen who was with us the whole time was diligent and worked very hard but was a bit serious, maybe through a lack of experience. Our group comprised of Wendy, myself, an Australian couple, a German and Danish lady who roomed together to save the single supplement and an Australian family of 5. Nothing was going to ruin this trip for me and it didn’t. I loved the various types of accommodation from tents beside a river with no electricity to the luxury of |Elephants Eye which was simply one of the most amazing places I have ever been. I know others have complained about a lot of driving but I don’t know how you would ever get to see so much without that. Even when we were not looking for animals we were seeing the villages and people and just the landscape so I was never bored. Thanks for all of your help .I would definitely recommend Jenman for someone looking for an affordable safari. We also really enjoyed Capetown and had 2 excellent tours there while staying at the Cape Milnor which was very nice. We had enough time on our own to shop and look around although we probably could have used another day there as there is so much to see and it took a long time to get there. Joan

  2. 5 out of 5

    Jaime Diehl –

    To whom it may concern, I’m writing in about a trip to Botswana and Zimbabwe from September 10th – 19th.

    I wanted to let the JENMAN team know how incredible our guide, Dexter, was. While the trip and the countries were amazing, Dexter’s knowledge of the land, people and animals was outstanding. Dexter is so patient and knowledgeable and it was an absolute pleasure to spend time with him. He made the whole experience amazing and I feel very lucky to have gotten him as our guide.

    I would like to HIGHLY recommend him.

    Thank you so much,
    Jaime Diehl

  3. 5 out of 5

    Shaz –

    Botswana Lodge Explorer – 10 days. These were 10 of the best days I have ever had where every day was a great day. Our tour started in Botswana and ended in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This tour had a perfect mix of game drives, boat cruises and scenic walks and flights. Accommodation was excellent and varied from deluxe chalets and lodges to bush camp semi-permanent tents all with ensuites. The meals were great everywhere we stayed. I was particularly impressed with the meals provided at the Bedouin Bush Camp as they have limited facilities to work with. They managed to bake a lovely cake for my partners birthday and present it with a wonderful song and dance routine. I was surprised with the quality, variety and freshness of the food everywhere.

    We had the most amazing tour guide Lucky Mafana. Everything ran very smoothly due to his careful organisation in the background. We really didn’t have to organize or worry about anything. He is very passionate about his country, culture and wildlife and it was wonderful to have him impart that knowledge on us. Both myself and my partner would happily go on any tour he was running. He was very happy, friendly and helpful and just a pleasure to be with. We were also fortunate to have Rati as our driver for the first few days and she was also lovely, very knowledgeable and great at avoiding potholes on the Botswana roads.

    There were so many highlights on this tour. I’ll never forget first spotting elephants, giraffe, zebra, ostrich and steenbok on the side of the road heading to our first nights accommodation. Being so close to these amazing creatures and more continued throughout the tour. Sitting by the fire at the Elephants Eye and having over 45 elephants head towards us and the eco friendly pool for a drink, then having them at the bottom of our chalet stairs later that night. Seeing a cheetah mum early one morning with all her cubs out playing was a wonderful sight. Victoria Falls was spectacular both by foot and helicopter. So many wonderful memories and photos.

    I would highly recommend Jenman African Safaris. I was so impressed and would happily do this tour over again. Loved it so much. Thanks Jenman for providing the perfect holiday and tour guide.

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Botswana Lodge Explorer

Itinerary

Day 1
Maun, Botswana

On arrival into Maun Airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The name Maun is derived from the San word “maung”, which means “the place of short reeds”. The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, either relaxing next to the pool at the lodge or if you are keen for some excitement, why not book a sunset cruise on the Thamalakane River. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of the group for your pre-departure meeting at 18h00.

Day 2
Planet Baobab, Botswana

Today we head off to the plains of the Makgadikgadi Pans area, known for its endless expanses, baobab trees and remarkable biodiversity. After settling into our accommodation, we take a stroll with our guide through the surrounding baobab grove, as he explains the local ecology, geology and the unique biology of the baobabs, which are in fact not trees but the largest succulents in the world.

Day 3
Planet Baobab, Botswana

After breakfast, we depart for either Nxai Pan or Ntwetwe Pan. These excursions are seasonal based on wildlife sightings and road conditions. Both pans form part of the greater Makgadikgadi system.

NXAI PAN EXCURSION: JANUARY – MAY & DECEMBER
An early departure takes us West towards Nxai Pan National Park. Nxai Pan adjoins the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park on its northern border. We return to the lodge in the late afternoon after exploring this unique area.

NTWETWE PAN EXCURSION: JUNE – NOVEMBER
The Ntwetwe Pan is one of the two major pans that make up the Makgadikgadi Pans, and is amongst the largest saltpans in the world.
We explore the area, in search of uniquely adapted desert species such as bat eared foxes, springbuck, kori bustards, and some of the Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats. We return to the lodge in the afternoon with some time to relax by the pool.

Day 4
Greater Moremi, Botswana

This morning we travel via Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, to our camp, which is situated in a private concession in the Greater Moremi Region. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year you may see different species in different areas. The best time for game viewing is the end of the dry season or spring from August to November. During this season, in order for us to offer the best game viewing possible, extra driving may be required due to the animals migrating closer to the river. In the summer, birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors. After dinner, we will explore the concession on a night game drive.

Day 5
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Today we head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve.

Day 6
Chobe, Botswana

You will be transferred to either the Khwai or Maun Airstrip for your flight to Kasane (For your own account). On arrival you will be met and transferred to your lodge. We enjoy game viewing by boat on the Chobe River in the afternoon, watching elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds without having to reach for our binoculars – you’ll be near enough for close-up photographs, as well as having the chance to witness a spectacular African sunset.

Day 7 & 8
Chobe to Hwange National Park

This morning we depart Chobe and make our way to our lodge in a private concession near to Hwange National Park. The next two days are spent exploring this wildlife rich area. This afternoon you can partake in an optional game drive if time allows. On the following day, we will have plenty of time to explore this vast wilderness on a game drive. Hwange National Park is one of Africa’s finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife. We will also visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre to witness the work that is done to protect these endangered species.

Day 10
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Today we travel to Victoria Falls, an essential African experience. In the afternoon we have a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, basking in the afterglow of the day. The rest of our time in Victoria Falls is at your own leisure and with the freedom to partake in one of the many optional activities on offer (at own expense).

Day 11
Tour Ends Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures.

Jenman African Safaris Collection

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