The Fish Eagle Safari – Botswana to Victoria Falls on a Budget
“An affordable semi participation camping safari starting in Maun & ending in VicFalls!”
“An affordable semi participation camping safari starting in Maun & ending in VicFalls!”
One of the most affordable set departure safaris in Botswana! This tour takes you through the waterways of the Okavango, game-viewing in Moremi & Chobe National Park then ends at Victoria Falls!
This safari is perfect for those travellers whom want to experience northern Botswana on a more affordable level and whom don’t mind helping out with the camping aspect of the tour.
The safari is semi-participation, meaning that guests will have to pitching their own tents and help with other camp duties whilst on this safari, which is actually quite fun! It brings a great sense of camaraderie and accomplishment to be out camping in true wilderness with like-minded people! Due to the tour being more affordable, it can take a max of 12 guests in the one custom safari vehicle.
The safari starts from Maun and heads to the Southern Okavango Delta where you will embark on mokoro and bush walks with local guides from the nearby community. Exploring this wetland paradise is a must when visiting Botswana! From there, heading to Moremi Game Reserve & Chobe National Park for the next 7 nights of incredible game viewing and camping in true wilderness! The wildlife and diversity of habitat covered on this section of the tour is sure to blow your mind, so ensure you bring a camera with many spare batteries! You then cross over to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe for a night in a comfortable lodge where this part of your safari then ends.
We are able to extend your trip before or after the tour if you wish to stay longer. Extending your stay at Victoria Falls is highly recommended as there are many fun activities to be experienced in the area!
Day 1: Southern Okavango Delta – Mokoro safari & nature walks
Day 2: Southern Okavango Delta – Mokoro safari & nature walks
Day 3: Community campsite outside Moremi Game Reserve (Kazikini) – game drive
Day 4: Western Moremi Game Reserve – game drives
Day 5: Western Moremi Game Reserve – game drives
Day 6: Eastern Moremi Game Reserve / Khwai Concession – game drives
Day 7: Southern Chobe National Park (Savute / Zwei Zwei) – game drives
Day 8: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – game drives
Day 9: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – game drives
Day 10: Victoria Falls – comfortable lodge – optional visit to The Victoria Falls
Day 11: END of the safari at the lodge after breakfast
Please note: As the safari starts at 07h30 on Day 1, you will need to pre-night in Maun and purchase drinks for your safari the day before your safari starts. We can assist with pre-safari arrangements (accommodation, transfers).
The safari begins in Maun, where your guide will meet you at 07h30 at a pre-arranged meeting point. Your adventure will take you first to the southern tip of the Okavango Delta, a special corner of paradise. Once you have reached the edge of the Delta, you will meet your polers from the local community with their mokoros (traditional dugout canoes).
Quietly cruising along reed lined channels and floodplains, you will enjoy the spectacular landscape of this unique region during the tranquil transfer taking you deeper inside the Delta. You will spend two days exploring this beautiful area with mokoro excursions and guided nature walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango, camping wild with bush ablutions on a small island for two nights. (B, L, D)
Maun – Okavango Delta: 60km, 1.5-2h
NOTE: You will leave your main luggage in the trailer and will need to pack a smaller bag (small backpack, hand luggage) with what you need for the 2 days on the island. Transfers from the mainland to the island where you will stay are done on traditional dugout canoes (mokoros) which cannot accommodate large bags. Your main luggage will safely remain in the vehicle that will be parked in a secured area while you are on the island.
Mokoro excursions and nature walks to explore the islands and waterways of the Okavango Delta. (B, L, D)
Leaving the channels of the Okavango Delta, you will start making your way towards the drier regions of the delta and camp in a concession outside the Moremi Game Reserve. (B, L, D)
Okavango Delta – community campsite outside Moremi 50km, 1.5-2h
Early morning of Day 4, you will enter Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After your morning game drives, you will return to camp for lunch and a siesta. On Day 6 you will move campsites to explore a different area of this diverse park. Camping will be in private designated campsites with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Community campsite outside Moremi – Western Moremi: 80km, 3-4h (transfer and game drive)
Game drives to explore the Moremi Game Reserve around the 3rd Bridge / Xakanaxa areas. (B, L, D)
Transfer / game drive from Western Moremi to the region surrounding the Khwai river (North-east Moremi / Khwai Concession). Game drives to explore the areas. (B, L, D)
Chobe National Park, with its diverse and striking landscapes, will be your next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, you will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. You will then head northwards to the Chobe River where your game drives will meander along the banks of the river, followed by the call of the majestic African Fish Eagle. Camping will be in private designated areas with bush ablutions, first in the Savuti area (Day 7), then in the northern part of the park closer to the riverfront (Days 8 & 9). (B, L, D)
Eastern Moremi – Savuti: 120km, 7-8h (transfer and game drive)
Transfer / game drive from Southern Chobe National Park to the Chobe river floodplain. Game drives to explore Northern Chobe National Park. (B, L, D)
Savuti – Chobe River: 170km, 5-6h (transfer and game drive)
Game drives to explore Northern Chobe and floodplain. (B, L, D)
After a short morning game drive, you will then drive to the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner will be at your own expense. (B, L)
Chobe River – Victoria Falls: 100km, 2-3h (including border crossing)
The safari officially ends after breakfast on Day 11, at the lodge.
We are happy to arrange post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Victoria Falls airport or lodges or Kasane, Botswana, at an additional cost. Activities in Victoria Falls include White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, Canoeing on the upper Zambezi and Helicopter Flights over the Victoria Falls, please ask your guide for further details. (B)
Camping safari requiring a minimum participation from the guests, i.e.: setting up the tent and packing it / carrying their bag from/to the vehicle at campsites. The rest of the camp chores are carried out by our team made up of one guide and one camp assistant.
Tents are 2.1m x 2.1m x 1.75m. A 5cm high-density foam mattress is provided for each guest. Ablutions are shared and bush ablutions set up by our team when staying in game reserves and national park campsites.
4×4 safari vehicles custom-built – custom built trailers.
# of guests: Max 12 guests – departure is guaranteed as soon as we have confirmed 1 guest
Low Season: EUR 1,790 per person sharing
High Season: EUR 1,907 per person sharing
LOW SEASON: Jan to Jun, Nov & Dec / HIGH SEASON: Jul to Oct
(Any price indicated in any currency other than Euro is merely indicative)
Camping equipment and accommodation (spacious bow tents with mattresses), rooms at a comfortable lodge in Victoria Falls, all transfers and activities as per the itinerary, all meals that are indicated (B – breakfast, L –lunch, D – dinner) and filtered drinking water, tea/coffees, services of a Professional Guide and Camp Assistant, all Botswana park fees for activities included on itinerary and transport in specialised safari vehicles.
Restaurant meals (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe), entrance to the Falls, visas, airport transfers, tips, curios, optional excursions (scenic flight over the Delta and activities in Victoria Falls,), beverages (alcohol and soft drinks), Insurance to cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical, baggage, emergency evacuation, sleeping bag (and small pillow) on all camping sectors, any increase in National Park Fees.
Contact safariFRANK to get started on your safari of a lifetime!