7-Day Botswana Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Botswana tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaBotswana travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Botswana Itinerary, incl. Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta

  Luxury defines this 7-day safari through Chobe National Park's elephant territories, Makgadikgadi's vast salt pans, and Okavango Delta's waterways. Highlights include sunrise meerkat tracking, mokoro excursions, and Zambezi River cruises from exclusive Zambezi Mubala.

  

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  • Day 1

    Chobe National Park

    Start at Chobe National Park, which has Africa's largest elephant population. Get to your lodge by early afternoon using a pre-arranged airport transfer. The roads can be rough. Pack light, quick-dry clothes since lodges typically offer same-day laundry. The animals are most active during evening hours, so prioritize the sunset activities.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Zambezi River Area

    Take a 1.5-hour trip to the Namibian side of the Zambezi River. The morning game drive starts at 5:30 AM when elephants and buffalo are most active. An afternoon river cruise lets you see wildlife without crowds. The afternoons get hot at 95°F (35°C), so bring sun protection. You can cool off in the lodge pool between activities.

    
  • Day 4

    Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

    Head south to Makgadikgadi Salt Pans on a 5-6 hour drive. Take a 4x4 tour in the afternoon to see this unique landscape. Bring sunglasses for the bright salt surface. While you'll see less wildlife than in Chobe, the sunsets here are spectacular. Bring warm clothes for nighttime when temperatures drop sharply.

    
  • Day 5

    Ntwetwe Salt Pans to Maun

    Visit the meerkats at Ntwetwe Salt Pans before sunrise. Then drive 4 hours to Maun, your entry point to the Okavango Delta. Maun is a busy safari town with basic facilities. Use your free afternoon to get ready for the delta.

    
  • Day 6

    Okavango Delta

    Spend the day exploring by mokoro (traditional canoe). You'll need good balance and water-resistant clothes. Protect your camera gear from splashes. The local polers know everything about the delta's environment. Wear closed shoes that can get wet for the guided walk. You'll be outdoors for 6-7 hours with basic facilities.

    
  • Day 7

    Maun Departure

    Think about taking a helicopter flight over the delta ($250-280). Book an early morning slot for the best photos. Plan for a 30-minute drive to the helipad from Maun hotels.

    

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• 7 Days in Botswana, incl. Okavango Delta and Khwai Reserve

  Natural wonders await in this weeklong safari across 5 key destinations including Maun, Moremi Game Reserve, and Khwai Reserve. Daily activities include game drives, mokoro trips, and walking safaris from luxury camps like Moremi Crossing and Mma Dinare Lodge.

  

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  • Day 1

    Arrival at Okavango Delta

    Start your safari with a 45-minute flight from Maun or Kasane to the Okavango Delta. Want great photos? Book a seat on the left side of the plane for excellent views of the winding waterways. Once you land at the private airstrip, a game drive takes you to your luxury tented camp. Be ready for hot afternoons by packing light breathable clothes.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Deep in the Okavango Delta

    Your days will be filled with safari activities. Game drives start at 6:00 AM to catch animals at their most active. For afternoon mokoro (traditional canoe) trips, wear shoes that can get wet and protect your camera gear. As one traveler said: "The silent glide through the papyrus channels in a mokoro brought us incredibly close to elephants drinking at the water's edge – unforgettable, but stay calm and follow your guide's instructions carefully."

    
  • Day 4

    Transfer to Khwai Reserve

    After morning activities in the delta, take a quick 30-minute flight to Rra Dinare Lodge in Khwai. You'll notice right away how different the drier Khwai landscape is from the delta. The open terrain here is perfect for spotting predators during your afternoon game drive. Bring warm clothes for evening drives, especially from June through August.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Khwai Reserve Exploration

    Early starts at 5:30 AM let you catch nocturnal animals finishing their nightly hunts. Khwai is known for its wild dogs. If you find them, you might follow the pack for hours, so pack snacks and water. A recent visitor shared: "The Khwai area offered incredible predator action – we watched a leopard stalk and catch an impala right in front of us. The guides know exactly where to position the vehicle for the best viewing."

    
  • Day 7

    Departure Day

    End your trip with a morning game drive to the airstrip for your flight to Maun or Kasane. Book later afternoon flights out of these airports to allow for any morning delays with bush planes due to weather.

    

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• 7 Days in Botswana, incl. Central Kalahari and Okavango Delta

  Central Kalahari's vast plains host three nights, followed by three nights at Camp Okavango for water activities. Final day includes breakfast and private flight to Kasane. All meals, activities, and transfers included in the week-long adventure.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Central Kalahari Game Reserve

    Start your Botswana adventure with an early morning drive from Maun to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The journey takes 4-5 hours. Bring light layers since mornings can be cold but afternoons get quite hot. You'll want to focus your wildlife viewing in the early morning and late afternoon when animals are most active. The famous Deception Valley is a must-visit spot where you can spot black-maned Kalahari lions and other predators. The open plains stretch for miles so bring binoculars to spot wildlife in the distance.

    
  • Days 4-6

    Okavango Delta

    A 45-minute light aircraft flight takes you from the Kalahari to the Okavango Delta. Try to snag a window seat to see the stunning waterways from above. Your experience here will vary by season. High water season (June-August) is perfect for mokoro canoe trips while the green season (November-March) offers great walking safaris on the islands. As one visitor shared: "The mokoro rides were incredibly peaceful – just the sound of water and birds. Our guide spotted tiny painted reed frogs that I would have missed completely." Stay at Camp Okavango or similar accommodations where elevated walkways keep you safe from hippos below. Morning boat safaris give you the best chance to see wildlife when they come to drink at the calm waters. In the afternoon you can join guided nature walks on nearby islands. Remember to wear closed shoes and bring good sun protection since the islands don't offer much shade.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure from Kasane

    Start your final day with a short flight to Kasane (about 1 hour). Book your connecting flights for the afternoon since wildlife on the airstrip can cause morning delays. Remember the strict 15kg luggage limit on small planes and pack your items in soft bags.

    

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