Bakwena Lodge

Botswana Mobile Safari

Discover the spectacular scenery and diverse wildlife of Botswana on a mobile safari adventure.

12 days

from £8,520 pp

Classic Botswana Safari

Classic Safari + 2 more + 3 more

Encounter Botswana's incredible wildlife on this unforgettable safari.

10 days

from £11,115 pp

Luxury Botswana

Experience the very best of Botswana's incredible wildlife and spectacular scenery with a splash of luxury.

13 days

from £16,110 pp

Botswana Express

Experience the magnificent Victoria Falls and encounter unforgettable wildlife in this express safari itinerary.

9 days

from £7,455 pp

Botswana Explorer: Chobe, Savute & Linyanti

Explore the wildlife-rich and diverse landscapes of northern Botswana in this varied and exciting itinerary.

10 days

from £10,125 pp

Botswana Waterfalls, Delta & Desert

Be inspired by the wild waters of Victoria Falls, the spectacular scenery and iconic wildlife of Botswana in one incredible trip.

10 days

Safari Wildlife & Nature

from £9,105 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in Botswana

Boat Cruises (Chobe Riverfront)

Boat cruises along the Chobe Riverfront are the definitive game viewing experience in this renowned national park, with the animals considerately coming to the water in huge numbers to take refreshments. Morning boating activities will focus specifically on the wildlife, with vast herds of buffalo and elephant arriving at the riverbank and often paddling into the shallower waters to drink and graze. While this happens throughout the year, it is in the dry season months that the biggest concentrations of wildlife can be seen, with prides of lion frequently drawn out during daytime hours by the rich buffalo pickings. You will also see crocodile, monitor lizards and some fantastic birdlife on a Chobe cruise, including fish eagles, kingfishers and colourful carmine bee eaters, which create nesting holes in the riverbank. Afternoon activities on the water also concentrate squarely on the wildlife for the first couple of hours, before the engine is turned off for snacks and drinks to be served as the sun begins to set over the river. The Chobe Riverfront is probably the best destination on the continent for seeing significant volumes of wildlife by boat, rather than just enjoying the tranquillity of the experience with the odd animal sighting.

Mobile Safaris (Chobe Riverfront)

Mobile safaris essentially involve moving from one destination to the next, with short stays at each, using temporary camps that are set up anew at each site. These are outstanding in Botswana, partially as a potential way to visit the highlights without breaking the bank, and also as a means of getting a vintage, old fashioned safari ambience with a close to nature feel. The Chobe Riverfront area is a fantastic mobile camping destination, with operators allowed to set up camp within the national park itself, meaning you can get out onto the game viewing trails well before guests at lodges outside the park. Different levels of comfort are offered, from relative "luxury camps" with spacious en-suite tents, to simpler dome tents with shared ablutions. Activities tend to revolve around game drives and boat cruises in the Chobe, both of which are absolutely spectacular during the dry season. Some of the pleasures include a morning coffee after waking up to the sun streaming through your tent, evening drinks around a roaring campfire and, of course, the sound of animals around camp as you drop off to sleep after a rewarding day's game viewing.

Fishing (Chobe Riverfront)

Some of the Chobe riverfront lodges offer fishing expeditions on the great river, which can often be combined with a longer game viewing cruise. Specimens that are abundant in the Chobe include tigerfish, tilapia and various types of bream, and for areas outside of the park a catch and release policy will not always necessarily be enforced. Equipment will be provided and a knowledgeable guide on hand to pilot the boat, point out hippos, crocodiles and birdlife as you go, before helping you try to reel in the big one! For actual fishing spots, the boat will usually be positioned near to the banks or close to rocks within the river, where fish tend to congregate in larger numbers. Should you head out on an afternoon fishing trip, the journey back to your lodge might turn into an extremely picturesque sundowner cruise with snacks and a cold drink in hand.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is not far from the Chobe riverfront area, so a day trip to the Falls is easily undertaken for those not combining their Botswana safari with time in Zambia or Zimbabwe. With visa formalities, a boat transfer from Kasane over to Kazangula in Zambia and a drive of roughly an hour to Livingstone, the transfer shouldn't take much longer than two hours in total. The Mosi Ao Tunya ("Smoke that thunders") is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Over a mile wide and 100 metres high, the Falls are a resplendent sight whether in full flow or when slightly less torrential during the dry season. Guided tours are a great way to learn the best places from which to view and photograph the Falls, as well as a potted history of their discovery by David Livingstone and their historical significance for the local people. You will generally get roughly 2-3 hours at the Falls, with time for shopping at one of the market stalls close to the entrance gates. During high water (November ‚Äì May) you will be provided with raincoats to avoid being drenched. Your guide will also take you to the David Livingstone statue and across the bridge over the rainforest, where the spray is at its heaviest.