Botswana Delta, Desert, and Pans
From flooded delta to salt pan moonscapes
Your Route
Maun → Okavango → Makgadikgadi Pans → Central Kalahari → Maun
Route Details
Okavango Delta
Okavango Delta
Water and land experiences in the delta before heading to arid landscapes.
Highlights
- Mokoro and boat safaris
- Island game drives
- Delta birdlife
Makgadikgadi Pans
Makgadikgadi
Ancient salt pans with meerkat colonies and stark lunar landscapes.
Highlights
- Meerkat habituation experiences
- Quad biking on the pans
- Flamingo gatherings (seasonal)
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Central Kalahari
Vast desert reserve with black-maned lions and San Bushman heritage.
Highlights
- Black-maned Kalahari lions
- Cheetah and brown hyena
- San cultural interactions
A Typical Day
Sample from Okavango Delta
5:30–6:30
Mokoro excursion
7:00–12:00
Walking or game drive
12:00–15:00
Rest
15:00–18:00
Boat safari
18:00–21:00
Sundowner
Activities
Included Activities
Optional (additional cost)
Is This Right for You?
Best for
Experienced travelers wanting Botswana's full range, photographers seeking variety, and those with time and budget for a comprehensive journey.
Not ideal for
First-timers, budget travelers, or those with limited time who should focus on delta only.
Trade-offs
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Best Time to Go
Dry Season
Best for all ecosystems, delta flooded early, pans dry
Why This Itinerary Works
Every Vurara Safaris itinerary reflects specific trade-offs. Here is the reasoning behind this route:
12 days balances depth at each location against travel fatigue. Shorter trips sacrifice wildlife time; longer trips face diminishing returns.
Segment order minimizes backtracking and positions high-density wildlife areas at optimal points in the journey.
Premium positioning in private concessions or exclusive-use camps. Higher cost buys exclusivity, flexibility, and guide expertise.
Experienced travelers wanting Botswana's full range, photographers seeking variety, and those with time and budget for a comprehensive journey.
Why each segment was chosen:
Okavango Delta
Water-based activities require flood timing. Camp selection balances accessibility against exclusivity.
Makgadikgadi Pans
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
These decisions are not arbitrary. They reflect documented trade-offs from thousands of safari conversations.
How Vurara Safaris makes decisionsCustomization Options
Accommodation Options
Travel Modes
Available Extensions
Chobe River Addition
Add elephant herds and river safaris
Cost Context
$15k–$25k/pp
Per person estimate
This cost band represents typical per-person pricing for this itinerary pattern. Actual costs vary based on accommodation tier, travel mode, season, and party size.
Excluding international flights, includes charter flights
Related Decisions
Questions to consider before booking