Botswana
We invite you to experience an Africa that is still untamed. The Okavango Delta where a river empties itself right into the heart of Botswana is like no other place on earth. The elephants you come across in close proximity will take your breath away!
Among the hundreds of bird species resident here, you shall find the Saddle-billed stork flying overhead, the Hamerkop assembling it’s strange monster nest, the endangered Southern ground hornbill foraging on the ground and hundreds of weaver birds living in their colonies of hanging nests. During our wildlife safaris, we are sure to find huge herds of African elephants. We also hope to find hyenas, lions, leopards and maybe even a cheetah which is now a rare sight in Botswana!
You will be escorted by Sachin Aggarwal, who has been to Botswana several times scouting for the right places. Guiding shall be provided by local naturalist and birding experts. Our birding and wildlife tour is an amazing opportunity at a very affordable cost.
*Postponed to June 2022*
Dates: June 18th 2022 to June 29th 2022 – 12 days
Cost per person: $4250 per person Single Supplement - $950 Included: All lodging, most meals, group airport transfers, ground travel within Botswana, all park fees, jeep safaris, boat safaris, mokoro trip in Khwai, river cruises, guide fees and a Travis Audubon donation of $300 per person. Exclusions –Flights (international and two charter flights), visa, beverages, tips for safari guides/driver, travel insurance, and items of a personal nature. Excludes flights within Botswana. Excludes day mokoro trip from Maun. Minimum Group Size – 4; Maximum – 8. Safari vehicles shall be 4X4 jeeps and either be open on the sides or shall have a pop up roof. Travel FAQ for this trip The lodging is mostly in boutique lodges with comfortable rooms with en-suite bathrooms or large tents with en-suite or semi-attached private bathrooms.
Itinerary Summary *2021 Updated*
Day 1 — June 18, Arrive Livingston (D)
Day 2 — June 19, Livingston (B,L,D)
Day 3 — June 20, North Chobe NP (B,L,D)
Day 4 — June 21, North Chobe (B,L,D)
Day 5 — June 22, North Chobe/Savuti (B,L,D)
Day 6 — June 23, Chobe NP (B,L,D)
Day 7 — June 24, Chobe NP (B,L,D)
Day 8 - June 25, Moremi/Kwai (B,L,D)
Day 9 - June 26, Moremi/Kwai (B,L,D)
Day 10 - June 27, Maun (B,L,D)
Day 11 - June 28, Maun (B,L,D)
Day 12 - June 29, Departure
B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
*All wildlife photos below are actual photos shot on mowgli expedition safaris*
Day 1 – Welcome to Africa! Victoria Falls - A sight to behold forever.
The spectacular Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world, twice the height of Niagara Falls and can be heard from 40 kilometers away and the spray and mist from the falling water can be seen from a distance of 50 kilometers. No wonder that the local tribes call the waterfall Mosi-o-Tunya “The smoke that thunders”.
We shall arrive at Livingstone, a historic British colonial city named after David Livingstone, the British explorer who was the first European to explore the area.
After getting some rest from our flights, in the evening we shall walk over to a cafe close to the park from where we can get our first view of the Victoria Falls. We shall have dinner at one of the restaurants in that area and then return to the lodge for a good night’s rest. Stay at Victoria Falls Waterfront Hotel or similar.
Day 2 - Livingston, Victoria Falls
On day 2, After a delicious breakfast, we shall go for a one hour explorer boat safari (pickup at approx 7:30 am) . After we return and freshen up, we shall go for walk over to the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park to take in the Victoria Falls. We shall have lunch at a cafe near the park. After lunch, time permitting you shall have the choice of visiting the Livingstone Museum or return to the lodge for some rest.
In the evening we shall go for a 2 hours sunset boat cruise - (pickup at approx 3:30) and return to lodge after our first evening out on an African river.
Day 3 – North Western Chobe, Botswana
On day 3 we shall head to Western part of Chobe National Park.
The world’s heaviest flying bird - The Kori Bustard can be found here. Other birds found here include the Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Brown Snake-Eagle, African Spoonbill and the Malachite Kingfisher. Night stay at Thobolo lodge (or similar).
Today the day shall begin with the transfer starting at 6:30 am in the morning and we shall be taken to the border, approx 1.5 hours of journey. The border crossing shall take about 1/2 an hour. Then another 30 mins of transfer within Botswana from border to Kasane International airport. Here we shall be picked up by Thobolo lodge in a safari vehicle and we shall head to Thobolo Lodge.
Day 4 – Game Drive to Savuti, Botswana
On day 4, we shall visit the north Savuti area– which has a high concentration of animals and lots of open spaces that allow for some great game drives. Savuti is famous for it large prides of lion and huge herds of buffalo. There are also chances of spotting the Leopard and the Cheetah.
Day 5 – North Western Chobe, Botswana
We shall spend the day birding and watching the wildlife in the area surrounding the lodge. As the lodge is located overlooking a large marshy salt pan, there are good chances of sighting a large number of bird and mammal species.
In the evening we shall go for a sunset game drive.
Day 6 – Chobe River
On day 6 we shall head east to the Chobe river area. The way is through the African countryside and so we can expect to see a lot of birds and wildlife on the way there.
Chobe National park is also a birding hotspot with some great birding opportunities. The birds we hope to see include the Hamerkop, African Fish-Eagle, White-backed Vulture, Egyptian Goose, Spur-winged Goose, Blacksmith Lapwing, African Jacana and the majestic Saddle-billed stork.
In the evening we shall go birding on the Chobe river via a boat. Stay at River View Lodge or similar.
Day 7 - Chobe River, Botswana
In the morning, we shall go for another boat safari and do some more birding. Rare birds include the Slaty Egret and the Pel's Fishing Owl – the largest species of fishing-owl.
In the evening we shall go for a game drive in a jeep. We can expect to find the African Elephant, Lion, Leopard, African Buffalo, Plain’s Zebra, Red Lechwe, Impala, Giraffe, Topi, Waterbuck, and many more mammal species. Overnight stay at River View Lodge or similar.
Day 8, 9 – Khwai Concession Area and Moremi Game Reserve
On Day 8, we shall take an amazing charter scenic flight to our boutique camp in Khwai which is also next to Moremi Game Reserve.
The camp offers a safari experience within the Khwai concession area as well as eastern edge of Moremi Game reserve. If water levels are good, our guide shall take us gliding in his mokoro (a traditional wooden canoe) to view birds and wildlife.
Day 10 – Khwai to Maun
We shall go for some more birding in the morning before returning for breakfast. Having spent 2 days and nights in an amazing place in the heart of Botswana, we shall travel through one of the best elephant corridors and make our way to Maun. The night stay is at Crocodile Safari Camp or similar.
Day 11 – Maun and Mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta
We shall go for a full day trip to Okavango Delta for a mokoro experience.(Not Included. Approx $100 per person).
Day 12 – June 29th Tuesday - Departure from Maun to Johannesburg and onwards
After breakfast, we shall head to the Maun airport to catch our flight to Johannesburg, and back to Austin.
Come join us for this adventure!
We invite you to experience an Africa that is still untamed. The Okavango Delta where a river empties itself right into the heart of Botswana is like no other place on earth. The elephants you come across in close proximity will take your breath away!
Among the hundreds of bird species resident here, you shall find the Saddle-billed stork flying overhead, the Hamerkop assembling it’s strange monster nest, the endangered Southern ground hornbill foraging on the ground and hundreds of weaver birds living in their colonies of hanging nests. During our wildlife safaris, we are sure to find huge herds of African elephants. We also hope to find hyenas, lions, leopards and maybe even a cheetah which is now a rare sight in Botswana!
You will be escorted by Sachin Aggarwal, who has been to Botswana several times scouting for the right places. Guiding shall be provided by local naturalist and birding experts. Our birding and wildlife tour is an amazing opportunity at a very affordable cost.
*Postponed to June 2022*
Dates: June 18th 2022 to June 29th 2022 – 12 days
Cost per person: $4250 per person Single Supplement - $950 Included: All lodging, most meals, group airport transfers, ground travel within Botswana, all park fees, jeep safaris, boat safaris, mokoro trip in Khwai, river cruises, guide fees and a Travis Audubon donation of $300 per person. Exclusions –Flights (international and two charter flights), visa, beverages, tips for safari guides/driver, travel insurance, and items of a personal nature. Excludes flights within Botswana. Excludes day mokoro trip from Maun. Minimum Group Size – 4; Maximum – 8. Safari vehicles shall be 4X4 jeeps and either be open on the sides or shall have a pop up roof. Travel FAQ for this trip The lodging is mostly in boutique lodges with comfortable rooms with en-suite bathrooms or large tents with en-suite or semi-attached private bathrooms.
Itinerary Summary *2021 Updated*
Day 1 — June 18, Arrive Livingston (D)
Day 2 — June 19, Livingston (B,L,D)
Day 3 — June 20, North Chobe NP (B,L,D)
Day 4 — June 21, North Chobe (B,L,D)
Day 5 — June 22, North Chobe/Savuti (B,L,D)
Day 6 — June 23, Chobe NP (B,L,D)
Day 7 — June 24, Chobe NP (B,L,D)
Day 8 - June 25, Moremi/Kwai (B,L,D)
Day 9 - June 26, Moremi/Kwai (B,L,D)
Day 10 - June 27, Maun (B,L,D)
Day 11 - June 28, Maun (B,L,D)
Day 12 - June 29, Departure
B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
*All wildlife photos below are actual photos shot on mowgli expedition safaris*
Day 1 – Welcome to Africa! Victoria Falls - A sight to behold forever.
The spectacular Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world, twice the height of Niagara Falls and can be heard from 40 kilometers away and the spray and mist from the falling water can be seen from a distance of 50 kilometers. No wonder that the local tribes call the waterfall Mosi-o-Tunya “The smoke that thunders”.
We shall arrive at Livingstone, a historic British colonial city named after David Livingstone, the British explorer who was the first European to explore the area.
After getting some rest from our flights, in the evening we shall walk over to a cafe close to the park from where we can get our first view of the Victoria Falls. We shall have dinner at one of the restaurants in that area and then return to the lodge for a good night’s rest. Stay at Victoria Falls Waterfront Hotel or similar.
Day 2 - Livingston, Victoria Falls
On day 2, After a delicious breakfast, we shall go for a one hour explorer boat safari (pickup at approx 7:30 am) . After we return and freshen up, we shall go for walk over to the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park to take in the Victoria Falls. We shall have lunch at a cafe near the park. After lunch, time permitting you shall have the choice of visiting the Livingstone Museum or return to the lodge for some rest.
In the evening we shall go for a 2 hours sunset boat cruise - (pickup at approx 3:30) and return to lodge after our first evening out on an African river.
Day 3 – North Western Chobe, Botswana
On day 3 we shall head to Western part of Chobe National Park.
The world’s heaviest flying bird - The Kori Bustard can be found here. Other birds found here include the Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Brown Snake-Eagle, African Spoonbill and the Malachite Kingfisher. Night stay at Thobolo lodge (or similar).
Today the day shall begin with the transfer starting at 6:30 am in the morning and we shall be taken to the border, approx 1.5 hours of journey. The border crossing shall take about 1/2 an hour. Then another 30 mins of transfer within Botswana from border to Kasane International airport. Here we shall be picked up by Thobolo lodge in a safari vehicle and we shall head to Thobolo Lodge.
Day 4 – Game Drive to Savuti, Botswana
On day 4, we shall visit the north Savuti area– which has a high concentration of animals and lots of open spaces that allow for some great game drives. Savuti is famous for it large prides of lion and huge herds of buffalo. There are also chances of spotting the Leopard and the Cheetah.
Day 5 – North Western Chobe, Botswana
We shall spend the day birding and watching the wildlife in the area surrounding the lodge. As the lodge is located overlooking a large marshy salt pan, there are good chances of sighting a large number of bird and mammal species.
In the evening we shall go for a sunset game drive.
Day 6 – Chobe River
On day 6 we shall head east to the Chobe river area. The way is through the African countryside and so we can expect to see a lot of birds and wildlife on the way there.
Chobe National park is also a birding hotspot with some great birding opportunities. The birds we hope to see include the Hamerkop, African Fish-Eagle, White-backed Vulture, Egyptian Goose, Spur-winged Goose, Blacksmith Lapwing, African Jacana and the majestic Saddle-billed stork.
In the evening we shall go birding on the Chobe river via a boat. Stay at River View Lodge or similar.
Day 7 - Chobe River, Botswana
In the morning, we shall go for another boat safari and do some more birding. Rare birds include the Slaty Egret and the Pel's Fishing Owl – the largest species of fishing-owl.
In the evening we shall go for a game drive in a jeep. We can expect to find the African Elephant, Lion, Leopard, African Buffalo, Plain’s Zebra, Red Lechwe, Impala, Giraffe, Topi, Waterbuck, and many more mammal species. Overnight stay at River View Lodge or similar.
Day 8, 9 – Khwai Concession Area and Moremi Game Reserve
On Day 8, we shall take an amazing charter scenic flight to our boutique camp in Khwai which is also next to Moremi Game Reserve.
The camp offers a safari experience within the Khwai concession area as well as eastern edge of Moremi Game reserve. If water levels are good, our guide shall take us gliding in his mokoro (a traditional wooden canoe) to view birds and wildlife.
Day 10 – Khwai to Maun
We shall go for some more birding in the morning before returning for breakfast. Having spent 2 days and nights in an amazing place in the heart of Botswana, we shall travel through one of the best elephant corridors and make our way to Maun. The night stay is at Crocodile Safari Camp or similar.
Day 11 – Maun and Mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta
We shall go for a full day trip to Okavango Delta for a mokoro experience.(Not Included. Approx $100 per person).
Day 12 – June 29th Tuesday - Departure from Maun to Johannesburg and onwards
After breakfast, we shall head to the Maun airport to catch our flight to Johannesburg, and back to Austin.
Come join us for this adventure!