Botswana And Cape Town: A Perfect Itinerary for First Timers
Botswana And Cape Town: A Perfect Itinerary (for First Timers). This luxurious fly-in safari with Belmond combines Cape Town with two of Botswana’s most striking wildlife locations. A memorable trip awaits you as you paddle your way around the Okavango Delta and see the elephants of Chobe National Park while admiring some of the hotelier’s most renowned properties.
This 8-day Luxury Cape Town and Botswana Safari is a match made in safari heaven. It contains two romantic hideaways set in two magnificent UNESCO World Heritage areas, Cape Town and the Okavango Delta.
We’ve identified two of the most unique hideaways. Let’s start with Dorp, which, in the local vernacular, means village. Nestled high on the slopes of Bo-Kaap (also known as “above the Cape”) is the boutique hotel Dorp. Then vanish into the well-known marsh of Duke’s Camp in Botswana. The direct trip from Cape Town to Maun, the entry point to the Delta, takes only two and a half hours.
Both hideaways are unquestionably unique and extremely romantic. You may even get the opportunity to meet Sarefo “Duke” Sarefo, the local chief and camp namesake, at Duke’s. Dorp is also descended from royalty. The late hospitality icon Gail Behr, the cheekiest Baroness of Cape Town and the Duchess of Cool, created this kind of covert anti-hotel.
We have given you five days to get to know this grape-growing region near the tip of Africa, which we name the Mother City. We begin with a walking tour focused on food. Hey, the Cape began as a vegetable stand that sold fresh food to sailors who were passing by. It could be considered the first gastronomic city.
When you’re not racing across the Okavango Delta looking for predatory activity or watching elephants drink from the river, you’ll be enjoying a sundowner over a campfire while counting your blessings and the zebras. Silently glide in a mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, avoiding hippos, elephants, and crocs while observing a variety of rare birds.
The Okavango Delta is basically a verdant oasis with palm trees in the heart of the Kalahari Desert, if you don’t know what that means. The Delta should be at the top of your list if you only ever travel to Africa once, as the region provides some of the best game-viewing opportunities on the planet.
Those with the most extravagant fantasies—and, of course, unbelievably good taste—should take advantage of this luxurious Cape Town and Botswana safari. You’ll be in good company if you embrace the different.
Detailed Botswana And Cape Town Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Chobe National Park
Today, take a tiny plane from Maun to Chobe National Park, which is home to the greatest number of elephants in Africa. Before landing at Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge, your home for the next two nights, take in a bird’s-eye view of the area’s expansive grasslands and wildlife. Take a soak in the pool, go on a game drive in the afternoon, or observe wildlife from the hide. The Savute region is well-known for its lion prides, which are frequently visible from the lodge. At Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge, spend the night.
Recommended Hotel: Savute Elephant Lodge, A Belmond Safari, Botswana
Day 2: Chobe National Park
Take a game drive in the Chobe National Park this morning and look for lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, and giraffes, but the true stars are the elephants. In the afternoon, go on another game drive or see the paintings of the San Bushmen, which are believed to be over 1,500 years old. Or take out your binoculars and go bird watching—from December to March, over 250 species call this place home. Savor an incredible evening meal that includes traditional African fare and mouthwatering wines. At Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge, spend the night.
Recommended Hotel: Savute Elephant Lodge, A Belmond Safari, Botswana
Day 3: Chobe National Park & Okavango Delta
In the morning, take to the skies from the camp’s airstrip and head straight for the Okavango Delta, where you can see the lagoons, channels, and islands below. You’ll arrive at Belmond Eagle Island Lodge, which is on its own private island and has 12 tented rooms, each with its own plunge pool. From here, you can go on motorboat cruises, sunset barge trips, mokoro trips in traditional dugout canoes, guided walking safaris, fishing excursions, and bird watching. Stay the night at Belmond Eagle Island Lodge.
Recommended Hotel: Eagle Island Lodge, A Belmond Safari, Botswana
Day 4: Okavango Delta
Either keep the water activities going today or raise a level with a horseback and heli safari, which will have you flying over the delta before saddling up. As you plodd your way over the delta, you should expect wild dogs, elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos. Alternatively, go on an outing to the nearby Nxhoga village. While learning about local trades such basket-weaving, hut-building and fishing, you will be able to meet some of the seniors and explore the market. Over night at Belmond Eagle Island Lodge.
Recommended Hotel: Eagle Island Lodge, A Belmond Safari, Botswana
Day 5: Okavango Delta & Cape Town
This morning as you soar to Maun for your next journey—Cape Town—say farewell to Botswana. Arriving, move to one of Belmond’s most well-known estates, Belmond Mount Nelson Cape Town, tucked away under Table Mountain’s shadow. Relax by the pool; see the spa; then, head into the city. Over night at Belmond Mount Nelson Cape Town.
Recommended Hotels: Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, The Silo, The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
Day 6: Cape Town
Overnight at Belmond Mount Nelson Cape Town. Spend the next two days discovering the best of this fascinating city, a cosmopolitan mix of cultures where world-class restaurants and wineries meet galleries, beaches, and a plethora of historic sites. Select from a variety of local optional experiences, such as the My Cape Town City Tour, or dress in vintage leather jackets, goggles, bandanas, and helmets to speed around the Cape Peninsula in a 1950s sidecar.
Recommended Hotel: Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town