Luxury Elephant Safari in Africa Botswana Itinerary
On this 6 night luxury tour, you can see amazing wildlife from the famous Chief’s Island and walk with elephants, which is an experience you will never forget. Start your Luxury Elephant Safari in the beautiful southern parts of the Okavango. While you’re there, sleep under the stars and get up close to saved elephants. Going to Chief’s Island in the Moremi Game Reserve, which is right in the middle of the Okavango, is one of the best places in the area to see wildlife. A safari can be exciting any time of the year because there is a lot of local wildlife and a lot of dangerous animals. This great safari takes place in a setting of tall palm trees, wide open fields, and sparkling waterways. You can look forward to smart and stylish rooms with lots of comfort.
At Baines Camp, you can do a lot of different things, like game drives, bush walks, and even a “walk with elephants.” When the water levels allow, you can also go boating or on a mokoro trip at Baines. At Chief’s Camp, mokoro rides are possible when the water levels are high. For an extra fee, you can also take a scenic helicopter ride.
Both lodges offer nice, high-class rooms, great service, and knowledgeable guides. While Baines is a good camp, Chiefs is the five-star experience that will make your trip unforgettable. They go well together and make for a great classic safari for anyone looking for a full experience. Dining is private at all times. This isn’t for safari fans who don’t like the more solid structures for modern touches in the rooms, but it’s a great choice for people who like their comforts.
This route starts at Baines Camp in the southwest on its way to the Okavango. This cute little camp is in a very beautiful part of the Okavango on a private lease. It has a view of the Boro river, which is one of the main rivers in the Delta. This safari camp is naturally lovely, with only six rooms and the chance to sleep and even take a bath under the stars. (“Those who want to sleep in the comforts of their own room can do so too!”). There are a lot of animals to see here, but the best thing is the chance to walk with saved elephants. Baines is one of only two camps in the Okavango that lets you do this. Depending on the season, you can also go on drives during the day or at night, or you can rent a boat or mokoro. This part of the Okavango is very pretty, and Baines gives you a unique way to enjoy this wild area.
Chief’s Island, which is the biggest and most famous island in the Okavango, is where the last three nights are spent. It is full of wildlife. There are only two camps on this very large island, so this trip is very private. There is a lot of local wildlife here, so you can see it all year. Wolf, lion, leopard, and wild dog are some of the animals that can often be seen. Hyenas, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and many types of antelope are also common. Chief’s Camp is one of the best hotels in Botswana and the epitome of a luxurious safari. The rooms are very large and luxurious. Also, this is one of the few hotels with air conditioning. A beautiful camp that will make sure your tour ends on a high note.
Detailed Luxury Elephant Safari in Africa Botswana Itinerary
Day 1 – Sanctuary Baines Camp
Sanctuary Baines’ Camp
Upon arriving in Maun, you will be met and guided onboard your charter flight to the Okavango, which will take around 20 minutes. When you arrive, your guide will be waiting to take you to camp, which is around 45 minutes away by game drive or boat, depending on water levels. Your safari has begun; keep your eyes peeled!
Sanctuary Baines Camp was completely rebuilt in 2019 and is a peaceful hideaway located on a private concession adjoining the Moremi Game Reserve. This eco-friendly camp features only six accommodations, each with a private terrace and views of the Boro River, and has recently undergone extensive renovations. The ability to roll your bed onto the outside deck to sleep beneath the brilliant stars is a remarkable feature. You can also bathe under the stars, as each apartment has an open-air but isolated bathtub.
After settling into your Okavango home, you will have lunch and some time to unwind before your first afternoon activity, which includes game drives, mokoro rides, boating, and strolling (depending on water levels). You will discuss the present conditions and your specific interests with your guide as you arrange your activities for the next few days.
Because Baines is located on a private concession, game drives at night are permitted, as is off-roading. Vehicles may also enter the southern Moremi Game Reserve and cross to Chief’s Island if water levels are low enough. Night drives provide possibilities to encounter nocturnal species that are not spotted during the day.
Setting off on your chosen afternoon activity in the late afternoon, you will explore the area and enjoy a sundowner before returning to dinner and your first night in the Okavango. Perhaps treat yourself to a luxurious bubble soak on your private wooden balcony before bedtime. You will have the option of sleeping under the stars or in the luxury of your own room.
Day 2 and 3: Sanctuary Baines Camp
The two days have similar routines, with early morning and late afternoon events. One of these days will include Baines’ most famous and popular activity: the Living with Elephants event.
This program is carried out in collaboration with the Living with Elephants Foundation, which seeks to provide rescued elephants with a secure habitat in the wild as well as a second opportunity. Two orphaned elephants, Jabu and Morula, were rescued from culling operations years ago; join them for a highly educational bush walk and bush breakfast with Doug and Sandi, who care for the elephants. A wonderfully memorable experience.
Around this activity, your guide will schedule game drives, bushwalks, and any accessible water activities. This is a magnificent region with excellent game viewing, especially during the dry season, which runs from May to October.
Between activities, rest on your wonderful private deck or one of the numerous communal areas, many of which are on raised decks. The pool area is an excellent place to see wildlife come and go from the river while cooling down in the shade during the midday heat.
This evening, your guide will tell you what time your flight to Chief’s Island will be the next day, so you can schedule your morning activities accordingly. Depending on the time schedule, your activity may be shorter than usual.
Day 4: Sanctuary Chief’s Camp
Sanctuary Chief’s Camp
This morning, you’ll have one more activity (or even a lie-in) before returning to the airfield for your 20-minute flight to Chief’s Island. When you arrive, your guide will be waiting to take you to camp, which is about a 30-minute game drive depending on game sightings along the way.
Sanctuary Chief’s Camp greets you with a warm welcome from the personnel. This rare luxury lodge, located beneath mixed woods on Chief’s Island in the prized Mombo concession, puts you at the heart of adrenaline-fueled wildlife action. This is a traditionally attractive lodge, with ten well-spaced rooms that provide plenty of seclusion. Each room is very well-appointed, with air conditioning, fans, wifi, and tea/coffee making amenities. Each accommodation features a large private terrace with a plunge pool and a wonderful outdoor lounging space. All rooms have beautiful views of the Delta.
Take your time to unwind and settle in. At lunchtime, your guide meets you on the terrace in the shade of the trees to discuss your activity options for the next two days. Morning and afternoon wildlife drives are the primary activities, with mokoro trips available when water levels permit, which is normally from May to December.
Your first afternoon excursion is to tour the famous Chief’s Island, with a stop for a drink and refreshments at sunset. When you return to camp, enjoy pre-dinner cocktails in the boma or around the fire before a feast of African-inspired foods. Consider fresh veggies, grilled steak fillets, and pan-fried Kingklip, to mention a few.
Day 5 and 6: Sanctuary Chief’s Camp
As you continue to explore this ideal game viewing area, the following two days will follow a similar pattern with morning and late afternoon activities.
Predators on Chief’s Island include lion prides, lone leopards, hyaenas in plenty, and the endangered African Wild Dog, among many more. The island is home to permanent populations of antelope, zebra, and buffalo. Game drives in the morning and late afternoon, when predators are most active, provide the best opportunities for dramatic game viewing. The day is capped off with traditional sundowner cocktails and canapés at a specifically chosen location.
A professional mokoro guide can show you the Delta wilderness from a new angle as you poling through the channels made by the floodwaters.
Indulge in a variety of holistic treatments at the spa or try a bushveld yoga class at the gym to help you relax and refocus in between activities.
Scenic helicopter flights allow photographers to take use of the best light in the morning and late afternoon to reveal previously inaccessible parts of the Okavango Delta, a photographic paradise. You should reserve this activity in advance because it is an additional cost.
Day 7 – End of Safari
In the morning, as you get ready to leave Botswana, you will hear the cries of the wild. Prior to your 25-minute charter flight return to Maun Airport, you will have a hearty breakfast and participate in one last morning activity with the help of your personal guide. As you go for home with unforgettable memories, all the necessary arrangements for transfers and charter flights are taken care of in line with your ongoing international flight plans. Helping you check in for your next journey, a representative will be waiting for you at Maun Airport.
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