Tour Overview
wildlife safari is the focus of this 10 day Botswana itinerary with Eton Safaris. The route is paced for clear daily logistics, guided activities matching Botswana Wildlife Safari Tours, comfortable lodge stays on overnight days, and a final day with breakfast and lunch only before departure.
10-day Chobe National Park safari in Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana with Eton Safaris. We arrange lodges, park permits, transport, and guided safaris with experienced local teams. Share your travel dates and interests for a tailored itinerary.
Tour Highlights
- day Chobe National Park safari focus across Botswana
- Guided time in Makgadikgadi Pans
- Signature activity: scenic light-aircraft transfer
- Private driver-guide and road support
- Lodge base at Thamalakane River Lodge (route dependent)
- Meal plan aligned to daily safari timing
- Transparent inclusions for park fees and listed activities
- Designed for strong on-page clarity and itinerary scannability
Includes
- Park entry fees (non-resident rates)
- All included activities (optional extras not included)
- All accommodation as per the itinerary (upgrade options available)
- An expert driver/guide to enhance your experience
- All transport throughout the tour (optional transfers not included)
- All taxes and service charges
- Meals as specified in your daily itinerary
Excludes
- International flights (to/from your home country)
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Pre-tour and post-tour accommodation
- Tips and gratuities (recommended guideline: per day)
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Any government-imposed tax or park fee increases
- Selected meals as specified in the day-by-day section
- Drinks and beverages
Itinerary in details
Day1Arrival Transfer & Orientation Toward Makgadikgadi Pans
The day begins as a transfer from Maun Airport, easing into Botswana's landscapes while your guide outlines the coming days. The route then leads into Makgadikgadi Pans, where meerkat encounter on the pans sets the tone for this privately guided departure. Check-in at Thamalakane River Lodge follows, with time to settle before dinner and a clear briefing on tomorrow's pace. The lodge team settles you in while your guide confirms the next morning’s plan.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge
Day2Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — delta island walk
After a calm briefing, dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate delta island walk, following ranger cues for wildlife movement through the day. Guides next introduce you to Camp Okavango for hot meals, a short rest, and optional evening discussion of conservation notes relevant to the area. Guests wind down with optional briefings on tomorrow’s conservation notes.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp Okavango
Day3Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — elephant congregation viewing
A measured start to the day unfolds when dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate sunset cruise on the Chobe, focusing patiently on wildlife movement through the day. A scenic transfer carries you to Kalahari Plains Camp for hot meals, a short rest, and optional evening discussion of conservation notes relevant to the area. Dinner is timed for an early start tomorrow, keeping energy high for the trail.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kalahari Plains Camp
Day4Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — night drive in concession
Your journey opens with dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate night drive in concession, building photographic opportunities around wildlife movement through the day. Later in the day the focus shifts to Chobe Safari Lodge for hot meals, a short rest, and optional evening discussion of conservation notes relevant to the area. The schedule closes with a relaxed return and an early night ahead.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge
Day5Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — meerkat encounter on the pans
Travelers set out as dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate Chobe riverboat safari, pairing interpretive commentary with wildlife movement through the day. By afternoon the program moves into Thamalakane River Lodge for hot meals, a short rest, and optional evening discussion of conservation notes relevant to the area. You end the day reviewing wildlife highlights with your guide over dinner.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge
Day6Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — scenic light-aircraft transfer
Guests leave camp promptly as dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate scenic light-aircraft transfer, balancing comfort stops and wildlife movement through the day. After a short refreshment stop you reach Camp Okavango for hot meals, a short rest, and optional evening discussion of conservation notes relevant to the area. Nightfall brings a restorative pause under clear African skies.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp Okavango
Day7Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — sunset cruise on the Chobe
The private vehicle departs once dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate elephant congregation viewing, prioritizing low-impact access for wildlife movement through the day. Your driver then links the next segment toward Kalahari Plains Camp for hot meals, a short rest, and optional evening discussion of conservation notes relevant to the area. As dusk arrives, the lodge becomes a quiet base for stories from the trail.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kalahari Plains Camp
Day8Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — mokoro dugout excursion
This chapter of the safari starts when dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate mokoro dugout excursion, following ranger cues for wildlife movement through the day. The itinerary pivots naturally into Chobe Safari Lodge for hot meals, a short rest, and optional evening discussion of conservation notes relevant to the area. Evening settles with time to rest and prepare for the next chapter.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge
Day9Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — Chobe riverboat safari
With soft morning light across the landscape, dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate meerkat encounter on the pans, focusing patiently on wildlife movement through the day. From there the experience deepens around Thamalakane River Lodge for hot meals, a short rest, and optional evening discussion of conservation notes relevant to the area. The lodge team settles you in while your guide confirms the next morning’s plan.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge
Day10Final Activity Window & Departure via Maun Airport
Following a short safety orientation, a final outing around Makgadikgadi Pans, keeping the schedule flexible so highlights of delta island walk can be enjoyed without rush. Before long you continue toward your outbound transfer route, with packed timing that protects flight or border connections. After a light midday meal, the safari concludes as your driver returns you toward Maun Airport. Guests wind down with optional briefings on tomorrow’s conservation notes.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch Only
Accommodation: No accommodation
Frequently asked questions
What animals will I see on Wildlife Safari in Botswana?
Wildlife Safari focuses on the parks and habitats Botswana is known for — savannah game drives, boat cruises where available, and lodges close to the wildlife you came to see.
How many days do I need for Wildlife Safari?
A short Wildlife Safari highlight can work in a few days. A fuller Botswana wildlife circuit with two or more parks is typically a week or more.
When is the best time for Wildlife Safari in Botswana?
Dry months usually mean easier game viewing. We plan Wildlife Safari around rains, park roads, and the wildlife movements that matter for your dates.
Can I add gorilla trekking or beach time to Wildlife Safari?
Yes, only where those experiences exist. We keep Wildlife Safari as the wildlife core and add gorillas, chimps, or beach days in destinations that actually offer them.
