Tour Overview
wildlife safari is the focus of this 9 day Botswana itinerary with Eton Safaris. The route is paced for clear daily logistics, guided activities matching Botswana Wildlife Safaris, comfortable lodge stays on overnight days, and a final day with breakfast and lunch only before departure.
9-day Nxai Pan Botswana Safaris Guided time 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 Nxai Pan Botswana focus across Botswana
- Guided time in Makgadikgadi Pans
- Signature activity: mokoro dugout excursion
- 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
This chapter of the safari starts when a transfer from Maun Airport, easing into Botswana's landscapes while your guide outlines the coming days. After a short refreshment stop you reach Makgadikgadi Pans, where scenic light-aircraft transfer sets the tone for this privately guided departure. Check-in at Chobe Safari Lodge follows, with time to settle before dinner and a clear briefing on tomorrow's pace. Evening settles with time to rest and prepare for the next chapter.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge
Day2Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — elephant congregation viewing
With soft morning light across the landscape, 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 Cresta Mowana Resort 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: Cresta Mowana Resort
Day3Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — night drive in concession
Following a short safety orientation, 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 Thamalakane River Lodge 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: Thamalakane River Lodge
Day4Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — meerkat encounter on the pans
The day begins as 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 Moremi Crossing 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: Moremi Crossing
Day5Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — scenic light-aircraft transfer
After a calm briefing, dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate delta island walk, building photographic opportunities around wildlife movement through the day. Before long you continue toward Camp Okavango 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: Camp Okavango
Day6Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — sunset cruise on the Chobe
A measured start to the day unfolds when dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate sunset cruise on the Chobe, pairing interpretive commentary with wildlife movement through the day. The route then leads into Nxamaseri Island 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: Nxamaseri Island Lodge
Day7Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — mokoro dugout excursion
Your journey opens with dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate night drive in concession, balancing comfort stops and wildlife movement through the day. Guides next introduce you to Kalahari Plains Camp 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: Kalahari Plains Camp
Day8Makgadikgadi Pans Focus Day — Chobe riverboat safari
Travelers set out as dedicated time in Makgadikgadi Pans. Rangers and your private guide coordinate Chobe riverboat safari, prioritizing low-impact access for wildlife movement through the day. A scenic transfer carries you to Savute Safari Lodge 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: Savute Safari Lodge
Day9Final Activity Window & Departure via Maun Airport
Guests leave camp promptly as a final outing around Makgadikgadi Pans, keeping the schedule flexible so highlights of scenic light-aircraft transfer can be enjoyed without rush. Later in the day the focus shifts to 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. Evening settles with time to rest and prepare for the next chapter.
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.
