Botswana Tour

16 - 27 February 2025

A spectacular 11-night group tour exploring Botswana's culture, history, wildlife and nature, with a two night stay in Victoria Falls.

*Elephant grazing in Chobe National Park*

Botswana

Botswana is home to a thriving ecosystem of people, landscapes and wildlife. Over 40% of the country is protected through national parks and reserves, making it a haven for endangered animals, the Big Five, over 550 bird species, and the greatest number of elephants in the world. However, many visitors come and go without experiencing the beauty of her people or culture.

This tour gives you the opportunity to learn about the country’s history, experience authentic Tswana culture, taste local delicacies and interact with locals whilst visiting Botswana’s cities, towns and villages. The tour will also visit Khama Rhino Sanctuary, home to critically endangered Black Rhino. In Makgadikgadi, the largest salt pans in the world, you will see thousand-year-old Baobab trees, migrating flamingos, and interact with meerkats. You will see spectacular wildlife on land and water safaris in Chobe National Park, and to top it all off, you will visit glorious Victoria Falls in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Come and see all this and more on an unforgettable journey through beautiful, magical Botswana!

Tour Overview

Itinerary

2 nights Gaborone · 2 nights Palapye · 2 nights Nata · 2 nights Victoria Falls · 3 nights Kasane

Day 1: Sun 16 February

Arrive in Gaborone and check in to Avani hotel. For those who arrive early, there is the option to book lunch and a game drive at Mokolodi Nature Reserve. Welcome dinner in the evening. Accommodation: Avani | Meals: Dinner.

Day 2: Mon 17 February

Set off on a guided tour of Botswana’s capital city, Gaborone. At midday, drive to Bahurutshe Cultural Village for a traditional lunch and an afternoon of cultural activities. Evening at leisure with the option to have dinner with some locals. Accommodation: Avani | Meals: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 3: Tues 18 February

Check out of Avani and drive to the town of Mochudi. Walk up to Phuthadikobo museum for tea and diphaphatha (traditional flatbread) with a spectacular view over the town. Continue to Matsieng’s Footprints and learn about this spiritual site where locals believe the first human beings appeared. Enjoy a quick lunch before driving on to the Tropic of Capricorn for a photo at the line of latitude that marks the southern-most point in the world where the sun shines directly overhead. Continue to the town of Palapye and check in to Majestic Five Hotel with the evening at leisure. Accommodation: Majestic Five Hotel | Meals: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 4: Wed 19 February

Travel to Old Palapye, the site established in 1889 as the capital of Botswana’s largest tribe, the Bamangwato. Alongside various stone remains are the impressive remains of the London Missionary Society Church, built between 1891 and 1894, with its foundation and burnt-brick front and back still standing. Continue on to Serowe, the modern-day capital of the Bamangwato, and visit Khama III Memorial Museum and see the royal graves, including the resting place of Botswana’s first president, Sir Seretse Khama. Continue to Khama Rhino Sanctuary with time at leisure for lunch and a swim in the pool, followed by a game drive. Return to Majestic Five Hotel. Accommodation: Majestic Five Hotel | Meals: Breakfast and dinner.

Day 5: Thurs 20 February

Check out of Majestic Five Hotel and drive to Francistown, Botswana’s only other city and the commercial centre of the north. Enjoy a guided tour of Francistown and learn about the city’s history as a gold mining town. After a quick lunch stop, continue to Nata Bird Sanctuary for a sunset drive through Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, the largest salt pans in the world, home to wildebeests, flamingos and thousand-year-old Baobab trees. Check in to Nata Lodge with dinner at the lodge. Accommodation: Nata Lodge | Meals: Breakfast and dinner.

Day 6: Fri 21 February

Drive to the village of Gweta and visit the local primary school and the kgotla – the traditional administrative centre of villages in Botswana. Visit a cattle post and see a traditional home followed by a traditional meal for lunch. Continue to Makgadikgadi Salt Pans for a tour of the geology and zoology of the area. You will get the chance to interact with the local resident meerkats of the pans. Return to Nata Lodge in the early evening. Accommodation: Nata Lodge | Meals: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 7: Sat 22 February

Check out of Nata Lodge and drive to Elephant Sands with time at leisure to relax and see the majestic elephants at close range drinking from the watering hole. Continue to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and check in to Tabokana House with dinner in the evening. Accommodation: Tabokana House | Meals: Breakfast and dinner.

Day 8: Sun 23 February

Visit Victoria Falls at sunrise. Return to Tabokana House for breakfast. Visit the local market with time at leisure for lunch at The Lookout Café with incredible views of the Zambezi River gorge. In the evening, enjoy a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River followed by a BOMA dinner with local delicacies, live music and entertainment. Accommodation: Tabokana House | Meals: Breakfast and dinner.

Day 9: Mon 24 February

Check out of Tabokana House and drive back to Botswana. Arrive in Kasane and check in to Cresta Mowana Resort with time at leisure for lunch. Set off on an afternoon Chobe river cruise followed by sunset drinks and dinner. Accommodation: Cresta Mowana Resort | Meals: Breakfast and dinner.

Day 10: Tues 25 February

Set off on a half day game drive in Chobe National Park. Return to Cresta Mowana Resort in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation: Cresta Mowana Resort | Meals: Breakfast.

Day 11: Wed 26 February

Full day at leisure with options to relax by the pool, visit the local market, go fishing, or book on to a game drive or river cruise. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner to mark the end of the tour. Accommodation: Cresta Mowana Resort | Meals: Breakfast and dinner.

Day 12: Thurs 27 February

Enjoy breakfast at leisure and check out of the hotel by 11am. For those joining the Okavango Delta extension, there will be a mid-morning airport transfer to catch your domestic flight to Maun. Meals: Breakfast.

Download Tour Brochure

Price

The cost of this tour is £2,990 per person sharing a room, or £3,390 per person with a room to yourself.

Cost includes: 11 nights’ accommodation in twin or double-bedded rooms with private facilities; Breakfast daily plus lunch or dinner as specified in the itinerary, except on day 10; A dedicated English speaking tour manager and local driver; All transportation in Botswana and Zimbabwe; Local guides at the various sites visited as per the itinerary; All entry fees for sites, museums, nature reserves and parks; Arrival airport transfer.

Cost excludes: International flights to/from Botswana; Entry visa for Zimbabwe; Travel insurance; Optional extras and any transportation involved; Meals not specified in the itinerary, and drinks with meals; Departure airport transfer; Items of a personal nature; Tips and gratuities.

Payment Plan

We require a non-refundable £450 deposit to confirm your booking along with a filled in booking form. The remaining balance is due in full 60 days prior to the start of the tour.

Book your place

Pre-Tour Extension in Mpumalanga (South Africa)

13 - 16 February 2025

Explore Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park in South Africa before the start of the main tour in Botswana. Below is a sample itinerary that we can organise for you. Itineraries can be customised as desired. Contact us for information and pricing.

Itinerary

Day 1: Thurs 13 February

Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to Mpumalanga. Check in to your lodge with the rest of the day at leisure to rest and relax by the pool. Dinner in the evening.

Day 2: Fri 14 February

Embark on a full day tour of the Panarama Route, located in Africa’s biggest pine and eucalyptus forest. This will be a day full of breathtaking views of the natural landscapes of the area. Return to the lodge late afternoon with dinner in the evening.

Day 3: Sat 15 February

Set off on a full day land safari through Kruger National Park. Home to the Big Five, the park was established in 1898 and is unrivalled in the bio diversity of its wildlife and nature. Return to the lodge late afternoon with dinner in the evening.

Day 4: Sun 16 February

Enjoy breakfast at leisure and check out of the lodge. Transfer to the airport in Mpumalanga for your domestic flight back to Johannesburg. Continue on to Botswana for the start of the main tour.

Post-Tour Extension in the Okavango Delta (Botswana)

27 February - 2 March 2025

Extend your stay in Botswana at the end of the main tour with a 3 night extension to explore the Okavango Delta. Below is a sample itinerary that we can organise for you. Itineraries can be customised as desired. Contact us for information and pricing.

Itinerary

Day 1: Thurs 27 February

Fly from Kasane to Maun and check in to your lodge. After lunch, embark on a scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta to see the beautiful patchwork landscape. Return to the lodge with time at leisure and dinner in the evening.

Day 2: Fri 28 February

Set off on a mokoro (canoe) day trip. The waters of the delta are home to a diverse range of bird species and wildlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing your journey along the tranquil waters of the Okavango. Return to the lodge with dinner in the evening.

Day 3: Sat 1 March

Drive to Moremi Game Reserve for a full day game drive. Moremi Game Reserve is home to herds of buffalo, wildebeest, elephant and zebra, and predators like lions, hyenas and wild dogs. A picnic lunch will be served followed by more game viewing. Return to the lodge with dinner in the evening.

Day 4: Sun 2 March

Enjoy breakfast at leisure and check out of the lodge. Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.

About Taste of Southern Africa

Taste of Southern Africa is a UK-based company celebrating the people and cultures of southern Africa. We do this by organising tours to southern Africa, as well as running cultural music workshops, performances and events in and around the UK. Founder, Otto Gumaelius, was born and raised in Botswana and is passionate about highlighting and showcasing the beauty that Africa, her people, and their cultures exude. On this tour, we welcome you to Africa’s wildlife haven, Botswana. This will be an adventure you will never forget, with the opportunity to also see Victoria Falls in neighbouring Zimbabwe. For more information on any of our other tours, products, and services, contact us on info@tasteofsouthernafrica.com.