ITINERARY: (may be run in reverse)

Day 1, 2 & 3: NXAI PAN NATIONAL PARK (Nxai Pan Camp – click here)
Upon arrival at Maun International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your light aircraft for a scenic flight to Nxai Pan National Park and Nxai Pan Camp.

Nxai Pan was originally state land, and an area of 1676 sq. km was declared a game reserve in 1970. In 1992 the boundaries were extended to include Baines’ Baobabs, and National Park status was granted.

The pans were once part of the super lake that covered much of central Botswana, including Lake Ngami and the Okavango Delta. The landscape is largely covered by grassland and dotted with clusters of umbrella acacia trees and mopane woodland to the north. During the rains, from November to late March, the landscape changes to lush green, the pans become covered in succulent grasses which attract large herds of antelope. Birdlife during this period is prolific, many species being different to what one would see in the Delta – it is definitely a birders paradise.

The area is well known for large numbers of springbok and elephant and during rainy season zebra migrate to the region. Giraffe and oryx are also often seen in the area in large herds with up to 30 in a group. These large herds attract many predators – lion, cheetah, jackal, spotted and brown hyena and sometimes the endangered wild dog and the secretive leopard. The desert camps make a perfect contrast to the Okavango Delta and is a great way to start or round off any trip

Nxai Pan Camp is the only permanent camp situated within the Nxai Pan National Park. The camp was opened in 2009 and is proving a popular desert destination. There are nine rooms which are linked to the main area by means of a slightly raised walkway, at night these are lit with lanterns to show you the way. The rooms are built from a light, specially selected material which keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer, a fan also helps circulate the breeze in those hotter months. The rooms are light and spacious. The main area of each room features double or twin beds, a seating area, and a small writing desk. The bathroom area has shelving and hanging space, a double sink and inside and outside showers, there is a separate flush toilet.

Décor is simple but homely. Each room has a low wooden veranda offering perfect views of the permanent waterhole where elephants are often a feature, along with the jackals and guinea fowl who always come to drink – the perfect spot to relax during the day.

At Nxai Pan Camp you will enjoy morning and afternoon game drives using a guide and tracker, this adds to the experience on two levels. You have two sets of eyes searching out the action, looking for tracks – this ensures a good chance of sightings, especially predators. In addition, having the tracker concentrating on tracking means that the guide is more able to talk to you and keep you informed and answer any questions you may have, which leads to a more relaxed, convivial game drive atmosphere.

As well as game drives, you will enjoy a day trip to see the famous Baines’ Baobabs –they are truly majestic, sentinels standing tall on the edge of the salt pan.

In addition, you can enjoy nature walks and stargaze. The nature walks are led by one of the Bushmen trackers. It is a fascinating experience where you will take a step towards learning and understanding how it is possible to survive in such a hostile environment– you’ll get a glimpse into the way of life and beliefs of the original inhabitants of the Kalahari Desert.

Day 4, 5 & 6: OKAVANGO DELTA (Moremi Crossing – click here)
On day 4 you’ll depart from Nxai Pan via light aircraft to the world-renowned Okavango Delta. Flying over the delta by light aircraft gives you a unique perspective and it will allow you to see how vast the delta is and how the system of channels, lagoons and islands combine to make this one of the world’s last true wilderness areas.

One of the largest Inland water systems in the world, the Okavango Delta covers an approximate area of 16 000 square km of the Kalahari and rates as one of the most spectacular travel destinations in the world. The Kavango river rises in the Angola’s highlands and flows though Namibia, before flooding onto the soft sands of the Kalahari creating the world’s largest inland delta. The flood waters of Angola take approximately three months to reach the borders of Botswana and may only reach the southern end of the Delta in June. This creates a unique source of water in this region during the dry season – as the surrounding game reserves are drying out, the Okavango’s waters are rising and attracting a huge array of wildlife which remains in the area from May to October.

Time slows down at Moremi Crossing, whilst on foot or silently moving through the Delta’s waterways on mokoro, in search of game. Through the provision of high-quality guiding services and custom-made boats, Moremi Crossing offers a more personalized wildlife experience. Activities on offer are half or full day mokoro trips with game walks on Chief’s Island, bush walks with picnic lunch, wilderness camping, sunset motorboat cruises, and game drives in low-water periods.

For the more adventurous we offer wilderness camping. This involves packing up a mokoro with camping equipment and going with a professional guide out into the Delta for 1 or 2 nights. It is a magical experience and a good way to get close to the birds and animals of the Delta. Please contact us for additional information.

Moremi Crossing combines simplicity with luxury and is a perfect place to unwind and enjoy nature at its best, whether via boat cruises on the Boro River or from the relaxed atmosphere of the camp’s facilities.

Moremi Crossing being a water-based camp allows for the chance to view a wide variety of animal and bird species, best viewed on our walks on Chief’s Island. Lion, leopard, wild dog, elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, red lechwe and more have been spotted on walks. On mokoro you have the opportunity to see water fowl like African Jacana, African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, or the rare Pel’s Fishing Owl.

Since this area normally receives floods last it contains some of the closest dry season watering points for the game that spreads out towards Nxai and Makgadikgadi Pans during the rains. Around this, there is a high density of game in the dry season but since quite a lot of the reserve is mopane woodlands (a favourite location for animals during the rains and early dry season) good game viewing is expected all year round.

This river system attracts a wide variety of game. Familiar favourites include: Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, kudu, Impala, Tsessebe, Hippo, Crocodile, Genet, Honey Badger and a host of Plains Game. Rare antelope breeds including Roan, Sable & Eland, not normally seen in the Okavango region, occur here. As the Gomoti is the main water source in the area, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and Wild Dog come down to the riverside to drink and hunt, of course!

Day 7: MAUN – (Safari Ends)
There is time for one last morning activity before or you can enjoy a relaxed morning in camp as you get ready to end your amazing safari to Nxai Pan and the Okavango Delta.

Leaving Moremi Crossing by light aircraft, you’ll arrive at Maun Airport in time to catch your onward flight.