Signature Okavango Wetland Safari: June to September

Elephants in the marshy waters of the Okavango Delta, Botswana

What to expect on this itinerary

Few natural spectacles can rival the Okavango Delta; big cats prowling on evocative floodplains, hippos yawning along lush watery channels, and elephants using their trunks as snorkels. Celebrating the very best of the 1,000th UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 13-day signature safari is handcrafted for travel from June to September, when the lush waterways provide a dreamy journey through authentic Africa. Expect mokoro canoes, exceptional accommodations, and inspiring wildlife encounters.

Countries Visited

Botswana, Zambia

Places Visited

Okavango Delta, Vumbura Reserve, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls, Jao Concession, Shinde Private Concession

Suggested Duration

13 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Jao Concession – Treehouse Safari Seclusion

Your intimate safari camp is hidden in the trees, built on stilts above Hunda Island in the private Jao Concession. Flooded plains roll out from your viewing deck, the lush colors complementing the greens of the forest. Animals congregate along the shallow banks, just beneath your tented tree house, providing a surreal introduction to authentic Africa. After landing in Maun, you’ll transfer to a light aircraft for a flight to Hunda Island in the west of the Okavango. When the Okavango floods, the camp becomes a dry refuge above the plains. Treehouses with canvas walls to complete your immersion in the wilderness. Your safari experience starts from your viewing deck and continues with a short introductory game drive on the island; many animals are marooned, and there’s a tense battle between the resident leopards and the huge herds of red lechwes.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Activity
Dinner
Day 2

Jao Concession – A Private Mokoro Journey

Day 3

Shinde Concession – Spectacular Motorboat Safari

Day 4 - 5

Shinde Concession – The Best of Land and Water-Based Safari

Day 6

Vumbura Reserve – Safari Chic in a Legendary Private Reserve

Day 7 - 8

Vumbura Reserve – Iconic Big Cat Safari on the Floodplains

Day 9

Linyanti Concession – Surrounded by the Elephants of the Chobe Forest

Day 10

Linyanti Concession – In Search of Wild Dogs

Day 11

Livingstone – Morning Game Drive and Cruising the Chobe River

Day 12

Livingstone – The Wonder of Victoria Falls

Day 13

Livingstone – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Explore four private concessions, each offering exceptional big-game safari without any of the peak season Okavango crowds
  • Celebrate safari chic with a handpicked collection of Botswana’s finest accommodations, including a treehouse on Hunda Island and luxurious tented camps that immerse you in the wilderness
  • Drift along the waterways in a traditional mokoro canoe, passing thousands of animals coming to the banks to drink
  • Take a motorboat over the spectacular floodplains, a full-day journey that evokes the inspiring scale of the Okavango Delta
  • Game drive across remote islands, where marooned antelopes are chased by a thrilling collection of big cats
  • Watch lions battle with buffalos in the iconic Vumbura Reserve; a contest made more exciting by the rising water levels
  • Search for the legendary wild dogs of Linyanti Concession, be baffled by the abundance of the Vumbura plains and watch the big cats prowl across Shinde Concession
  • Surround yourself with the elephants of the Chobe Forest, then drift through big-game Africa on a Chobe River cruise
  • Complete the safari with another remarkable natural wonder, the roaring Victoria Falls that will be heard before being seen
  • Tailor the program to your mood with a complete mix of water and land-based safari activities, including rare experiences like nighttime drives and walking safaris

Starting Price

$13,200 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 563 reviews

Carolyn T.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 13-Day Trip

Wow, I ran out of superlatives–fantastic, awesome, amazing. Everything was well organized and the recommended accommodations were all top-notch. The guides were so expert in their field. Every activity was well worth the time. Every meal was delicious.

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Anil M.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Tour Review: 10 Nights

Our first trip to southern Africa was amazing, exceeding all expectations. We saw everything we came to see, and more. The game rides were well structured and safe, the visuals were unbelievable, and taking a side trip to Victoria Falls was a great idea. The accommodations were quite luxurious, despite being considered mid-range. There was always someone there to greet us and guide us at every travel point.

Zicasso's tour operator tailored our itinerary to our wishes and was wonderful to work with. Things couldn’t have gone better.

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bonnie A.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe: Safari, 13 Nights

The service before, during, and after our trip was totally "white-glove," and there were extra perks that we were surprised with each day of our trip. Zicasso's travel company listened to our goals and met and exceeded every one. We recommend them in every way and will be using them in the future!

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Edward L.
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe Tour Review: Wildlife, 28-Day Trip

Fantastic job! Zicasso's travel specialist set up 28 days with flights, drivers, etc, and not a thing went wrong. She understood my needs and tailored the trip expertly.

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Paul K.
South Africa, Zambia Safari Review: 16 Nights

Everything went as scheduled and worked to perfection.

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Mary B.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Vacation Review: Safari, Cuisine, Camping, Welcome Songs, 17 Nights

The Zicasso tour operators did an exceptional job from start to finish. I would highly recommend this company. Plus, they were in my time zone, making communication much easier. Our agent always responded within 24 hours and when I had to contact him while in Africa, he responded within the half hour. Every aspect of our trip that was planned for us was exceptional and beyond my expectations.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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