Mobile Lodging Journey (Botswana)

Explore the best of North Western Botswana and end in Zimbabwe

If you’re not into camping, prefer the amenities provided by luxury lodging, and still want a Botswana safari-style mobile experience, then this exciting 10-night lodge-to-lodge ecology safari is ideal for you.

Discover the ecological diversity that the North Western and Chobe regions of Botswana have to offer, starting from Deception Valley Private Reserve (near Central Kalahari) and ending at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This expansive journey promises an unforgettable adventure, blending the thrill of wildlife encounters and cultural interactions with the luxury of comfortable accommodations.

Journey Travel Route

From Maun to: A. Deception Valley – B. Makgadikgadi – C. Moremi – D. Chobe  – E. Victoria Falls

Note: This trip can also be done in a Southbound direction, starting from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and ending in Maun, Botswana - please enquire for scheduled departure dates.

Highlights

• 2 nights The Dune Camp - Deception Valley Private Reserve + San cultural experience
• 1 night Boteti River Camp - Makgadikgadi National Park surrounds
• 3 nights Khwai Guest House - Moremi Game Reserve surrounds + mokoro excursion (optional flight transfer from Maun to Khwai)
• 2 nights Chobe Elephant Camp - Chobe National Park surrounds + boat cruise on Chobe River
• 2 nights Pioneers Lodge - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (optional visit to the Falls)

Trip Style

• Mobile lodge-to-lodge journey
• 5 comfortable lodgings
• 4 game/nature reserves and parks
• 11 Days / 10 Nights
• 12 guests maximum
• Expert tour guide with dedicated game viewing vehucle
• All inclusive pricing (see Rates and detailed Itinerary for details).

From the lush landscapes of Moremi/Khwai to the predator-rich plains of Savuti and the bustling Chobe floodplains, this journey offers an unmatched window into Africa’s raw nature, all in luxury mobile camping style. With spacious tents, en-suite bush facilities, and no need to lift a finger, this is the ultimate full-service safari. Delight in game drives, mokoro excursions, and a Chobe River cruise to witness elephants, lions, leopards, and more. With all-inclusive local beverages and a maximum of 9 guests, immerse yourself in this unforgettable Botswana journey.

• All accommodation (rooms in comfortable guest houses and lodges)
• All transfers and activities as per the itinerary
• All meals that are indicated (B – breakfast, L –lunch, D – dinner)
• Drinking water
• Services of a Professional Guide
• All Botswana park fees for activities included on itinerary

• Entrance to the Falls
• Visas
• Airport transfers
• Tips
• Curios
• Optional excursions at the lodges (helicopter transfer, activities in Victoria Falls, etc.)
• Beverages (alcohol and soft drinks)
• Insurance to cover for cancellation and curtailment
• Medical
• Baggage
• Emergency evacuation
• Any increase in National Park fees or Government levies
• Any items of a personal nature

Terms: All bookings are subject to availability and sharing the journey with like-minded strangers. *Per person, per night, sharing a room on an all inclusive basis. Single supplements may apply. Group bookings for this journey can also be done in reverse order i.e. starting from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and ending in Maun, Botswana. Please submit the Trip Enquiry for dates.

You will need to book your own flights to and from Maun Airport (MUB) and/or Kasane Airport (FBKE). Our handy airline aggregator will find the best seat prices for your dates.

SEARCH & COMPARE FLIGHTS

Sustainable Development Impact

While the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global concerns, and not aimed specifically at the travel and tourism industry, target 8.9 of the 2030 Agenda aims to "by 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products". In this regard, tourism has the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly to all 17 SDGs.

Travel with Purpose

For every night you spend on this Mobile Eco-Safari, you make a difference through the Conservation and Community efforts of our ground-handling partner via the Bush Ways Foundation.

Bush Ways is also a member of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travellers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and take supplies for area schools or medical clinics in need, you'll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families. Please click here to see what supplies are needed.

Considering the track history and documented evidence of the Bush Ways Foundation's commitments to conservation and community upliftment, Naturecrazi considers their respective SDG "qualifying criteria" as follows:

• SDG 1: Creates fixed term and permanent job opportunities for local communities.
• SDG 2: Actively engages in community feeding schemes and food growing agricultural projects.
• SDG 3: Works with local community health clinics.
• SDG 4: Contributes to sustainable local community development through education programs and research.
• SDG 6: Provides for careful handling and disposal of solid waste and sewage. Uses alternative, sustainable means of water acquisition and reduces water consumption.
• SDG 7: Meets its energy needs through passive design and renewable energy resources.
• SDG 11: Uses traditional building technology and materials wherever possible and combines these with their modern counterparts.
• SDG 12: Grows and sources food ingredients locally, recycles food waste organically, and avoids plastic beverage containers where possible.
• SDG 13: Lodge construction and operation has minimal impact on the natural environment. Blends with local physical and cultural environment through careful attention to form, landscaping and colour, as well as the use of local traditional architecture.
• SDG 15: Conserves and rehabilitates the surrounding flora and fauna. Offers educational interpretive programmes to both its employees and tourists about the surrounding natural and cultural environments.

DESCRIPTION

The Naturecrazi Mobile Lodging Eco-Safari offers nature lovers the opportunity to explore the most amazing wilderness areas of Botswana as well as a glimpse of the beauty of Zimbabwe simultaneously providing the comfort of permanent camps and lodges with the incredible privilege of being introduced to these fantastic natural wonders from beginning to end by one of our passionate field guides.

This lodge-to-lodge mobile itinerary is around a 2/3-star standard and offers a lot of activities. Transportation between lodges is done in a custom-built open game viewer.

The activities are carried out in the various lodges where we are staying using the lodge game drive vehicles, boats and mokoro (traditional dugout canoes).

The accommodation used during this tour will therefore be:

• In Kalahari: Kalahari Private Reserve
• In Moremi/Khwai: Khwai Guest House
• In Makgadikgadi: Boteti River Camp or similar
• In Chobe: Chobe Elephant Camp
• In Victoria Falls: Pioneers or similar

NUMBER OF GUESTS

Maximum participants 12 pax. Departures are guaranteed from 4 guests confirmed on a tour.

MEALS

All meals are included as noted in the daily itinerary.

SAFARI DRINKS

• Drinks are at your own account at all lodges. Please note that our safari teams do not sell drinks during the safari and drinks can only be bought in town prior to and/or during the safari.
• We always recommend that people drink a minimum 3 litres of drinking water / juices / soft drinks per person per day to avoid dehydration.
• At all hotel/lodge accommodation drinks are on a cash bar basis.

LUGGAGE

• One large kit bag (preferably a rucksack or a bag with soft sides – Please do not bring hard suitcases as they are very difficult to pack in our trailers and can pose a problem for any light aircraft flights you may take as part of your safari. Semi-hard suitcases should be avoided as well.
• One item of hand luggage (e.g. a small backpack) – there will be room for this at your feet.
• Main luggage: max weight = 18kg, max. size = 700mm x 350mm x 350mm.
• Remember that on safari you need far fewer clothes than you think so bear this in mind when packing.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

• Torch with spare batteries and bulbs – a head torch is a good idea.
• Hat/cap.
• Scarf and gloves (especially for winter months).
• Warm jacket/fleece/jumper – windproof in winter months (May – Sept), waterproof in summer months (Nov – Mar).
• Swimming costume.
• Natural clothing (i.e. no bright colours and no white), t-shirts, shorts, a pair of light weight long trousers and a lightweight long sleeve shirt (long sleeves are extremely useful for sun protection during the day and mosquito protection during the evening).
• Note that camouflage printed clothing is fine for the bush but please do not to wear in towns or when crossing borders.
• Comfortable walking shoes and flip flops/sandals.
• Camera equipment, binoculars, lots of spare films, batteries and spare memory cards for digital cameras are essential as the opportunity to download photos is limited.
• Adaptors for cables, chargers, USB, etc (we recommend you label them to avoid confusion on the vehicle charging station).
• Water bottle and a small day pack for walks.

TOILETRIES AND FIRST AID

• Personal toiletries and medications in small bag, not a vanity case.
• Sunscreen.
• Malaria prophylaxis.
• Mosquito repellents (lotion or spray).
• Toilet paper (this is only necessary if you prefer 2 or 3 ply toilet paper).
• Water proof/zip lock bags for storing personal items to keep dust free and/or dry.
• Personal First Aid Kit (note: a First Aid Kit will be present throughout the safari but personal medicines must be brought for the duration of the safari).

MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS

• Check with your local immunisation authority, travel clinic, public health facility or personal physician.
• Visit the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION website for up to date information (www.who.int)
• Botswana is considered a malaria area and preventative medications should be taken.
• Between 2012 and 2015, both South Africa and Botswana required that all travellers coming from / going to Zambia should have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Beginning of 2015, both South Africa and Botswana officially communicated that they shall not require the yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers coming from / going to Zambia. However, beware that regulations could change again without prior notice.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION

• Valid passport: your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the end date of your trip and there must be at least 6 blank visa pages.
• Many nationalities are able to obtain tourist visas for Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe at the border posts, HOWEVER, citizens of certain countries are required to obtain a visa before travelling. Please note that certain visas can take up to 3 months to be processed so please consider this when booking.
• For more information see www.botswanatourism.co.bw, www.zambiatourism.com, www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw and www.namibiatourism.com.na
• Valid visas – it is your responsibility to arrange visas.
• For up-to-date visa requirements please check with your travel consultant and/or Embassy.
  If you need to get a visa for one of the countries visited during your safari, please check when and where the visa can be obtained, and which currency is required for its payment.

Minor Children

Requirements for minor traveling through all Botswana ports of entry:
Effective from the 1st October 2016 minors travelling through the country’s borders are required to produce certified copies of unabridged birth certificates in addition to their valid passports. In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent’s affidavit consenting to such travel should be availed. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

• For all our Journeys, it is COMPULSORY to take out travel insurance covering for: cancellation and curtailment, medical situations, baggage, emergency evacuation.
• Naturecrazi does not provide travel insurance.
• Naturecrazi’s ground handling partner, Bush Ways, provides Okavango Air Rescue membership for the duration of the safari nights. This service provides medical evacuation from isolated areas of the bush by a medically equipped helicopter and emergency doctor, ensuring smooth and swift operations. International insurance companies are not always familiar with the practicalities of dealing with emergencies in the Botswana bush, which can add to delays in obtaining medical care. Please note this cover does not include pre- and post-safari arrangements.
• Please note that you will be required to provide your insurance details prior to your arrival so we can liaise with your insurance company in the shortest amount of time in case of an emergency. Required details include: medical evacuation insurer’s Name, medical evacuation policy number, 24-hour contact number of Medical evacuation insurer (must be able to phone it from Botswana – USA 800 numbers don’t work from here).