Desert to Delta Safari
11 Nights / 12 Days - Khama Rhino Sanctuary • Xini Lagoon • Xakanaxa • Khwai • Savuti • Chobe
Botswana's most expansive small-group mobile safari — from the Kalahari to the Okavango Delta, Savuti and Chobe. The Desert to Delta Safari is designed for travellers who want to experience the full sweep of northern Botswana without the rush of lodge-to-lodge travel.
Over 12 days, you move through six distinct wildlife regions — starting at Khama Rhino Sanctuary in the dry south, travelling north into the Okavango Delta through Xini Lagoon and Xakanaxa, continuing through the predator-rich corridors of Khwai and Savuti, and finishing on the elephant-lined Chobe Riverfront. Every camp is privately set up for your group by our team, and every day is guided guided by expert local guides who have spent their lives in this landscape.
This is the safari for people who want time — time with wildlife, time in wild places, and time to understand what they're seeing. If you have 12 days and want to see Botswana properly, this is where to start.
Overview
Your journey begins in Serowe’s Khama Rhino Sanctuary, one of Botswana’s key conservation areas. From there, you travel north into the Okavango Delta, spending time in Xini Lagoon and Xakanaxa before continuing through Khwai, Savuti and finally the Chobe Riverfront. It’s a full circuit through some of the country’s most famous wildlife regions, each with its own landscape and character.
Safari Highlights
✦ Rhino tracking at Khama Rhino Sanctuary, an intimate look at one of Botswana’s most important conservation success stories.
✦ A true desert‑to‑Delta transition, moving from the dry Kalahari edges into the lush floodplains of the Okavango as the landscape shifts around you.
✦ A boat tour through the Xakanaxa channels, exploring deep waterways, lagoons and papyrus beds from a completely different perspective.
✦ A seasonal mokoro excursion, offering a slow, peaceful glide through shallow channels and lily‑dotted pools guided by local polers.
✦ Exceptional predator viewing across Xini, Khwai and Savuti, three regions known for lions, leopards and wild dogs, with long, unhurried time at sightings.
✦ Elephant encounters along the Chobe Riverfront, where large herds gather at the water’s edge in the late afternoon light.
✦ Private serviced mobile camps throughout, giving you exclusive access to wilderness areas with comfortable walk‑in tents, warm hospitality and evenings around the fire.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Botswana & Transfer to Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Arrive in Maun and travel east toward Serowe. Settle into your private mobile camp inside Khama Rhino Sanctuary. The area is a mix of open pans and acacia woodland, perfect for your first sunset in Botswana.
Day 2 – Explore Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Spend the day exploring this community‑run sanctuary, home to both black and white rhino. Game drives take you across wide grasslands where you may also see giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and predators. Evenings here are peaceful, with clear skies and bright stars.
Activity: Rhino Tracking
Day 3 – Khama to Xini Lagoon (Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta)
Leave Serowe and travel north toward the Okavango Delta. Enter Moremi Game Reserve and continue to the Xini Lagoon area. This region is known for elephants, lions, leopards and beautiful floodplain scenery. Settle into camp for two nights and enjoy an afternoon drive along the Xini floodplains.
Day 4 – Exploring Xini Lagoon
Enjoy a full day of game drives. Xini has a mix of woodland, open plains and shallow channels, which makes it excellent for wildlife viewing. Return to camp for a hot shower and dinner beneath the jackalberry trees.
Day 5 – Xini to Xakanaxa
Travel deeper into Moremi toward Xakanaxa, an area with permanent water channels. In the afternoon, take a boat tour through papyrus beds and open lagoons. This is a great way to see hippos, crocodiles and many waterbirds.
Activity - 1 hour Boat tour (upgraded to 2 hours for bookings in 2027)
Day 6 – Xakanaxa Game Viewing
Spend the day exploring Xakanaxa on game drives. The area is known for resident lion prides, leopards, red lechwe and elephants. The scenery here is classic Okavango — a mix of water, woodland and open floodplains.
Day 7 – Xakanaxa to Khwai
Travel north to the Khwai Community Area. The Khwai River attracts wildlife throughout the year, especially elephants and predators. Arrive in camp and enjoy an afternoon drive along the river.
Day 8 – Khwai Floodplains
Explore the Khwai floodplains on morning and afternoon drives. When water levels allow, enjoy a mokoro excursion — experience traditional transportation and see the Okavango Delta from a different perspective.
Activity - Mokoro excursion, each boat guided by a professional Poler
Day 9 – Khwai to Savuti (Chobe National Park)
Leave Khwai and travel into the Savuti region. The landscape opens into wide plains and rocky outcrops. Arrive in camp for two nights and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Day 10 – Full Day in Savuti
Spend the day exploring Savuti’s dramatic terrain. This area is known for lions, large elephant bulls, hyenas and strong predator activity. Return to camp for dinner under the stars.
Day 11 – Savuti to Chobe Riverfront
Continue north to the Chobe Riverfront. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise where you can watch elephants, buffalo and hippos from the water as the sun sets.
Day 12 – Final Game Drive & Departure
Enjoy a last early‑morning game drive along the riverfront before your safari ends in Kasane. From here, you can connect to onward travel or your local accommodation.
We can also assist you in arranging onward transfers.
Pricing
2026 Rates (pp twin share)
◆ Peak (Jun–Oct) - USD 6,750
◆ Shoulder (Apr–May, Nov) - USD 6,250
2027 Rates (pp twin share)
◆ Peak (Jun–Oct) - USD 6,950
◆ Shoulder (Apr–May, Nov) - USD 6,440
Single Supplement: Up to three single tents are available with no single supplement.
If you would like to include gratuities up front, please let us know when booking. We are happy to arrange this for you.