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FROM US$7,260-US$13,480

Steenbok Safari

A classic Botswana safari exploring the Moremi, Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta. Excellent wildlife viewing and a variety of activities from three of our favourite traditional tented camps.

Steenbok Safari: Day-by-day

More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Steenbok Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.


Day 1

Starts: Maun Airport

Day 1

Maun to the Khwai River by air & 4WD

On arrival in Maun, you'll be met and escorted to a light aircraft. It’s a scenic flight north-east, of about 30 minutes or so, to the Khwai River. There a guide from Machaba will be waiting with an open 4WD for the 20-minute game drive through lush riverine vegetation to camp.

Machaba Camp
Days 1-4

Machaba Camp

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesMoremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Elephants peacefully grazing the Khwai floodplains in front of Machaba conjure up something of a safari idyll. The permanent water, fringing Moremi Game Reserve, is key to the year-round appeal of this classic tented camp, whose setting – backed by a narrow tract of woodland – attracts wildlife aplenty.

Machaba Camp

Elephants peacefully grazing the Khwai floodplains in front of Machaba conjure up something of a safari idyll. The permanent water, fringing Moremi Game Reserve, is key to the year-round appeal of this classic tented camp, whose setting – backed by a narrow tract of woodland – attracts wildlife aplenty.

Guests, too, are very much at home here. The tents are substantial, but still very much tents, their shallow porches opening straight out on to the sandy soil, with the river just beyond. This is no place for fancy decking.

Instead, rush mats and oriental-style rugs are spread across the floors, topped with comfy chairs and sofas and a mix of wooden furniture to create a decidedly homely feel.

While folding directors’ chairs and metal-framed beds add an authentic stamp, creature comforts are by no means lacking. The beds are huge – and supremely comfortable. Big round mirrors hang above his and hers basins in the bathrooms. White tablecloths rule in the dining area. And there’s a lovely circular pool with a view (and just a bit of decking).

"camp..stunning..staff..wonderful...spoilt with lions..leopards..and cheetah.."

CharliefromLondon

Arrived 16 Aug 2022, 3 nights

To wander along the sandy paths – lit at night by storm lanterns – is to accentuate the feel of the bush. That sustainability is taken seriously here is a big plus. See our full report on Machaba Camp

92%
36 reviews of Machaba Camp by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari

Mokoro

Night drive

Day 4

Khwai River to Savute by air & 4WD

Leaving Machaba mid-morning, you'll board your light aircraft for Savute, a scenic flight of around 20 minutes. A guide from Savute Under Canvas will meet you for the 4WD transfer of about half an hour, depending on the camp's location and any animals you spot en route.

Savute Under Canvas
Days 4-7

Savute Under Canvas

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesChobe National Park, Botswana

A high-quality “glamping” experience which moves locations around the Savuti area, but always offers creature comforts and big-game 4WD safaris. For the ultimate in glamping, look no further than Savute Under Canvas. At first glance, it’s the simplest of bushcamps.

Savute Under Canvas

A high-quality “glamping” experience which moves locations around the Savuti area, but always offers creature comforts and big-game 4WD safaris. For the ultimate in glamping, look no further than Savute Under Canvas. At first glance, it’s the simplest of bushcamps.

Its five tents move every few days within the Savute area of Chobe National Park so that it leaves the lightest impression on the fragile environment. But appearances can be deceptive, even in a totally natural setting. Each of those tents is en suite – complete with flushing toilets and wonderfully hot showers on request.

The beds are genuinely comfortable, the food fresh, good and plentiful (do take a look “backstage”: it’s astonishing what the cooks achieve in such rudimentary conditions), and the service exemplary; how about a cooling footbath to counter the afternoon heat?

"Amazing facilities for a mobile camp"

J & JfromYork

Arrived 6 Sep 2022, 2 nights

As often as not, you’ll dine under the stars around the campfire, but a simple mess tent does service as a bar, dining room and general chat area, where tales of the day’s adventures can be shared with personable and knowledgeable guides. And at Savute Under Canvas, you should have plenty of tales – from the heart-stopping moments when animals roam into camp to the broad open spaces of the Savuti Marshes, where lion and wild dog seek out the pans – and their prey. See our full report on Savute Under Canvas

96%
24 reviews of Savute Under Canvas by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Helicopter

Day 7

Savute to Pelo by 4WD & light aircraft

As your light aircraft takes off from Savute, you'll have 45 minutes or more to take in the landscape below as it morphs from arid plains to the watery wilderness of the Okavango Delta. The adventure continues on landing with a fascinating 45-minute boat ride to Pelo Camp.

Pelo Camp
Days 7-10

Pelo Camp

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesOkavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana

Situated on a small island deep inside the Okavango Delta, Pelo Camp is Jao Concession's newest lodge, opened in mid-2013. It is surrounded by permanent, open floodplains, so focuses on water-based activities – and primarily excursions by mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe).

Pelo Camp

Situated on a small island deep inside the Okavango Delta, Pelo Camp is Jao Concession's newest lodge, opened in mid-2013. It is surrounded by permanent, open floodplains, so focuses on water-based activities – and primarily excursions by mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe).

"Good sightings of wide variety of birds..Lovely location."

Mrs & Mr PfromEssex

Arrived 21 Jul 2022, 3 nights

Pelo Camp offers a charming, rustic experience with an emphasis on water-based activities. While it will probably disappoint travellers hoping to spot lion and leopard around every corner, its greatest appeal lies in its varied birdlife and picturesque scenery. It is well suited to adventurous travellers looking to explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta, and would also suit those looking to unwind for a couple of days and connect with the idyllic surroundings. This special little camp is great value and would be a lovely compliment to a camp with a focus on bigger game. See our full report on Pelo Camp

96%
11 reviews of Pelo Camp by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Fishing

Guided walking safari

Helicopter

Mokoro

Night drive

Day 10

Pelo to Maun by boat & light aircraft

The leisurely boat trip back to the airstrip offers a particularly special farewell to the Delta before boarding your light aircraft for Maun. During the flight, take in the last aerial views of the Delta, before landing in Maun after around half an hour, in time for your onward connections.

Day 10

Ends: Maun Airport

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Experiences you can add to this trip.

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.


Helicopter Flight - Botswana

Helicopter Flight - Botswana

Various: from 30 minutes to half a day.

Low-flying, agile and offering superb views, helicopters are an ideal way to move around the Okavango Delta.You can use them instead of fixed-wing inter-lodge transfers or as an addition to other wildlife watching activities, and of course, helicopters can hover to allow that perfect pic, whereas fixed-wings can’t.

More about Helicopter Flight

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