WELCOME TO THE KAVANGO-ZAMBEZI
BOTSWANA
The Kavango Zambezi TFCA is enormous, larger than Germany and Austria combined and nearly twice as large as the United Kingdom. It lies in the Kavango and Zambezi river basins where Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe converge.
Botswana in depth.
Botswana is a bucket list destination for the wildlife enthusiast, boasting several of the world’s top wildlife reserves. It is thus hardly surprising that the north of this wild country makes up the largest slice of the Kavango Zambezi pie, its 153,000 km² representing around 30% of the park’s total area. Much of Botswana is semi-desert, dominated by the seemingly endless Kalahari. Within the Kavango Zambezi area, however, is one of the world’s most important wetlands, the lush Okavango Delta, together with the wild woodlands and floodplains of the Chobe-Linyanti river system. The park also extends south to the sweeping grasslands and shimmering salt plans of Makgadikgadi, and west to the remote, mysterious Tsodilo Hills.
The Okavango Delta is a watery labyrinth of islands and channels formed where the southbound Okavango river – its original course diverted by ancient tectonic upheavals –meets the Kalahari and fans out before disappearing into the desert sands. It exerts a magnetic pull upon the region’s wildlife, its annual floods drawing thousands of elephant, buffalo, zebra and others from across northern Botswana to the lush growth.



For the visitor, the delta is best considered as several distinct areas, each accessed separately. In the far northwest, the main channel, known as the ‘Panhandle,’ is home to a wealth of water birds. Further east, the river splits into a myriad islands and hippo-dredged channels, where a mokoro dugout is the best way to seek out wildlife such as the shy sitatunga. In the far northeast, Moremi Game Reserve, run by the local community, has game viewing to rival anywhere in Africa. Huge seasonal herds of elephant and buffalo crowd the waterfronts alongside abundant giraffe, zebra and numerous antelope – notably red lechwe on the floodplain and shy roan and sable in the mopane woodlands. White rhinos have been reintroduced and predators abound, with the whole area – including the adjoining Khwai concessions – boasting perhaps Africa’s densest population of African wild dogs.
North of the Okavango lie the Linyanti Swamps, a similar but smaller wetland formed where the Cuando River flows south from Namibia and doglegs eastwards, spilling into another maze of waterways. This remote region harbours similar wildlife abundance, and is the location of several private concessions, including the Kwando Game Reserve and Linyanti Game Reserve. With no borders separating it from the Okavango – or from Chobe National Park to the east – animals migrate freely across. During the dry season, elephant are everywhere, along with red lechwe, zebra, impala and buffalo, while lion, wild dog and cheetah are regularly seen. Visitors can explore on wheels, on foot or even in a canoe.
Chobe National Park is Botswana’s oldest reserve, contiguous with the Okavango/Linyanti region to the west and Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park to the east. The Chobe River is, in fact, the easternmost stretch of the Cuando, and flows into the Zambezi at Kazangula, where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe all converge. The dry season sees huge elephant gatherings along the waterfront, while buffalo herds thousands strong draw lions onto the floodplains. Other predators include leopard, spotted hyena and wild dog, while hippos and crocodiles throng the river and carmine bee-eaters dazzle among the birdlife. Southwest, beyond miles of dense mopane woodland, lies the Savuti region – an area of open plains where the Savuti Channel draws abundant wildlife. Here you will find nature in the raw, with plenty of lion/hyena action and elephant bulls wandering through camp. The grasslands are prime cheetah habitat, with stately kori bustards conspicuous among the birdlife.


East of the Okavango, on the Kalahari’s northern fringe, lie the Magkadikgadi and Nxai Pans. These flat, shimmering expanses of salt briefly flood after good rains, drawing flamingos and other water birds to breed. The surrounding palm-studded grasslands support typical Kalahari species such as springbok, springhare, brown hyena and meerkats. In summer, the semi-arid landscape is transformed by lush green growth, drawing thousands of zebra south from Chobe. This is one of Africa’s greatest large mammal migrations and marks another of Kavango Zambezi’s key wildlife dispersal areas. Look out for lion and cheetah tailing the herds.
While most visitors come to northern Botswana for the wildlife, the region also has a fascinating human heritage. This is evident at Makgadikadi, where stone tools and other prehistoric hunter-gatherer relics litter the pans. Most impressive, however, are the remote Tsodilo hills – a separate region in the country’s far northwest that has a human history dating back 100,000 years and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, among massive quartzite rock formations punching up from ancient dunes, is such a spectacular concentration of rock art that Tsodilo has been dubbed ‘The Louvre of the Desert.’
Explore Botswana
Find out more about Botswana
THE PEOPLE OF TSODILO HILLS
Uncover Kavango Zambezi’s Hidden Gems – Chobe and Bwabwata 4 Day Land and Boat Safari Combination
OKAVANGO CRAFT BREWERY, Maun, Botswana
Selected Trips to Botswana
Wildtrack,Safaris Eco Lodge
The ‘eco-ethos’ distinguishes this lodge as it offers, in addition to the safari experience, the opportunity to live, taste and view the rich and diverse cultural environment of Botswana.
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From the Cape to the Zambezi
21 DAYS
Hands-on safari from Cape Town across the Namib and Kalahari deserts to the Okavango Delta and the Victoria Falls
Only a few thin stems and leaves betray the tuber in the Kalahari sand, which the old hunter digs from the San people to rub them, press them in their hands and obtain vital drops of water. “Bi! (Klicklaut)”, “Milk”, the San call this tuber and they are masters of water search, fire, track reading and survival in one of the most inhospitable terrain on earth. Learn how to catch the morning dew in ostrich egg shells and embark on a unique adventure in the south of the African continent.
Victoria Falls Luxury Train, Rovos Rail: South Africa + Zimbabwe + Botswana
10 NIGHTS
Travel to Victoria Falls by luxury train with Rovos Rail, journeying northwards from Pretoria in South Africa to Zimbabwe & Botswana. Visit the iconic waterfalls, view wildlife by boat on the Zambezi & enjoy a safari in Chobe Game Reserve, with river-based & land-based game viewing. Regular departures in both directions (Pullman, Deluxe or Royal cabin). All transfers & game drives included.
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Leroo La Tau
Leroo La Tau is situated on the western bank of the Boteti River, which forms the boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The Boteti River provides a lifeline for the wildlife which inhabit the arid national park and is a critical link in the annual zebra migration. Leroo La Tau is the perfect base from which to explore this truly unique piece of Botswana paradise.
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Escorted Tour: Namibia + Botswana + Etosha + Caprivi + Chobe + Victoria Falls Park
20 NIGHTS
This 3-week grand escorted tour of Namibia & Botswana visit three fascinating countries. From Windhoek, explore the deserts & canyons of the south – including the Kalahari, the mighty Fish River Canyon, Succulent Karoo & Namib Desert, before heading north to view the wildlife of Etosha, Caprivi, Chobe & Victoria Falls park in Zimbabwe. Regular scheduled departures. English & German. Group size 2-16. No children < 12.
From the desert sea to the Zambezi
16 DAYS
The Kwando flows hundreds of kilometers through the highlands of Angola before it flows into the mighty Zambezi as the Chobe. Together with the Kavango, it creates a lush green landscape in northern Namibia that contrasts with the country’s endless deserts and savannahs. Elephants stand shoulder-high in the river and feast on sweet lily pads. Openbills comb small lagoons for snails and crayfish. Skilled Mafwe fishermen wade through the shallows with fishing baskets to catch tilapia and catfish. This is the undiscovered green realm of the Caprivi Strip.
Meno a Kwena
The safari never stops at Meno a Kwena, a hidden gem of a camp perched on a rocky clifftop above the Boteti River in Botswana. With a glittering roster of activities, including day trips to the Makgadikgadi Pans, guided walks with the San bushmen, and wildlife-watching boat trips, there’s plenty to get your teeth into. But sometimes, the best game viewing is where you least expect it, and at Meno, it’s right in front you. From their lofty position, the ten tents look down on a menagerie of animals at the water below, from herds of majestic elephant, to dazzles of nomadic zebra – all you need to do is sit back, and take it all in.
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Namibia, Botswana & Victoria Falls Tour: Africat + Etosha + Caprivi + Chobe Safari Holiday
13 NIGHTS
This Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls tour is ideal for wildlife viewing, birding & photography, as you will travel with your own private guide throughout. We visit the Africat Foundation & Etosha National Park, before continuing via the Caprivi and Okavango River to Chobe. Safari holiday ends at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. English speaking guide, all specified activities & park fees included.
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Luxury & Adventure in Botswana, Zimbabwe & Zambia
14 Days / 13 Nights
Experience 13 nights of adventure & luxury in Botswana, Zimbabwe & Zambia.
Located in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), where the borders of five African countries converge, the sheer scale of this vast international conservation project is difficult to comprehend. It encompasses a bewildering range of experiences, ranging from the mighty Victoria Falls to the lifeforce of the region, the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers. See some of the highlights of this incredible, enormous protected wildlife region on this all-inclusive, high-end trip created with couples in mind. If you are a family or small group, we can adapt the itinerary to suit you – just get in touch.
Africa at its best
19 DAYS
Safari adventures to the highlights of three countries: Sossusvlei, Okavango Delta and Zambezi
You glide almost silently in a mokoro through a labyrinth of water arms. “Tchzrrr-tchzrr!” – shrills the call of a shrike, which warns the other animals of your dugout. Joyce, your Bayei guide, stops punting and points to a tiny reed frog, well camouflaged, bobbing on a papyrus stalk. How she manages to spot such a fingernail-sized dwarf will probably remain her secret forever. But that’s how it’s been all morning… Lechwe antelopes under Ilala palms; jacanas on lily pads; Hippos, always breaking new waterways in the man-high reeds. Joyce knows the Okavango Delta like the back of her hand, this green island of life in the middle of the Kalahari.
Nxamaseri
Nxamaseri Island Lodge is a unique African experience on a private island in the permanent waters of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. A small, exclusive lodge, it is one of the oldest in the Okavango Delta. The distinct style of Nxamaseri Island Lodge showcases the beauty of the permanent swamp that is it’s home and subtly expresses the rich vibrance of the indigenous people.
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Kaza Undercover
21 Nights/22 Days
Join this 22-day adventure through Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, starting in the Okavango Delta—a National Heritage Site pulsating with life. Experience different activities at Nxamaseri Island Lodge and continue the adventure in Moremi Game Reserve, Savute, and Chobe, encountering abundant wildlife and landscapes. Explore Victoria Falls, known for its exploration activities, and venture into Hwange National Park for game viewing. Enjoy immersive encounters in Hwange, with visits to local village schools. Depart to Livingstone for thrilling adventures and proceed to Kafue National Park for diverse wildlife encounters. Continue the safari quest in Lower Zambezi with morning drives, canoeing, tiger fishing, and walking safaris. Bid farewell with a shared transfer to Jeki airstrip on the way to Lusaka Airport.
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Adventure, Backpackers, Birding, Boating, Conservation, Cultural Experiences, Culture, Fishing, National Park, Photography, Safaris, Walking, Wildlife |
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South Africa |
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