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
Okavango Camping Safari Botswana + Chobe + Victoria Falls
10 NIGHTS
For the ultimate safari-goer looking for a true wilderness experience, this luxury Okavango Camping Safari in Botswana is perfect for you, combining river-based and land-based game viewing in Chobe Game Reserve, with Victoria Falls Zimbabwe & water-based game viewing & fly-camping in the Okavango Delta. All light aircraft flights, transfers & game viewing included.
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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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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.
Kubu Lodge
Set on the bank of the Chobe River in Northern Botswana. As the longest owner-operated lodge in the area, Kubu has a reputation for friendly hospitality.
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Chobe Mopani Forest Lodge
Chobe Mopani Forest Lodge overlooks a thriving waterhole in the remote Kasane Forest Reserve, a relatively unexplored concession bordering the Zambezi National Park in the northern stretches of Botswana.
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Namibia |
Kasane Forest Reserve |
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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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Luxury Wheelchair Accessible Safari: Botswana + Victoria Falls (Disabled)
7 NIGHTS
This luxury wheelchair accessible safari combines Botswana & the incomparableVictoria Falls in Zimbabwe. View wildlife on land & by river in Chobe, renowned for its elephants & river-based wildlife. You need some upper body strength, as there is no airport lifting equipment & you need to transfer into the front seat of the 4×4 safari vehicle. All transfers, game drives & disabled hotels included. Manual wheelchairs only.
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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.
Namibia and Botswana safari
22 DAYS
Unforgettable combination of Namibia, Botswana and Vic Falls
This trip is the perfect full circle journey with a combination of both Namibia and Botswana, you will get to enjoy comfortable accommodation in a stunning location – perfect for a group or solo! This unique, wonderful experience is unforgettable, packed full of wildlife, and beautiful landscapes. During these 21 days you will venture into the Sossusvlei dunes in the Namib desert, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River, and even have time for some fabulous game viewing.
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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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Linyanti Bush Camp
Spend your time exploring the raw African wilderness on thrilling game drives, learn about the fascinating fauna and flora on walking safaris or float serenely along the waterways in a mokoro (canoe). A life-changing wilderness experience awaits you at Linyanti Bush Camp. With just six luxury tents, Linyanti Bush Camp offers an intimate Chobe safari experience in a private concession on the border of Botswana’s iconic Chobe National Park. The Chobe Enclave teems with wildlife and is best known for its large herds of elephants and buffalo. Our Chobe safari lodge sits on the banks of the Linyanti Wetlands – a significant area that is one of the primary sources of water during the drier months. Look forward to exceptional and diverse wildlife encounters year-round.
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Safari Holiday: Masai Mara, Kenya + Botswana + Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe + Zanzibar
14 NIGHTS
This amazing safari holiday visits 4 countries – starting with Big Five game viewing in the famous Masai Mara in
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