7 Days Exploring the Delta & the Pans

The Okavango Delta’s lush waterways offer a stunning contrast to the arid salt pans of the Makgadikgadi Desert. This safari takes you on a journey through Botswana’s remarkable diversity, staying in two of YZ’s favorite camps—Shinde and San Camp.

Specific highlights of this Botswana safari:

• Ideal for those seeking an alternative to the traditional safari
• Breathtaking contrasts between lush vegetation and vast Kalahari salt pans
• Experience the unique chance to meet meerkats in the desert
• Enjoy both land- and water-based activities
• San Camp is only open during the dry season (April to October)

Overview of the suggested Botswana safari lodges and activities:

This itinerary is designed to showcase the full breadth of Botswana’s landscapes. The first part takes you through the green expanses of the Okavango Delta, where you’ll encounter big game and enjoy traditional safari activities. The second leg transports you to the Makgadikgadi Desert, where the landscape is dominated by salt pans and Kalahari plains, offering a completely different wildlife experience.

In the Okavango Delta, you’ll spend three nights at Shinde Camp, located in the northern region. This classic camp offers expertly guided game drives, night drives, walking safaris, motorboat trips, mokoro excursions, and fishing (March to December).

The second part of your safari takes you to San Camp, where you’ll spend the final three nights. Situated on the edge of one of the world’s largest salt pans, San Camp provides a unique game-viewing experience and cultural immersion with the San Bushmen.

Who is this Botswana trip for? This safari is perfect for couples and honeymooners, though it can be customized for families or groups. The itinerary is flexible, allowing adjustments to accommodations, activities, and the number of days depending on your preferences.

Days 1–4 OKAVANGO DELTA

Upon arriving in Botswana, you’ll fly to the northern Okavango Delta for your stay at Shinde Camp, located on its own island overlooking Shinde Lagoon. The camp’s stunning location offers views of winding waterways and expansive grasslands.

The communal lounge and dining area are housed in a multi-tiered structure under canvas, creating a treehouse-like atmosphere that perfectly complements the surrounding scenery. Shinde is ideally situated to offer both land and water-based activities year-round, including day and night game drives, walking safaris, motorboat rides, mokoro excursions, and fishing.

Expect to encounter a variety of wildlife, such as lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, antelopes, hippos, and an array of water birds.

Days 4–7 THE PANS

After your adventure in the Okavango Delta, you’ll head to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, a truly distinctive destination where you can encounter rare species like the habituated meerkats. San Camp, with its chic Bedouin style, offers a luxurious stay—think white, flowing pavilions, campaign-style furniture, and Persian rugs.

The camp features a lounge tent, dining area, library, small museum, yoga pavilion, and plunge pool. It serves as a perfect base for visiting the resident meerkat clans, and you’ll enjoy unique activities like quad biking across the pans, horse riding, night drives, and cultural walks with the San Bushmen. With three nights here, it’s a thrilling conclusion to your safari in one of the world’s most spectacular regions.