Mopane Safaris, a LIFE CHANGING journey in the heart of African wilderness!

Mopane Safaris is participating camping safaris which explores the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls.

Participants are actively involved in camp chores and cooking, but our camp assistant does the washing up. The emphasis is on a high quality, but participatory experience.

Guests are limited to eight, and all meals are included except for Victoria Falls, which is on a bed and breakfast basis. Drinks are extra.  

The safari starts on a Wednesday evening when guests meet for a drink and pre-safari briefing with their guide. 

In order to ensure that you always have truly life changing journeys to join, we update our safari offerings and itineraries on a regular basis to take into account changing conditions on the ground. 

From 2005, we have made changes to the itinerary for our Mopane Safaris. 

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Day 1 : Victoria Falls

The safari normally starts on a Wednesday evening when guests meet at the Ilala Lodge for a pre-safari briefing with their guide. Those arriving earlier in the day may enjoy a variety of optional activities in the Falls. A full day is needed for white water rafting, and would require an additional night in Victoria Falls. 

Days 2 and 3 : Chobe National Park

We depart Victoria Falls mid-morning for Botswana's Chobe National Park some 85 kms away. Camp is set up along or near the banks of the Chobe River within the park. This is superb Elephant and big wildlife country. Antelope, including the rare Puku, as well as predators such as Lion and Leopard, abound in this region. Water birds are also abundant. 

Days 4 and 5 : Savuti\Chobe National Park

Savuti is our next stop, and we camp in the vicinity of the now dry Savuti Marsh. The area is famous for large numbers of Bull Elephants that congregate around the waterholes, as well as the Lion prides and clans of Spotted Hyenas that are resident in the area and are frequently seen. Cheetah and Wild Dog are also found in the area, and large herds of plains animals gather on the open grasslands.

Photographic opportunities are exceptional. Several award-winning documentaries, including "Eternal Enemies" and "Patterns in the Grass", have been filmed in this area. 

Days 6 to 8 : Moremi Game Reserve

After breaking camp at Savuti we travel by road to the eastern reaches of the Okavango and our first taste of the Delta's crystal clear waterways. Our private campsite is in Moremi, one of Botswana's most scenic parks. 

The Okavango is made up of many slow-moving waterways that contrast with the dry Savute grasslands.  Time is spent traversing the woodlands in search of Wild Dog, Leopard, Lion and colourful birds such as Meyer's Parrot and Wattled Crane. 

Days 9 to 10 : Okavango Delta

From Moremi we drive to Maun where there will be time to enjoy a shower, lunch and relax in our guest lounge before flying into the heart of the Okavango Delta to our Mopane Mokoro Camp where we will spend the next two nights.

This segment of the safari is in complete contrast to the rest of the safari, as we explore papyrus-fringed channels, lily-covered lagoons and forested islands. Transport is by mokoro (dug-out canoe) punted by BaYei boatmen. All of the Okavango’s big wildlife including Buffalo and the beautiful Red Lechwe are frequently encountered.

There is a possibility of spotting the elusive antelope, the Sitatunga. Swamp Boubou, Slaty Egret, Pygmy Goose, Copperytailed Coucal and Lesser Jacana are among the special birds one may encounter.  African Fish Eagles and waterbirds are plentiful.  Here, at our secluded private campsite under a profusion of stars, one may enjoy the tranquillity of the Delta night punctuated by the calls of Owls and Nightjars and the distant grunting of a Hippo and roars of Lion. 

Day 11 : End of Safari

Today a scenic flight out of the Delta takes you back to Maun for your onward flight. The Mopane Safaris is also run from Maun to Victoria Falls.

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