Makgadikgadi to the Delta: A Luxury Botswana Loop (Makgadikgadi → Okavango → Selinda)
Botswana pairs stark, lunar salt pans with a watery green labyrinth, two landscapes that feel as if they were sketched from different worlds. This itinerary embraces both: begin beneath the vast night sky of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan, move into the watery arteries of the Okavango Delta for land and water safaris, and finish among the immense elephant herds of Selinda and the river country near Chobe. It is a refined, wildlife-first route designed for travelers who want both drama and quiet, and who prefer their adventures served with luxury comforts.
Why this route works
Landscape contrast: Desert expanses and floodplain lagoons in one seamless itinerary.
Wildlife variety: Desert-adapted species, delta megafauna, and large elephant herds in one trip.
Luxury and adventure: Stylish tented camps, helicopter transfers, and bespoke activities such as horseback rides, mokoro excursions, and walking safaris.
Novel Bookings perks
Book through Novel Bookings to access exclusive lodge upgrades, spa credits, private transfers, and curated extras such as guided horseback rides, complimentary massages, or extended check-in and check-out where available. Contact the team to discuss which perks apply to each property and to personalize the trip.
Where to stay
Jack’s Camp — Makgadikgadi Salt Pan
An iconic camp inspired by 1940s Bedouin aesthetics, Jack’s Camp offers lavishly styled tents, a tented pool, a library, and a tea room. Activities include guided horseback rides across the pans, night-sky sleepouts, and cultural bush walks with San trackers.
Duba Explorers Camp — Okavango Delta
Set in the Duba Plains Reserve, this conservation-minded camp blends adventurous spirit with comfort, including creative touches such as a plunge pool housed in a repurposed vehicle. Activities include shallow-water game drives, mokoro excursions, and walking safaris in a region famed for predator sightings.
Selinda Camp — Selinda Private Reserve
A boutique, high-luxury retreat with a small number of suites, private plunge pools, and elevated design touches. Selinda is celebrated for dramatic dry-season elephant aggregations, strong predator viewing, and secluded photographic opportunities.
11-Day Suggested Itinerary
Days 1–3: Makgadikgadi Salt Pan (Jack’s Camp)
Arrive in Maun and transfer by light aircraft to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan. The pan’s wide openness produces some of Botswana’s most dramatic skies and nights: Milky Way sleepouts and long, silent horizons. Jack’s Camp is a natural base for this landscape. Tented comfort pairs with activities such as horseback riding on the pans and cultural bush walks with San trackers. Visit during the rainy season, January through March, to witness the desert bloom and the second-largest zebra migration on Earth, or choose dry months for clear skies and exceptional night-sky viewing.
Days 4–6: Okavango Delta (Duba Explorers Camp or similar)
Return to Maun and fly into the Okavango Delta for a deeper wildlife immersion. The Delta’s character shifts with the flood cycle; some channels remain navigable year-round while other areas fill seasonally. Duba Explorers Camp provides shallow-water safaris by vehicle and traditional mokoro canoe trips when water levels allow. Expect up-close encounters with elephants, hippos, abundant antelope species, and predator concentrations. Afternoon options often include helicopter flights for an aerial perspective and private spa treatments for quieter hours at camp.
Days 7–10: Selinda Private Reserve (Selinda Camp)
A short transfer brings guests to the Selinda Private Reserve, an expansive wilderness corridor near Chobe and bordering Namibia. Selinda’s dry season, July through October, attracts enormous elephant herds and produces excellent predator activity, including resident lions and packs of wild dogs. Luxury tented suites, private plunge pools, and highly personalized guiding make this a cinematic finale. Enjoy sunset cocktails on the floodplain, photographic safaris with pro-grade optics available at camp, and intimate encounters that create lasting memories.
Day 11: Departure
Transfer by charter to Maun or Kasane for onward flights. Cape Town or Victoria Falls are convenient extension points for travelers who want to add urban culture or dramatic waterfalls to the route.
Key experiences and highlights
Horseback riding on the pans, an intimate way to see desert-adapted wildlife and the endless horizon.
Mokoro and boat safaris, which reveal the Okavango’s secret channels, rich birdlife, and hippo-lined lagoons.
Walking safaris, offering close-range discovery of tracks, flora, and smaller species that vehicle safaris can miss.
Helicopter or light-air transfers, optional aerial views that turn the Delta into a living map.
Elephant aggregations at Selinda, dry-season gatherings that create unforgettable spectacles.
Practical notes
Best time to travel: For concentrated predator and elephant viewing, choose July through October, the dry season. For green landscapes, bird breeding, and newborns, consider December through April, the green season. Each season offers different activities; mokoro access, for example, depends on water levels.
Transfers and logistics: Expect multiple short bush-plane hops and dirt airstrips. Light aircraft are part of the travel rhythm and often a highlight in themselves.
Family travel: Family suites and children’s programming are available at many camps, but age restrictions may apply for night drives, walking safaris, and some water activities. Confirm with the operator in advance.
Packing: Layered clothing for cool mornings and warm afternoons, binoculars, sun protection, swimwear, and comfortable walking shoes. Include a compact daypack for guided walks and a small torch for evening use.
Health and safety: Check vaccination requirements and malaria prophylaxis with a medical professional well before travel. Always follow guide instructions for safe interaction with wildlife.
Who this itinerary suits
This loop is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts seeking a luxury adventure that spans Botswana’s dramatic ecosystems: the stark Makgadikgadi pans, the watery intimacy of the Okavango Delta, and the grandeur of Selinda’s elephant country. It suits couples, small groups, and multigenerational families who want immersive experiences balanced with high standards of comfort and service.
For booking details, seasonal planning, or to request a tailored version of this itinerary, contact Novel Bookings.
