Okavango Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best Okavango tour packages
- What people love about Okavango Tours
- Travel Okavango your way
- Best tour companies for Okavango tours
- Best places to start your Okavango tour
- Discover Okavango tours for every budget
- Okavango tours for every group
- Top Okavango travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Okavango
- Okavango travel guides - curated by our experts
- Contact our Okavango travel experts
- What our customers ask about Okavango Tours & Trips
The best Okavango tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaOkavango travel expert at TourRadar
Okavango Experience
61 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing trip! Very memorable.”
Siew, traveled in August
Local polers guide traditional mokoros through Okavango Delta's waterways. Camp on remote islands surrounded by wildlife, taking sunrise walks to spot elephants and buffalo. Authentic bush camping with basic facilities awaits in this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Duration 10 days Destinations South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,920
10% Off- US$1,728You save $192
Family Botswana and Zimbabwe Safari Adventure
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Seeing the animals so close and so many. The houseboat and camping were an adventure.”
Sarah, traveled in July
Explore Okavango's waterways and wildlife from Shakawe to Maun. Cruise the panhandle by private houseboat, visit UNESCO-listed Tsodilo Hills, and experience game drives in Moremi Game Reserve tracking Africa's magnificent animals.
Duration 12 days Destinations Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia Age Range 7 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From
10% Off- US$4,150
Explore Southern Africa
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I had an excellent time.”
Melvin, traveled in February
Glide through Okavango's maze-like waterways by traditional mokoro canoe, spotting hippos and elephants. Camp on remote delta islands, take sunrise wildlife walks, and learn about local culture through brewery visits highlighting sustainable farming practices.
Duration 18 days Destinations South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,755
25% Off- US$2,816You save $939
Glide through Okavango's crystal channels from Shakawe aboard an exclusive 8-room houseboat. Spot hippos and crocodiles in remote panhandle waters. The sacred Tsodilo Hills' ancient rock art awaits while you rest in comfortable floating accommodation.
Duration 14 days Destinations Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai, Okavango Delta, Maun, Shakawe Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From $4,840
6% Off- US$4,560You save $280
9 Days - Okavango Delta Tour, Chobe National Park (Botswana) , Livingstone (Zambia) wildlife-focused safari
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
The intricate waterways of Okavango await via mokoro excursions from Maun. Stay at Kazikini tented camp near Moremi Game Reserve for prime wildlife viewing. Immerse in traditional Botswana culture and diverse ecosystems before continuing to Kasane and Zambia.
Duration 9 days Destinations Maun, Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Nata, Chobe National Park, Livingstone Age Range 5 to 99 year olds Operated in English, French, Spanish Operator Lochinvar Safaris From $2,780
30% Off- US$1,946+$40 upfront costs+$60 local paymentsYou save $834
What people love about Okavango Tours
- Okavango Experience
It was my first time with Intrepid and with this kind of organized tour in general. I am use to travel a lot on my own to far destinations, mainly with 1-2 friends, however being this time alone I decided to give a try with Intrepid. Well, I have to say I can tell that my expectations have been all fullfilled or even by far exceeded! :) Meshack has been a great guide, as well as Danny as driver. Both very professional, with sense of Humor and super organized. We had a very tight schedule as every day we had to drive between 3 to 7hrs to the next destination, however we have never been late or missed something. All activities planned very were very well organized and allowed us really to do and see an impressive amount of places and wild animals in a very short amount of days. I would say the average age of the people was around 30, half couples and half friends/lonely travelers, most people were from countries were english is the mother tongue (mainly UK, Canada, Australia). The mood has been great for most of the trip and we never had any kind of fight or discussion within the group. If you are very indipendent, you might sometimes miss the freedom of organizing everything on your own, however there are some optional activities that allow for some flexibility and what to say, this is a group tour, so it's something you have to take into account from the beginning. That being said, the itinerary planned was great, the people and guide too and even being quite a wild and lonely traveler I barely missed that flexibility. So to sum up, I definetively liked this trip and recommend this tour to everybody, it has been a great experience. Suggest also to plan 1-2 days more before and after the tour to properly explore Johannesburg/Soweto and the Victoria Falls area.
- Explore Southern Africa
Both guides (Simba Mugondo and Shimane Lekoto) were excellent hosts. All the game drives have been adventurous. Especially the trips to Okavango Delta, Chobe and Motopos were truly memorable.
- Best of Botswana & Victoria Falls - 12 days
Amazing guide who was very knowledgeable, professional and made sure that everyone's needs were looked after. Well planned itinerary - highly recommend!
Travel Okavango your way
Explore a wide diversity of safari tours through Okavango. We have 74 adventures that vary from 3 days to 17 days. With the greatest number of departures in May, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Our explorer tours through Botswana really deliver when it comes to wildlife experiences. The 12-day routes weave together the delta, Victoria Falls and also Chobe National Park - they're particularly good for anyone who loves photography and nature. You'll get around in different ways which adds variety: think paddling mokoros between lily pads, taking 4x4s through Moremi and watching the sunset from a Chobe River cruise. The local guides make a big difference - our travelers often tell us how they turn simple animal sightings into fascinating ecology lessons. One guide called Nonki gets mentioned a lot for finding hard-to-spot animals and her excellent driving skills. The lodges are basic but comfortable, and you're right where you need to be for the best wildlife viewing.
Select from our extensive range of 118 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Okavango with our expert guides leading the way.
Explore a wide diversity of jeep & 4wd tours through Okavango. We have 53 adventures that vary from 3 days to 18 days. With the greatest number of departures in July, this is also the most popular time of the year.
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Okavango tours
Looking at feedback from our safari travelers, Across Africa Tours and Travel and Sunway Safaris consistently deliver quality experiences. Their guides know their stuff about local wildlife and ecosystems, and the itineraries are thoughtfully mapped out to maximize animal sightings, cultural visits and travel time. Lochinvar Safaris has been more of a mixed bag lately. While some travelers had great wildlife experiences, others ran into problems with last-minute schedule changes that weren't properly communicated. A few customers told us they ended up in different lodges than what was originally booked, and getting refunds for these changes proved difficult. What works well with both Across Africa and Sunway is how their guides adapt to conditions on the ground - if they hear about a lion pride or elephant herd nearby, they'll adjust the route while keeping the overall schedule intact. They're also upfront about any needed changes and quick to communicate options. I should note that even with the issues at Lochinvar, all three companies maintain good safety records and employ experienced guides who know the terrain, wildlife patterns and local customs. The key difference seems to be in how they handle the logistics, communications and customer service when plans need to change.
Best places to start your Okavango tour
Maun is where most people kick off their delta experience, with 52 of our recent tours starting from this perfect jumping-off point. Victoria Falls sees about 14 tour departures, Johannesburg handles 10, while Cape Town and also Livingstone each serve as the starting point for 4 tours. Here's something crucial to know - our booking patterns show you'll want to lock things in about 61 days ahead. The really good camps and guides get snapped up fast, especially when peak wildlife viewing season rolls around. To really get the full delta experience, you'll need 3-4 days minimum to try both water and land activities, though plenty of our guests stay up to a week to properly sink into the delta's rhythm. You've got options from eco-lodges to luxury spots, each offering their own take on wild comfort.
Discover Okavango tours for every budget
If you're keeping an eye on costs, our popular 9-10 day safaris connect the key wildlife spots - Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and also Livingstone. The mornings find you gliding in traditional mokoros through delta channels, while afternoons are perfect for tracking Chobe's elephant herds. You'll sleep well in safari tents or simple lodges, with nights under clear African stars. Our guide Mark often gets mentioned by name in customer feedback for sharing such deep local knowledge. These tours include all the vital experiences - game drives, river cruises, guided bush walks - without the fancy extras. The morning drives in Moremi are a real highlight; our travelers regularly spot lions, leopards and even wild dogs.
Our premium 7-day safaris start with a proper introduction - flying over the delta's maze of waterways and elephant herds below. You'll stay in quality spots like Zambezi Mubala Lodge, where river views come with excellent food and attentive service. The private guides shape each day around what interests you most, using top-grade vehicles for game drives. This means you're in the right place when predators are most active, usually early morning or late afternoon. What makes these tours special is the access to quiet, remote areas and the naturalist guides who really know their stuff about the local ecosystem.
Okavango budget tours- Okavango luxury tours
Okavango tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
109 tours in OkavangoExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Okavango. We have 109 adventures that vary from 3 days to 58 days. With the greatest number of departures in July, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
62 tours in OkavangoOur small-group safari tours blend essential delta experiences with distinctive personal touches, typically running 9-10 days across the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and also Livingstone. You'll drift through delta channels in traditional mokoros each morning, while tracking Chobe's massive elephant herds fills the afternoons. Guides like Nonki and Mark earn constant praise from our travelers, thanks to their impressive wildlife tracking and deep local expertise. For those wanting deeper immersion, our 12-day journeys weave together delta waters, game drives in Moremi and Victoria Falls, where nights under canvas let you drift off to the sounds of hippos splashing nearby. Winter tours from June through August deliver excellent wildlife sightings, as rising waters naturally concentrate animals around the channels. Our guides position you perfectly for photos, whether you're shooting elephants at water level from a mokoro or following lions in specialized 4x4s. Mobile camping puts you right in the heart of the action, while permanent tented camps offer proper beds and private facilities for extra comfort without losing that wild connection.
Private / Personalized
20 tours in OkavangoPrivate safaris running 7-10 days give you complete control over your delta experience. Starting from Maun, these tours let you dig deeper into special spots - think tracking meerkats across Makgadikgadi Pans or camping in private areas of Moremi Game Reserve. Having your own guide and vehicle means you can stay longer at promising wildlife spots or change direction if you hear about recent animal movement. The mobile camping puts you right where the action is - many guests tell us about waking up to elephants drinking nearby. Our travelers particularly like how these tours mix comfort with real wilderness time, plus the freedom to adjust plans as they go.
Top Okavango travel itineraries to fit your plans
Our 3-day delta tours come in two flavors. You can stay at a tented lodge on the Boteti River and choose between full-day mokoro trips into the delta or game drives through Moremi. Our guests love starting their mornings with fresh coffee and home-baked biscuits before heading out. If you prefer going deeper, the mobile camping option puts you right in the delta with Bayei tribal guides who share their knowledge of medicinal plants and animal behavior. Both options include walks on the delta islands and also traditional boat rides through the channels where you'll likely spot hippos, elephants and lots of birds.
See all tours
The week-long tours follow three solid routes across Botswana. One starts at Victoria Falls, moves through Chobe and finishes in the delta - perfect for mixing Zimbabwe's activities with Botswana's wilderness. Another begins in Namibia, crosses the Caprivi Strip to see Chobe's huge elephant herds and winds up in the delta waters. The third stays purely in Botswana, beginning in Maun before exploring the delta, Khwai Concession and also Savuti's predator territories. Each route combines water activities, game drives and guided walks, with stays in permanent tented camps and riverside chalets.
Our 10-day safaris give you time to really sink into the experience. These routes link Livingstone, Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta and also Moremi Game Reserve. You'll spend several nights in each spot, which makes a real difference for wildlife watching according to our travelers. Days vary nicely - you might track lions in Moremi, learn local traditions in Mukuni Village or watch elephants cross the Chobe River. The mix includes village visits, Livingstone museum tours, mokoro trips and also game drives.
Demographics
The 10-day Botswana-Zambia combo works really well for people traveling solo. You'll share accommodations and activities with other travelers at spots like Cresta Mowana Safari Resort, which keeps costs down and makes for good company. The schedule mixes guided safaris with free time around Livingstone and Victoria Falls. People who've taken this tour tell us they love getting to know others during the Zambezi sunset cruises and sharing stories at dinner around the campfire. In Chobe National Park, you'll join others in our safari vehicles which actually makes wildlife spotting easier - more eyes means you catch more action.
For active safari experiences, younger travelers can join several excellent tours that blend mokoro rides, wilderness camping, township cycling in Soweto, and also game viewing at sunset. Most popular trips last 9-12 days combining Victoria Falls exploration, with helicopter flights and zip-lining activities, alongside delta wildlife encounters and cultural visits. Travelers appreciate switching between private bush camps and houseboats, where nights unfold under brilliant African stars after days spent tracking lions and elephants. The highlights include walking alongside professional trackers, capturing hippo photos from traditional canoes at water level, and also setting up camp on secluded delta islands. Moving through Chobe, Moremi and the Okavango provides prime Big Five viewing opportunities, where local experts like Nonki earn consistent praise from our guests for their tracking skills and regional expertise. The journey becomes more meaningful with stops at traditional villages and ancient rock art locations, giving younger visitors cultural context, alongside their wildlife discoveries.
Our 9-day tours based in Maun are particularly popular with senior travelers who appreciate the sensible pace and quality accommodation. You'll start with easy mokoro rides in the delta before moving to vehicle safaris in Moremi Reserve. We've picked camps and lodges like Big 5 Toro Lodge for their good access and proper facilities - real beds and private bathrooms make all the difference. What works nicely is choosing how active you want to be each day; you can do morning game drives, take afternoon boat trips or visit local villages. The guides adapt to everyone's pace and they really know their stuff, from animal behavior right through to local traditions.
Our 9-day family safaris in the Okavango Delta blend wildlife watching with proper comfort at places like Kazikini tented camp near Moremi Game Reserve. The kids love watching elephants from the viewing decks - it's completely safe and they get really close. Taking a mokoro canoe is actually perfect for families; these traditional boats are super stable and let you quietly glide past hippos and crocs. Our guides are particularly good with children, showing them how to spot animal tracks and teaching basic bush skills. We've scheduled the game drives sensibly too - morning and afternoon trips that dodge the worst midday heat.
- Solo Travelers100 tours
- Couples34 tours
- Seniors (50+)39 tours
Best time to visit Okavango
- Spring 2025
The Okavango spring safaris range from 7 to 12 days, connecting you with seasonal wildlife transitions across key zones. Our boat cruises catch rising water levels in the delta, where breeding birds gather in impressive numbers, while guides time game drives perfectly around seasonal patterns and temperatures. Travelers connect deeply with the landscape through mokoro trips in the channels, walking safaris with Bayei guides and peaceful moments learning about medicinal plants coming into bloom. Our 12-day Victoria Falls and Chobe routes shine in spring, with guide Nonki spotting elusive wild dogs that become active in cooler weather. The focused 7-day delta circuits blend time at Makgadikgadi salt flats, sunrise meerkat tracking and quiet Zambezi river cruises away from busy sections. Mobile camping puts you close to the wildlife action - our guests often share stories of elephants drinking near their tents as seasonal waters draw animals toward camp areas.
- 93 tours
- 95 tours
- popular 99 tours
- Summer 2025
Summer in the delta brings afternoon storms that create remarkable backdrops for photography. Most travelers opt for our 8-9 day tours, which hit the sweet spot between delta exploration and other key sites. Starting from Maun, you'll head deep into the delta where mobile camps put you right in the middle of the action. Our customers often mention how special it feels waking up to hippos splashing as they head back to water. The guides really know their stuff when it comes to summer conditions - they'll time game drives around the weather and find shaded spots for watching wildlife during the heat of the day. Having both water and land activities proves particularly valuable, from mokoro safaris to walking with local trackers who know every animal sign.
- 102 tours
- popular 103 tours
- 102 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn tours capture the delta during an interesting transition. Our 10-14 day journeys let you watch the landscape shift as water levels drop. These longer trips take in Moremi Game Reserve, Savuti and also surrounding regions, where predator viewing gets especially good as animals cluster around remaining water holes. The camps strike a nice balance - you get proper beds and hot showers but stay close enough to hear elephants wandering past at night. Our guides consistently get high marks from travelers for their tracking abilities this season, particularly finding wild dogs and leopards as they become more active in cooler weather. It's an excellent time for birding too, with breeding season in full swing and migrant species arriving.
- popular 102 tours
- 101 tours
- 92 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
The winter safari tours really come into their own from June through August, when rising floodwaters bring wildlife in impressive numbers to the Okavango. Our most popular option runs for 12 days and takes you from the delta through to Chobe and also Victoria Falls. You'll stay in permanent tents that offer proper beds and private bathrooms - quite welcome during those cool winter nights. The vehicles are specially fitted for game viewing, though you'll want to pack layers for morning drives when temperatures drop. Our guides know exactly how to maximize wildlife encounters, from early morning walks tracking cape buffalo to afternoon boat rides watching elephants gather by the water. The winter air is exceptionally clear for photos, and the calmer conditions make for smooth mokoro trips through the waterways.
- 63 tours
- popular 80 tours
- 56 tours
Okavango travel guides - curated by our experts
All You Need to Know About Okavango Delta: Facts & Information
Okavango Delta is one of the greatest natural wonders. Learn more about the river, when is the best time to visit and what attractions are waiting for you.
Okavango Delta Location: How to Get There
Find out the easiest way to reach the Okavango Delta from Maun, Gaborone, Johannesburg or Cape Town via plane and car.
Okavango Delta Wildlife: What Animals Live in Okavango Delta
The rich wildlife of the Okavango Delta includes elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos and over 400 species of birds. Learn when is the best time to see them!
Contact our Okavango travel experts
Marianne
Expert in Okavango at TourRadar
Marianne is one of our seasoned Okavango Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Okavango tours answered!
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+1 844 311 8331What our customers ask about Okavango Tours & Trips
What's So Special About the Okavango Delta?
The Okavango's actually pretty incredible - imagine a massive 16000 square kilometer wetland maze right in the middle of Botswana where this river just spreads out across the Kalahari Desert. It's got UNESCO World Heritage status and it really comes alive between June and August when the flooding peaks creating this amazing network of channels islands and floodplains. You'll find over 500 different birds 150 types of mammals including these fascinating Kalahari elephants with shorter tusks and 70 different fish species. The geography's really interesting too creating different zones from the deep-water channels around Panhandle to seasonal floodplains in Moremi Game Reserve.
What's the Best Way to Get Around and Experience the Delta?
There are some really cool ways to explore actually. The traditional mokoro trips are amazing - local Bayei guides pole you through narrow channels getting you super close to wildlife and sharing their cultural knowledge. If you want to see predators the 4x4 game drives in Moremi Game Reserve are your best bet and they're great for spotting rare sitatunga antelope too. Walking safaris with armed guides around Chief's Island and Khwai are incredible for tracking while helicopter flights give you this mind-blowing view of how the whole Delta fans out. Boat safaris near the Panhandle are perfect for birding especially around Gadikwe Heronry. Timing matters though - do mokoro trips early morning for birds game drives at dawn or dusk for predators and boat safaris at sunset to catch elephant herds.
When's the Best Time to Visit for Different Activities?
The water levels really influence what you can do and when. June to August's great for water activities especially around Xakanaxa and Khwai - the flood comes in waves from Angola hitting Panhandle in March and reaching the southern Delta by June. September through November's fantastic for game viewing because the waters pulling back concentrates wildlife around the permanent channels and lagoons particularly in Moremi's Xakanaxa area. December to March brings these dramatic afternoon storms and loads of birds with over 350 species including the rare Pel's fishing owl. April and May's kind of in-between good for both water and land activities around the permanent lodges.
What's Different About Staying in a Luxury Lodge Versus Mobile Camping?
The luxury lodges like Mombo Camp and Vumbura Plains give you all the comforts - air-conditioned suites amazing food and exclusive access to prime wildlife spots. You get nice extras like plunge pools and spas with professional guides dedicated to each camp. Mobile camping in places like Moremi and Savuti's more of a raw wilderness experience with dome tents or traditional Meru-style setups. These camps move with the wildlife which means you get to explore different areas and actually cover more ground. While lodges definitely win on luxury mobile safaris give you this incredible changing landscape experience and deeper connection with the wilderness though you'll need to be okay with basic facilities and weather changes.
How Do Private Concessions Compare to Public Areas for Safari Experiences?
Private areas like Kwara and Abu give you some real advantages - you can do night drives track predators off-road and you won't find crowds of vehicles. The public Moremi Game Reserve's more accessible and budget-friendly but has stricter rules about vehicle numbers and when you can operate. Private concessions control visitor numbers which means more intimate wildlife encounters especially in places like Duba Plains where you can watch these amazing lion-buffalo interactions. Public areas still offer great game viewing particularly around Third Bridge and Xakanaxa but you'll see more vehicles in peak season. The private areas often throw in special experiences like walking safaris and sleep-outs while public reserves stick to traditional game drives and boat trips.