10 day safari

Prices from

£6000

Excluding international flights

Tour Highlights

  • Two countries, two exceptional places to see African Wild Dogs
  • Private jeep safaris in Khwai with your own expert naturalist
  • Chance to see the Big 5 in Madikwe

Wild Dog Magic in Botswana and South Africa

The chance to see African wild dogs, or African painted dogs as they are sometimes referred to, is high on many wildlife lovers wish list. It is important to remember that this is one of the rarest canids in the world and sadly is on the endangered ‘Red List’ of IUCN. Loss of habitat and human conflict are the main reasons for their decline; so it is more important than ever to conserve and protect the few remaining strong holds of this charismatic species. Over the years, Wildlife Trails have enjoyed considerable success in photographing this species and with this knowledge we have created safari holidays which visit the best places to see wild dogs at the right time of year.

When to Go:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Best time to visit -

SEP

Safari Style -

Bespoke Wildlife

DAY 1

ARRIVE INTO MAUN AND OVERNIGHT AT RIVERSIDE LODGE.

You will be met on arrival at Maun international airport and transferred the short distance to the beautiful Thamalakane Lodge, which is located on the banks of the Chobe River.

Accommodation : Thamalakane River Lodge

Botswana camping safari 2024 Thamalakane Lodge

DAY 2

TRANSFER FROM MAUN TO KHWAI

After breakfast you will enjoy a 3 hour transfer to Bona Moremi safari lodge. Despite its name, this lodge is actually perfectly located to visit both the famous Khwai concession, as well as Moremi game reserve; both hotspots in Botswana for predators, such as lions, leopards and wild dogs.

Accommodation : Bona Moremi safari lodge

DAYS 3-5

THREE FULL DAYS OF MORNING AND AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES. ALSO NIGHT SAFARIS.

Get ready for non stop wildlife action, because you have three full days visiting two of the most productive game reserves/concessions in Botswana and that is why we have hand picked a lodge which provides flexible access to both. Depending on the season, wildlife activities can include full day safaris (with packed lunch) to Moremi or Khwai, mokoro boat safaris and 2 hour night time drives focusing on the amazing nocturnal wildlife of the area.

DAY 6

DRIVE BACK TO MAUN TO CONNECT WITH A FLIGHT TO JOBURG

After an early breakfast you will be driven back to Maun to connect with a flight to Joburg. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the nearby Giglio boutique hotel.

Accommodation : Giglio boutique hotel

DAY 7

FLIGHT FROM JOBURG TO MADIKWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Today you will take a morning flight from Joburg to Madikwe, where you will be met and transferred to the highly rated Tuningi safari lodge. After receiving a welcome drink and briefing you will head out for your first game drive inside the reserve. The reserve is a Malaria free zone and is famous for the chance to see the BIG 5, as well as regular sightings of African wild dogs.

Accommodation : Tuningi Safari Lodge

DAYS 8&9

TWO FULL DAYS OF MORNING AND AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES

You can take full advantage of being in one of the best places in Africa to see African wild dogs, with the added bonus of all the Big 5 also being found within the reserve. The lodges game rangers are highly qualified and have superb knowledge of the fauna and flora within the Madikwe Game Reserve; which they are only too happy to share with the guests. Each visitor will have access to a window seat in the specially adapted safari vehicles so they can maximise their wildlife encounters.

Accommodation : Tuningi Safari Lodge

DAY 10

FINAL MORNING SAFARI BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT BACK TO JOBURG

Sadly, this is your final morning safari at Madikwe; so make the most of your final hours in the bush and take home some more beautiful photo souvenirs! You will then take an afternoon flight back to Joburg and overnight again at Giglio boutique hotel.

Accommodation : Giglio boutique hotel

Pricing Info & Dates

Costs £6000 based on two people sharing and not including flights. Valid for travel from May to November 2024

Includes:

  • £100 donation to Gorilla Doctors
  • All meals at Khwai and Madikwe
  • Services of expert naturalists at Khwai and Madikwe
  • All transfers and activities as stated.

Excludes:

  • International and domestic flights
  • The cost of applying for entry Visas
  • Drinks at the lodges
  • Gratuities and tips for hotel staff and your naturalist

Tour Route Map

What

Our Clients Say About Us

★★★★★
Wild Botswana Experience

This was a wonderful mobile camping trip visiting several areas of Botswana. It was my first time mobile camping and I absolutely loved it - even the 'long drop toilets'! To sit outside er the stars with no light pollution was incredible. We had some brilliant sightings, especially the elephants who we watched playing in the water for ages. Trips in between camps could be long but it was more like an extended game drive and didn't bother me in the least. The trip started off at Thamalakane River Lodge where we had a beautiful sunset over the river. It finished at Chobe River Lodge where we went on a boat trip - once again with wonderful sightings - and watched the sun go down. I could honestly have gone immediately back and done it all again! Kirsty and Allan of Wildlife Trails arranged this brilliant photographic tour for us and I will hopefully return again in the not too distant future. I thought the quality of both lodges and the mobile camp was excellent. We would go for a game drive on the morning of our departure to another camp and by the time we got to our new site the old camp had been dismantled and was re-assembled, ready for us to use, as soon as we got there - with food and drink awaiting! The staff were absolutely amazing and our chef created excellent food with seemingly no effort. This was extremely well arranged by Wildlife Trails with nothing being too much trouble for Allan or Kirsty.

ByChris
★★★★★
A great wildlife trip where I saw everything I hoped for

On a safari trip I go with hopes and expectations, in this case they were exceeded which was a first. The vehicles used were modern and most importantly not crowded. The trip was a photographic ari and our hosts turned out to be expert wildlife photographers and I learnt a lot from them. The other part was fulfilled by our two local guides who had exemplary, knowledge and had the happy knack of putting us in the right place at the right time. This was a wild camping trip and the facilities again exceeded my expectations. The itinerary worked very well and enabled us to make the most of our time in Botswana. Wildlife trails created the environment that made the trip so good, I learned a lot about photography and the wildlife I went to see. For me the highest praise is that I was a returning customer and have already booked my next trip and that they are good value for money.

ByDavid
★★★★★
Amazing experience

Everything went like clockwork . Superb organisation, transfers, border crossings, our guide and driver were excellent making sure we got everywhere on time and with little fuss, but lots of husiasm. They were very knowledgeable, friendly, good cooks and always happy to help. Our accommodation was excellent ranging from luxury to basic camping. Elephant Eye was luxury on stilts with fantastic views over the watering hole, watching the elephants, etc, especially when you were having a shower! The Bedouin camp will remain close to my heart. Camping in the bush giving you that real sense of being at one with nature! The countries we visited, the wonderful friendly people and cultures we experienced was just amazing. This holiday was a little gem, although Vic Falls is highly commercialised,( but still dramatically beautiful) The rest of the trip is off the tourist trail! Would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to spend there time watching wildlife. Great company, always happy to help, listen to what your needs are and deliver an itinerary that is perfect. Would highly recommend Wildlife Trails to anyone wanting a holiday full of wildlife and adventure!

ByLesley