Whether by boat or 4×4, exploring the banks of the Chobe is always an exciting experience. From the river, watching the hippos, crocodiles, elephants and all kinds of antelopes that inhabit the islands is one of the best in the country, not to mention the spectacular birdlife.

From the land, the immersion in the animal kingdom is remarkable. It’s not unusual to find yourself surrounded by elephants, to observe a hunting scene or to spot a leopard on the branch of an acacia tree. At the River Front, the encounters and sunsets are always unforgettable, and this stage is always one of the most popular on a 4×4 safari in Botswana.

The Savuti region is particularly well known for its lion population, but also for the astonishing story of its canal, which dried up for almost 30 years before flowing abundantly again. What appeared to be a real mystery was recently explained by geological movements that blocked the canal in the 1980s before releasing it in 2010.

Today, the Savuti Canal is once again dry, but a surprising abundance of wildlife still occupies the famous hills and pretty stretches of the region. Prides of lions remain impressive and cheetahs, absent from the River Front, are regularly spotted on the wide plains that have replaced the swamp.

The Khwai floodplains offer magnificent panoramic views and excellent wildlife-watching opportunities. Birds of prey are common along the river, as are many birds. Lions regularly hunt the buffalo that congregate around the river and there is excellent viewing of other predators, especially leopards and hyenas. Elephants congregate around the permanent waterholes, as do the hippos, whose laughter will probably punctuate your nights!

Situated in one of the most beautiful regions of the Okavango Delta, the Xakanaxa Lagoon forms a patchwork of mopane forests and floodplains, surrounded by deep streams. Its many loops and tracks form a veritable labyrinth where animals and birds are omnipresent. Antelope are particularly abundant and wild dogs are regularly spotted on the vast plains.

Not far from Xakanaxa, the Third Bridge area lies alongside Mboma Island, a favourite spot for many self-drivers. The island, linked by wooden bridges, is renowned for its extraordinary wildlife in the dry season. In fact, you can get up close and personal with the animals during the day, on the vast plains around the island, as well as at night in the campsite!

A new network of tracks has been created in the South Gate area to enhance this part of the park, which rarely attracts the attention of visitors. Many animals can now be seen at Xini Lagoon and in the Black Pools. Giraffes and leopards are particularly fond of the mopane forests here, and lions are regularly spotted. Above all, you don’t need to go any further to experience the real delta, with its palm-fringed horizon and small lagoons.

Located between the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, Maun is Botswana’s tourist capital. Although the town is not of major interest, it remains an important stopover for self-drivers in transit, thanks to its many shops and amenities. A stopover in Maun is also an opportunity to round off your exploration of the Okavango Delta with a panoramic flight or a mokoro trip.

Situated along the river, Khumaga is the ideal starting point for exploring the banks of the Boteti and gaining access to the first characteristic sections of this region of Botswana. In the dry season, zebra congregation is exceptional, and the river becomes the scene of intense wildlife with the presence of wildebeest and elephants, remaining under the watchful eye of predators.

Nxai Pan National Park is home to the famous Baines Baobabs, a small natural jewel dominating the Kudiakam Pan. Discovered in the 19th century, these majestic natural statues were immortalised by the explorer and artist Thomas Baines, and the beauty of the place was remarkable. Its magical atmosphere is fully revealed at sunrise, when the sun’s rays dress the trunks of the trees in red, contrasting perfectly with the immaculate white of the pan.

While the baobab region is not frequented by many animals, the Nxai and Kgama-Kgama plains are home to a permanent fauna of lions, giraffes and cheetahs, as well as species adapted to more arid environments such as springbok, otocyon and jackal. It is also a crossing point for migratory animals, who flock to the seasonal waterholes as soon as the first rains arrive. At this time of year, thousands of zebra and wildebeest can be seen, as well as large herds of springbok and oryx.

In the dry season, Nxai’s wildlife is more sporadic than in Botswana’s other parks, but cheetah sightings are possible all year round and the central artificial waterhole continues to attract large numbers of animals.

For the final leg of your 4×4 self-drive safari in Botswana, the water route skirts the Makgadikgadi Pan. Depending on the time of year, Sowa Pan forms a large lake home to a huge colony of flamingos and pelicans. The Nata Bird Sanctuary is a great place for birdwatchers, but also for discovering the lunar ecosystem of the great pans. Beyond Nata, Elephant Sands is a great place to spend a few hours up close and personal with elephants, as well as the wild dogs regularly seen in the area around the camp.

Your self-drive safari ends in Kasane.

Why not end this water route on the banks of the legendary Zambezi River with a visit to the spectacular Victoria Falls?

Forming the largest curtain of water in the world, the falls are located on a 1.7km-wide section of the river where the water plunges to a height of almost 100m. Their flow is particularly strong after the rainy season. The cloud of mist that escapes from the falls can be seen from over 30km away. A natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, they are more impressive on the Zimbabwean side but can be visited from both countries.

The private concessions of the Okavango Delta can only be reached by plane. Departing from Maun, you board a small taxi plane from which you can see the meandering Delta. Sometimes you might even catch a glimpse of some large herds! On site, a top-of-the-range experience awaits you. The comfort of the lodges, which are perfectly integrated into the natural environment, and the beauty of the surroundings are incomparable, with a team that is always on hand to ensure that your stay is truly unforgettable.

Spending a few days in an Okavango lodge is an expensive privilege. However, the delta is a magical place, totally unspoilt, of breathtaking natural beauty, far from mass tourism and close to incredibly free wildlife. It will probably be the highlight of your trip!