Known for its eponymous and huge elephant herds, Chobe National Park is only a short drive from Kasane International Airport, putting you straight in the heart of the action as you head out on guided boat safaris along the river. 

You’re likely to see elephant rolling on the muddy banks and bathing in the water, as well as buffalo, hippo, sable antelpe and birdlife including kingfishers and bee-eaters.

Away from the river, you can join morning and afternoon guided drives across the grasslands in search of big cats, wild dog and various antelope species.

You’ll fly into the Okavango Delta by light aircraft, taking in views over its abstract pattern of swirls and waving lines below you. The private Nxabega Concession resides in the heart of the delta and is a vast landscape of lily-scattered lagoons, riverine forest and the Bora River. You can track big cats and giraffe, among others, on wildlife drives and when water levels are high, enjoy boat safaris and mokoro trips. Look out for red lechwe, hippo and birdlife such as squacco herons and saddle-backed storks.

Hop across the delta on another brief light aircraft flight to reach Gunn’s Concession, a true wilderness where the focus is almost exclusively on water activities and walking safaris. 

Between June and September, the landscape is usually saturated, attracting elephant, hippo and an abundance of birdlife. On boat safaris and mokoro trips, you can listen for the shrieks of African fish eagles and watch pied kingfishers dive for their prey. 

The waterways are broken up with palm-covered islands, including Chief’s Island, where you can head out on walking safaris to see giraffe, buffalo and various plains animals.