Chobe and the Okavango Delta in one trip: how to plan the route
Chobe and the Okavango Delta are Botswana's two great safari areas. Combining them is the classic trip. Getting the route right matters more than choosing the lodges.
Two areas, two gateways
Kasane is the gateway to Chobe National Park, in Botswana's far north-east. It has an international airport, and the Chobe River runs along the town's edge. Most Chobe safaris combine boat cruises on the river with game drives on land.
Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Many Delta camps are reached by light aircraft from Maun or from other camps, landing on bush airstrips.
The route between the two shapes the whole trip. Light aircraft transfers save a full day on the road but carry luggage limits. Road transfers cost less but take far longer. Plan the transfers first, then choose the lodges.
How many nights in each
As a guide, three nights in each area gives you time to settle in and see each one properly. Two nights feels rushed, because the travel day eats into it. One extra night at the end, in Maun or Kasane, protects you against a missed connection.
Watch soft luggage limits. Light aircraft usually require soft bags and a strict weight limit. Check the limit with your operator before you pack.
When to go
The dry season, roughly May to October, is the classic time for game viewing. Water becomes scarce, so animals gather near rivers and pans. Chobe's riverfront is at its busiest late in the dry season.
The green season, roughly November to April, brings rain, lush landscapes, newborn animals and excellent birding. Many camps offer lower rates in this period. Some areas and activities may be limited by water levels and road conditions.
The Okavango's flood follows its own rhythm. Water arriving from the Angolan highlands often reaches the Delta well after the local rains have ended. Ask your operator what water activities, such as mokoro trips, will be running on your dates.
Two sample routes
7 nights: the classic pair
- Nights 1 to 3: Kasane, with Chobe River cruises and game drives
- Light aircraft transfer to the Okavango Delta
- Nights 4 to 6: an Okavango Delta camp, with mokoro and walking safaris where available
- Night 7: Maun, before your flight home
10 nights: adding Victoria Falls
- Nights 1 to 2: Victoria Falls, reached by road from Kasane or by air
- Nights 3 to 5: Kasane and Chobe
- Nights 6 to 9: the Okavango Delta, split between two camps for different habitats
- Night 10: Maun
Victoria Falls involves a border crossing, so check visa and entry rules for your passport before you book.
Plan the route, then book
A good itinerary balances travel time, season, budget and the wildlife you most want to see. Once the route is right, choosing lodges becomes much simpler.
Plan your route with Aone
Aone is a free AI safari planner built in Botswana. Tell it your dates, budget and interests, and it shapes a route across Chobe, the Okavango Delta and Maun. A local reservations team then confirms and books.
Plan with Aone