12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari (Africa Guided Game Drives and Gorilla Trekking Tour)

The 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari is an extraordinary trans-African journey designed for travelers seeking the finest combination of untamed wilderness, iconic wildlife encounters, rare primate experiences, and meaningful cultural discovery. This meticulously curated safari seamlessly connects two of Africa’s most contrasting yet complementary destinations Botswana, the jewel of southern Africa’s pristine wilderness, and Rwanda, the heart of primate conservation and cultural resilience in East Africa. Crafted with precision and passion, the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari delivers a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that blends raw nature, exclusivity, and comfort in equal measure.

Beginning in Botswana, the safari immerses guests in the legendary Okavango Delta a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most unique inland water systems. Here, seasonal floodwaters transform dry plains into a lush mosaic of lagoons, channels, and islands, supporting staggering wildlife concentrations. The journey continues through the predator-rich landscapes of Savuti in Chobe National Park, renowned for its dramatic lion prides, elephant migrations, and raw, unfiltered safari atmosphere. River safaris along the Chobe River offer front-row views of Africa’s largest elephant populations and prolific birdlife.

12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari

Tour Quotation Based on 2 People and Mid-Range Safari

• Rate Per Person: US$8,158
• Total Rate for Two People: US$16,316

Safari Experience Highlight

The 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari then transitions from savannahs to rainforests as you fly north to Rwanda a country celebrated for its conservation success stories and breathtaking scenery. From chimpanzee tracking and canopy walks in Nyungwe Forest to life-changing mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda offers deeply immersive wildlife experiences. Cultural engagements, including the Iby’Iwachu Village visit and Kigali’s historical landmarks, add powerful human context to the journey.

Designed for travelers who value authenticity, ethical tourism, and seamless logistics, this 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari reflects the highest standards of safari planning. With expert guides, carefully selected accommodations, and unforgettable encounters across two iconic countries, Deks Safaris and Tours presents a safari that is as inspiring as it is transformative.

The 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari is more than a holiday; it is a story of Africa told through landscapes, wildlife, and people. Each day unveils a new chapter, from the watery wilderness of the Okavango Delta to the misty slopes of the Virunga Mountains. This safari is ideal for travelers who wish to explore Africa in depth rather than rush through it, offering ample time to connect with nature and culture alike.

Detailed 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Maun and Transfer to the Okavango Delta

Your 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari begins upon arrival in Maun, Botswana’s safari gateway. After a warm welcome by your professional safari guide, you are transferred toward the legendary Okavango Delta, one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness regions. The journey introduces you to vast open landscapes before transitioning into the watery channels and floodplains that define the delta.

Your mid-range mobile camping experience borders the Khwai Concession an unfenced wilderness area allowing free movement of wildlife. This immersive setup places you at the heart of nature, where elephants may wander through camp and nocturnal sounds echo under starlit skies. The evening is spent settling in, enjoying a freshly prepared bush dinner, and absorbing the anticipation of the days ahead in the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari.

Day 2: Game Drives and Sunset Mokoro Safari in the Okavango Delta

Day two of the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari unfolds with early morning game drives through the Okavango Delta’s rich ecosystems. As dawn breaks, wildlife activity peaks, offering opportunities to encounter lions, leopards, wild dogs, buffaloes, giraffes, and countless antelope species.

In the afternoon, the safari transitions into a serene mokoro experience a traditional dugout canoe gently gliding through narrow channels. Led by skilled polers, this quiet journey allows close encounters with aquatic birds, frogs, and grazing wildlife along the banks. The sunset mokoro safari is one of the most iconic experiences of the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari, blending tranquility with raw wilderness beauty. The day concludes with storytelling around the campfire beneath Africa’s vast skies.

Day 3: Explore the Predator Paradise of Savuti

The 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari continues as you journey into Savuti, a legendary region within Chobe National Park known for its intense predator activity. Savuti’s landscapes shift dramatically between open plains, marshes, and ancient river channels, creating ideal conditions for wildlife.

This area is famed for its lion prides, which have adapted to hunting large prey such as elephants — a rare behavior documented in this region. Game drives here are thrilling and unpredictable, with frequent sightings of hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, and large elephant herds. Camping inside Savuti offers an authentic bush experience where the boundary between human and wildlife disappears.

Day 4: In-Depth Exploration of Savuti

Another full day within Savuti allows deeper exploration during the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari. Morning and afternoon game drives maximize wildlife encounters while your guide interprets animal behavior and ecological dynamics.

Savuti’s raw wilderness offers some of Africa’s most dramatic safari moments, including predator-prey interactions and vast elephant migrations. This unfiltered safari environment reinforces Botswana’s reputation as a conservation leader and highlights why Savuti is a cornerstone of the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari experience.

Day 5: Chobe National Park and Kasane – Elephants and River Safaris

Day five of the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari takes you to the Chobe River region near Kasane. After settling into your mid-range lodge, you enjoy a river safari along the Chobe River one of Africa’s richest wildlife corridors.

The riverbanks host massive elephant herds, hippos, crocodiles, and prolific birdlife. Boat safaris offer exceptional photographic opportunities and a relaxed perspective on wildlife. This day balances land-based adventure with water-based exploration, reinforcing the diversity of experiences within the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari.

Day 6: Boat Safari and Flight to Rwanda

After a leisurely morning, the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari transitions continents as you take an afternoon flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Upon arrival, you check into Chez Lando Hotel, preparing for the next phase of the journey East Africa’s primate heartland.

Day 7: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

The 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari continues with a scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Rolling hills, tea plantations, and rural villages line the route, offering a glimpse into Rwanda’s countryside.

Nyungwe is home to 13 primate species and over 300 bird species. The afternoon is reserved for relaxation at your lodge, allowing you to prepare for the immersive forest experiences ahead.

Day 8: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest

This day of the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari delivers one of Rwanda’s most exhilarating experiences chimpanzee tracking. Trekking through dense rainforest in search of these intelligent primates is both challenging and rewarding.

Later, the canopy walk offers a thrilling perspective high above the forest floor, providing panoramic views and close encounters with birds and monkeys. This combination of adventure and wildlife makes Nyungwe a standout highlight of the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari.

Day 9: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Visit

The journey continues north to Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. A visit to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund offers insight into decades of conservation work and the legacy of gorilla protection a powerful educational component of the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari.

Day 10: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwachu Cultural Experience

The pinnacle of the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari unfolds with mountain gorilla trekking. Hiking through bamboo forests to encounter a gorilla family in their natural habitat is profoundly moving and unforgettable.

In the afternoon, the Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village visit introduces Rwanda’s traditions, music, and storytelling, blending wildlife with human heritage.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

Day 11: Kigali City Tour and Genocide Memorial

The 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari concludes its experiential depth with a guided Kigali city tour. Visits to local markets and the Genocide Memorial provide historical context, resilience narratives, and cultural understanding.

Day 12: Departure from Kigali

After breakfast, you transfer to Kigali International Airport, marking the end of an unforgettable 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari curated with care by Deks Safaris and Tours.

12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

• Accommodation in lodges and camps as specified
• All meals while on safari
• Game drives, mokoro rides, boat safaris
• Chimpanzee tracking (US$250pp)
• Gorilla trekking (US$1,500pp)
• Canopy walk and cultural visits
• Expert guides and trackers
• Internal flights and all transfers
• Park fees and permits
• Bottled water during activities

Safari Exclusions

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses and tips
• Visa fees
• Alcoholic and premium drinks
• Optional activities not listed

Tour Rates (Mid-Range, 2 People)

• US$8,158 per person
• Total: US$16,316

Why Choose the 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari with Deks Safaris and Tours

The 12-Day Botswana & Rwanda Safari offers unmatched diversity, seamless logistics, ethical wildlife encounters, and unforgettable memories across two iconic African destinations expertly delivered by Deks Safaris and Tours.