Custom East Africa Safari Holidays | Santaviva Luxury Tours

13 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trek & Botswana

Embark on the ultimate 13-day luxury adventure with the Bwindi Gorilla Trek and Botswana Wildlife expedition! Journey deep into the heart of Africa, where you'll come face-to-face with majestic mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Bwindi. Then, set out across the wild landscapes of Botswana, tracking elephants, lions, and hippos through untamed savannahs and lush wetlands. Each day brings new thrills, unforgettable encounters, and the promise of discovery. Are you ready to answer the call of the wild?

What do I need to bring?

Clothing

Lightweight, neutral-colored long-sleeve shirts and pants (breathable fabrics)
Quick-dry t-shirts and hiking shirts
Waterproof jacket or poncho (gorilla treks can be muddy/rainy)
Fleece or light sweater for cooler mornings/evenings
Shorts for warmer safari days
Wide-brimmed hat or cap for sun protection
Comfortable walking shoes or light hiking boots (broken-in)
Sandals or slip-ons for camp/lodge

Accessories

Sunglasses with UV protection
Lightweight backpack or daypack
Reusable water bottle
Binoculars (essential for wildlife spotting)
Camera with extra memory cards and batteries
Trekking poles (optional, for gorilla trek support)
Small flashlight or headlamp

Health & Hygiene

Sunscreen (SPF 30+) and lip balm with SPF
Insect repellent (DEET recommended)
Basic first-aid kit (band-aids, blister pads, antiseptic, painkillers)
Personal medications (anti-malarial, prescription meds)
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Toiletries in travel-size containers

Documents & Essentials

Passport with necessary visas
Travel insurance documents
Flight tickets / e-tickets / itinerary
Emergency contacts and guide contact info
Credit/debit cards and some local currency

Cancellation policy

Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.

Please note

Passport required
Dress code

More Info

Experience type

Multi day tour

Difficulty

Moderate

Booking in advance

Cut off: 2 weeks

Live tour guide

English

Duration

13 days

Categories

Adventure, Day trips and excursions, Arts / culture, Cultural and theme tours, Hiking, Tailor made, Family friendly, Safari / wildlife , Adult Only

Know before you go

Minimum age of participants is: 18

Accommodation & Meals

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost

Day

Accommodation

Meals

Marriot Entebbe

Day 1: Lunch & Dinner Included

Luxury Hotel Near Entebbe Airport

Clouds Gorilla Lodge

All Meals Included

Ultra Luxury Lodge outside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Clouds Gorilla Lodge

All Meals Included

Ultra Luxury Lodge Outside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Marriot Entebbe

All Meals included

Luxury Hotel Near Entebbe Airport

Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone

All Meals included

Luxury Hotel in Gaborone

Wilderness Chitabe Lediba

All Meals included

Luxury Lodge in Olkavago Delta

Wilderness Chitabe Lediba

All Meals included

Luxury Lodge in Olkavago Delta

Little Vumbura

All Meals included

Luxury Lodge in Olkavago Delta

Little Vumbura

All Meals included

Luxury Lodge in Olkavago Delta

Duma Tamu

All Meals included

Luxury Lodge in Olkavago Delta

Duma Tamu

All Meals included

Luxury Lodge in Olkavago Delta

Duma Tamu

All Meals included

Luxury Lodge in Olkavago Delta

Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone

All Meals included

Luxury Hotel in Gaborone

What's included?

Parking fees
All domestic flights and transfers between airports, lodges, and camps
Luxury accommodation with full board at all lodges and tented camps
Professional safari and gorilla trekking guides
Park and gorilla permits, and all scheduled game drives and excursions (mokoro, walking safaris, scenic flights)
Orientation, safety briefings, and expert wildlife interpretation
Selected beverages, laundry service, and concierge support

Exclusions

Tip or gratuity
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
Personal expenses (souvenirs, optional activities, alcohol unless specified)
Any additional or unscheduled excursions

Day 1 : Arrival in Entebbe

Upon arrival in Kigali, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional guide for a personalized meet and greet at the airport. After a brief introduction and tour briefing, you will be transferred to Kigali Serena Hotel for check-in and an overnight stay.

Take the evening to relax and unwind, enjoying the comfort of your hotel as you prepare for the adventure ahead.

Day 2 : Fly-In to Bwindi and Batwa Cultural Experience

Rise early for your flight to Kisoro Airport, then transfer to Bwindi. After checking in at Clouds Lodge, embark on an immersive Batwa cultural experience in the afternoon. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3 : Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

After an early breakfast, depart for the gorilla trekking starting point and spend the morning tracking these majestic creatures. Following the trek, return to Clouds Lodge for a hearty meal and some downtime to relax and reflect on the unforgettable experience.

Day 4 : Fly to Entebbe and Shoebill Bird Experience

After breakfast, transfer to Kisoro Airport for your flight to Entebbe. Upon arrival, check in at Serena Hotel and Spa. In the afternoon, enjoy a unique Shoebill bird-watching experience, then return to the hotel to relax and unwind for the evening.

Day 5 : Fly from Kigali to Gaborone – Seamless Arrival into Southern Africa

After breakfast in Kigali, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Botswana. As you journey south, the landscape gradually shifts, setting the stage for a new chapter of your African adventure.

Upon arrival in Gaborone, you will be warmly received by our professional guide who will assist with your luggage and escort you to your waiting vehicle. Enjoy a smooth transfer through the city to Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone, your comfortable base for the night.

Check in and take time to relax after your journey—whether unwinding by the pool, enjoying a quiet dinner, or simply preparing for the safari experiences ahead. This stop offers a convenient and restful transition before venturing deeper into Botswana’s iconic wilderness.

Day 6 : Fly to the Okavango Delta – Into the Heart of the Wild

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your scheduled flight to Maun Airport, the gateway to Botswana’s iconic wilderness. Upon arrival, your journey continues with a scenic light aircraft transfer, offering breathtaking aerial views of the winding channels and lush floodplains of the Okavango Delta.

As you descend into this untouched paradise, the true sense of remoteness and exclusivity begins to unfold.

You will land at a bush airstrip where you are warmly welcomed by your safari guide and transferred to Chitabe Lediba Camp, an intimate and beautifully set tented camp nestled within a private concession.

Check in and settle into your luxury tent, designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness while offering comfort and privacy. After some time to relax, prepare for your first safari experience—where encounters with elephants, big cats, and diverse wildlife await in one of Africa’s most pristine ecosystems.

Day 7 : Unforgettable Game Drives in the Okavango Delta

Set out on expertly guided game drives through the diverse landscapes of the Okavango Delta, where every outing reveals a new story of the wild. From open floodplains to shaded woodlands, this ever-changing ecosystem is home to an incredible concentration of wildlife.

Track herds of elephants as they move gracefully through the bush, watch prides of lions in their natural domain, and keep an eye out for elusive leopards resting in the trees. Each drive is led by experienced guides who bring the wilderness to life with deep knowledge and insight.

Morning and afternoon safaris offer different perspectives—early light brings predators on the move, while golden sunsets create the perfect backdrop for unforgettable sightings.

Return to camp after each drive with a deeper connection to one of Africa’s most extraordinary ecosystems.

Day 8 : From Sky to Water – Vumbura’s Wild Beauty

After breakfast, you will board a light aircraft for a scenic flight over the winding channels of the Okavango Delta to the remote Vumbura region. From above, take in the mosaic of lagoons, islands, and floodplains that make this ecosystem one of the most extraordinary in the world.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to Wilderness Little Vumbura, an intimate luxury camp set on a private island, offering a front-row seat to the Delta’s untouched wilderness.

Set out on a guided game drive through Vumbura’s diverse habitats, known for its high concentration of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and elusive predators. With expert guides leading the way, each drive offers a deeper connection to the rhythms of the wild.

Return to camp as the sun sets, where the sounds of the wilderness and the comfort of your surroundings create an unforgettable safari experience.

Day 9 : Scenic Flight & Afternoon Game Drive in Vumbura

After breakfast, take to the skies on a breathtaking light aircraft flight over the Okavango Delta, where a network of shimmering waterways, islands, and floodplains unfolds beneath you. This aerial journey offers a rare perspective of the Delta’s scale and beauty, often revealing wildlife moving below.

Upon landing in the exclusive Vumbura concession, you then return to the lodge, your intimate luxury camp set within a pristine wilderness.

In the afternoon, set out on a guided game drive through this wildlife-rich region, renowned for its diversity and predator activity. Track elephants across open plains, encounter lions in their natural habitat, and keep watch for elusive species that thrive in this untouched ecosystem.

Return to camp as the golden light fades, marking the end of a day defined by both aerial wonder and close-up encounters with the wild.

Day 10 : Mokoro Safari – The Quiet Side of the Delta

After breakfast, step into a traditional mokoro and glide silently through the crystal-clear channels of the Okavango Delta. Guided by a skilled local poler, this peaceful journey takes you deep into the Delta’s hidden waterways, where the pace slows and every detail comes alive.

Drift past water lilies and tall reeds as birdlife flutters overhead and small aquatic species move beneath the surface. With no engine noise, the experience is intimate and immersive—offering a rare connection to the Delta’s untouched beauty.

This tranquil excursion reveals a different rhythm of the wilderness, where silence becomes the highlight and nature unfolds at its own pace.

Day 11 : Fly to Linyanti – Into Elephant Country

After breakfast, board a light aircraft for a scenic flight across northern Botswana, transitioning from the waterways of the Okavango Delta to the remote wilderness of the Linyanti Reserve. From above, watch the landscape evolve into dense woodlands, open floodplains, and winding river systems.

Upon landing, you will be welcomed and transferred to Wilderness DumaTau, a luxurious camp set along the Linyanti River, an area renowned for its large elephant herds and exceptional predator sightings.

After settling into your suite and taking in the sweeping river views, head out in the afternoon for your first game drive in this wildlife-rich region. With expert guides leading the way, expect close encounters with elephants, big cats, and an array of other species that thrive in this pristine habitat.

Return to camp as the sun sets over the river, marking the beginning of your Linyanti safari experience.

Day 12 : Full-Day Game Drive in the Linyanti Wilderness

After breakfast, set out on an extended game drive through the pristine landscapes of the Linyanti Reserve, a region renowned for its exclusivity and remarkable concentrations of wildlife.

Traverse a mix of riverine forests, open plains, and seasonal floodplains as your expert guide tracks the movements of elephants, often seen in large herds along the Linyanti River. This area is also known for its strong predator presence—offering opportunities to encounter lions, leopards, and wild dogs in their natural habitat.

With fewer vehicles and vast private concessions, the experience feels intimate and unhurried, allowing for deeper, more meaningful wildlife encounters.

Pause during the drive to take in the stillness of the bush, before continuing your exploration of one of Botswana’s most rewarding safari regions.

Day 13 : Fly to Botswana – Journey’s End in Gaborone

After your final morning in the wilderness, board a light aircraft for your scenic flight back to Maun. From above, take one last look at the Delta’s shimmering waterways or the Linyanti’s sweeping plains—a final perspective on Africa’s extraordinary landscapes.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone, your comfortable city base. Here, unwind, reflect on your safari adventures, and savor a final evening in Botswana with the memories of elephants, lions, and pristine wilderness still vivid.

Your journey concludes with ease and comfort, leaving you with a deep connection to the wild and a lasting sense of African adventure.

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