Botswana: The Last Great Safari Wilderness

13-Day Trip
Guided trip

The Story

Botswana is not one safari landscape. It is floodplain, river, private wilderness, desert and salt pan, each revealing wildlife in a completely different way. One moment you are moving through Khwai’s lagoons and woodland, watching elephants, buffalo, big cats and wild dogs shape the rhythm of the day. The next, you are deeper in the Okavango, where water, reeds, islands and open plains decide what the bush reveals.

Join multi award-winning wildlife photographer Martin Gregus on a 12-night journey through three of Natural Selection’s most distinctive Botswana camps: Sable Alley, Duke’s East and Jack’s Camp. This expedition moves from Khwai Private Reserve into the northern Okavango Delta, then finishes among the surreal desert horizons of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.

At Sable Alley, the focus is classic Botswana wildlife. Game drives search for lion, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog, buffalo, elephant, antelope and exceptional birdlife. Depending on water levels, mokoro trips, boat safaris and guided walks reveal the reserve from a slower, lower perspective.

From there, the journey moves to Duke’s East, an intimate under-canvas camp in the northern Okavango Delta. Days are shaped by water levels and wildlife movement, with game drives, mokoro, boating, night drives and time in the field with expert local guides.

The final chapter is Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi, a landscape that feels almost lunar. This is the remnant of an ancient super-lake, now a place of salt pans, desert wildlife, habituated meerkats, San bushman walks and, seasonally, one of Africa’s great zebra and wildebeest migrations. It is open, strange, cinematic and unlike any other safari setting.

With Martin beside you, this becomes more than a luxury Botswana safari. It is a chance to learn how to read behaviour, wait for light, understand movement and create images across three wildly different ecosystems.

Twelve nights. Three Natural Selection camps. Khwai, Okavango and Makgadikgadi. Big cats, wild dogs, desert wildlife and Delta waterways. Limited to just 8 guests. Botswana, seen with the patience it deserves.

The Highlights

• 12-night safari through Khwai, northern Okavango and Makgadikgadi.
• Natural Selection camps: Sable Alley, Duke’s East and Jack’s Camp
• Game drives, night drives, mokoro and boat safaris
• Lions, leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs, elephants and exceptional birdlife
• Desert wildlife, habituated meerkats and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
• Guided by wildlife photographer Martin Gregus

More Than a Trip

Botswana rewards travellers who know how to wait. You don’t come here for a single version of safari. You come for salt pans, floodplains, elephants in the waterways, big cats and wild dogs moving through the grass and the quiet patience it takes for the wild to reveal itself.

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13 Days, 12 Nights

Botswana: The Last Great Safari Wilderness

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“I have had the almost unparalleled privilege to experience iconic wildlife in a way few people have ever had."

- Martin Gregus

Meet Your Guide

Why Travel With Martin?

Martin Gregus grew up in Bratislava, Slovakia, in a household full of artists. He learned photography from his father and was exploring local wildlife with a camera before most kids had decided what they wanted to do with their lives. The hundreds of National Geographic magazines stacked around his home did the rest.

Nineteen years later, his work has taken him across all seven continents and some of the most remote ecosystems on the planet. He has earned two wins and two nominations at Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and his 2022 polar bear project, 33 Days Among the Bears, became an international story after National Geographic coverage. His cinematography has since contributed to productions for Disney, BBC, and Netflix.

Now based in Canada, Martin is recognised internationally for his work in polar regions and remote wilderness, and for his ability to create extraordinary images in some of the most extreme environments on earth.

What Sets Martin Apart
  • Nearly two decades of expedition work across the planet's most extreme environments: Arctic, Antarctic, Patagonia, and the Himalayas
  • A network of expert local guides and trackers in each destination, built over years of repeat fieldwork, giving guests access that cannot be replicated
  • Technical mastery developed in the harshest conditions on earth: polar ice, high altitude, dense wilderness, and open ocean
  • A teaching approach grounded in patience and preparation, with a belief that the best wildlife images are earned, not stumbled upon

20+

Years Experiences

200+

Global Expeditions

730k+

Followers

What Fuels Martin

"When you're standing on polar ice at sunrise, you don't need convincing that this planet is worth protecting."

It started in a living room in Slovakia, surrounded by his father's photographs and stacks of National Geographic. That childhood wonder never faded. It grew into a drive to reach the most remote corners of the planet and bring back images that make people care. For Martin, every expedition carries a purpose: show people what's out there, so they want to protect it.

Day By Day

Your Itinerary

Day

1

Into Khwai

Arrive in Maun and connect onward to Sable Alley in Khwai Private Reserve. Settle into camp, meet Martin and the group, then head out into lagoon, woodland and floodplain country before gathering for a welcome dinner and trip briefing.

Day

2-4

Wildlife-Rich Khwai

Spend three full days exploring Khwai, one of Botswana’s most rewarding private reserves. Morning, afternoon and evening drives search for elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog, antelope and exceptional birdlife. When water levels allow, mokoro and boat trips bring a quieter view of the Delta. Between activities, Martin works with the group on field technique, composition, light and reading wildlife behaviour.

Day

5

Deeper Into the Okavango

After a final morning in Khwai, travel onward to Duke’s East in the northern Okavango Delta. This is intimate under-canvas safari country, with open floodplains, waterways, big game and remarkable birdlife. Settle in, then head out for your first afternoon activity with your local guide.

Day

6-8

The Wild Northern Delta

Spend three full days exploring from Duke’s East by vehicle, mokoro and boat, depending on water levels and conditions. Search for big cats, wild dogs, elephant, buffalo, antelope and the smaller details that make the Delta come alive. Evenings are for night drives, fireside stories and reviewing the images and encounters gathered through the journey.

Day

9

From Delta Waterways to Desert Horizons

Leave the Okavango behind and travel onward to Jack’s Camp, set in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The landscape shifts dramatically from green waterways to open desert and vast salt pan horizons. Settle into camp, then head out as the Kalahari light begins to soften.

Day

10-12

Desert Light at Jack’s Camp

Spend three full days exploring one of Botswana’s most unusual landscapes. Track desert wildlife, spend time with habituated meerkats, learn from San bushmen and head into the pans as the scale of the Kalahari begins to sink in. Depending on season and conditions, activities may include quad biking, game drives, walking, fat biking, horse riding or time under the stars.

Day

13

Final Morning and Farewell

One last morning in the Makgadikgadi. Head out early while the light is soft, then return to camp for breakfast before your onward flight to Maun. You leave with full memory cards, dust on your boots and a journey through three very different sides of Botswana.

Guest Review

Jack's Camp

"We had the best wildlife encounters! The meerkats did not disappoint and were SO charming - but we also saw loads of other animals including elephants, lions, zebra and so much more. The camp is so beautiful and is like stepping into another time. The tents are so grand, they make you feel like you are in a palace!"

Trip Advisor

Jack's Camp
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FAQ

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What's included

• 12 nights Natural Selection camp accommodation
• 4 nights at Sable Alley
• 4 nights at Duke’s East
• 4 nights at Jack’s Camp
• Daily guided safari activities at each camp
• Game drives, night drives, guided walks, mokoro and boat safaris, depending on camp, season and conditions
• Meerkat encounters and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans activities at Jack’s Camp
• Predator-focused safari experiences in Khwai Private Reserve and the northern Okavango Delta
• All meals, snacks, tea, coffee, filtered water and soft drinks at Natural Selection camps
• House wines, local beer and selected spirits where included by the camps
• Laundry and WiFi where available
• Internal light aircraft flights and camp transfers as per the confirmed itinerary
• Park, concession and conservation fees as per the confirmed itinerary
• Photography guidance with Martin Gregus
• Dedicated Airguides expedition leader

Final itineraries are determined by guides based on daily weather, conditions and other factors.

What's not included

• International flights to and from Botswana
• Travel insurance
• Botswana visa or passport fees, if required
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Premium drinks, cellar wines, champagne and imported spirits unless specified
• Spa treatments and optional premium activities
• Additional accommodation before or after the trip unless arranged separately
• Any extra transfers, meals, drinks or services not listed in the inclusions

Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed, but this itinerary is built around expert local knowledge, varied habitats and time across three distinct Botswana ecosystems.

Are safari activities and conservation fees included?

Yes. Daily guided safari activities, internal camp transfers and the relevant park, concession and conservation fees are included as per the confirmed itinerary. Activities vary by camp, season and conditions, but may include game drives, night drives, mokoro, boating, guided walks and Makgadikgadi experiences.

What level of fitness is required?

Moderate. Guests should be comfortable getting in and out of safari vehicles, travelling by light aircraft, walking on uneven ground and spending full days in warm outdoor conditions. Activities are guided and adapted to the group, with optional walks depending on camp, season and conditions.

Can I do this trip if I’m not a photographer?

Yes. The expedition focuses on wildlife and landscape - the photography is layered on top, not the foundation. Martin's masterclasses and editing sessions are there for anyone who wants them, but the trip is also ideal for wildlife lovers and curious travellers who want to experience Botswana with Martin Gregus and expert local guides.

Do I need a visa?

Visa requirements depend on your nationality and passport. Many travellers can enter Botswana visa-free for short stays, but guests should check current entry requirements before travel. The Airguides team can help point you in the right direction.

Is there a single supplement for solo travellers?

Yes. Solo travellers can request a private room for an additional fee. We may also be able to pair solo travellers in shared rooms on a first-come-first-served basis. Contact us for details and availability.

Can I speak to someone about this trip or get help with flights?

Yes. Our team can help with flight options and travel routing. Call, text or WhatsApp us at +61 402 552 918. You'll speak directly with an Airguides team member who knows this trip inside out. We're here for any questions, big or small, from planning your adventure to arriving back home.

Reviews

What They Say About Us?

Airguides were exceptional hosts for our Raja Ampat liveaboard dive trip. Seamless, professional and incredibly well organised from start to finish. A special mention to Brooke and Prashanti Pyke for their warmth, expertise and attention to detail. They truly made the experience unforgettable.

Highly recommend Airguides.

Adam McKnight, Raja 2025

A truly unique experience that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

This experience is not for the faint of heart or someone who is looking for Instagram moments for clout. You are being given a unique opportunity to go to a place that will only be accessible to a handful of mere mortals.

To be in the presence of a unique visionary like Martin Gregus is truly a once in a lifetime.

Anne Prather, Fireweeds 2025

The Airguides trip to Tonga to swim with humpback whales was the experience of a lifetime. I have traveled all over the world, and nothing compares to being in the wild, rustic, deep blue waters of the South Pacific while interacting with whales and their calves. A wonderful and caring team made our adventures stress free.

Mb Myers, Tonga 2024