CULTURAL EXPERIENCE SAFARI – TSODILO HILLS & SHAKAWE EXPLORATION
Overview
Journey into the spiritual heart of Botswana on this 5 day cultural and wilderness adventure. Explore the sacred Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the oldest rock art in the world, and experience the tranquillity of Shakawe along the Okavango Panhandle.
This safari blends culture, history, and nature, guided by local Bushmen and expert hosts who share ancient traditions, sacred stories, and the magic of the Kalahari. Accommodation includes authentic Bushman camps and riverside lodges or campsites, complemented by freshly prepared meals and personalized service.
Highlights
- Discover the mystical Tsodilo Hills, home to over 4,500 ancient San rock paintings.
- Experience Bushman culture through storytelling, trance dance demonstrations, and guided walks.
- Explore the Okavango Panhandle by river cruise, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and incredible birdlife.
- Witness African sunsets from scenic sandbanks with private sundowners.
- Support local communities by visiting the Shakawe Craft Centre, famous for traditional basket weaving.
Tour Overview
Availability
All Year
Duration
5Days/4Nights
Pickup Location
Airport Available
Included
- Accommodation (Bushman cultural camp & Shakawe lodges/campsites)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Assorted drinks & bottled water
- Transfers in a 4x4 safari vehicle
- Scheduled game drives & excursions (as mentioned in the itinerary)
- Professional guide, chef, and camp assistant
- Park entry fees
- Camping fees
Excluded
- International & regional flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Personal purchases
- Gratuities for staff
- Unexpected fuel/government increases
- Items not specified in the itinerary
Itinerary
-
Day 1: Maun to Tsodilo Hills - Arrival & Cultural Welcome
Depart Maun early and journey to the sacred Tsodilo Hills, where your Bushman hosts await. After settling in at camp, enjoy a late lunch/afternoon tea before exploring nearby wilderness trails. As the sun dips and the Male Hill glows deep purple against the Kalahari horizon, gather around the fire for a traditional dinner cooked over open coals. Afterward, your hosts share stories of their ancestors and demonstrate the sacred trance dance rituals that have been passed down for generations. Fall asleep in your authentic Bushman pod, surrounded by the sounds of the wild. (Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Bushman Cultural Camp - Tsodilo)
-
Day 2: Tsodilo Rock Art Discovery
Wake up to the stillness of the Kalahari and enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off on the Rock Painting Trails with expert guides. Explore thousands of ancient San rock art panels, caves, and sacred sites dating back over 20,000 years. Your hosts bring these images to life, linking them to the trance dances and traditions you witnessed the night before. Return for a bush lunch under the trees and spend the afternoon at leisure, then gather for another firelit evening of storytelling, song, and traditional dining. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Bushman Cultural Camp - Tsodilo)
-
Day 3: Tsodilo to Shakawe - Okavango Panhandle & River Cruise
After breakfast, transfer to Shakawe and check in at Drotsky’s Cabins, Askiesbos, or White Sands Lodge and Camping, for camping or lodge accommodation. After lunch and a short siesta, embark on an Okavango river cruise, gliding through channels alive with hippos, crocodiles, and prolific birdlife. At sunset, enjoy a private sundowner on a sandbank before returning for a deckside dinner by the fire. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Riverside Camp - Shakawe)
-
Day 4: Shakawe Cultural Encounters
Begin your day with breakfast, before visiting the Shakawe Craft Centre, where local women demonstrate the art of basket weaving. Learn about traditional skills, support community artisans, and take home authentic souvenirs. Spend the afternoon relaxing along the river or opt for an additional river cruise. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Riverside Camp - Shakawe)
-
Day 5: Shakawe to Maun & Safari Ends
After breakfast, pack up and enjoy a scenic drive back to Maun, where your cultural safari concludes. (Meals: Breakfast)