GREAT BOTSWANA JOURNEY

Introduction

At the turn of the century, explorers and adventurers made their way leisurely across the dusty paths of Africa, allowing the great continent to seep into their souls. This guided mobile safari takes time to experience and explore Botswana's contrasts and extremes: from the waterless and strange landscape of the Kalahari Desert to the lushly vegetated wetlands of the Okavango Delta. To maximise guests' travel time, a variety of transport modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in private charters, overland transfers and exclusive combination mokoro-boat-land transfers provide both a birds-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Botswana.

Itinerary

Days 1 & 2: Ketumetse Discoverer Camp, North Eastern Okavango Delta
After arrival in Maun, fly by light aircraft to our Ketumetse Discoverer Camp, situated in a private concession bordering Moremi Game Reserve.

This area gives us the opportunity to experience excellent wildlife sightings in a seasonally flooded area famed for its wildlife productivity and animal diversity. Birding (specifically raptors) is spectacular in the dry season from June to end November, a number of species often coming down to drink during the heat of the day.

Our Discoverer campsite, with unique walk-in hexagonal meru tents has been erected prior to our arrival in the wildlife-rich seasonal plains under shade trees, providing wide views of the area.

Activities concentrate on the seasonally wet and dry open plains as well as the surrounding forest where seasonal congregations of wildlife make the perfect setting for game drives, night drives and bush walks.

Days 3 & 4: Xigera Camp, Okavango Delta
We fly by light aircraft to the abundant waters of the permanently flooded region of the Okavango Delta, where sunlight and rich soil combine to produce a paradise bursting with life and diversity.

Xigera Camp is a luxury tented camp situated in the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Xigera has something for everyone, in an area where there are no other camps and where permanent water allows one to take part in a variety of activities. Enjoy a true Delta experience while you sit back in a mokoro (dugout canoe) and silently glide through the tranquil Okavango waterways or watch the sunset and birds gliding home to roost from a motorboat on the Xigera Lagoon. When water levels permit (usually September to May), game drives allow the opportunity to observe wildlife and the unique Delta scenery from the comfort of a Land Rover. For the more adventurous we can track animals on foot.

Nestled in a magnificent riverine forest, Xigera consists of 10 luxuriously furnished tented rooms with en-suite facilities and outdoor shower. Each room is raised off the ground on a wooden deck offering superb views of the seasonal floodplain and waterhole. Meals and drinks are enjoyed under the thatch of the raised lounge, pub and dining area overlooking a permanently flowing channel. A traditional boma offers alternative dining under the African stars. Wooden walkways wind through the forest connecting the rooms to the main area. There is a plunge pool for cooling off and relaxation. The wooden footbridge, a feature unique to Xigera, connects Xigera to the next island and is often used by lion and leopard moving between the islands, providing guests with great viewing opportunities. Birding in the area is excellent, with Pel’s Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, African Skimmers and a host of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers to be found. The area has the highest density of the rare sitatunga antelope found anywhere in the Okavango Delta.

Days 5 & 6: Linyanti Discoverer Camp, Linyanti Concession
After a light breakfast, we fly to our private Discoverer campsite in the private Linyanti Concession, elegantly set up under large shade trees overlooking panoramic vistas of the Linyanti Swamps.

The landscape varies from the Okavango floodplains to savannah habitat with sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. Activities include game drives in the private northern sector of the Concession, exploring a range of habitats, from riverbanks to scrub and forest, which reveal a myriad of animals en route to slake their thirst from the river. The seldom-seen sitatunga can also be spotted in the waterways, rare plains game such as roan and sable antelope, and of course their predators, the lion and leopard – with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus.

There’s also a game drive to a private area for lunch, then a siesta in hammocks and the possibility of an afternoon canoe trip – this activity not always possible due to hippo pods moving in and out of the areas we canoe. We canoe on the Linyanti River where it is possible for an amazing close-up view of the elephant herds.

Day 7: Chobe boat cruise, Chobe National Park, Sussi & Chuma, Zambia
After a short morning drive and breakfast, we depart by light aircraft to the northern Chobe region of Chobe National Park. This area is famous for its vast herds of elephants and other unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river in the hottest hours of the day. Enjoy a lunch on the boat cruise in a catamaran-style shaded boat.

Leave Botswana and enter Zambia by way of the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet, to stay at the River Club, in Livingstone.

The River Club is situated on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, 18 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls. The camp has a distinct Edwardian flavour and guests here have the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River in a peaceful and tranquil setting away from the crowds. Ten luxurious, thatched chalets overlook the Zambezi River, and have en-suite facilities including a bath, shower, toilet and basin. All the rooms have fans. The rooms are all completely open in the front giving guests the best possible views of the Zambezi. The main dining room and lounge also has an interesting library. Daily trips to the Victoria Falls are a highlight. Boating to the Zambezi River’s islands provides relaxed afternoon activities, and fishing and sundowner trips are offered. A rich bird life is found in the area. Hippos are regularly sighted (and heard) along the river’s edge.

Day 8: Victoria Falls, Transfer to Livingstone Airport
Enjoy a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 metres wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge. Transfer to Livingstone Airport after the guided tour of the Victoria Falls and bid farewell to the adventure.

Fully Serviced Camping

The newly designed, spacious walk-in hexagonal meru-style tents creates a sense of connectedness to the Earth and nature, enhancing the view and the feeling of the wild and the untamed. The style of accommodation takes you back to the long-gone era of Africa's exploration - on the ultimate Safari. Flowing linen of heavy, pure cottons, brass bucket showers and basins, separate flushing toilets and shower areas all add to the atmosphere, while luxury comforts and amenities are available, including a bush laundry service.

Guides

The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional guides, who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari experience.

Exclusive experience

To ensure total privacy and exclusivity, most areas in which we travel are private concessions in pristine, prime game locations. All camps are private and for the use of guests only.

Departure Dates 2005-2006

July to October

NOTE: This safari is also available on flexible dates and intinerary's for tailor-made trips for small groups. Please contact us for more information.

Notes and Inclusions and Exclusions

- We gladly arrange flexible tailor-made departures, subject to availability of space.

- Each departure is guaranteed from a minimum of 2 confirmed guests, with a maximum of 8 guests per safari.

- Included is accommodation on a sharing basis, all meals and drinks (except premium brands), national park fees, laundry (except Sussi Lodge), activities and all internal charters as specified in the detailed itinerary.

- Excluded are flights (other than specified in the safari itinerary), visas, compulsory insurance, all relevant entry and departure government taxes, all personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls etc.), gratuities, optional extra activities, pre and post safari tours and meals or accommodation before or after the safari.

- Age Limits - Children from the age of 12 are welcome on all scheduled departures. For groups with children under 12, we will create a private tailor-made safari, on request. For guests over the age of 75, a certified medical certificate of full health must be provided.

- We reserve the right, due to situations beyond our control, to substitute a lodge or location with another of comparable quality. This will be advised timeously.

Please contact us for current rates: