This fourteen night safari starts in the Chobe area before taking a circular route around the Okavango Delta. The safari visits the Moremi Game Reserve and Victoria Falls, and a particular highlight is the night spend at the Tsodilo Hills in western Botswana. Recently declared a World Heritage Site, these ancient hills are home to thousands of traditional Bushmen rock paintings.
This is a camping safari using spacious bow tents (big enough to stand in) with mattresses. Specially adapted 4WD safari vehicles are used and groups are limited to twelve people. Led by a professional guide and a camp assistant, guests are responsible for putting up and taking down their tents. All transfers, activities, park fees and most meals are included.
Itinerary
Day 1. Chobe Area: The safari officially begins in Kasane in Northern Botswana at . Transfers can be arranged from Victoria Falls or Livingstone. After a full safari briefing the first highlight will be a sunset cruise on the ChobeRiver. We overnight in the Chobe area, camping at a site with permanent ablutions.
Day 2. MamiliNational Park: We cross the Namibian border, stop for supplies in Katima Mulilo and then head to MamiliNational Park, enjoying a scenic drive en-route to our campsite. Time permitting we will have a guided walk in Mamili. Camping is in a designated campsite with bush ablutions.
Day 3. Susuwe/West Caprivi National Park: We depart early on a game drive through Mamili and then cross the KwandoRiver to enter SusuweNational Park, where we will set up camp and then explore the area on game drives. Camping is at a designated site with permanent ablutions.
Day 4. Popa Falls/Okavango: Rising with the sun we head west toward the OkavangoRiver, camping near the PopaFalls area on the banks of the Okavango. In the afternoon we visit the PopaFalls rapids at the tip of the Okavango Pan handle. The campsite has permanent ablutions.
Day 5. Tsodilo Hills: After a very early start we visit the jewel that is MahangoNational Park and then cross the border to re-enter Botswana. After stopping for supplies, we continue to the World Heritage Site of Tsodilo Hills and set up camp. Here we visit the museum and can explore the walking trails around the ancient hills, home to thousands of traditional Bushmen paintings dating back to 800 AD. Camping is at a designated site with bush ablutions.
Days 6 & 7. Okavango Delta: We drive to the edge of the Okavango, transfer to a motorboat and cruise through the papyrus lined channels of the Delta to meet up with our traditional mokoros and local guides. We spend the next two nights and three days camping in the delta, exploring the area in mekoros and taking guided walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango. We camp wild in the Okavango.
Day 8: Maun: Leaving behind the beauty of the Okavango, we retrace our route to Maun. For a different perspective of this unique water system, guests can elect to fly back to Maun by light aircraft before meeting up again with the group (not included). Tonight is spent at a private camp outside Maun with permanent ablution facilities.
Days 9 - 11: Moremi Game Reserve: The big game aspect of the safari commences today as we enter Moremi Game Reserve. The park covers swamp areas as well as dry land and is one of the most exciting wilderness areas in Botswana. The next three nights are spent searching for the wide variety of animals and birds in the reserve. Game drives as the sun rises, and in then in the late afternoon as the sun sets, are the norm. We usually move campsites within the Moremi so we can explore the different areas of the reserve. Camping is in private designated campsites where we erect bush ablutions.
Days 12-13: ChobeNational Park:ChobeNational Park, with its diverse landscapes and prolific game, is our next destination. Continuing our search for wildlife, we traverse the drier region of Savuti, renowned for its elephants, before heading northwards to the ChobeRiver, where our game drives will meander along the banks of the river. Camping is in private designated areas with bush ablutions.
Days 14 - 15: Zambezi Waterfront Lodge: Crossing the ZambeziRiver by ferry, we drive to the town of Livingstone on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, spending the night at the comfortable Zambezi Waterfront Lodge (or similar). In the afternoon there is plenty of time for souvenir shopping and to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls. Dinner is at your own expense at the lodge. The safari officially ends after breakfast on Day 15, however further accommodation, activities and transfers to nearby airports are easily arranged at additional cost. There are many exciting activities offered at the falls, such as white water rafting down the Zambezi gorge, canoeing on the upper Zambezi, elephant rides and helicopter flights over the falls.
All accommodation (spacious bow tents with mattresses), chalets at the lodge in Livingstone, all transfers and activities as per the itinerary, most meals, teas & coffees, services of a professional guide and camp assistant, all Namibia and Botswana park entry fees and levies for activities included on itinerary, transport in specialised safari vehicles.
Not included:
International flights from London Heathrow to Livingstone via Johannesburg (Price dependant on date of travel). Restaurant meals (at Victoria Falls), visas, airport transfers, tips, curios, optional excursions (scenic flight over the delta and activities in Victoria Falls), beverages (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water), holiday insurance (to cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical, baggage, emergency evacuation) sleeping bag, pillow (we suggest you bring a small pillow)
Vehicles, Equipment and Guides:
VEHICLES: The safari uses custom-built game viewing vehicles, specially designed for this type of safari. Each vehicle takes a maximum of twelve passengers, which ensures excellent game viewing and mobility (Please note that on small group safaris we may use alternative vehicles). Each vehicle has a 12volt DC cigarette lighter fitting to recharge batteries for video cameras; you will need to bring your own charger. A custom built safari trailer, containing a mobile kitchen and space for all camping equipment and luggage, accompanies each safari.
GUIDES: All our tour leaders are qualified as professional Botswana safari guides. Each guide has many years of experience and an in-depth understanding of the flora and fauna of the area. They are dedicated to their profession and are keen to share their passion for wildlife and nature with you.
EQUIPMENT: On our semi-participation safaris, we provide user-friendly two-man safari dome tents, comfortable mattresses and camp chairs. Sleeping bags are available for hire.
TYPICAL DAY ON SAFARI: On a typical day we get up at first light. After a warm brew (tea or coffee) and light morning snack (rusks or fruit), we head out on a morning activity (game drives in the national parks and mekoro excursions in the Okavango). We return around 11h00 (flexible with each day). During the middle of the day we stay in camp, enjoying a refreshing brunch/lunch and bush shower. This is a time to relax, read a book, write postcards or have a siesta. In the afternoon we head out for a game activity, returning by sunset for our evening meal around the campfire. On travel days, the above routine naturally changes to fit in driving from camp to camp. When travel distances are particularly long we prepare a picnic lunch to eat en-route.
For more informationEmail us or telephone 44 (0) 207 622 5114
Imagine Africa Ltd 16 Bromells Road London SW4 0BG ?: find us on a map.
