MIGRATION ROUTE
9
nights/10
days
US$4310 per person sharing ($495
single supplement)
|
Delta exploration ©
Michael Poliza / Lechwe Island Camp dining © Dana Allen |
Combination serviced camping in private concession areas
and a small comfortable lodge in Zambia.
Tour
direction: Livingston, Zambia to Maun, Botswana.
The style and
essence of this safari takes you back to the bygone days of Africa’s
exploration. The route takes the time to explore the contrasts, extremes and
continually moving wildlife of northern Botswana; from the waterless Savute
Marsh to the broad vistas of the Linyanti with its wooded deciduous forests, the
crystal-clear waterways and fertile green islands of the Okavango Delta to the
roaring cascades of Victoria Falls. The 3mx3m dome tents, complete with
mini-verandas, accentuates the feel of the wild and untamed. Pure cotton linen
bedrolls (with duvets) on stretchers, bedside table with silver lantern and mini
luggage benches add to the atmosphere. Shared separate toilet and shower
‘bathrooms’ with old-style tin bucket showers and basins create simple serviced
comfort. Adventurer camping aims to bring the guest closer to nature, by means
of lively campfires, hurricane lanterns, diverse activities and a warm
atmosphere. To ensure as much privacy and exclusivity as possible, most areas
travelled are private concessions in prime
locations. All campsites are private while Natural Mystic Lodge is shared with
other guests.
Adaptable
with the changing seasons so as to provide the
best possibilities of wildlife viewing on an annual basis. Therefore, between 1
December and 31 May, to maximise the possibility of viewing the zebra migration
and other game that moves between Linyanti and Savute at this time, the safari
switches a night from Linyanti Trails Camp to Savute in the Chobe National Park.
The zebra are usually back in the Linyanti region by the end of May, which
heralds the end of the migration. If rains are poor, this migration usually does
not occur. To maximise time, a variety of transport modes that bring out the
best of each area are used. Flying in private charters and overland transfers
provide both a bird’s-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting
landscapes of Botswana. The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional
guides, who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari
experience.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Chundukwa River Lodge, Zambia
On arrival in
Livingstone you will be met by a Wilderness Safaris representative and
transferred directly for a guided tour of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven
Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 meters wide, it is the largest curtain of
water in the world and drops more than 100 meters into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
This evening, you will stay at Chundukwa River Lodge. Situated on the grassy
banks of the Zambezi River just 25km upstream from the mighty falls, the
elevated open-fronted chalets boast stunning views of the Zambezi River, Chundu
Island opposite and the Zambezi National park across the river. It is located in
a game-rich area and sightings of hippo and elephant, among other animals are
common. There is also an abundance of plant and birdlife to be found surrounding
the lodge and although the sounds of the bush might briefly keep you awake, this
is short-lived as their chatter soon softens to a uniquely African lullaby! With
a maximum of 10 guests in camp, you are ensured of personalized service to enjoy
your time in this beautiful corner of Zambia.
Days 2, 3 and 4: Chobe River boat cruise and Linyanti Trails Camp, Linyanti/Chobe
After a full breakfast, leave Zambia and enter
the Chobe National Park in Botswana by way of the Kazungula border, a point
where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe meet. The
Chobe National Park is famous for its vast herds of elephants and unique species
such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river during the
hottest hours of the day. Enjoy a light lunch served during the boat cruise on
the catamaran-style shaded boat, after which you depart by aircraft in the late
afternoon for the Linyanti region. From the airstrip game driving to the
pre-erected Adventurer campsite. The north-eastern corner of the Linyanti is
famed for its myriad of changing landscapes with sweeping views, from riverine
to savannah and from forest to plains. On one of the full days, depart on an
early morning activity. Lunch is enjoyed at a scenic spot with a sweeping view
of the Linyanti waterways. After a siesta in hammocks, there is the possibility
of an afternoon canoe trip, before returning to camp at dusk. (The canoe
activity is not always possible, depending on local hippo movements within the
area.) The Linyanti region’s life-giving perennial waters attract herds of
wildlife that walk well-worn game paths to slake their thirst in the dry season.
Predators follow in their footsteps and, coupled with the area’s diversity of
habitat, make for exciting game viewing.
Days 5, 6 and 7: Lechwe Island Camp, North-eastern Okavango Delta
Travel west into private concessions, stopping en route for game sightings
through parts of the area. This long but interesting drive gives the perfect
introduction to the varying habitats of a dry and flat northern Botswana, from
the open savannah of the Savuti Channel, known as the “Stolen River”, to lagoons
with a plethora of wildlife to the geographically interesting Selinda Spillway
(Great Rift Valley fault line). This can be a full-day game / transfer drive,
with lunch en route at a shady place in the Savuti Channel. Arrive at the
pre-erected Adventurer campsite in the mid-afternoon, in time for a short sunset
game drive. Lechwe Island Camp is located in the south-western sector of the
Selinda private concession, in a seasonally flooded portion of the Okavango
Delta where it joins into the Selinda Spillway. The campsite is situated on a
wooded island overlooking a floodplain area, the channel in front of camp
alternately flooded or dry, depending on the season. Activities
concentrate around the bushy and wooded islands, open plains and the seasonally
flooded channels surrounding the camp. In this area local populations of plains
game allow for game drives by day and night. Experiences are magnified on nature
walks, where the guide is able to delve into interesting topics such as
tracking, medicinal uses of plants and a full array of smaller invertebrates and
other species not usually noticed from a vehicle. Canoeing is also seasonally
offered.
Days 8 and 9: Xigera Mokoro Trails, Okavango Delta
Fly by light aircraft to the water-filled paradise of the private Xigera area,
within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is the ultimate Delta experience, with
serene waters flowing through innumerable channels around remote islands and a
profusion of plant and animal life. There is no better way to experience the
Okavango than to travel through it by mokoro, walking and camping out on a
vegetated island – all essential elements of the Xigera Mokoro Trails
experience. The experience is aimed at exposing the permanently flooded inner
Delta, in the serene waterways and on the islands of trees and bush. Guest tents
are lighter here than the rest of the safari, with a gauze main frame, thus
enhancing the views. Due to its remote location on an island, equipment is aimed
at necessary comforts with stretcher-styled beds. Activities include mokoro and
walking safaris on inner remote islands, which enable up-close encounters with
an excellent diversity of birdlife (including Pel’s fishing owl), frogs and a
myriad of game species, some specially adapted to water, such as the rare
sitatunga and the familiar red lechwe.
Day 10: Transfer to Maun Airport
Bid farewell to the adventure as you transfer by light aircraft to Maun Airport.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS
EXTENSION
OPTION: THE PARCHED KALAHARI - 3 nights
The Migration Routes safari concentrates on the Okavango Delta, Linyanti and
Chobe River systems and is essentially within the savannah ecosystem. The
Parched Kalahari Exploration links effortlessly at Maun on the end of some of
the Migration Routes departures and departs for Nxai Pan, returning after a
3 night stay in the Kalahari Desert. It should not be missed as an opportunity
to experience a totally different ecosystem. Nxai Pan is a small National Park
consisting mainly of a series of fossilised pans with exceptional diversity of
Kalahari Desert wildlife. These include gemsbok (oryx), springbok, possibly the
elusive black-maned lion and a range of other different uniquely adapted
wildlife not found or seldomly seen in the savannah regions. Close by is the
famous Baines’ Baobabs tree island, a group of enormous old baobab trees on the
edge of the shimmering white Kudiakam saltpan.
Click here for a detailed itinerary.
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Leopard drinking
© Michael Poliza / Campsite on
the river © Mike Myers |
| Preparing
food © Michael Poliza / Victoria Falls / Safari vehicle ©
Mike Myers |
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