Natural Migrations AFRICAN SAFARI Botswana

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MIGRATION ROUTE
9 nights/10 days

2012 rates:
2 Mar – 31 May and 1 Nov – 26 Nov 2012: US$4940 per person sharing (single supplement $610)

Delta exploration © Michael Poliza / Fire making demonstration by bushman © Wilderness Safaris

Combination serviced camping in private concession areas and a small comfortable lodge in Zambia. Tour direction: Livingston, Zambia to Maun, Botswana and vice versa

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.

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 Adventurer 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.

Day 1: Mosi Discoverer Camp, Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park
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. Victoria Falls are one of Africa’s major tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This evening, you will stay at Mosi Discoverer Camp situated in the eastern sector of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a short distance upstream from Victoria Falls.

Days 2, 3 and 4: Chobe River cruise and Linyanti Adventurer 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 and 6: Khwai Adventure Camp, Okavango Delta
After breakfast, drive to the airstrip for light aircraft transfer to Khwai Adventure Camp located in a private concession just north of the Khwai River above the Moremi Game Reserve. The Khwai Concession is one of the most diverse areas in northern Botswana which seldom disappoints when it comes to producing extraordinary wildlife experiences. The life source for this area is the Khwai River - the northernmost "finger" of the Okavango Delta alluvial fan, which provides vital sustenance to numerous animals. Over time, the Khwai area has metamorphosed into a wide range of exciting wildlife habitats - some of the most varied to be found in the entire Okavango Delta: a blend of forests, floodplain, wetland and grasslands. The narrow Khwai Channel is home to large mammals such as hippo and crocodile with buffalo and red lechwe often seen grazing along the fringe. The beautiful gallery riverine woodland found along the river provides further sanctuary to birds, primates and leopard. Elusive roan antelope often come to the river to drink. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mokoro excursions. Away from the river there is a wonderful mix of acacia and leadwood trees of varying sizes that abuts into mopane woodland. The latter, together with the permanent presence of water, attracts large numbers of elephant to the area. Larger predators include lion, wild dog and spotted hyena, while birdlife found here is just as varied thanks to the colorful palette of habitats.

Days 7, 8 and 9: Xigera Mokoro Trails, Okavango Delta

Fly by light aircraft to the water-filled paradise of the remote Xigera area, within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is the ultimate Okavango Delta experience, with serene waters flowing through innumerable channels around remote islands and a profusion of plant and animals. There is no better way to experience the Okavango than to travel by mokoro (dug out canoe), walking and camping out on a vegetated island – all essential elements of Xigera Mokoro Trails. Activities enable up-close encounters with an excellent diversity of birdlife (including Pel’s fishing-owl) and game species, some specially adapted to water, such as the red lechwe. Walking activities vary in length and duration depending on the season, especially in the months when the Okavango is at peak flood (June, July and August) where walks become shorter as more islands are flooded.

Day 10: Transfer to Maun Airport