Botswana  Exploration Safaris

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MIGRATION ROUTE
9 nights/10 days - US$3650 per person sharing ($485 single supplement)

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: Shackletons Lodge, Zambia
On arrival in Livingstone you will be met by a representative and transferred directly for 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. This evening, you will stay at Shackletons Lodge, situated in south-western Zambia on the upper Zambezi River near the village of Mwandi (meaning ‘a place of plenty fish’). Shackletons provides access to 130km of the upper Zambezi River, named ‘God’s Highway’ by David Livingstone. The lodge, home to approximately 300 bird species, offers an excellent cultural experience at Mwandi village and is a prime fly, spin and lure fishing destination. Each of the 6 thatched, en-suite chalets has a private deck overlooking the Zambezi River and is equipped with 2 three-quarter beds, ceiling fan, safe box, mosquito net, en-suite bathroom (with shower, hand basin and flushing toilet) and plug points. The main area features a swimming pool, lounge and open dining area, with the riverside bar and sundowner deck providing unparalleled vistas of the mighty Zambezi River. The fabulous cuisine and friendly service ensures a relaxing and invigorating stay.

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.

SCHEDULED DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2008:
JANUARY 1, 11
FEBRUARY 20
MARCH 11, 17, 20, 26, 29
APRIL 1, 4, 7, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28
MAY 1, 4, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31
JUNE 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30
JULY 3, 15, 21, 27, 30
AUGUST 2, 5, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 29
SEPTEMBER 1, 7, 10, 13, 16, 22, 25, 28
OCTOBER 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 22, 25
NOVEMBER 3, 6, 12, 15, 18, 21, 27
DECEMBER 3, 9, 12, 18, 21, 27, 30

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EXTENTION 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.

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