Botswana | Classic Botswana
We start this journey at Livingstone in Zambia at Victoria Falls - one of the 'Seven Natural Wonders of the World'. Crossing the border we experience the highlights of northern Botswana with a strong focus on the region's bountiful wildlife. Botswana is a diverse country, rich in culture and spectacular scenery, none more so than the pristine natural wonderland of the Okavango Delta. Four nights in permanent camps situated in the heart of the game-rich Moremi Reserve and deep within the Delta, provide excellent bases for exploring the delta wetlands by 'mokoro' and the Khwai River region in open safari vehicles. Add to this Chobe National Park, with its immense elephant population and magnificent sunsets, and you have a truly classic Botswanan adventure!
| Duration: | 8 Days |
|---|---|
| Tour Code: | ITW588 |
| Trip Style: | Moderate - 3 star |
| Departure Dates: | 13 Nov 2011, 30 Dec 2011, 15 Jan 2012, 12 Feb 2012, 18 Mar 2012, 08 Apr 2012, 13 May 2012, 17 Jun 2012, 08 Jul 2012, 15 Jul 2012, 22 Jul 2012, 29 Jul 2012, 05 Aug 2012, 12 Aug 2012, 19 Aug 2012, 26 Aug 2012, 02 Sep 2012, 09 Sep 2012, 16 Sep 2012, 23 Sep 2012, 30 Sep 2012, 14 Oct 2012, 28 Oct 2012, 25 Nov 2012, 23 Dec 2012, 20 Jan 2013, 17 Feb 2013, 17 Mar 2013, 21 Apr 2013, 19 May 2013, 16 Jun 2013 |
| Price: | From $4,350 |
| Single Supplement: | From $705 |
| Places you'll visit: |
|
| Highlights: |
|
Ideal for Solo Travellers
You will travel with a maximum of just 15 fellow travellers. This is small enough to avoid making a negative impact on the places you go and the people you meet, but large enough to have a good time with other travellers from around the globe.
If you are willing to share a room we will find a member of the same gender for you to share with. If we are unable to find someone, then you will get a single room without having to pay any supplement. And for those wanting their own room the single supplement won't break the bank.
Trip Details
GROUP SIZE: 15 maximum
Day 1: Livingstone - Victoria Falls
On arrival at Livingstone you are met and transferred to your lodge. In the afternoon we visit magnificent Victoria Falls, named by Dr David Livingstone in honour of his English queen. In Zambia these falls are more commonly referred to by their Kololo name, Mosi-oa-Tunya or 'the Smoke That Thunders'. These magnificent falls are considered one of the seven wonders of the natural world and, when in full flow, form the largest sheet of falling water in the world.
Our lodge is beautifully situated on the banks of the Upper Zambezi River and is a great place to relax at the end of the day. We do recommend that you arrive in Livingstone a couple of days early so that you can take advantage of the many activities that are on offer.
Meals included: 1 dinner
Day 2: Chobe National Park
After breakfast we check out of the guesthouse and are collected by our Botswana operators at 10.30 am and transferred west along the Zambezi Valley road to Kazangula - a travelling time of about 50 minutes on a sealed road. Here we complete border formalities (please bring your passport and sufficient US dollars to purchase a new Zimbabwe visa, if necessary, when returning!) and cross into Botswana.
It is then just a short drive to Chobe Safari Lodge, which is situated on the riverfront a little way out of the park. After settling in and having lunch, there is time to relax until the mid-afternoon when we take a game drive into the park. We will almost certainly see elephants drinking at the water's edge and the area also often boasts large herds of Cape buffaloes. The sunsets viewed from the river can be breathtakingly spectacular.
We return to our lodge soon after dusk for dinner. Chobe Safari Lodge is a delightful place comprising of various styles of accommodation. Clients who choose the standard package are accommodated in rondavels, which are comfortable individual circular thatched units with private facilities and balcony. The lodge is situated on the southern bank of the mighty Chobe River, bordering the national park. It has a bar, which is a great place to enjoy a drink at the end of the day. Dinner is often served outside with a lovely smorgasbord of choices. There is a swimming pool - a great place to relax during the hotter part of the day.
Meals included: 1 breakfast 1 lunch 1 dinner
Day 3: Chobe National Park
A full day is planned with an early morning game drive followed by a rest during the heat of the day and, later on, a mid-afternoon boat trip out on the river. The bird life on the water is often spectacular and we are sure to be enthralled by sightings of saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles, goliath herons and beautiful bee-eaters, to name but a few. There are good numbers of hippopotamuses in the river and, from time to time, you may see a crocodile on the banks - although they are surprisingly shy - or a large monitor lizard seeking to make a meal of crocodile eggs.
Please note that a visit to Chobe National Park itself is not a complete wilderness experience, as we are sure to see other people, boats and vehicles when inside the park. However, we are also sure to see wildlife that can be the equal of anything anywhere in Africa.
Meals included: 1 breakfast 1 lunch 1 dinner
Day 4: Moremi Game Reserve
After breakfast we fly to Moremi Crossing - our beautiful accommodation set-up which consists of 16 spacious tents with en suite and set on raised decks, each with their own veranda overlooking Chief's Island. The Khwai River extends from the Okavango River to Moremi Game Reserve.
Once we've settled in our accommodation we head off for an afternoon 'mokoro' (basic, traditional dugout canoes) trip to explore the wetlands. Normally it's a case of two passengers and one poler per mokoro, with the passengers sitting down whilst the poler stands at the back and transports navigates the way through the myriad waterways, passing palm islands and travelling through lagoons sometimes covered in water lilies or boasting wonderful reflections in the more open areas.
Travelling in this manner allows us to delve further afield into the delta in a manner that seems entirely appropriate to our surroundings - a fine way to enjoy the tranquil waterways in this unspoiled part of Africa. The silence of the surround is often only broken by the quiet 'whoosh' of our canoe moving on the water or the calls of the many species of birds that live in the area.
Meals included: 1 breakfast 1 lunch 1 dinner
Day 5: Moremi Game Reserve - Khwai River
Today we explore the famous Moremi Game Reserve, known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. A full day is spent absorbing the unspoiled nature of the reserve including its varied ecosystem that includes open plains, riverine and dry woodlands and mopane forests, as well as inland waterways. Moremi Game Reserve lies on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta and comprises almost one third of the delta (4871kms square.
We undertake a morning game walk and an afternoon boat cruise - these are the cooler times of the day when the animals tend to be the most active. There are no guarantees - you are not visiting a zoo - but there is the definite possibility of coming across giraffe, kudu, impala, baboon, hippo and crocodile in the waterways, tsessebe, warthog, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, spotted hyena, jackal, zebra and hopefully the big cats, including the elusive cheetah. The bird life in the area is often prolific and the sunsets can be breathtaking. With some luck we may bet to see the 'Big Five' - elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and Cape buffalo.
Meals included: 1 breakfast 1 lunch 1 dinner
Day 6-7: Okavango Delta
An early morning flight takes us to Pom Pom Camp, our base to explore the wildlife-filled and life-sustaining waters of the Okavango Delta. During our stay here we enjoy a game drive, a walking safari and a 'mokoro' (traditional dugout canoes) excursion, enabling us to explore the delta in three unique ways.
The Okavango Delta, perhaps the greatest inland waterway in the world, is a remarkable contrast to the countryside of the previous few of days. The delta is an amazing combination of shallow water, deeper channels, and myriad islands spread out over hundreds of square kilometres. The area is one of tranquil beauty and there are few people who are not deeply moved by these magnificent surrounds.
The boat excursions are ideally suited for gliding over the shallow waters of the delta and through beautiful water-lily fields. We spend our time searching for the elusive sitatunga antelope, relaxing and enjoying this remarkable environment. On occasions we go ashore on larger islands to stretch our legs and explore. There is a fair amount of animal movement through this area and we may have the chance to see elephant, buffalo and even wild dog (Cape hunting dog).
Our unique accommodation is located on Pom Pom Island in a private concession area situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta and on the headwaters of the Xudum River system. The area lies on the western boundary of Moremi Game Reserve and a true Okavango wilderness experience.
Meals included: 2 breakfast 2 lunch 2 dinner
Day 8: Maun
On our last morning we enjoy a final breakfast together before flying back to Maun Airport, where our adventure comes to an end. Please ensure your onward flight is not booked to depart before 1 pm.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Inclusions
- 2 nights comfortable lodge accommodation
- 5 nights permanent tented camp
- 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches & 7 Dinners
- local flight
- wildlife fees
- experienced English-speaking local tour leader
- specialist local guides
- arrival transfer
- transport
- game activities
- entrance fees
What's Not Included
- tips
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
