Botswana Wildside Safari

Safari through the wilderness of Botswana. Experience the Okavango Delta by traditional dug-outs and the abundant wildlife of Moremi game reserve and Savuti. Explore Chobe NP by boat and enjoy wonderful views of Victoria Falls!

Price: (Valid: Jan 2010 – Dec 2010)
€1,245 pps + local payment of US$ 300 pp
14 Days Safari

Highlights * Khama Rhino Sanctuary – game drive * Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion * Moremi Game Reserve – game drives * Savuti – game drives * Chobe National Park – game drive and river cruise * Victoria Falls – adventure activities

Departs from: Johannesburg - Ends: Livingstone

Includes
* 13 nights camping
* Entrance fees
* Use of camping equipment (except sleeping bags & pillow)
* Transport in minibus / safari truck & 4WD
* Meals as per itinerary
* Professional guide
* Okavango Delta excursion
* Moremi, Savuti, Chobe 4WD excursion

Botswana Wildlife Safari Itinerary

Meal codes [B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]

Day 1 JOHANNESBURG to KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY [Camping LD]
Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head north into Botswana. We pass Serowe, birthplace of Botswana’s first president, Sir Seretse Khama, on our way to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This 4300 hectare reserve situated on the
Kalahari sandveld, has several natural waterholes and provides prime habitat for white rhino, zebra and wildebeest. We take our first game drive around the open grassland of Malema and Serwe Pans.
Includes: Entrance to Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers.
Distance/time: 630km, ± 7½ hours, excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch

Day 2 MAUN [Camping BL]
We drive through the Kalahari to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River, Maun is a bustling frontier town where we prepare for the delta excursion. After setting up camp we have a relaxing afternoon at the swimming pool.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & bar
Distance/time: 450km, ± 6½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

Day 3 - 5 OKAVANGO DELTA [Camping Bx3, Lx3, Dx2]
Our local guides will take us deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta on Makoro (dugout canoes). The delta forms as water flows from the Angolan highlands out over the Botswana flat Kalahari Desert sands creating a delicate, green oasis for birds & wildlife. We will camp wild on remote islands in this amazingly dynamic environment & enjoy bush walks, bird watching & swimming in the clear water. Camping with our local guides we learn more about their lifestyle & culture. We return to Maun in the late afternoon of day 5 and have time for an optional (own expense) game flight over the Okavango, which will reveal a different aspect of the delta.
Includes: Entrance to Okavango Delta, mokoro excursion, morning and afternoon game walks with local guides
Overnight: Wild camping – basic facilities with bucket shower
Distance/time: 2 hour 4WD transfer into the Delta, each way
Optional Activities: Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD85-105 pp depending on number of people in each aircraft)

Day 6 - 9 MOREMI & SAVUTI [Camping BLD]
We have 4 nights in these conservation areas with time to explore the various habitats. We spend our time on game drives watching the plentiful wildlife including wild dog, elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion & other game.
Moremi Game Reserve rates as one of the leading wildlife areas of the world and we take our open 4WD vehicle into Moremi for fantastic game viewing! Grasslands, floodplains, forests, lily lagoons and winding water channels combine
to form a variety of game viewing habitats. Moving north over the sand ridge and into the Mababe depression we arrive at the Savuti Marsh. This open grassland
area attracts herds of zebra and wildebeest, which in turn draw the large lion prides for which Savuti is famous. The waterhole near camp is also a favourite drinking point for many elephant and the sunsets here are fantastic.
Includes: Entrance fees, morning and afternoon game drives in open 4WD game viewing vehicle
Overnight: Wild camping – basic ablutions, bucket shower
Distance/time: 350kms ± 8½ hours, excludes game drives & stops for wildlife viewing (Maun – Savuti)

Day 10 – 11 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK [Camping Bx2 Lx2 Dx1]
The Chobe River flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. In the early morning we search for game and return to camp for brunch. The late
afternoon game viewing “sundowner” cruise is a highlight as we see the mighty elephant herds returning to the Chobe River to quench their thirst. We camp at Kasane on the Chobe River for night 11.
Includes: Entrance fees, morning and afternoon game drives in open 4WD game viewing vehicle & sunset cruise on Chobe River
Overnight: day 10 wild camping – basic ablutions, bucket shower
day 11 campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers, swimming pool, bar & restaurant
Distance/time: 150kms ± 5½ hours, excludes game drives & stops for wildlife viewing (Savuti – Chobe)

Day 12 – 13 VICTORIA FALLS / LIVINGSTONE [Camping Bx2]
We camp for 2 nights in Zambia near Livingstone town on the banks of the Zambezi River. Enjoy a spectacular walk through tropical vegetation to the very edge of the “Mosi oa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” - Victoria Falls.
Opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, Bungi Jump, or take a “flight of angels” (own expense).
Includes: Entrance Fees to see the Victoria Falls
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers, swimming pool, bar & restaurant
Distance/time: 85kms – 1 hour, excluding border formalities (which can take 2 to 4+ hours)
Optional Activities: White water rafting, sunset cruises, elephant back safaris, scenic flights & many more

Day 14 LIVINGSTONE – TOUR ENDS [B]
Tour ends at 08:00 after breakfast. Transfers to local airports are available.

Please note:
The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and photo stops!

PRE & POST TOUR ACCOMMODATION:
Due to the early departure time of this safari we recommend that you stay in Johannesburg the night before safari. Please indicate if you require assistance with airport transfers and hotel reservations in the vacation planner when prompted.