KAVANGO DELTA & VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI 10 days / 9 nights
Victoria Falls to Maun or Vice Versa
A comfortable camping safari, the guide and the cook will look after you and there are no camp duties for the travellers.
Note from January to March the Green Season itinerary includes Central Kalahari & Nxai Pans in place of the Okavango & Moremi regions. Botswana Safaris
Spend a night in a small, comfortable hotel near Victoria Falls. Activities at Victoria Falls are not included and you might like to arrive one day earlier so you have time for rafting, sundowner cruises etc.
The Victoria Falls or Mosi oa Tunya – “the Smoke that Thunders”, are truly a magnificent and breathtaking sight for here the mighty Zambezi River encounters a narrow gorge and falls 100 metres in a shower of drenching spray and deafening noise. The Victoria Falls rise and fall considerably with changes in the Zambezi River level, so visits at different times of the year can be dramatically different. The area is the adventure capital of Africa – from river cruises to white water thrills there is something for everybody.
No meals included today, the hotel will include breakfast on day.
Day 2 & 3 – Botswana, Chobe area of Chobe National Park, 2 nights camping Chobe Safari Tours Botswana
Boarding the safari vehicle, depart Victoria Falls and drive to the Botswana border to clear immigration and customs. Continue on to Chobe National Park to set up the first of your tented camps. Evening game drive followed by dinner.
Situated in the northeast of Botswana, Chobe National Park is 11,000 sq km (4,500 sq miles) and combines river flood plains with open pans and riverine woodlands. The best time to visit is from May to September when you will be thrilled by the huge herds of elephant and buffalo that have made the park famous. In addition there are big numbers of hippopotamus, giraffe, kudu and impala and more than 250 species of birds have been recorded. Be warned however, when the rains begin even 25,000 elephant can disappear into a park this size.
All meals included
Day 4 – Botswana, Savute area of Chobe National Park, 1 night camping Botswana Hotels
Continue to the West, into the drier regions of Chobe where spend a night camping in the Savute area.
Savute is an area of some geographical & geological interest. The Seven Hills of Savuti, collectively known as the Gubatsa Hills, were formed some 980 million years ago and were shaped over the centuries by the ancient Makgadikgadi Lake which finally dried up some 30, 000 years ago.
Today Savute is home to large concentrations of lion and hyena, as well as leopard, cheetah, black-backed jackal and big, lone elephant bulls. The game viewing at Savute is excellent year round, but particularly during the summer rains when thousands of animals are drawn to the area. At this time there is often a migration of up to 25, 000 zebra heading through the Savute in search of the rain-ripe grasslands to the south. The migration is determined by the rains but usually occurs in Nov/Dec and again in Feb/Mar/Apr when the zebras migrate north again.
All meals included
Day 5 & 6 – Moremi Wildlife Reserve, Khwai area, 2 nights camping Okavango Safaris, Okavango Tours
Today the safari camp moves towards the Okavango Delta and you spend 2 nights Camping in the Moremi Wildlife Reserve.
The Moremi Game Reserve is located on the northeast of the Okavango Delta and packs a full range of landscapes into 1,800 sq km (700 sq miles) – acacia forests, wetlands, lagoons and swamps. As varied as the terrain is, so is the game, from lion & leopard to elephant & buffalo. Even the least inspired ornithologists will be amazed at the sheer variety, beauty and diversity of the regions prolific bird-life.
All meals included
Days 7 & 8 – Moremi Wildlife Reserve, Okavango Delta area, 2 nights camping
Continue to a remote bush camp in the Okavango Delta area where you spend the next 2 nights camping. In this region you will explore the channels and lagoons of the Delta by boat.
Rivers flow to the ocean. Not so the Okavango, which originates in Angola and, unable to reach the ocean because of changes in the earth’s crust, spills back inland to the sands of the Kalahari Desert where it fans out and forms a vast delta of wetlands and waterways. At the flood, the water swells to cover an area of more than 16,000 sq km (6,000 sq miles), quite literally a land of water; lagoons dotted with lilies, narrow channels that are invaded by papyrus reeds, islands and shallow sheets of water that glisten in the sun. Naturally this bounty attracts a huge variety of mammals and bird species, though on occasion they are almost secondary to the sheer wonder of the setting.
All meals included
Days 9 – Bush camp near Maun, 1 night camping Botswana Tour
Heading towards Maun your last night around the campfire is in a remote bush camp.
All meals included
Days 10 – Safari ends in Maun
After breakfast the safari ends in Maun. If you have a flight to catch you will be transferred to the Airport.
Breakfast
The safari price includes
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Arrival or departure transfer in Maun
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8 nights camping with all meals
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1 nights hotel in Victoria Falls/Livingstone with breakfast
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All transportation in safari vehicle
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Services of driver & the camp crew (meal preparation, cleaning up after meals, erecting and packing up camp and tents)
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National Park Entrance Fees
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Use of all camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
Safari Excludes
All flights and airport taxes, travel insurance, visa costs; transfers, drinks, lunches & dinners plus excursions & entrances in Victoria Falls, gratuities and items of a personal nature. For payment by credit card a 3% surcharge may apply.
SAFARI EXTRAS
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Hire of sleeping bag must be booked in advance and will be about US$30 per person.
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We can arrange accommodation in Maun and / or Victoria Falls either before or after your safari.
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We can provide quotes on flights to join this safari – please include as much information as possible on the booking form.
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Activities at Victoria Falls are not included, that way you can tackle those that suit you, check out Victoria Falls information for ideas and for a price guide.
SAFARI STYLE
SAFARI CREW
The guide has been selected based on experience in the African bush & skills in ensuring a fun & friendly group trip. These guides are in the full time employ of the company and are thoroughly trained professionals. A camp assistant helps with general camp chores. Information on the areas history, fauna and flora is given to participants during the safari. All safaris are conducted in English.
SMALL & PERSONALISED GROUPS
The groups usually consists of 6 to 12 passengers though sometime 2 vehicles may travel together and that brings the group size to 16. Passengers are of all age groups and come from all over the world.
SAFARI VEHICLE FEATURES
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Custom-built all-terrain Mercedes Benz and Toyota Safari Wagons with 9 and 13 seats depending on the area visited. Other vehicles may be used.
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Game viewing hatches and observation roof racks.
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Due to the height of the vehicle, observation and photography of wildlife is excellent.
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Large sliding windows, offer protection from dust, the sun in summer and cold mornings in winter yet provide the freedom of an open vehicle.
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Open game viewing vehicles are sometimes used in Botswana
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Forward facing seats.
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Special storage compartments beneath the seats.
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1 Freezer for fresh food and a coolbox for drinks.
CAMPING GEAR PROVIDED
Spacious tents, specially made high density, 6cm thick foam mattresses and a safari folding chair each. Tents are W 2.75m x L 2.75m x H 1.9m and are for 2 people, they are insect proof and equipped with a built-in ground sheet as well as two large aerating windows with mosquito nets. A portable bush shower is available and a bush toilet is installed when camping in the wild. A large marquis tent (5m x 5m) is used for shade and protection. A comprehensive set of cooking and camping equipment, water containers, first aid box, reference books on mammals and birds and a set of spare parts is carried in the vehicle.
LUGGAGE
Luggage is limited to 12kg + 1 sleeping bag + 1 camera bag per person. Any luggage in excess of 12kg or large suitcases will not be accepted. We recommend the use of a soft duffel or barrel bag. The maximum suitcase size allowed is 55cm x 20cm.
SLEEPING BAG/ BLANKET
On all Camping Safaris a warm sleeping bag/ blanket is essential, particularly in winter (May to September) when temperatures may drop below zero. A sleeping bag may be purchased or hired. These must be booked and paid for in advance.
PERSONAL EFFECTS
Travel light with light, casual clothing for the day and a fleecy/jersey or tracksuit for the evenings. Take a good pair of walking/ tennis shoes. Bring a water bottle, swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, binoculars, camera and spare film. A Allow enough money for souvenirs, evenings out, drinks & special excursions. A detailed ‘what to pack’ list will be provided well before you travel.
CAMP CUISINE & DRINKS
Breakfast consists of cereals, bread, jams, tea, coffee & powdered milk. Lunch is usually a picnic. Some mornings in camp have bush brunch with eggs and bacon. The evening meal is prepared over an open fire. The freezers provide for fresh food and cold beers and soft drinks. The guide and assistant prepare the meals & the emphasis is on healthy living.
Drinks and mineral water are not included on the safari and drinks can be purchased en route at reasonable prices. You are welcome to bring along a bottle of your favourite drink. Tea and coffee are provided in camp.
AFRICAN CONDITIONS
Travelling in Africa is sometimes unpredictable and at times the itinerary will change to take local conditions into account. Unforeseen circumstances due to problems with road conditions, weather, mechanical breakdown etc can delay & change the performance of the safari. Please come prepared.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is not included. You are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
