Chitabe Walking Trail
CHITABE WALKING TRAIL - OKAVANGO
DELTA, BOTSWANA
 Jump
to Chitabe Camp
Walking on safari has always
been regarded as one of the finest ways to get a true feeling for the
African wilderness. The Chitabe Trail is set in one of the Okavango Delta's
best walking areas and it offers a one-night genuine walking trail experience
for those who want to get closest to nature. Guests are accompanied by
an armed guide who will lead them on informative and adventurous walks
through the different habitats of the Delta.
The walking trail experience allows guests to get their feet on the ground
and get away from vehicles to get the real feel, touch and smell of Africa.
You will walk for several hours per day at a moderate pace. There will
be plenty of time for quality game viewing and birding to enjoy the wide
variety of wildlife found in the Chitabe area.
The night out is spent sleeping out at one of two separate hides located
in different parts of the Chitabe Reserve. Both hides accommodate guests
on elevated platforms with each person sleeping under a mosquito net
and the African sky above. Chemical toilets and hot bucket showers are
also provided. Simple, but delicious, home-cooked meals on the open campfire
are enjoyed under the stars - truly a wonderful way to end an active
day in the bush.
The two hides at Chitabe are located in two very contrasting habitats.
One hide is situated on the edge of a floodplain that often contains
water
and enables one to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Okavango
as you sleep. The second hide is built within a woodland area on the
edge
of an extensive open savannah plain which has an abundance of elephant
activity. At night, the silence, punctuated by the nocturnal sounds -
the roaring lions and whooping calls of hyenas - is magical and often
provides a memory that is the highlight of guests' entire safari. Guests
must spend a minimum of three nights at either Chitabe Main or Chitabe
Lediba, of which the middle night must be the Walking Trail.
ITINERARY For
images of Chitabe Walking Trail, click Chitabe
Walking Images
Fully serviced Walking Trail.
We
walk ± 3 to 4
hours in the morning to a
pre-prepared brunch site.
Relax and siesta during the heat of the day.
Then
walk ± 1.5 hours in the afternoon to the hide where a sundowner
awaits
them.
A wonderful dinner is enjoyed and we overnight on the elevated
hide
platform before we set off again the next morning with similar walking
times
to the second hide.
These safari’s are flexible to specific guest needs
and vehicle
back up is available should anyone prefer to do a mixture of walking
and
driving.
SAFARI COST - 1 night Walking
Trail: Call us for pricing.
The above costs are a
surcharge in addition to the nightly rate
being paid for a three-night stay at Chitabe or Chitabe Lediba
(which vary by season and total safari package booked).
|
SAFARI NOTES:
• Minimum 3
nights stay in the concession, with the middle night on be the walking
trail.
• Walking Trail
bookings include a private vehicle (for the day of the Walking Trail only)
at no extra charge.
• The
walking trails operate between 01 May and 30 September only.
• Minimum 1 guest, maximum
4 guests.
• Minimum age of 12
years.
• Includes 1 night
camping in a hide in the Chitabe concession, meals, drinks
(excluding imported premium brands), and the services of
a professional walking guide.
Wildlife
Game viewing is excellent here, and includes Buffalo,
Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Reedbuck, Lechwe, Impala, Zebra and Hippo. Wild
Dogs are among the major attractions of this area and a long-standing
program to study the Wild Dogs is based nearby (read more on the Wild
Dogs below). Night drives can be very rewarding with good sightings of
the rarer nocturnal animals such as Pangolin, Civet, Serval, Genet, Porcupine
and Aardwolf. Guests will also likely see Zebra, Reedbuck, Red Lechwe,
Impala and all the plains game.
The Owners
Chitabe (and Chitabe Lediba) is owned by Dave and Hélène Hamman,
two well-known and respected characters in the Okavango. Dave and Hélène
have managed a number of camps in Botswana. It was during their time at Mombo
Camp that they really became enthusiastic about wild dogs. They got to know
individual dogs and started to follow them on a daily basis and learnt more of
their life histories, their trials and tribulations. Three years later they co-produced
the book Running Wild - Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dog,
the definitive book on these wonderful animals. Dave's passion for photography
has developed into a career and he spends most of his time working as a photo-journalist
on various wildlife and cultural articles for magazines around the world. In
1996 Dave and Helene were awarded a tender by the Botswana government to build
Chitabe and Chitabe Lediba camp, which was completed in July 1997.
Top Jump
to Chitabe
Camp 
Return to Map
of Okavango Delta Camps
Water
/ Land Activity Table for Botswana camps: Water/Land
Botswana
Flying
Times between Botswana camps: Fly
Times Botswana
For further information about the Okavango Delta, click More
Okavango
For further information about Botswana, click More
Botswana
|
