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Botswana Safari

The Great Wilderness Journey - Botswana Safari

Permanent lodges & fully serviced camping in private concessions - 10 nights / 11 days
Makgadikgadi, Okavango Delta, Linyanti and Lower Zambezi

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Walking safari on The Great Wilderness Journey Canoeing - The Great Wilderness Journey Lions in Moremi - The Great Wilderness Journey Red Lechwes in the Okavango Delta - The Great Wilderness Journey

Tour direction: Maun to Livingstone or Livingstone to Maun (see routings by date at bottom)
Combination Wilderness Safaris lodges and fully serviced camping in private concession areas.

This Journey takes the time to explore Botswana's contrasts and extremes in prime areas where few people travel. Experience a nostalgic camping / lodge safari that recreates the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers. The Great Wilderness Journey takes time to experience and explore Botswana's scenic northern areas: from the blue-green wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the diverse and wildlife-rich Linyanti and Chobe River systems, ending with the world-famous Victoria Falls on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River. Accommodation includes a combination of Wilderness Safaris camps and fully serviced camping, all in private concession areas.

Discoverer Camp Description:
(Linyanti and Khwai Discoverer Camps): Discoverer camps are specifically designed to ensure that old-style camping feel with a clear emphasis on necessary and stylish comfortable interiors, creating a peerless wilderness experience. Discoverer camping aims to bring the guest closer to nature, by means of a lively campfire, hurricane lanterns, wide-ranging activities and a warm atmosphere complimenting the comfort and added luxury of the camps visited.

Guides: Explorations are led by highly skilled and qualified professional guides with an incredible passion for the natural regions they work in. Sharing the adventure and guiding you on this journey of discovery combined with their vast knowledge of the natural world, history and culture are their professions and personal hobby. Years of experience in the field and a depth of understanding of animal behavior and the environment will leave you with a sense of complete wonder. Many of the guides are also skilled photographers and can assist you in taking away amazing wildlife photographs.  They are also available to lead private safaris and specialist trips.

Exclusive experience: Many areas in which we travel are private concessions. All Discoverer camps are private and for the use of Explorations guests only, while our lodges and air linkages are open and shared with all Wilderness Safaris guests.

Routes: To maximize guests’ travel time, a variety of travel modes that bring out the best of each area is used including flying in light aircraft and overland transfers in customized 4X4 safari vehicles.

Time: We have specifically allowed for 3-night stays at Discoverer camps; in a journey of this nature, guests have the time to fully relax and unwind, at the same time appreciating an in-depth introduction to the diversity of the area as well as its activities.

Safari Style: Discoverer

The Great Wilderness Journey Safari map

SAFARI COST (2010):
04-Jan to 31-Mar 2010: $7,467 per person sharing
01-Apr to 26-Dec 2010: $7,600 per person sharing

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT (2010):
04-Jan to 31-Mar 2010: $1,072 per person sharing
01-Apr to 26-Dec 2010: $1,094 per person sharing

If a guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. However, if there is no suitable match, the single supplement surcharge will apply. No triple rooms are accepted.


DAYS 1 - 4; (3 Nights)
JACANA CAMP - Okavango Delta, Botswana            Jump to Jacana Camp

Mokoro safari at Jacana CampAfter arrival in Maun, you will be met by your guide or our representative and fly by light aircraft over the shimmering water-world of the Okavango Delta which represents life at its most fertile.

Lush Jacana Camp is situated in a permanently flooded region of the private Jao Concession of the Okavango Delta. A true water camp, it represents the essence of the Delta, with year-round mokoro safaris as well as island bush walks and, water levels permitting, motorboat cruises. In fact, when the flood levels are at their peak we are able to motorboat from the airstrip to the camp, a truly surreal arrival! On one of our full days, we will also enjoy game drives around the productive ‘Jao Flats’ region to the north of camp.

Jacana Camp is set in one of the wetland areas most densely populated with sitatunga and red lechwe. Wildlife concentrations depend on the water flow and volume, thus changing from season to season, but all the large animals can be found in the area including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. Pel’s Fishing-Owl, Lesser Jacana, Western Banded Snake-Eagle and Coppery-tailed Coucal are just some of the birding highlights.

Jacana Camp has 5 Meru-style tents. Each is on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains and has an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and shower. The bathroom is enclosed but roofless, allowing for showers by starlight. The camp has a plunge pool and the main dining area is on an elevated wooden deck between two magnificent sycamore fig trees and surrounded by dense wild date palms. Downstairs, there is an intimate pub and lounge with an area perfect for campfires under the stars.


DAYS 4 - 7; (3 Nights)
KHWAI DISCOVERER CAMP - Khwai Concession, Northeastern Okavango Delta, Botswana          (Fully serviced camping)

Red Lechwe grazing on the flood plain.Depart by light aircraft to Khwai Discoverer Camp, located in a private concession just north of the Khwai River above the Moremi Game Reserve.

The Khwai Concession is one of the most diverse areas in northern Botswana which seldom disappoints when it comes to producing extraordinary wildlife experiences. The life source for this area is the Khwai River – the northernmost “finger” of the Okavango Delta alluvial fan, which provides vital sustenance to numerous animals.

Over time, the Khwai area has metamorphosed into a wide range of exciting wildlife habitats – some of the most varied to be found in the entire Okavango Delta: a blend of forests, floodplain, wetland and grasslands. The narrow Khwai Channel is home to large mammals such as hippo and crocodile with buffalo and red lechwe often seen grazing along the fringe. The beautiful gallery riverine woodland found along the river provides further sanctuary to birds, primates and leopard. Elusive roan antelope often come to the river to drink. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mekoro excursions.

Away from the river there is a wonderful mix of acacia and leadwood trees of varying sizes that abuts into mopane woodland. The latter, together with the permanent presence of water, attracts large numbers of elephant to the area. Larger predators include lion, wild dog and spotted hyaena, while birdlife found here is just as varied thanks to the colourful palette of habitats.

Accommodation is in 20.67 feet x 11.48 feet walk-in canvas tents (maximum of two guests per tent). The tents are airy and designed to recreate the accommodation style of the early explorers, with richly coloured teak director chairs and minimalist interiors. Separate bedside tables with 12v reading lamps, canvas and wood wardrobes, bathrobes, comfortable beds and mirrors are provided. Camp amenities (conditioning shampoo, soap, shower gel and body lotion) are elegantly displayed for use and private, en-suite separate toilet and shower areas are part of the main structure. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mekoro excursions.

DAYS 7 - 10; (3 Nights)
LINYANTI DISCOVERER CAMP - Linyanti Concession, Botswana
          (Fully serviced camping)

Lion pride and game drive in Linaynti

After a light breakfast, we fly north-east to the private Linyanti Concession. After a short game drive we arrive at our private Discoverer camp, which is elegantly set up under African ebony and knobthorn trees overlooking panoramic vistas of the Linyanti Swamps.

The landscape of the Linyanti varies from floodplains to open dry land savannah and forest with sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. Activities include game drives in the private northern sector of the concession, exploring a range of habitats, from riverbanks to scrub and forest, which reveal a myriad of wildlife en route to slake their thirst from the river. The seldom-seen sitatunga can also be spotted in the waterways, as well as rare roan and sable antelope, plains game and of course their predators, the lion and leopard – with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus.

To complete the experience, it is possible to enjoy a full-day excursion to the Savute Channel, with lunch at a scenic setting. This spectacular day gives guests a real understanding of the geology of Northern Botswana, the relationship with the Great African Rift Valley and the chink in the faultline, where the Savute Channel begins. This channel, now flowing for the first time in three decades has resulted in water reaching into the heart of Chobe national Park and the Linyanti Reserve...and game viewing is as a result both diverse and abundant.

DAYS 10 - 11; (1 Night)
Chobe River boat cruise, Chobe National Park and Toka Leya Camp, Zambia
            Jump to Toka Leya Camp

Game drive in Chobe National Park, BotswanaAfter a short morning drive and breakfast, we depart by light aircraft to the northern Chobe region of Chobe National Park. This area is famous for its vast herds of elephants in the dry season and other unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river in the hottest hours of the day. Enjoy a light lunch on the boat cruise in a catamaran-style shaded boat.

We leave Botswana and fly to Livingstone International Airport, arriving at Toka Leya Camp in the late afternoon. On leaving Botswana, we fly over the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet.

Toka Leya Camp is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in the eastern sector of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, some 7.46 miles up from the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The camp consists of 12 safari-style tents, each en-suite with a view of the magnificent Zambezi River and some of its islands. The camp's dining and bar area is set beneath a shaded canopy of trees overlooking the River and a swimming pool.


DAY 11
Victoria Falls, transfer to Livingstone Airport

The spectacular Victoria FallsThe grand finale is 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.

Transfer to Livingstone Airport immediately after the tour of the Victoria Falls and bid farewell to the adventure.

NOTE:  THIS ITINERARY IS AVAILABLE ON FLEXIBLE DATES AND ITINERARIES, FOR TAILOR-MADE SAFARIS FOR SMALL GROUPS UP TO EIGHT GUESTS.

SAFARI NOTES:
• Each departure is guaranteed from a minimum of 2 confirmed guests, with a maximum of 8 guests per safari.
• Age Limits – Children from the age of 12 are welcome on all scheduled departures. For groups with children under 12, we suggest creating a private tailor-made safari, on request and based on a different cost. For guests over the age of 75, a certified medical certificate of full health must be provided.
• Luggage limitation of 20 kgs per person in a soft bag. This limit includes camera equipment and hand luggage.  Passengers weighing more than 100kg (220 lbs) must please advise us in advance, as an extra seat will then have to be costed into the package for safety purposes.
• We reserve the right, due to situations beyond our control, to substitute a lodge or location with another of comparable quality. This will be advised timeously.
• If a guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. However, if there is no suitable match, the single supplement surcharge will apply. No triple rooms are accepted.
• Please note that all scheduled Exploration safaris operate with a minimum of two guests. Should all other bookings on an Exploration cancel or that there is only a single guest booked, we will convert the booking to an FIT package, which is in all likelihood subject to a higher price.
• If arrival is planned for the day of the safari’s departure, please ensure that this arrival is with the earliest possible flight from Johannesburg. Arrival on a later flight may necessitate additional road or air transfers (as departure for the first camp/lodge will already have taken place), subject to extra cost.
• Please ensure that your departure flight is booked for after 12h30 from Livingstone. For earlier international departure flights, an additional transfer will be required to arrive for this connection, subject to an extra cost.
• Flashlights/ torches: Please ensure that a minimum 2-D cell flashlight is brought on safari, with spare batteries. Head lamps are also useful. Wilderness Safaris does not supply flashlights.
• Camera battery charging facilities: Please note that a 12V cigarette lighter adaptor will be required (that is compatible with camera make) on this safari for charging batteries while on game drive or transfer drives. 110/ 240V outlets are available at Jacana Camp and Toka Leya Camp; however Linyanti Discoverer and Ketumetse Trails Camp only have 12V electricity.
• Dietary requirements and special occasions: Due to remote locality of Discoverer camps, please ensure that full dietary requirements and special occasions are advised at the time of your booking confirmation.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Accommodation on a per person sharing basis, all meals and drinks (except premium brands), national park fees, laundry, activities and all internal charters on a seat rate basis.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights (other than specified in the detailed safari itinerary), visas, compulsory insurance, all relevant entry and departure government taxes, all personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls etc.), gratuities, optional extra activities and all travel arrangements before or after the safari.

2010 DATES
SCHEDULED SAFARI DATES - 2010
Departure
Date
Departing
From
Ending
Date
Ending
In
04 January
Maun
14 January
Livingstone
07January
Maun
17 February
Livingstone
01 February
Maun
11 February
Livingstone
08 February
Maun
18 February
Livingstone
09 March
Maun
19 March
Livingstone
01 April
Maun
11 April
Livingstone
09 April
Livingstone
19 April
Maun
26 April
Maun
06 May
Livingstone
29 April
Maun
09 May
Livingstone
10 May
Livingstone
20 May
Maun
13 May
Livingstone
23 May
Maun
24 May
Maun
03 June
Livingstone
27 May
Maun
06 June
Livingstone
04 June
Livingstone
14 June
Maun
21 June
Maun
01 July
Livingstone
01 July
Livingstone
11 July
Maun
10 July
Livingstone
20 July
Maun
13 July
Maun
23 July
Livingstone
29 July
Livingstone
08 August
Maun
05 August
Maun
15 August
Livingstone
18 August
Livingstone
28 August
Maun
11 September
Livingstone
21 September
Maun
14 September
Livingstone
24 September
Maun
17 September
Livingstone
27 September
Maun
03 October
Maun
13 October
Livingstone
14 October
Livingstone
24 October
Maun
17 October
Livingstone
27 October
Maun
27 October
Maun
06 November
Livingstone
14 November
Livingstone
24 November
Maun
24 November
Maun
04 December
Livingstone
05 December
Maun
15 December
Livingstone
08 December
Maun
18 December
Livingstone
16 December
Livingstone
26 December
Maun

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