Green
Desert Expedition - Botswana Safari
Serviced camping in private concession areas and
National Park campsites - 7 nights / 8 days
Makgadikgadi, Kalahari and Okavango Delta - Botswana
THIS SAFARI HAS BEEN CREATED TO MAXIMISE AMAZING WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS OF DESERT SPECIES THAT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SPORADIC RAINS FROM DECEMBER TO MID-MARCH; AS WELL AS A LUXURY LODGE IN THE PERMANENTLY FLOODED REGION OF THE OKAVANGO DELTA.
Experience a nostalgic camping safari that recreates a sense of wildlife viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the early African explorers.
The style and essence of Wilderness Safaris’ Adventurer Safaris takes you back to the bygone days of Africa’s exploration. Our 3m x3m dome tents (at Khumaga and Deception Valley), complete with mini-verandas, allow you to feel more connected to nature, accentuating the feeling of the wild and untamed. Pure cotton linen bedrolls (with duvets) on GI stretchers, bedside table with silver lantern and mini luggage benches add to the atmosphere. Shared separate toilet and shower ‘bathrooms’ with old-style tin bucket showers and basins create simple serviced comfort.
Adventurer camping aims to bring the guest closer to nature, by means of lively campfires, hurricane lanterns, diverse activities and a warm atmosphere permeating the camp (and its simple comforts). Adventurer camps are specifically outfitted to create that camping feel with a clear emphasis on essential comforts and pristine wilderness experience.
Safari bathrooms: There are 2 short-drop toilets at Deception and Khumaga. There are also 2 bucket shower enclosures at these campsites.
Guides: The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional guides, who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari experience.
Exclusive experience: Ensuring privacy and exclusivity, Xigera is a luxury lodge in a private concession within Moremi Game Reserve. All Explorations camps are private and for the use of Adventurer Exploration guests only.
Routes: This expedition is specifically designed to enjoy the Kalahari Desert at its most productive season, when it receives its low sporadic rains. This small amount of water creates an incredibly prolific wildlife-viewing period with concentrations of desert species and their young in the fertile, ancient river valleys of Deception Valley and the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The route takes the time to explore the contrasts of three major habitat types: the Makgadikgadi’s verdant grasslands, the “petrified” river valley of Deception Valley in the Kalahari Desert, and finally the fertile green islands of the Okavango Delta and its crystal-clear waterways.
Time: We have specifically allowed for a 3-night stay in Deception Valley; in a journey of this nature, guests have the time to relax and unwind, at the same time fully appreciating an in-depth introduction to the diversity of the area as well as its activities.
Transfers: To maximise guests’ travel time, a variety of transport modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in seat on charters and overland transfers provide both a bird’s-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Botswana.
4 x 4 tracks in wilderness areas are not maintained, take time to navigate and may be bumpy. As a result some of the fascinating game/ road transfers can take a full day with lunch en route.
Safari Style: Adventurer |
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SAFARI
COST (2008): $2,630 per
person sharing
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT (2008): $0
There
is a limitation of 2 single tents per safari and a
maximum number of 5 tents at any site while on safari. No
single supplement is payable. When there are
more than 2 single guests on a safari, we will attempt
to match guests with another guest of the same gender.
No triple rooms are accepted.
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DAYS 1 - 2;
(2 Nights)
KHUMAGA - BOTETI RIVER - MAKGADIKGADI PANS,
BOTSWANA (Fully
serviced camping)
 Jump
to Makgadikgadi
Pans |
 Upon arrival in Maun, we depart by road for Khumaga, on the edge of the great Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari Desert. The saltpans are among the largest in the world, part of a fossilised super-lake that existed aeons ago. The Adventurer campsite is well positioned under shady trees on the banks of the Boteti River.
With the coming of rain, life abounds, and brown hyaena, gemsbok (oryx) and springbok are just a few of the desert-adapted species that can be seen. Activities include game drives, concentrating on the opportunistic birthing time of desert animals, as a result of the erratic rains, and the diverse array of birds, possibly including rarities like the Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers. In addition, the seasonal wildebeest and zebra movements, if present in the area, provide amazing sightings at this time. Experience the phenomenal geology and simply enjoy the wide-open spaces of this ancient lakebed and surrounding grassy plains. It is usually not possible to see the actual saltpans at this time of year and our time is thus spent experiencing the surrounding habitats of the grasslands, river channels and the palm tree islands. |
DAYS 3 - 5 ;
(3 Nights)
DECEPTION VALLEY - CENTRAL KALAHARI
GAME RESERVE, BOTSWANA (Fully
serviced camping)
Jump
to Central
Kalahari Game Reserve |
 After an early breakfast, we depart overland to our private Adventurer campsite in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve with lunch en route.
This prehistoric riverbed, flanked by petrified dune lands, is very appealing after brief rains, as it is covered with nutritious grasses that attract herds from all over the enormous reserve. These large congregations of desert wildlife with their young are followed by predators into the broad riverbed, all of which makes for outstanding viewing.
On Day 4 or 5 we enjoy extended wildlife game drives (with picnic lunch), taking in the game-rich Pipers Pans area of the Kalahari, as well as the Letiahau and Deception Valleys.
Suggested further reading on the area is “Cry of the Kalahari”, by Mark and Delia Owens. |
DAYS 6 - 7;
(2 Nights)
XIGERA CAMP - OKAVANGO DELTA,
BOTSWANA Jump
to Xigera
Camp |
 After a light breakfast we depart overland to Maun (approximately 6 hours), after which we fly by light aircraft in the afternoon to the water-filled paradise of the private Xigera area, within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is the ultimate Delta experience, with serene waters flowing through innumerable channels around remote islands and a profusion of plant and animal life.
Xigera Camp is a luxury tented camp situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta. It has something for everyone, in an area where there are no other Moremi camps and where permanent water all year round allows for a variety of activities. Enjoy a true Delta experience while you sit back in a mokoro (dugout canoe) and silently glide through the tranquil Okavango waterways or watch the sunset and birds gliding home to roost from a motorboat on the Xigera Lagoon. The more adventurous can enjoy a scenic nature walk.
Nestled in a magnificent riverine forest, Xigera consists of 10 luxuriously furnished tented rooms with en-suite facilities and outdoor shower. Each room is raised off the ground on a wooden deck offering superb views of the seasonal floodplain and waterhole. Meals and drinks are enjoyed under the thatch of the raised lounge, pub and dining area overlooking a permanently flowing channel. A traditional boma offers alternative dining under the African stars. Wooden walkways wind through the forest connecting the rooms to the main area. There is a plunge pool for cooling off and relaxation. Birding in the area is excellent, with Pel’s Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, African Skimmers and a host of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers to be found. The area has the highest density of the rare sitatunga antelope found anywhere in the Okavango Delta. |
DAY 8
Charter flight to Maun
After an early game activity and breakfast, we fly to Maun, Botswana, where the
safari ends. |
NOTE: THIS SAFARI
IS FLEXIBLE WITH REGARDS TO DATES AND ITINERARIES FOR TAILOR-MADE TRIPS
FOR SMALL GROUPS.
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, subject to 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.
• There is a limitation of 2 single tents per safari, and a maximum number
of 5 tents at any site while on safari. No single supplement is payable. When
there are more than 2 single guests on a safari, we will attempt to match guests
with another guest of the same gender. 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.
• Flashlights/ torches: Please ensure that a minimum 2-D cell flashlight
is brought on safari, with spare batteries. Head lamps are also useful. flashlights
are not provided.
• 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. No 110/ 240V outlets are available, except at the Xigera Camp.
• Dietary requirements and special occasions: Due to remote locality of
Adventurer 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 sharing basis, all meals from lunch on Day 1 to the end
of the scheduled safari, a reasonable amount of soft drinks, wine and beer
at meal times, national park fees, activities, all internal charters as specified in the itinerary.
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, laundry, optional extra activities, pre and post
safari tours, meals or accommodation before or after the safari.
2008 DATES
SCHEDULED
SAFARI DATES - 2008 |
Departure
Date |
Departing
From |
Ending
Date |
Ending
In |
12 January |
Maun |
19 January |
|
23 January |
Maun |
30 January |
|
03 February |
Maun |
10 February |
|
20 February |
Maun |
27 February |
|
02 March |
Maun |
09 March |
|
20 March |
Maun |
27 March |
|
08 April |
Maun |
15 April |
|
10 April |
Maun |
17 April |
|
21 April |
Maun |
28 April |
|
24 April |
Maun |
01 May |
|
23 November |
Maun |
30 November |
|
04 December |
Maun |
11 December |
|
07 December |
Maun |
14 December |
|
22 December |
Maun |
29 December |
|
29 December |
Maun |
05 January 2009 |
|
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to Scheduled
Safari Packages
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