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Botswana Safari

Untamed Lands - Botswana Safari

Combination Vintage lodge and serviced camping in private concession areas and campsites - 12 nights / 13 days

Makgadikgadi, Okavango Delta, Linyanti, Chobe and Lower Zambezi

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Mekoro excursion on The Untamed Lands Safari Leopard in Moremi - The Untamed Lands Safari Lovely setting with Hippos - The Untamed Lands Safari Meerkats (Suricates) in Makgadikgadi - The Untamed Lands Safari

This is an old-style game camping safari, which recreates a sense of pure adventure for the traveler seeking an adventure safari.  Experience the wild and untamed lands of Botswana, whether in the desert, the waterlands of the Okavango Delta, or the savannahs of Chobe.  The journey begins with the amazing desert-adapted animals of the other-world landscape of the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans and then moves on to the abundace of water, flora and fauna of the beautiful Okavango Delta.  Guests will witness the awesome, seasonal spectacle of enormous elephant herds and other seasonal plains game in the dry Savuti and the flowing Linyanti River.  The safari finishes with a visit to see the unforgettable Vistoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The visible contrasting prime safari areas of Makgadikgadi Pans, Kalahari Desert, Okavango Delta and savannah, primarily in exclusive, private safari concessions make this one of our most popular safaris.  Activities include suricate walks, San (bushmen) cultural experience, Baines' Baobab lunch, brown hyena viewing, quad biking (seasonal), and island walks in Moremi Game Reserve.

This Classic Safari provides fully serviced spacious tents, styled to provide elegant comfort in the ultimate wild camping, game safari.

The style of accommodation takes you to the era of exploration. Pure cotton linen bedrolls (with feather duvets) on GI stretchers, teak bedside table with silver lantern and mini luggage benches complement the atmosphere in pure pristine wild camping areas. Shared separate toilet and shower “bathrooms” with old style tin bucket showers and basins and all amenities create simple serviced comfort.

Guides: The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional and passionate trained guides, who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless, well-rounded experience.  Detailed personal guide information is available upon request.

Exclusive experience: To ensure total privacy and exclusivity, most areas in which we travel are private concessions in pristine, prime game locations. All camps are private and for the use of this safari only.

Routes: The route takes the time to roam and explore the contrasts, extremes and continually moving game of northern Botswana: from camping on islands in the anomaly of the Okavango Delta and its crystal clear waterways, to the game-rich plains of the dry Savuti marsh and the seasonal elephant masses in the Linyanti Reserve. We also take advantage of the viewing of the annual zebra migration along the “Stolen River”, from its source.

Transfers: Guest game viewing time is enhanced, minimizing the length of overland transfers by flying in private charters where necessary.  Overland game transfers include lunch en-route at private game viewing hides to provide both a birds-eye view and an in-depth experience of the ever-changing landscapes of Botswana.

Seasonality: We adapt our route with the changing seasons so as to provide the best in wildlife viewing on an annual basis.  Therefore, between 01 December and 31 May, to maximize the experience of the zebra migration, the safari switches a night from Linyanti Trails Camp to Savuti in the Chobe National Park.

Safari Style:  Adventurer

The Untamed Lands Safari map

For 2008: This safari is no longer available.  We suggest the Migration Routes exploration as an alternative.

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.


DAYS 1 - 2; (2 Nights)
CAMP KALAHARI - Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
            Jump to San Camp

Lovely view of San Camp in the MakgadikgadiAfter arrival in Maun, fly by light aircraft to Camp Kalahari, situated in a private concession on the edge of the great Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari Desert. The saltpans are among the largest in the world, part of a fossilized super-lake that thrived eons ago.

Surprisingly for such a harsh, lunar-like environment, life abounds, and brown hyena, oryx and springbok are just a few of the desert-adapted species that can be seen. Activities include up-close encounters with suricates (meerkats), one of the most fascinating and endearing animals in the world.  Experience phenomenal geology, quad biking, authentic San (bushman) cultural walks or simply enjoying the wide-open spaces of this ancient lake bed.


DAYS 3 - 4; (2 Nights)
NXAI PAN - Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana          (Fully serviced camping)
Jump to Makgadikgadi Pans

The endless vistas in Nxai Pan National ParkAfter an early breakfast, we depart overland to our pre-erected private Classic campsite in the Nxai Pan National park, stopping for lunch en-route at the infamous Baines Baobabs, which Thomas Baines painted on his exploratory expedition in the late 1800s.

These pans are fossilized and vegetated with short nutritious grasses and acacia trees, creating game rich areas surrounded by vegetated dune savannahs.  Extensive game drives explore the surrounding pans.  Spectacular dry season predator and prey action is viewable at the water holes!

DAYS 5 - 6; (2 Nights)
XIGERA MOKORO TRAILS - Okavango Delta, Botswana
            Jump to Xigera Mokoro Trail

Guests on a Xigera Mokoro Trail ssfariAfter arrival in Maun, fly by light aircraft to the water-filled paradise of the private Xigera area, within the Moremi Game Reserve.  Xigera is one of the ultimate Delta experiences, with the serene waters flowing through innumerable channels around remote islands and a profusion of plants and animals.

There is no better way to experience the Okavango than to travel through it by mokoro, walking and camping out on some of its green islands – all essential elements of the Xigera Mokoro Trails experience.

Activities include mokoro and walking safaris, which enable up-close encounters with the excellent diversity of birdlife (including Pel’s fishing owl), frogs and a myriad game species, some specially adapted to water such as the rare sitatunga and the more familiar red lechwe.


DAYS 7 - 8; (2 Nights)
LECHWE ISLAND CAMP - Northeastern Okavango Delta, Botswana          (Fully serviced camping)

Leopards are common throughout the DeltaFly by light aircraft charter from Xigera Mokoro Trails directly to the north-eastern corner of the Okavango Delta, to our pre-erected Adventurer camp set up on a wooded island under shade trees, situated close to the game viewing areas.

Activities concentrate on the open herbivore-inhabited plains surrounding the camp, where seasonal congregations of wildlife (especially in the late afternoons) make the perfect setting for game drives, night drives and bush walks on the concession.


DAY 9 [or DAYS 9 & 10;  see schedule below]; (1 or 2 Nights)
SAVUTE MARSH - Chobe National Park, Botswana
          (Fully serviced camping)
Jump to Chobe National Park

Huge herds of zebra migrate through the Savuti MarshAfter an early morning drive and departure from camp, we travel directly north through the private concession, stopping en-route at a private game viewing hide for lunch. We arrive at our pre-erected Classic campsite in the mid-afternoon, in time for a sunset game drive.


DAYS 10 - 11 [or DAY 11;  see schedule below]; (1 or 2 Nights)
LINYANTI TRAILS CAMP - Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana
          (Fully serviced camping)

Lion pride and game drive in LinayntiWe depart early this morning towards the Linyanti region. This is an all day game drive, with lunch en-route at a private game viewing hide in the Savuti Channel.

In addition, this game drive is specifically created to provide the guest with an intimate detailed view of the “Stolen River”, to ensure the best zebra migration and reliable game viewing possible throughout the year.

On our second day, we depart on an early morning activity in the north eastern corner of the Linyanti, enjoying a myriad of changing landscapes, from riverine to savannah habitat with sweeping views.  Lunch is at a spectacular serviced lunch deck, with a sweeping view of the Linyanti waterways.  After a siesta in hammocks, there is the possibility of an afternoon canoe trip, before returning to camp at dusk. (This activity is not always possible, as it is dependent upon whether there are hippo pods moving in and out of the areas in which we canoe.)

DAY 12; (1 Night)
Chobe River boat cruise, Chobe National Park and Shackletons Upper Zambezi Lodge, Zambia

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

Leave Botswana and enter Zambia by way of the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe meet, to stay at the Shackletons Upper Zambezi Lodge, situated on the Upper Zambezi River near the village of Mwandi (meaning place of ‘plenty fish’) in southwestern Zambia. The Lodge is approximately 140km west of Livingstone.

The Lodge accommodates 12 people in thatched, en-suite chalets with private teak decks overlooking the Zambezi. The swimming pool, sun downer deck, lounge, open dining area, and riverside bar provide guests with unparalleled vistas of the mighty Upper Zambezi River. Shackletons provides access to 130km of the Upper Zambezi River, often called ‘God’s Highway’. Besides the nearby Lozi village of Mwandi, there are no other Zambian villages or lodges on this vast stretch of water. Shackletons is flanked by sandy river banks, reed beds, water lilies, riverine forests, woodlands and flooded grass plains.


DAY 13
Guided tour of the Victoria Falls; transfer to Livingstone Airport

The spectacular Victoria FallsAfter a full breakfast, we road transfer just beyond the town of Livingstone to enjoy a guided tour at 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.

After the Victoria Falls visit we transfer directly to Livingstone Airport and bid farewell to the adventure.

NOTE:  THIS ITINERARY IS AVAILABLE ON FLEXIBLE DATES AND ITINERARIES, FOR TAILOR-MADE TRIPS FOR SMALL GROUPS.

Winter itinerary:  01 June to 30 November
Summer itinerary: 
01 January to 31 May (includes a one night switch from Linyanti Trails Camp to Savuti Marsh - Chobe National Park)

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 lodge in Livingstone, Zambia.
• 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, guided tour of the Victoria Falls and 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 drinks in Zambia, 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.

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