Down to earth holidays

Description

This compact wildlife safari lets you explore two fascinating and contrasting areas of Botswana and also offers the chance to see the spectacular Victoria Falls, all in just 8 days.

You’ll spend time in the Moremi Game Reserve, widely considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful game parks in southern Africa. With game drives at sunrise and sunset, the best times to search for the wide variety of game and birds for which this area is renowned, you are sure to have an unforgettable safari experience.

Chobe National Park is the next destination. This huge park has a range of habitats and is home to a wide range of wildlife and is especially well-known for its herds of elephants. Staying in two different areas of the park will enable you to visit contrasting terrain and maximise your game sightings.

Finally you’ll be driven to Livingstone, where you stay in a comfortable game lodge and have the option to visit the fabulous Victoria Falls, surely one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the world. What better way to round off your African safari than to visit this must-see natural wonder.

This is a semi-participation mobile camping safari which is ideal for anyone wanting to explore Botswana on a budget with basic facilities, and is happy helping out in camp. The vehicle takes max 12 people, with a trailer for mobile kitchen and luggage. 

 

Detailed Itinerary

1. DAY 1: You will be collected in Maun at 07h30 this morning, so you will need a pre-night stay in Maun and also to purchase drinks for your safari the day before the safari starts. You will be driven to Moremi Game Reserve, one of the foremost wilderness areas of Botswana.
   
   
2. DAYS 2-3: These days will be spent taking early morning and late afternoon game drives, in search of the many species of wildlife and birdlife to be found in this area. Following the morning game drive you return to camp for lunch and a siesta, heading out again in the late afternoon for your second game drive of the day. Moremi covers about 20% of the Okavanago Delta and the resident game includes lion, hippo, elephant, cheetah and wild dog. Camping is in private designated campsites with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
   
   
3. DAY 4: Leaving Moremi you will head to the drier region of Savuti in Chobe National Park, popular for its density of wildlife. Savuti lies within the Madabe Depression, a huge hollow left behind from an ancient lake and is home to large numbers of elephants. Camping is in private designated areas with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
   
   
4. DAYS 5-6: Continuing your journey you will head north to the Chobe River. Game viewing here will be in the form of game drives following the banks of the river and travelling deeper into the park. Apart from elephants you can expect to see hippo, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and sable, to name a few. Camping is in private designated areas with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
   
   
5. DAY 7: Following a morning game drive on day 7 you will cross the Zambezi River by ferry and then drive into Livingstone on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls (visa required). You will overnight at a comfortable lodge in Livingstone. In the afternoon there is time for a visit to the magnificent Victoria Falls and to shop for curios and souvenirs. (B)
   
   
6. DAY 8: The safari officially ends after breakfast this morning and our local representatives will be happy to help with transfers to the airport. Alternatively, you may want to add an extra night or two in Livingstone to take advantage of the many optional excursions offered here, including canoeing, white water rafting and helicopter rides. (B) 
   
    

Is it for you?

This is an easy trip suitable for most people, best described as a semi-participation mobile camping safari.

Best times to go

The Delta region is at its very best between May and September, though you can still travel here up to December and have decent game viewings. Victoria Falls has the most water in the rainy season, but in the dry season you get better views of the chasm which is no less spectacular.

Getting there

You need to fly and in to Maun and out of Livingstone if you’re only doing this trip. We can arrange your flights for you as required, so please contact us if you would like us to help you with this.

Responsible Travel

How your holiday helps:
This is not one of our holidays which helps any specific community project or conservation project. However, this is a small group trip travelling by land and camping in the wild, so it has really quite a light carbon footprint.

Carbon Offsetting :
For every client we take on holiday we plant 10 indigenous tree saplings. This is used as a poverty alleviation and biodiversity scheme as well as helping with carbon offsetting.

Giving to grassroots projects:
Our registered charity, The Tribes Foundation, is currently raising funds for a project in Botswana. The kindness of strangers can make a big difference, so if you’re a travel philanthropist considering donating to a worthwhile charity, please consider backing this excellent community project.

CARACAL is a not for profit NGO located in the Chobe Linyanti Wetlands of Northern Botswana. Its program strategy is directed at developing new ways of harnessing biodiversity to improve rural livelihoods and reduce poverty. Its mission is to promote, develop and support conservation and research programs, which contribute to sustainable wildlife utilisation, wildlife conflict resolution, endangered species management, rescue of injured wildlife, ecosystem health and natural resource management training of government staff, communities and school children.

We will shortly have a page with photos of the project on http://www.the-tribes-foundation.org/.

Shop ethically:
If you support buying fair trade, ethical and organic goods, please take a look at our online ethical shop for books, maps, travel gadgets, first aid kits etc before you travel. This is also a great place to find organic goodies and handmade crafts, many made in the countries and areas that we visit.

FOR MORE GENERAL DETAILS ABOUT OUR RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL PRINCIPLES, CLICK HERE.

Comments

Trip Code: B1

Validity: 1-3-09 to 31-12-09

Group Trip Dates & Prices

Max / Min: 6 / 12
Min age: x yrs.

2009 Price: £1050

2009 Dates:

17-24 Jan 24-31 Jan 7-14 Feb 14-21 Feb 28 Feb-7 Mar 14-21 Mar 21-28 Mar 28 Mar-4 Apr 4-11 Apr 11-18 Apr 18-25 Apr 2-9 May 9-16 May 16-23 May 23-30 May 30 May-6 Jun 13-20 Jun 20-27 Jun 27 Jun-4 Jul 4-11 Jul 11-18 Jul 18-25 Jul 25 Jul - 1 Aug

1-8 Aug 8-15 Aug 15-22 Aug 22-29 Aug 29 Aug-5 Sep 5-12 Sept 12-19 Sep 19-26 Sep 26 Sep-3 Oct 3-10 Oct 10-17 Oct 17-24 Oct 24-31 Oct 31 Oct-7 Nov 7-14 Nov 14-21 Nov 21-28 Nov 5-12 Dec 26 Dec-2 Jan

Pricing notes: 

• Prices are based on twin share, excluding flights.
• Please ask about child rates (if available) and single supplements.
• Exchange rate fluctuations may affect these prices (see our Booking Conditions).

Duration: 8 days

Included
All accommodation (spacious bow tents with mattresses), rooms at a comfortable lodge in Livingstone, all transfers and activities as per the itinerary, all meals as indicated, services of a professional guide and camp assistant, all Botswana park fees for included activities ,and transport in specialized safari vehicles.

Not Included
Airport transfers (please ask), restaurant meals (Livingstone), entrance to the Falls, optional excursions in Livingstone, drinks (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water), sleeping bag & pillow, tips, insurance, visas, items of a personal nature, night in Maun pre-trip (please ask)