Down to earth holidays

Description

This safari explores the unique Okavango Delta water system and travels through some of the best wilderness areas of Botswana. It gives you the opportunity to explore the diverse landscapes and habitats as well as view a variety of game and culminates in an opportunity to visit one of the wonders of the natural world, Victoria Falls.

You’ll travel to the Okavango Delta from Maun where you will meet your polers and their trusty mokoros. This is surely the best and most relaxing way to explore the Delta, as you are gently poled along the papyrus-lined water channels on the look out for game. You will also have time to explore the area on foot, with expert guides leading walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango.

From here you’ll continue to the Moremi Game Reserve, widely considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful game parks in southern Africa. You’ll have a whole three days to seek out the variety of game and birds for which this area is renowned, with sunrise and sunset game drives making the most of your time here.

Chobe National park is the next destination. This huge park has a range of habitats and is home to a wide range of wildlife. Again, you have ample time to enjoy game drives in the contrasting Savuti and Chobe riverfront regions.

After your safari experience you’ll be driven to Livingstone, with the option to see the fabulous Victoria Falls, surely one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world and a fitting way to conclude your fabulous safari experience.

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 the western side of the Okavango Delta where you transfer to motorboats and cruise deeper into the Delta, spotting birds and enjoying the stunning scenery. You meet up with your polers and mokoros (dugout canoes) for a tranquil transfer to an island. You will spend 2 days exploring this fascinating area by mokoro and taking guided island walks. You will camp wild with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
2. DAY 2: A second day spent in the heart of the Okavango Delta with opportunities to spot the plentiful game, including impala, tsessebe, buffalo, wildebeest and zebra. Other sightings might include lion, cheetah and even wild dogs. (B, L, D).
3. DAY 3: Travel back to Maun, with the option of a scenic flight over the Delta to Maun (1hr flight, EUR 100 per person, min. 3 guests to guarantee the flight). Those who choose to take the flight will enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the Delta campsite. The guide will travel back to Maun with the vehicle and those guests who opt not to take the scenic flight. All will then shop for drinks and spend the night at a campsite with permanent ablution facilities just outside Maun. (B, L, D)
4. DAYS 4-6: You’ll be driven from the campsite to Moremi Game Reserve, one of the foremost wilderness areas of Botswana. The next three days will be spent taking early morning and late afternoon game drives, searching for the many species of wildlife and birds for which this area is so well known. Following the morning game drive you return to camp for lunch and a siesta. Camping is in private designated campsites with ablution facilities. (B, L, D)
5. DAY 7: Leaving Moremi you will head to the drier river of Savuti, with its herds of resident elephants.  Savuti lies within the Madabe Depression, which is a huge hollow left behind from an ancient lake. Camping is in a private designated are with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
6. DAYS 8-9: 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, listening to the call of the call of the majestic African Fish Eagle and travelling deeper into the park. Among the game you can expect to see are hippo, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, jackal and sable. Camping is in private designated areas with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
7. DAY 10: You have a morning game drive then cross the Zambezi River by ferry and drive into Livingstone on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls (visa required). In the afternoon there is time for a visit to the magnificent Victoria Falls and shop for curios and souvenirs. You stay in a comfortable lodge in Livingstone tonight. (B)
8. DAY 11: The safari officially ends at 10h00 this morning and our local representatives will be happy to help with transfers to the airport. Alternatively, you can add an extra night 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 perfect for anyone wanting to see the main parks of Botswana. This is a camping safari and includes some lengthy drives. All services are very comfortable and guiding is excellent.

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 school on 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

Abundant wildlife and all parks were stunning. Solitude and private camps were much appreciated. Out guides wereh superb - highly knowledgeable, information and capable with an excellent understanding of the environment. The tents were strong and meals were superb.
J Bourne

This very much met our expectations and even more. It was very adventurous and we lived closely with the animals. Guides were excellent as was the food.
H Sassoon

The mobile safari was excellent and there was a huge amount of wildlife, fantastic scenery and a total immersion into the country with no commercial pressures. Meals were varied and good quality.
J & R Morrison

Trip Code: B2

Validity: 1-3-09 to 21-12-09

Group Trip Dates & Prices

Max / Min: 6 / 12
Min age: x yrs.

2009 Price: £1310 to £1365.

2009 Dates:
14-24 Jan :  £1310 - £1200 if booked by 12th October 2008
4-14 Feb :  £1310
14-21 Feb :  £1310
25 Feb-7 Mar :  £1310
18-28 Mar :  £1310
1-11 Apr :  £1310
15-25 Apr :  £1310
6-16 May :  £1310
20-30 May :  £1310
10-20 Jun :  £1310
24 Jun-4 Jul :  £1310
8-18 Jul :  £1365
22 Jul - 1 Aug :  £1365
5-15 Aug :  £1365
19-29 Aug :  £1365
2-12 Sept :  £1365
16-26 Sep :  £1365
30 Sep-10 Oct :  £1365
14-24 Oct :  £1365
28 Oct-7 Nov :  £1310
11-21 Nov :  £1310
23 Dec-2 Jan :  £1310

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: 11 days

Included
All accommodation based on twin share(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
Restaurant meals (Livingstone), entrance to the Falls, optional excursions (scenic flight over the Delta and activities in Livingstone), drinks (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water), sleeping bag and pillow, tips, insurance, visas, items of a personal nature.