African Safaris Ltd - 15-Day Botswana Wildlife Safari

8/8/2019 African Safaris Ltd - 15-Day Botswana Wildlife Safari

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African Safaris Ltd P O Box 100-781 North Shore Mail Centre Auckland 0745 New Zealand

Phone: 0800 528 101 email: [email protected]

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Botswana Wildlife SafariYour kiwi tour leader is Claire Vial; azoologist, wildlife photographer and author of more than 60 non-

fiction childrens books about animals.

This is a 15-day non-participation, authentic, full service camping safari. We will have camp staff who

will take care of all camp duties, which us leaves more time to look for wildlife!

Date: 17 to 31 July, 2011

Price: USD 3,895 per person sharing*/**

Single Supplement: USD 295

Discover Botswanas finest National Parks and Game Reserves on this au-

thentic (non-participation) full-service camping safari. Travelling by 4WD

we spend our first night in Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, before moving to Nxai

Pan National Park - the worlds largest salt pans. From there we make

our way through to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta; then on to

Moremi Game Reserve, where we discover the delta in traditional dug-out

canoes. We camp in Savuti, an area well known for Wild dog, lion and

large herds of bull elephants. We finish in Chobe National Park where we

take a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. A total of 10 days are spent

in wildlife parks/reserves - this is a true African wildlife adventure!

Highlights: Nxai Pan, Bains Baobab, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Moremi Game Reserve, Maun, Savuti,

Chobe National Park, Chobe River Cruise, Boma Restaurant, Victoria Falls

Group Size: minimum 6 - maximum 10 people

Type of Safari: non-participation full service camping safari (you dont have to lift a finger tents,

cooking, showers etc are all taken care of by camp staff.)

Accommodation: spacious 2-person canvas dome tents (3mx3m). Shower tent and toilet tents are


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set up in a central area at each campsite. The showers are bucket showers and the toilets are portable

toilets. Tents contain camp cot, mattress, fitted sheet, duvet, blanket, pillow and pillowcase.

*Subject to African Safaris Ltd's Terms and Conditions. Please check for current price when booking.

** As per exchange rate 1 October 2010

Includes:

Use of specially modified 4x4 vehicles (Toyota Landcruiser) Professional guide and back up staff Use of all camping equipment, including bedding. Bring a towel. Camping on a full board basis Botswana National Parks camping and entrance fees Accommodation for two nights in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (B&B basis, 1 night dinner own expense) Accommodation for one night in Maun (B&B basis, dinner at own expense).

Excludes:

All airfares, Bottled water Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (except tea

and coffee)

Activities in Victoria Falls and Maun Any gratuities, any personal expenses, visa fees.

Your kiwi tour leader: Claire Vial

Claire worked as a conservation volunteer in Botswana for more than 2 years. During this time she as-

sisted several wildlife researchers with their projects and completed two of her own research projects.

The first project was in Botswana on a bird called the African Skimmer. The second project was a visi-

tor survey at Addo Elephant National Park, in South Africa.

Using her extensive knowledge, Claire has published more than 60 childrens educational books about

animals. These books have been photographically illustrated using her images. More than 20 of these

books are about African animals.

Claire is also a Zoom Tour guide at Auckland Zoo. These are behind the scenes tours where guests

have the exclusive opportunity to get up close to and find out about animals you've always dreamed

about an experience of a lifetime!


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Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

On arrival you will be met by a representative and transferred to Amadeus Garden Guest House. Rest

of the day at your lesure (B&B)

Day 2: Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

We depart Victoria Falls by road, crossing the border to Botswana. We then have a

long drive to Planet Baobab in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. This is the Baobab

capital of the world: where the average age of each tree is 4000 years and beyond

and the boundless lunar landscape of the Makgadikgadi salt pans is the size of

Switzerland! We visit a traditional Botswana cattle post and get insight into tradi-

tional life and culture of local people. Overnight in Baobab Huts with en-suites.

(LD)

Day 3: Nxai Pan National Park

After breakfast, we head for Nxai Pan National Park. Lunch is taken en route.We camp for the next two nights in the Nxai Pan National Park. The area is

known for large herds of Springbok and the water-hole at the heart of the pan

allows for some spectacular scenery. This water-hole is where the National

Geographic IMAX documentary ROAR was filmed. Overnight at a private wil-

derness campsite. (BLD)

Day 4: Nxai Pan National Park

We start with a light breakfast in the early hours of the morning, heading out

as it starts to get light. The drive normally lasts until about 10:30 am. There-

after, brunch is served and everyone takes the opportunity to have a siesta

throughout the heat of the day. As the air starts to cool towards late after-noon, we embark on our afternoon game drive. Overnight at a private wilder-

ness campsite. (BLD)

Day 5: Maun, Tree Lodge

Today we move on to the frontier town of Maun. A short drive takes us to our hotel where there is a

pleasant bar and a swimming pool. The afternoon is at leisure. This frontier town in Botswanas far

north, is known as the safari capital of Botswana. Many travellers pass through here on their way to the

Okavango Delta. It is the southernmost part of the Delta and boasts a river tributary of the Okavango

called the Thamalakane. Dinner at own expense (BL)

Day 6: Xaxanaka, Moremi Game ReserveWe travel by road to Xakanaxa which forms part of the permanent Delta. The

area boasts some of the best game sightings in Botswana. Game viewing is

done along the waterways and floodplains. Species such as giraffe, Zebra and

wildebeest are but a few that occur here. Overnight at a private wilderness

campsite. (BLD)

The Xakanaxa region of Moremi is well known for its good game concentrations. A myriad of road sys-

tems take us on exciting game drives through ever changing habitat from riverine forest to Mopane


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woodland, lagoon systems to floodplains and river channels to open grasslands. The scenery is enter-

taining enough in its diversity and no two game drives are the same. Excellent concentrations of grazers

and browsers support high numbers of predators. On day two of our safari, we travel by boat across the

Xakanaxa lagoon and up the Maunachira river. Here we get to see how the delta really works. Thou-

sands of islands make up this unique system and we stop on one of them for a picnic lunch.

Day 7: Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve

We explore the crystal clear channels of the Okavango Delta by motor boat

with a picnic lunch. Return to the mainland for the evening meal and camp-

ing. Moremi Game Reserve protects 5,500 square kilometres of the

Okavango Deltas wilderness. This world famous park is renowned for its fan-

tastic game viewing and its pristine condition. It is one of Africas most excit-

ing destinations and travellers from around the globe come to enjoy this

unique inland river delta the Okavango Delta. The Delta begins life in An-

gola, some 2,000 kilometres north of Maun. Having flowed through southern Angola and across Na-

mibias Caprivi Strip, it fans out over the Kalahari sands forming a 15,000 square kilometre alluvial fan.

The formation of the delta dates back to around two million years ago. Overnight at a private wildernesscampsite. (BLD)

Day 8: Khwai Area, Moremi Game Reserve

We take a leisurely drive to our campsite in the Khwai area of Moremi Game

reserve. This areas diversity of game is astounding and the reserve has

been hailed one of the best in the world. Afternoon game drive and overnight

camping Moremi. Overnight at a private wilderness campsite. (B, L, D)

The Khwai area is the eastern most river of the Okavango Delta and it ends life in the sands. Many peo-

ple return here because the wildlife concentrations are so incredible. Elephants come from miles around

to drink, pods of Hippos are discovered around just about every bend in the river and the semi aquaticRed Lechwe occupy the rivers flood plains. As we say there is always something interesting happening

on the Khwai! There are at least three prides of Lions that occupy the river front, their presence keep-

ing the prey species ever alert.

Day 9: Khwai Area, Moremi Game Reserve

Today is spent on early morning and afternoon game drives. There is of

course, that obligatory siesta during the hottest part of the day. Overnight

at a private wilderness campsite. (BLD)

Day 10: Savuti, Chobe National Park

Moving through the Mababe depression, we relocate to Savuti. We camp onthe edge of the dry Savuti Channel. Game viewing in the afternoon along the fringes of the dry marsh

and surrounding water holes. The area is best known for large populations of Bull Elephants. (B, L, D)

Savuti lies in the centre of the Chobe National Park. This vast thirst land is known for its Lion and Hyena

densities made famous by films like Eternal Enemies and BBCs Planet Earth series. The Savuti was a

river and will become one again. The river dried up for the fourth time in 150 years in 1980. Last year it

started to flow again but it could take years, rain water input permitting, for it to flow again all the way

to the marsh. It is the dry river bed and marsh dotted with hills in the surrounding area that make


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the place unique. It is good country for African Wild Dog and Cheetah. San art dating back to 4,000

years ago can be seen on one of the hills. Our game drives usually centre around visiting four pans

Main pan, Rhino pan, Maribou pan and Harveys. In winter, they are the only source of water and wild-

life come from miles around to drink. These pans are captive audiences for photographers and we spend

hours here watching and waiting.

Day 11: Savuti, Chobe national park

Again we have the opportunity to spend many hours on morning and after-

noon game drives. Overnight at a private wilderness campsite. (BLD)

Day 12: Serondella area, Chobe National Park

We journey north toward the Chobe River front home to some of the

worlds largest elephant breeding herds; large numbers of big game such as

buffalo, hippo and lion can be seen here. Overnight at a private wilderness campsite. (BLD)

The Chobe river has its source in Angola. Here it is called the Kwando River, downstream on entry into

Botswana, it is known as the Linyanti River and for its last 60 or so kilometres, it becomes the ChobeRiver. A few million years ago it flowed south toward the Kahalari but tectonic movement changed that

and today the river drains into the mighty Zambezi. This final stage of the river opens up onto channels

and floodplains that supports an incredible amount of life. It is home to around 2,000 Plains Zebra,

4,000 Cape Buffalo and it is greatest claim the highest density of Elephant on Earth. Numbering

around 45,000, it is a safe haven for the planets largest land mammal. Here one can hang out with

many herds and gain insight to this awe inspiring species and their behaviour patterns. The river itself

is loaded with Hippos and Crocodiles and on one afternoon we take a boat ride up the river to get a to-

tally different perspective.

Day 13: Serondella area, Chobe National Park

Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise (included) along the Chobe River. Overnight at a privatewilderness campsite. (BLD)

Day 14: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

A short transfer from Chobe National Park across the border back to Victoria Falls.

Afternoon at leisure for optional activities (guests own expense). We enjoy our

last night together at the Boma Restaurant. Partially open to the African skies

and sheltered by the indigenous Gusu forest lies the award winning Boma restau-

rant. This offers a unique African experience that bombards the senses with the

tastes, sights, sounds and smells of Africa - coupled with the warmth and hospi-

tality of the local people. Styled in the traditional manner, the thatched boma has an open fire to en-

hance the vibrant atmosphere which is clearly evident from the moment you step across the threshold.Overnight at Amadeus Guest House. (BD)

Day 15: End of safari

After breakfast the safari ends. Transfer to your flight. (B)


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BOTSWANA

The San were among the first human inhabitants of this region before the Setswana migrated south-

wards and slowly occupied the region from the 16th century onwards, until early in the 19th century. By

mid century missionaries arrived, including David Livingstone and Robert Moffat, and by 1885 the terri-

tory was a British protectorate. Botswana gained its independence in 1966 and has been the most sta-

ble democracy in Africa. The first president ruled from 1966 until his death in 1980, the second till 1994

(re-elected twice, then resigned) and the third from 1998.

The country has a strong currency with one of the highest per capita incomes in Africa, maintains a

neutral international political stance. It is heavily reliant on mining (especially diamonds) & tourism and

maintains close ties with its neighbour South Africa, an economic powerhouse for the region.

Wildlife is abundant in Botswana and includes lion, giraffe, leopard, antelope, elephant, crocodile and

ostrich. Botswana is semiarid and has an average annual (summer) rainfall of 640 mm (about 25 in) in

the north to less than 230 mm (less than 9 in) in the Kalahari. Drought is therefore not uncommon and

the vegetation is mostly savannah.

Geographically Botswana is relatively flat (the average elevation of about 1000 m) and can be viewed

(for all intensive purposes) as three major regions as follows:

1. Chobe National Park in the north, another outstanding wilderness area of enormous diversity lion and elephant can be viewed from river cruises or 4x4 game drives.

2. The Okavango Delta is a vast marshland and one of the largest inland river deltas in the world 15 000 km2 of wilderness and prime safari area. The Kalahari Desert in the central and south-

western regions occupies over half the land area of Botswana. It is a mystical, harsh and un-

spoiled landmass.

3. The saltpans of north-central Botswana and the Tuli block in the far eastern corner of Botswanaare also areas of significance.

Moremi Game Reserve

In the centre of the Okavango Delta is the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, a 3,000 km2 paradise. Proclaimed a

wildlife reserve by the Tswana people in 1963, Moremi is undoubtedly one of the world's most pristine

wilderness areas. The foresight of the local community has ensured that nature has flourished undis-

turbed, offering a glimpse of the divine, a veritable Garden of Eden. Moremi is a place of lily-covered

wetlands, grass plains and forests, where even at the busiest time of year you're likely to be the only

spectators at a most dramatic animal sighting.

Moremi consists of a network of waterways surrounding two large islands, Chiefs Island in the west andMopane Tongue in the east. The area's diverse ecosystems, riverine woodland, flood plains, wetlands

and reed beds, mopane forest and dry savannah woodland are all flourishing, broken only by the occa-

sional jeep track. This diversity of habitats provides rich pickings for an impressive variety of animals

and around 550 bird species. As Moremi is a fenced reserve, game viewing is impressive throughout the

year. However, the cool dry winter months from March to September are an ideal time to visit, as the

chances of seeing lion, elephant, leopard, hyena, eland, kudu, roan antelope, giraffe, zebra, impala and

buffalo are excellent. On the sandy riverbanks and wetlands, sightings of hippo and crocodile are com-

monplace.


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Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta in northern Botswana incorporates the Moremi Game Reserve and is a unique wild-

life paradise - one of the finest in the world. It is also one of the largest inland river deltas in the world.

This unsurpassed natural environment is a maze of waterways, islands and reed banks creating a per-

fect habitat for lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, hyena, wild dog, kudu, impala, roan, zebra,

lechwe, hippo and crocodile, amongst others. There are approx 440 bird species in the delta and fish

species are also abundant, including tiger fish, sharp-toothed catfish, barbell and bream.

Travel through the swamps and surrounding areas is generally done by open 4x4 game viewing vehicle

or a peaceful meander in a Mokoro, a flat-bottomed dugout canoe.

The Delta is hot throughout the year with temperatures ranging from approx 14C in January to 24C in

July. Rainfall averages 525 mm annually, but varies greatly from year to year. Water levels and flooding

reach a maximum between March and July, after rains at the source and the usual 15 000 km2 can ex-

pand to approximately 22 000 km2 in high-rainfall years.

Chobe National Park

Chobe National park is approx 11 000 km2 of wilderness area watered by the Chobe & Savuti Rivers and

thus attracting huge concentrations of game. This includes lion and some of the highest concentration

of elephant in Africa an estimated population of around 25 000 in winter. Game viewing is renowned

and in the Northern areas near Kasane, both the riverboat game viewing experience and the 4x4 vehicle

option are popular.

In addition the spectacular annual summer migrations of plains game, especially Zebra, is a highlight,

as well Giraffe, Warthog and numerous antelope including Sable, Roan, Oribi, Reedbuck, Lechwe and

the colourful Chobe Bushbuck.

Bird watching opportunities in Chobe are ample and include some 350 species including the awesome

African Fish eagle, the rare Pells Fishing owl, Saddle-billed storks, Long-toed Plovers, Pink-backed Peli-

cans, African Skimmers, Bradfield's Hornbills and Carmine Bee-eaters. In addition, the sunsets are

spectacular.

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African Safaris Ltd - 15-Day Botswana Wildlife Safari