Transcript
  • Botswana Safari

    10 Days , LIVINGSTONE to LIVINGSTONE

    What's Included

    All National Park and game reserve entrances. Chobe River homestay. Open vehicle game drives in Savuti area, Chobe National Park, Khwai River and Moremi

    area.

    Okavango Delta 2-night houseboat excursion with game viewing and bird watching byboat.

    Overseas Medical Insurance for the duration of the tour (Sum of US$ 2,50,000 covered) 3 nights accommodation at the hotels mentioned or similar 1 night accommodation in a homestay. 3 nights accommodation in Comfort tented camps. 2 nights accommodation in a houseboat Meals Included: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners. Arrival Airport Transfers on day 1 of the tour on shared basis All transport between destinations and to/from included activities. Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

    VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details toreview a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affectyour plans.

  • Itinerary

    DAY 1 Livingstone

    Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included. Meet our CEO at the hotel (onDay 1 at approx. 6:00PM - please have a look at the information board in thehotel), he/she will go through your trip details.

    David Livingstone was born on March 19, 1813 in the village of Blantyre,South Lanarkshire, Scotland. He first studied Greek, medicine, and theology atthe University of Glasgow and while working in London, joined the LondonMissionary Society became a minister. He originally planned to gain access toChina through his medical knowledge. The Opium Wars, which were raging atthis stage with no signs of peace on the horizon, forced Livingstone to considerother options. From 1840 he worked in Bechuanaland (present-day Botswana),

  • and in the period 1852-56, he explored the African interior, and was the firstEuropean to see the Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall, which he renamed Victoria Fallsafter his monarch, Queen Victoria.

    The Victoria Falls waterfalls occur in a country that is perfectly flat. From itssource on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Zambezi Rivermeanders for 1300 km across the wooded plateau of Zambia, eroding for itselfa shallow valley on its mild descent to the site of the falls. The river eventuallyfound a weak spot on the lower lip of the surface over which it passed, andforced a passage which was steadily deepened into an exit gorge. During thelast half million years the river has scoured out eight of these cracks across itsbed. The Victoria falls occur where the river is 1688m wide, presents thespectacle of an average maximum of 550 million liters of water a minutetumbling over the lip of the trench in five main falls, the Devil's Cataract, Mainfalls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow falls and the Eastern Cataract. The highest ofthese is Rainbow falls, on an average 108 m high. A peak flood sees 750 millionliters of water in one minute hurtling over the falls.

    The name Zambezi comes from the Tonka tribe, also meaning Great River, butthe Sotho-speaking Kololo people of the upper reaches of the river gave it thewell-known name of Mosi o a Thunya (smoke that rises). The Lozi people call itby the same name but translated it into smoke that sounds. The Ndebele call itaManza Thunqayo (the water that rises like smoke). The Namibian people callit Chinotimba (a noise-making place like the distant sound of digging).

    There are numerous optional activities available in Livingstone and thesurrounding area. We highly recommend booking pre or post nights to take fulladvantage of this area. We also have a convenient G desk, that can help youbook optional activities and better explore the city and area.

    DAY 2 Kasane/Chobe River

    Cross the border into Botswana and transfer to a private home on the ChobeRiver for a unique homestay experience.

    We have a leisurely start this morning and say fond farewells to ourresourceful G Adventure Livingstone Staff. With our CEO, we head westwardsfor the short drive to Kazungula Border Post, where your CEO will ensure thatyour transfer to Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River, is seamless. You willarrive in time for lunch at this beautiful located private home next to the riverwhere we will stay tonight and enjoy the hospitality of the home owner. Youshouldn't miss out on the optional photography sunset boat tour this afternoon.

    Tonight you stay at a private homestead right on the bank of the Chobe river ina on-suite room, very typical traditional victorian style house with big veranda,peacefull atmosphere and an opportunity to spot wildlife right from the porch.At night enjoy a traditional braai (bbq) around the fire listening to the sound of

  • frogs, hippos and hyena in the back ground.

    Approximate Distance: 110 kmEstimate Travel Time: 2 Hours

    Opt to take a sunset photography river cruise for wildlife viewing with anexpert photography/wildlife guide.

    If you opt to do the photo-safari, the experts will show you how the cameraswork and advise you on how to frame the subject to capture a truly greatimage. We set ups the camera for you, to suit the conditions and evenbeginners will have no problem. The fact that the Chobe is such a game richenvironment and that the Nikon D7000 is such a fantastic and user-friendlycamera means that in no time you will be taking some images that truly dojustice to your safari in the Chobe. Highlights along the river include elephants,hippos, crocodile and ample birdlife. This tour includes: transfers, park fees,drinks, camera usage (Nikon D7000 With 150 - 500 mm Zoom lens), photopermit, exclusive photo seat on Photo boat.

    This is a world famous wildlife photography area, a "jewel" according toNational Geographic, and a backdrop for lots of African wildlife documentaries.This is a amazing opportunity to take great pictures with a very good cameraand zoom lens - the memory card in the camera is yours to keep!

    DAY 3 Chobe National Park

    Travel deeper into the Chobe wilderness to Ghoha Hills, with spectacular viewsof the surrounding bush. Enjoy late afternoon and evening game viewing inopen vehicles around the hills and waterholes in search of elephants, lions,hippos and giraffes, to name a few.After an early start, we take a slowgamedrive along the southern bank of the Chobe River, where we can findChobe Bushbuck and Puku Antelope, which are found only in this part ofBotswana. Chobe River is home the world's largest elephant herds; and buffalo,hippo and lion can be seen here. Our private morning game-viewing takesplace along routes that that overlook this beautiful river and the remarkablevariety of animals that are drawn to this permanent water source.

    Early afternoon we head south towards the Ghoga Hills and the Savuti Area.Game viewing in the late afternoon takes place along the hills and surroundingwater holes. The lodge/camp is situated high up on the Ghoha Hills, withspectacular views of the surrounding bush. The views are unique and aweinspiring, particularly due to the fact that Botswana is such a flat country. Themain area in the lodge has a thatched roof with bar and lounge, which helpsthe lodge blend into the surrounding hillside. Accommodation is in luxury tentswith comfortable amenities and en-suite.

    Approximate Distance: 180 km

  • Estimate Travel Time: 6 Hours

    DAY 4 Khwai River/Moremi Area

    Drive to the Khwai River area bordering Moremi Game Reserve via Savuti.With astounding wildlife, this area has been rated one of the best for gameviewing in the world. Embark on morning and afternoon open vehicle gamedrives with time to relax at the comfortable tented camp.

    We take a leisurely drive to our camp in the Khwai River area via Savuti, anarea best known for large populations of Bull Elephants and Prides of Lion thatpatrol the banks of this enigmatic channel. After a picnic lunch, we headtowards our next nightstop, bordering Moremi Game Reserve. Due to the factthat none of Botswana's wildlife areas are fenced, game can move freelybetween wilderness areas. This region's diversity of game is astounding andMoremi has quite rightly been rated as one of the best Game viewing areas inthe world.

    The camp lodge boasts a majestic thatch roofed dining and lounge area leadingto an elevated viewing deck over the riverbank. Spectacular sunsets can beadmired over sundowners from the quaint bar or from the deck of your comforten-suite tent.

    Approximate Distance: 130 kmEstimate Travel Time: 4 Hours

    DAY 5 Khwai River/Moremi Area

    This day is spent on early morning and afternoon game drives. Over the courseof the day, guests are given the best chances of seeing a variety of wildlife -although there is of course, that obligatory siesta during the hottest part of theday.

    DAY 6 Maun

    After a morning game drive, transfer to the frontier town of Maun.

    Today we take quick and early gamedrive, drive out of the Moremi Area andjourney south into the frontier town of Maun, to our accommodation which hasa pleasant eating area with a welcome swimming pool.

    Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta and has for a long time enjoyingthe reputation of being Botswana's own frontier town. Today it is one of thefastest growing towns in Africa. It was originally established in 1915 by theBatawana, a splinter group of the Bangwato. The name Maun means "place ofreeds".

  • Maun, although officially still a village, is the fifth largest town in Botswana. Itis an eclectic mix of modern buildings and native huts. Maun is the "tourismcapital" of Botswana and the administrative centre of Ngamiland district.Maun has developed rapidly from a rural frontier town and has spread alongthe Thamalakane River. It now boasts good shopping centres, hotels andlodges as well as car and 4-wheel drive vehicle hire. It still retains a ruralatmosphere and local tribesmen continue to bring their cattle to Maun to sell.This community is now distributed along the wide banks of the ThamalakaneRiver where red lechwe can still be seen grazing next to local donkeys, goatsand cattle.

    Approximate Distance: 120 kmEstimate Travel Time: 3 Hours

    Option to shop and take a scenic flight over the delta. The afternoon is atleisure at the Hotel, which is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River.

    DAY 7 Okavango Delta

    Transfer to the houseboat, our home for the next 2 nights in the OkavangoDelta, the world's largest inland delta. Travelling by houseboat allows us toexplore a more secluded area of the delta, taking small boats into the channelsand waterways for wildlife viewing and bird watching.

    Today we board our Houseboat, based on the serene waters of the OkavangoRiver. We begin our journey into the "Panhandle" area of the Okavango Delta,in Northern Botswana. This area is recognized as one of the most peacefulareas in the Delta, due to its remoteness. Indeed, there are only a handful ofpermanent camps and boats operating in this wilderness area - which makes itideal for our guests. Excursions from the houseboat are done on "tender boats"which allow us to get into smaller channels. The activities available can includefishing, bird-watching, boat safaris and an optional visit to Tsodilo Hills.Tsodilo Hills is a World Heritage Site with the richest concentration of SanRock Paintings in the world. Having been inhabited for about 30,000 years,they're one of the world's oldest, historical sites and are to more than 4,000San Bushman paintings. Several walking trails provide helpful routes aroundthe painting sites.

    "Where all this water goes is a mystery", Aurel Schultz, 1897The area of the delta was once part of Lake Makgadikgadi, an ancient lake thatdried up some 10,000 years ago. Today, the Okavango River has no outlet tothe sea. Instead, it empties onto the sands of the Kalahari Desert, irrigating15,000 square km of the desert. Each year some 11 cubic kilometers of waterreach the delta. Some of this water reaches further south to create LakeNgami. The water entering the delta is unusually pure, due to the lack ofagriculture and industry along the Okavango River. It passes through the sandaquifers of the numerous delta islands and evaporates/transpirates by leaving

  • enormous quantities of salt behind. This precipitation processes are so strongthat the vegetation disappears in the center of the islands and thick salt crustsare formed. The waters of the Okavango Delta are subject to seasonal flooding,which begins about mid-summer in the north and six months later in the south(May/June). The water from the delta is evaporated relatively rapidly by thehigh temperatures, resulting in a cycle of cresting and dropping water in thesouth. Islands can disappear completely during the peak flood, then reappearat the end of the season.

    Approximate Distance: 380 kmEstimate Travel Time: 5 Hours

    Opt to go fishing or on a cultural excursion to Tsoldilo Hills to view ancient SanBushman rock paintings, or relax on deck with a cool drink watching thepassing scenery.

    DAY 8 Okavango Delta

    The day is at leisure.

    DAY 9 Livingstone

    Transfer by van and ferry crossing back into Zambia.

    Approximate Distance: 550 kmEstimate Travel Time: 8-9 Hours

    Option to visit Victoria Falls.

    DAY 10 Livingstone

    Depart at any time.


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