11 Day Safari - Botswana Encounters

Detailed Itineraries

Day 1 & 2: VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL, VICTORIA FALLS

Upon the guest’s arrival into Victoria Falls Airport, they will be met and transferred to the Victoria Falls Hotel by road where they will stay for 2 nights.

Set in private gardens overlooking the Victoria Falls bridge and gorge, this majestic Edwardian-style hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, is one of the most famous establishments in Africa. Having been refurbished, the hotel's 180 rooms and suites are all elegant, cool and very comfortable.  A private pathway leads to the falls, while the curio market and centre of Victoria Falls are just 500m away.

AREA DESCRIPTION  - VICTORIA FALLS

Victoria Falls town lies on the southern bank of the Zambezi River at the eastern end of the Victoria Falls. It is a lovely tourist town which is easy to explore on foot and which offers a wide range of activities from the challenge of white water rafting and bungi jumping, to the awe-inspiring elephant back safaris and sunset cruises. It has something for everyone

The Victoria Falls are one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is the largest sheet of falling water on earth - a spellbinding and mesmerising spectacle. The sheer mass of water cascading down the 100m drop across nearly 2km makes  a thunderous roar and creates a magnificent spray of water that can be seen for miles - hence the local name 'mosi oa tunya' meaning 'the smoke that thunders'.

Access to Victoria Falls is within easy walking distance from the town centre. Water flow over the Falls varies throughout the year. The river's annual flood season is February to May when the spray can reach a height of over 400m, this is spectacular from above but it makes it very difficult to see the Falls at ground level as it is under a heavy shower/mist. Water levels start dropping in August and are at their lowest October - December when much of the rocky face becomes dry. At times of low water, the falls are best viewed from the Zimbabwe side or from Livingstone Island.

Day 3 & 4: MUCHENJE LODGE, CHOBE

Following breakfast, the guests will be transferred by road and boat to Muchenje Lodge in Chobe (approximately a 2 hour transfer), where they will stay for 2 nights.

Muchenje is  an intimate and privately owned lodge situated at the western boundaries of the famous Chobe National Park. The lodge has stunning panoramic views overlooking the Chobe river and floodplains. It is only 45 minutes from Kasane and two hours from Victoria Falls.

The lodge accommodates a maximum of twenty guests in ten spacious twin-bedded thatched chalets overlooking the Chobe floodplains. Each en-suite room is exquisitely furnished with an African ambience and a private balcony affords stunning panoramic views. Guests may relax in the central lodge in the lounge, bar or lookout platform. The lodge also features a dining area, reception, curio shop, game viewing platform and library. The feature swimming pool is built amongst natural rock formations, taking advantage of the African vista. Activities offered at Muchenje Lodge are walking safaris in the private reserve adjacent to Chobe National Park thus allowing guests to explore the intricacies of the bush, plants, insects and big game. Game drives, both in the reserve surrounding the lodge as well as into the Chobe National Park, are conducted in open 4x4 safari vehicles with qualified professional guides. Alternatively guests experience game viewing by motorboat on the Chobe River past bathing herds of elephant, hippos, crocodiles and amazing bird life. For those on longer stays, fishing and interior drives to the remotest parts of central Chobe can be arranged with the lodge.

AREA DESCRIPTION - CHOBE

The Chobe River Front is a remarkable wildlife area due to the permanent water source of the Chobe River. However its accessibility from Kasane and neighbouring towns of Victoria Falls and Livingstone has created quite a busy tourist area with larger hotels and lodges than you find in the more remote Okavango Delta. The spectacle of all the animals coming to drink and frolic at the water's edge is one to behold, particularly in the dry season (May - Oct) where water is scarce away from the river. It is an area famous for its abundance of elephants, a variety of predators and, in addition, you are likely to see herds of buffalo and possibly even roan and sable antelope. In the rainy season (Nov - Apr) the game is much less concentrated at the river as the wildlife spread throughout the greater area of Chobe National Park due to availability of surface water from nearby pans. This assists the vegetation on the river banks in recovering from the massive herds that are attracted to the area in the dry months. The summer rains bring beautiful wild flowers, exquisite scenery, impressive bird life and an abundance of young animals usually born around November/December. The spectacular Chobe sunsets alone are worth a visit to the area. Please note that activities are restricted within the national park in accordance with government rules and regulations: these include no driving off-road, no walking and no driving after dark.

Day 5, 6 & 7: LAGOON CAMP, PRIVATE KWANDO CONCESSION

Following the morning activity (time permitting), guests will be transferred to Kasane airport for their onward air transfer to Lagoon Camp, where they will stay for 3 nights.

Lagoon Camp is situated in the Kwando Reserve, a huge private reserve covering 2,300km². Most of its western side is dense mopane forest, but along the Kwando River is a band of lush riverine forest, interspersed with open plains. The area attracts superb big game, especially during Botswana's dry season when elephants seem to be everywhere.

Lagoon Camp accommodates up to sixteen guests in comfortably appointed twin-bedded safari style tents overlooking the lagoon. The tents have en-suite facilities, his and hers basins, a flush toilet and a spacious outside shower. The camp has a plunge pool, lounge, bar, gift shop and dining room with a shady area overlooking both the lagoon and is a favoured spot where elephants come to drink.

At Lagoon Camp, the activities concentrate around open vehicle game drives and boat cruises. A special feature of Lagoon Camp is the riverboat experience. The flow of the river enables the boat - a double-decker - to drift with the flow in silence - perfect for bird watching and game viewing. Game walks are on offer but are at the guides' discretion due to the concentrations of elephant. Lagoon Camp offers off road and night game drives, offering guests to see the fascinating nocturnal wildlife in the area.

Fishing is also a specialty here and those who are keen will have an opportunity to catch the fighting tiger fish, bream, catfish and pike. Fishing can be done from the front of your tent at Lagoon due to its situation, but please note that fishing opportunities vary throughout the year. Kwando Safaris subscribes to the catch and release policy, but exceptions can be made if you wish to eat your fish.

Please note that Kwando Safaris game drive vehicles do not have an overhead canopy. Kwando Safaris believe this is to their clients’ advantage for optimal photographic and game viewing opportunities. Please note that this may not be suitable for some clients due to exposure to the elements.

AREA DESCRIPTION - LINYANTI

The Linyanti area lies to the north-east of the Okavango Delta were the Kwando and Linyanti rivers meet at right angles, forming a swamp area within this triangle. The area's relative remoteness makes it a favoured safari destination. The wildlife in the Linyanti area is spectacular and the region is famous for its enormous herds of elephant and buffalo which move down to the Linyanti area at the start of the winter months and only move back inland once the summer rains arrive in November. The Linyanti is also known as one of the best wild dog areas in Africa. The dogs start denning anytime from June onwards after which they can usually be found with relative ease for 3-4 months afterwards as they hunt from their den. An abundance of cat species also frequent this area and the birdlife is rich with the best birding months being between October and January.

Day 8, 9 & 10: LITTLE KWARA, PRIVATE OKAVANGO CONCESSION BORDERING MOREMI GAME RESERVE

After an early morning activity and breakfast, guests will be transferred to Little Kwara Camp by light aircraft, where they will stay for 3 nights.

Little Kwara Camp is situated within the Kwara private reserve which shares a common boundary with Moremi Game Reserve. The camp has a picturesque setting overlooking the permanent waters of the Okavango Delta.

Little Kwara Camp is completely separate from Kwara Camp, although it is only a five minute drive away. It has only four tents and therefore offers an intimate wilderness experience. The large and stylishly furnished tented rooms with big shaded verandas are raised onto individual wooden platforms and each room has an en-suite bathroom, partly-covered outside shower and separate toilet.

Kwara is renowned for being a camp that offers a year round delta experience on a diverse range of activities including mokoro trips, guided walks with armed guides and motor boating trips through the waterways. In addition day and night game drives are taken to explore the area which offers spectacular scenery with scattered herds of plains game and ever-attendant predators.

Please note that Kwando Safaris game drive vehicles do not have an overhead canopy. Kwando Safaris believe this is to their client’s advantage for optimal photographic and game viewing opportunities. Please note that this may not be suitable for some clients due to exposure to the elements.

AREA DESCRIPTION OF OKAVANGO DELTA

The Okavango Delta is one of the world's largest inland deltas situated in the middle of the largest stretch of continuous sand in the world - the Kalahari basin. This oasis in the middle of the desert is a rich yet fragile ecosystem, providing a life source for an incredible variety of wildlife. A wealth of species have adapted to the contrasting conditions created by living in the harsh Kalahari desert which is transformed annually with the arrival of the delta flood waters originating in Angola.

The Okavango wetland encompasses Moremi Game Reserve and surrounding regions divided into areas known as Private Concessions. These concessions are wildlife management areas, carefully administrated to balance the growing community’s development and conservation, whilst empowering citizens through sustainable tourism. Many of the exclusive lodges in Botswana are situated within these concessions in the delta, providing an unparalleled wildlife experience - exclusive and remote, avoiding mass tourism and exploitation.

Flood levels fluctuate dramatically throughout the year, with high water levels peaking in the central Okavango during the dry winter months and water levels at their lowest during the later summer months, contrary to the seasonal rainfall.  The landscape, activities and game viewing vary considerably throughout the delta depending on your location, the season and flood levels. Some areas have larger tracts of permanent dry land which generally means there is more focus on land based activities (game drives) and big game viewing. Lodges situated on islands deep in the delta concentrate more on water activities such as mokoro excursions, walking, boating, fishing and bird watching. Those lodges situated on the outer fringes of the delta, referred to as the 'seasonal' delta, offer varied experiences at different times of the year - more water based during high flood levels and more land based as the flood recedes.

Game is more concentrated around the permanent water during the dry season (Apr - Oct) with it becoming very hot in the later months. The heronries become active as the migrant birds return to Botswana from September through November, and general bird watching is excellent throughout the summer months. The rainy season (Nov - Apr) invigorates the lush scenery with wild flowers, dramatic thundershowers, spectacular sunsets and the birthing season brings great predator and prey interaction.

Day 11: SAFARI ENDS IN MAUN

Following the morning activity, the guests will be transferred to Maun by light aircraft, for their onward travel arrangements.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO NXAI PAN CAMP - 2 DAYS

DAY 11 & 12: NXAI PAN CAMP, NXAI PAN NATIONAL PARK

Following the morning activity, the guests will be transferred to Nxai Pan Camp by a light aircraft where they will stay for 2 nights. Situated in the tree line, Nxai Pan Camp consists of 8 custom-built rooms (including 1 family room). All rooms are en-suite and have thatched roofs and insulation so it is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The main area consists of dining room, lounge area and a viewing deck. The camp also offers a swimming pool, library and curio shop. Nxai Pan Camp is adapted to the surrounding environment and runs on solar power. Activities include game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, stargazing, nature walks and historical tours to Baines Baobab. Nxai Pan is a national park, a very ecologically sensitive area, and for this reason no night drives or off road driving is permitted.

AREA DESCRIPTION - NXAI NATIONAL PARK

Although Nxai Pan was also once part of the great super lake, it is quite different in character to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. It consists of a series of grass covered fossil pans dotted with islands of umbrella acacia, supporting a good variety and density of game and birdlife. This is one of the few places that springbok and impala cohabit. In the drier months, the desert landscape is dry and harsh. Game viewing at the waterhole is excellent where you may observe lion, cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, zebra, giraffe, kudu, hartebeest, bat eared fox, jackal and sometimes wild dog and elephant. After the summer rains from December to April, the landscape changes: colours are bright and vivid as the dust is washed away and hundreds of wild flowers begin to appear and the bush turns a brilliant green. The pans are once again filled with large grazing herds and, as always, the predators are nearby and thrive in this time of plenty. An additional attraction in the area are Baines Baobabs, a cluster of Baobabs on the shores of Kudiakam Pan, a photographer's paradise offering a visually stunning sight with the vast pans contrasting against the giant ancient trees.

DAY 13: SAFARI ENDS IN MAUN

Following the morning activity, the guests will be transferred to Maun by a light aircraft, for their onward travel arrangements.

Nxai Pan Extension Per Person

Dec to March - US$ 996

April to June US$ 1,068

July to October US$ 708

November US$ 1,062