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11 Day Safari Splendors of Botswana
Features
Detailed Itineraries
Day 1, 2 & 3: ISLANDS OF SIANKABA, LIVINGSTONE
Upon the guest’s arrival into Livingstone Airport, they will be met and transferred to Islands of Siankaba by road where they will stay for 3 nights.The Islands of Siankaba is a classically small isolated retreat situated on two densely forested islands in the middle of the mighty Zambezi River near the Siansimba Rapids. It is located 24 miles upstream of the Zambezi River and a 90-minute drive from the Victoria Falls. The two islands are linked by a suspension bridge and overhead walkway in the tree canopy.
On one island there are seven stylish chalets dotted around the island's edge, which have boast stunning views of the river from their large verandas. The only sounds you will hear come from the birds, the insects and the Zambezi rapids in the distance. On the other island you will find the tastefully decorated main lodge which consists of a bar, fire pit, lounge, library, and dining area, and has lovely views over the Zambezi. There is a small swimming pool, set in the cool shade of the riverine forest. Guests can spend quiet moments around the shaded pool or relax in the comfort of the open lounge and bar.
Activities available during your stay at the lodge include guided walks on the main islands nature trail which offers excellent birding, sunset river cruises by motor boat, fishing trips in search of the elusive ‘Tiger Fish’, mokoro trips around the islands, cultural village walks giving guests the opportunity to visit the local villages and see the community projects, island picnic lunch in the middle of the Zambia River and a visit to the Victoria Falls including entrance fees followed by shopping at the local craft market. Spa treatments and guided canoe safaris are also available at an additional cost.
AREA DESCRIPTION – LIVINGSTONE
Livingstone is a historic colonial town most famous for its proximity to the Victoria Falls. The town has experienced a revival in the last decade with the old colonial style buildings which line the shaded main avenue, being renovated and now housing shops, cafes and a variety of local businesses. Livingstone 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. Livingstone 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'. 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 4, 5 & 6: SAVUTI CAMP, PRIVATE LINYANTI CONCESSION
Following breakfast, the guests will be transferred by boat and road to Kasane (approximately a 2 hour transfer) for their onward air transfer to Savuti Camp, where they will stay for 3 nights.
Savuti Camp is situated on the Savute channel in an isolated part of the private Linyanti Concession, ‘downstream’ from the Zibadjanja Lagoon, the source of the Savute. Between 1980 and 2008 the channel stopped flowing and turned into a productive ribbon of grassland that attracted a wide variety of herbivores. Since 2008 the Savute Channel once more became a deep waterway with lots of splashing hippos and myriad varieties of water birds.
This intimate camp's accommodation is in seven large walk-in tents with en-suite facilities; each tent is raised off the ground and faces across the Savute Channel. From the camp's thatched dining area and pub, a plunge pool and large viewing area extend outwards on raised wooden decks towards the Channel, providing a wonderful view of the river from many different perspectives. Activities are day and night open game drives, nature walks with an armed guide (on request/within safety restrictions), and several well-positioned hides for safe, up-close animal viewing. Savuti Camp's 'wood-pile hide' and the waterhole in front of camp now became part of the river, but the spot remains being a favorite river crossing for elephant herds, especially during the winter months. Game concentrations in the area are high, particularly in the winter dry season, and apart from abundant plains game, species such as roan and sable antelope, southern giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal and wild dog may also be encountered. The birding is awesome at any time of year but best in summer
AREA DESCRIPTION – LINYANTIThe 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 7 & 8: KWETSANI, PRIVATE JAO CONCESSION, OKAVANGO DELTA
Following the morning activity (time permitting), guests will be transferred to Kwetsani by light aircraft, where they will stay for 2 nights. Kwetsani Camp is in the private Jao Reserve, an area of 60 000 hectares to the west of Moremi Game Reserve, in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. The camp offers an idyllic setting on a tree island heavily wooded with palm, mangosteen and fig trees. Kwetsani Camp offers an intimate safari experience with only five lavish ‘tree house’ chalets each with an en-suite bathroom. The rooms have an open, airy feel and superb views of the surrounding plains. The main lodge is on raised decking under thatch with open vistas over an enormous floodplain that is often dotted with lechwe and wildebeest and other plains game. Kwetsani also has a swimming pool for cool relaxation in the heat of the day. Kwetsani Camp offers excellent land and water activities dependant on water levels from the annual flood. Guests are able to view wildlife on game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, mokoro excursions and walking excursions onto the islandsAREA DESCRIPTION – 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 9 & 10: CHITABE, OKAVANGO DELTA
After an early morning activity and breakfast, guests will be transferred to Chitabe by light aircraft, where they will stay for 2 nights.Chitabe Camp is situated on a beautiful island in the Okavango Delta, in a private game reserve bordered on three sides by the Moremi Game Reserve. The range of habitats in the area is diverse, largely woodland and riverine areas opening up to grasslands and seasonally flooded plains.
The camp consists of eight elegantly styled safari tents, built on wooden platforms. Each tent has en-suite facilities and an additional outdoor shower for a shower experience under the stars. A dining room, bar and lounge area are linked raised waterways, and the raised decks provide superb views across the floodplains. The camp also offers a small swimming pool in which to relax during the hot days.
Explore the area on morning and afternoon game drives, the evening drive usually returning after dark so as to get a chance at spotting the shyer nocturnal animals such as genet, civet, serval, porcupine and possibly aardwolf. Other wildlife seen in the area includes elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, cheetah as well as wild dog. There are two hides that can be used as a "sleep out" experience as well as a game-viewing platform during the day. What makes C Chitabe unique even in the Okavango Delta is that it harbours such a variety of habitats within close proximity, ranging from classic Okavango scenery with Ilala palms dotting floodplains to open savannah and acacia woodlands. A finger of perennial swamps inundated by water throughout the year extends into the Chitabe Concession and the area is also dominated by seasonally flooded areas which transforms over fifty percent of the concession from dry floodplains into a lush oasis, when the annual floodwaters meander through. All this gives rise to a surprising diversity of species, which allows Chitabe to offer guests a wide range of game viewing and birding experiences.
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.
| Date | Based on 2 persons | Based on 4+ persons | Single |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/12/2011 to 19/12/2011 | Per Person Double US$ 6,546 | Per Person Double US$ 6,546 | Single Sup US$ 1,413 |
| 20/12/2011 to 06/01/2012 | Per Person Double US$ 6,936 | Per Person Double US$ 6,936 | Single Sup US$ 1,413 |
| 07/01/2012 to 31/03/2012 | Per Person Double US$ 6,780 | Per Person Double US$ 6,780 | Sup Single US$ 1,496 |
| 01/04-14/06 and Nov 2012 | Per Person Double US$ 7,152 | Per Person Double US$ 7,152 | Single Sup US$ 1,496 |
| 15/06/2012 to 31/10/2012 | Per Person Double US$ 9,870 | Per Person Double US$ 9,870 | Single Sup US$ 1,534 |
The above Safari is inclusive of:
Excludes:
Tour Contact:
For more information on this tour please Call Toll Free 1-888-301-1713, Email: info@heritagesafaris.com or fill-out or form. Thank-you.
