This exciting route takes the time to explore the changing areas, stunning beauty and continually moving game of northern Botswana: from camping and walking on islands in the jewel of the Kalahari, the Okavango Delta, to the diverse, water-blessed Linyanti concession, with its seasonal elephant herds. The shift in animal numbers between dry and wet season makes for an adaptable itinerary. This safari also provides the unique opportunity to follow the amazing seasonal annual zebra migration between Linyanti and Savute (from December to May), documented by Dereck and Beverly Joubert in their famous documentary "The Stolen River".
As an optional extension, the Wild Kalahari Exploration links effortlessly at Maun on the end of some of the scheduled departures and departs for Nxai Pan, returning after a 3-night stay in the Kalahari Desert. It should not be missed as an opportunity to experience a totally different ecosystem.
This route combines serviced camping in private concession areas with exclusive campsites in National Parks and a lodge overnight in Zambia. To ensure privacy and exclusivity, most areas in which you will travel are private concessions in prime locations.
To maximise guests’ travel time, a variety of transport modes that bring out the best of each area is used: private air charters and overland transfers provide both a bird’s-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Botswana. The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional guides, who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari experience.
Day 1: Chundukwa, Livingstone, Zambia
After arrival in Livingstone you will be met by a representative and transferred directly for a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 metres wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
This evening, we will stay at Chundukwa, Situated on the grassy banks of the Zambezi River just 25km upstream from the mighty Victoria Falls, the elevated open-fronted chalets boast stunning views of the Zambezi River, Chundu Island opposite and the Zambezi National park across the River. The lodge is located in a game-rich area and sightings of hippo and elephant, among other animals are common. There is also an abundance of plant and birdlife to be found surrounding the lodge and although the sounds of the bush might briefly keep you awake, this is short-lived as their chatter soon softens to a uniquely African lullaby.
Days 2-4: Chobe River boat cruise & Linyanti Adventurer Camp, Linyanti / Chobe
After a full breakfast, we leave Zambia and enter the Chobe National Park in Botswana by way of the Kazungula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe meet.
The Chobe National Park is famous for its vast herds of elephants and unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river during the hottest hours of the day - even more so in the dry season. Enjoy a light lunch served during the boat cruise on the catamaran-style shaded boat, after which we depart by road for the Linyanti region, this interesting drive exposes the group to the rural way of life along the most Northern tip of Botswana and also views across the Chobe and Linyanti rivers into the Caprivi Strip. On the last part of the journey is more of a game drive as we approach the Linyanti, where our pre-erected Adventurer campsite is situated. The north-eastern corner of the Linyanti is famed for its myriad of changing landscapes with sweeping views, from riverine to savannah and from forest to plains.
The Linyanti region's life-giving perennial waters attract herds of wildlife that walk well-worn game paths to slake their thirst in the dry season. Predators follow in their footsteps and, coupled with the area's diversity of habitat, make for exciting game viewing.
Days 5-6: Lechwe Island Camp, North-eastern Okavango Delta
After breakfast, we drive to the airstrip and meet our light aircraft for the flight to Lechwe Camp.
The camp is located in the south-western sector of the Selinda private concession, in a seasonally flooded portion of the Okavango Delta where it joins into the Selinda Spillway. The campsite is situated on a wooded island overlooking a floodplain area, the channel in front of camp alternately flooded or dry, depending on the season.
Activities concentrate around the bushy and wooded islands, open plains and the seasonally flooded channels surrounding the camp. In this area local populations of plains game allow for game drives by day and night. Experiences are magnified on nature walks, where the guide is able to delve into interesting topics such as tracking, medicinal (and traditional) uses of plants and a full array of smaller invertebrates and other species not usually noticed from a vehicle. Canoeing is also seasonally offered.
Days 7-9:
Xigera Mokoro Trails, Okavango Delta
We fly by light aircraft to the water-filled paradise of the private Xigera area, within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is the ultimate Delta experience, with serene waters flowing through innumerable channels around remote islands and a profusion of plant and animal life.
There is no better way to experience the Okavango than to travel through it by mokoro, walking and camping out on a vegetated island - all essential elements of the Xigera Mokoro Trails experience. The experience is aimed at exposing the permanently flooded inner Delta, in the serene waterways and on the islands of trees and bush. Our guest tents are lighter here than the rest of the safari, with a gauze main frame, thus enhancing the views, and with comfortable mattresses at ground level.
Activities include mokoro and walking safaris on inner remote islands, which enable up-close encounters with an excellent diversity of birdlife (including Pel's Fishing Owl), frogs and a myriad of game species, some specially adapted to water, such as the rare sitatunga and the familiar red lechwe. Walking activities vary in length and duration through the seasons, especially in the months when the Okavango is at peak flood (June, July and August) where they become shorter as more islands become flooded.
Day 10: Transfer to Maun
Bid farewell to the adventure as we transfer by light aircraft to Maun Airport.
Optional Extension on some departures:
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Africa, is seemingly lifeless, yet provides sightings of thriving herds of springbok and gemsbok and the iconic black-maned lion. Thanks to its habitat diversity, healthy game populations move through the area and are present to a greater or lesser degree all year long. In the summer months the desert comes to life with huge convergences of plains game such as springbok, gemsbok and wildebeest coming to feed, followed by predators such as lion and cheetah.
Exploring the Kalahari unlocks the fascinating wildlife treasures found in this wonderful area with excellent cheetah viewing a regular feature. San Bushman experiences provide insights into the unique culture of this fascinating people. A three-night stay here provides a perfect contrast to the Okavango and Linyanti regions and rounds off the diversity of northern Botswana.
Day 10: Deception Valley Lodge, Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Upon arrival in Maun and once all guests are assembled, we depart overland to Deception Valley lodge.
Deception Valley Lodge is located approximately 40 kilometres from Deception Pan in the Kalahari Desert. The Lodge accommodates 10 guests in private units, each with a lounge, Victorian-style bathroom with outside shower and a deck with a view of the vast Kalahari bush.
This is a cultural destination where direct interaction, through an interpreter, is undertaken with San Bushmen who will explain firsthand their traditions, hunting tools, natural medicines and history. Other activities include game drives and game walks with experienced guides. The wildlife to be experienced in the area includes gemsbok, kudu and springbok, as well as cheetah, leopard, and hyaena. Bird life is prolific, with over 400 species in the region. The main complex boasts a dining room, lounge and bar area making use of San and other African artefacts. Wildlife coming to drink at the nearby waterhole can be watched in comfort from the deck. There is a curio shop and a small library, a swimming pool and a boma for evening meals.
Days 11-12: Kalahari Plains Tented Camp, Central Kalahari Game Reserve
After an early breakfast at the lodge, we will have the unique opportunity to experience the 'authentic' Kalahari Bushman way of life. After this fantastic experience, we will depart by road on a game transfer to Kalahari Plains Camp where we will spend the next two days exploring the fossilised river bed and observing the unique fauna and flora that this starkly beautiful region has to offer.
Kalahari Plains Tented Camp is situated in a remote part of the diverse and productive Central Kalahari Game Reserve and offers some of the best summer wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa. Located in the Kalahari Desert biome in the central part of Botswana, this reserve is the largest conservation area in this country and at 5 million hectares (12 million acres), one of the largest in the world.
The camp is beautifully situated on top of a dune just 5.6 km from Deception Valley itself and comprises six Meru-style en-suite tents with a relaxing lounge, dining and bar area. The tents and main area are all raised a meter off the ground to catch the breeze and take in the sweeping spacious view across the Kalahari. Solar power provides electricity and hot water, and the innovative insulated canvas walls and roof keep the temperatures inside comfortable.
Guided game drives unlock the fascinating wildlife treasures found in this wonderful area with excellent cheetah viewing a regular feature.
Images supplied courtesy of Wilderness Safaris
Day 13: Road transfer to Maun Airport
After an early breakfast, we travel by road back to Maun, arriving in time to bid farewell and board your departing flight.
Arrive: Livingstone Airport, Zambia
Depart: Maun Airport, Botswana
1 night: Chundukwa, Livingstone, Zambia
3 nights: Linyanti Adventurer Camp, Linyanti Concession, Botswana
3 nights: Lechwe Island Camp, North-eastern Okavango Delta, Botswana
2 nights: Xigera Mokoro Trails, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Optional Extension:
1 night: Deception Valley Lodge, Central Kalahari Game Reserve
2 nights: Kalahari Plains Tented Camp, Central Kalahari Game Reserve
This is a small group trip with scheduled departures throughout the year. Private departures are also possible subject to vehicle and guide availability. Please contact us for details.
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Adventurer Camps:
Adventurer Explorations combine unique mobile camps with a variety of other locations and accommodation, to provide an intimate, insightful encounter with the country or region.
The Adventurer Explorations utilise spacious walk-in "maxi" dome tents. The comfortable interior has canvas bedrolls, crisp cotton sheets and duvets set out on GI stretchers, complemented with old-fashioned tin finishes, recreating a sense of simple style under canvas. The en-suite bathroom comprising toilet and bucket shower, guest amenities and hand-wash basin, is at the rear of the tent via a zipped doorway. Inviting dining areas offer an atmosphere of understated, serviced camping.
These camps are erected in advance of the guests' arrival. This, coupled with the wildlife-rich areas visited and the easy mobility of the camps, allow us to explore the most remote areas of the subcontinent.
Seasonality:
The safari adapts with the changing seasons so as to provide the best possibilities of wildlife viewing on an annual basis.
Departure dates:
The trip operates to scheduled departure dates. Private departures are also possible for small groups, subject to vehicle and guide availability. For the scheduled departures there is a maximum of 8 guests per safari.
Sample Botswana Itineraries
 Darkling Beetle Trek
Diving Beetle Expedition
Ground Beetle Tracker
Kheper's Adventures
Leaf Beetle Discovery
Scarab's Wilderness Journey
Scarab's Untamed Lands
Siamufumbula's Discovery
Stag Beetle Retreat
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