An exciting adventure allows you to explore the wilderness hotspots of Botswana, from the waterways of the Okavango Delta wildlife to the Chobe National Park. End off at incredible Victoria Falls.
Botswana Explorer 2012 - 10 Day Camping Safari Early Booking is essential as this safari is exceptionally popular!!
This exhilarating adventure will allow you to explore the wilderness hotspots of Botswana, from the flourishing waterways of the renowned Okavango Delta to the prolific wildlife of the pristine Chobe National Park and the contrasting arid landscape of Savute. End your trip with an opportunity to admire the magnificent scenes of Victoria Falls.
Enjoy the serenity of private campsites and the comfort of spacious 25m2 safari tents (16 m2 for ‘bedroom’ and a total of 9 m2 for the bathroom). Crisp linen-adorned beds and ensuite bathrooms, which offer a flush w.c and refreshing bucket shower, as you journey through the African wilderness.
Highlights: • Private exclusive campsites • Victoria Falls • Variety of habitats • Guaranteed window seat • Sunset cruise on the Zambezi • Mekoro and boat cruise in the Okavango Delta
Make the most of your adventure.... extend your trip by another night at The Elephant Camp. The lodge offers breathtaking views of the Victoria Falls spray, and the spectacular gorges which separate Zimbabwe and Zambia.
This safari commences at Maun International Airport in Botswana and ends at Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe.
Day 01 & 02: Okavango Delta Upon arrival at Maun International Airport you will be met by a representative, who will direct you to your light aircraft flight to Nxabega Airstrip, where a safari vehicle will be waiting to take you to the campsite. Explore the crystal-clear channels, islands and waterways by mekoro (dug-out canoe), and enjoy game-viewing walks on the islands.
Spend two nights at a campsite in a private concession area, bordering the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, with a complement of camp staff to cater for your needs.
Day 03 & 04: Moremi Wildlife Reserve A short flight in a light aircraft will take you to Khwai in the North Gate region of Moremi Wildlife Reserve. The first protected area in Africa to be established by local people, the Reserve is rated as Africa’s most beautiful wildlife sanctuary.
Spend two nights camping in the Reserve, with extensive and interpretive game-drives taking up your days.
Day 05 & 06: Chobe National Park – Savute A long game drive (5 – 6 hours) takes you to Savute, renowned for lion and other predator viewing, where you will spend two nights camping next to the dry Savute Channel. Huge animal concentrations are attracted to this area and its artificial watering holes in the dry season.
Day 07 & 08: Chobe National Park – Serondela From Savute, move up to northern Chobe (4 – 5 hours overland game drive), where you will camp for two nights in the Serondela area. This is the heart of elephant country and you may spend many hours watching the huge herds in and around the waters of the Chobe River on game drives or private boat cruises. Northern Chobe is renowned for its large variety of bird and animal life, beautiful scenery and magnificent sunsets.
Day 09: Victoria Falls It is a short drive from Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, where you can enjoy The Elephant Camp, after a tour of the Falls (entrance fee to the Falls is included in the safari fare).
Enjoy a sunset cruise along the banks of the Zambezi river and view the spectacular scenery that is nature’s own sanctuary and home to the ‘laughing hippos’, ‘singing birds’ and the ‘snapping crocodiles’. This tranquil cruise offers exceptional photographic opportunities and delightful canapés and sundowners to toast the glorious African sunset.
The Elephant Camp also offers close interaction with wildlife – in particular elephant at the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary. All guests staying at The Elephant Camp will have an opportunity to meet the Wild Horizons elephants.
Insider’s tips – The Elephant Camp • Indulge in a relaxing spa treatment on the viewing deck of your suite, followed by a daring outdoor shower while taking in the distant views. • Asks your hosts to arrange sundowner drinks (with their famous gin and tonic, of course) at the head of the gorge, whilst listening to the rushing waters of the Zambezi River far below.
Day 10: Departure After a scrumptious breakfast at Elephant Camp, you will be taken to Victoria Falls International Airport by road, where we bid you farewell....until next time!!!
2012 Rates
High Season - June / July / August / September / October 2012 USD 5 400 per person sharing USD 2 070.00 per person single room supplement** See single supplement policy
Mid Season - March / April / May / November 2012 USD 5 000 per person sharing USD 1 800 per person single room supplement** See single supplement policy
Low Season - January / February / December 2012 USD 4 400 per person sharing USD 1 530 per person single room supplement** See single supplement policy
Includes: • Double / twin / single accommodation • Meet and Greet at Maun Airport • All meals – from dinner on day one to breakfast on day ten. • A reasonable amount of bottled water, local wine, beer and soft drinks, teas & coffees. • Road transfers during your safari ending at Victoria Falls Airport on day 10. • Seat on charter as specified: Maun / Nxabega / Khwai • Waterborne/game viewing activities while on safari • Elephant interaction during your stay at The Elephant Camp • Tour of the Falls - including entrance fee • Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River – including River Usage fee • National Parks entrance fees while on safari • Soft drinks, house wine, local beer, teas and coffees at The Elephant Camp • Domestic airport tax within Botswana • Emergency medical evacuation insurance • Personalised Travel Journal filled with the highlights of your itinerary
Excludes: • Gratuities and all items of a personal nature • Meals and drinks not specified above • Champagne, cognacs, cellar wines, cigars and cigarettes • Local and premium branded spirits • Porterage • Meals other than those specified • Sightseeing and excursions other than those specified • Visas (please thoroughly check requirements, for the countries being visited, prior to travel) • Scheduled flights to Maun and from Victoria Falls
Notes: • Departures are subject to a minimum of 2 guests travelling. • Rates based on no single supplement for the first two single rooms booked per reservation. Thereafter a single supplement will apply.** • Serviced camping safari, suitable for reasonably fit people. Involves some walking and rugged conditions. • This safari travels with a maximum of 6 guests in 3 tents and a specially customised 4x4 safari vehicle, and accompanied by an expert safari guide throughout. • All meals – from dinner on day one to breakfast on day ten – are included. • Window seat guaranteed throughout. • The upper age limit for this safari is 70 years, however, guests between the age of 70 and 75 years may be accepted provided that they produce a medical certificate stating that they are fit to travel. • Minimum age limit is 12 years
Monthly departures. Contact us for departure dates and availability.
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This trip: Botswana Explorer Safari and Victoria Falls
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
Where do I start! Firstly Leanne was an absolute gem to deal with. Being in Australia I was a little hesitant dealing with an overseas agent at first but Leanne was so fantastic all my fears were put to rest very quickly. Every email was answered promptly and no question too tedious for her to answer. We organised our entire 3 week trip (half in Botswana & half in Zambia) with Leanne and it didn’t disappoint on any level.
The Botswana Explorer - what a trip! Every expectation was surpassed. The tents had all the comforts of home, comfortable beds, feather pillows, showers, flushing toilets!!! Yet the noises of Botswana were right outside and didn’t we get to experience them. The food was to die for, what was produced for us by the chef using only the open fire was amazing and delicious. August was a great time of year to visit as it was warm but not too hot and the evening/early mornings were cool but not too cold.
What a fantastic time my husband and I had on this tip. A wonderful group (we only had 5 with ages ranging from 16 to 68, we are somewhere in the middle!) to travel with and KD “THE BEST GUIDE IN BOTSWANA”. If by chance you book this trip and KD picks you up at Maun airport know you are in for a treat. He not only has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Botswana & its flora and fauna he is very knowledgeable on almost everything African. There was not one animal, bird, insect or plant we asked about he didn’t know about.
The animals were amazing! - Lions, leopards, elephants, various antelopes, hippo, hyena, zebra, giraffe, warthogs, buffalo, baboons, monkeys vultures, eagles, numerous beautiful birds & storks too many to mention here. Over 1500 photos and 7 hrs of video should give you an idea of the quality of the sightings.
Memories of Leopard and Hyena wandering through camp, each day dawning a brand new experience as no two days were ever the same, the endless blue skies, the exquisite sunsets, the gazillion stars each evening, the awesome company and the campfire chats, these memories will be with us forever. Thank you so much.
I can whole heartily recommend both this trip and the operator.
2
Client:
Larry Kennedy - from United States
Trip:
This trip: Botswana Explorer Safari and Victoria Falls
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
It was an excellent trip.
Our guide, Ike Magalakwe, was outstanding. Besides being articulate and pleasant, he was full of information about the region and its animals. He was himself a very good photographer. This resulted in a good exchange of what constitutes excellent animal photos and the best approaches to obtain them. He also continually placed us in excellent positions for good lighting that maximized animals features. On a trip like this safari, this is important.
The accommodation were very good as were the meals. I am sure that we have never camped in such luxury. Having the night background noises of hippos, hyenas and other animals was serenade each evening. The other couple from Sweden, were friendly, compatible companions with many overlapping interests. It was a pleasure to have them in the group.
We enjoyed each game reserve, each was different in its own right. We expected to see many herd animals and lions and were not disappointed . The giraffes, impalas, zebras and other antelope species were abundant. The lions were plentiful. We observed at least a dozen prides &/or young male groups. One thing we were pleasantly surprised to see were a number of leopards and cheetahs.
An unexpected highlight of the trip occurred when we drove to Serondala. At Kasane Ike took us to a local school. Arriving, he had my granddaughter accompany a young man & girl who took her into the school. Ike explained to us that he knew Sara's birthday was the end of July and there was something special for her. The school had a cultural singing & dance group that presented shows at lodges for tourists. . They gave us a private performance on the school grounds and included my granddaughter dressed in the tribal costume. While somewhat hesitant at first, she was thrilled by the experience and participated in dancing and trying to sing.
At the Matesi Water Lodge, there was a second surprise event. When we walked into our cabin, Valaree was greeted with a rose pedals and candle display on the bath area floor. Rose pedals welcomed us and invited her to enjoy a bubble bath. The bath was already drawn and the bubbles rose about half a meter above the tub. Needless to say she enjoyed soaking in their luxury after a week of quick showers..
The Matesi Water Lodge is exceptionally nice. It has a beautiful site overlooking the Zambsi River that makes for a relaxing background to good dining and conversation. We had previously visited Victoria falls on the Zambia side but the view is more extensive from Zimbabwe. Everyone had fun bartering in the market before returning to the Lodge. On the way back to the lodge we again encountered a small groups of male lions and an elephant dominating the track to the lodge.
Again it was a great trip, enjoyed by all. I am sure that our grandchildren will remember it.
