14-day Botswana Wildside

Safari through the wilderness of Botswana. Experience the Okavango Delta by traditional dug-outs and the abundant wildlife of Moremi game reserve and Savuti. Explore Chobe NP by boat and enjoy wonderful views of Victoria Falls!

Highlights:

• Khama Rhino Sanctuary
• Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion
• Moremi Game Reserve – game drives
• Savuti – game drives
• Chobe National Park – game drive and river cruise
• Victoria Falls – adventure activities

Includes:

• 13 nights camping
• Entrance fees
• Use of camping equipment (except sleeping bags)
• Transport in minibus / safari truck & 4WD
• Meals as per itinerary
• Professional guide
• Okavango Delta excursion
• Moremi, Savuti, Chobe 4WD excursion

Group Size: Maximum 12 people
Type of Safari: Semi-participation camping

Price: NZD2959 per person sharing*

Excludes: travel insurance, flights, pre and post tour accommodation, all drinks, tips and curios.

Day 1 JOHANNESBURG to KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY
Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head north into Botswana. We pass Serowe, birthplace of Botswana’s first president, Sir Seretse Khama, on our way to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This 4300 hectare reserve situated on the Kalahari sandveld, has several natural waterholes and provides prime habitat for white rhino, zebra and wildebeest. We take our first game drive around the open grassland of Malema and Serwe Pans. [camping -LD]

Day 2 MAUN
We drive through the Kalahari to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River, Maun is a bustling frontier town where we prepare for the delta excursion. After setting up camp we have a relaxing afternoon at the swimming pool. [camping BL-]

Day 3, 4, 5 OKAVANGO DELTA
Our local guides will take us deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta on Makoro (dugout canoes). The delta forms as water flows from the Angolan highlands out over the Botswanan flat Kalahari Desert sands creating a delicate, green oasis for birds & wildlife. We will camp wild on remote islands in this amazingly dynamic environment & enjoy bush walks, bird watching & swimming in the clear water. Camping with our local guides we learn more about their lifestyle & culture. We return to Maun in the late afternoon of day 5 and have time for an optional (own expense) game flight over the Okavango, which will reveal a different aspect of the delta. [camping Bx3, Lx3, Dx2]

Day 6 – 9 MOREMI & SAVUTI
We have 4 nights in these conservation areas with time to explore the various habitats. We spend our time on game drives watching the plentiful wildlife including wild dog, elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion & other game.

Moremi Game Reserve rates as one of the leading wildlife areas of the world and we take our open 4WD vehicle into Moremi for fantastic game viewing! Grasslands, floodplains, forests, lily lagoons and winding water channels combine to form a variety of game viewing habitats.

Moving north over the sand ridge and into the Mababe depression we arrive at the Savuti Marsh. This open grassland area attracts herds of zebra and wildebeest, which in turn draw the large lion prides for which Savuti is famous. The waterhole near camp is also a favourite drinking point for many elephant and the sunsets here are fantastic. [camping BLD]

Day 10 – 11 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
The Chobe River flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. In the early morning we search for game and return to camp for brunch. The late afternoon game viewing “sundowner” cruise is a highlight as we see the mighty elephant herds returning to the Chobe River to quench their thirst. We camp at Kasane on the Chobe River for night 11. [camping Bx2 Lx2 Dx1]

Day 12 – 13 VICTORIA FALLS / LIVINGSTONE
We camp for 2 nights in Zambia near Livingstone town on the banks of the Zambezi River. Enjoy a spectacular walk through tropical vegetation to the very edge of the “Mosi oa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” - Victoria Falls. Opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, Bungi Jump, or take a “flight of angels” (own expense). [camping Bx2 - -]

Day 14 LIVINGSTONE – TOUR ENDS
Tour ends at 08:00 after breakfast. Transfers to local airports are available. [- B - -]