Includes: Services of a professional guide, safari chef and camp assistants, complete with a supply vehicle. Game drives and local transfers in customised safari vehicles. Exclusive camping in private campsites within the national parks and reserves. All entrance and camping fees within the national parks and reserves. All meals and drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, beer, wine and G&T) whilst in Letaka Tented Camps. All activities as specified in the itinerary.
Excludes: Travel Insurance, All flights unless otherwise indicated, Items of personal nature, Staff gratuities, Optional safari extensions, any drinks at lodges or accommodation other than Letaka Tented Camps.
Participation: The Fully Serviced Safari is a nonparticipation safari, where the Letaka Safaris team will carry out all the necessary camp chores to keep the safari running smoothly. There is one guide with the guests at all times and a back up team (chef + camp assistants) in a backup vehicle setting up and breaking camps, cooking meals, etc.
Accommodation: Accommodation is in large tents with camp beds, bedding and towels provided.
Ablutions: Ablutions are en-suite. There is an attached shower and toilet cubicle with bush toilet (long drop*). Both are enclosed by canvas for privacy and protection from wildlife.
Transportation: Transport is in a custom made 4×4 safari vehicle. While the vehicle can take nine guests, our groups are limited to a maximum of 7 passengers thus ensuring all have comfortable seating and access. Please note that mobile safaris that have road transfers between camps – the vehicle is open and windy with some transfers taking 4-6 hours depending on the routing.
Group Size: Maximum 7
What to expect on Safari: The appeal of a private safari is that your days are flexible to plan with your private guide in accordance with your preference – following and tracking wildlife movements from the crack of dawn; searching for rare bird species or setting up by a waterhole to wait for the perfect sunset photograph.
A full day in camp usually starts at sunrise around the campfire for that first ‘essential’ cup of tea or coffee and a light breakfast of cereal, toast, fruit and rusks. You then head out as early as is permitted to be the first on the roads to track fresh spoor left from the animal’s overnight activities – you may spot fresh lion tracks walking straight past the camp or evidence of a passing herd of buffalo not far away.
Generally on the morning game drive you stop for tea and head back to camp by late morning. In camp you may enjoy a lunch or brunch, depending on the time, and then there is plenty of time for showers and that great safari tradition ‘siesta time’. You meet together for afternoon tea and then head out on the afternoon activity, perhaps seeking a new area or returning to a great morning sighting.
Moving days follow a different pattern. Your guide combines his knowledge of the wildlife, safety and road and weather conditions when planning transfers. Departure times are always communicated in advance.
Day 1: Maun to Xakanaxa / Travel Day / 30 minute charter flight
After your arrival at Maun International Airport you will be met for your charter flight at approximately 14h00 to the Xakanaxa airstrip in Moremi Game Reserve where you will be met by your guide. Spending our first three nights camping in the Xakanaxa region, we explore the surrounding wilderness on game drives during the day. From the air only the larger animals are seen easily.
These include large breeding herds of African elephant that live in the mopane scrub. On the open plains large herds of buffalo and lechwe can be seen and in the waterways rafts of hippopotami are a common sight. Once you land in Xakanaxa the smaller game can be found.
Days 2 & 3: Xakanaxa Exploration Days – Moremi Game Reserve
Moremi lies on the eastern extremity of the Okavango Delta. Habitats here range from wide-open floodplains, marshes, lagoons, papyrus fringed channels, vast stands of Miscanthus and Phragmites, woodland and savannah. As a result of the extremely variable habitat the diversity of both wildlife and birdlife is excellent. Moremi is amongst the best game reserves in Africa for viewing the endangered African wild dog.
Xakanaxa is home to a resident herd of several hundred buffalo whose range covers the territories of at least 4 prides of lion which may often be seen flanking the ever-moving herd. Breeding herds of elephant move between their browsing areas in the mopane forests and the fresh water of the Okavango.
