BOTSWANA CAMPING SAFARI - "Migration Routes"

BOTSWANA CAMPING SAFARI - "Migration Routes"

Small Group Flying Safari
Camping / Adventure

10 Days

from USD $4,095

OKAVANGO DELTA

MOREMI GAME RESERVE

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

LINYANTI RESERVE

SAVUTE CHANNEL

VICTORIA FALLS

EXPLORE THE VAST WILDERNESS OF BOTSWANA ON THIS 10 DAY SMALL GROUP FLYING SAFARI. YOU BEGIN AT THE SPECTACULAR VICTORIA FALLS, NEXT YOU VISIT CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BEFORE FLYING TO THE LINYANTI REGION WITH ITS VAST HERDS OF ELEPHANTS. YOU CONTINUE TO THE TRANQUIL LAGOONS OF THE OKAVANGO DELTA AND THE FAMOUS MOREMI WILDLIFE RESERVE - KNOWN FOR ITS BIG CATS. WHILE ON SAFARI YOU WILL CAMP IN PRIVATE WILDLIFE CONCESSIONS ALLOWING FOR A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING NIGHT GAME DRIVES, WALKING AND BOATING SAFARIS. TRAVEL IS BY SPECIALLY ADAPTED 4X4 SAFARI VEHICLE AND LIGHT AIRCRAFT WITH YOUR GUIDE ACCOMPANYING YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR JOURNEY.

DAY 1 - LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA – VICTORIA

After arrival in Livingstone you will be met by and taken on a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World”. At 5,600 feet wide (1,708 m), it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 300 feet (100 m) into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.

After visiting the falls you will continue by road to the Chundukwa River Lodge. Situated on the grassy banks of the Zambezi River just 15 miles (25km) upstream. This small luxury camp accommodates only 10 guests in elevated open-fronted chalets with stunning views of the Zambezi River, Chundu Island opposite the lodge and the Zambezi National park is across the River. So it’s common to see hippo and elephant out front. The beautiful stone main building houses the dining room and lounge. There is also a plunge pool.

Relax this afternoon and take in the view.
Overnight - Chundukwa River Lodge (D)

DAYS 2/3 - CHOBE RIVER CRUISE / LINYANTI CONCESSION

After a full breakfast, you 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.

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 in 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 the cruise you depart by light aircraft for the Linyanti region. The Linyanti region's life-giving perennial waters attract herds of wildlife that walk well-worn wildlife paths to slake their thirst in the dry season. Predators follow in their footsteps and coupled with the areas diversity of habitat make for exciting wildlife viewing. You will have a chance to spot wildlife on the drive form the airstrip to your private camp.

On your second day, you depart on an early morning activity in the north-eastern corner of the Linyanti, enjoying a myriad of changing landscapes, from riverine to savannah habitat with sweeping views. Lunch is at an area, with a sweeping view of the Linyanti waterways. After a siesta in hammocks, there is the possibility of an afternoon canoe trip, before returning to camp at dusk. (This activity is not always possible, depending on whether there are hippo pods moving in and out of the areas in which you canoe.)
Overnight - Linyanti Adventurer Camp (all meals & activities)

DAY 4 - LINYANTI WILDLIFE CONCESSION - SAVUTE MARSHES

You depart early this morning for the Savute area. This can be a full-day game drive, with lunch en route at a shady place in the Savuti Channel. This game drive is specifically designed to gain an intimate view of the "Stolen River". If the guide believes the wildlife better in the vicinity of the trails camp in Savute, you will head directly there and embark on an afternoon game drive to begin your search.

Savuti has many pans that retain water for several months after the rains, attracting great concentrations of wildlife. Elephants, plains wildlife and some 350 species of birds can be found here and Savuti is renowned for it’s lions and other predators.

En route you will stop for a picnic lunch at a private wildlife viewing “hide” next to a water hole, Return to your private camp before dark.
Overnight - Linyanti Adventurer Camp (all meals & activities)

DAYS 5/6 - OKAVANGO DELTA – SELINDA WILDLIFE CONCESSION

Today you drive to the airstrip where you will board your light aircraft flight deep into the Okavango Delta and the private Selinda Wildlife Concession. Your stay here for the next two nights will be at Lechwe Island Camp, located in the south-western sector of the reserve., This area combines the seasonal floodplains 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, medical (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.
Overnight - Lechwe Island Camp (all meals & activities)

DAYS 7/8/9 - OKAVANGO DELTA – XIGERA WILDLIFE CONCESSION

Today you 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. Your guest tents are lighter here than the rest of the safari, with a gauze main frame, thus enhancing the views. Due to remote location on an island, equipment is aimed at necessary comforts with "disco" stretcher styled beds.

Activities include mokoro and walking safaris, which enable up-close encounters with the excellent diversity of birdlife (including Pel's Fishing Owl), frogs and a myriad of wildlife 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 where they become shorter (June, July and August) as more islands become flooded.
Overnight - Xigera Camp (all meals & activities)

DAY 10 - OKAVANGO DELTA / MAUN / END OF SAFARI
After a final morning game drive and brunch you will be driven the airstrip where you will board your light aircraft flight to Maun, arriving at approximately 1:00pm.

ABOUT THE CAMPS -

While camping you will sleep in spacious 10ft x 10ft (9m) dome tents with mosquito proofing and sewn-in ground sheets, complete with verandas allow you to feel more connected and open to the Earth and nature, accentuating the feeling of the wild and untamed. Pure cotton linen bedrolls (with down duvets) on GI stretchers, teak bedside table with silver lantern and teak mini luggage benches are provided. Shared separate toilet and shower ‘bathrooms’ with old-style tin bucket showers and basins and all amenities create simple serviced comfort. To ensure total privacy and exclusivity, most areas in which you travel are private concessions in pristine, prime wildlife locations. All camps are private and for the use of Migration Safari guests only.

SEASONAL CHANGES -
This safari moves with the changing seasons so as to provide the best in wildlife viewing on an annual basis. Therefore, between December 1st and May 31st, the safari switches a night from Linyanti Trails Camp to Savuti Marsh in Chobe National Park to capitalize on the experience of the zebra migration.

NOTE -
This safari also runs in reverse. Starting in Maun and ending in Livingstone.

2010:$4,095 Per person
Single Supplement - $495

2010: From Livingstone - Jan 14, Feb 16, Mar 9,12, Apr 13, 16, May 14, 17, June 2, 9, 12, 29, Jul 2, 9, Aug 1, 23, 29, Sept 16, Oct 1, 4, 11, 17, 20, Nov 12, 15, Dec 14, 17

From Maun - Jan 5, Feb 6, 26, Mar 2, Apr 3, 6, May 4, 7, 30, June 2, 29, Jul 2, Aug 1, Sept 7, Oct 1, 4, 29, Nov 2, 5, 28, Dec 4, 7

2011:

All transfers
Accommodation and meals as specified
One night at Shackleton’s Lodge on the Zambezi River
Transportation in modified 4WD Land cruiser with guaranteed window seat
4 Charter flights: Chobe – Linyanti , Linyanti – Selinda, Selinda – Xigera, Xigera - Maun
All wildlife reserve and camping fees
Game drives, guided walks and use of mokoro canoes
Guided tour of Victoria Falls

International airfare and flights
Flights into Livingstone from Johannesburg and out of Maun
Portage
Alcoholic beverages & spirits (except for beer and wine in camp)
Travel Insurance (Emergency Medical, Medical Transportation and Repatriation Insurance required)
All items of a personal nature
Visas and visa fees
Gratuities for guide and camp staff
Airport Departure Taxes