15 Day / 14 Night Botswana Wildlife Breakaway
HIGHLIGHTS
Hwange National Park, Nata Bird Sanctuary, Game Drive in the Moremi National Park and Khwai, Okavango Delta experience including Mokoro excursion, Bwabata National Park, Eastern Caprivi, Game drive in Chobe National Park, Sunset cruise on the Chobe River, Victoria Falls.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
On arrival into Victoria Falls Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available in Victoria Falls. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of your group at the Guesthouse at 18h00 for your pre-departure meeting.
Accommodation: A’Zambezi River Lodge or similar.
DAY 2: VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
Today you will have at leisure to explore Victoria Falls, the town and all of its unique offerings, from adventure activities to cultural experiences. In the afternoon we embark on a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, basking in the afterglow of the day.
Accommodation: A’Zambezi River Lodge or similar.[B]
DAY 3: VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE TO CAPRIVI, NAMIBIA
After breakfast we head across the Kazungula border into Namibia, driving through the Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region) to our camp situated on the banks of the Kwando River. The area is lush and water-rich compared to the rest of Namibia, drawing abundant wildlife and villagers sustained by the large rivers and wetlands. We will arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon to enjoy sunset overlooking the river with a chance of seeing both crocodiles and hippos.
Accommodation: Camp Kwando or similar [BLD]
DAY 4 & 5: CAPRIVI, NAMIBIA TO OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
This morning we start early as we embark on a game drive in the Greater Bwabwata National Park, which extends from the Kavango River in the west to the Kwando River in the east and incorporates the Mahangu Game Reserve. Elephant, roan, kudu and buffalo are amongst the animals likely to be seen as well as prolific birdlife. We cross over the border into Botswana and head to Etsha 13, on the western border of the Okavango Delta. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast, which makes it unique. The next day is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. We have the opportunity to stop at a secluded island to take a 1½ hour guided walk hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck or other animals living in this water filled paradise.
Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Camp or similar [BLD,BLD]
DAY 6: GREATER MOREMI AREA, BOTSWANA
After breakfast we head south travelling via Maun to our camp which is situated in a private
concession in the Greater Moremi area. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year you may see different species in different areas. The best time for game viewing is the end of the dry season or spring from August to November. During this season, in order for us to offer the best game viewing possible, extra driving may be required due to the animals migrating closer to the river. In the summer, birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors.
Accommodation: Bedouin Bush Camp or similar [BLD]
DAY 7: GREATER MOREMI, BOTSWANA
We have the opportunity to spend the day on game drives. In our open 4×4 vehicle we will explore the Greater Moremi area on morning and afternoon game drives hopefully spotting a variety of game that frequent this region. After dinner your guide will take you on a night drive, and you will hopefully be able to spot some rare nocturnal animals.
Accommodation: Khwai Bedouin Bush Camp or similar [BLD]
DAY 8: MOREMI GAME RESERVE, BOTSWANA
Today we head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve.
Accommodation: Khwai Bedouin Bush Camp or similar [BLD]
DAY 9: MOREMI GAME RESERVE TO NATA, BOTSWANA
Leaving the bush behind us, we travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, once a large river fed lake which has become saline and empty. This area incorporates a multitude of salt pans and vast grass plains dotted by palm islands and forms the Great Makgadikgadi which comprises the largest area of salt pans in the world, covering some 37,000 square km overall. We arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Nata Lodge or similar [BL]
DAY 10 & 11: NATA TO CHOBE, BOTSWANA
We head off to Nata Bird Sanctuary in the morning, which offers us the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view over the Sowa pan, which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans (please note a visit to the pans is subject to the road conditions and water levels as well as time constraints). After breakfast, we continue our journey north to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephant found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in optional activities or to relax by the pool.
Start your morning of day 11 with a hopefully spectacular game drive in Chobe National Park. You will return to the lodge for a late breakfast and relaxation until our boat cruise on the Chobe River starts around 3pm. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds, making for excellent up close photo opportunities.
Accommodation:Chobe Safari Lodge or similar [BLD][BD]
DAY 12-14: CHOBE, BOTSWANA TO HWANGE, ZIMBABWE
Today we make our way across the border into Zimbabwe and onto our lodge located in a private concession near to Hwange National Park, where we will spend the next three nights in this wildlife rich area. This afternoon you can partake in an optional game drive if time allows. Over the following two days, we will have plenty of time to explore this vast wilderness on game drives. Hwange National Park is one of Africa’s finest havens for wildlife and is home to massive herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife. We will also visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre to witness the work that is done to protect these endangered species.
Accommodation: Sable Sands or similar [BLD, BLD, BLD]
DAY 15: END OF SAFARI AFTER BREAKFAST
Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight, We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African Adventures. [B]
GROUP SIZE: 4-12 clients.
ACCOMMODATION: On your safari we make use of mid-range typical African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in National Parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps. Most of them have a private bathroom with a shower and toilet, whilst others have shared ablutions available. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools and/or bar areas.
FOOD & DRINKS: Meals included are in restaurants, some prepared by guide.
VEHICLES: 4×4 Toyota land cruiser or similar with a music system and an off-road
trailer is fitted with a field kitchen.
STAFF: Guide
