Budget Accommodated Botswana & Vic Falls Safari

Price: € 1 745 pps + local payment of US$ 300 (valid Jan 2008– Dec 2008)
Single supplement: € 620 pp

An accommodated safari through Botswana. Experience the vast Magadikgadi pans, the Okavango Delta by traditional dug-outs and the abundant wildlife of Moremi game reserve. Explore Chobe National Park by boat and enjoy wonderful views of Victoria Falls!

14 day small group cabin safari
Group size max 12 people

Highlights:
• Moremi Game Reserve – 3 day 4WD game viewing
• Khama Rhino Sanctuary – game viewing
• Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion and bush walks
• Chobe National Park – 4WD game viewing and river cruise
• Victoria Falls – adventure activities

Includes:
• 11 nights lodges / tented lodge or chalets and 2 nights tented camp
• Entrance fees
• Use of equipment (except sleeping bags)
• Transport in minibus / safari truck & 4WD
• Meals as per itinerary
• Professional guide
• Okavango Delta excursion & Moremi 4WD excursion

Itinerary:
Day 1 JOHANNESBURG to KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY [chalets - LD]
Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head north into Botswana and the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. The Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and provide economic benefits to the local Botswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. This reserve situated on the Kalahari sandveld, has several natural waterholes and provides prime habitat for white rhino, zebra and wildebeest.

Day 2 MAUN [lodge BLD]
We drive through the central Kalahari to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Since Maun's founding in 1915 as the tribal capital of the Batawana people, it has had a reputation as a hard-living 'Wild West' town helping the local cattle ranching and safari operations. The name Maun is derived from the San word 'maung', which translates 'the place of short reeds'. After preparing for the delta excursion, we have a relaxing afternoon by the pool.

Day 3, 4, 5 OKAVANGO DELTA [tented camp x2, lodge x1 Bx3 Lx3 Dx2]
The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world and an experience not to be missed. The delta environment has large numbers of rare animal populations such as red lechwe, sitatunga, elephant, wild dogs, buffalo and wattled crane. Our local guides will take us deep into the Okavango Delta on Mokoros (dugout canoes). We will overnight on remote islands, enjoy game walks and swimming in beautiful clear water. We return to Maun late in the afternoon on day 5 an evening at the lodge and a restaurant meal.

Day 6, 7, 8 MOREMI [lodge Bx3 Lx3 Dx2]
After a relaxing evening we take open 4WD Land Rovers into Moremi Game Reserve for fantastic game viewing! Chief's Island is the largest landmass within Moremi and was the Batswana tribe's richest hunting grounds, before being declared a game reserve by the tribe. We spend 3 days on game drives watching the abundant wildlife including elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion & other game, both in Moremi Game Reserve and in private concession reserves surrounding the park. We return to Maun on the final night for an evening at the lodge.

Day 9 MAKGADIKGADI PANS [tented lodge or chalets BL -]
We have time for an optional game flight over the Okavango before we head towards Nata to watch a magnificent sunset over the Magadikgadi Pans. The shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi appear as a glaring, white, endless plain. When the rain comes a dramatic change takes place as thousands of wildebeest and zebra migrate to the sweet nutritious grasslands and clouds of Flamingo feed in its algae rich waters. It is an area of low rainfall so this spectacle only lasts a short while.

Day 10 – 11 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK [lodge BL -]
The Chobe River is a stunning feature of Botswana and will be the focus of our lodge stay. The Chobe River flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe national Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. Early morning 4WD game drive in the Chobe National Park and an afternoon game viewing “sundowner” cruise to see the mighty elephant herds return to the Chobe River to quench their thirst.

Day 12 – 13 VICTORIA FALLS/LIVINGSTONE [chalets Bx2 - -]
Staying at the Zambezi Waterfront Lodge we visit “Mosi oa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” - Victoria Falls. These magnificent falls are one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Victoria Falls Bridge was commissioned by Cecil
John Rhodes in 1900, and was completed by 1905, although Rhodes never lived to see it. It spans the impressive gorge and the famous adrenalin pumping Victoria Falls bungi jump is done from this bridge, with a terrifying drop of 360ft (111m). Opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, bungi jump, or take a “flight of angels” (own expense).

Day 14 LIVINGSTONE – TOUR ENDS [- B - -]
Tour ends after breakfast.

PLEASE NOTE: The accommodation specified in the itinerary is a guide only and subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard.

In a nutshell
• A participation tour that offers an accommodated safari at a reasonable price, accommodated in chalets, and cabins with a couple of nights tented camp to get us close to the wildlife.
• Some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa from open 4WDs and on game walks
• All inclusive trip with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife.
• Victoria Falls, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, Kalahari desert and Makgadikgadi Pans.

Why travellers like this trip
1. Accommodation – an accommodated safari of Botswana (with 2 nights non- participation tentred camp in the Okavango Delta).
2. Variety - a tour that provides amazing African experiences; from the wildlife areas of Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park to amazing spectacles of Makgadikgadi Pans and Victoria Falls, to the wild Okavango Delta!
3. National Parks and wildlife areas - We visit the world famous Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, the wild Okavango Delta and the wilderness of Magadikgadi Pans as well as other lesser known wildlife area of Khama Rhino sanctuary. This trip encompasses the essence of African wildlife.
4. Culture and history - for example we spend several days with our local Okavango guides where we have the opportunity to experience a living contact with local people.
5. Small group - travelling in groups of up to 12 people creates a friendly, holiday atmosphere. 6. Walking - every opportunity to get out and walk in the areas such as Makgadikgadi Pans, Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta. Walks are easy to moderate exertion and optional. Duration from ½ - 4 hours.
7. Adventure - activities available include: rafting the mighty Zambezi! Bungi jumping, sky diving, horse riding, mokoro trail and game walks!
8. Mokoro Trail - the tour includes a 3 day excursion into the Okavango Delta with local guides in mokoro (dugouts). This is an escape into untouched African wilderness!
9. Open 4WD game drives – our trips have the best wildlife viewing opportunities by visiting the game reserves and national parks in open 4WD game drive vehciles.

Local Payment
A local payment is required on this safari and this will be collected by the tour leader on departure. This covers a portion of the local operational costs including entrance and park fees. This ensures that a major portion of your tour price goes directly into the country you are visiting, benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the area.

Participation
An essential part of your Safari is participation – from helping around the camp fire, to packing away in the morning, to helping with cleaning up – it’s all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun!

Like to know more?
Enquire about this