Take the African safari adventure of a lifetime on this affordable 12-day senior tour of incredible wildlife reserves in Botswana and the Caprivi Strip in Nambia. Start this Botswana Safari with adventure activities at the world-famous Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Explore the tranquil Okavango Delta on foot and the water, observe the abundant wildlife in Moremi Game Reserve, marvel at the birdlife on the shimmering Makgadikgadi Pan, and admire the beautiful scenery in the Caprivi Strip.
This affordable Botswana Safari is based on our very popular lodge concept using excellent 3-4 star lodge accommodation all with private en-suite facilities.
Our Botswana Safari kicks off in the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. At 15:00 we meet for a pre-tour briefing at the hotel in Victoria Falls. Pre-safari meeting aside, you are free to explore and enjoy some of the numerous optional adventure activities on offer at Vic Falls.
At the top of the list of things to do at Victoria Falls is; to visit the Victoria Falls waterfall. This waterfall is one of the natural wonders of the world, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya which translates as the "Smoke that Thunders". A visit to Vic Falls waterfall will reveal why this is one of the most unforgettable sights in Africa.
There are plenty of exciting activities (at own expense) to choose from at Victoria Falls hence its unofficial title as the 'Adventure Capital of Africa'. Pick from helicopter flights over the waterfall and bungee jumps off the Victoria Falls Bridge or white water rafting on the Zambezi River and abseiling into Batoka Gorge. Alternatively, you can take a micro-light or small plane flight over the falls, go fishing or canoeing, explore the town and visit local markets, or embark on a cultural tour.
This morning, after breakfast, we leave the adventure hub of Victoria Falls behind and cross into neighbouring Botswana. Once in Botswana, we head to the Nata area and the arid Makgadikgadi Pans. This vast, dry salt pan was once the enormous Lake Makgadikgadi, which dried up thousands of years ago. This salty crusty area transforms to grasslands after the regular, annual rainy season and attracts migrating wildlife. The pan is known for the ancient baobab trees, which are found there. A symbol of life in this inhospitable landscape. Discovered by Thomas Baines, he immortalised them in a painting.
In the late afternoon, we visit the saltpans to soak up the barren setting and watch a spectacular sunset, before heading to our lodge for dinner and a good night's rest.
Today a three-hour drive takes us to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve. Then we switch from our overland vehicle to open 4x4 vehicles and proceed to our lodge at the edge of Moremi Game Reserve. (The designation 'game reserve', given to Moremi, rather than 'national park' meant that the BaSarwa living there could continue to stay in the reserve.)
Moremi Game Reserve borders the eastern edge of the Okavango Delta, which creates permanent water areas combined with drier areas. Moremi is lush and varied, with shallow flooded pans, plains and forests. It is one of Africa's finest areas for wildlife, with particularly high game densities including all major naturally occurring herbivore and carnivore species in the region and over 400 species of birds. Days are spent enjoying morning and afternoon game drives in the private concession and inside Moremi, the only official game reserve in the Okavango Delta.
We spend our nights in a comfortable lodge along the Gomoti River on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta.
On day six of our Botswana Safari adventure, we travel back to Maun, the closest town to the Okavango Delta. The town was founded in 1915 and has evolved from a 'wild west' town to an important tourism hub.
There is time this afternoon to explore the town, relax at the hotel or take a one-hour scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (own expense). This is a memorable experience highlighting the vastness of the delta and a way to experience wildlife from a different perspective.
We overnight at a hotel in Maun.
This morning we set out for our thrilling adventure in the Okavango Delta. We drive via the delta panhandle to the northwest of the wild Okavango Delta. Arriving at our lodge on the edge of the Okavango Delta we spend the remainder of the day relaxing in the unspoilt African wilderness.
On day eight of this Botswana Safari, we take a 30-minute boat trip deeper into the watery Okavango Delta. From there, we explore the quiet channels of the Nxamasire area by mokoro and boat. Mekoros are the traditional dug-out canoes used to navigate the delta waterways and are ideal for exploring this vast wetland area. On the mokoro rides, local guides stand in the vessels and use long poles to steer us gently along the channels.
We also get to experience the delta ecosystem on foot. Experienced local guides conduct the guided walks on the smaller islands of the delta (subject to water levels). These guided walks provide a close-up view of the delta's flora and fauna. Although the walks are more about the details and smaller creatures of the delta, we may encounter antelope, elephants, giraffes and even predators such as lions, wild dogs, leopards, hyenas and cheetahs, as well as water-loving animals like hippos, buffaloes and crocodiles. Many creatures have adapted to life in the delta, so keep your eyes open.
Today we leave the tranquil delta behind and cross into Namibia and the eastern side of the Caprivi Strip. We arrive at our safari lodge overlooking the floodplains of the Zambezi River. This untamed area is lush and teeming with wildlife and birds.
Our safari lodge is situated on the banks of the river and offers a great spot on the deck for sipping sundowners while listening out for the haunting cry of the fish eagle.
On day 10 of our Botswana Lodge Safari, we leave Namibia behind, crossing back into northern Botswana near Kasane. Back in Botswana, we make our way to the Chobe River and our next lodge on the banks of the river. In the afternoon you have the option of embarking on a game drive in nearby Chobe National Park (own expense). Chobe is rated as one of the finest wildlife destinations in Africa, hosting massive elephant populations and a plethora of other animals and birds.
The following day begins with a morning game drive in the famous Chobe National Park. Declared a national park in 1968, Chobe is known for its huge populations of wildlife, spread over its 21 000 sq km. In the afternoon we set off on a game-viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River. The life-bringing Chobe River winds through the park attracting a vast array of wildlife as well as a huge variety of bird species. The riverside is the ideal spot to see hippos and crocodiles. This busy riverfront gives way to verdant floodplains and thick woodlands of mahogany and other hardwoods, which is a magnet for large herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra, impala, baboon, blue wildebeest, kudu, giraffe and so on. Lions are the dominant predators and with some luck, we should spot these big cats.
Chobe is known for its beautiful scenery and magnificent sunsets, so our sunset boat cruise promises to be a memorable event. We spend a second night at our lodge on the banks of Chobe River falling asleep to the sounds of the African bush.
After breakfast this morning, we transfer back to Victoria Falls where our exciting Botswana Safari began. Arriving at Vic Falls our journey comes to an end and we part ways taking away many memories of Africa's beautiful landscapes, incredible wildlife and beautiful birdlife.
All wildlife viewing drives are conducted in open 4x4 safari vehicles. The transfer vehicle is a custom-made Mercedes Sprinter that offers clients added comfort on the road. The 16-seater Mercedes Sprinter is air-conditioned and features a long wheelbase providing extra legroom between each row of seats. This comfortable transfer vehicle has 15 reclining seats in the back and sliding windows. Onboard luxuries include USB points at each seat and a fridge to keep drinks cold. There is also a staircase for easy access and a trailer for the luggage.
This tour does not take children.
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