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Untamed Lands
Summary of Itinerary
Winter Safari:
(1 June to 30 November)
Days 1 & 2
Arrive in Maun, fly to Camp Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pans.
Days 3 & 4
Drive to Nxai Pan, Nxai Pan National Park.
Days 5 & 6
Drive to Maun, fly to Xigera Mokoro Trails, Okavango Delta.
Days 7 & 8
Fly to Lechwe Island Camp, north eastern Okavango Delta.
Day 9
Drive to Savute Marsh, Chobe National Park.
Day 10 & 11
Drive to Linyanti Trails Camp, Chobe/Linyanti.
Day 12
Fly to Kasane for Chobe River boat cruise; drive to Shackletons Lodge, Livingstone.
Day 13
Guided walk of the Victoria Falls, transfer to airport.
Summer Safari:
(1 December to 31 May)
As above, with 1 night removed
from Linyanti Trails Camp and added to Savute Marsh, Chobe National Park.
Botswana Safaris
Untamed Lands
12 night / 13 day Safari
Tour Direction - Camp Kalahari to Zambia
Combination serviced camping in private concession areas and exclusive campsites in National Parks and a lodge overnight in Zambia.
Experience a nostalgic camping safari that recreates a sense of wildlife viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the early African explorers.
The style and essence of this safari adventure takes you back to the bygone days of Africa's exploration. The 3m x3m dome tents (at Lechwe, Linyanti and Savute), complete with mini-verandas, allow you to feel more connected to nature, accentuating the feeling of the wild and untamed. Pure cotton linen bedrolls (with duvets) on stretcher beds, bedside table with silver lantern and mini luggage benches add to the atmosphere. Shared separate toilet and shower 'bathrooms' with old-style tin bucket showers and basins create simple serviced comfort.
Adventurer camping aims to bring the guest closer to nature, by means of lively campfires, hurricane lanterns, diverse activities and a warm atmosphere permeating the camp (and its simple comforts). Adventurer camps are specifically outfitted to create that camping feel with a clear emphasis on essential comforts and pristine wilderness experience.
Safari bathrooms
At Linyanti and Lechwe there are 2 toilets per 8 guests, one flush and the other a short-drop toilet. There are 2 short-drop toilets at Xigera Mokoro Trails, Nxai Pan and Savute Marsh. At Linyanti, Nxai Pan, Camp Kalahari, Savute Marsh, Lechwe and Xigera Mokoro Trails there are 2 bucket shower enclosures.
Guides
The entire safari is guided and hosted by a professional guide, who shares in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari experience.
Route
The route takes the time to explore the contrasts, extremes and continually moving wildlife of northern Botswana: from the dry Savute Marsh to the broad vistas of the Linyanti with its wooded deciduous forests, the crystal-clear waterways and fertile green islands of the Okavango Delta to the roaring cascades of the Victoria Falls.
To maximise guests' travel time, a variety of transport modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in private charters and overland transfers provide both a bird's-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Botswana.
4 x 4 tracks in wilderness areas are not maintained, take time to navigate and may be bumpy. As a result game/ road transfers can take all day with lunch en route.
Seasonality
We adapt with the changing seasons so as to provide the best possibilities of wildlife viewing on an annual basis. Therefore, between 1 December and 31 May, to maximise the possibility of viewing the zebra migration and other game that moves between Linyanti and Savute at this time, the safari switches a night from Linyanti Trails Camp to Savute in the Chobe National Park. Please note that the zebra have usually returned to the Linyanti region by the end of May, which heralds the end of the migration. If rains are poor, this migration usually does not occur.
Inclusions / Exclusions
Rates Include:
Game drives and activities as per itinerary
Non-alcoholic drinks
Breakfast, lunch & dinner throughout the tour.
Game or Park entrance fees and permits
Radio communication where communication lines are not available
Accommodation specified as per itinerary
Qualified professional guide
Single/double dome safari tents and safari ablution facilities.
Transport provided by tour company
Rates Exclude:
Visas and visa fees required
laundry
Anti-malarial and vaccinations
Any items bought prior and during the tour for personal use
Insurance for the full duration of the tour
Airport Tax, Departure Tax and / or Government Tax
Flight costs for specific routing
Gratuities/tips & porterage for tour guide and staff
Optional additional excursions to be paid whilst on tour
Surcharge of 10%
Itinerary
Day 1 & 2: Camp Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pans [B, L, D]
After arrival in Maun, we drive to Camp Kalahari, situated in a private concession on the edge of the great Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari Desert. The saltpans are among the largest in the world, part of a super-lake fossilised aeons ago.
Surprisingly for such a harsh, lunar-like environment, life abounds, and brown hyaena, gemsbok (oryx) and springbok are just a few of the desert-adapted species that can be seen. Activities include encounters with meerkats (suricates), one of the most endearing animals in the world. Experience phenomenal geology, quad biking and a cultural walk in search of fascinating Stone Age archaeological artefacts - or simply enjoy the wide-open spaces of this ancient lakebed.
Our first dome tented camp is set up in the old campsite of the explorer Jack Bousfield, who founded Jacks Camp. Surrounding palm trees provide some shade and wonderful views of the seemingly barren Makgadigadi Pans.
Day 3 & 4: Nxai Pan, Nxai Pan National Park [B, L, D]
After an early breakfast, we depart overland to our pre-erected private Adventurer campsite in the Nxai Pan National Park, stopping for lunch en route at the famous Baines Baobabs, which Thomas Baines painted on his exploratory expedition in the late 19th century.
These Kalahari Desert pans are fossilised and covered with short nutritious grasses and stunted acacia trees, creating wildlife-rich areas surrounded by vegetated dune savannahs. Extensive game drives explore the surrounding pans, with an excellent chance of seeing spectacular dry-season predator-and-prey interaction at the waterholes.
Day 5 & 6: Xigera Mokoro Trails, Okavango Delta [B, L, D]
After an early departure, we depart by road to Maun, arriving in Maun to enjoy lunch. The light aircraft flight into the water-filled paradise of the private Xigera area, within the Moremi Game Reserve is approximately 25 minutes. 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. Our 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 game 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.
Day 7 & 8: Lechwe Island Camp, North-eastern Okavango Delta [B, L, D]
Fly by light aircraft charter from Xigera Mokoro Trails directly to the north-eastern corner of the Okavango Delta at the junction to the Selinda Spillway, to our pre-erected Adventurer camp. Lechwe Island Camp is located in the south-western sector of the Selinda private concession, in a seasonally flooded portion 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.
Day 9: Savute Marsh, Chobe National Park [B, L, D]
Departing early from camp, we travel north-east through the private concession and into Chobe National Park, stopping en route for game sightings through parts of the area and lunch. This long but interesting drive gives a detailed introduction to the varying habitats of a dry and flat northern Botswana, from the geographically interesting Selinda Spillway (along the Great Rift Valley fault line), the dry Savute Channel to the open savannah of the Savute Marsh with its granite hillocks.
We arrive at our Adventurer campsite in the mid-afternoon, in time for a short sunset game drive on the open and dry, scenic Savute Marsh.
Day 10 & 11: Linyanti Trails Camp, Linyanti Concession [B, L, D]
We leave early, heading towards the Linyanti region. This can be a full-day game drive, with lunch en route at a shady place. This game/ transfer drive is specifically designed to gain an intimate view of the "Stolen River", its surrounding floodplains, pans and woodlands. If the guide believes the wildlife is better in the vicinity of the trails camp as the permanent waters are there, we will head directly there and embark on an afternoon game drive to begin our search.
On our second day, we 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. 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 we canoe.)
The Linyanti region's life-giving perennial waters attract herds of wildlife that walk well-worn game 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 game viewing.
Day 12: Chobe River boat cruise & Shackletons, Zambia [B, L, D]
After a short morning drive and breakfast, we depart by light aircraft to the northern Chobe region of Chobe National Park. This area is famous for its vast herds of elephants and other 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 lunch served during the boat cruise on the catamaran-style shaded boat.
We leave Botswana and enter Zambia by way of the Kazungula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe meet, to stay at the Shackletons, arriving in the late afternoon. Our sundowner is enjoyed on one of the decks looking westward over a broad swathe of the Zambezi River.
Shackletons is situated in south-western Zambia on the Upper Zambezi River near the village of Mwandi (meaning a place of 'plenty fish'). Shackletons provides access to 130km of the Upper Zambezi River, known as 'God's Highway' by David Livingstone. The lodge and its environs is home to approximately 300 bird species, offers an excellent cultural experience at Mwandi village and also is a prime fly, spin and lure fishing destination. Accommodating 12 guests in comfortable, thatched and en-suite chalets with private teak decks overlooking the Zambezi River coupled with fabulous cuisine and friendly service creates a relaxing and invigorating stay.
Each room is equipped with 2 three-quarter beds, ceiling fan, safe box, mosquito net, en-suite bathroom (with shower, hand basin and flushing toilet) and plug points. The main area features a swimming pool, lounge and open dining area, with the riverside bar and sun downer deck providing unparalleled vistas of the mighty Zambezi River.
Day 13: Guided tour of the Victoria Falls; transfer to Livingstone Airport [B]
After a full breakfast, we road transfer just beyond the town of Livingstone to enjoy a guided tour at the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 metres wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
After the Victoria Falls visit we transfer directly to Livingstone Airport and bid farewell to the adventure.
Extra information
International air connection onto the safari
If arrival is planned for the day of the safari's departure, please ensure that this arrival is with the earliest possible flight from Johannesburg. Arrival on a later flight may necessitate additional road or air transfers (as departure for the first camp/lodge will already have taken place), subject to extra cost.
International air connections leaving the safari
Please ensure that your departure flight is booked for after 12h30 from Livingstone. For earlier international departure flights, an additional transfer will be required to arrive for this connection. Extra transfers and flights are subject to extra cost.
Bilingual safari dates
This service aims to facilitate a greater level of experience for guests that do not speak English fluently. These safaris will be led by a guide; however there may be a translator to assist the guide. Please note on all bilingual safari dates that the guide or translator's home language is English. This additional free service does not guarantee the level of fluency and depending on group dynamics a varying amount of the foreign language will be spoken.
Flashlights/ torches
Please ensure that a minimum 2-D cell flashlight is brought on safari, with spare batteries. Head lamps are also useful. Flashlights are not supplied.
Camera battery charging facilities
Please note that a 12V cigarette lighter adaptor will be required (that is compatible with camera make) on this safari for charging batteries while on game drive or transfer drives. 110/ 240V outlets are available at the permanent lodges; however Linyanti Discoverer and Ketumetse Trails Camp only have 12V electricity.
Dietary requirements and special occasions: Due to remote locality of Discoverer camps, please ensure that full dietary requirements and special occasions are advised at the time of your booking confirmation.
