|
|
|
13 day Untamed Lands. An Adventurer Exploration, Botswana
|
|
Summary of the 13 day Untamed Lands Safari
Accommodation: Tented Camps and Lodges Activities: Game drives, walking, boating and makoros Destinations: Makgadikgadi Pans, Nxai Pan, Okavango Delta, Savuti and Victoria Falls
|
|
|
|
Day 1 & 2: Camp Kalahari, Makgadikgadi PansAfter arrival in Maun, the tour drives 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.
The 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. |
Days 3 & 4: Nxai pan, Nxai Pan National ParkAfter 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. The pans here are covered with short nutritious grasses and acacia trees, creating game-rich areas surrounded by vegetated dune savannah. Extensive game drives explore the surrounding pans. Spectacular dry season predator and wildlife action can be seen at the waterholes! |
Days 5 & 6: Xigera Mokoro Trails, Okavango DeltaWe depart early after breakfast and drive to Maun, then fly by light aircraft to our water-land paradise of the private Xigera area, within the Moremi Game Reserve. There is no better way to experience the Okavango than to travel through it in mokoro, walk and camp out on remote islands – all essential elements of the Xigera Mokoro Trails experience.
Activities include serene mokoro and walking safaris, enabling up-close encounters with the excellent diversity of birdlife (including Pel’s Fishing Owl), frogs and myriad of wildlife species adapted to water (such as sitatunga and red lechwe). |
Days 7 & 8: Lechwe Island Camp, Kwai region - Okavango DeltaWe fly by light aircraft charter from Xigera Mokoro Trails directly to the north-eastern corner of the Okavango Delta, Kwai region. Here, in a completely private concession area on the Kwai Channel, we can explore this seasonally game-rich flooded region on game drives, game walks and night drives. |
Day 9: Savuti Marsh, Chobe National ParkAfter an early morning drive and departure from camp, we travel directly north through the private concession, stopping en route at a private game viewing hide for lunch. We arrive at our pre-erected Adventurer campsite in the mid-afternoon, in time for a sunset game drive. |
Days 10 & 11: Linyanti Trails Camp - Linyanti ConcessionWe leave early, heading towards the Linyanti region. This is an all day game drive, with lunch en route at a private game viewing hide in the Savuti Channel. In addition, this game drive is specifically created to provide the guest with an intimate detailed view of the 'Stolen River' to ensure the best zebra migration and most reliable wildlife viewing possible throughout the year.
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 with sweeping views. Lunch is at a spectacular serviced lunch deck, with a sweeping view of the Linyanti waterways. After a siesta in hammocks, we enjoy a leisurely canoe trip, before returning to camp at dusk. |
Day 12: Chobe River boat cruise and Natural Mystic Lodge, ZambiaAfter 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. Enjoy a boat cruise in a skimmer-style shaded boat, including a delicious lunch. Leave Botswana and enter Zambia by way of the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia meet, to stay at the Natural Mystic Lodge in Livingstone. |
Day 13: Victoria Falls; transfer to Livingstone AirportEnjoy a guided tour of 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. Transfer to Livingstone Airport and bid farewell to the adventure. |
SummaryThe style of accommodation takes you back to the great days of African exploration. Pure cotton linen bedrolls (with feather duvets) on GI stretchers, teak bedside table with silver lantern and mini luggage benches complement the atmosphere in pristine, wild camping areas. Shared separate toilet and shower 'bathrooms' with old style tin bucket showers and basins and all amenities create simple serviced comfort.
Guides: The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional and passionate trained guides, who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless, well-rounded experience
Exclusive experience: To ensure total privacy and exclusivity, most areas in which we travel are private concessions in pristine, prime game locations. All camps are private and for the use of Adventurer Safari guests only.
Routes: The route takes the time to roam and explore the contrasts, extremes and continually moving wildlife of northern Botswana: from camping on islands in the lush Okavango Delta and its crystal clear waterways, to the game-rich plains of the dry Savuti marsh and the seasonal elephant masses at our Linyanti concession. This safari also takes in the amazing annual zebra migration in the Savuti Channel from its source, documented by Dereck and Beverly Joubert in their famous documentary, 'The Stolen River'.
Transfers: To maximise guests' travel time, a variety of transport modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in private charters, overland transfers and exclusive combination mokoro-boat-land transfers provide both a birds-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Botswana.
Seasonality: We adapt with the changing seasons so as to provide the best in wildlife viewing on an annual basis. Therefore, between 1 December and 31 May, to maximise the experience of the zebra migration, the safari switches a night from Linyanti Trails Camp to Savuti, Chobe National Park. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Okavango Delta as life source
|
|---|
The Okavango is an incredible life source in a country that is 80% arid. It is a unique ecosystem of permanent waterways lined by shady forest glades and seasonal savannah floodplains interspersed with water-lily lagoons and palm tree islets.
|
|
Savuti
|
|---|
The Savuti Mash, south east of Linyanti, has a parched desert landscape, transformed into rich grasslands come the summer rains in November, which attracts animals.When David Livingstone was exploring the area he described it as a garden paradise.
|
|
