BOTSWANA SAFARI | AFRICAN LION SAFARI

BOTSWANA SAFARI - THE GREEN DESERT EXPEDITION

8 Days

Tour Type: Adventurer Standard Camping/Luxury Lodge

Experience a nostalgic camping Botswana Safari that recreates a sense of wildlife viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the early African explorers.
This safari has been created to maximize amazing wildlife sightings of desert species that take advantage of the sporadic rains from December to mid-march, as well as a luxury lodge in the permanently flooded region of the Okavango Delta.

Routes: This expedition is specifically designed to enjoy the Kalahari Desert at its most productive season, when it receives its low sporadic rains. This small amount of water creates an incredibly prolific wildlife-viewing period with concentrations of desert species and their young in the fertile, ancient river valleys of Deception Valley and the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The route takes the time to explore the contrasts of three major ecosystems: the Makgadikgadi "moonscape" saltpans, Deception Valley in the Kalahari Desert, and finally the fertile green islands of the Okavango Delta and its crystal-clear waterways.

Itinerary

Day 1 & 2: Njuca Hills or Khumaga, Makgadikgadi Pans

Upon arrival in Maun, we depart for Njuca Hills by road, on the edge of the great Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari Desert. The saltpans are among the largest in the world, part of a fossilised super-lake that existed aeons ago. The Adventurer campsite is well positioned under shady trees on rare hills with a superb view of the surrounding plains.

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 game drives, concentrating on the opportunistic birthing time of desert animals from the erratic rains and the diverse array of birds, possibly including flamingos. In addition, the seasonal wildebeest and zebra movements, if found, provide amazing sightings at this time. Experience the phenomenal geology and simply enjoy the wide-open spaces of this ancient lakebed and surrounding grassy plains.

Day 3, 4 & 5: Deception Valley, Central Kalahari Game Reserve

After an early breakfast, we depart overland to our private Adventurer campsite in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve with lunch en route.

This prehistoric riverbed, flanked by petrified dune lands, is very appealing after brief rains, as it is covered with nutritious grasses that attract herds from all over the enormous reserve. These large congregations of desert wildlife with their young are followed by predators into the broad riverbed, all of which makes for outstanding viewing.

On Day 4 or 5 we enjoy extended wildlife game drives (with picnic lunch), taking in the game-rich Pipers Pans area of the Kalahari, as well as the Letiahau and Deception Valleys.

Suggested further reading on the area is "Cry of the Kalahari", by Mark and Delia Owens.

Day 6 & 7: Xigera Camp, Okavango Delta

After a light breakfast we depart overland to Maun (approximately 6 hours), flying by light aircraft in the afternoon to the water-filled paradise of the private Xigera area, within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is the ultimate Delta experience, with serene waters flowing through innumerable channels around remote islands and a profusion of plant and animal life.

Xigera Camp is a luxury tented camp situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta. It has something for everyone, in an area where there are no other Moremi camps and where permanent water all year round allows for a variety of activities. Enjoy a true Delta experience while you sit back in a mekoro (dugout canoe) and silently glide through the tranquil Okavango waterways or watch the sunset and birds gliding home to roost from a motorboat on the Xigera Lagoon. The more adventurous can track animals on foot.

Nestled in a magnificent riverine forest, Xigera consists of 10 luxuriously furnished tented rooms with en-suite facilities and outdoor shower. Each room is raised off the ground on a wooden deck offering superb views of the seasonal floodplain and waterhole. Meals and drinks are enjoyed under the thatch of the raised lounge, pub and dining area overlooking a permanently flowing channel. A traditional boma offers alternative dining under the African stars. Wooden walkways wind through the forest connecting the rooms to the main area. There is a plunge pool for cooling off and relaxation. Birding in the area is excellent, with Pel's Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, African Skimmers and a host of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers to be found. The area has the highest density of the rare sitatunga antelope found anywhere in the Okavango Delta.

Day 8: Charter flight to Maun

After an early morning activity and breakfast, we fly to Maun, where your African Botswana Safari ends.

Safari Price: US $2,630

Single Supplement:
Limitation of 2 single tents per safari, and a maximum number of 5 tents at any site while on safari. No single supplement is payable. When there are more than 2 single guests on a safari, we will attempt to match guests with another guest of the same gender.

Depart from: Maun

Finishing in: Maun

Please contact us for a list of Departure Dates. Tailor-made departures can be arranged, subject to the availability of space.

General:The style and essence of Wilderness Safaris' Adventurer Safaris takes you back to the bygone days of Africa's exploration. Our 3m x 3m dome tents (at Khumaga/ Njuca Hills and Deception Valley), 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 GI stretchers, 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: There are 2 short-drop toilets at Deception and Khumaga/ Njuca Hills. There are also 2 bucket shower enclosures at these campsites.

Guides: The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional guides, who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari experience.

Exclusive experience: Ensuring privacy and exclusivity, Xigera is a luxury lodge in a concession within Moremi Game Reserve. All Explorations camps are private and for the use of Adventurer Exploration guests only.

Terms & Conditions Apply

Price Includes:
Accommodation on a sharing basis, all meals from lunch on day 1 to the end of the scheduled safari, a reasonable amount of soft drinks, wind and beer at meal times, national park fees, guided tour of the Victoria Falls, activities and all internal charters as specified.

Price Excludes:
Flights (other than specified in detailed safari itinerary), visas, compulsory insurance, all relevant entry and departure government taxes, all personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls etc.), gratuities, optional extra activities, pre and post safari tours and meals or accommodation before or after safari.

General:
Serviced camping in exclusive camp sites in National Parks and luxury lodge overnights at Xigera Camp. 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 13h00 from Maun. For earlier international departure flights, an additional air charter will be required to arrive in Maun 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. Wilderness Safaris does not supply flashlights. 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. No 110/ 240V outlets are available, except at the Xigera Camp. Dietary requirements and special occasions: Due to remote locality of Adventurer camps, please ensure that full dietary requirements and special occasions are advised at the time of your booking confirmation.

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 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 some of the interesting game/ road transfers can take a full day with lunch en route.

Should you fail to join a safari or leave prior to its completion, no safari refund can be made.

Photo Copyright: Wild Africa Safari Co, Wilderness Safaris, Mike Meyers, Michael Poliza, Dana Allen, African Botswana Safari

Booking Terms & Conditions

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