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NOTE: This safari operates in both directions. We are illustrating begin in Maun, end in Livingstone.
Days 1-3 Maun, Botswana • Okavango Delta: Jao Concession
The safari begins in Botswana’s northern safari town, Maun. Borton will assist you with flights to Maun and if you wish, pre nights in the area for a more relaxing start to your trip.
After arrival in Maun, you will be met by your guide and flown by light aircraft over the shimmering water world of the Okavango Delta. The Delta encompasses life at its most fertile: abundant water, sunlight and nutrients fuse to produce a wetland paradise teeming with life. Jacana or Xigera Camp
Lush Jacana Camp is situated in a permanently flooded region of the private Jao Concession of the Okavango Delta. A true water camp, it represents the essence of the Delta, with year-round mokoro safaris as well as island bush walks and, water level permitting, motorboat cruises. In fact, when the flood levels are at their peak we are able to motorboat from the airstrip to the lodge, a truly surreal camp arrival! On one of the full days, we will also enjoy game drives around the productive Jao flats region to the north of camp. Jacana Camp is set in one of the wetland areas most densely populated with sitatunga and red lechwe. Wildlife concentrations depend on the water flow and volume, thus changing from season to season, but all the large animals can be found in the area including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. Pel's Fishing-Owl is a favorite among birders as well as African and lesser jacana. This intimate camp has 5 Meru-style tents. Each tent is on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains and has an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and shower. The bathroom is enclosed but roofless, allowing for showers by starlight. The camp has a plunge pool for cooling off from the midday sun. The main dining area is on an elevated wooden deck between two magnificent sycamore fig trees and surrounded by dense wild date palms. Downstairs, there is a cozy pub and lounge with an area perfect for an open fire under the stars. Jacana Camp (BLD)
Days 4-6 Northeast Okavango Delta: Ketumetse Trails
We depart this morning by aircraft to Ketumetse Trails Camp located in the southwestern sector of the Selinda private concession, in the seasonally flooded portion of the Okavango Delta where it joins into the Selinda Spillway.
Accommodation is in walk-in Meru-style tents. The tents are airy and designed to recreate the accommodation style of the early explorers, with richly colored teak director chairs and simplistic camp features. Separate bedside tables with 12v reading lamps, canvas and wood wardrobes, bathrobes, comfortable beds, flushing toilets and mirrors are provided. Camp amenities (conditioning shampoo, soap, and shower gel and body lotion) are elegantly displayed for use and private, en-suite separate toilet and shower areas are part of the main structure. The area in which the camp is located is scenic with generous shade provided by leadwood and russet bushwillow trees. Open floodplains and woodlands spread out in front of camp. Activities concentrate on nature walks and canoeing, providing a superb view from the canoe of big game coming to the water's edge to drink. Game drives (by day and night) are possible and often reveal sightings of the rare roan and stately sable antelopes, in addition to an array of other general game species. Seasonally, "catch and release" fishing is offered as an alternative activity.
Ketumetse Trails Camp (BLD)
Days 7-9 Linyanti Concession
After a light breakfast, we fly north-eastwards to the private Linyanti Concession. After a short game drive we arrive at our private Discoverer camp, which is elegantly set up under African ebony and knobthorn acacia trees overlooking panoramic vistas of the Linyanti swamps.
The landscape of the Linyanti varies from floodplains to open dry land savannah and forest with sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. Activities include game drives in the private northern sector of the concession, exploring a range of habitats from riverbanks to scrub and forest, with a myriad of wildlife en route to slake their thirst from the river. The seldom-seen sitatunga can also be spotted in the waterways, as well as rare plains game such as roan and sable antelope and of course their predators, the lion and leopard - with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus.
There's also a game drive to a private area for lunch, then a siesta in hammocks and the possibility of an afternoon canoe trip, before returning to camp at dusk. (This activity is not always possible, as it is dependent on whether there are hippo pods moving in and out of the areas in which we canoe.) Another possible activity is an all-day game drive to the Savute Channel, with lunch en route. This game drive is specifically designed to gain an introduction to the "Stolen River" as well as enjoying a part of the Selinda Spillway with its rich floodplains. To complete the experience, in the rainy season and on the third day it is possible to enjoy a full-day activity to the Savute Channel, with lunch at a scenic setting under a shade tree. The spectacular but seasonal (rain dependant) zebra migration moves between Linyanti and the Savute Marsh between end November and March, the area also boasting an impressive diversity of mammals, including large elephant herds. When undertaken and during the correct season, this day is specifically tailored to enjoy the seasonal and migratory movements of wildlife, although sighting the zebra migration is not guaranteed. Linyanti Discoverer Camp (BLD)
Day 10 Chobe National Park to Livingstone, Zambia
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 in the dry season 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 light lunch on the boat cruise in a catamaran-style shaded boat.
We leave Botswana and fly to Livingstone International Airport, arriving at Toka Leya in the late afternoon. On leaving Botswana, we fly over the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet. Overlooking the mighty Zambezi River and some of its islands, under a shady canopy of jackalberry and waterberry trees, lies Toka Leya. The islands in front of camp are intriguing and part of the braided channel of the Zambezi with some rapids, a main channel and fringing dense vegetation. The camp consists of 12 safari-style tents, each en-suite with a view of the magnificent Zambezi River and some of its islands. The camp's dining and bar area is set beneath a shaded canopy of trees overlooking the river and a swimming pool. Toka Leya Camp (BLD)
Day 11 Livingstone • Depart
The grand finale is a guided tour of the Victoria Falls (from the Zambia side), one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 meters wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 meters into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
Transfer to Livingstone Airport immediately after the tour of the Victoria Falls and bid farewell to the adventure. Additional nights can be added in Livingstone or extend the safari experience into Zambia. (B)
Price Includes
• All air transfers between camps within Botswana as specified;
• All accommodation on a shared basis
• All meals, except in Livingstone which is on a bed and breakfast basis
• Twice daily game activities at safari lodges and camps
• All excursions and transfers by vehicle, mokoro and boat as shown
• Services of the lodge guides and staff
• Park fees; the current Zimbabwe Tourism Levy
• Drinks policies vary - some lodges include no drinks, others include only house wine at dinner and drinks on activities
Price Excludes
• All scheduled flights and taxes
• All items of a personal nature
• Cancellation, baggage, emergency evacuation or medical insurance
• Visa and their respective fees
• All other drinks
• Gratuities to staff
• Any meals, activities and excursions which are not specified
NOTES:
• Single Travelers: If a guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. However, if there is no suitable match, the single supplement surcharge will apply.
• Most safari camps and lodges include two game activities a day in their tariff, which usually take place in the morning and the afternoon. If guests want more activities a day, we suggest they book a private vehicle and guide for part or their entire safari. The service does cost extra.
• Baggage on air transfers is restricted to a total of 26lbs. per person in a soft bag (including camera equipment and carry on baggage). Special arrangements can be made, at an extra cost, if you want us to also carry any additional bag/s. Excess luggage not pre-booked can result in larger extra costs to the guests and delays in getting the bags on site.
• Laundry can be done at all the camps. Some camps include laundry in their tariff; others charge a nominal tariff for this service.
• It is required that all guests to have comprehensive emergency evacuation and medical insurance for the duration of their trip. A policy will be offered at time of booking. This can also be viewed off our links page.
• Age Limits – Children from the age of 12 are welcome on all scheduled departures. For groups with children under 12, we will create a private tailor-made safari, on request. For guests over the age of 75, a certified medical certificate of full health must be provided.
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