Explore the wonderful wildlife of Botswana.
Self Drive through the African bush in a fully prepared Land Rover.
Day 1
Johannesburg to Martins Drift border post to enter Botswana then onwards to Khama Rhino Sanctuary for overnight camping. Late afternoon self drive game viewing.
Day 2
Heading into the Botswana interior and along the southern borders of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Viewing wide open pans and rural villages en-route. Arriving at your overnight accommodation adjacent to the Boteti River.
Water leaving the Okavango flows through Maun and then heads down the Boteti River, before eventually emptying into the southern Ntwetwe Pan. The banks of the Boteti are steep and offer fine views of the river. As the winter lengthens and the pans begin to dry up, animals are forced to come to the river to drink, so game viewing along this section can be extremely rewarding.
Day 3
At leisure to self drive explore the Makgadikgadi Pans. The Makgadikgadi Pans, the world’s largest salt pans, are the most visible remnants of a superlake that was formed formed more than five million years ago. The lake was once 30 metres (100 feet) deep and covered a massive area of 80,000² km (30,888² miles), but as recently as 10,000 years ago, climatic shifts started to dry up Lake Makgadikgadi. Further evaporation turned the lake into large pans with a surface glistening with salt. Today The Makgadikgadi provides one of the most dramatic African safari travel experiences.
Second night at the lodge by the Boteti River.
Day 4
Leaving the Boteti river head for Maun, replenish supplies before arriving at overnight accommodation. Optional afternoon flight over the Okavango Delta. (not included).
The delta environment has large numbers of animal populations that are otherwise rare, such as crocodile, red lechwe, sitatunga, elephant, wild dogs, buffalo, wattled crane as well as the other more common mammals and bird life.The best time for game viewing in the delta is during the May-October period, as the animal life is concentrated along the flooded areas and the vegetation has dried out.The best time for birding and vegetation is during the rainy season (Nov.- April) as the migrant bird populations are
returning and the plants are flowering and green.Safari activities by water are the primary speciality of the Okavango – the mokoro – a dug out canoe which is ‘poled’ along by your Guide is the most evocative way of exploring the numerous waterways. Motor launches travel on the main waterways and lagoons.
Day 5
Enter Moremi Game Reserve to spend the day game viewing whilst driving to lodge.
Day 6
At Leisure to explore the wonderful wildlife of Moremi. Game drives arranged by lodge with experienced game ranger.
Day 7
Depart Moremi and enter Chobe National Park. Drive to Savuti Camp site. Camping for 2 nights.
Recognized as a prime game viewing area, the Savuti covers almost 1,930 sq. miles (5,000 square km) in the south west of Chobe National Park.
The western edge of Savuti is encircled by the Magwikhwe sand ridge, 156 miles (100km) long and 65 feet (20 metres) high, which is the ancient shoreline of a super-lake that covered much of northern Botswana. It is difficult to imagine that this harsh dry landscape was once submerged beneath an enormous inland sea. A channel from the Linyanti River once fed the now dry Savuti Marsh, which is the deepest part of the Mababe Depression and is the only part to have filled with water in recent history. .
This marsh has something of a mystical renown as it can dry up or flood regardless of local rains. David Livingstone, on his way to ‘discover’ the Victoria Falls in 1851, commented, that it was a “dismal swamp,” but sometime around 1888 it started to dry up and remained completely parched until 1957. Camel thorn acacia trees established themselves in the channel and along the banks and grew to full size. During unexpected floods these trees were drowned but as the channel and marsh dried out again, the dead trees became one of the most prominent features of the landscape.
Day 8
At Leisure to explore Savuti. The area promises sightings of endangered wild dog, which is said to be the most efficient hunter in Africa. Large concentrations of lion follow the annual zebra migration intently, and leopard and cheetah are to be seen. Many hyenas live here and researchers have found that lions loose 20% of their kills to them. Hyenas are formidable hunters in their own right but are opportunistic feeders who will annoy and threaten a pride of lions until they give up their meal. Savuti is also famous for its elephants that roam great distances for the best fodder.
Day 9
Travel from Savuti to Kasane through Chobe National Park. Hopefully you should see some of the huge herds of Elephants that roam this area before checking into your Camp next to the Chobe River. Sunset river cruise (included).
The Chobe riverfront, situated in the extreme Northeast of the park, has as main geographical features lush plains and dense teak forests. The Chobe River, which flows along the Northeastern border of the park, is a drinking spot for elephants and buffaloes at dry season. The famous bee-eater is also spotted here, along the river. This is probably the most visited park section, partly because of its proximity to the Victoria Falls. The town of Kasane, situated at the river, is the most important town of the region and serves as northern entrance to the park.
Day 10
Guided Day trip to Victoria Falls (included).
The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Local people call it “Mosi-oa-Tunya” — the smoke that thunders and the Falls are remarkable.
There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk.
The Victoria Falls is 1 708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute.
Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860’s. The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialization.
Day 11
Depart Kasane for Francistown via Nata. Overnight lodge accommodation. Your last night in Botswana.
Day 12
Depart Francistown and head for the Martins Drift border post to re-enter South Africa. Proceed to Johannesburg for late afternoon arrival.
From R2000.00 P/P/N
