Travel to Botswana: The Great Wilderness Journey

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The Great Wilderness Journey

			DAYS: 11 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $7890 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Okavango Delta Linyanti Savuti Chobe Victoria Falls Livingstone Zambia ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges Deluxe Camp MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

At the turn of the century, explorers and adventurers trekked through the dusty paths of Africa, allowing the Dark Continent to seep into their souls. Our luxury mobile safari explores Botswana's contrasts and extremes from the aquatic Okavango Delta to the open plains of the Linyanti region. In the company of skilled naturalists you will experience game drives, mokoro rides, and flights over large expanses of the unique Botswanan landscape. Overnights are in private concessions and small tented camps, where lantern lit meals are accompanied by innumerable stars.

DAYS 1-3 :  JACANA CAMP, OKAVANGO DELTA
After arrival in Maun you will meet the other group participants and your guide for the scenic flight into the Okavango Delta. The Delta represents survival at an unexpected extreme: abundant water, sunlight and soil combine to form a lush paradise bursting with life. Your base of exploration for the next three nights is Jacana Camp, situated in a permanently flooded region of the private Jao Concession. A true water camp, Jacana Camp represents the essence of the Delta, with year-round mokoro safaris as well as island bush walks and, water level permitting, motorboat cruises. This area is densely populated with sitatunga antelope as well as red lechwe. Big game can be found here, including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. Overnights at Jacana Camp. (Read the latest camp news here) [BLD]

The elusive Sitatunga is an exciting find when spotted in the tall papyrus. photo courtesy of Mike Meyers

DAYS 4-6 :  KETUMETSE TRAILS CAMP, OKAVANGO DELTA
Travel from the aquatic world of Jacana Camp to the game-rich plains of Ketumetse where the Delta joins the Selinda spillway. The campsite has unique walk-in hexagonal meru tents that have been erected prior to our arrival under the welcome shade of leadwood trees. Each tent is situated for the utmost enjoyment of the spectacular views over the floodplains. Activities concentrate on the open herd-filled plains where the seasonal congregations of wildlife make the perfect setting for nature walks and canoeing safaris.  Exclusive day and night game drives are possible along with seasonal 'catch and release' fishing for those interested. Overnights in our Discoverer Campsite at Ketumetse Trails. [BLD]

	The Linyanti area is known for great sightings of endangered wild dogs. photo courtesy of Michael Poliza

DAYS 7-9 :  LINYANTI TRAILS CAMP, LINYANTI CONCESSION
After breakfast, you will fly by light aircraft to the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve and then drive to our private Linyanti Discoverer campsite. The camp is set up under massive African ebony and knobthorn acacia trees overlooking panoramic vistas of the Linyanti Swamps. The savannah habitat has sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. The first afternoon activity concentrates on exposure to general plains game, such as roan and sable antelope. Never far behind the plains game are the predators; both lion and leopard may be found here, as well as the endangered wild dog. Activities include game drives in the private northern sector of the Concession while exploring a range of habitats, from riverbanks to scrub and forest. There is also a game drive to a private deck for lunch, then a siesta in hammocks and an afternoon canoe trip, followed by a night drive back to camp! You canoe on the Linyanti River in search of the elephant herds for an amazing close-up view. To complete the experience, on the third day enjoy an adventure to the Savuti Channel, with lunch at a private hide overlooking a waterhole. This day is specifically tailored to enjoy the seasonal and migratory movements of wildlife within the Linyanti and Savuti systems. [BLD]

See one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the breathtaking Victoria Falls.

DAY 10 :  CHOBE RIVER BOAT CRUISE, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK AND LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA
After a short morning drive and breakfast, you depart by light aircraft to the northern Chobe region of Chobe National Park. This area is famous for its vast herds of elephants and unique antelope species, such as the elusive puku and the Chobe bushbuck, that move to the river in the hottest hours of the day. Enjoy a river cruise in a shaded catamaran-style boat, before you leave Botswana. This afternoon you enter Zambia by way of the Kazungula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet. Your overnight is in Livingstone at Toka Leya. (Read the latest camp news here) [BLD]

DAY 11 :  VICTORIA FALLS AND DEPART
This morning enjoy a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, 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. In the local language the falls are called Mosi-oa-Tunya, or 'The Smoke That Thunders'. After the visit to the falls, you will be transferred to Livingstone Airport for your departing flight. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Jeff Stivers 1(800)345-4453 C o n t a c t Nick Bay 1(800)345-4453