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| Botswana Great Wilderness Journey |
| 10 NIGHT PACKAGE / 1.1 - 31.12.2009 |
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| >> BOOK THIS TOUR NOW! << |
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| LOCATION: |
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Departure Location: Maun
Arrival Location: Livingstone
(Please note that this trip will operate only in the Maun-to-Livingstone direction.)
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| RATE / COST: |
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1.1 - 31.12.2009
10 night Package
Maun to Livingstone, Botswana
Rate Per Person sharing US$ 7,325.00
Single Supplement US$ 955.00
Package includes:
accommodation on a per person sharing basis, all meals and drinks (except premium brands), National Park fees, laundry, activities and all internal charters on a seat-rate basis.
Package excludes:
flights (other than specified in the 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 and all travel
arrangements before or after the safari.
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| BRIEF ITINERARY: |
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At the turn of the century, explorers and adventurers made their way leisurely along the dusty paths of Africa. Experience a nostalgic camping / lodge safari that recreates the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers. The Great Wilderness Journey takes time to experience and explore Botswana's scenic northern areas: from the blue-green wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the diverse and wildlife-rich Linyanti and Chobe River systems, ending with the world-famous Victoria Falls on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River.
Brief Itinerary
Days 1, 2 & 3 Arrive in Maun and fly to Jacana Camp, Okavango Delta
Days 4, 5 & 6 Fly to Ketumetse Trails Camp (Motswiri), Okavango Delta
Days 7, 8 & 9 Fly to Linyanti Discoverer Camp, Linyanti/ Chobe
Day 10 Fly to Kasane for a river boat cruise in the Chobe National Park and then fly to Toka Leya, Livingstone
Day 11 Guided tour of the Victoria Falls and road transfer to Livingstone Airport
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| UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS TOUR: |
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This Exploration has the following unique features:
- Exclusive wilderness areas within Okavango Delta, southern Selinda, Linyanti/Chobe and Victoria Falls showcased.
- Luxury camping in two prime areas ensures holistic guiding and detailed insights to habitats and game movements in the area.
- Exceptionally diverse range of activities: walks, day and night wildlife viewing - both water- and land-based.
- Additional features include hammock lunch in the Linyanti.
- Varied overland transfers (water and land)
- An exciting enhancement to this safari is the "Flight of the Angels" air transfer between Kasane and Livingstone that takes in the Victoria Falls
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| DETAILED ITINERARY: |
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Days 1, 2 & 3: Jacana Camp, Okavango Delta
After arrival in Maun, you will be met by your guide or our representative and fly 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.
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 favourite amongst birders as well as African and Lesser Jacana.
Jacana 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 cosy pub and lounge with an area perfect for an open fire under the stars.
Days 4, 5 & 6: Ketumetse Trails Camp (Motswiri), north-eastern Okavango Delta
We depart this morning by aircraft to Ketumetse Trails Camp located in the south-western 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 6.3m x 3.5m walk-in Meru-style tents (maximum of two guests per tent). The tents are airy and designed to recreate the accommodation style of the early explorers, with richly coloured 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, 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.
Days 7, 8 & 9: Linyanti Discoverer Camp, Linyanti
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.
Day 10: Chobe River boat cruise, Chobe National Park and Toka Leya, 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.
Day 11: Victoria Falls, transfer to Livingstone Airport
The grand finale is 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 immediately after the tour of the Victoria Falls and bid farewell to the adventure
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| TERMS AND CONDITIONS: |
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- 1. Each departure is guaranteed for a minimum of 2 confirmed guests and operates with a maximum of 8 guests per safari.
- 2. Should all other bookings on an Exploration cancel to one guest, we will convert the booking to an FIT package at an increased price.
- 3. Package includes: accommodation on a per person sharing basis, all meals and drinks (except premium brands), National Park fees, laundry, activities and all internal charters on a seat-rate basis.
- 4. Package excludes: flights (other than specified in the 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 and all travel arrangements before or after the safari.
- 5. Tailor-made departures can be arranged subject to the availability of space.
- 6. Age Limits - Children from the age of 12 are welcome on all scheduled departures. For parties with children under 12, a private tailor-made safari will be quoted for on request. For guests over the age of 75, a certified medical certificate of full health must be submitted on booking
- confirmation.
- 7. Wilderness Safaris reserve the right, due to situations beyond our control, to substitute a lodge or location with another of comparable quality at no additional cost.
- 8. 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. No triple rooms are accepted.
- 9. The season for this tour in Botswana operates from 01 January 2009 to 31 December 2009.
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| SCHEDULED SAFARI DATES: |
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Sequence of set dates for the Migration Route is:
Language / Departure Day / Departure Date / Depart From / Finish Day / Finish Date / Finish In
- English Friday 09 January Maun Monday 19 January Livingstone
- English Monday 02 February Maun Thursday 12 February Livingstone
- English Sunday 15 February Maun Wednesday 25 February Livingstone
- English Sunday 01 March Maun Wednesday 11 March Livingstone
- English Tuesday 10 March Maun Friday 20 March Livingstone
- English Tuesday 17 March Maun Friday 27 March Livingstone
- English Wednesday 25 March Maun Saturday 04 April Livingstone
- English Saturday 28 March Maun Tuesday 07 April Livingstone
- English Friday 03 April Maun Monday 13 April Livingstone
- English Monday 06 April Maun Thursday 16 April Livingstone
- English Thursday 09 April Maun Sunday 19 April Livingstone
- English Saturday 18 April Maun Tuesday 28 April Livingstone
- English Tuesday 21 April Maun Friday 01 May Livingstone
- English Friday 24 April Maun Monday 04 May Livingstone
- English Sunday 03 May Maun Wednesday 13 May Livingstone
- English Wednesday 06 May Maun Saturday 16 May Livingstone
- English Saturday 09 May Maun Tuesday 19 May Livingstone
- English Monday 18 May Maun Thursday 28 May Livingstone
- English Thursday 21 May Maun Sunday 31 May Livingstone
- English Sunday 24 May Maun Wednesday 03 June Livingstone
- English Tuesday 02 June Maun Friday 12 June Livingstone
- English Friday 05 June Maun Monday 15 June Livingstone
- English Monday 08 June Maun Thursday 18 June Livingstone
- English Tuesday 23 June Maun Friday 03 July Livingstone
- English Thursday 02 July Maun Sunday 12 July Livingstone
- English Sunday 05 July Maun Wednesday 15 July Livingstone
- English Tuesday 14 July Maun Friday 24 July Livingstone
- English Tuesday 21 July Maun Friday 31 July Livingstone
- English Thursday 30 July Maun Sunday 09 August Livingstone
- English Sunday 02 August Maun Wednesday 12 August Livingstone
- English Wednesday 05 August Maun Saturday 15 August Livingstone
- English Friday 14 August Maun Monday 24 August Livingstone
- English Monday 17 August Maun Thursday 27 August Livingstone
- English Friday 28 August Maun Monday 07 September Livingstone
- English Saturday 12 September Maun Tuesday 22 September Livingstone
- English Tuesday 15 September Maun Friday 25 September Livingstone
- English Friday 18 September Maun Monday 28 September Livingstone
- English Sunday 27 September Maun Wednesday 07 October Livingstone
- English Wednesday 30 September Maun Saturday 10 October Livingstone
- English Saturday 03 October Maun Tuesday 13 October Livingstone
- English Monday 12 October Maun Thursday 22 October Livingstone
- English Thursday 15 October Maun Sunday 25 October Livingstone
- English Sunday 18 October Maun Wendesday 28 October Livingstone
- English Tuesday 27 October Maun Friday 06 November Livingstone
- English Friday 30 October Maun Monday 09 November Livingstone
- English Thursday 05 November Maun Sunday 15 November Livingstone
- English Wednesday 11 November Maun Saturday 21 November Livingstone
- English Tuesday 17 November Maun Friday 27 November Livingstone
- English Wednesday 25 November Maun Saturday 05 December Livingstone
- English Wednesday 02 December Maun Saturday 12 December Livingstone
- English Thursday 17 December Maun Sunday 27 December Livingstone
- English Saturday 26 December Maun Tuesday 05 January Livingstone
- English Tuesday 29 December Maun Friday 08 January Livingstone
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| >> BOOK THIS TOUR NOW! << |
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