Day 1: Arrive Livingstone, Zambia - Note Additional pre-safari nights in Livingstone can be arranged – see pricing below.
International air connection onto the safari: If arrival into Livingstone is planned for the day of the safari’s first day, 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.
After arrival in Livingstone you will be met by a representative and transferred directly for 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. Shackletons is situated in south-western Zambia on the Upper Zambezi River near the village of Mwandi (meaning a place of ‘plenty fish’). Shackletons provides access to 130km of the Upper Zambezi River, known as ‘God’s Highway’ by David Livingstone. The lodge and its environs is home to approximately 300 bird species, offers an excellent cultural experience at Mwandi village and also is a prime fly, spin and lure fishing destination. Accommodating 12 guests in comfortable, thatched and en-suite chalets with private teak decks overlooking the Zambezi River coupled with fabulous cuisine and friendly service creates a relaxing and invigorating stay. Shackletons Lodge or similar (D)
Days 2-4 Chobe National Park - Linyanti Concession
After breakfast, we leave Zambia and enter the Chobe National Park in Botswana by way of the Kazungula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe meet. The Chobe National Park is famous for its vast herds of elephants and unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river in the hottest hours of the day - even more so in the dry season. Enjoy a light lunch served during the boat cruise on the catamaran-style shaded boat, after which we depart by light aircraft in the late afternoon for the Linyanti region, from the airstrip game driving to our pre-erected Adventurer campsite.
On our next two days, we explore in the north-eastern corner of the Linyanti/Chobe area, enjoying a myriad of changing landscapes, from riverine to savannah habitat with sweeping views. Lunch is at an area, with a sweeping view of the Linyanti waterways. After a siesta in hammocks, there is the possibility of an afternoon canoe trip, before returning to camp at dusk. (This activity is not always possible, depending on whether there are hippo pods moving in and out of the areas in which we canoe.) The Linyanti region’s life-giving perennial waters attract herds of wildlife that walk well-worn game paths to slake their thirst in the dry season. Predators follow in their footsteps and coupled with the areas diversity of habitat make for exciting game viewing. Linyanti Trails Camp (BLD)
Days 5-7: Lechwe Island Camp, North-eastern Okavango Delta
An interesting drive gives the perfect introduction to the varying habitats of a dry and flat northern Botswana, from the open savannah of the Savute Marsh with its granite hillocks to the geographically interesting Selinda Spillway (Great Rift Valley fault line). We arrive at our pre-erected Adventurer campsite in the mid-afternoon, in time for a short sunset game drive.
Lechwe Island Camp is located in the south-western sector of the Selinda private concession, in a seasonally flooded portion of the Okavango Delta where it joins into the Selinda Spillway. The campsite is situated on a wooded island overlooking a floodplain area, the channel in front of camp alternately flooded or dry depending on the season. Lechwe Island Camp (BLD)
Activities concentrate around the bushy and wooded islands, open plains and the seasonally flooded channels surrounding the camp. In this area local populations of plains game allow for game drives by day and night. Experiences are magnified on nature walks, where the guide is able to delve into interesting topics such as tracking, medical (and traditional) uses of plants and a full array of smaller invertebrates and other species not usually noticed from a vehicle. Canoeing is also seasonally offered.
Days 8-9: Xigera Mokoro Trails, Okavango Delta
We fly by light aircraft 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. There is no better way to experience the Okavango than to travel through it by mokoro, walking and camping out on a vegetated island – all essential elements of the Xigera Mokoro Trails experience. The experience is aimed at exposing the permanently flooded inner Delta, in the serene waterways and on the islands of trees and bush. Our guest tents are lighter here than the rest of the safari, with a gauze main frame, thus enhancing the views. Due to remote location on an island, equipment is aimed at necessary comforts with “disco” stretcher styled beds.
Activities include mokoro and walking safaris, which enable up-close encounters with the excellent diversity of birdlife (including Pel’s Fishing Owl), frogs and a myriad of game species, some specially adapted to water, such as the rare Sitatunga and the familiar red lechwe. Walking activities vary in length and duration through the seasons, especially in the months when the Okavango is at peak flood where they become shorter (June, July and August) as more islands become flooded.
Xigera Mokoro Trails Camp (BLD)
Day 10: Maun Airport - Parched Kalahari Extension (see below) or Depart
Bid farewell to the adventure as we transfer by light aircraft to Maun Airport. (B)
OPTIONAL EXTENSION – consider adding (before or after the safari) to experience complete contrast with “The Parched Kalahari” a 4-day package. Call Borton Overseas for complete details.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Please contact us for departure dates; weekly dates throughout 2009.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Zambia
Botswana
Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife Viewing
Camping
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