On this unforgettable journey through Botswana you will experience the wild Africa described on countryaah. You visit the most untouched parts of its unique nature reserve. On Chobe’s savannas, perhaps Africa’s wildest area, you are greeted by lions chasing giraffes and elephants in abundance. In the Okavango Delta with its lush wetlands, thousands of islands and canals, you can hear the hippo growls of hippos. Short for BWA by abbreviationfinder, Botswana is a country located in southern Africa.
At Victoria Falls, the water smoke sweeps over you like a cool shower in the African heat.
Botswana – 11 days
Day 1 Johannesburg – Kalahari.
You go on your own to the airport in Johannesburg for a flight to Maun where you arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon, your flight departs for the Kalahari. On arrival you will be met for a transfer to the camp. The whole camp is built to blend in as well as possible in the barren surroundings. There are also common areas for meals and tea. After the rains (December to April), huge herds of wildebeest, zebra and springbok – with stalking predators – come to the open grasslands.
Camp: Kalahari Plains Camp, Deception Valley (full board)
Day 2 Kalahari.
Despite the rugged, moon-like landscape, both animal and plant life thrive, with species such as brown hyena, oryx and springbok being some of the most common. These Kalahari Desert ponds are fossilized and covered with low-nutrient-rich grass and dwarf acacia trees that ensure that the savannah attracts rich wildlife. During the excursions to the area’s waterhole, there are great chances to see the predators in full action, even during the drier part of the year.
Camp: Kalahari Plains Camp, Deception Valley (full board)
Day 3 Kalahari – Okavango
In the morning, your flight departs back towards Maun and on to the Okavango Delta and your camp. Little Vumbura is a beautiful six-room tent camp located in a private nature reserve north of Mombo on the border of the national park
Moremi Game Reserve in the northern parts of the Okavango Delta. Little Vumbura offered both water and land-based activities, as well as safaris on foot for the discerning. Mokoros (hollowed-out canoes) cross the waterways with experienced guides. Little Vumbura is located in what is locally known as the Kwedi Reserve. The entire 100,000-hectare land area is owned by the Botswana government along with the Tawana Land Council locals. A specially set up fund ensures that the income is distributed fairly among the inhabitants of the local villages and the authorities also ensure that the local population is offered work and education. The fund (The Okavango Community Trust) has appointed Wilderness Safaris as a partner in the project. The company runs five camps in the area: Duba Plains, Vumbura, Lilla Vumbura, Vundumtiki and Kaparota.
Camp: Little Vumbura, Okavango (full board including drinks)
Day 4 – 5 Okavango / Little Vumbura
Little Vumbura has both the wetland and savannah species to show off – red lechwe, buck, hippopotamus, crocodile as well as saber antelope, kudu, wildebeest and tsessebe. During a normal game drive, you more often see saber than impala antelope. Herds of both elephant and buffalo occur together with the predators lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah. Open 4 × 4 Landrovers allows guests to get close to the wildlife on the savannas. When the water level during Okavango’s annual floods is at its highest, these activities are limited. Mainly during the period March to October, boats to drier areas are used to gain access to safari cars. Overall, Little Vumbura offers great safari experiences all year round in a remote part of Okavango. Hiking is done around the islands in the surroundings and gives a different perspective of Africa.
Camp: Little Vumbura, Okavango (full board including drinks)
Day 6 Okavango – Linyanti
In the morning you fly further east to Linyanti. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide for transfer to your camp. The area is widely known for its predators and rich abundance of large game, especially elephant. The films Dereck and Beverly Joubert contributed to the celebrity with their documentaries for National Geographic. “Eternal Enemies” is a classic that describes in detail how the lion and the hyena affect each other’s existence. Wetlands, streams, dry woodland and the world-famous Savu Canal are just some of the natural scenery that coexist in the landscape. The Savuti Canal connects the Linyanti River and the Zibalianja Lagoon with Chobe National Park and Savuti Wetlands. The 110,000-hectare private nature reserve Linyanti is located in the western border areas of Chobe. This area is markedly different from Okavango and should be included in each visitor’s safari. In the huge reserve there are only four small camps, Duma Tau, Kings Pool, Selinda or Savuti Camp Duma Tau (means lion’s roost) is an exclusive tent camp with ten rooms built on raised walkways and platforms in the shade under Mangosteen trees overlooking a large lagoon with plenty of hippopotamus. The source of the Savuti Canal is close to the camp and safaris along the Savuti are one of the highlights of a stay here.
Camp: Duma Tau, Linyanti (full board including drinks)
Day 7 – 8 Linyanti
The activities at DumaTau are varied and take place alternately on water, land and occasionally on foot. Safaris in open 4 × 4 Landrovers take place both during the day and in the evening along the Savuti Canal and the river bank to the Linyanti River. In the area there are several hides where guests can appreciate the wildlife up close without sitting in a car. One of the best hiding places is right next to the source of Savuti and many species of game and birds are often seen here. The area is known for its high concentration of elephant during the winter months and safaris are good all year round. Huge herds of elephants congregate during the winter months along watercourses, lagoons and water holes along the Savuti Canal. During these dry months, saber and roan antelopes also roam the plains. All large predators – lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog – revel in their prey such as the impala, zebra,
Camp: Duma Tau, Linyanti (full board including drinks)
Day 9 Linyanti – Livingstone
In the morning you travel first by plane to Kasane and then on by car to Livingstone in Zambia and your hotel. The day ends with a sunset cruise on the river.
Hotel: The River Club, Livingstone (full board including drinks)
Day 10 Livingstone
River club lies dormant in the shade on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, 18 km upstream from the world-famous Victoria Falls. The main building is a beautiful Edwardian-style house with a comfortable lounge, large dining room, impressive library and a spacious veranda serving breakfast and afternoon tea. Well-kept lawns (where lunches are usually served) spread under the trees and for those who want to try a game of sophisticated croquet, the croquet court is ideal, especially if you get something refreshing served while you play. The pool seems to flow together with the river and on a deck in the shadows, hammocks and comfortable armchairs invite you to a little nap. There is a special tent for beauty treatments and massages. Ten comfortable rooms with views
The Zambezi River is equipped with all facilities: bath, shower and toilet. All rooms have a fan. The rooms have a completely open front which gives an undisturbed view of the river. Choose from activities such as sunset cruises, visits to Victoria Falls, Simonga Village, local markets and the town of Livingstone.
Hotels: The River Club, Livingstone (full board)
Day 11 Return trip
After breakfast you will be picked up for a transfer to the airport to begin your return trip to Johannesburg.
