16 days – Botswana Accommodated tour

Our adventure starts on departure from the GREENFIRE LODGE JOHANNESBURG at 06h30. Making our way through the North West of South Africa with scattered mountains all around, we aim to cross the Botswana border near Lobatse. On completion of customs and immigration formalities, we cross into Botswana and the vast Kalahari Plains that stretch as far as the eye can see.

We will cover quite some distance today before arriving at our accommodation near the village of Kang. Tonight we enjoy a catered meal while our guide explains what to expect in the days to come.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner own expense
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Scenic drive through North West South Africa
– Kalahari Desert

Waking up to a spectacular Kalahari sunrise, we enjoy our first cup of coffee and a sumptuous breakfast before continuing to the frontier town of Ghanzi. Ghanzi is home to some of the last traditional Bushmen that make a living in this harsh desert environment. It is here that we enjoy learning about the wilderness from these fascinating people.

Our experience will include an educational bush walk led by true Bushmen to give us insight into their daily lives and teach us how they survive in these arid conditions. We overnight in comfortable accommodation on a vast tract of land owned and managed by the local people.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Guided bush walk led by true bushmen/san

The Okavango River, emanating from the highlands of central Angola far to the northwest, flows south- and eastwards, before slowing and spreading into one of the world’s only true inland deltas, creating as it does so a unique ecosystem that supports a huge variety of animal and plant life. The sight of a Jacana striding delicately amongst the flowering lilies, the Bee Eater diving to prey on an unsuspecting insect, and of course the familiar cry of the African Fish Eagle – all combine to create the canvas of one of nature’s unique masterpieces. The river, eventually spilling its contents into the vast plains of the Makgadikgadi sands, disappears.

Our comfortable and well appointed camp on the edge of one of the largest lagoons serves as a base from which we explore. We will glide through narrow reed-lined channels by mokoro, walk on uninhabited islands, and picnic in the wilderness, while learning about the animals and plants of the Delta from local guides who have grown up in the area. Through informal interaction with the guides, we will have the opportunity to learn about the local people and their way of life in this isolated wilderness. We will also have time to simply relax and enjoy the views over a glistening lagoon from a beautiful wooden deck, cold drink in hand, go for a walk with our guide, or take a refreshing dip in the pool. One afternoon we enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on a boat. A helicopter flip, to see the vastness of the Delta from the air, is recommended (own expense).

Meals: B L D; B L D; B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Okavango Delta
– Guided walks in the Delta led by local Motswana guides
– Mokoro trip
– Sunset boat trip

Starting early, we begin our journey back to relative civilisation. This afternoon we arrive in the ‘tourism capital of Botswana’ – Maun. We will spend some time stocking up on basic supplies, before travelling the short distance out of town to the DRIFTERS MAUN TENTED LODGE, our stop for the night.

The lodge is situated on the banks of the Boteti River. This river is known to change its flow direction, depending upon the season and rainfall patterns. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation, swimming pool, bar and restaurant.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Boteti River Sunset

We enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at the Lodge while preparing for the game viewing part of the trip which is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the tour. Traveling in our well-equipped 4×4 vehicle we head into true wilderness, passing remote villages along the way. We spend five days in the national parks following seasonal game migrations on extensive morning and afternoon game drives, also with relaxing down time to appreciate this rare jewel of a place and its deep tranquillity.

An example of our route could be: starting with Moremi, we spend first night near the well-known Third Bridge. Drift off to sleep to the howl of the distant hyena or the earthy roar of a lion, and even the deep grunt of a half-submerged hippo. We then head on north via Xakanaxa to camp near North Gate. This area is excellent for game viewing and we will conduct afternoon and morning drives along the wetland areas.

Then on up to Savuti, the area offers a multitude of game drive options and a very active game area (keep the fruit well hidden from the roving elephant, the meat from the prowling hyenas, and everything from the monkeys). The vegetation is constantly changing, from open plains, palm trees and marshland, to dense Mopane woodlands and Acacia scrub, and hence all the fauna and flora changes accordingly. During this part of the journey we camp in pristine, remote, private sites where there is no sign of man’s existence – we leave each site in the same condition, nothing but footprints in the sand are left for the quiet winds to deal with.

Depending on the conditions in the national parks we might also venture into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve or the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Meals: B L D; B L D; B L D; B L D;
Included Highlights/Activity:
– 4×4 open vehicle game drives
– Private non-fenced campsites
– Extensive first-hand game viewing experience
– Explore the heart of National Geographic’s photography region

Our last morning in the parks, we slowly game drive our way back to Maun. We will have some time to explore town and enjoy an “own expense” lunch before heading out to the comfort of the DRIFTERS MAUN TENTED LODGE. This afternoon we will relax at the Lodge before enjoying a catered meal and a comfortable night.

Meals: B D; (Lunch on this day is own expense in town)
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Game Drive on the way out of the park
– Visit to Maun

We enjoy a relaxed morning at the lodge spending time along the river bank enjoying the tranquillity of the area or lounging at the swimming pool. After an early lunch, we continue and venture eastward into the spectacular Makgadikgadi Salt Pans area. Besides the stark scenery, the pans are known for their prolific birdlife and the other desert-adapted animals. Without disturbing the surface, we take in the isolation and serenity of this expanse.
After exploring the pans we continue to our accommodation for the night and enjoy a relaxed evening in comfort.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Relaxed morning
– Visit to Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Venturing north today, we leave the desolation of the pans behind and make our way up to the mighty Chobe River. The Chobe area is known for the huge herds of elephants and other animals that are attracted to drink from the river. This afternoon we enjoy an extensive boat cruise within Chobe National Park, gliding close to the banks we hope to approach these animals from the river for close up viewing. Our cruise will explore the Chobe River front and a section of the Namibian side of the Chobe River. Back on land we cross the border into Zimbabwe and make our way to the GREENFIRE LODGE VICTORIA FALLS. The lodge is centrally situated and within walking distance of the falls and other attractions.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Chobe National Park
– Extensive Boat Cruise on the Chobe River

Awaking in the adventure capital of Africa, it is with new excitement that we explore the amazing Victoria Falls. “Mosi o Tunya “, meaning “The smoke that Thunders”. This is the place where, according to ancient traditions, the “Big Snake” or “Nyami Nyami” is in hiding. On this day we include your entry and leave you to admire this wonder of the world. Various other attractions can be visited and activities enjoyed including the tribal village or curio market. An aircraft flip over the falls or a boat trip on the Zambezi River, white water rafting or bungee jumping are all worthwhile, but allowance must be made for the extra expense.

We spend two nights here, thus allowing clients some time to explore the town and all it has to offer by themselves. Tonight we will eat out in a local restaurant (own expense). Relax to the sound of the African night and the distant roar of the falls and drink the farewell toasts to your adventure.

Meals: B (Lunch and dinner is own expense in town)
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Victoria Falls National Park
– Entry Fee for viewing the Falls

The guests flying out on the 15-day tour will do so today, the rest will set off to cross back into Botswana and to continue south toward Francistown, home of the national football team. Tonight we stay in comfortable accommodation, enjoying the African night and celebrating our adventure with our last tour meal.
Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Last opportunity to view game on route to Francistown
– Scenic drive from Zimbabwe to Botswana

Crossing the Limpopo River, we return to South Africa and make our way to the GREENFIRE LODGE JOHANNESBURG, where we arrive in the early evening. Post-tour accommodation and airport transfers can be booked through African Travels.

Meals: B (Lunch today is own expense)
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Scenic drive from Botswana to South Africa

The day by day descriptions published are intended as a rough guideline only. Adventure travel by nature is unpredictable, weather patterns, game migrations, road conditions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that ultimately are for the client’s benefit. It is essential that clients are flexible and open minded in this regard.