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BOTSWANA
A huge country in Southern Africa, known
to be hot and dry, with the exception of the lush oasis of the Okavango
Delta in the north
- reputedly one of the most beautiful
places in the world!
Largely off-the-beaten track, Botswana is a haven
for wildlife and especially elephants.
A sample of our Botswana Experiences:
11 Day Great Wilderness Luxury Journey in Botswana & Victoria Falls
10 Day Stanley's Comfort Camping Safari in Botswana & Zambia
14 Day Ultimate Wildlife Camping & Accommodated Safari (semi-participation)
21 Day Grand Desert & Delta Safari - Zambia, Botswana & Namibia
21 Day Southern Cross Grand Explorer - Cape Town to Victoria Falls
9 Day Kalahari Migration Camping Safari (semi-participation)November - May
Enquire about more Safari options here
TravelBoecker Tailor-Made
- combing your personal preference with our expertise.
We create unique & authentic experiences
designed to suit your budget and desired style of travel.
Travel Log: Awesome Okavango Delta
The Republic of Botswana:
• Area: 600
370 km²
• Capital: Gabarone
• Currency: Pula
• Climate: Hot summers with
afternoon rains, from November to
April. Dry and cooler weather occurs between May
and October
• People: Botswana 95%, Kalanga,
Basarwa, Kgalagadi 4%, European 1%
• Official language: Setswana is
the national language and English is the official language
• Time: GMT +2
History & Background: Botswana
was formerly known as Bechuanaland and was a British colony until 1966.
It was first inhabited by the San (Bushmen) and then by the Khoi-Khoi
(Hottentots) and Bantu groups. Botswana is a landlocked nation,
bordered by South Africa in the South, Namibia to the west, Zambia to
the north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. Botswana is
one of Africa's most stable and peaceful democracies with its economy,
closely tied to South Africa's, being dominated by cattle raising and
mining, boasting huge diamond deposits.
Best Game Viewing Months: There
are four main parks in Botswana - Chobe National Park, Savuti, Moremi Game Reserve and
the Okavango Delta. Game viewing is generally best from June to September, fair in April and May and fair from November to March.
Landlocked, and a little larger than
France, much of Botswana is semi-desert with the wide plains of the
Kalahari covering 2/3 of the country. In the north the Okavango River
flows into the country from Angola and opens out to farm the massive
Okavango Delta. A complexity of channels, lagoons, floodplains and
islands, the Okavango eerily melds into the surrounding Kalahari.
The area is alive with bird and wildlife. One of
the best ways to explore it, when the waters are right is by open
mokoro (the traditional dugout canoe) paddled by a local guide. It's very quiet
and you're really close to the water. You and your poler go out from
your camp into the narrow waterways. Once you reach an island, you get
out and walk. Some days you'll encounter mostly birds and a few shy
antelope. Other days you may end up face to face with an elephant - a
rather exciting experience. They are much bigger than you can imagine!
 Botswana's Bayei people, who live around the
Okavango Delta make dugout canoes from trees that have been chosen for
them at birth. They call them Mokoro - and it's the best way to see the
wide variety of birds and mammals in this area.
You
can choose between daily mokoro trips from one base camp, or fly-in to
camps on the many different islands for more diversity. I stayed at
Xugana, Mombo and Shindi camps - each of them unique in their setting
and in the wildlife they offer, but all fantastic for bird watching.
The guides are so knowledgeable - they can name every "L.B.J." (Little
Brown Job!).
Many of Botswana's game reserves are world
renowned. In Chobe National Park, for example, huge herds of elephants
roam wild and free. Botswana is famed for its basketry, wood carvings
and Bushmen crafts. Visitors have many opportunities to purchase
intriguing mementos of this exciting country.
Throughout your journey, there is one thing we can guarantee. The spirit of Africa and its people will touch you. It might be a herd of elephant against a blood red sunset, the cooling spray thrown up by the thundering waters of Victoria Falls or a simple handshake and a smile from a village elder. Somewhere along the way, you will experience something uniquely African, leaving an indelible print on your memory.
Kalahari Migration Safari (KS03)
9 Day Small Group Mobile Camping (semi participation)
When the rains arrive in the Kalahari the whole Desert changes and comes to life; the Impala drop their young, many migratory birds arrive and the vegetation turns to lush green. Great herds of Zebra, Wildebeest and Buffalo move from the Okavango Delta into the verdant Desert to feed on nutritious grasses and vegetation. These grazers are closely followed by large predators such as lions, and it is very likely that you will see big cats on this safari too.
This safari operates during the migration months of November through May, when the rains turn the Kalahari Desert into a colourful, life-giving wilderness.
Why choose the Green Season?
- Excellent for photography – much less dust and crystal-clear air.
- Wonderful birding with migrant birds in breeding plumage
- The desert is green, beautiful and lush, and the skies are blue, dramatic afternoon skies with spectacular clouds and light
- Great value for money
- Fewer people around
Highlights: Nxai Pan & Baobabs, Makgadikgadi National Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Scenic Flight in light aircraft
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Maun to Nxai Pan
We are met at the airport by our guide and road transferred to our first campsite in Nxai Pan. After a sunset game drive enjoy a delicious wholesome meal to the sounds of the African night. Standard Mobile Safari (Packed lunch & dinner)
Day 2: Nxai Pan National Park
After breakfast we take a leisurely game drive and visit the Baines Baobabs. This area is home to a variety of unique wildlife and provides us with the opportunity to spot Bat-eared Fox, Springbok and Wild dog. Standard Mobile Safari (All meals)
Days 3 & 4: Makgadikgadi National Park
Our safari crew expertly moves our camp to the Makgadikgadi National Park, where we continue to seek the migrating herds of Zebra, Wildebeest and Elephant. Standard Mobile Safari (All meals)
Days 5, 6 & 7: Central Kalahari Game Reserve
An early morning game drive takes us to the unique and special Central Kalahari Reserve with the opportunity to encounter the majestic Black-mane Kalahari Lions. Like us, these and a host of other hungry predators are pursuing the migratory herds. Standard Mobile Safari (All meals)
 Day 8: Central Kalahari
Today we are transferred by our guide to the lodge. We have time to relax, enjoy sundowners and dinner before taking a night drive to explore the magic of the nocturnal creatures in the area. Haina Safari Lodge (or similar accommodation) (All meals)
Day 9: Maun
After an early rise we will take our last memorable game drive, before breakfast. A scenic flight then transfers us back to Maun airport. (Breakfast)
END OF SERVICES.
Tour Cost: US$3,510 per person sharing twin
Single Supplement: US$508 per person
Group Size: 2 - 8 passengers per vehicle (2 vehicles on certain departures)
Type of Safari: Semi-participation camping safari
Vehicle: guaranteed window seat on game drives
Accommodation: 7 nights standard mobile camping; 1 night lodge accommodation
Includes: camping with camp bed, mattress, sleeping roll and pillow; 1 night lodge accommodation; all meals as mentioned; game drives; transfer in Maun on day 1 & light aircraft flight from Central Kalahari on day 9; mineral water; Botswana park fees .
Excludes: lunch on day 9; towels; international flights to and from Maun; airport taxes; passport and travel visa fees; medical or travel insurance; drinks; gratuities and personal expenses.
Departure guaranteed with a minimum of 2 passengers.
Standard Mobile Camping Safari, semi-participation: these run with a maximum of 16 passengers and a driverguide/cook.
We want you to be part of the experience and therefore ask that you participate in the tour. This means, that you will be responsible for performing and helping with certain tasks, such as setting up the overnight camps (tents, chairs, tables), assisting with meals, cleaning dishes afterwards, and tidying up the campsite. The guide will do the cooking and take over all other organizational duties.
0ptional Safari Add-ons (pdf)
Enhance your itinerary in Botswana with one of our highly recommended extensions.
COME AND EXPERIENCE THE WONDERS OF THE GREAT KALAHARI MIGRATION WITH US!
Awesome Okavango Delta by Christine Boecker
 The serpentine channels of the Okavango River course like arteries through the harsh Kalahari Desert, bringing life to this vast landscape and creating a diversity of habitat unrivaled in Africa. Towering stands of ancient Mopane forest and open savannah mingle with seasonal flood plains, secret lagoons and riverine vegetation.
Botswana is synonymous with wildlife and unspoiled wilderness. It is a land of desert and water, endless plains and savannah woodland, perennial rivers and the unchartered Okavango Delta. The wildlife roams free across the primeval landscape, abundant in number and diversity, and the guides are committed to sharing the pristine wilderness of Botswana with you, the traveller.
Moremi Wildlife Reserve supports the most diverse habitat and animal populations in Botswana, including elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, lechwe, sable and roan antelope, as well as lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog.
You can thrill to the excitement of tracking these animals on foot and on open landrover gamedrives, conducted by experienced resident naturalists. Birdwatching is excellent throughout the year.
I have visited Botswana three times and would go back again and again. During my trips I stayed at camps such as Mombo, Chindi, Kwaai River and Tsaro Lodge. These luxury camps afford the discerning visitor the very best service, warm hospitality and an unsurpassed African safari experience.
 I also enjoyed camping at 3rd Bridge and North Gate in Moremi and at Linyanti in Chobe. Botswana is unbelievably beautiful, no matter where you choose to stay.
EVERYONE DESERVES TO VISIT AFRICA AT
LEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIFE!
TravelBoecker Tailor-Made
- combing your personal preference with our expertise.
We create unique & authentic experiences
designed to suit your budget and desired style of travel.
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