GREAT WILDERNESS JOURNEY (WS01)
Luxury Safari in Botswana & Victoria Falls (11
days)
Experience a nostalgic, turn-of-the-century camping / lodge safari that recreates the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers.
This luxurious mobile safari takes you on a spectacular journey through the most remote wilderness areas to enjoy outstanding wildlife viewing in Africa. Our itinerary provides exciting encounters with the most diverse, renowned and scenic areas in Botswana.
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: Fly from Maun to Jacana Camp, Okavango Delta
Days 4, 5 & 6: Air transfer to Khwai Discoverer Camp, north-eastern Okavango Delta
Days 7, 8 & 9: Fly to Linyanti Discoverer Camp, Linyanti/Chobe
Day 10: Fly to Kasane for Chobe River boat cruise; then "Flight of Angels" transfer over Victoria Falls to Toka Leya, Livingstone
Day 11: Guided walk around Victoria Falls, transfer to airport
This trip operated in both directions.
The style of accommodation in private campsites takes you back to the era of Africa's exploration. Our spacious Mere tent, with its hexagonal shape, walk-in structure and en-suite separate toilet and shower areas, allows for a sense of space, matchless views and privacy. The interior design creates a sense of stepping back in time, with flowing linen of pure cottons and essential "old style" finishes all add to the atmosphere, while luxury comforts and amenities are elegantly provided.
Paraffin hurricane lanterns and a crackling campfire set the evening camp ambience. Fresh, sumptuous meals are usually prepared around a fire by safari staff, and the dining area is under stars (although a canopy dining tent is always erected), creating that matchless 'camping wilderness' experience. A small reference library is also provided.
The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional trained guides, who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari experience.
To maximize our travel time, a variety of travel modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in private charters and overland transfers provide both a bird's-eye view and an in-depth visual experience of the contrasting landscapes of Botswana.
Tour Cost: from $7980 per person sharing accommodation
Included:
All the core activities are included in the cost, such as park fees, game drives, game walks, mekoros, boating and meals (with the exception of city centres such as Victoria Falls). Please consult the itinerary for the exact details of what is included.
Our staff handle all the cooking and the camp chores. Meals are normally three course, and wine is included with dinner.
Excluded: Personal expenditure, meals in major cities, insurance, drinks other than specified, gratuities, scheduled flights, airport taxes and visa fees are generally excluded. We suggest that you allow US$25 per day to cover the cost of personal expenses (within reason).
Detailed Itinerary:
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 cozy pub and lounge with an area perfect for an open fire under the stars.
Days 4, 5 & 6: Khwai Camp, Okavango Delta
Depart by light aircraft to Khwai Discoverer Camp, located in a private concession just north of the Khwai River above the Moremi Game Reserve.
The Khwai Concession is one of the most diverse areas in northern Botswana which seldom disappoints when it comes to producing extraordinary wildlife experiences. The life source for this area is the Khwai River - the northernmost "finger" of the Okavango Delta alluvial fan, which provides vital sustenance to numerous animals.
Over time, the Khwai area has metamorphosed into a wide range of exciting wildlife habitats - some of the most varied to be found in the entire Okavango Delta: a blend of forests, floodplain, wetland and grasslands. The narrow Khwai Channel is home to large mammals such as hippo and crocodile with buffalo and red lechwe often seen grazing along the fringe. The beautiful gallery riverine woodland found along the river provides further sanctuary to birds, primates and leopard. Elusive roan antelope often come to the river to drink. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mokoro excursions.
Away from the river there is a wonderful mix of acacia and leadwood trees of varying sizes that abuts into mopane woodland. The latter, together with the permanent presence of water, attracts large numbers of elephant to the area. Larger predators include lion, wild dog and spotted hyaena, while birdlife found here is just as varied thanks to the colourful palette of habitats.
Accommodation is in 6.3m x 3.5m walk-in canvas 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 minimalist interiors. Separate bedside tables with 12v reading lamps, canvas and wood wardrobes, bathrobes, comfortable beds 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. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mokoro excursions.
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 River Club, 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 
Camp 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.
Toka Leya Camp is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in the eastern sector of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, some 12km up from the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. 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 meters wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 meters into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
Transfer to Livingstone Airport immediately after the tour of the Victoria Falls and bid farewell to the adventure.
Back to Botswana
Back to Zambia
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