Wilderness Dawning is a privately-owned safari company based in Maun, Botswana and Johannesburg, South Africa.
BEST OF BOTSWANA
Our Best Of Botswana adventure begins and ends close to the spectacular Victoria Falls and then takes in the Makgadikgadi Pans – the world’s largest network of salt pans, the unique wilderness that encompasses Nxai Pan and the pristine wetlands of the Okavango Delta. Extraordinary wildlife areas such as Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park provide a broad experience of diverse habitats that range from semi-arid drylands to lush woodlands and riverine forests.
Idyllic safari days are spent game driving across vast landscapes and experiencing the very best of Botswana’s wilderness areas.
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Depart from Victoria Falls and drive to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. (L, D)
Days 2 & 3: Drive to Nxai Pan National Park and explore the area on game drives. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Depart from Nxai Pan and drive to Maun. (B, L)
Days 5 & 6: Depart from Maun and drive to the Xakanaxa region of Moremi Game Reserve. (B, L, D)
Days 7 & 8: Transfer to the Khwai River area of Moremi Game Reserve and take game drives through the landscape. (B, L, D)
Days 9 & 10: Relocate to the Savuti region of Chobe National Park and see the wildlife from a safari vehicle. (B, L, D)
Days 11 & 12: Move on to the Chobe River region of the national park and take game drives out to see the animals. (B, L, D)
Day 13: Nature drive and then transfer to Victoria Falls . (B)
Day 14: The itinerary comes to an end after breakfast.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1: MAKGADIKGADI PANS
At 07h00 the journey begins, departing Victoria Fallsr and enter Botswana at the point where Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana meet. With immigration out of the way, the guide will join the trip and we’ll drive south to the village of Nata at the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Once a huge inland lake, this is the largest network of salt pans in the world, and they offer spectacular scenery, endless horizons and excellent seasonal birdwatching. The camping experience here is truly unique.
Accommodation: (L, D) Serviced camping. Nata Sanctuary, Makgadikgadi.
DAY 2: NXAI PAN NATIONAL PARK
After a light breakfast, we’ll head west from the Makgadikgadi to the Nxai Pan National Park which is known for its large herds of springbok and gemsbok. Nxai Pan is an ancient lake bed scattered with islands of Acacia Trees, and it’s remained virtually unchanged over thousands of years. Lose yourself in the limitless wilderness as we camp here for two nights, exploring on morning and afternoon game drives.
Accommodation: (B, L, D) Serviced camping with en suite facilities at a private campsite. Nxai Pan National Park.
DAY 3: NXAI PAN NATIONAL PARK
We’ll head out on game drive at first light after a quick breakfast so that we can see plenty of animals while they’re still active, pausing for coffee along the way. Once we get back to camp we’ll settle in for brunch before taking the opportunity for a siesta through the heat of the day. Feeling refreshed and with the temperatures cooling again, there’ll be a late afternoon game drive to see the wildlife as it re-emerges for the evening.
Accommodation: (B, L, D) Serviced camping with en suite facilities at a private campsite. Nxai Pan National Park.
DAY 4: MAUN
This morning’s game drive will take us west out of Nxai Pan National Park and into the safari town of Maun where we’ll be spending the night. The afternoon will be spent at our accommodation, Thamo Telele which is positioned on the banks of the Thamalakane River – a beautiful spot for lunch and dinner, with a quick swim in the pool in between.
Accommodation: (B) Sedia Riverside Hotel, Maun.
DAY 5: XAKANAKA, MOREMI GAME RESERVE
Reached by road and pronounced ka-ka-ni-ka, Xakanaxa is an integral part of the Okavango’s eastern waters and that’s where we’ll head today. Moremi Game Reserve, which encompasses the area, is known for some of the best game viewing in Africa. Dry land rises from vast wetlands here, with crystal clear channels at the edges of mopane and apple leaf woodlands. Game viewing is primarily along the river with species such as giraffe, zebra and wildebeest to see along with an astonishing variety of birdlife.
Accommodation: (B, L, D) Serviced camping with en suite facilities at a private campsite. Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve.
DAY 6: MOREMI GAME RESERVE
Early this morning we’ll head out by motor boat along the banks of the Okavango River. The boat safari will journey upstream past African mangosteen, water berry trees and dancing papyrus through the lagoons of Xaxanaxa and Gadikwe and into the permanent waters of this unique inland delta. Tuck into a picnic lunch and marvel at the birdlife which includes kingfishers, ducks and pygmy geese before heading back downstream and taking a short evening drive, followed by dinner.
Accommodation: (B, L, D) Serviced camping with en suite facilities at a private campsite. Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve.
DAY 7: KHWAI RIVER, MOREMI GAME RESERVE
A new day, a new campsite, and a leisurely drive will bring us to our next accommodation in the Khwai River area of Moremi Game Reserve. The diversity of animals here is truly astounding, making game viewing endlessly exciting.
Accommodation: (B, L, D) Serviced camping with en suite facilities at a private campsite. Khwai, Moremi Game Reserve.
DAY 8: KHWAI RIVER, MOREMI GAME RESERVE
We’ll make the most of our time in this game rich area by heading out on game drives to cover as much ground as possible. You won’t want to miss a moment of the action, but don’t worry, there’ll still be time for an afternoon siesta!
Accommodation: (B, L, D) Serviced camping with en suite facilities at a private campsite. Khwai, Moremi Game Reserve.
DAY 9: SAVUTI, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
From Moremi, we’ll cross the Khwai Bridge to the northern bank of the Khwai River and onwards to Chobe National Park. Along the way we might well encounter hippo, elephant and lion before reaching Savuti where we’ll camp in the Savuti Channel region. The afternoon will be spent on game drive, finding the huge populations of elephant and lion that patrol the banks of this enigmatic channel.
Accommodation: (B, L, D) Serviced camping with en suite facilities at a private campsite. Savuti, Chobe National Park.
DAY 10: SAVUTI, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
This is such a game rich area that we’ll spend as much time as possible on game drive but there may also be time to take a trip out to see some extraordinary San bushman paintings.
Accommodation: (B, L, D) Serviced camping with en suite facilities at a private campsite. Savuti, Chobe National Park.
DAY 11: SERONDELLA AREA, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
Today we’ll journey north towards the Chobe River. This is Southern Africa’s biggest river after the Zambezi and is home to the world’s largest elephant herds as well as an abundance of buffalo, hippo and lion. Game drives are an ideal way to see the myriad species that are drawn to this permanent water source.
Accommodation: (B, L, D) Serviced camping with en suite facilities at a private campsite. Serondella area, Chobe National Park.
DAY 12: SERONDELLA AREA, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
This morning begins with a steady drive along the Chobe River’s southern bank, keeping our eyes peeled for Chobe bushbuck and puku antelope along the way as well as the many other species that are seen here. A siesta and light lunch will keep you cool during the heat of the day, and then the afternoon could be spent on a boat cruise, searching for lion, elephant, leopard and African wild dog.
Accommodation: (B, L, D) Serviced camping with en suite facilities at a private campsite. Serondella area, Chobe National Park.
DAY 13: VICTORIA FALLS. ZIMBABWE
A leisurely start will enable everyone to tuck into breakfast and say goodbye to the back up team before heading out on a final game drive and transfer on to Victoria Falls. The afternoon will be spent exploring the extraordinary Victoria Falls. , this astonishing waterfall is 300 feet high and more than a mile wide, with around 550,000 tons of water thundering into the Zambezi Gorge each minute.
Accommodation: (B) Room at the Batonka or Pioneers Lodge-Victoria Falls-Zimbabwe
DAY 14: VICTORIA FALLS. ZIMBABWE
The journey ends after breakfast this morning, but there are plenty more adventures to be had here before beginning the journey home.
Included:
- Use of specially modified 4×4 vehicles.
- Professional Guide and Back-Up Crew.
- All camping on a fully-serviced & non-participation basis in private campsites.
- Local Drinks & Softdrinks while camping
- Camping equipment.
- Meals as specified (B-Breakfast,L-Lunch,D-Dinner).
- Accommodation on a shared basis.
- Botswana National Parks and Game Reserves entrance fees.
- Open Vehicle Gamedrives in all National Parks and Reserves.
- Lodge accommodation Maun (Day 4) and Victoria Falls (Day13).
Excluded:
- All airfares.
- Optional activities in Maun and VIctoria Falls
- Any gratuities, any personal expenses, visa fees, departure taxes.
- Entrance fees Victoria Falls.
- Travel Insurance (compulsory).
- Pre and post tour accommodation and transfers.9
Tour code: WD
Tour cost: starting from US$3,930.00 per person sharing.
Departure point is Batonka or Pioneers Lodge,Victoria Falls ,Zimbabwe
Guests are required to be at the reception at 07h00 on day 1.
Office Hours: Mon – Fri: 08h00 – 17h00 / Sat: 08h00 – 13h00
Email: reservations@wildernessdawning.com or craig@wildernessdawning.com
reservations@naturalselection.travel
Call: Agnes+(267) 713 4509 || Craig: +(27) 84 805 4459 or +(267) 73 893 611