10 Day Highlights of Botswana Safari – Wilderness Dawning Safaris

HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTSWANA

EXPERIENCE THE UNFORGETTABLE…

THIS 10 DAY GUIDED TRIP WILL TAKE YOU DEEP INTO THE ICONIC OKAVANGO DELTA ECOSYSTEM AND ON TO THE WORLD-FAMOUS VICTORIA FALLS. YOU WILL SPEND 8 MAGICAL DAYS EXPLORING THE GAME-RICH LANDSCAPE, BIRDLIFE, WILDLIFE AND REVERED SITES OF EACH AREA, GAINING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDINGFOR THE BEAUTY AND LIFE OF THESE PLACES.

Our camps, sites and lodges are unique and wild. You will spend your nights sleeping in absolute freedom. This itinerary is aimed at guests who want a rich variety of game activities as well as a blend of lodge and camping accommodating, mixing comfort and adventure in equal measure. Ideal for private groups who are looking for a great variety of Botswana landscapes as well as the famous Victoria Falls. We will take you to remote areas where you will sleep in the African bush as well as in lodges that position you close to adventure. Allow your safari guide to reveal the true beauty of these places, the beauty not seen in travel brochures.

Your days will be spent in wild and remote places, close to nature and your evenings will be spent sitting around a crackling fire, beneath a blanket of a billion stars.

DETAILED ITINERARY

XAKANAKA, MOREMI GAME RESERVE

DAY 1: You will be met by a representative from the air charter company at Maun Airport, at 12h30, unless you are coming off international flights which will generally land at 13h00. They will escort you to a shared light aircraft that will take you on a scenic and exciting flight to Xakanaka. The flight lasts just 30 minutes, and your safari guide will be waiting at the airstrip to meet you on arrival.

Pronounced ka-ka-ni-ka, this area is encompassed by Moremi Game Reserve and is an integral part of the Okavango Delta’s eastern waters. This region is known to have some of the very best game viewing in Africa.

Dry land rises from vast stretches of wetland here, with gin clear channels sweeping past Mopane and Apple Leaf woodlands. We will set out on game drive along waterways and floodplains to take in the myriad species that can be found here including giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and an
astonishing array of birdlife.

With our first game drive under our belts, we will return to the campsite with enough stories to fuel the campfire around which
we will sit. We will share drinks, laughter and memories beneath glittering Botswana skies before retiring to our tents.

DAY 2: Wake up to the intoxicating smell of coffee and a tasty rusk to go with it, before hopping in the game-viewing vehicle as the first rays of sunlight warm the bush. Today we travel along game drive routes, following the banks of the Okavango River keeping a lookout for wildlife slowly waking from their slumber.

We will explore the clear channels, lagoons and rivers of the Okavango Delta by boat, moving upstream through a myriad of crystal-clear waterways lined with African mangosteen and water berry trees, as well as swaying seas of papyrus.

We follow the Okavango River in the direction of the lagoons deep into the permanent waters of this unique inland delta. Birdlife is prolific – kingfisher fish eagles, ducks and beautiful pygmy geese are regularly seen. Nothing compares to the utter serenity you will feel as you weave your way along the twisting channels.

Keep an eye out for the small painted reed frogs that cling to the papyrus here, a unique and iconic sighting. As well as the elegant waterlilies that line the riverbanks.

Once back at camp we’ll indulge in a hearty dinner before getting comfortable beside the crackling fire to reminisce about the day’s adventure

KHWAI RIVER, MOREMI GAME RESERVE

DAY 3: Breakfast will be a relaxed affair this morning before we take a leisurely game drive out through the area, absorbing the majesty of the Okavango and its wildlife as we go. When we reach eastern Moremi Game Reserve we will travel on to the Khwai River area where we’ll be spending the night in a private campsite. There’ll be plenty to see before we even reach the campsite though. Moremi Game Reserve became a conservation area back in 1964, and since then the reserve has gone from strength to strength. Today it is widely considered to be one of the world’s finest game viewing areas with an astounding diversity of wildlife. The calls of this abundant wildlife will accompany our evening meal and campfire drinks, adding to the magical atmosphere here.

DAY 4: We will wake early this morning and enjoy breakfast and a cup of coffee before heading out on game drive at first light. The wildlife here is incredible so we will spend as much time as possible out in the reserve, soaking up the fantastic array of species and the environment they live in. We will return to camp for a refreshing lunch and a siesta, avoiding the heat of the day. The animals also tend to seek shade through the middle of the day so we won’t need to worry about missing any of the action. The temperature will have cooled by the afternoon so we will head out in our safari vehicle again and see the animals as they re-emerge after their own naps. Along the way we will stop for snacks and
sundowners before continuing to follow the life of the reserve. Dinner and drinks will be savoured beneath the starriest of skies this evening, and tales of the day will be exchanged before we all retire to our tents for the night.

SAVUTI, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

DAY 5: Coffee will rouse us this morning and we will take breakfast while listening to the morning birdsong ring through the trees around us. Feeling fully awake we will take a drive out of Moremi and cross the Khwai Bridge, making our way to Chobe National Park. The wildlife areas in Botswana are unfenced so the wildlife moves freely between Moremi and Chobe.

On the drive to Chobe alone we might well encounter hippo, elephant and lion. We will travel through the Mababe depression and into Savuti where we will camp close to the Dry Savuti Channel. In the afternoon we will head out on a game drive along the fringes of the old marsh and the surrounding water holes.

We might well be in for a real treat here as the region’s well known for its large numbers of bull elephants and prides of lion that are seen along this enigmatic channel.

A hearty meal will reinvigorate us after the thrill of our game drive and a campfire will warm us as we roll into the evening.

DAY 6: An early start this morning will reap great rewards and we will begin with a morning game drive as soon as the sun has begun
to rise. We will already have seen many species the day before but there’s always more to find.

The lion and elephant here always make for spectacular safari sightings. If we’ve left on our game drive early enough, we might find ourselves climbing one of the hills to see San Bushman paintings, an indication that this area has always drawn those who have an affinity to the wilderness.

Savuti is unique and the special opportunity of exploring this area always remains with our guests for a long time afterward. After such a busy day we are sure to have worked up an appetite and campfire tales will surely be full of San legends

SERONDELLA AREA, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

DAY 7: After what is sure to have been a restful night’s sleep, soothed by the calls of animals in the cool night air, we will head north towards the Chobe River. This is the second biggest river in Southern Africa after the Zambezi.

The wildlife here is prolific. Chobe River is home to the largest herds of elephant in the world as well as huge numbers of buffalo, hippo and lion. We might well be fortunate enough to see some of these animals as we drive in on our way to the private campsite we’ll be staying at tonight.

The afternoon will be spent aboard the safari vehicle as we drive close to the river, taking in the immense number of animals that are drawn to the river and its life giving waters. Stars will shine brightly upon us as we reflect upon a busy day, sharing food and memories into the night.

Accommodation: (B, L, D) Serviced camping with en suite facilities at a private campsite. Serondella area, Chobe National Park.

DAY 8: Early starts are well worth it on safari and it’s another one this morning. We will set off on game drive and journey slowly along the southern bank of the Chobe River.

There is a huge variety of wildlife here, and in high numbers. Among them are bushbuck and puku antelope as well as lion and elephant. Lunch is best served in the heat of the day and accompanied by a siesta.

In the afternoon we will drive back to the water’s edge and board a boat for an afternoon cruise. We will set off through the clear channels, cruising past the beautiful waterlilies and lashings of waving papyrus.

The Chobe River is probably the last in Africa where you can still see lion lapping at the water’s edge and elephant parading along the riverbanks.

Leopard slink silently through the nearby foliage and African wild dog work themselves into a frenzy as they prepare to hunt. Along the way we will take a break for snacks and sundowners before returning to
camp for our evening meal.

Luxuriate beneath star spangled skies as you soak up the sights, sounds and scents of the bush – your senses will forever tingle at their memory.

VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

DAY 9: This morning’s breakfast will be our last enjoyed out in the wilderness, as our final night will be spent in a lodge. We will set out in our safari vehicle to watch the animals as they go about their mornings. We will travel slowly through the reserve and then out to Kazungula Border Post.

Our safari guide will ensure a smooth transition from Botswana to Zimbabwe before you continue on your journey to
the town of Victoria Falls.

Adventurous spirits will feel immediately at home here thanks to the abundance of adrenaline-fuelled activities on offer here including white water rafting and bungee jumping.

DAY 10:The real heart of Victoria Falls though are the waterfalls of the same name. This World Heritage Site is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring sights and the greatest sheet of falling water, rising to 300feet in height and over a mile wide.

The sheer power of nature is beautifully evident as 550,000 tons of water thunders into the Zambezi Gorge each minute with mist and rainbows forming in its wake.

We will be spending the night at Pioneers or Batonka Guest Lodge. Each has gardens, a pool and a restaurant making for an easy and restful evening for your last night in Africa.

After seeing some of the most incredible sights on earth, our journey has come to an end. Savour breakfast this morning as there’s a long day of travel ahead as you venture home. Or should you opt to spend more time in this adventure capital, there’s plenty to enjoy while planning your next great
adventure.

NOTE: Guests should be at day 1 meeting points by 12H30 unless coming from an international flights which generally land at 13H00

INCLUDED:

Use of especially modified 4×4 vehicles.
Professional guide and back up crew.
Meals as specified (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner).
All camping on a fully serviced and non-participated basis in private campsites.
Local drinks and soft drinks while camping.
Camping equipment.
Accommodation on a shared basis.
Botswana National Parks and Game Reserves entrance fees.
Open vehicle game drives in all national parks and reserves.
Lodge accommodation Victoria Fall (Day 9). Should guests choose to begin or end their trip at accommodation other than Batonka or Pioneers, this can be arranged as can transfers to accommodation in Livingstone or Victoria Falls. An extra cost applies.
Scheduled flight Maun – Xakanaxa (seat rate)

EXCLUDED

All airfares (flight from Maun to Xakanaxa on day 1 is included).
Optional activities in Maun and Livingstone.
Any gratuities, personal expenses, visa fees, departure taxes.
Entrance fees to Victoria Falls.
Travel insurance (compulsory).
Pre and post transfers.

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