14 Day Botswana Wildlife Breakaway - Fully Upgraded (JenB4)

Sunset cruise in Chobe Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi pans, Bush walk, Game Drive in the Moremi National Park, Maun, Khwai River Game Drive and Night Drive, 2-Day Okavango Delta experience including Mokoro excursion, Tsodilo Hills, Mahangu National Park, Popa Falls, Western Caprivi, Eastern Caprivi, River cruise on the Kwando River, Game Drive in Mudumu National Park, Victoria Falls.

DAY 1: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park, Botswana
A morning departure takes you from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe into Botswana. We'll cross the Zimbabwean border and make our way to Chobe Safari Lodge on the Chobe River. Once we've reached the Lodge we?ll set up camp and enjoy the rest of the afternoon on a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, lions, crocodiles and a variety of birds and more without having to reach for our binoculars - You'll be close enough for close-up photographs.

Distance: 80km
Departure: 09h00
Lunch Stop: Chobe Safari Lodge.
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge (on the banks of the Chobe River, chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar).

Lunch & Dinner Included.

DAY 2: Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
We need to get up early, as today is our longest drive of the safari. We'll head south to Planet Baobab and stop at the Makgadigkadi Pans to have a closer look. If the conditions allow we'll take a drive onto the Pans. After appreciating the wide-open, uninhabited spaces under the endless canopy of blue sky, we step off for our final stop of the day, Planet Baobab. The rest of the afternoon we spend on a Bush Walk with our local guide, learning about the history, flora and fauna of the area and use of various plants in traditional life. We also visit a nearby water hole for sundowners.

Distance: 410 km
Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en-route.
Accommodation: Planet Baobab (Traditional Huts with en-suite bathrooms & "shebeen" bar).

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

DAY 3: Maun and the Khwai River, Botswana
After breakfast head off for Maun and onto a private concession and Mankwe Bush Lodge. Once we've set up camp - we go on a night game drive in the concession. This area lies between Moremi and Chobe and we'll have the opportunity to spot a variety of nocturnal animals.

Distance: 350 km
Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en-route.
Accommodation: Mankwe Bush Lodge (permanent tented chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar).

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

DAY 4: Khwai River, Botswana
Today we spend a full day in the bush on a game drive. Departing after breakfast we take our 4x4 and drive through the wilderness area of the Khwai region spotting a variety of game that frequent this region that borders Moremi and Chobe. Picnic-lunch will be in the wilderness area. With some luck we'll see many animal species that are at home in this area and maybe even a few members of the Big Five.

Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: Khwai River
Accommodation: Mankwe Bush Lodge (permanent tented chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar).

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

DAY 5: Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
After having explored the Khwai area we now head into the famous Moremi game reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve.

Distance: 150 km
Departure: 8h00
Lunch Stop: inside Moremi Game Reserve.
Accommodation: Mankwe Bush Lodge (permanent tented chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar).

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Day 6: Maun, Botswana
After our game experience's we head back to Maun. Here we have the option of a scenic flight over the Delta or we can spend the afternoon relaxing next to the pool at our Camp.

Distance: 90 km
Departure: 9h00
Lunch Stop: Crocodile Camp
Accommodation: Crocodile Camp (chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar).

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Day 7 - 8: Okavango Delta, Botswana
Early in the morning we leave Maun and drive to the Western Delta and onto Etsha 13. From here we head into the largest inland delta in the world, another highlight of Botswana, the Okavango Delta. We will be transferred to our Camp in the Delta where we'll spend the next two nights listening to the sounds of the wilderness. Unlike other Delta's in the world, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast, which makes it unique. We'll float in Mokoros through the thick vegetation of the Delta discovering a variety of birds and wildlife and will stop at a secluded island to take a 1? hour guided walk hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck or other animals living in this water filled paradise.

Distance: 290 km
Departure: 9h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en-route.
Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Camp (permanent tented camp with en-suite bathrooms, bar).

Day 7 & 8: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

DAY 9 - 10: Mahangu National Park and Popa Falls, Namibia
Today we leave the lush verdant wetlands of the Delta, Botswana and enter Namibia. En route we visit the Tsodilo Hills and take a short walk to view the rock paintings. We then make our way to Mahangu Lodge where we spend the night. The next morning we go on a game drive in Mahango National Park which lies on the western banks of the Okavango River and is one of Namibia's most captivating and species-rich conservation areas. Main features of the Mahango are enormous baobab trees, flood plains with large herds of elephant, buffalo and red lechwe. After lunch at the Popa Falls, we head back to the park for an afternoon game drive, hoping to spot some of the parks highlights.

Distance: 200 km
Departure: 9h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en-route.
Accommodation: Mahangu Safari Lodge (chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar).

Day 9 & 10: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Day 11 - 12: Kwando River and Mudumu Park, Namibia
Today we drive along the Caprivi Strip to our camp on the Kwando River. En-route we'll spend the afternoon on a game drive through Susuwe National Park, before heading to our overnight camp on the Kwando River. The rest of the day we can relax and use the facilities of our camp. On day 12 we make our way to Mudumu National Park, (1010 km2) which has the Kwando river as its western border and the Linyati swamp to the South. In contrast to the rest of Namibia, the area is lush with riverine forest, marshes, dense savannah and mopane woodland.

Distance: 250 km + 23 km
Departure: 8h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en-route.
Accommodation: Camp Kwando (chalets with en-suite open-air bathrooms, swimming pool & bar).

Day 11 & 12: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Day 13: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Today we leave Namibia behind us and come to the place where we started this trip full of real African experiences - Victoria Falls. We spend the afternoon visiting the Victoria Falls and you also have the opportunity to partake in optional activities like white water rafting, bungee jumping etc. (all at own expense).

Distance: 340 km
Departure: 8h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en-route.
Accommodation: Lokuthula Lodges (chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar).

Breakfast & Lunch Included.

Day 14: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Our safari ends after Breakfast and we hope we can welcome you again one day on another of our African Adventures.

Included in the price:

13 nights in chalets / permanent tented camps with en-suite bathrooms, all transport in fully kitted out 4x4 safari vehicle, use of full cooking equipment, game drives as mentioned, meals (prepared by the guide at the campsites) and activities as mentioned in itinerary, accommodation and park entrance fees, experienced local guide.

Not included in the price:

Optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, travel insurance, flights and airport taxes, pre and post tour accommodation, all drinks, tips and curios.

Departure:

The Upgraded Northern Experience Safari departs from Cape Town Lady Hamilton Hotel. Please be punctual! 10h00 departure. Please note that the daily departure times are subject to change due to seasonal changes, as well as unforeseen circumstances. Your guide will confirm daily departure times the evening before. The pre-departure meeting will be the night before our tour starts at 18h00 at the Lady Hamilton Hotel.

Transport:

Our Safaris uses fully equipped Toyota Quantums or Toyota Landcruisers or appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, windows for game viewing and a music system. An off-road trailer is fitted with a field kitchen. All luggage is carried on the vehicle or trailer roof racks to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle.

Accommodation:

Accommodation on our camping safaris is 2 guests per 3-man dome tent, fitted with mosquito nets. We provide sleeping mattresses. Chalet, Lodge or tented camp accommodation is provided on 9 nights during the safari depending on availability at the various accommodation establishments where we can upgrade to bedded accommodation. Please note that the accommodation mentioned above are only a guideline.

Spending money:

Clients are advised to bring enough money to cover the purchase of curios, and additional entertainment. US Dollars, Pound Sterling and South African Rand (ZAR) are the most practical and convenient currencies. There are automatic teller machines (ATM's) available in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa to draw money. Foreign exchange into the local currency is possible in most large cities through which we pass. International credit cards and travelers cheques are widely accepted.

Meals:

All meals are organized by the guide and are prepared by him/her with the help of the group (This is on participation safaris). Meals are nutritious and filling, drawing on fresh local produce where possible. We buy groceries along the way, so our clients have a say in what type of meals are eaten. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.

First Aid:

Our guides are trained in basic first aid and the vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive medical aid kit. Preventative Malaria medication should be taken before the trip and throughout its duration, although it is advisable to consult a doctor prior to departure.

Luggage:

Maximum baggage allowance: 12 kg. We stipulate this luggage allowance, as an overloaded vehicle is a danger to both the clients and the guide. This does not include photographic equipment and a small daypack. Please bring a backpack or soft barrel bag, not a suitcase. Don't bring too much clothing, as there are washing opportunities along the way. Please adhere to the allowance specified as space for luggage is limited.

Insurance:

It is compulsory for all travelers to have insurance covering their personal requirements, medical expenses and personal possessions. This is to be arranged before leaving home country. Our Safaris has comprehensive public liability insurance.

Participation:

The Upgraded Northern Experience Tour is a semi-participating camping and lodge safari. This means, that the participants will be responsible for performing and helping with certain tasks as i.e. setting up the overnight camps (tents, chairs, tables), cooking meals and cleaning dishes afterwards, tidying up the campsite before leaving and packing and un-packing of the van.

Visas:

The onus is on the client to organize all visas required for clients to visit Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa prior to departure.

Local Payment:

On most of our Safaris a local payment needs to be paid to the guide before the tours starts. Your local payment covers on-the-road expenses, such as National Park entrance fees, excursions and activities, as well as the use of local guides. This provides your guide with sufficient funds on the road and ensures that your money goes directly to the African communities.