Botswana Wild Parks Mobile Safari - 10 nights

Day 1:

Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head north into Botswana and the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. The Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and provide economic benefits to the local Botswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. This reserve situated on the Kalahari sandveld, has several natural waterholes and provides prime habitat for white rhino, zebra and wildebeest.

Includes:

Entrance fees to Khama Rhino Sanctuary & afternoon game drive

Overnight:

Chalets – 2 twin bedrooms, with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms

Distance
& time:

630km, approx 7.5 hours, excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch

1 x overnight at KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY chalets - (L,D)
[B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner]

Day 2:

We drive through the central Kalahari to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Since Maun's founding in 1915 as the tribal capital of the Batawana people, it has had a reputation as a hard-living 'Wild West' town helping the local cattle ranching and safari operations. The name Maun is derived from the San word 'maung', which translates to 'the place of short reeds'.

Includes:

Lodge – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar

Distance
& time:

Distance 450kms. Tavel time approx 6.5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

Optional Activities:

Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta

1 x overnight in Crocodile Camp (B,L)
[B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner]

Day 3 - 5:

We drive into the Okavango Delta to our remote tented camp in the heart of the largest inland delta in the world. This amazing environment has large numbers of red lechwe, buffalo, elephant and birds, particularly kingfishers! One of the best experiences in the Okavango Delta is to be poled along the reed lined channels in a Mokoro (dug out canoe). Sit back and relax as the water gurgles tranquilly under the mokoro while your skilled poler points out the fauna and flora. We return to Maun midday on day 5 for an evening restaurant meal (own expense).

For the ultimate Okavango wilderness experience, you can fly into the Okavango Delta to an area of permanent water for a two night stay at a rustic lodge. Flying over the Okavango gives us a different perspective of the delta. Light aircraft flights from Maun to the lodge and back are included. See prices under trip summary.

2 x overnight in a tented camp in the Okavango Delta (Bx3, Lx3, Dx2)
[B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner]

Day 6 - 8:

After a relaxing evening we take open 4WD Land Rovers into Moremi Game Reserve for fantastic game viewing! Chief's Island is the largest landmass within Moremi and was the Batswana tribe's richest hunting grounds, before being declared a game reserve by the tribe. We spend 3 days on game drives watching the abundant wildlife including elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion & other game, both in Moremi Game Reserve and in private concession reserves surrounding the park. On the morning of day 8 we enter the Moremi again for another full morning game drive before we return to Maun in the early afternoon.

Includes:

Entrance fees to Moremi Game Reserve, morning &: afternoon game drives in open 4WD vehicle

Overnight:

Chalets – basic twin rooms with en-suite facilities, restaurant &: bar

Distance
& time:

150kms, travel time approx 4 hours, excludes game drives &: stops for wildlife viewing

Optional Activities:

Night game drive in open 4WD vehicle

1 x overnight in Santawani Community Lodge (Bx3, Lx3, Dx2)
[B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner]

Day 9:

The shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi appear as a glaring, white, endless plain. When the rain comes a dramatic change takes place as thousands of Wildebeest and Zebra migrate to the sweet nutritious grasslands and clouds of Flamingo feed in its algae rich waters. It is an area of low rainfall so this spectacle only lasts a short while. We have time for an optional game flight over the Okavango before we head towards Nata to watch a magnificent sunset over the Magadikgadi Pans

Includes:

Entrance fees into Makgadikgadi Pans

Overnight:

Tented Lodge – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant &: bar

Distance
& time:

320km, travel time approx 3.5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

1 x overnight in Nata Lodge (B,L)
[B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner]

Day 10 - 11:

The Chobe River is a stunning feature of Botswana and will be the focus of our lodge stay. The Chobe River flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. Early morning 4WD game drive in the Chobe National Park and an afternoon game viewing 'sundowner' cruise to see the mighty elephant herds return to the Chobe River to quench their thirst.

Includes:

Entrance fees to Chobe National Park, morning game drive, and sunset boat cruise

Overnight:

Lodge – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar

Distance
& time:

300kms, approx 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing + 1 x 3 hour game drive

Optional Activities:

Night game drive in open 4WD vehicle

2 x overnight in Toro Lodge (B,L)
[B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner]

Day 12 - 13:

We visit 'Mosi oa Tunya' or 'the smoke that thunders' - Victoria Falls. These magnificent falls are one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Victoria Falls Bridge was commissioned by Cecil John Rhodes in 1900, and was completed by 1905, although Rhodes never lived to see it. It spans the impressive gorge and the famous adrenalin pumping Victoria Falls bungi jump is done from this bridge, with a terrifying drop of 360ft (111m). Opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, bungi jump, or take a 'flight of angels' (own expense).

Includes:

Entrance to see the Victoria Falls

Overnight:

Chalets – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar

Distance
& time:

70kms – 1 hour, excluding border formalities

Optional Activities:

White water rafting, sunset cruises, elephant back safaris, scenic flights &: many more

2 x overnight in the Waterfront Lodge (Bx2)
[B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner]

Day 14:

Tour ends in Livingstone after breakfast.

speak to a specialist about this trip

Lodging:

Khama Rhino Sanctuary – Khama Rhino Sanctuary, 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms.
Maun – Crocodile Camp, twin share bedrooms with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.
Okavango Delta – wilderness tented camp - for 2 nights while in the Okavango Delta we overnight in a pre-erected tented camp.
The facilities are very basic but we will provide a simple bucket bush shower and a toilet tent will be provided of the 'sand and bury' variety. We need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild tented camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. Sunway supplies all the camping equipment including use of a sleeping bag. The dome tents we use are 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.8 metres. Tents have built-in insect nets. We supply camp stretchers and mattresses, which are about 5 cm thick, warm and comfortable. The camp chairs have a backrest.
Moremi – Santawani Community Lodge, twin share chalet with en suite facilities. (Or Mankwe Lodge, twin share permanent tented lodge with en suite facilities)
Nata – Nata lodge chalets, twin share chalet / permanent tent with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.
Kasane – Toro Lodge, twin share bedrooms en suite. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.
Livingstone – SAFPAR Waterfront Lodge, twin share chalet with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. (or Maramba Lodge, twin share chalet with en suite facilities)

Please note that the accommodation specified above and in the itinerary, is a guide only and is subject to change subject to availability, without prior notice. Alternatives will be of a similar standard.

Transport:

• On foot - easy to moderate walks throughout the tour – Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi. Duration from ½ - 4 hours.
• Mokoro - In the Okavango we use mokoro (dugout canoes), 'poled' by our local guides, 2 people and their kit per mokoro. Open Game drives - for game viewing activities in Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Parks we use open game viewing 4WD vehicles. The vehicle has canvas roof and sides, which are rolled up when ever possible, to allow for the best possible game viewing experience. (remember to bring a warm jacket for the chilly early morning game drives!) The transfer into the delta is also with an open 4WD vehicle. This allows us the opportunity to really feel part of the bush, the smells, sounds and of course great views!
• Vehicle - for longer distance travel, place to place, we use custom built Sunway Safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats. Comfortable touring and good for game viewing. Large, sliding windows and viewing hatches give everyone a good view; or Toyota Hiace minibuses with 10 forward facing seats (roof rack and trailer for equipment and baggage). There are a couple of long days of travelling but the vehicles have a comfortable cruising speed. The emphasis of the trip is 'getting out and doing things'.

Cost:

£1,275 per person + local payment of USD $300 Single supplement £425
Fly in Itinerary - £1,600 per person + local payment of USD $300 Single supplement £475

Notes:

Guaranteed departure from 4 guests
Maximum group size: 12 clients
Departs Johannesburg on Sunday at 06:30 am Ends Livingstone on Saturday at approx 08:00am
11 nights lodges / tented lodge or chalets and 2 nights in a tented camp
Please contact Mahlatini regarding departure dates for 2009. (Year round departures)

Includes:

• Accommodation on a per person sharing basis
• Meals as per itinerary
• Entrance Fees
• Professional Guide
• Transport in minibus / safari truck & 4WD
• Okavango Delta excursion & Moremi 4WD excursion
• Use of camping equipment (including sleeping bags in the Delta)

Excludes:

• International flights into Johannesburg and out of Livingstone
• Visas
• Beverages
• Compulsory insurance
• All relevant entry and departure government taxes
• All personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls etc.)
• Gratuities
• Laundry
• Optional extra activities, pre and post safari tours and all other travel arrangements before or after the safari.

PLEASE NOTE:

• The accommodation specified in the itinerary is a guide only and subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard.
• The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions.
• This tour will be run on the ground by Mahlatini's partners.

speak to a specialist about this mobile safaro in Botswana