Okavango Delta & Moremi Game Reserve
The Okavango is a unique ecosystem, an inland delta situated in the middle of the largest stretch of continuous sand in the world – the Kalahari basin. This wetland lies like an oasis in an otherwise inhospitable landscape. Where land and delta meet, a mosaic of pans, grasslands, forests and lagoons provide an extremely rich and diverse habitat in which a multitude of animals and birds flourish. This wetland is one of the natural wonders of the world, and is a fragile ecosystem that remains one of the world’s least spoilt and most beautiful wildernesses, and is home to various unique species e.g. sitatunga antelope and red lechwe.
Moremi Game Reserve is situated in the eastern corner of the Okavango Delta. Moremi is one of the most beautiful and varied reserves found on the African continent with huge concentrations of wildlife and incredible scenery. The reserve consists of both swamped areas e.g. Xakanaxa, and dry-land areas e.g. Khwai.
Your Safari Includes:
Comfortable walk-in tented accommodation in a 2.5 metre bow tent with built in floors and mosquito gauze at windows and entrance.
Approx 40-50mm Sleeping Mattresses
Shared ablution facilities consisting of bucket shower and bush loo
Licensed and experienced professional guide for the duration of your safari
Game drives on safari and mokoro trip in the Okavango Delta
Transportation in custom made safari vehicle
All entrance and camping fees within the National Parks & Game Reserves
Dedicated guide and cook as well as local mekoro polers in the Okavango Delta
All activities as specified in the itinerary
All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 7
Medical Evacuation Insurance
Your Safari Excludes:
Pillow, towel and sleeping bag (sleeping bags can be rented for US$30 per sleeping bag and need to be booked in advance at time of booking)
Laundry and bathroom amenities
Optional activities (Chobe boat cruise in the morning on the day of departure from Kasane, Okavango Scenic Flight with a fixed wing or helicopter)
Water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages – these can be purchased in Kasane prior to departure.
Items of a personal nature
Tips and gratuities
ITINERARY
THURSDAY – Day 1, Kasane to Chobe National Park
The safari vehicle will collect you from the Zimbabwean border at 11am and will then proceed to Kasane to meet any other guests at Kalahari Tours and Coffee Buzz at 12.30pm. Spend the afternoon on a game drive in Chobe National Park which is world renowned for large herds of elephant. The Chobe River Front boasts an impressive bio-diversity of species including Lion, Hippo, Buffalo and Puku, Wild Dog and Sable Antelope
Arrive early for a Chobe Boat Cruise from Kalahari Tours (additional cost) and meet the rest of the group at 12.30pm.
Meals Provided: Lunch & Dinner
FRIDAY – DAY 2 Savute, Chobe National Park
Chobe to Savute is approximately a 4-6 hour drive via the village of Kachikau. From here we drive on 4×4 tracks through the Chobe Forest Reserve via Gcoha Gate. We arrive in Savute around midday for lunch. A dominant feature of Savute is the Hills, one of which has a few preserved San Bushmen paintings which are easily accessible on your afternoon game drive. Savute has a healthy population of leopard who live on the hills & the best time to see them is either first or last light. The Savute Channel now flows into the marsh for the first time in over 30 years turning the Savute Marsh into a veritable paradise for birds & animals.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
SATURDAY – DAY 3 Savute to Moremi Game Reserve
Departing Savute early morning, the drive takes 4-5 hours but is hugely dependant on local conditions and arrive in Moremi around midday for lunch. You will spend the afternoon on Game Drive. Moremi area is one of the most beautiful and varied reserves found on the African continent with huge diversity of wildlife and incredibly beautiful scenery. We camp for the night in either the Khwai, Xakanaxa, 3rd Bridge or South Gate area. The campsite for the night will be in the Moremi Game Reserve or the surrounding community managed wildlife management area.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
SUNDAY – DAY 4 Moremi Game Reserve to Maun
Moremi Game Reserve to Maun is approximately a 4-5 hour drive. The safari packs up & leaves camp following an early morning game drive and will enjoy a picnic lunch en-route to Maun arriving mid to late afternoon.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
MONDAY – DAY 5 Maun to Okavango Delta
Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Today we venture out into the ‘Delta’ in mekoros (dug-out canoes) experiencing the myriads of waterways and secret lagoons. The mekoros are poled by polers from the local villages. The Delta is a huge inland water system dotted with thousands of islands that are a haven for a diverse array of wildlife. This is a unique environment where dry land and water collides. The group will leave Maun early morning and spend 3-4 hrs. In the delta and return to Maun between 2-3pm.
Optional activities include a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta in a fixed wing aeroplane or helicopter. Alternatively a horse ride can be arranged. A scenic flight is highly recommended as it gives you a bird’s eye view of the Okavango Delta.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
TUESDAY – DAY 6 Maun to Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
From Maun we travel to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans approximately a 4-6 hour drive – vast shimmering salt flats on the edge of the Kalahari basin. The highlights of the Makgadikgadi vary dependant on the season and local conditions. The safari goes in search of the zebra migration along the Boteti River or will explore Nxai Pan famous for the movie “Roar Lions of the Kalahari“. The last night is spent sleeping out under a blanket of stars.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
WEDNESDAY – DAY 7 Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to Kasane
The drive from the pans to Kasane is approx 350km which takes roughly 4-6 hrs. This is a transfer to reach the border at approximately 1 pm and back in Kasane at 2 pm. The safari will pack in the morning and head for Kasane via Nata. We pass through an agricultural area known as Pandamatenga, which is the only crop producing area in Botswana. Look out for elephant and sable antelope between Pandamatenga and Kasane.
Meals Provided: Breakfast and Lunch
A Typical Day on a Participation Safari
An early wake up means packing up your tent and luggage (a head lamp helps) and taking the tent to the vehicle for packing. By this time the guide and cook would have prepared your breakfast. After breakfast it will just be getting light and the game will be moving around. After washing the dishes and packing up the truck you will be off on your morning game drive or transfer. If you are transferring to another camp you would want to be there around lunchtime. Once arriving in the camp, lunch will be served and you erect the tents, shower and the loo.Once everyone is settled and the camp is up, you depart on an afternoon game drive and return to camp just after sunset. Relax around the campfire listening to the sounds of the night. Dinner should be ready by about 8pm and it is served under the stars, maybe with a lion roaring in the distance or a little Scops owl in a tree nearby.
PLEASE NOTE:
ROUTES AND ACTIVITIES
Although we make every effort to adhere to schedules, itineraries and activities, these are subject to change in light of changing local conditions (weather and roads) as well as availability. You will be notified accordingly. Rates are subject to National Park increase by Botswana Government without prior notice.
LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION
Full participation is required including tents, showers and toilets. This tour visits the best of Botswana’s Northern Parks and Reserves in a 7 day circular route be advised that you will spend a large amount of time in the vehicle.
SPECIAL DIETERAY REQUIREMENTS
We do cater for vegetarians however please ensure we are notified prior to arrival.
CONDITIONS
The roads and tracks in Northern Botswana are seldom maintained and generally very rough and bumpy.
The campsites are unfenced wilderness campsites with no facilities.
ABLUTION FACILITIES
Toilet facilities in camp is a “long drop” latrine which is erected each day in camp.
Showers are bucket showers and water may not be available every day.
GROUP SIZE
Minimum 2 persons with a maximum of 9 per departure.