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UNTAMED LANDS

This 13 day safari explores the contrasts, extremes and continually moving game of northern Botswana: from the stark beauty of the great Kalahari, to camping on islands in the Okavango Delta, and roving the game rich plains of the dry Savuti marsh and the riverine forest of the Linyanti River. The safari ends with a boat cruise on the Chobe River and a night in Victoria Falls.

To optimize exploration, a variety of transport modes is used: private charter flights (dotted lines on adjacent map), game-drive transfers (solid lines on map), and exclusive combination mokoro-boat-land transfers provide both a birds-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Botswana. A unique feature that sets this safari apart is that the majority of the safari is conducted on private concessions, well away from the high volume areas of National Parks. Night-drives and sensitive off-road driving is allowed in certain areas. A maximum of eight guests are accommodated on this fully serviced safari, which is accompanied by a guide and two camp staff.

[ ITINERARY ] - [ DATES AND RATES 2007 ] - [ DATES AND RATES 2008 ] - [ CONTACT US ]

Days 1 and 2: San Camp - Makgadikgadi

After arrival in Maun, we fly by light aircraft to San Camp, situated on a private concession on the edge of the great Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari Desert.

The saltpans are among the largest in the world, part of a fossilized super-lake that thrived aeons ago. Surprisingly for such a harsh, lunar environment, life abounds, and brown hyaena, oryx and springbok are just a few of the desert-adapted species that can be seen. Activities include up-close encounters with suricates (meerkats), one of the most fascinating and endearing animals in Botswana. Experience phenomenal geology, quad biking, authentic San (bushman) cultural walks, and simply enjoying the wide-open spaces of this ancient lakebed.

Days 3 and 4: Nxai Pan - Nxai Pan National Park

After an early breakfast, we depart overland to our pre-erected private Adventurer campsite in the Nxai Pan National park, stopping for lunch en route at the famous Baine's Baobabs. The pans here are covered with short nutritious grasses and acacia trees, creating game-rich areas surrounded by vegetated dune savannah. Extensive game drives explore the surrounding pans. Spectacular dry season predator and wildlife action can be seen at the waterholes!

Accommodation at our Adventurer Camp is in 3m x 3m dome tents which are pre-erected by the camp staff.

These tents are well ventilated with a veranda and private hand basins in front of each tent. Camp beds, bedrolls with crisp linen, feather duvets and pillows, towels and all amenities (soap, shower gel and conditioning shampoo) are provided. In addition, each tent has a mini luggage rack, a shared bedside table, coir mat (inside and outside), and a 12v reading light. The tents are large enough to stand and move easily. Hot water bottles and blankets are provided in winter.

A separate bathroom enclosure (with flush loo and bucket shower) is shared between two tents. Each enclosure has a table with amenities, hurricane lanterns, tin hand basin, water jug and a mirror. The evening camp is lit by paraffin hurricane lanterns and a good campfire. Delicious meals are prepared by safari staff on the campfire, adding to the atmosphere of adventure. Dining is under the stars, although a bush dining tent is erected in case of rain.

Days 5 and 6: Xigera Mekoro Trail - Okavango Delta

We depart early after breakfast and drive to Maun, then fly by light aircraft to the private Xigera concession, within the Moremi Game Reserve. There is no better way to experience the beauty and diversity of the Okavango than to travel through it by mokoro, walking and camping out along the way.

Transport is by mokoro, punted by Bayei boatmen. The elusive sitatunga, buffalo and the beautiful red lechwe are frequently seen, as well as all of the Okavango's big game. Swamp Boubou, Slaty Egret, Pygmy Goose, Copperytailed Coucal and Lesser Jacana are among the special birds one may encounter. African Fish Eagles and waterbirds are plentiful. Here, in a secluded private camp under a profusion of stars, one may enjoy the exquisite tranquillity of the Delta night punctuated by the calls of owls and nightjars and the distant grunting of a Hippo.

Days 7 and 8: Lechwe Island Camp - Okavango Delta

Fly by light aircraft charter from Xigera airstrip directly to our pre-erected Adventurer Camp in the north-easterm corner of the Delta. Based on a private concession, we explore this game-rich region of the Delta through game drives, game walks and night drives. In contrast to the Xigera concession, this area is much drier, and big game abounds. All the species for which the Okavango is famous - plains game, predators, and elephant - are present in high concentrations, making this area one of the game-viewing highlights of the trip. The 'overland vehicles' are a unique feature of this safari - specially designed to ensure that everyone has a "side seat" (nobody stuck in a middle seat) to maximize game-viewing and photography opportunities.

Day 9: Savuti - Chobe National Park

After an early morning drive, we depart camp and travel directly north through the private concession, stopping en route at a private game viewing hide overlooking a waterhole for lunch. We arrive at our pre-erected Adventurer Campsite alongside the now dry Savute Channel in the mid-afternoon, in time for a sunset game drive. Lion prides and clans of Spotted Hyenas are resident in the area and are frequently seen around the camp. Cheetah and Wild Dog are also found in the area, and large herds of ungulates gather on the open grasslands. Several award-winning documentaries, including "Eternal Enemies" and "Patterns in the Grass", have been filmed in this area.

Days 10 and 11: Linyanti Trails Camp - Linyanti Concession

We depart early this morning for the Linyanti region. This is an all-day game drive, with lunch en route at a private game viewing hide in the Savuti Channel. Herbivores and predators gravitate back and forth according to season between the Linyanti and the Savuti Marshes, and the exact itinerary differs seasonally to take advantage of these movement patterns. On our second day in the Linyanti, we depart on an early morning activity through the private Linyanti Reserve, taking in the changing landscapes, from riverine to savannah habitats. We enjoy lunch on a shaded deck, with a spectacular sweeping view of the Linyanti River. After a siesta in hammocks, we enjoy a leisurely canoe trip (depending on hippos!) before returning to camp in the early evening.

Day 12: Chobe River and Victoria Falls

After a short morning drive and breakfast, we depart by light aircraft to the Kasane area of Chobe National Park. This area is famous for its vast herds of elephants and unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river over the midday period. We enjoy a boat cruise (and lunch) on a catamaran-style shaded boat before departing Botswana and entering Zambia by way of the Kazungula crossing, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet. We spend the night at the Natural Mystic Lodge in Livingstone (with breakfast included).

Day 13: Transfer to Livingstone Airport

This morning we enjoy a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. At over a mile wide and 350 feet deep, it is the largest sheet of falling water on earth. After this spectacular finale, we transfer by road to Livingstone Airport and the end of this great adventure.

** Please Note: To optimize seasonal game movements, the itinerary is flexible. From December 1st to May 31st the safari spends two nights on the Savuti Marsh and one night at Linyanti Trails Camp to take advantage of the zebra migration through the Savuti Channel during this time frame. From June 1st to November 30th we spend two nights in the Linyanti (and one night in Savuti) due to the large elephant herds that congregate along the Linyanti River during this period.

Tent Interior

Safari Vehicle

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Dates and Rates - 2007

There is no single supplement for this safari. However, the outfitter reserves the right to match singles of the same gender in a tent.

* Group Size - Minimum two guests, maximum eight.

* Age Limits - There is a minimum age limit of 12 years. A medical certificate of full health is required for guests over the age of 75 years.

INCLUDED

• A reasonable amount of soft drinks, beer, fruit juice, mineral water and wine at meal times, on all camping days.

• Meals while on safari are all included, the only exclusion being lunch/dinner while in Zambia as the lodge/hotel is booked on a bed & breakfast basis.

• All activities while on the safari

• All internal charters as specified in the itinerary

• All accommodation as specified in the itinerary

• National Park fees

NOT INCLUDED

• Visas and any relevant entry and departure government stipulated fees/ taxes

• All personal purchases, including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls etc. We suggest that you allow US$25 per day to cover the cost of souvenirs (within reason), plus the cost of dinner (US$20 or more) in Livingstone. For expensive souvenirs, allow extra.

• Gratuities

• Optional extra activities

• All flights (other than specified in the safari itinerary), pre- and post-safari arrangements

• Torches

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Dates and Rates - 2008

There is no single supplement for this safari. However, the outfitter reserves the right to match singles of the same gender in a tent.

* Group Size - Minimum two guests, maximum eight.

* Age Limits - There is a minimum age limit of 12 years. A medical certificate of full health is required for guests over the age of 75 years.

INCLUDED

• A reasonable amount of soft drinks, beer, fruit juice, mineral water and wine at meal times, on all camping days.

• Meals while on safari are all included, the only exclusion being lunch/dinner while in Zambia as the lodge/hotel is booked on a bed & breakfast basis.

• All activities while on the safari

• All internal charters as specified in the itinerary

• All accommodation as specified in the itinerary

• National Park fees

NOT INCLUDED

• Visas and any relevant entry and departure government stipulated fees/ taxes

• All personal purchases, including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls etc. We suggest that you allow US$25 per day to cover the cost of souvenirs (within reason), plus the cost of dinner (US$20 or more) in Livingstone. For expensive souvenirs, allow extra.

• Gratuities

• Optional extra activities

• All flights (other than specified in the safari itinerary), pre- and post-safari arrangements

• Torches

[Back to the Top]

To find out more about the Untamed Lands Safari, or to make a reservation, call toll-free in the USA 1-888-227-8311 or email us.

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