Botswana Explorer Scheduled Safari
DAY 1: TRAVELING
Depart from New York (JFK) for your South African Airways flight to South Afric
DAY 2: MAKGADIKGADI SALT PANS
On arrival in Johannesburg board your connecting flight to Maun Airport, where you will be met by your guide and continue onto the area of the Makgadikgadi Pans. After settling into our accommodation, we take a stroll with our guide through the surrounding baobab grove, as he explains the local ecology, geology and the unique biology of the baobabs, which are in fact not trees but the largest succulents in the world.
Overnight on a full board basis at Planet Boabab
DAY 3: MAKGADIKGADI SALT PANS
After breakfast, we depart for either Nxai Pan or Ntwetwe Pan. These excursions are seasonal based on wildlife sightings and road conditions. Both pans form part of the greater Makgadikgadi system.
Overnight on a full board basis at Planet Boabab
DAY 4: KHWAI COMMUNITY AREA
This morning we travel via Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, to our camp, which is situated in a private concession in the Khwai River region. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year you may see different species in different areas. The best time for game viewing is the end of the dry season or spring from August to November. During this season, in order for us to offer the best game viewing possible, extra driving may be required due to the animals migrating closer to the river. In the summer, birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors. After dinner, we will explore the concession on a night game drive.
Overnight on a full board basis at Khwai Bedouin Camp
DAY 5: KHWAI COMMUNITY AREA
Today we 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.
Overnight on a full board basis at Khwai Bedouin Camp
DAY 6: CHOBE RIVER FRONT
You will be transferred to Khwai Airstrip for your flight to Kasane. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your lodge. We enjoy a boat cruise on the Chobe River in the afternoon from where we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds without having to reach for our binoculars – you’ll be near enough for close-up photographs, as well as having the chance to witness a spectacular African sunset.
Overnight on a full board basis at Chobe Safari Lodge
DAY 7: HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
This morning we depart Chobe and make our way to our lodge in a private concession near to Hwange National Park. The next two days are spent exploring this wildlife rich area. This afternoon you can partake in an optional game drive if time allows. On the following day, we will have plenty of time to explore this vast wilderness on a game drive. Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife. We will also visit the Painted Dog Conservation Center to witness the work that is done to protect these endangered species.
Overnight on a full board basis at Sable Sands
DAY 8: HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Overnight on a full board basis at Sable Sands
DAY 9: VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
Today we travel to Victoria Falls, full of real African experiences. We visit the Victoria Falls on a guided tour and then have the rest of the day and the next day at leisure.
Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at Ilala Lodge
DAY 10: VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at Ilala Lodge
DAY 11: DEPARTURE
Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight to Johannesburg and onward connection to the United States.
DAY 12: TRAVELING
Arrival in the United States at New York (JFK) airport.
NOTE
This tour can begin in Washington Dulles instead of New York, however, this would necessitate an overnight stop in Johannesburg at the beginning of the journey before flying to Maun. Please contact us for prices for this option.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Round trip coach air on South African Airways from New York (JFK) or Washington (IAD) Airport to South Africa OR Tambo International Airport; Regional coach air as per the itinerary (Johannesburg - Maun & Victoira Falls - Johannesburg); Scheduled seat in charter (Khwai - Kasane); Accommodation as per the itinerary; Most meals as per the itinerary (9 x breakfast, 8x lunch, 8x dinner); Ground transfers as per the itinerary; All park fees and safari activities
EXCLUDES
Add on air from other US cities; Any meals or services not mentioned above; Any items of personal expense - i.e. drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc; Gratuities for rangers/guides/drivers
DAY 1: TRAVELING
Depart from New York (JFK) on your South African Airways flight to South Africa.
DAY 2: MAKGADIKGADI PANS NATIONAL PARK
On arrival in Johannesburg you will connect onwards for your flight to Maun.
On arrival at Maun Airport, depart on a Safari Air shared light aircraft charter flight to Leroo La Tau.
Leroo La Tau rises majestically above the Boteti River which stretches across the western border of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The park, populated by up to 30,000 zebra and wildebeest closely accompanied by predators, offers guests the chance to experience the exhilaration of seeing large concentrations of game and the resultant predator interaction. Leroo La Tau translates as ‘lion’s paw’, but although the surrounding area features abundant lion, zebra and wildebeest, it also boasts Chobe bushbuck, leopard, cheetah, brown and spotted-hyena, impala, kudu, jackal, porcupine, genet and caracal, to name but a few. In addition, there is also the possibility of seeing the rare white rhinoceros.
Overnight on a full board basis at Leroo La Tau
DAY 3: MAKGADIKGADI PANS NATIONAL PARK
The day is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer.
The lodge offers both scheduled guided day and night game drives. Depending on the water levels of the Boteti River, boat activities can also be provided. Optional cultural excursions can be arranged to visit Khumaga Village, as can guided nature walks in the area surrounding the lodge.
Overnight on a full board basis at Leroo La Tau
DAY 4: OKAVANGO DELTA
The morning is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer. After breakfast a camp representative will transfer you to the airstrip. Depart Leroo La Tau on a Safari Air shared light aircraft charter flight to Camp Okavango.
Enchanting Camp Okavango sits at the heart of the Okavango Delta on Nxaragha Island.
All game-viewing activities are conducted by experienced guides and include exploring the Okavango Delta by mokoro or motorboat and tracking the larger game species on guided nature walks on the many surrounding islands.
Overnight on a full board basis at Camp Okavango
DAY 5: OKAVANGO DELTA
The day is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer.
Overnight on a full board basis at Camp Okavango
DAY 6: SAVUTE - CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
The morning is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer. After breakfast depart on a Safari Air shared light aircraft charter flight to Savute Safari Lodge.
Open 4x4 game drives are conducted in the Savute area, including the famous Savute Marsh, and the ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills, add magic to a delightful African safari.
Overnight on a full board basis at Savute Safari Lodge
DAY 7: SAVUTE - CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
The day is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer.
Overnight on a full board basis at Savute Safari Lodge
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Enjoy a morning game viewing activity followed by breakfast. You will depart on a shared light aircraft charter flight to Maun airport.
Depart Maun to Johannesburg and connect onwards to New York (JFK) or Washington Dulles (IAD) Airport.
DAY 9: TRAVELING
Arrive in the US at New York (JFK) Airport.
Note
This tour can begin in Washington Dulles instead of New York, however, this would necessitate an overnight stop in Johannesburg at the beginning of the journey before flying to Maun. Please contact us for prices for this option.
Due to their remote location within the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, the physical Makgadikgadi Pans are not visited on daily scheduled activities from Leroo La Tau.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Round trip coach air on South African Airways from New York (JFK) or Washington(IAD) Airport to South Africa OR Tambo International Airport; Domestic coach air in South Africa as per the itinerary (Johannesburg - Cape Town - Johannesburg); Accommodation as per the itinerary; Most meals as per the itinerary (6x breakfast, 2x lunches, 2x dinners); Ground transfers as per the itinerary; All park fees and safari activities
EXCLUDES
Add-on air from other U.S. cities; Any meals or services not mentioned above; Any items of personal expense, i.e. drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc.; Gratuities for rangers/guides/drivers
DAY 1: TRAVELING
Depart from New York (JFK) for your South African Airways flight to South Africa.
DAYS 2 - 3: NXAI PAN NATIONAL PARK
On arrival in Johannesburg board your connecting flight to Maun Airport, where you will be met and transferred by scheduled light aircraft to Nxai Pan National Park.
Makgadikgadi Pan and Nxai Pan, the largest salt pans in the world offer unique safari experiences, with great game viewing and bird watching challenged by spectacular scenic views and natural isolation.
Overnight for 2 nights on a full board basis at Kwando Nxai Pan Camp
DAYS 4 - 5: OKAVANGO DELTA
After breakfast you will be transferred by scheduled light aircraft to Kwando Kwara Camp.
Kwara overlooks a secluded lagoon in the northern part of the Okavango Delta, within the magnificent 1,700 sq.km Kwara concession which borders the Moremi Game Reserve.
Overnight for 2 nights on a full board basis at Kwando Kwara Camp
DAYS 6 - 7: LINYANTI CONCESSIONS
After breakfast you will be transferred to Kwara Airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Kwando Lagoon. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your camp.
Lagoon Camp lies on the shady banks of the Kwando River among tall and ancient African Ebony and Marula trees, under the watchful gaze of the resident hippos.
Overnight for 2 nights on a full board basis at Kwando Lagoon Camp
DAY 8: VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
After breakfast depart for Kwando Lagoon Airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Kasane. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Victoria Falls Hotel.
This afternoon you will go on a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River.
Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at Victoria Falls Hotel
DAY 9: VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
This morning enjoy a tour of the Victoria Falls.
Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at Victoria Falls Hotel
DAY 10: DEPARTURE
Enjoy the morning at leisure until your transfer from the hotel to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight to Johannesburg and onward connection to the US.
DAY 11: TRAVELING
Arrival in the United States at New York (JFK) airport.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Round trip coach air on South African Airways from New York (JFK) or Washington (IAD) Airport to Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport; Regional coach air in South Africa as per the itinerary (Johannesburg - Maun & Victoria Falls - Johannesburg); Scheduled light aircraft transfers in Botswana; Accommodation as per the itinerary; Most meals as per the itinerary (8 x breakfast, 6 x lunch, 6 x dinner); Ground transfers as per the itinerary; All park fees and safari activities
EXCLUDES
Add-on air from other U.S. cities; Any meals or services not mentioned above; Any items of personal expense, i.e. drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc.; Gratuities for rangers/guides/drivers