Kalahari Migration Mobile Camping Safari in Botswana

March 7, 2019March 7, 2019admin

Summary of this Budget Safari Package

What better way to safari than to camp wild on this mobile camping tour. Feel the African dust between your toes, smell the aromas of the bush, hear the sounds of the wild as you journey to Nxai Pan, Makgadikgadi Pan and the Central Kalahari.

We explore remote Africa on this nine-day Botswana Safari following the zebra migration along with the predators which are never far behind. Marvel at the expansive salt pans, all that remains of a once great lake, and the wildlife that has adapted to these arid conditions. Stand in the shade of a mighty Baobab Tree as explorers did many years ago. Experience the eeriness and mystery of the remote Kalahari Desert home to wildlife and the few remaining San Bushman who have remained in the Kalahari following their age-old traditions.

This mobile camping safari is fully serviced with a guide, chef and camp crew, so all you have to do is enjoy the wildlife viewing drives, the dramatic scenery, the great food and some relaxation.

Itinerary for this Tour

Day 1: Maun to Nxai Pan, Botswana

Our guide is waiting for us at Maun Airport with a packed lunch to fortify us on our transfer to our campsite at Nxai Pan. We take time to settle in at our bush campsite before we depart on our first sunset wildlife viewing drive.

Nxai Pan is located on the western edge of a fossil lakebed and overlooks the open grasslands of the pans. During the rainy season, these lush grasslands attract thousands of zebra following the ancient migration paths taken by their ancestors. This 500 km return journey takes the zebra from the Chobe River in the north to the Nxai Pan, a longer journey than the well-known Serengeti/Masai Mara migration. These large herds are a magnet for predators, which prey on the young and weak members of the herds, and greedy scavengers are not far behind. Migration plays an important role in counter-acting overgrazing and providing seasonal food sources for the pan’s permanent residents. The grassy plain is dotted with Mopane woodland, short umbrella Thorn trees and in the midst of this plain is the waterhole. This and the woodland attracts many residents including Lion, Giraffe, Kudu, Springbok, Impala, Ostrich, Jackal, Bat-eared Fox and numerous smaller creatures.

A game drive wouldn’t be the same without a pause for sundowners as the sun sinks into the west. Night follows quite quickly so we head back to our bush camp and the welcome three-course dinner prepared by our camp chef. Our day ends around the campfire, under African skies, listening to the sounds of the wild.

Meals: Packed Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile bush camp

Day 2: Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana

Nxai Pan National Park is quite famous for the Baines Baobabs and after breakfast, we take a slow drive to see these ancient trees made famous in Baines’ painting. Thomas Baines and his fellow explorer, John Chapman, were en-route to Victoria Falls when they came upon the oasis of Baobab trees. Baines immortalised the scene of their camp in the shade of the tree in his painting composed in 1862. The baobab trees attract many visitors to this untamed area.

We take a wildlife viewing drive in this little known Nxai National Park home to zebra, giraffe, wild dog, bat-eared fox, jackal, hyena, honey badger, cheetah and elephant that roam within its magnificent acacia vegetation.

As the day draws to a close we return to camp to freshen up before our welcome dinner and an evening around the campfire.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile bush camp

Days 3 & 4: Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana

On day 3 our camp crew breaks camp and relocates it to the Makgadikgadi National Park. In the meantime, we embark on an exploration of the Makgadikgadi Pan, once a massive salt lake but now a dry salt pan surrounded by the Kalahari Desert. In the harsh dry season of hot winds the pan offers little sustenance to the wildlife here, but come the rainy season and the area is transformed into appealing grasslands that attract the migrating zebra and wildebeest which in turn attracts the large predators. The birdlife too is outstanding. Migrating birds include ducks, geese, flamingos and pelicans.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile bush camp

Days 5, 6 & 7: Central Kalahari, Botswana

On these three days, we continue our pursuit of the migrating herds along with the hungry predators. Our journey takes us into the remote, inhospitable Kalahari Desert which engulfs us in silence and the feeling of being alone in the world. The saying ‘Africa is not for sissies’ surely applies here. Covering an area of 52,800 sq kms makes this game reserve the second largest in the world. Despite being a desert the reserve is home to numerous species of wildlife which includes giraffe, elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, meerkat, warthog, springbok, kudu, impala, red hartebeest, ostrich, baboon …….. Keep a lookout for the Black-Mane Kalahari Lion, thought to be the stronger of the species and much more attractive to a lioness.

The Central Kalahari was previously home to the San Bushmen, for thousands of years this tribe roamed the area as nomadic hunters. Today few are to be found in the reserve.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mobile bush camp

Day 8: Central Kalahari, Botswana

Today we begin our re-integration to society as we travel to our lodge on the northern border of the Central Kalahari. We arrive with enough time to relax, enjoy sundowners and dinner before we embark on a thrilling night wildlife viewing drive in search of the nocturnal creatures which have emerged in search of their next meal.

Tonight we enjoy the luxury of solar-powered tented accommodation with en-suite facilities, which include both indoor and outdoor shower. The tents are protected from the heat by unique slatted canopies and offer a bed with mosquito net and tea and coffee making facilities. Opulent facilities after our days of camping in the wild.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tented Camp

Day 9: Maun, Botswana

We are up early this morning for one last wildlife viewing drive before this memorable Kalahari Migration Mobile Camping Safari comes to an end. On our return we enjoy a hearty breakfast and then it is time for our flight in a light aircraft back to Maun and the airport.

We leave feeling we have experienced a truly remarkable wild camping safari.