Botswana Wilderness Camping Adventure

January 2, 2017January 2, 2017admin

Summary of this Budget Safari Package

This fully-serviced camping safari travels to Botswana and Victoria Falls, starting and ending in Johannesburg, South Africa. An adventure-filled yet comfortable camping tour, designed for mature travellers, over forty.

Highlights include a 4×4 safari to the Khwai Area of Moremi Game Reserve, an Okavango Delta day trip in mekoros and a game viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River. Also visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, followed by Makgadikgadi Pans and the Tuli Block in Botswana.

Itinerary for this Tour

Safari Highlights:

4×4 Games drives in Khwai River Area of Moremi Game Reserve
Mokoro trip & walks in the Okavango Delta
Game viewing boat cruise on Chobe River
Victoria Falls & optional adventure activities
Makgadikgadi Pans sunset
Game drive & walk in Tuli Block

DAY 1: Johannesburg to Palapye – Botswana

This Botswana Wilderness Adventure begins in Johannesburg, the economic capital of South Africa. Departing at 8h00 we drive north through the rural landscapes of the Limpopo Province, making our way to Botswana.

Crossing into Botswana we travel to Palapye, a town in the Central District, where we set up camp for our first night.

Meals included: Lunch & Dinner

DAY 2: Boteti River – Botswana

On day two we continue northwards through Botswana, skirting the western fringes of the Makgadikgadi Pans en route to Xhumaga village.

Tonight’s camp looks out over the Boteti River at Xhumaga, near the Makgadikgadi Pans – one of the largest salt pan complexes in the world. This evening we unwind around the campfire and get ready for our 4×4 trip into Moremi Game Reserve.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3 & 4: Khwai Area of Moremi Game Reserve – Botswana

On day three we set off on our two-hour drive to Maun early in the morning. Arriving in Maun, the main travel hub for visiting the Okavango Delta, we switch to open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles and journey to Moremi Game Reserve. Encompassing almost 4000km² of natural waterways and plains on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta, Moremi is lauded as one of the finest protected areas in Africa.

Reaching the southern gate of Moremi we have lunch before proceeding to the Khwai River Area, sharing unfenced boundaries with the Moremi Reserve. This private wildlife concession area offers some of the best game viewing in Botswana, as well as beautiful scenery and a variety of unspoilt natural habitats.

We take open-sided 4×4 game drives early in the mornings and in the late afternoons, exploring the pristine Khwai Area in the north-eastern part of the delta. Wildlife sightings include lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo (four of the Big Five) along with cheetah, hippo, wild dog, giraffe, zebra and a many antelope species. Known for it’s excellent leopard sightings the Khwai Area is also a birding hotspot, where various waterbirds and migratory species can be seen.

We overnight at a private campsite with basic ablution facilities, located inside the Khwai Community Area.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5: Maun – Botswana

Waking in the wild Khwai Area on day five, we embark on one more early morning game drive before returning to Maun.

This afternoon is free for you to rest after our adventures in the Moremi area, or take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. The scenic flight (extra cost) is a superb way to view this massive wilderness area – admiring the large scale and wild beauty of the Okavango Delta channels and plains dotted with game.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6: Okavango Delta – Botswana

Next, we head into the Okavango Delta in mekoros – the dug-out style canoes traditionally used in this watery region of Botswana.

At 7h30 we drive to a mokoro station about one to two hours away, depending on water levels at the time. Here you meet the local guide who will pole you through the waterways and show you the marvels of this diverse and unique ecosystem. Watch the pristine scenery go by from your mokoro and explore the bush on foot, looking out for the birds and animals of the delta.

After our Okavango Delta day trip we head back to Maun, transferring back to town in the mid-afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 7 & 8: Kasane & Chobe River – Botswana

Leaving Maun behind we travel east through rural Botswana to Kasane, the main base for exploring Chobe National Park. This is another of Africa’s top game parks, boasting lovely scenery and an abundance of wildlife (especially elephants).

We camp along the Chobe River and the following morning you can take an optional (extra cost) game drive, or relax beside the Chobe River keeping an eye out for birds and even animals.

On day eight we take an afternoon boat cruise on Chobe River, soaking up the scenery as the sun goes down over the African bushveld. Chobe is renowned for its boat cruises, offering exceptional water-based game viewing.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 9 & 10: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

After exploring Chobe we cross over into Zimbabwe, heading to Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world – a magnificent natural spectacle to behold. During our time at Vic Falls you are free to do optional adventure activities (extra cost) and explore the historic town, also named Victoria Falls. Adventure activities range from bungee jumping and abseiling to white water rafting and scenic helicopter, microlight or airplane flights over the falls.

Meals included: Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 1 & Dinner x1

DAY 11: Makgadikgadi Pans – Botswana

Today we make our way back across the border into Botswana, travelling down to Nata. After setting up camp we go to the nearby Makgadikgadi Pans where we witness a usually spectacular sunset over the vast dry lakebed.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 12 & 13: Tuli Block – Botswana

On day 12 we drive south to the Tuli Block area, known for its archaeological sites and San rock art.

Day 13 is spent exploring the Tuli area, going in search of wildlife on a morning walk and late afternoon to evening game drive. We spend our last two nights camping on the banks of the Limpopo River.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14: Johannesburg – South Africa

On the last day of this Botswana Wilderness Adventure we cross back into South Africa, returning to the city of Johannesburg where our safari began.

Arriving in Johannesburg at about 17h00 you are transferred to our pre-selected hotel or the O.R. Tambo International Airport.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Please Note:

Pre-tour and post-tour accommodation in Johannesburg can be pre-booked through African Budget Safaris. Arrival and departure airport transfers to the selected departure point are included in the tour price and additional transfers can be pre-booked. For more details contact us.