| Migration Routes takes the time to explore the
contrasts, extremes and continually moving game of northern Botswana:
from camping on islands in the jewel of the Kalahari, the Okavango
Delta, and its crystal-clear waterways, to the game rich plains of the
dry Savuti marsh and the seasonal elephant herds at our Linyanti
concession. This safari also takes in the amazing annual zebra migration
along the Linyanti River from its source, documented by Dereck and
Beverly Joubert in their famous documentary, “Stolen River.”
We move with the changing seasons so as to provide the best in
wildlife viewing on an annual basis. Therefore, between 1 December and
31 May, to capitalize on the experience of the zebra migration, the
safari switches a night from Linyanti Trails Camp to Savuti Marsh, in
Chobe National Park.
Transfers: To maximize guests’ travel time, a variety of transport
modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in private
charters, overland transfers and exclusive combination mokoro-boat-land
transfers provide both a birds-eye view and an in-depth experience of
the contrasting landscapes of Botswana.
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ITINERARY
Day 1:
Mosi Discoverer Camp, Zambia After arrival in Livingstone, you will be
met by a representative and transferred directly for a guided tour of
the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven natural Wonders of the World.
At 1708 metres wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and
drops more than 100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
This evening, we will
stay at Mosi Discoverer Camp, located
in the Mosi-oa Tunya National Park, Livingstone.
Days 2, 3 & 4: Chobe
River boat cruise & Linyanti Adventurer Camp, Linyanti concession
After a full breakfast, we leave Zambia and enter the
Chobe National Park in Botswana by way of the Kazungula border, a point
where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe meet.
The Chobe
National Park is famous for its vast herds of elephants and unique
species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the
river during the hottest hours of the day - even more so in the dry
season. Enjoy a light lunch served during the boat cruise on the
catamaran-style shaded boat, after which we depart by aircraft in the
late afternoon for the Linyanti region, from the airstrip game driving
to our pre-erected Adventurer campsite. The north-eastern corner of the
Linyanti is famed for its myriad of changing landscapes with sweeping
views, from riverine to savannah and from forest to plains.
On one of
our full days, we depart on an early morning activity. Lunch is enjoyed
at a scenic spot with a sweeping view of the Linyanti waterways. After a
siesta in hammocks, there is the possibility of an afternoon canoe trip,
before returning to camp at dusk. (The canoe activity is not always
possible, depending on local hippo movements within the area that we
canoe.) The
Linyanti region’s life-giving perennial waters attract herds of wildlife
that walk well-worn game paths to slake their thirst in the dry season.
Predators follow in their footsteps and, coupled with the area’s
diversity of habitat, make for exciting game viewing.
Days
5, 6 & 7: Khwai Adventurer Camp, Khwai concession, North-eastern Okavango
Delta We travel west into private concessions, stopping en
route for game sightings through parts of the area. This long but
interesting drive gives the perfect introduction to the varying habitats
of a dry and flat northern Botswana, from the open savannah of the
Savuti Channel, known as the “Stolen River”, to lagoons with a plethora
of wildlife to the geographically interesting Selinda Spillway (Great
Rift Valley fault line). This can be a full-day game / transfer drive,
with lunch en route at a shady place in the Savuti Channel.
We arrive
at our pre-erected Adventurer campsite in the mid-afternoon, in time for
a short sunset game drive. Activities
concentrate around the bushy and wooded islands, open
plains and the seasonally flooded channels surrounding the camp. In this
area local populations of plains game allow for game drives by day and
night. Experiences are magnified on nature walks, where the guide is
able to delve into interesting topics such as tracking, medicinal (and
traditional) uses of plants and a full array of smaller invertebrates
and other species not usually noticed from a vehicle. Canoeing is also
seasonally offered.
Days 8 & 9: Xigera
Mokoro Trails, Okavango Delta
We fly by light aircraft to the water-filled paradise of
the private Xigera area, within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is the
ultimate Delta experience, with serene waters flowing through
innumerable channels around remote islands and a profusion of plant and
animal life.
There is no
better way to experience the Okavango than to travel through it by
mokoro, walking and camping out on a vegetated island – all essential
elements of the Xigera Mokoro Trails experience. The experience is aimed
at exposing the permanently flooded inner Delta, in the serene waterways
and on the islands of trees and bush. Our guest tents are lighter here
than the rest of the safari, with a gauze main frame, thus enhancing the
views. Due to its remote location on an island, equipment is aimed at
necessary comforts with “disco” stretcher-styled beds.
Activities
include mokoro and walking safaris on inner remote islands, which enable
up-close encounters with an excellent diversity of birdlife (including
Pel’s Fishing Owl), frogs and a myriad of game species, some specially
adapted to water, such as the rare sitatunga and the familiar red
lechwe. Walking activities vary in length and duration through the
seasons, especially in the months when the Okavango is at peak flood
(June, July and August) where they become shorter as more islands
become flooded.
Day 10: Transfer to Maun
Airport
Bid
farewell to the adventure as we transfer by light aircraft to Maun
Airport.
2011 COST PER PERSON
10Jan-31May
$4635 per person / $590 single supplement
01Jun-31Oct
$4815 per person / $650 single supplement
01Nov11-05Jan12
$4635 per person / $590 single
supplement
2011 Dates: Starts
in Livingstone, ends in Maun, Botswana
January: 20
February: 15
March: 15, 26
April: 09, 15, 24, 27, 30
May: 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 21,
24, 30
June: 02, 08, 11, 20, 23, 30
July: 03, 06, 12, 15, 18, 24,
27, 30
August: 03, 06, 09, 18, 21,
28, 31
September: 10, 16, 19, 22, 28
October: 01, 10, 13, 16, 22,
28
November: 03, 06, 12, 15, 24, 27
December: 08, 11, 23, 26
Airfares to Livingstone and from Maun to Johannesburg are
additional.
This Quote does NOT include any airfares to/from
Livingstone and Maun,
items of a personal nature such as telephone, faxes, laundry, tipping
and gratuities, liquor.
US citizens do NOT require visas for
travel to Botswana and anti-malaria tablets must be taken for the
safari. NO shots are required at this time. Visas are
required for Zambia and these are obtainable upon entry into that
country for US $100 per person. NO Visas required for
Botswana. NO visas for South Africa
BUT THREE BLANK PASSPORT PAGES AND A 9-Month validity. THEY ARE
VERY STRICT ABOUT THIS!
This Quote is given subject to availability of all services at time
of booking. We would require a non-refundable deposit of 25% per
person to secure accommodations with the balance due 70 days before date
of travel. We accept all major credit cards in this office as well
as cheques.
MIGRATION
ROUTES
An
Adventurer Exploration - 9 night / 10 day
Combination serviced
camping in private concession areas and a small comfortable lodge in
Zambia.
TAILOR-MADE ITINERARY OPTIONS ARE ALSO
AVAILABLE ON FLEXIBLE DATES, FOR GROUPS OF UP TO EIGHT GUESTS.
Experience
a nostalgic camping safari that recreates a sense of wildlife viewing
adventure reminiscent of the times of the early African explorers.
The style
and essence of these Adventurer Safaris takes you back to the bygone
days of Africa’s exploration. Our 3m x3m dome tents (at Lechwe and
Linyanti), complete with mini-verandas, allow you to feel more connected
to nature, accentuating the feeling of the wild and untamed. Pure cotton
linen bedrolls (with duvets) on GI stretchers, bedside table with silver
lantern and mini luggage benches add to the atmosphere. Shared separate
toilet and shower ‘bathrooms’ with old-style tin bucket showers and
basins create simple serviced comfort.
Adventurer camping aims to bring the guest closer to nature, by means of
lively campfires, hurricane lanterns, diverse activities and a warm
atmosphere permeating the camp (and its simple comforts). Adventurer
camps are specifically outfitted to create that camping feel with a
clear emphasis on essential comforts and pristine wilderness experience.
Safari
bathrooms:
At Linyanti,
Khwai & Xigera there are 2 bucket shower “bathrooms” and 2
short-drop toilet enclosures per 8 guests.
Guides:
The entire safari is guided and hosted by a professional guide, who
shares in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari experience.
Exclusive
experience:
To ensure as much privacy and exclusivity as possible, most areas in
which we travel are private concessions
in prime locations. All Explorations camps are private and for the use
of Adventurer Exploration guests only.
Routes:
The route takes the time to explore the contrasts, extremes and
continually moving wildlife of northern Botswana: from the broad vistas
of the Linyanti with its wooded deciduous forests, the crystal-clear
waterways and fertile green islands of the Okavango Delta, to the
roaring cascades of the Victoria Falls.
Transfers:
To maximize guests’ travel time, a variety of transport modes that bring
out the best of each area is used: flying in seat on charters and
overland transfers provide both a bird’s-eye view and an in-depth
experience of the contrasting landscapes of Botswana.
4 x 4
tracks in wilderness areas are not maintained, take time to navigate and
may be bumpy. As a result game / road transfers can take all day with
lunch en route.
Seasonality:
We adapt with the changing seasons so as
to provide the best possibilities of wildlife viewing on an annual
basis. For example, between 1 December and 31 May, to maximize the
possibility of viewing the zebra migration and other game that moves
between Linyanti and Savute at this time, guests can take a day to
explore and experience the area at its most productive time,. (Note: If
rains are poor, this migration usually does not occur and sighting of
this game movement cannot be guaranteed.)
In US &
Canada: 1 - 800 - 358-8530
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