An accommodated safari through Botswana. Experience the vast Magadikgadi pans, the Okavango Delta by traditional dug-outs and the abundant wildlife of Moremi game reserve.  Explore Chobe NP by boat and enjoy wonderful views of Victoria Falls!

 ACCOMMODATED ITINERARY

 Day 1                          JOHANNESBURG to KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY [chalets – LD]

(B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner)

Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head north into Botswana and the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. The Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and provide economic benefits to the local Botswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. This reserve situated on the Kalahari sandveld, has several natural waterholes and provides prime habitat for white rhino, zebra and wildebeest.

Includes:                    Entrance fees to Khama Rhino Sanctuary & afternoon game drive

Overnight:                  Khama Rhino Sanctuary, 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms.  WiFi not available

Distance/time:           630km, ± 7½ hours, excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch

Day 2                          MAUN [lodge BL-]

We drive through the Kalahari to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Since Maun’s founding in 1915 as the capital of the Batawana people, it has had a reputation as a hard-living ‘Wild West’ town helping the local cattle ranching and safari operations. The name Maun is derived from the San word ‘maung’, which translates ‘the place of short reeds’.

Includes:                    –

Overnight:                  Crocodile Camp, twin share bedrooms with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.WiFi not available

Distance/time:           450kms. ± 6½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

Optional Activities     Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD95-120) pp depending on number of people in each aircraft)

Day 3 – 4                     OKAVANGO DELTA [tented camp x2 BLD]

We drive into the Okavango Delta to our remote tented camp in the heart of the largest inland delta in the world. This amazing environment has large numbers of red lechwe, buffalo, elephant and birds, particularly kingfishers! One of the best experiences in the Okavango Delta is to be poled along reed-lined channels in a mokoro (dug-out canoe). Sit back and relax as the water gurgles gently under the mokoro while your skilled poler points out the fauna and flora.

Includes:                    Entrance fees to the Okavango Delta, morning & afternoon game walks with local guides

Overnight:                  2 x nights Okavango Delta – wilderness tented camping – for 2 nights while in the Okavango Delta we overnight in a pre-erected tented camp. The facilities are very basic but we will provide a simple bucket bush shower and a toilet tent will be provided of the “sand and bury” variety. We need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild tented camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. Sunway supplies all the camping equipment including use of a sleeping bag & camp pillow. The dome tents we use are 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.8 metres. Tents have built-in insect nets. We supply mattresses, which are about 5 cm thick, warm and comfortable. The camp chairs have a backrest.WiFi not available

Distance/time:           2 hour 4WD transfer into the Delta, each way  

Day 5, 6, 7, 8              MOREMI [3x tented bushlodge BLD, 1x lodge BL-]

We take an open 4WD into Moremi Game Reserve for fantastic game viewing! Chief’s Island is the largest landmass within Moremi and was the Batswana tribe’s richest hunting ground, before being declared a game reserve by the tribe. We spend 4 days on game drives watching the abundant wildlife including elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion & other game, both in Moremi Game Reserve and in private concession reserves surrounding the park. We return to Maun midday on day 8 for an evening restaurant meal (own expense).

 Includes:                    Entrance fees to Moremi Game Reserve, morning & afternoon game drives in open 4WD vehicle

Overnight:                  3 x nights Hyena Pan Bushlodge – exclusive private tented bush lodge, bordering Moremi Game Reserve. Twin share permanent tented lodge with en suite facilities.WiFi not available

                                    1x night Maun Crocodile Camp, twin share bedrooms with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. WiFi not available

Distance/time:           150kms ± 4 hours, excludes game drives & stops for wildlife viewing (Maun – Lodge)

Optional Activities     Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD95-120) pp depending on number of people in each aircraft)

Day 9                          MAKGADIKGADI PANS [tented lodge or chalets BL -]

We have time for an optional game flight over the Okavango before we head to Nata (own expense). The shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi appear as a glaring white, endless plain. When the rain comes a dramatic change takes place as thousands of wildebeest and zebra migrate to the sweet nutritious grasslands and clouds of flamingo feed in its algae rich waters. It is an area of low rainfall so this spectacle only lasts a short while.

Includes:                    Entrance fees into Makgadikgadi Pans

Overnight:                  Nata Lodge – twin share luxury tents with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. (or Pelican Lodge, – Chalets with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone) WiFi not available

Distance/time:           320km, ± 3½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

Day 10 – 11                CHOBE NATIONAL PARK [lodge BL -]

The Chobe River is a stunning feature of Botswana and will be the focus of our lodge stay. The Chobe River flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. Early morning 4WD game drive in the Chobe National Park and an afternoon game viewing “sundowner” cruise to see the mighty elephant herds return to the Chobe River to quench their thirst.

Includes:                    Entrance fees to Chobe National Park, morning game drive (day 11), sunset boat cruise (day 11)

Overnight:                  Thebe River Safaris – twin chalets with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.  WiFi available

Distance/time:           300kms, ± 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing + 1x 3 hour game drive

Optional Activities     Afternoon game drive in open 4WD vehicle (on day 10)

Day 12 – 13                VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE [hotel Bx2 – -]

We visit “Mosi oa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” – Victoria Falls. These magnificent falls are one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Victoria Falls Bridge was commissioned by Cecil John Rhodes in 1900, and was completed by 1905, although Rhodes never lived to see it. It spans the impressive gorge and the famous adrenalin pumping Victoria Falls bungi jump is done from this bridge, with a terrifying drop of 360ft (111m). Opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, bungi jump, or take a “flight of angels” (own expense).

Includes:                    Entrance to see the Victoria Falls

Overnight:                  Rainbow Hotel, twin rooms with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool, restaurant, bar and telephone.  Free WiFi available

Distance/time:           70kms – 1 hour, excluding border formalities

Optional Activities     White water rafting, sunset cruises, scenic flights & many more

 

Day 14                        VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE – TOUR ENDS [- B – -]

Tour ends after breakfast at 08:00am.

Please note:

The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions

Please note:

That the accommodation specified above and in the itinerary, is a guide only and is subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard, and accommodation changes will be made without notice.

 Special Interest:

Moremi is known for its big game including frequent leopard sightings. These elusive cats lead a predominantly solitary life and Moremi GR, with its varied habitats and high prey species densities, provides a perfect refuge for these beautiful creatures.

 Sustainable Tourism:

In Maun we visit a community project, Sibanda’s Craft shop, where craftswomen manufacture unique hand-painted cotton textiles such as tablecloths, & cushion covers. The aim at Sibanda’s is to generate more employment within the community, empowering women to realise their dreams and improve the quality of their lives and those of their children, through economic upliftment and self-fulfillment.

RACK Price: (valid Jan 2015 – Dec 2015)

BTa14 AUD $3225.00 pps + local payment of US$ 300

Single supplement: AUD $1046.00 pp (If you are traveling on your own, Sunway will “room” you with another same gender client. You do not pay extra when booking as a single person. If however you request a single room, then you’ll pay the single supplement.)

 2015 DEPARTURE DATES

BTa14 Botswana Wild Parks

DEPARTS               ENDS

JOHANNESBURG    VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

Sunday                  Saturday

06:30am               08:00am

 

04-Jan-15              17-Jan-15

11-Jan-15              24-Jan-15

18-Jan-15              31-Jan-15

25-Jan-15              07-Feb-15

01-Feb-15             14-Feb-15       NBa

08-Feb-15             21-Feb-15

15-Feb-15             28-Feb-15

22-Feb-15             07-Mar-15       German / LM

01-Mar-15             14-Mar-15       NBa

08-Mar-15             21-Mar-15

15-Mar-15             28-Mar-15       NBa

22-Mar-15             04-Apr-15

29-Mar-15          11-Apr-15     NBa / LM

29-Mar-15             11-Apr-15        German

05-Apr-15              18-Apr-15

12-Apr-15              25-Apr-15

26-Apr-15           09-May-15    German / NBag / LM

03-May-15             16-May-15

10-May-15          23-May-15   

17-May-15             30-May-15

24-May-15          06-Jun-15     NBa / LM

31-May-15             13-Jun-15

07-Jun-15              20-Jun-15        Nba

14-Jun-15              27-Jun-15        Nba

21-Jun-15           04-Jul-15      NBa / LM

28-Jun-15           11-Jul-15      German / NBag

05-Jul-15            18-Jul-15      NBa / LM

12-Jul-15            25-Jul-15      NBa

19-Jul-15            01-Aug-15    NBa / LM

26-Jul-15            08-Aug-15    German / NBag

02-Aug-15          15-Aug-15    NBa / LM

09-Aug-15          22-Aug-15    NBa

16-Aug-15          29-Aug-15    NBa / LM

23-Aug-15          05-Sep-15    German / NBag

30-Aug-15          12-Sep-15    NBa / LM

06-Sep-15          19-Sep-15    NBa

13-Sep-15          26-Sep-15    German NBag / LM

20-Sep-15          03-Oct-15     NBa

27-Sep-15          10-Oct-15     NBa

04-Oct-15           17-Oct-15     NBa

11-Oct-15           24-Oct-15     German / NBag / LM

18-Oct-15           31-Oct-15     NBa

25-Oct-15           07-Nov-15    NBa / LM

01-Nov-15          14-Nov-15    NBa

08-Nov-15          21-Nov-15    NBa / LM

15-Nov-15          28-Nov-15   

22-Nov-15          05-Dec-15    German / NBag / LM

29-Nov-15             12-Dec-15

06-Dec-15             19-Dec-15       NBa

13-Dec-15             26-Dec-15

20-Dec-15             02-Jan-16

27-Dec-15             09-Jan-16

 

* Bold dates are guaranteed departures; all other dates are guaranteed from 4 clients.

* German: These tours are lead by a German speaking translator / tour leader.

* LM: These tours can be combined with the Livingstone – Johannesburg Trade Route tour to create an ultimate Southern African experience

* NBa: These tours can be combined with a Livingstone – Livingstone Namibia Botswana Southern Circle 21day accommodated safari to create and awesome safari that visits the highlights of Botswana & Namibia.