Affordable Nature
Botswana
Botswana is a sought after destination for denizens of wildlife enthusiasts. Discover the hidden delights nestled along the winding waterways and deep within the lush landscape of the world’s largest inland water system – the Okavango Delta. A journey to Chobe National Park follows and offers some of the highest wildlife concentrations in Africa; of special significance are its elephants - both the largest continuous population and body size in the world. Then experience, the roaring thunder of Victoria Falls - one of the largest in the world.
Days 1/2 - Washington D.C. or New York/ Johannesburg
Board your overnight flight arriving the next day in Johannesburg. You are escorted to your hotel situated in the exclusive district of Sandton just north of the city. PROTEA HOTEL BALALAIKA SANDTON. (Meals Aloft)
Days 3/4/5 - Okavango Delta
Take to the air via aircraft and fly to Maun, where you wing your way to the Okavango Delta. A wetland wilderness of twisting channels, islands forested with palms and wide grassy floodplains, and home to a magnificent array of wild animals and exceptional birdlife. During daily drives, look for elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zabra, impala and reedbuck while night drives may render sightings of aadvark, caracal, serval and pangolin. Abundant predators enjoy the diverse system of habitats, including cheetah, hyena and lion. Deeper lagoons give way to large pools of hippo and crocodile. Awaken in the morning to the melodic chirping of the Heuglin's Robin. Glide in mokoros (dugout canoes) through quiet waterways for a chance to spot the elusive sitatunga antelope - with its webbed feet it seems to walk on water. Look for the solitary leopard basking in the sun. Your tented camp is a secluded jewel enveloped with a nostalgic safari atmosphere situated in the heart of the delta in a private concession on the western boundary of the Moremi Reserve. Overlooking a lagoon, you are surrounded by a paradise of reed and palm-fringed islands. In the evenings, after a delectable meal, relive the day's events around the campfire. POM POM TENTED CAMP (no electricity). (All Meals Daily)
Days 6/7/8 - Chobe National Park
Fly to Kasane on the northern border of Botswana where the Kwando, Linyanti and Chobe Rivers form a series of lakes, islands and floodplains. This has become Chobe National Park, home to the largest surviving elephant population in the world with over 120,000 roaming the park. On wildlife drives in 4x4 open vehicles, you will have the opportunity to note the massive physical size of the Chobe elephant. Toast the end of an exciting day on a sundowner cruise as elephant frolic in the river, hippo duck below the water's surface and crocodile silently slither out of view. Bird viewing is magnificent with over 400 species, including eagle, kingfishe, stork and bee-eater. The reserve is home to buffalo, giraffe, zebra, puku, rare oribi and eland - surveyed by the watchful eyes of the predators: lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena. Board a small powerboat and cross over to Namibia to visit a Namibian village located on Impalila Island in the Chobe River. Get a glimpse into their culture and daily life, along with the dangers involved living near hippo and crocodile infested waters. Your luxury hotel lodge is next to the park and overlooks the river. CHOBE SAFARI LODGE. (D;B,D;B;D)
Days 9/10 - Livingstone/Victoria Falls, Zambia
Cross the border by small boat and then drive to Livingstone and Victoria Falls. Feel the mist as the world's largest curtain of water cascades down a sheer-sided abyss with a thundering roar. Enjoy a glorious sunset as your riverboat cruises the Zambezi River alive with lumbering hippo, sunbasking Nile crocodile and Cape clawless otters diving for fish. Over 350 bird species live here, including African Fish Eagle and Schalow's Turaco. Visit a centuries-old village ruled by Chief Mukuni. Your stylish hotel is situated on a 6,000 acre private reserve known as 'Nakavango Estate' bordering Zambezi National Park. Enjoy day and night wildlife drives, nature walks and fishing for bream, bass and catfish. Optiona activities (at additional cost) include elephant back safaris, abseiling, white-water rafting, helicopter trips and jet boating. THE STANLEY & LIVINGSTONE ALL-SUITE HOTEL. (B Daily)
Days 11/12 - Johannesburg/New York or Washington D.C.
Your incredible journey comes to an end as you proceed to Johannesburg, where you board your overnight flight home. (B; Meals Aloft)
Optional Post-Extension to Cape Town, South Africa
Explore one of South Africa’s most popular destinations – Cape Town. Go to the top of Table Mountain and to the tip of the Cape of Good Hope. See Africa’s smartly dressed penguins on Boulders Beach. Browse antique shops and gardens nestled in the ‘Valley of the Huguenots’ and marvel at the incredible variety of architecture, from Cape Dutch, to Victorian and Georgian. Toast your good fortune at wineries nestled below the Boland Mountains. Learn about the socio-economic struggles of South Africa at Robben Island and the black township of New Rest. View unique wildlife only found here, such as Cape grysbok, Cape mountain zebra and Cape fox, and stroll through Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, one of the most beautiful in the world, for a living display of South African flora through the centuries, including a wild almond hedge planted by Dutch settler Jan van Riebeek in 1660.
Your Safari Includes:
- Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
- Breakfasts daily and all meals while on safari at Pom Pom Camp. Other meals per itinerary.
- All wildlife viewing by 4x4 open-air vehicles, moroko or on-foot (walking safaris at the discretion of the camp manager).
- Complimentary bottled water in safari vehicles and at meals.
- Laundry included at Pom Pom Camp.
- All applicable hotel/lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
- All park entry fees.
- Complimentary baggage tags and passport wallet.
2008 Dates |
Feb 29- Mar 11 |
May |
Jul |
Aug 22- Sep 2 |
Oct 31- Nov 11 |
Main Trip Price/Person Land Only |
$4,495 |
$4,595 |
$5,395 |
$5,295 |
$4,595 |
Airfare |
$1,400 |
$1,500 |
$1,900 |
$1,500 |
$1,400 |
Single Supplement |
$1,695 |
$1,695 |
$1,895 |
$1,895 |
$1,795 |
Post-Extension |
$1,895 |
$1,895 |
$1,895 |
$1,895 |
$1,895 |
Single Supplement |
$595 |
$595 |
$595 |
$595 |
$595 |
For reservations or more information, please contact:
Classic Escapes, Inc at (800) 627-1244