The Discovery Journey to
Botswana
Adventure is wrapped in luxury in Botswana, where you wing your way from camp to camp on small planes. No lines, no check-in, just the cheerful hello of the pilot as he tosses your duffle in the back of your ‘taxi in the sky.’ The view over the Okavango is spectacular. You fly low enough to witness elephant, giraffe and red lechwe cross the Delta. Explore this natural paradise in open 4x4 vehicles, on foot and in mokoros (dugout canoes) before returning to your exclusive, luxury tented camps.
Days 1/2 - Washington, D.C. OR New York/ Johannesburg
Board your South African Airways overnight flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, you are escorted to your elegant hotel. Relax poolside or enjoy high tea in the Edwardian library. THE GRACE. (Meals Aloft)
Days 3/4/5 - Maun/Okavango Delta/Moremi Reserve/ Chitabe Camp
Refreshed, this morning you spread your wings and fly a short distance to Maun, Botswana, and connect on your light aircraft to the Okavango Delta – earth’s largest inland water system.Three magical days will be spent at Chitabe Camp, situated on one of the most beautiful islands in the Delta. The area is made up of a variety of habitats, which include waterways and marshlands, dry acacia and mopane woodland, riverine areas, grasslands and seasonally flooded plains. Enjoy wonderful viewing of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and cheetah. Dr. Tico McNutt, head of the Botswana Wild Dog Project, or one of his researchers, will share their latest insights on the endangered wild dog. Activities include day and night wildlife drives in open 4x4 vehicles, nature walks and night drives before returning to your luxurious tents built on elevated teak decks, under a lush canopy of indigenous trees. CHITABE CAMP. (All Meals Daily)
Days 6/7 - Maun/Okavango Delta/Moremi Reserve/ Xigera camp
Wing your way to Xigera Camp situated in the heart of the Okavango on Paradise Island, within the Moremi Reserve. Activities focus on mokoro rides through the quiet waterways, as well as short walking safaris. You may even view the elusive sitatunga antelope along the way. Wildlife drives are offered (if water levels are low enough) as well as boat trips on the river (if water levels are high enough). Birding in the area is excellent, with Pels Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane among the many species of birds sighted regularly. One very unique feature that Xigera offers is the footbridge in front of the camp. It is the only way predators can cross from island to island without having to swim. In the morning, you can read the footprints left behind. The camp consists of ten luxuriously furnished walk-in tented rooms, each with en-suite facilities and outdoor showers. All rooms are raised off the ground and built within a shady grove with superb views of the floodplain to the east of camp and its attractive waterhole. Meals are taken in the dining room overlooking the main river, which along with the pub and lounge is under a thatched roof. XIGERA CAMP. (All Meals Daily)
Days 8/9 - Linyanti Reserve/Selinda Camp
Fly to Selinda, a private wildlife concession where your small camp overlooks the Selinda Spillway. Owned by legendary filmmakers, Derek and Beverly Joubert (Eternal Enemies: Lions and Hyenas & Reflections of Elephants), they have also produced some of National Geographic Society’s most highly rated award-winning books and magazine articles. A pack of wild dogs frequently dens close to the camp. On wildlife drives in open 4x4 vehicles encounter antelope, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, elephant, hyena, leopard and cheetah. The legendary hippo-killing lions of Selinda lurk near the large concentrations of hippos that frequent the lagoons. Watch quietly as the shy, long-legged African Spoonbill hunts for fish. Night drives, short walks and depending upon water levels, boating and fishing envelope you in a true safari experience. Spend evenings around the campfire before retiring to your Meru-style tent. SELINDA CAMP. (All Meals Daily)
Days 10/11 - Johannesburg/Washington, D.C. or New York
Last chance to photograph the magnificent wildlife before flying to Maun and departing for Johannesburg and home. (B, Meals Aloft)
Pre-Extension to Cape Town, South Africa
Discover the amazing culture and wildlife of Cape Town. Go to the top of Table Mountain and to the tip of the Cape of Good Hope. Explore rare flora at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Africa’s only penguins at Boulders Beach. Toast your good fortune at wineries nestled below the Boland Mountains and explore quaint villages filled with architectural gems. Tour New Rest, an informal settlement with your township guide and see the strides made since Apartheid, and take a ferry to Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for his beliefs.
Post-Extension to Victoria Falls, Zambia
Extend your adventure on a thunderous note and feel the mist of spectacular Victoria Falls – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – where a gigantic curtain of water plunges 325 feet down a sheer-sided chasm. Enjoy a sundowner riverboat cruise and visit a centuries-old village ruled by Chief Mukuni. Look for crocodile basking in the sun along the riverbanks and zebra wandering through your hotel’s-- garden.
Your Journey Includes:
- Superior accommodations throughout at hotels, lodges and tented camps as listed in the itinerary, or similar.
- Breakfasts daily, all meals while on safari and other meals as indicated in itinerary.
- Laundry and all beverages during safari in Botswana and Zambia except for Champagne and imported spirits.
- All wildlife viewing by 4x4 open-air vehicles or by boats. Walking safaris may also be available, however all walking is at the discretion of the camp manager.
- Complimentary bottled water in safari vehicle and during touring in the cities.
- All applicable hotel/lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
- All park entry fees.
- Complimentary backpack, baggage tags and passport wallet.
2008 Dates |
Main Trip Price Land Only |
Single Supplement |
Optional Extensions |
Extension Price |
Single Supplement |
Mar |
$6,995 |
$1,995 | Cape Town, |
$1,995 |
$595 |
Victoria Falls, Zambia |
$1,695 |
$595 |
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Jun |
$7,495 |
$2,295 |
Cape Town, |
$2,195 |
$595 |
Victoria Falls, Zambia |
$1,995 |
$595 |
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Jun 10-20 |
$8,495 |
$2,295 |
Cape Town, |
$2,195 |
$595 |
Victoria Falls, Zambia |
$1,995 |
$595 |
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Jun 24- |
$9,695 |
$2,795 |
Cape Town, |
$2,195 |
$595 |
Victoria Falls, Zambia |
$1,995 |
$595 |
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Aug 21-31 |
$9,695 |
$2,795 |
Cape Town, |
$2,195 |
$595 |
Victoria Falls, Zambia |
$1,995 |
$595 |
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Nov 12-22 |
$9,695 |
$2,795 |
Cape Town, |
$2,395 |
$595 |
Victoria Falls, Zambia |
$1,995 |
$595 |