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PLEASE NOTE We have been advised that sadly this tour will no longer be operating as of 1 January 2019.
Day 1 - Victoria Falls
On arrival at Livingstone Airport in Zambia you are met and embark straight onto a tour of the spectacular Victoria Falls. At 1,708 metres wide in full flood, the Victoria Falls is the largest curtain of water in the world, and one of its seven natural wonders. After you've had your fill of the Falls you drive west, to spend a very comfortable night at the lovely Toka Leya. Set along the Zambezi's riverbank, each of the raised en suite rooms here is spacious with an open plan lounge and bedroom, and a private deck with spectacular views. The lodge's main areas include an open-sided, comfortable lounge, a pool and nearby bar area, and a campfire below - all with views over the Zambezi River.
Includes dinner.
Day 2 - Chobe River & Linyanti Reserve
After breakfast you transfer to Livingstone Airport and leave Zambia and the Victoria Falls behind by taking short flight transfer Botswana. Your destination is Kasane Airport, and from there it's a quick transfer to the Chobe River.
Along the riverfront area of Chobe National Park the game viewing is often better from the river than from a safari vehicle, as the animals come down to the water during the heat of the day. Therefore we settle you aboard a shaded boat for a stunning adventure cruising along the Chobe River - watching the area's vast herds of elephant and buffalo come to drink, as well as a host of antelope. Sable antelope are often found here and you'll have your first opportunity to see puku - an antelope only found in a select few areas of Africa. There are also good chances of spotting the shy Chobe bushbuck.
Once back at the boat station you board a vehicle and transfer back to Kasane Airport where a light aircraft waits to fly you to the private Linyanti Reserve in northern Botswana. Your destination is the exclusive Linyanti Tented Camp overlooking the Linyanti Marshes where a variety of animals come down to slake their thirst.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Days 3 & 4 - Linyanti Reserve
The landscape of the Linyanti includes open floodplains beside the water, an adjacent band of riverine forest, and dense (mostly mopane tree) forests stretching away to the south. This variety of habitats creates a wilderness paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. Activities include day and night safari drives in the northern sector, where this private reserve borders Botswana's Chobe National Park, exploring a range of habitats from riverbanks to scrub and forest. Also on offer is an all-day game drive to the Savuti Channel. Your guide will discuss the options with you: if s/he believes the wildlife viewing to be better in Linyanti's northern sector, due to seasons and animal movements, you will probably concentrate your safari drives in that area.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Days 5 to 7 - Santawani Reserve
Fly by light aircraft to the Santawani Reserve, bordering Moremi Game Reserve to the southeast. Considered one of Botswana's top wildlife areas a quarter of a century ago, tectonic movements changed the course of the waterways through this area and dried up much of the landscape. In more recent years, further earth movements and a higher Okavango Delta flood cycle have brought the water back, and wildlife is again present in very good concentrations.
Spend your time exploring the game drive trails through woodland, open plains and forests. Your guide will lead you on nature walks, spot-lit night drives and the more traditional game drives - the first two activities are not permitted in Botswana's national parks but are possible in Santawani which is a private reserve.
Your base will be the Gomoti Tented Camp where you'll sleep in large walk-in canvas tents, each with its own en-suite bathroom. The furniture is made from teak and the beds are covered with lush and comfortable linens.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Days 8 to 10 - Okavango Delta
From Santawani you take a light aircraft flight deeper into Botswana's Okavango Delta. Your destination is a wilderness camp situated in a permanently flooded region of this watery landscape. Spend the next three nights in relative luxury at a true water camp: either Jacana Camp or Xigera Camp. The setting represents the essence of the Okavango Delta as abundant water, sunlight and soil combine to form a paradise bursting with life.
Activities from either camp focus on experiencing the Okavango Delta environment and include year-round mokoro excursions (traditional dug-out canoes used by tribes in Botswana) as well as island bush walks and, water level permitting, motorboat cruises. Safaris by 4WD seeking out big game are also possible when water levels are low, typically from September to May.
Each luxury safari camp is set in one of the Okavango Delta wetland areas most densely populated with the elusive sitatunga antelope and more common red lechwe. Wildlife concentrations depend on the water flow and volume, so change from season to season, but all the large animals can be found in this exclusive wilderness area including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. Birds such as Pel's fishing owl can be seen here as well as the greater and lesser jacanas and a variety of kingfishers.
Accommodation will be in a spacious en suite room linked by pathways through the vegetation. Each is on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains or surrounding waterways. The safari camp has a plunge pool for cooling off from the midday sun, a dining area and a lounge with a view. It's a lovely small camp offering relaxed comfort with a touch of luxury during your safari in Botswana.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 11 - Flight home
From the Okavango Delta you transfer by light aircraft to Maun. It's the end of your Botswana Wilderness Safari and you bid farewell your safari guide and the rest of your group before taking your scheduled flight home.
Includes breakfast.
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