This participation camping
safari explores the Okavango Delta and the Moremi Game Reserve,
the wildlife-rich Chobe National Park, Savute and Victoria
Falls. Participants are actively involved in camp chores and
cooking, but a camp assistant does all the washing up. The
emphasis is on a high quality, but participatory experience.
Guests are limited to eight, and meals are inclusive, except
for Victoria Falls which is on a bed and breakfast basis.
Drinks are extra.
Day 1 : Victoria Falls - Ilala
lodge
The safari normally starts on a Wednesday evening when guests
meet at the Ilala Lodge for a pre-safari briefing with your
guide. Those arriving earlier in the day may enjoy a variety
of optional activities in the area. A full day is needed for
white water rafting, and would require an additional night
in Victoria Falls prior to the safari.
Days 2 to 5 : Chobe National
Park, including Savute
We depart Victoria Falls midmorning for Botswana's Chobe
National park some 85 kms away. Camp is set up on a private
campsite along or near the banks of the Chobe River within
the park. This is superb elephant and big game country, and
some safaris see more than 500 in a day. Antelope, including
the rare Puku, as well as predators such as Lion, abound in
this region. Water birds are also abundant. Savute is our
next stop, and we camp alongside the now dry Savute Channel.
Lion prides and clans of Spotted Hyenas are resident in the
area and are frequently seen. Cheetah and Wild Dog are also
found in the area, and large herds of plains game gather on
the open grasslands.
Days 6 to 8 : Moremi Game Reserve
and the eastern Okavango
After breaking camp at Savute we travel by road to the eastern
reaches of the Okavango and our first taste of the Delta's
crystal clear waterways. Our private campsite is in Moremi,
one of Botswana's most scenic parks. The Okavango consists
of slow-moving channels and open floodplains, a great contrast
to the dry Savute grasslands. Time is spent traversing the
woodlands in search of Wild Dog, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and
birds such as Meyer's Parrot and Wattled Crane.
Days 9 to 10 : Okavango Delta
From Moremi we drive to Maun and fly to our camp in the Okavango
Delta. This segment of the safari is in complete contrast
to the earlier stages, as we explore papyrus fringed channels,
lily-covered lagoons and forested islands. Transport is by
mokoro (dug-out canoe)punted by Bayei boatmen. The elusive
Sitatunga, Buffalo and the beautiful Red Lechwe may be encountered,
along with all of the Okavango's big game. Fish Eagle, Wattled
Crane, Slaty Egret, Pygmy Goose, Coppery tailed Coucal and
Lesser Jacana are among the special birds one may see. Here,
at our secluded campsite under a profusion of stars, one may
enjoy the tranquility. of the Delta night punctuated by the
calls of Owls and Nightjars and the distant grunting of a
Hippo.
Day 11 : End of Safari
A scenic flight out of the Delta takes you back to Maun in
time for your onward flight. The Mopane Safari is also run
from Maun to Victoria Falls. The total distance travelled
by road is approximately 800 kms. The itinerary is flexi Specials
depending on game movements and local conditions. Vehicles
used are specially built Land Rovers.
* The Mopane Safari is also run from Maun to Victoria Falls
The Mopane tree, Colophospermum mopane, is the tree after
which this safari is named. The Mopane is characteristic of
dryer areas with clay soils over much of northern Botswana,
Zimbabwe and the Northern Province and lowveld of South Africa.
It is a fairly large tree, reaching up to 18 metres in height
and usually occurs in forests as the exclusive tree species.
The leaves Specials green butterflies and in the summer months
may attract hundreds of brightly coloured caterpillars known
as Mopane Worms. These are gathered in large quantities, grilled
and savoured by some of the local people. The leaves of the
Mopane are eaten by browsers such as Elephant, Kudu and Giraffe.
In areas of poor soil quality, trees may form Specials thickets
of scrub. Mopane wood is very hard and Specials, and it has
been used extensively for props in mine shafts, and for bridges
in the Okavango Delta. Look out for Arnot's Chat, a special
bird only found in Mopane forests.
Mopane Safari New Itinerary: In 2003 this safari
is an 11 day safari. We will spend 5 nights in the Okavango
and not the 6 nights as we did in 2002.
NOTES ON 11 DAY MOPANE SAFARIS
- There are no extra food kitty charges.
- Included is accommodation on a sharing
basis, all meals (except for Victoria Falls which is on
a bed and breakfast basis), and all excursions related to
the safari, services of our guide.
- Excluded are drinks, visas if required,
full travel insurance, malaria Specialists, any excursion
unrelated to the safari, transfers in Victoria Falls; international
flights, gratuities, items of a personal nature, etc.
- Age Limits
- No children accepted under the age of 12 years
- Maximum age accepted is 65 years
From Johannesburg you have the choice to travel onto
further destinations:
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