Great Adventure Trips

Botswana

Deluxe / Luxury Camping / Serviced Camping / Budget Camping / Victoria Falls

THE ELEPHANT TRAIL- 14 NIGHT/15-DAY

This 14 night / 15 day trail forms a circular route around the Okavango Delta, starting in Kasane and ending in Victoria Falls, Zambia. The Elephant Trail offers a great value camping adventure through three countries - Botswana, Namibia and Zambia.

HIGHLIGHTS:

* First night Chobe area on the Chobe river / Sunset Cruise on the Chobe River
* 3 nights in North Eastern Namibian National Parks/Caprivi area
* 1 night Tsodilo Hills - World Heritage Site
* Central Okavango Delta
* 3 day Camping mokoro excursion
* Motor boating in the Delta
* Optional Game/Scenic Delta flight (US$120, subject to change)
* 3 nights Moremi Game Reserve
* 2 nights Chobe National Park
* Optional visit to Victoria Falls, Zambia (US$ 10, subject to change)
* 1 night at Zambezi Waterfront Lodge, Livingstone

Day 1. Chobe Area, camping: The tour officially begins in Kasane at 13h30. Transfers can be arranged from Victoria Falls, Livingstone or Kasane to meet in Kasane for a full safari briefing. The first highlight will be a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. We overnight in the Kasane, Chobe area, camping in a site with permanent ablutions. (L, D)

Day 2. Mamili National Park, camping: We cross the Namibian border, stop for supplies in Katima Mulilo and then head to Mamili National Park, enjoying a scenic drive en-route to our campsite. Time permitting we will have a guided walk in Mamili. Camping is in a designated campsite with bush ablutions.(B, L, D)

Day 3. Susuwe/West Caprivi National Park, camping: We depart early on a game drive through Mamili and then cross the Kwando River to enter Susuwe National Park, where we will set up camp and then explore the area on game drives. Camping is in a designated campsite with permanent ablutions. (B, L, D)

Day 4. Popa Falls/Okavango, camping: Rising with the sun we head west toward the Okavango River, camping near the Popa Falls area on the banks of the Okavango, we will visit the rapids of Popa Falls at the tip of the Okavango Pan handle. Camping is with permanent ablutions. (B, L, D)

Day 5. Tsodilo Hills, camping: After a very early start we visit the jewel that is Mahango National Park and then cross the border to re-enter Botswana. After stopping for supplies, we drive through to the World Heritage Site of Tsodilo Hills and set up camp. Here we visit the museum and can explore the walking trails around the ancient hills, home to thousands of traditional Bushmen paintings dating back to 800 AD. Camping is in a designated site with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)

Days 6 & 7. Okavango Delta, camping: We drive to the edge of the Okavango, transfer to a motorboat and cruise through the papyrus lined channels of the Delta to meet up with our traditional mokoros and local guides. We spend two nights and three days on a camping adventure in the delta, exploring the area on mokoro excursions and taking guided walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango. We camp wild in the Okavango (B, L, D)

Day 8: Maun, camping: Inspired by the beauty of the Okavango, we retrace our route to Maun. You
have the option of taking a scenic game flight across the Delta to return to Maun, providing another
perspective of this unique water system. Tonight will be spent at a private camp outside Maun with permanent ablution facilities. (B, L, D)

Days 9 - 11: Moremi Game Reserve, camping: The big game aspect of our tour commences today as we enter Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana. The park covers swamp areas as well as dry land. The next three nights are spent in this park searching for the wide variety of animals and birds in the reserve, while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives as the sun rises, and in the late afternoon as the sun sets, are the norm, returning to camp for lunch and a siesta, usually we move campsites to explore a different area of this diverse park. Camping will be in private designated campsites where we erect bush ablutions. (B, L, D)

Days 12-13: Chobe National Park, camping: Chobe National Park, with its diverse and striking landscapes, is our next destination. As we continue our search for wildlife, we will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. We then head northwards to the Chobe River, where our game drives will meander along the banks of the river, followed by the call of the majestic African fish eagle. Camping will be in private designated areas with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)

Days 14 - 15: Zambezi Waterfront Lodge (or similar), chalet accommodation: We cross the Zambezi River by ferry, then drive to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls, where we overnight at the comfortable Zambezi Waterfront Lodge. This afternoon there is time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner is at your own expense at the lodge. The tour officially ends at 10:00 on Day 15. (Day 14 - B, L & Day 15 B)

2009 Dates: 09 May - 23 May, 23 May - 06 Jun, 13 Jun - 27 Jun, 27 Jun - 11 Jul, 11 Jul - 25 Jul, 25 Jul - 08 Aug, 08 Aug - 22 Aug, 22 Aug - 05 Sep, 05 Sep - 19 Sep, 19 Sep - 03 Oct, 03 Oct - 17 Oct, 17 Oct - 31 Oct, 31 Oct - 14 Nov, 14 Nov - 28 Nov, 28 Nov - 12 Dec

2009 Price: Nov.-June = 1795 euros, July-Oct. = 1895 euros

Price includes: All accommodation (spacious bow tents with mattresses), chalets at the lodge in Livingstone, all transfers and activities as per the itinerary, all meals that are indicated (B - breakfast, L -lunch, D - dinner) and tea/coffees, services of a Professional Guide and Camp Assistant, all Namibian and Botswana park entries for activities included on itinerary, transport in specialised safari vehicles.

Does not include: Restaurant meals (Zambian Vic Falls), visas (with the exception of the Zambian visa waiver, subject to government regulations), airport transfers, tips, curios, optional excursions (scenic flight over the delta and activities in Victoria Falls), beverages (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water), Insurance to cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical, baggage, emergency evacuation, Sleeping Bag (and small pillow) on all camping sectors.

Post tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Livingstone, Victoria Falls or Kasane airports can be arranged at additional cost. Kasane accommodation - Chobe Safari Lodge: Single B&B (Continental breakfast) = 106 euros, Double B&B (Continental breakfast) = 59 euros per person. Extra nights at Zambezi Waterfront: Single B&B = 50 euros
Double B&B = 36 euros per person

We are sure you will thoroughly enjoy every minute of your adventure holiday in our care. This is because we pride ourselves in offering small group tours with a difference. Our safari will take you into the heart of the natural wild lands of Botswana. You will experience overland routes that will reveal the vast beauty of our continent, overnight camps filled with song, camaraderie, story telling and exciting animal encounters that will take your breath away!

Our tour leaders are all qualified Botswana Professional Safari Guides that are joyfully enthusiastic about their tasks and keen to share with you their intense love for Africa's flora and fauna. You can be assured of personal attention from guides that are equipped with an intimate knowledge and understanding of their environment. They all travel with a camp assistant. All tours are equipped with the luxuries required for travel comfort and peaceful relaxation (new up-to-date safari vehicles, a mobile kitchen serving good food with an African flavour, ice cold drinks for that tropical sundowner) while still maintaining the exhilarating adventurous spirit of the pioneer. The camping style is semi-participation - you setup your own user-friendly tent, but all further participation in cooking and general camp chores is optional. The bow tents are 2.1m x 2.1m. and a comfortable thick sleeping pad is provided. You bring your own sleeping bag or you can rent one. A variety of ablution facilities are available.

Vehicles: Our fleet comprises custom-built game viewing vehicles, specially designed for our trails. Each vehicle takes a maximum of twelve passengers, which ensures excellent game viewing and mobility (Please note that on small group safaris we may use alternative vehicles). Each vehicle has a cigarette lighter fitting, at 12 V DC to recharge batteries for video cameras; you will need to bring your own charger. We have developed our own trailers, each containing a mobile kitchen and space for all camping equipment and luggage - a complete unit travels together at all times on the safari.

Typical Day on Safari: On a typical day we get up at first light for an awakening coffee/tea and light morning snack (rusks, fruit), we then head out on a morning activity (game drives in the National Parks and mokoro excursions in the Okavango). We return around 1100 (flexible with each day). During the heat of the day we enjoy a refreshing brunch/lunch, siesta and bush shower and time to relax, read a book or write postcards. In the afternoon we head off again for an afternoon activity, returning by sunset for our evening meal around the campfire.
Please note that on travel days this changes around travelling times from camp to camp. Also note that some of the distances travelled can be quite long and you will eat a picnic lunch en-route.