Great Adventure Trips

Botswana

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

THE LION TRAIL - 14 NIGHT/15-DAY

This grand tour covers some of the best wilderness areas in Botswana, from the magic of the Makgadikgadi Pans through the unique Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.
Starting in Kasane and ending at the Victoria Falls in Livingstone, it offers unbeatable value for money.

HIGHLIGHTS:
* Game viewing cruise on Chobe River
* Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
* Nxai Pan National Park
* Central Okavango Delta
* Camping mokoro excursion
* Motorboating in the Delta
* Optional Game/Scenic Delta flight ($120 US, subject to change)
* 3 nights Moremi Game Reserve
* 2 nights Chobe National Park
* Optional visit to Victoria Falls, Zambia (US$ 10, subject to change)
* 1 night at Zambezi Waterfront Lodge, Livingstone

Day 1: Chobe, camping: The tour starts at 13:30 at Kasane in northern Botswana, where a full briefing and orientation is given. Transfers can be organised from Livingstone, Victoria Falls or Kasane airports - please contact us to arrange pre-tour arrangements, pick up times from hotels are advised about a week prior to tour beginning (in case of change a message is left at reception). In the afternoon we take a boat cruise on the Chobe River, with a chance to spot elephants, hippos and other animals languishing in and along the river. We camp on the banks of the Chobe River at a site with permanent ablution facilities. (L, D)

Day 2- 3 Nxai Pan National Park, camping:

Rising with the sun, our route takes us 500 kilometres south to Nxai Pan National Park where sweet grasses host a variety of wildlife. We stop en route for a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park before getting to our campsite. We set up blush ablution facilities and overnight two nights in the same campsite.

Next day we explore Nxai Pan and enjoy the plains which can be dotted with grazing herds of impala and springbok. In the afternoon we will visit the magnificent Baines Baobabs. These regal trees, immortalised by the explorer Baines' painting, are situated on the edge of an expansive saltpan. (B,L,D)
Kasane - Nxai Pan: 500km, 6h

Day 4: Maun, camping: Leaving Nxai Pan National Park, we will visit the magnificent Baine's Baobabs. These regal trees, immortalised by the explorer Baine's painting, are situated on the edge of an expansive saltpan. Our tour continues on to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, where we have time to visit the shops and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. We camp overnight in a site with permanent ablutions. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Okavango Delta, camping: Our adventure takes us in a northwesterly direction from Maun, to the western side of the Okavango Delta, a special corner of paradise. We camp on the edge of the Okavango Delta, serenaded by the sound of hippos and bell frogs breaking the night silence. The campsite has permanent ablution facilities. (B, L, D)

Days 6 - 7: Okavango Delta, camping mokoro excursion: After transferring our equipment to motorboats, we cruise along the narrow papyrus-lined channels of the Delta. Enjoy the exquisite birdlife of the region as well as the stunning landscape of this area. Deeper in the Delta we meet our mekoros (traditional dugout canoes) and local polers and enjoy a tranquil ride to an island. We will spend 2 days camping on the island, exploring the area on foot and by mokoro. We camp wild with bush ablutions. (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)

2007 Dates: 3 Feb - 17 Feb, 24 Feb - 10 Mar, 17 Mar - 31 Mar, 31 Mar - 14 Apr, 14 Apr - 28 Apr, 5 May - 19 May, 19 May - 2 Jun, 9 Jun - 23 Jun, 23 Jun - 7 Jul , 7 Jul - 21 Jul, 21 Jul - 4 Aug, 4 Aug - 18 Aug, 18 Aug - 1 Sep, 1 Sep - 15 Sep, 15 Sep - 29 Sep, 29 Sep - 13 Oct, 13 Oct - 27 Oct, 27 Oct - 10 Nov, 10 Nov - 24 Nov, 22 Dec - 5 Jan

2007 Price: Nov. - June = 1695 euros, July - Oct. = 1795 euros

Price includes: All accommodation (spacious bow tents with mattresses), rooms at Zambezi Waterfront, 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 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. There are many exciting activities offered at the falls, such as the exhilarating White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, canoeing on the upper Zambezi, elephant rides and Helicopter Flights over the Falls.

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.

THINGS TO DO IN THE VICTORIA FALLS AREA

Victoria Falls: The Magic of Mosi-o-Tunya (The Smoke that Thunders) can be experienced from several vantage points on the Zambian side. There are a series of well kept paths as well as the Knife Edge Bridge that leads from the mainland to a small island allowing for the closest vantage point to the Falls - often a very wet experience. There is also the Victoria Falls Railway Bridge linking Zambia and Zimbabwe, which offers great photographic opportunities.

Canoeing: One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Zambezi River and surrounding land is on a canoeing full or half-day trip on the upper Zambezi. Experienced guides escort you and lunch is provided, you can expect to cover up to 30 km.

White Water Rafting: Experience some of the most exciting white water in the world on the Lower Zambezi. Fully kitted out with helmets and life jackets you have the option to paddle or be a passenger as you experience the succession of rapids with a professional guide. Full and half day options are available including lunch.

Bungee Jumping: The 111m-bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge over the Zambezi River is a heart stopping experience - enhanced by the beauty of Victoria Falls and the surrounding gorges.

Abseiling: You can have a full day of abseiling, or alternatively enjoy a combination of abseiling and the gorge swing. Experienced guides using quality equipment lead all adventure activities.

River Boarding: Armed with a helmet, flippers and a body board you tackle the white water surf of the Zambezi. You are accompanied by a raft, so can choose to go above or in the water at each rapid.

Flight of the Angels: For an unsurpassed view of the Victoria Falls and succession of Zambezi Rapids, enjoy a helicopter, light wing aircraft or micro light flight.

River Cruises: Relax on a sundowner cruise up the Zambezi River - the river is surrounded by National Park so you can enjoy the wildlife as the sun goes down.

Game Drives: Are available into the Mosi-o-Tunya National Park, which is a fenced in park that contain such wildlife as elephant, buffalo, zebra, sable, eland, impala and the rare white rhino. Often we combine game drives with village tours, which can include: The Livingstone Museum, Cultural Villages and The Curio Market. Alternatively we can also arrange game drives across into Botswana's Chobe National Park.