South Africa

Botswana Game Trail / Botswana, Kalahari, Delta / Bushman Trail / Southern Circle / Canoe Trail

ZIMBABWE & BOTSWANA
"GAME TRAIL" CAMPING SAFARI

16 day small group participation camping safari

Safari through Zimbabwe & Botswana exploring the amazing culture and natural beauty of both of these countries. Marvel at the Zimbabwe Ruins, and the wonderful view of Victoria Falls. Experience the Okavango Delta by traditional dug-outs and huge elephant herds of Chobe NP by boat. This safari covers it all - wildlife history & culture!

Highlights
* Kruger National Park - game drives
* Zimbabwe Ruins - guided tour
* Matobos - game drive
* Hwange - game drives in open vehicle
* Victoria Falls - adventure activities
* Chobe National Park - sunset river cruise
* Okavango Delta - mokoro excursion

Day 1 - 2 KRUGER NATIONAL PARK [camping Bx1, Lx2, Dx2] (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head north-east into the world famous Kruger National Park. We visit the remote & seldom visited northern part of the park from Satara to Pufuri. We enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in our safari vehicle and hope to spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in this icon of wildlife conservation.
Includes: Entrance to Kruger National Park and morning & afternoon game drives
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & shop
Distance/time: 550km, ± 7 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch
Optional Activities: Night game drive in National Parks open game viewing vehicle

Day 3 GREAT ZIMBABWE [camping BLD]
Entering Zimbabwe at the Beit Bridge border post, we travel to the town of Masvingo and the Great Zimbabwe Monuments. The well preserved ruins are some of the oldest and largest stone structures in Southern Africa and were built during the 11th to 14th Centuries. We explore on foot and wonder at the mysteries of these ancient stone structures and the civilization that built them.
Includes: Entrance and guided tour of the Zimbabwe Ruins
Overnight: Campsite - basic ablution facilities with showers, restaurant & bar
Distance/time: 480km, ± 6½ hours, excluding stops for border crossing (which can take 2 to 4+ hours) sightseeing & lunch

Day 4 MATOBO NATIONAL PARK [camping BLD]
Moving on to Bulawayo and the Matobo National Park, we visit the core of the Matopos Hills, an area of granite koppies and wooded valleys. We set up camp on the outskirts of the park. This afternoon we explore the area on foot to see San Bushman rock paintings. The following morning we visit World's View and the historical site of Cecil John Rhodes' grave. Unusual rock formations in this area are also home to Zimbabwe's rhino which we hope to see on our guided walk in the national park.
Includes: Entrance to Matobo National Park and game walks
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers & swimming pool
Distance/time: 340kms, ± 5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing, shopping & lunch

Day 5 - 6 HWANGE NATIONAL PARK [camping BLD]
Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest Park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14 650 square kilometres. It is located in the north-west corner of the country, and is famed for its large elephant population. Our camp is in the game management area that borders the park, and we explore the park with our local guide, on a full day game drive in an open 4WD game viewing vehicle. Zimbabwe has for many years been off the tourist chart. Conservation has been a challenge for many Zimbabweans working in the national parks and on private land. In Matobos and Hwange national parks we use locally owned camps, operators and guides. Bringing tourist revenue back to the people on the ground will help support the protection of these beautiful wildlife regions.
Includes: Entrance fees, full day game drive in open 4WD game viewing vehicle
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers & swimming pool
Distance/time: 335kms ± 5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing, game viewing & lunch

Day 7 - 8 VICTORIA FALLS [camping B--]
We camp for 2 nights in the town of Victoria Falls. We enjoy a spectacular walk through tropical vegetation to the very edge of the "Mosi oa Tunya" or "the smoke that thunders" - Victoria Falls. There are opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, bungi jump or take a "flight of angels" (own expense).
Includes: Entrance Fees to see the Victoria Falls
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & shop
Distance/time: 200kms ± 3 hours excluding stops for sightseeing & curio shopping
Optional Activities: White water rafting, sunset cruises, elephant back safaris, scenic flights & many more

Day 9 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK [camping BL-]
Entering Botswana, our camp is situated in the town of Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River. The river flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. A highlight of any trip to the Chobe is the afternoon game viewing "sundowner" cruise where we hope to see a large number of elephants and other wildlife as they quench their thirst at the end of the day.
Includes: Chobe N.P entrance fees & sunset cruise on Chobe River
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers, swimming pool, bar & restaurant
Distance/time: 85kms ± 1 hour, excluding border formalities
Optional Activities: Morning game drive on day 10

Day 10 NATA [BLD]
This morning there is time for an optional (own expense) game drive in the Chobe National Park. Heading south through the Kasane Forest Reserve we make our way to the Nata area for our overnight stop.
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers, swimming pool, bar & restaurant
Distance/time: 300kms ± 4½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch
Optional Activities: Game drive, bush walk & scenic flight

Day 11 MAUN [camping BL-]
Our drive takes us past the Makgadikgadi Pans (area) en-route to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Maun, which originated as a cattle outpost, is now the capital of Botswana's tourist industry, and is our base as we prepare for our excursion into the Okavango Delta. Our camp is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River and after setting up camp we have a relaxing afternoon at the swimming pool.
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & bar
Distance/time: 370kms ± 5½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Day 12 - 14 OKAVANGO DELTA [camping Bx3 Lx3 Dx2]
We transfer into the Delta by open 4WD game viewing vehicle where our local guides will take us deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta on Mokoro (dugout canoes). Being gently poled through the network of channels is an experience not to be missed. The Delta forms as rain water from the Angolan highlands flows out over the flat Kalahari Desert sands, forming a delicate, green oasis for birds and wildlife. We will camp wild on remote islands in this amazingly dynamic environment and enjoy bush walks, bird watching & swimming in the clear waters. Camping with our local guides we learn more about their lifestyle & culture. We return to Maun in the late afternoon of day 14 and have time for an optional (own expense) game flight over the Okavango, which will reveal a different aspect of the Delta.
Includes: Entrance to Okavango Delta, Mokoro excursion, morning and afternoon game walks with local guides
Overnight: 2 x Wild camping - basic facilities with bucket shower
1 x campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & bar
Distance/time: 2 hour 4WD transfer into the Delta, each way
Optional Activities: Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD95-120) pp depending on number of people in each aircraft)

Day 15 KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY [camping BLD]
Heading south from Maun, we drive through the wide open spaces of the Kalahari Desert on our way to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and to provide economic benefits to the local Batswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. We hope to spot some of the elusive rhino on an afternoon game drive.
Includes: Entrance fees and afternoon game drive.
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers.
Distance/time: 450km, ± 6½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing
Optional Activities: Night game drive in open game viewing vehicle

Day 16 JOHANNESBURG - TOUR ENDS [- B--]
Crossing back into South Africa, we make our way to Johannesburg were the tour ends in the late afternoon.
Distance/time: 630km, ± 7½ hours, excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch

Please Note:
The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and animal sightings!

 

I want to book this!

Includes
* 15 nights camping
* Entrance fees
* Use of camping equipment (except sleeping bags & pillow)
* Transport in 4WD / safari truck & minibus
* Meals as per itinerary
* Professional guide
* Okavango Delta excursion

Price: US$ 1 874 pps + local payment of US$ 300 (valid Jan 2011 - Dec 2011). Single tent supplement: US$ 107 pp (If you are traveling on your own, we will "room" you with another same gender client. You do not pay extra when booking as a single person. If however you request a single tent, then you'll pay the single tent supplement. Single tent supplement is applicable to camping nights only. On accommodated nights clients will share with same gender client.)

2011 DEPARTURE DATES: 03-Sep-11 18-Sep-11, 01-Oct-11 16-Oct-11, 29-Oct-11 13-Nov-11, 26-Nov-11 11-Dec-11, 24-Dec-11 08-Jan-12
* Bold dates are guaranteed departures; all other dates are guaranteed from 4 clients.

Accommodation
* Camping - for 13 nights on safari we stay at designated campsites in national parks, on private land and in towns. Campsite facilities are generally very good but in places can be basic. There are hot and cold showers, restaurants, washing facilities and telephones available at most of the campsites. Some camps in Zimbabwe & Botswana have simple reed enclosures for showers but do have flush toilets!
Operator supplies all the camping equipment with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow. The dome tents we use are 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.8 meters and putting them up or down takes only 5 minutes. Tents have built-in insect nets. We supply mattresses, which are about 5 cm thick, warm and comfortable. The camp chairs have a backrest.
* Wild camping - for 2 nights while in the Okavango Delta we camp wild. Wild camps have no facilities; we will need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. Toilets will be of the "dig and bury" variety and a simple bucket bush shower will be provided.

Transport
* On foot - easy to moderate walks throughout the tour - Zimbabwe Ruins, Matopos, Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta. Duration from ½ - 4 hours.
* Mokoro - In the Okavango we use mokoro (dugout canoes), "poled" by our local guides, 2 people and their kit per mokoro.
* Open Game drives - for game viewing activities in Hwange National Park we use an open game viewing 4WD vehicle with trailer. The vehicle has canvas roof and sides, which are rolled up when ever possible, to allow for the best possible game viewing experience. (Remember to bring a warm jacket for the chilly early morning game drives!) The transfer into the delta is also with an open 4WD vehicle. This allows us the opportunity to really feel part of the bush, the smells, sounds and of course great views!
* Vehicle - for longer distance travel, we use custom-built Safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats. Comfortable touring and good for game viewing. Large, sliding windows and viewing hatches give everyone a good view; or Toyota Hiace minibuses with 10 forward facing seats (roof rack and trailer for equipment and baggage). There are a couple of long days of travelling but the vehicles have a comfortable cruising speed. The emphasis of the trip is "getting out and doing things".

Local Payment
A local payment is required on this safari and this will be collected by your tour leader on departure. The local payment forms part of your overall tour cost, and must be taken into consideration when booking your safari. It will be used by your tour leaders to pay for some of the operational costs incurred on safari. We prepay by bank transfer, as many of the tour costs as possible. However, in many cases, a cash payment is the only option: certain of the destinations that we visit, only accept cash. For example entry fees to most national parks, some of the campsites and also local food markets (and even some shops) are only payable in cash. In addition, each vehicle has a garage card but these are only accepted in South Africa and parts of Namibia, therefore in all other countries, fuel must be paid for in cash. Due to the remoteness of some departure points, having a local payment system enables us to manage tour funds effectively. The efficiency of this system helps keep the overall tour prices down. For these reasons, it is necessary to charge a local payment. It also ensures that a portion of the tour costs goes directly into the country you are visiting, thereby benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the areas we visit. This is all part of our ongoing effort to operate sustainable safaris that make a real difference.

Participation
An essential part of your Safari is participation - from putting up your tent or packing away in the morning to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up - it's all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun!

Food
We pride ourselves on giving very good healthy meals to our clients and will provide three meals per day, except 5 dinners and 2 lunches in Maun, Kasane & Victoria Falls where we try out local restaurants. The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: Breakfast - cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast, Lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls, Dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided.
We do cater for special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies.)
We will supply fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be for your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour.

Difficulty
Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip. Simple campsites and basic wild camps are enjoyed by the outdoor enthusiast, you will get dusty on occasion; but this is Africa! Full itinerary with a couple of long driving days. The road conditions through the wilderness areas a very poor and our progress can at times be slow and dusty. Remember to hold on at all times and enjoy the ride! Everyone is asked to help out with the running of camp on tour. In other words if everyone spends a little time setting up camp, preparing meals and cleaning up then the tour will run smoothly and everyone will have a good time. Participation is the name of the game.

Things you should know
* Includes park entrances, game drives and the Okavango Delta excursion.
* As this tour spends most a large amount of time in wildlife areas it is essential that clients adhere to the tour leaders (and local guides) instructions regarding interaction with wildlife, camp safety and game walk/drive rules.
* You will need a valid passport and visas for entry into Zambia, and Botswana and re-entering South Africa.
* Luggage, please pack to a limit of 12kgs in a soft sports tog bag. Also bring daypack for walks and keeping in the vehicle.
* We recommend that you bring Euro, US$ or South African Rand for personal expenses on this trip but please note that foreign currency will need to changed into Botswana Pula as shops, restaurants and market vendors only accept BWP. Expenses in Victoria Falls can be paid in US$ or South African Rand and major credit cards can also be used for optional activities. Traveler's cheques can be changed in Victoria Falls, Kasane and Maun (although in Zimbabwe travellers cheques attract a very high commission).

Common questions about this trip
1. Can I buy camera film & memory cards? Film, memory cards and other photographic accessories will be available several times on tour. A camera with a zoom lens from wide angle to telephoto, 35-200mm, is advisable to capture both scenic and wildlife shots. Each vehicle is fitted with a 12/220V inverter - this can be used while the vehicle is running (but will drain the vehicle battery if left plugged in), so this should only be relied on for limited charging of camera batteries and we recommend you bring a 2nd battery. Remember you can also charge your camera on those nights were we stay in permanent campsites (Kruger, Matobos, Vic Falls, Kasane & Maun) (SA 220V)

2. Is it safe? Zimbabwe has been involved in a political power struggle over the past few years, and this has deterred tourists from travelling to the country. Having said this, the Zimbabwe people are always friendly and helpful to visitors to their country and tourists are welcome with open arms. Botswana is safe and your guide knows both countries intimately and will endeavor to show you the best parts while looking after you. In the wild areas your guide will brief you on the necessary precautions, follow this advice and you will be fine. Be aware of your personal belongings and you will have a great trip!

3. Do I need malaria tablets? Yes, the trip passes through malaria areas and prophylactics are recommended.

4. What do I need to bring? All details are covered in our general tour briefing but the basics are: - a warm sleeping bag, comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, flash light, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, a small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly - a sense of adventure!

Why Travel with this operator?

* Small groups - by travelling with a maximum of 12 people, you are able to witness Africa and have first hand contact with this amazing continent and it's people without being a negative influence. This has been a key factor in our continued success. Our trips appeal to a wide variety of ages. The average is 37 - with most being aged 25 to 60. The range of travellers gives a variety of perspectives which adds to the experience of each safari.

* 2 tour guides - group leaders are the key to any safari. On this safari you will travel with 2 qualified and registered field guides (FGASA). 2 guides as crew, not a guide and a driver, means maximum knowledge, informative and interesting trips. Our guides have a passion for Africa, her people and her wildlife, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with our guests.

* All inclusive price - All of the entrance fees are included and a wide range of activities, and most meals. We have included as many highlights in our tours, so that you will see and experience the highlights without having to pay extra when you get there. So when you decide on which safari company to book with, look carefully at what you're actually getting. You may only visit a place once, make sure you get the most out of it.

* Safety - All of our vehicles are custom built to ensure comfortable and safe touring. Each is constructed, by an authorised passenger vehicle builder, to the latest safety requirements, with a safety shell, and every seat has a lap belt. This gives you peace of mind when travelling with Sunway Safaris on the often demanding African roads.

* Responsible travel - Our commitment to sustainable & responsible tourism is reflected in our low impact travel style where all we take is photographs and all we leave is our footprints. Being an African company we have the grassroots contacts to make a real difference in the lives of the people whose lands we visit.

* Experience - We have more than 16 years experience in planning tours throughout Southern Africa. As such, our itineraries and routes have been perfected over many years ensuring that your tour will run smoothly. We visit the highlights of Southern Africa, but ensure that you do not follow the well trodden tourist track. All of us at Sunway Safaris have extensive travel experience in Africa, and throughout the world.
" Being adventure travellers ourselves, we know how to plan trips that give you a broad experience of the countries that you will visit.

* Based in Africa - probably the most important part of this safari is that we are an African company. We live in Africa, we travel in Africa and it is our passion for this amazing continent that makes us your best travel option.