Great Adventure Trips

Botswana

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

8 Day Botswana Lodge Explorer

A fully accommodated 3* lodge safari from Maun to Livingstone through Botswana and Zambia

Highlights
Maun, Khwai River Night Game Drive, Mokoro Excursion, Moremi Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Pans, Sunset Cruise on Chobe River in Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls

DAY 1: Maun to Khwai River, Botswana LD
Safari departs from Maun Airport.Departure time at 10h00! A late morning departure takes us from Maun to a private concession in the Khwai River area to Mogothlo Camp. This evening we go on a night game drive in the concession. This area lies between Moremi and Chobe and we will have the opportunity to spot a variety of nocturnal animals.
Distance: 100 km Departure: 10h00
Accommodation: Mogothlo Camp (Tented en-suite Chalets, Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool)

DAY 2: Khwai River, Botswana BLD
Today we spend a full day in the bush on a game drive. Departing after breakfast we take our 4x4 and drive through the wilderness area of the Khwai region spotting a variety of game that frequent this region that borders Moremi and Chobe. Picnic-lunch will be in the wilderness area. With some luck we'll see the Big Five.
Distance: +/-150 km Departure: 08h00
Accommodation: Mogothlo Camp (Tented en-suite Chalets, Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool)

DAY 3: Mokoro Trip, Okavango Delta, Botswana BLD
After breakfast we leave the camp for Mboma Boat station. From here, we will float in Mokoros through the thick vegetation of the Okavango Delta discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. Unlike other Delta's in the world, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast, which makes it unique.
Distance: +/-150 km Departure: 08h00
Accommodation: Mogothlo Camp (Tented en-suite Chalets, Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool)

DAY 4: Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana BLD
After having explored the Khwai area we now head into the famous Moremi game reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve.
Distance: 150 km Departure: 08h00
Accommodation: Mogothlo Camp (Tented en-suite Chalets, Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool)

DAY 5: Khwai River - Maun - Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana BLD
After breakfast we head for Maun for a quick stopover and then onto Nata Lodge, lying close to the Makgadikgadi Pans. En route we will stop at the pans to have a closer look and to appreciate the wide-open, uninhabited spaces under the endless canopy of blue sky. Once we have settled in our lodge, we take part in a 1-hour quad bike tour with local guides, learning about the history, flora and fauna of the area.
Distance: 350 km Departure: 08h00
Accommodation: Nata Lodge (Luxury en-suite Safari Tents, Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool)

DAY 6: Makgadikgadi Pans - Chobe National Park, Botswana BLD
Today we make our way to Kubu Lodge on the Chobe River. Once we have reached the Lodge and settled into our accommodation, we enjoy the rest of the afternoon on a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, lions, crocodiles and a variety of birds and more without having to reach for our binoculars - You'll be close enough for close-up photographs.
Distance: 410 km Departure: 08h00
Accommodation: Kubu Lodge (En-suite Chalets, Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool)

DAY 7: Chobe National Park, Botswana - Livingstone, Zambia BLD
A morning departure takes you from Kubu Lodge into Zambia. We will cross the Zambezi River by ferry and drive to Maramba Lodge, where we will spend the night. This afternoon we explore the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, on a guided walk.
Distance: 80 km Departure: 08h00
Accommodation: Marama Lodge Lodge (En-suite Chalets, Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool)

DAY 8: End of Tour B
Depending on your departure flight details you will be taken to Livingstone Airport for your onward flight. We hope to welcome you on one of our lodge safaris again soon.

Meal Key B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner

Group size Minimum: 2, Maximum: 10

2009 Per Person Rate: 2-3 people: US$ 3835.00, 4+ people: US$ 2650.00 Single Supplement: US$ 315.00.
If 2 people book together NOW on our Botswana Lodge Safari, tour price is now:USD 3550 for 2-3 people or USD 2650 for 4 people)! This safari takes you to Moremi Game Reserve, the Okavango Delta, Khwai River, Makgadigkadi Pans, Chobe National Park and the Victoria Falls on any of our departures between the 1st September and the 31st December.

Departure Dates 2009: June: 07 / 21 , July: 05 , August: 09 , September: 06 / 20, October: 04 , November: 08, December: 13

Included in the price
All transport in fully kitted 4x4 safari vehicle, game drives as mentioned, meals and activities as mentioned in itinerary, park entrance fees, experienced local guide & driver.

Not included in the price
Optional scenic flight over delta, travel insurance, flights, pre and post tour accommodation, all drinks, tips and curios.

Pre and post tour accommodation and transfers can be arranged on request.
Standard Room, Croc Camp (Maun) = From US$ 110 pp Sharing (BB). From US$ 155 pp Single (BB)
One way Airport transfer (Maun Airport) = US$ 25 pp (based on a minimum of 2 people)
Standard Chalet, Maramba Lodge (Livingstone)= From US$ 60 pp Sharing (BB) From US$ 90 pp Single (BB)
One way Airport Transfer (Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone)= U$16 pp (based on minimum of 2 people)
Departure:

Transport: a fully equipped Toyota Landcruiser or other appropraiate vehicles with comfortable seating, windows for game viewing and a music system. An off-road trailer is fitted with a field kitchen. All luggage is carried on the vehicle or trailer roof racks to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle.
Accommodation: Accommodation on our lodge safaris is in 3* chalets or permanent en-suite tents.
Spending money: Clients are advised to bring enough money to cover the purchase of curios, tips, alcoholic drinks and additional entertainment. US Dollars, Pound Sterling and Botswana Pula are the most practical and convenient currencies.
Meals: Breakfasts and dinners will be in restaurants at the various accommodation establishments. Lunch packs are provided for driving days and excursions. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.
First Aid: Our guides are trained in basic first aid and the vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive medical aid kit. Preventative Malaria medication should be taken before the trip and throughout its duration. It is advisable to consult a doctor prior to departure.
Luggage: Maximum baggage allowance: 12 kg. Jenman Safaris stipulates this luggage allowance, as an overloaded vehicle is a danger to both the clients and the guide. This does not include photographic equipment and a small daypack. Please bring a backpack or soft barrel bag, not a suitcase. Don't bring too much clothing, as there are washing opportunities along the way. Please adhere to the allowance specified as space for luggage is limited.
Insurance:It is compulsory for all travelers to have insurance covering their personal requirements, medical expenses and personal possessions. This is to be arranged before leaving your home country.
Participation: The Botswana Lodge Explorer Safari is a non-participation safari
Visas: The onus is on the client to organize all visas required to visit Zambia, Namibia and Botswana prior to departure.

Makgadikgadi Pans
The lesser-known Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is situated between Maun and Nata in Botswana. The shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi are the size of Switzerland and most of the time appear as a glaring, white, endless plain. When the rain comes a dramatic change takes place as the pans come to life with frantically feeding water birds and great herds of game. The best time to visit this area to coincide with the migration is from December to March or in the dry season from April to October when the pans are dry.
The park contains four main vegetation types: riverine woodland, scrubland, pure grassland and saltpans. The pans support palm groves and peculiar looking Baobab trees whose branches look more like roots, giving rise to the name 'upside down tree'. These are interspersed with short spiky yellow grass found on rises between the pans, known as 'prickley salt grass'. This grass is extremely saline resistant to the extent that salt crystals can sometimes be seen on the leaves. The interior of the reserve comprises scrub and grassland with a few 'islands' of Real Fan Palms and Camel-thorn Acacia.
From April to November game such as Springbok, Gemsbok, Wildebeest and Zebra move slowly from the pans area in the south east of the park, to the Boteti River in the west. During this migration animals accumulate in their thousands. The heavily wooded areas beside the river also contain shy antelopes like Duiker and Bushbuck.

Moremi
In the centre of the Okavango Delta is the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, a 3,000 km2 paradise. Proclaimed a wildlife reserve by the Tswana people in 1963, Moremi is undoubtedly one of the world's most pristine wilderness areas. The foresight of the local community has ensured that nature has flourished undisturbed, offering a glimpse of the divine, a veritable Garden of Eden. Moremi is a place of lily-covered wetlands, grass plains and forests, where even at the busiest time of year you're likely to be the only spectators at a most dramatic animal sighting.
Moremi consists of a network of waterways surrounding two large islands, Chiefs Island in the west and Mopane Tongue in the east. The area's diverse ecosystems, riverine woodland, flood plains, wetlands and reed beds, mopane forest and dry savannah woodland are all flourishing, broken only by the occasional jeep track. This diversity of habitats provides rich pickings for an impressive variety of animals and around 550 bird species. As Moremi is a fenced reserve, game viewing is impressive throughout the year. However, the cool dry winter months from March to September are an ideal time to visit, as the chances of seeing lion, elephant, leopard, hyena, eland, kudu, roan antelope, giraffe, zebra, impala and buffalo are excellent. On the sandy riverbanks and wetlands, sightings of hippo and crocodile are commonplace.

Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta in northern Botswana (near Maun) incorporates the Moremi Game Reserve and is a unique wildlife paradise - one of the finest in the world. It is also one of the largest inland river deltas in the world. This unsurpassed natural environment is a maze of waterways, islands and reed banks creating a perfect habitat for lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, hyena, wild dog, kudu, impala, roan, zebra, lechwe, hippo and crocodile, amongst others. There are approx 440 bird species in the delta and fish species are also abundant, including tiger fish, sharp-toothed catfish, barbell and bream.
Travel through the swamps and surrounding areas is generally done by open 4x4 game viewing vehicle or a peaceful meander in a 'Mokoro', a flat-bottomed dugout canoe.
The Delta is hot throughout the year with temperatures ranging from approx 14°C in January to 24°C in July. Rainfall averages 525 mm annually, but varies greatly from year to year. Water levels and flooding reach a maximum between March and July, after rains at the source and the usual 15 000 km2 can expand to approximately 22 000 km2 in high-rainfall years.
Savuti

Chobe National Park
Chobe is approx 11 000 km2 of wilderness area watered by the Chobe & Savuti Rivers and thus attracting huge concentrations of game. This includes lion and some of the highest concentration of elephant in Africa - an estimated population of around 25 000 in winter. Game viewing is renowned and in the Northern areas near Kasane, both the riverboat game viewing experience and the 4x4 vehicle option are popular.
In addition the spectacular annual summer migrations of plains game, especially Zebra, is a highlight, as well Giraffe, Warthog and numerous antelope including Sable, Roan, Oribi, Reedbuck, Lechwe and the colourful Chobe Bushbuck.
Bird watching opportunities in Chobe are ample and include some 350 species including the awesome African Fish Eagle, the rare Pell's Fishing Owl, Saddle-billed Storks, Long-toed Plovers, Pink-backed Pelicans, African Skimmers, Bradfield's Hornbills and Carmine Bee-eaters. In addition, the sunsets are spectacular.

ZAMBIA
To explore Zambia is to step back into the untamed Africa of legend. It is the real Africa with vast, unspoiled wilderness areas waiting to be discovered. The country is shaped by three great rivers, bordered by three breathtaking lakes and sheltered by big, big skies. It is a land that beckons adventurers and those who prefer to avoid the busy tourist destinations.
While thrill seekers can try the white water frenzy of the Zambezi River or the adrenaline choked bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge, Zambia also offers fine wildlife safaris. It is a place for an African walking safari with great hiking trails, glorious sunsets, friendly people, ancient traditions and mystic legends, and of nature at its wildest and most exquisite.

Victoria Falls
'So lovely it must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight' said David Livingstone of the supreme Mosi-oa-Tunya ('The smoke that thunders'). This legendary traveler first saw the Falls from the Zambian side and his memory is enshrined in the nearby town of Livingstone. The views from the Zimbabwean & Zambian side are quite different, varying dramatically depending on the season and water flow.
The Falls are over a mile in length and boast the largest curtain of water in the world - over 500 million litres of water per minute casade over the falls and drop 100 m at Rainbow Falls on the Zambian side. Not surprisingly is it the seventh natural wonder of the world and fast becoming one of the top adventure destinations in the world.
The river is divided into a series of braided channels that descend in many separate falls. Below the Falls the river enters a narrow series of gorges, which represent locations successively occupied by the falls earlier in their history. Since the uplifting of the Makgadikgadi Pan area some two million years ago, the Zambezi River has been cutting through the basalt base rock, exploiting weak fissures, and forming a series of retreating gorges. Seven previous waterfalls occupied the seven gorges below the present falls, and Devil's Cataract in Zimbabwe is where the next cut back will form a new waterfall that will eventually leave the present falls lip high above the river in the gorge below.