Great Adventure Trips

Botswana

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

THE LEOPARD SAFARI

16 NIGHT/17 DAY SAFARI

The Leopard Safari provides a comprehensive and broad travelling experience throughout Botswana - introducing you to one of the oldest cultures in the world, the San Bushman, before enjoying the magical Okavango Delta and exploring Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park.

HIGHLIGHTS:
" Bushman Experience (Haina)
" 4 nights Central Kalahari Game Reserve
" 1 overnight at a comfortable lodge in Maun
" Central Okavango Delta & mokoro excursions
" Motorboat in the Delta
" Optional Game/Scenic Delta flight (EUR 100 per person, subject to change)
" 3 nights Moremi Game Reserve
" 3 nights Chobe National Park
" Optional visit to the Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia (USD 10, subject to change)
" 1 night at a comfortable lodge in Livingstone, Zambia

Please note: As the safari starts at 07h30 on Day 1 it is a requirement that you pre-night in Maun and purchase drinks for your safari the day before your safari starts. Bush Ways Safaris can assist with pre-safari arrangements.

Day 1: Haina - Bushman Experience, camping
The safari begins in Maun, where your guide will meet you at 07h30 at a pre-arranged meeting point. You will travel 170km to a game farm on the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game reserve, set up camp and have a safari briefing. In the afternoon you will participate in a nature walk led by local Bushmen trackers. They will share their intricate bush knowledge and give you an insight into their unique and intriguing culture. (L, D)
Day 1: Maun - Game Farm in Hainaveld (northern border CKGR) : 170km, 4h

Days 2-5: Central Kalahari Game Reserve, camping
You will wake up as the sun rises and enter the pristine wilderness of the largest game reserve in Botswana. (45km) The next four days will be exploring the undeveloped wilderness of the northern region of the Kalahari, moving from camp to camp. You will visit Passarge Valley and Deception Valley in your exploration of the Kalahari. Savour the vast open spaces, clear night skies and uninterrupted beauty on game drives and at camp. This is adventure camping in its purest form as water and communications are limited and we travel as a self-sufficient group. Camping is in a designated campsite with fixed/bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Day 2: Game Farm in Hainaveld - Central Kalahari Game Reserve: 120km, 6-7h (including game drive)
Days 3-5: Extended game drives

Day 6: Maun, comfortable lodge
After our final morning game drive in the Kalahari we break camp and return to Maun where one night will be enjoyed in the comfort of a lodge. Dinner is at your own expense at the lodge. (B, L)
Deception Valley, Central Kalahari - Maun: 340km, 5-6h

Day 7-8: Okavango Delta, camping
Your adventure will take you in a north westerly direction from Maun to the western side of the Okavango Delta, a special corner of paradise. Once you have reached the edge of the Delta, you will transfer your equipment to motorboats and cruise along the narrow papyrus-lined channels enjoying the exquisite birdlife of the region as well as the stunning landscape. Deeper in the Delta you will meet the local polers with their mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe) and enjoy a tranquil transfer to an island. You will spend two days exploring this beautiful area on mokoro excursions and taking guided walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango. You will camp wild with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Maun - Okavango Delta: 320km, 4h

Day 9: Maun, camping
Inspired by the beauty of the Okavango, you will retrace your route to Maun. You will have the option of taking a scenic flight over the Delta to return to Maun (1hr scenic flight is EUR 100 per person, min. 3 guests to guarantee the flight). This magical experience provides another perspective of the Okavango Delta's unique water system and if you choose to take the flight, you will enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the Delta campsite writing postcards or reading a book while you wait for your afternoon flight. Your guide will travel back to Maun with the vehicle to re-supply for the next stage of your adventure. After collecting you at the airport, you will shop for drinks and then spend the night at a campsite just outside Maun with permanent ablution facilities. (B, L, D)
Okavango Delta - Maun: 320km, 4h

Days 10-12: Moremi Game Reserve, camping
From Maun you will drive through to Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After your morning game drive you will return to camp for lunch and a siesta. Camping will be in private designated campsites with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Maun - Moremi Game Reserve: 150km, 6h (including game drive)

Days 13-15: Chobe National Park, camping
Chobe National Park, with its diverse and striking landscapes, will be your next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, you will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. You will then head northwards to the Chobe River where your 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)
Day 13: Moremi - Savuti: 120km. 5-6h
Day 14: Savuti - Chobe River: 170km, 5h

Days 16-17 A comfortable lodge in Livingstone
After a morning game drive you will cross the Zambezi River by ferry and then drive to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner will be at your own expense at the lodge. The safari officially ends at 10h00 on Day 17. Bush Ways is happy to arrange post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Livingstone airport or lodges, Victoria Falls airport or lodges or Kasane, Botswana, at an additional cost. Activities in Livingstone include White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, Canoeing on the upper Zambezi, Elephant rides and Helicopter Flights over the Victoria Falls, please ask your guide for further details.
Day 16 - B, L & Day 17 B only
Day 16: Chobe River - Livingstone: 100km, 2-3h (including transition of the border)

2009 Dates: 14 May - 30 May, 04 Jun - 20 Jun, 02 Jul - 18 Jul, 16 Jul - 01 Aug, 30 Jul - 15 Aug, 13 Aug - 29 Aug, 10 Sep - 26 Sep, 08 Oct - 24 Oct, 22 Oct - 07 Nov, 05 Nov - 21 Nov, 17 Dec - 02 Jan

2009 Prices: High Season (July-Oct.) €2165 • Low Season (Nov.-June) €2050

Price includes:
All accommodation (spacious bow tents with mattresses), rooms at a comfortable 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 Botswana park fees for activities included on itinerary and transport in specialised safari vehicles.

Does not include:
Restaurant meals (Maun or Livingstone, Zambia), entrance to the Falls, visas, airport transfers, tips, curios, optional excursions (scenic flight over the Delta and activities in Livingstone/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.