The Great Botswana Journey
THE GREAT BOTSWANA JOURNEY SUMMARY
The Great Botswana Journey takes time to experience the world-famous Victoria Falls on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River and explore Botswana’s scenic northern areas: from the blue-green wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the diverse and wildlife-rich Linyanti and Chobe River systems. Accommodation includes a combination of Wilderness Safaris camps and fully serviced camping, all in private concession areas.
The group is limited to a maximum of 8 guests and an experienced, knowledgeable and passionate guide travels with the guests throughout the safari.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Toka Leya Camp, Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Livingstone, Zambia
After arrival in Livingstone you will be met by a representative and transferred directly for a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 metres (5604 ft) wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops 103 metres (338 ft) into the basalt depths of the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
Toka Leya Camp is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in the eastern sector of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, some 12 kms(7.46 miles) up from the Victoria Falls. The camp consists of 12 safari-style tents, each en-suite with a view of the magnificent Zambezi River and some of its islands.
Days 2 – 5: Chobe National Park and Linyanti Discoverer Camp, Linyanti Concession
After a full breakfast we leave Toka Leya and transfer by road to Livingstone Airport. On leaving Zambia, we fly over the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet.
Enjoy a leisurely shaded boat cruise along the Chobe River, with a light lunch. This boat cruise offers a unique opportunity to observe puku, large herds of elephant, numerous pods of hippo and large crocodiles, as well as enjoying fantastic views of other general game and diverse birdlife.
We then depart by light aircraft transfer to the private Linyanti Concession. After a short game drive we arrive at our private Discoverer camp, which is elegantly set up under African ebony and knobthorn trees overlooking panoramic vistas of the Linyanti Swamps.
The landscape of the Linyanti varies from floodplains to open dry land savannah and forest with sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. Activities include game drives in the private northern sector of the concession, exploring a range of habitats, from riverbanks to scrub and forest, which reveal a myriad of wildlife en route to slake their thirst from the river. The seldom-seen sitatunga can also be spotted in the waterways, as well as rare roan and sable antelope, plains game and of course their predators, the lion and leopard – with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus.
To complete the experience, it is possible to enjoy a full-day excursion to the Savute Channel, with lunch at a scenic setting. This spectacular day gives guests a real understanding of the geology of Northern Botswana, the relationship with the Great African Rift Valley and the chink in the faultline, where the Savute Channel begins. This channel, now flowing for the first time in three decades has resulted in water reaching into the heart of Chobe National Park through the Linyanti Reserve…and game viewing is as a result both diverse and abundant.
Days 5 – 8: Khwai Discoverer Camp, Okavango Delta
Depart by light aircraft to Khwai Discoverer Camp, located in a private concession just north of the Khwai River above the Moremi Game Reserve.
The Khwai Concession is one of the most diverse areas in northern Botswana which seldom disappoints when it comes to producing extraordinary wildlife experiences. The life source for this area is the Khwai River – the northernmost “finger” of the Okavango Delta alluvial fan, which provides vital sustenance to numerous animals.
The wonderful mix of acacia, leadwood trees and mopane woodland together with the permanent presence of water, attracts large numbers of elephant to the area. Larger predators include lion, wild dog and spotted hyaena, while birdlife found here is varied.
Accommodation is in 6.3m x 3.5m (20.67 ft x 11.48 ft) walk-in canvas tents (maximum of two guests per tent). The tents are airy and designed to recreate the accommodation style of the early explorers, with richly coloured teak director chairs and minimalist interiors. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mokoro excursions.
Days 8 – 11: Jacana Camp, Okavango Delta
After breakfast we fly by light aircraft over the shimmering water-world of the Okavango Delta to the beautiful Jacana Camp.
Lush Jacana Camp is situated in a permanently flooded region of the private Jao Concession of the Okavango Delta. A true water camp, it represents the essence of the Delta, with year-round mokoro safaris as well as island bush walks and, water levels permitting, motorboat cruises.
