A genuine mobile safari for those looking for a more adventurous safari experience in Botswana. This outstanding full-service mobile safari gives you an opportunity to gain an insight into areas and wildlife not necessarily available on a typical fly-in safari. The standard of guiding is exceptional, and some departures are operated as 'photographic safaris' conducted by a specialist guide. Maximum group size is 7 and accommodation is in comfortable tents with a decent (customised) camp bed and bedding, with an en-suite 'bush bathroom’. There is no participation required in camp chores as this is very much a full service safari - you will still sit down to a proper (and tasty) meal with a glass of wine (or two!) each evening. Without wishing to be melodramatic, and based on feedback from previous participants, it may well also change your life!
On arrival into Maun you will be met for your 30 minute charter flight to the Moremi Game Reserve where you will be met by your guide. Your first three nights are spent in the Xakanaxa region, exploring the surrounding wilderness on morning and afternoon game drives. Moremi lies on the eastern extremity of the Okavango Delta. Habitats here range from wide-open floodplains, marshes, lagoons, papyrus fringed channels, vast stands of Miscanthus and Phragmites, woodland and savannah. As a result of the extremely variable habitat the diversity of both wildlife and birdlife is excellent.
Moremi is amongst the best game reserves in Africa for viewing the endangered African wild dog. Xakanaxa is home to a resident herd of several hundred buffalo whose range covers the territories of at least 4 prides of lion which may often be seen flanking the ever moving herd. Breeding herds of elephant move between their browsing areas in the mopane forests and the fresh water of the Okavango. Red lechwe are one of the more unusual antelope species and commonly found here, while the rare sitatunga antelope may be spotted from motor boat along the water-ways.
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Following an early morning breakfast you take a slow drive through Moremi Game Reserve North-East towards the Khwai Community Area. The Manuchira Channel is the Khwai River at its eastern most extremity and the day’s journey follows this water course, with the track weaving from the riverside and floodplains into the mopane veld and the woodlands that make Khwai one of the most scenic areas of the Okavango Delta. You will pass the magnificent Dombo Hippo Pools in the morning stopping to enjoy the scenery and the antics of the resident hippo. The western mopane veld is home to mostly breeding herds of elephant whilst the eastern reaches of Khwai is home to some impressive old bulls. The mature bulls revel in the cool waters of the Khwai and are far more approachable while drinking and bathing than the breeding herds. Leopard, cheetah, serval and lion are common predators along this route.
Spend the following two nights camping at an exclusive campsite in the community area, exploring the Khwai floodplains on game drives both during the day and at night. Exploring after dark with spotlights offers you an opportunity to experience some of the nocturnal animals that are rarely encountered during the day. You will also have the opportunity to explore the surrounding wilderness on foot and enjoy an up close and personal encounter with Botswana’s flora and fauna.
The Khwai region boasts excellent populations of both bull elephant as well as breeding herds. Lion, leopard, serval and African wildcat are common predators of the region with wild dog and cheetah being less common. Ungulates (hoofed animals) include tsesebe, blue wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, sable antelope, roan antelope and impala. This area is also one of Botswana birding Mecca’s.
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Head further north en-route to Chobe National Park, were you spend the following three nights camping in an exclusive wilderness campsite in the Savuti region. This is a fascinating days drive looking at some of the evidence of the Paleo-Lake Makgadikgadi that dried up some ten thousand years ago. The most challenging part of the trip is crossing the Magwikwe Sand-ridge that formed the shoreline for this massive inland sea. The winding track through this deep sand makes for interesting travel in the early summer! During the rainy season the depression is impassable due to the “cotton soil” and alternative routes must be used. The range of habitat that is covered encompasses most of the habitat types of northern Botswana. Pass through excellent lion country and some of the best cheetah country that this safari will cover. Elephant occur throughout the drive.
Unlike the vast majority of the country, Savuti is not flat landscape. Large outcrops of volcanic rock reach up out of the Kalahari sands, towering over the endless savannah. These hills provide habitat for a completely different array of small wildlife, birds and plants. The Savuti Marsh has been the stage for many of the most dramatic wildlife documentaries in Africa. The wide open country, good ungulate populations and particularly strong prides of lion and hyaena clans make for dramatic wildlife interaction and excellent viewing opportunities. The now dry Savuti Channel runs through this landscape linking the dry sand-veld, the waterholes, the hills and the grassland that was the Savuti Marsh. Undoubtedly it is the interaction between lion and elephant that is the most interesting aspect of Savuti, the area is inhabited by a large pride of lions. These remarkable lion have learned over the years how to hunt these massive pachyderms that are supposedly above predation, launching their attack under darkness and using their numbers, they manage to kill adolescent and even young adult elephant.
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On your final day on safari you will leave Savuti to travel along the Chobe River arriving at Chobe Safari Lodge where you will stop for lunch before taking a leisurely afternoon boat cruise to end your safari. You can extend this trip in the Kasane/Caprivi area or at Victoria Falls.
If you don’t opt to extend your stay in Chobe or Victoria Falls, you will transfer to the airport in time for your return overnight flight to the UK, via Johannesburg.
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Where prices are shown for a travel itinerary, they are intended to give you some guidance as to what is possible and to help you budget. They are accurate at the time of being published, but they are not definitive rates and are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking.
There are also many offers, value adds, discounts and specials throughout the year. Honeymoon offers, wedding packages, early booking offers, free nights, discounted airfares and more - contact us for full details. Please note that holidays which do not fall completely within a price or date band may be subject to increase or decrease.
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London Heathrow > OR Tambo International | ± 11hrs |
| OR Tambo International > Maun | ± 2hrs | |
| Kasane > OR Tambo International | ± 2hrs | |
| OR Tambo International > London Heathrow | ± 11hrs | |
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Maun > Moremi Game Reserve | ± 30mins |
| Xakanaxa > Khwai | ± 4hrs | |
| Khwai > Savuti | ± 6hrs | |
| Savuti > Chobe River / Safari End | ± 5hrs | |
| Note: These times are estimates and are dependant on flights and accommodation selections. | ||
Traditionalists would maintain that this is the proper way to do a safari in Africa, and we find it hard to disagree. We fully understand that this style of trip is not for everyone, and don't just book it because it's cheaper than a lodge / fly-in safari in Botswana. But if you are of a mind to do this kind of trip then we are of the firm belief that this is one of the very best safaris that we offer. The guides are top quality, and the experience is truly extraordinary. And of course Botswana is one of the best safari destination in Africa, so what's not to like?!
An Alternative Itinerary - Take the shorter 6-night mobile tented safari in Botswana, then spend 2 nights in the Chobe or Eastern Caprivi region, before continuing to Victoria Falls for 2 or 3 nights.
"We all had a fabulous time on our trip to Africa – thank you very much for your support in organising it."
JUNE 2014
"The holiday exceeded our expectations in seeing wildlife on the safari, excellent guide and camp staff, the camp meals were outstanding."
OCTOBER 2014
| EXCELLENT | GOOD | FAIR |
Chris
Shelley
James
Chania
Lee-Anne
Rebecca
Laura
Kirsty
Storm
Molly
Wendy
Katie
Stacey
Natasha
One of our experienced specialists are looking forward to sharing this wonderful country with you.
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