BOT04 - 15 Day Lion Trail Camping Safari

Interested in a tour of Botswana? This is a semi-participation camping safari in Botswana. This stunning safari in Botswana covers some of the most adventurous and exciting wilderness areas in Botswana. The route takes in the following: Kasane, Chobe National Park, Nxai Pans National Park, Maun, Okavango Delta, Maun, Moremi Game Reserve, back to the Chobe National Park and finally Livingstone, home of the magnificent Victoria Falls. The scheduled departure dates are located below. We require a minimum of two guests and can accommodate a maximum of twelve. Enjoy incredible Botswana, Africa's home of peace and diversity.

Elephants are probably the most common sighting in Chobe National Park.

The Route
Kasane - Chobe National Park - Nxai Pans National Park - Maun - Okavango Delta - Maun - Moremi Game Reserve - Chobe National Park - Livingstone (Victoria Falls)

Departures
Scheduled departure dates can be found below

Guests
Minimum 2 - Maximum 12



Day 1 of the tour
The tour starts at 13:00 at Kasane in northern Botswana, where a full briefing and orientation is given. Transfers can be organised from Livingstone, Victoria Falls or Kasane airports - please contact us to arrange pre-tour arrangements. In the afternoon we take a boat cruise on the Chobe River, with a chance to spot elephants, hippos and other animals languishing in and along the river. We camp on the banks of the Chobe River at a site with permanent ablution facilities.

Overnight:     Camping - Chobe (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)



Days 2-3 of the tour
Rising with the sun, our route takes us 500 kilometres south to Nxai Pan National Park where sweet grasses host a variety of wildlife. We stop en-route for a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park before getting to our campsite. We set up bush ablution facilities and overnight two nights in the same campsite. Next day we explore Nxai Pan and enjoy the plains which can be dotted with grazing herds of impala and springbok. In the afternoon we will visit the magnificent Baines Baobabs. These regal trees, immortalised by the explorer Baines’ painting, are situated on the edge of an expansive saltpan. Camping with be at a private designated campsite with bush ablutions.

Distance/ Time:     Kasane - Nxai Pan: 500km, 6 hours

Overnight:     Camping - Nxai Pan National Park (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)



Day 4 of the tour
After enjoying a morning game drive, we leave Nxai Pan and continue our tour to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Here we have time to visit the shops and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. We camp overnight in a site with permanent toilet and shower facilities. 

Distance/ Time:     Nxai Pan - Maun: 180km, 3-4 hours

Overnight:     Camping - Maun (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)



Days 5-6 of the tour
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.

Distance/ Time:     Maun - Okavango Delta: 320km, 4 hours

Overnight:     Camping - Okavango Delta (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)



Day 7 of the tour
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 125 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 resupply for the next stage of your Botswana 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.

Distance/ Time:     Okavango Delta - Maun: 320km, 4 hours

Overnight:    Camping - Maun (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Days 8-10 of the tour
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.

Distance/ Time:     Maun - Moremi Game Reserve: 150km, 6 hours (including game drive)

Overnight:     Camping - Moremi Game Reserve (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)



Days 11-13 of the tour
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 and venture further into the park. Camping will be in private designated areas with bush ablutions.

Distance/ Time:     Day 11: Moremi - Savuti: 120km, 5-6 hours
Distance/ Time:     Day 12: Savuti - Chobe River: 170km, 5 hours

Overnight:    Camping - Chobe National Park (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)



Day 14 of the tour
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. 

Distance/ Time:     Chobe River - Livingstone: 100km, 2-3 hours

Overnight:     Lodge - Victoria Falls (Lunch, Bed & Breakfast)



Day 15 of the tour
The tour officially ends at 10h00 today. 

Post tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Livingstone, Victoria Falls or Kasane airports can be arranged at additional cost. There are many exciting activities offered at the falls, such as the exhilarating White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, canoeing on the upper Zambezi, elephant rides and Helicopter Flights over the Falls.

Types of Transport Used
These are custom-built game viewing vehicles that have been especially designed for our safaris. Each one of these vehicles takes a maximum of twelve passengers; this ensures both excellent game viewing and increased mobility. Each one of our vehicles has a cigarette lighter fitting, with a 12V DC that will easily recharge batteries for video cameras. We have designed our own trailers; each one of them contains a mobile kitchen plus space for all camping equipment and luggage. This complete unit travels together at all times on our safari in Botswana.

Camping made easy!

Please Note

• This tour is operated as a scheduled tour. Departure dates can be found below.
• Please note that there is a baggage restriction on this tour of 12kg per person. The maximum size bag allowed is 700mm x 350mm x 350mm. Luggage should be packed in a soft bag (no hard suitcases or bags with frames or wheels) so that luggage can be fitted easily into the trailer. All supplies and equipment need to be carried with us for the duration of the trip hence the restrictions. You can also bring an additional day pack for camera equipment etc to keep with you in the vehicle.
• The Euro rate is just an indication of the price at the current exchange rate, it cannot be guaranteed until a confirmed booking is made.
• It is the responsibility of all guests to check on their own visa requirements before entering any countries that they may be travelling through on a tour booked through Journey Into Africa Tours & Safaris.

Important Medical Note
In May 2011 the World Heath Organisation (WHO) revised the Yellow Fever vaccination recommendations for Africa. The South African Department of Health has subsequently issued a statement that as of 01 October 2011 all travellers from Zambia going to South Africa, and travellers that have recently visited Zambia, will now require proof of a yellow fever vaccination. Previously, this was not required. All in-transit passengers between the two destinations, irrespective of the time period in transit, will also require proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Scheduled Departure Dates 2012