BOT08 - 9 Day Kalahari, Delta, Chobe & Vic Falls Budget Fly-In Safari

A fantastic trip that takes in all the major game viewing regions of Botswana and ends at the world famous Victoria Falls in Livingstone. The tour starts with two nights in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve where you will take part in a number of bushmen activities as well as enjoy game viewing from vehicle and horseback. Next you will board a charter flight to Delta Camp in the Okavango Delta and then on to the Chobe Game Reserve. After the first fantastic 6 days of game viewing you will then travel to Livingstone where you will have your final two days to take in the awe inspiring sights of the Victoria Falls.

The Lions of Botswana. 

The Route
Maun - Central Kalahari Game Reserve - Okavango Delta - Kasane - Chobe National Park - Livingstone (Victoria Falls)

Departures
Tours depart daily to suit your needs

Guests
Minimum 1 - Maximum 16 



Days 1-2 of the tour
Upon arrival at Maun Airport you will be met by a company representative who will assist you to board your charter flight (50 minutes) to Grassland Safari Lodge. Grassland Safari Lodge is situated on the western side of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Ghanzi District of Botswana, the property is a private wildlife reserve of some 15 000ha. The Central Kalahari has been home to the owner’s family for five generations and they would love to share their passion and first hand knowledge of the Kalahari with their guests.

The lodge is somewhat different from others in that you encounter in Botswana. The family are proud citizens of Botswana and apart from the family the rest of the staff compliment are made up entirely of San (Bushmen), most have worked alongside the family for generations. In fact the family has lived in the Ghanzi district for over 120 years. The lodge can accommodate up to 16 guests and are also able to accommodate families in a special family unit.

At Grassland Safari Lodge the focus is on four main groups of activities: A very comprehensive San (Bushmen) experience, day and night game drives, the unique predator rehabilitation centre and finally horseback African safaris - where guests get really close to wildlife.

Overnight:     Grassland Safari Lodge - Ghanzi District, Central Kalahari (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Days 3-4 of the tour
After your morning activity you will board a charter flight to Delta Camp. Situated on the South-Western edge of Chief’s Island in the heart of the Okavango Delta is Delta Camp - set in the forest of a large, beautiful palm-studded island. The Okavango Delta with its crystal-clear channels, lagoons, sweeping floodplains and countless islands, is home to over 450 bird species, a spectacular array of plant species and full spectrum of African game - the Okavango has earned its reputation as one of the world’s premier wilderness areas. The focus is one of peace and tranquility (stalking game on foot provides all the excitement one could wish for) and guests are actively encouraged to visit a local village, home to the guides, and interact with the people there.

Dine in the elegant Dining Room overlooking the sweep of the Delta viewing the surrounding flood-plains and the wildlife that abounds. Another option is to take a beautifully prepared picnic onto on of the many nearby islands for a secluded and intimate experience. The choice of fresh vegetables, cheeses, excellent meats and fine wines flown in daily and lovingly prepared, maintain the camp’s enviable reputation for cuisine. Accommodation is for only 16 guests in spacious ‘lethaka’ (reed) chalets with en-suite facilities. Built of natural materials and elevated off the forest floor, each chalet has hot and cold running water, a shower with a view, and solar-powered electric lighting. The amazing design of the chalets is such that you enjoy the luxuries of a ‘top rate’ hotel, but without affecting the environment; you will find you share your chalet with the trees, while taking full advantage of the views of the surrounding bush and flood-plains.

Delta Camp adheres to a philosophy that guests may enjoy the “luxury” of their own private guide at no extra cost. The guides are truly “locals” this is a man of the swamp, born and raised in the area, and you will spend your days in his mokoro (dugout canoe) and walking on the many islands in the area, taking in the magnificent scenery and light, and the abundant game and birdlife of the Okavango.

Overnight:     Delta Camp - South-Western Okavango Delta (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 5 of the tour
After the morning game viewing activities you will again board your charter plane for a flight to Kasane Airport. On arrival in Kasane you will be collected and then transferred to Chobe Safari Lodge. On Botswana's far northern border lies the Kwando, Linyanti and Chobe river system forming a series of lakes, islands and floodplains. This area forms the Chobe National Park, famous for its large buffalo and elephant herds. In addition to a variety of predators, there is an abundance of wild game and bird life which decorate these beautiful waterways. This recently renovated lodge now boasts a great new dining room, swimming pool and bar area. This afternoon you will take part in an open safari vehicle sundowner game drive into the Chobe National Park where you will be on the lookout for wild animals. This evening will be at leisure as you enjoy dinner back at your lodge.

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



Day 6 of the tour
Game viewing at Chobe is a unique experience as we are on the doorstep of the Chobe National Park, which hosts the largest concentration of wildlife in Southern Africa. The National Park is the best place in the world to see the majestic African elephant for it is home to the world’s largest elephant population. Tpday you will enjoy two game viewing activities, by land or by boat on the Chobe River.

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

Day 7 of the tour
After breakfast this morning you will be collected from your lodge and then transferred by road (1 hour 45 minutes) across the border and on to Livingstone in Zambia. You will be dropped off at your hotel which is ideally located just 4 kilometres from the Victoria Falls, Maramba River Lodge provides a personalised experience and most attractive all-year-round base in a shaded woodland setting on the banks of the Maramba River. The lodge is situated within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and is often visited by the resident wildlife with elephant wandering through the grounds at certain times of the year. After check in you will have some time at leisure before you embark on a Sundowner Cruise on the Zambezi River. The rest of the evening will then be at leisure.

Overnight:     Maramba River Lodge - Livingstone, Zambia (Bed and Breakfast)



Day 8 of the tour
This morning you will have a guided tour of the Victoria Falls included with a local guide. The rest of the afternoon will then be at leisure to do as you please in Livingstone. There are many optional extra activities that you may decide to do today. We can assist with making the following bookings if you wish: 

Overnight:     Maramba River Lodge - Livingstone, Zambia (Bed & Breakfast) 

Day 9 of the tour
A final morning at leisure before you are collected and transferred to Livingstone Airport where you board your onward flight home. 

Please Note

• The Dollar rate is just an indication of the price at the current exchange rate, it cannot be guarenteed 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. Please note as of the 25th of March 2008, nationalities requiring Visas to enter into Botswana will no longer be able to purchase their visa at the Port of Entry. Visas will have to be pre-arranged. This is new legislation introduced by the Department of Customs and Immigration.
• Please kindly note that luggage restrictions on the transfer charter flights have a limit of 20kg per person in soft bags - no hard suitcases.

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.