OVC07 - 15 Day Botswana, Kalahari & Delta Camping Tour

A true Botswana tour. We visit the awe inspiring Central Kalahari, the famous Okavango Delta, the game rich Nxai Pans, the vastness of the Makgadikgadi Pans, the elephant herds of Chobe and finish off with a natural wonder of the world - Victoria Falls! A true African adventure.

            
Camping safaris are basic but allow you to get right into the heart of Botswana.

The Route
Johannesburg - Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Central Kalahari National Park - Maun - Okavango Delta - Nxai Pans National Park - Makgadikgadi Pans - Chobe National Park - Livingstone (Victoria Falls)

Departures
This tour departs Johannesburg on Saturday at 06:30. Tour ends in Livingstone on Saturday at 08:00. Scheduled departure dates can be found below.

Guests
Minimum 4 - Maximum 12

Day 1 of the tour
An early start as we depart Johannesburg at 06:30 and head north across the border into Botswana at Martins Drift. The Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a 4300 hectare community based wildlife reserve and is an integral part of the conservation and re-introduction of the white rhino to Botswana. We arrive in the late afternoon, set up camp and enjoy a game drive in search of rhino, zebra and wildebeest. Our evening is enjoyed around a campfire and we fall asleep to the sounds of the African wilderness.

Distance/ Time:     630km, +/- 7½ hours, excluding border formalities and stops for sightseeing and lunch

Overnight:     Camping - Khama Rhino Sanctuary (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Days 2-4 of the tour
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is one of the largest game reserves in the world (52,800 square kilometres). Made famous by Mark and Delia Owen in the book Cry of the Kalahari, its remoteness, unforgiving climate and harsh terrain have kept it pristine and untamed. This reserve is characterized by vast open plains, saltpans and ancient riverbeds. During the summer months, when the rains fall, the Kalahari grasslands turn green and lush and the good grazing attracts large herds of zebra, wildebeest, springbok and gemsbok (oryx). Following the herds we hope to find the Kalahari lions. We use 4WD vehicles to visit the northern portions of the reserve and camp wild for 3 nights.

Distance/ Time:     420km, +/- 6 hours, exclusing stops for sightseeing and game drives

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

Day 5 of the tour
Our next stop is Maun the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Here we restock on provisions and enjoy a swim in the pool, a cool drink in the bar and a restaurant meal (own expense). You will also have the opportunity to take a light aircraft flight over the channels of the Okavango in the late afternoon (own expense). 

Distance/ Time:     300km, +/- 5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing and lunch 

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

Days 6-7 of the tour
We venture by 4WD into the vast wilderness of the Okavango Delta where we meet our local community guides. Relax as your poler expertly guides your mokoro (dugout canoe) through the winding channels of the delta. Camp is set up on the islands under a towering canopy of trees. We set out on foot for morning and evening game walks with local guides. During the heat of the day, time is spent relaxing in camp or swimming in the clear delta waters. Birdlife in the Okavango during the summer months is spectacular with all of the summer migrants returning to this water wonderland. The sound of birds are sure to wake you at dawn each morning!

Distance/ Time:     2 Hour 4WD transfer each way

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

Days 8-9 of the tour
We return to the 'poling stations' and continue with our 4WD to the vast fossil lake beds which form the unique and beautiful Nxai Pans National Park. These pans surrounded by baobab and umbrella thorn trees are covered with short nutritious grass that attracts the wildlife. One of few parks that is best in rainy season, we spend the next two days on a game drive hoping to spot large herds of springbok and gemsbok and zebra. The seven giant trees that form the famous Baines Baobabs are a highlight of the visit.

Distance/ Time:     300km, +/- 5½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing, shopping and lunch

Overnight:     Camping - Nxai Pans National Park (1 x Lunch, 2 x Bed & Breakfast, 2 x Dinner)

Day 10 of the tour
Camping wild on the flat Makgadikgadi Pans is an experience you'll never forget. After watching the sunset over the pans, the evening is spent enjoying wide open spaces and the canopy of stars.

Distance/ Time:     250km, +/- 5 hours, exclusing stops for sightseeing

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

Days 11-12 of the tour
Chobe National Park is famous for large herds of elephants. We set up camp in Chobe and enjoy afternoon and morning game drives. The afternoon of day 12 we embark on a cruise on the Chobe River, a brilliant wildlife experience where we get close to the hippopotamus, crocodiles and elephants. Keep an eye out for the endemic Chobe puku.

Distance/ Time:     450km, +/- 5½ hours, exclusing stops for sightseeing and lunch
 
Overnight:     Camping - Chobe National Park (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Days 13-14 of the tour
We cross the border into Zambia at the Kazangula Ferry. Our afternoon is spent exploring the Mosi au Tunya National Park and enjoying the views as the mighty Zambezi plunges 100m over the Victoria Falls. The following day is free to enjoy the range of adventure activities including river rafting, bunjee jumping and the Flight of Angels over the falls (own expense). We sample the local cuisine at a variety of restaurants in the evening (own expense). 

Distance/ Time:     85km, 1 hour, exclusing border formalities (which can take2-4+ hours)

Overnight:     Camping - Livingstone (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 15 of the tour
The tour ends today at 08:00. Transfers to local airports are available.

Distance/ Time:     N/A 

Flights are available from Livingstone to Johannesburg or when available you can take a free transit return to Johannesburg with the tour vehicle (all meals and accommodation for own expense), 2 days, arrives Johannesburg at +/- 18:00 Thursday. Subject to availability.

• This tour is operated as a Scheduled Tour. Departure dates can be found below.
• There are only two single tents available for this tour, which attracts the single supplement charge. On the nights that the camping tours stay in Guest Houses or Chalets the single travellers will be roomed with another same sex single traveller. Should there be no single tents available single guests will pay the sharing rate and then be accommodated in a twin share tent with another traveller of the same sex.
• Please feel free to add on to this tour with any of the other possible tours we offer in the area.
• The accommodation specified in the itinerary is a guide only and subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard if required.
• 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.

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