|
| |
|
|
|
This exciting route takes
the time to explore the changing areas,
stunning beauty and continually moving game
of northern Botswana: from camping
and walking on islands in the jewel of the
Kalahari, the Okavango Delta,
to the game-rich savannah of the dry
Savute Marsh and the seasonal elephant
herds at our water-blessed Linyanti
concession. The shift in animal numbers
between dry and wet season makes for an
adaptable itinerary. This safari also
provides the unique opportunity to follow
the amazing seasonal annual zebra migration
between Linyanti and Savute (from December
to May), documented by Dereck and Beverly
Joubert in their famous documentary "The
Stolen River."
Day 1:
Shackletons, 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 wide, it is the largest
curtain of water in the world and drops more
than 100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
This evening, we will stay at
Shackletons, situated in south-western
Zambia on the Upper Zambezi River near the
village of Mwandi (meaning 'a place of
plenty fish'). Shackletons provides access
to 130km of the Upper Zambezi River, named
'God's Highway' by David Livingstone. The
lodge and its environs is home to
approximately 300 bird species, offers an
excellent cultural experience at Mwandi
village and also is a prime fly, spin and
lure fishing destination. Accommodating 12
guests in comfortable, thatched and en-suite
chalets with private teak decks overlooking
the Zambezi River; coupled with fabulous
cuisine and friendly service this creates a
relaxing and invigorating stay.
Each room is equipped with 2 three-quarter
beds, ceiling fan, safe box, mosquito net,
en-suite bathroom (with shower, hand basin and
flushing toilet) and plug points. The main
area features a swimming pool, lounge and open
dining area, with the riverside bar and sundowner deck providing unparalleled vistas of
the mighty Zambezi River.
Days 2, 3 & 4:
Chobe River boat cruise
& Linyanti Trails Camp, Linyanti/Chobe
After a full breakfast, we leave
Zambia and enter the Chobe National Park in
Botswana by way of the Kazungula border, a
point where the four countries of Botswana,
Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe meet.
The Chobe National Park is famous for
its vast herds of elephants and unique
species such as the elusive puku and Chobe
bushbuck that move to the river during the
hottest hours of the day - even more so in
the dry season. Enjoy a light lunch served
during the boat cruise on the
catamaran-style shaded boat, after which we
depart by aircraft in the late afternoon for
the Linyanti region, from the airstrip game
driving to our pre-erected Adventurer
campsite. The north-eastern corner of the
Linyanti is famed for its myriad of changing
landscapes with sweeping views, from
riverine to savannah and from forest to
plains.
On one of our full days, we depart on
an early morning activity. Lunch is enjoyed
at a scenic spot with a sweeping view of the
Linyanti waterways. After a siesta in
hammocks, there is the possibility of an
afternoon canoe trip, before returning to
camp at dusk. (The canoe activity is not
always possible, depending on local hippo
movements within the area that we canoe.)
The Linyanti region's life-giving perennial
waters attract herds of wildlife that walk
well-worn game paths to slake their thirst in
the dry season. Predators follow in their
footsteps and coupled with the areas diversity
of habitat make for exciting game viewing.
Day 5, 6 & 7:
Lechwe Island Camp, north-eastern Okavango
Delta
We travel west into private
concessions, stopping en route for game
sightings through parts of the area. This
long but interesting drive gives the perfect
introduction to the varying habitats of a
dry and flat northern Botswana, from the
open savannah of the Savuti Channel, known
as the "Stolen River", to lagoons with a
plethora of wildlife to the geographically
interesting Selinda Spillway (Great Rift
Valley fault line). This can be a full-day
game / transfer drive, with lunch en route
at a shady place in the Savute Channel.
We arrive at our pre-erected Adventurer
campsite in the mid-afternoon, in time for a
short sunset game drive.
Lechwe Island Camp is located in the
south-western sector of the Selinda private
concession, in a seasonally flooded portion of
the Okavango Delta where it joins into the
Selinda Spillway. The campsite is situated on
a wooded island overlooking a floodplain area,
the channel in front of camp alternately
flooded or dry depending on the season.
Activities concentrate around the bushy and
wooded islands, open plains and the seasonally
flooded channels surrounding the camp. In this
area local populations of plains game allow
for game drives by day and night. Experiences
are magnified on nature walks, where the guide
is able to delve into interesting topics such
as tracking, medical (and traditional) uses of
plants and a full array of smaller
invertebrates and other species not usually
noticed from a vehicle. Canoeing is also
seasonally offered.
Day 8 & 9:
Xigera Mokoro Trails,
Okavango Delta
We fly by light aircraft to the
water-filled paradise of the private Xigera
area, within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera
is the ultimate Delta experience, with serene
waters flowing through innumerable channels
around remote islands and a profusion of plant
and animal life.
There is no better way to experience the
Okavango than to travel through it by mokoro,
walking and camping out on a vegetated
island - all essential elements of the Xigera
Mokoro Trails experience. The experience is
aimed at exposing the permanently flooded
inner Delta, in the serene waterways and on
the islands of trees and bush. Our guest tents
are lighter here than the rest of the safari,
with a gauze main frame, thus enhancing the
views. Due to remote location on an island,
equipment is aimed at necessary comforts with
"disco" stretcher styled beds.
Activities include mokoro and walking safaris,
which enable up-close encounters with the
excellent diversity of birdlife (including
Pel's Fishing Owl), frogs and a myriad of game
species, some specially adapted to water, such
as the rare sitatunga and the familiar red
lechwe. Walking activities vary in length and
duration through the seasons, especially in
the months when the Okavango is at peak flood
where they become shorter (June, July and
August) as more islands become flooded.
Day 10:
Transfer to Maun Airport
Bid farewell to the adventure as we
transfer by light aircraft to Maun Airport. |
|
|
|
|
