Migration Routes
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: The River Club, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Livingstone, 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 103 metres into the
basalt depths of the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
The River Club lies
dreaming in dappled shade on the Zambian banks of the Zambezi River,
18km upstream from the world-famous Victoria Falls. Its main area is a
well-appointed Edwardian-style house, with a comfortable lounge, large
dining room, impressive library and wide veranda on which breakfasts and
teas are taken. Manicured lawns (where midday meals are often served)
spread out beneath the trees and a croquet court is an ideal venue for a
Pimm's-soaked croquet game. The pool has been built to seem part of the
river itself and a secluded deck with hammocks and loungers provides
respite. Meals can also be enjoyed on occasion in the summer house or
gazebo.
Ten luxury thatched chalets overlook the Zambezi River
and have en-suite facilities including a bath, shower, toilet and basin.
All the rooms have fans and air-conditioning (hot and cold). The rooms
are all completely open in the front, giving guests uninterrupted views
of the Zambezi.
OR
Day 1: Toka Leya Camp, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Livingstone, 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 103 metres into the
basalt depths of the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
Toka Leya Camp is
situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in the eastern sector of the
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, some 12 kms up from the Victoria Falls. The
camp consists of 12 safari-style tents, each en-suite with a view of
the magnificent Zambezi River and some of its islands. The camp's dining
and bar area is set beneath a shaded canopy of trees overlooking the
River and a swimming pool.
Days 2 - 4: Chobe River Boat Cruise and Linyanti Adventurer Camp, Chobe/Linyanti
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.
Enjoy a
leisurely shaded boat cruise along the Chobe River, with a light lunch.
This boat cruise offers a unique opportunity to observe puku, large
herds of elephant, numerous pods of hippo and large crocodiles, as well
as enjoying fantastic views of other general game and diverse birdlife.
We
then depart by road for the Linyanti region. This interesting drive
exposes the group to the rural way of life along the northernmost tip of
Botswana and also affords views across the Chobe and Linyanti Rivers
into Namibia's Caprivi Strip. The last part of the road journey is a
game drive as we approach the Linyanti, where our pre-erected Linyanti
Adventurer Camp is situated. This part of the Linyanti is famed for its
myriad of changing landscapes, from riverine to savannah and from forest
to plains.
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 area's diversity of habitat, make for exciting game
viewing.
Days 5 - 7: Khwai Adventurer Camp, Okavango Delta
After breakfast, we drive to the airstrip for light aircraft transfer to Khwai Adventurer Camp.
Khwai
Adventurer Camp is located in a private concession just north of the
Khwai River above the Moremi Game Reserve. The Khwai Concession is one
of the most diverse areas in northern Botswana which seldom disappoints
when it comes to producing extraordinary wildlife experiences. The life
source for this area is the Khwai River - the northernmost "finger" of
the Okavango Delta alluvial fan, which provides vital sustenance to
numerous animals.
Over time, the Khwai area has metamorphosed
into a wide range of exciting wildlife habitats - some of the most
varied to be found in the entire Okavango Delta: a blend of forests,
floodplain, wetland and grasslands. The narrow Khwai Channel is home to
large mammals such as hippo and crocodile with buffalo and red lechwe
often seen grazing along the fringe. The beautiful gallery riverine
woodland found along the river provides further sanctuary to birds,
primates and leopard. Elusive roan antelope often come to the river to
drink. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks
and seasonal mokoro excursions.
Away from the river there is a
wonderful mix of acacia and leadwood trees of varying sizes that abuts
into mopane woodland. The latter, together with the permanent presence
of water, attracts large numbers of elephant to the area. Larger
predators include lion, wild dog and spotted hyaena, while birdlife
found here is just as varied thanks to the colourful palette of
habitats.
Days 8 - 9: Xigera Mokoro Trails, Okavango Delta
We
fly by light aircraft to the water-filled paradise of the remote Xigera
area, within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is the ultimate Okavango
Delta experience, with serene waters flowing through innumerable
channels around remote islands and a profusion of plant and animal
birdlife.
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. The
experience is aimed at highlighting the permanently flooded inner Delta,
in the serene waterways and on the islands of trees and bush.
Activities
include mokoro and walking safaris on remote islands, which enable
up-close encounters with an excellent diversity of birdlife (including
Pel's Fishing-Owl), frogs and some game species, some specially adapted
to water, such as the familiar red lechwe. Walking activities vary in
length and duration depending on the season, especially in the months
when the Okavango is at peak flood (June, July and August) where walks
become shorter as more islands are flooded.
Day 10: Transfer to Maun Airport
Bid farewell to the adventure as we transfer by light aircraft to Maun Airport.
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