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10 Day Thirstlands of the Kalahari
10 Day Thirstlands of the Kalahari
This 10 days Botswana safari offers to explore the dominating centre of Botswana, Big herds of desert-adapted antelope, such as springbok and oryx, can be seen walking along the dunes. Predators are easy to spot on the plains. The Kalahari black-maned lions are particularly stunning, and cheetah thrive in this open country. Lucky visitors might even come across a pack of wild dogs or a solitary honey badger.
Highlights
- Thrilling desert animal sightings like pangolin & antbear
- Chance to see striking Kalahari black-maned lions
- Spend a night under the Kalahari sky
Route & Itinerary
8 Days / 7 Nights
1
Day 1 and Day 2
Your Safari starts at OR Tambo International Airport (formerly Johannesburg International), where you will be met by an Falcon-safaris representative who will assist you onto your scheduled flight (BP212 departing at 10.00), to Maun. Upon arrival at Maun Airport you will be met by a representative of Delta Air and assisted onto a scheduled light aircraft charter flight to Makgadikgadi Camp. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans is a remnant of a vast and ancient “Super Lake” today… the Makgadikgadi has a lunar-like landscape but in the Summer months (December to March) it is transformed into great sheets of water, which attract a spectacular array of water birds and trigger dramatic migrations of wildebeest and zebra – making this one of Southern Africa’s last true migrations. Nestled among the palms and acacias on Hyena Island, Makgadikgadi Camp, is located on the edge of the salt pans and adjacent to Makgadikgadi National Park, a perfect base to explore this unique and changing land. The main complex consists of a thatched library, lounge and dining area, allowing one to relax and savour the serenity and peace of this enchanting area. In the heat of the day simply relax or take a dip in the plunge pool. Accommodation is in comfortable tents. And as the camp accommodates a maximum of 10 guests, you are ensured personalized service. The tents all have en suite alfresco facilities (flush toilet and shower). Each season has its own particular beauty, in summer when the rain have arrived the pans come to life, the birds and vegetation blossom, the migration comes to town, thousand upon thousand of zebras, enjoy your days watching the bird life, following the zebra or just relaxing looking at this vast expanse of water. In winter, the pans dry up the large migrations leave, but the true desert animals remain, take a night drive to spot the elusive nocturnal desert species. During the day go out into the pans, either by vehicle or by bike to visit archaeological sites of Stone Age tools or just to see infinity and the curve of the earth. Two overnights at Makgadikgadi Camp in a standard twin bedded tent with private en-suite facilities inclusive of all meals, all local brand drinks and nature activities
2
Day 3 and Day 4
After your morning activity board your scheduled light aircraft charter flight for a scenic trip to The Central Kalahari and Haina Safari Lodge. On the northern border of the Central Kalahari National Park is Haina Safari Lodge; classically African, relaxed and informal. This Wildlife conservancy consisting of 20,000 hectares is a real African safari experience in semi arid, pristine bush and open savannah which allows one the opportunity of superb game viewing. The Lodge accommodates up to 20 guests in tented accommodation which are all private with their own decks. The main area consists of a lounge, dining room, swimming pool, sun deck and well-appointed bar area decorated in wood and thatch. An adjacent waterhole allows guests the luxury of game viewing from the Boma. The standard tents consist of a bedroom and en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet whilst the luxury tents have thatch roofs, large decks and full bathrooms (shower and bath). All units are furnished in subtle earth tones and dark woods in a contemporary African theme and reflect the bush area. Haina is big cat country, with a number of prides of Lion roaming the area. There are several territorial leopards and cheetah that also move through the conservancy. There are the usual antelope species especially herds of Oryx, Blue Wildebeest and Eland, Kudu is also plentiful. There are also good Wild Dog sightings, along with the elusive brown hyena. Whilst at the lodge you can enjoy guided walks, game drives and night drives. There are a number of San (Bushman) families in the area, and guests of the Lodge can enjoy excursions in the company of these local people – whose knowledge of the area is unparalled. Two overnights at Haina Safari Lodge in a luxury twin tent with private en-suite facilities inclusive of all meals, all local brand drinks, teas/coffees, snacks, game-viewing and laundry
3
Day 5 and Day 6
After a full morning at Haina Safari Lodge depart on your light aircraft charter to the heart of the Okavango Delta. Upon arrival at Delta Camp’s Airstrip you will be met by your guide and transferred by mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) to the Camp for check-in. This intimate and informal safari camp nestles on a small island close to the south-western edge of Chief’s Island, heart of the Okavango Delta – the vast oasis of the Kgalagadi Desert, Botswana. Accommodation is in spacious ‘lethaka’ (reed) chalets with en-suite facilities. 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 around which the chalets have been built rather than having been cut down during their construction. Delta Camp was voted the best Safari Lodge in Southern Africa by the prestigious South African Getaway Magazine in its 2004 anniversary edition The Okavango Delta is a shifting web of crystal-clear channels, lagoons, sweeping floodplains and palm-studded islands. Home to over 450 bird and 1,000 plant species, crocodile, hippo, elephant, buffalo – in fact the full spectrum of African big-game and several species of antelope that are amongst the world’s rarest – the Okavango has earned its reputation as one of the world’s premier wilderness areas. Your chalet at Delta Camp directly overlooks the waterways. Delta Camp is on the banks of the Boro, one of the primary watercourses of the Okavango. Excursions, by foot and mokoro – the traditional dug-out canoe – are conducted in the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, with your own professional game-guide, a man of the swamps, completely at one with his environment. Dine in the elegant Dining Room overlooking the sweep of the Delta, or take a beautifully prepared picnic onto one of the many nearby islands for a secluded and intimate experience. This unusual Camp engenders in its staff and guests alike, an acute awareness of the ecological sensitivity of this magnificent area. Bio-degradable products have been sourced and are used, careful separation and treatment of refuse ensures that nothing that is not fully bio-degradable stays on the island – light aircraft remove cans, bottles and the like from the Okavango altogether. The accent is on peace and tranquillity (stalking game on foot provides all the excitement one could wish for) and guests are actively encouraged to visit a local village, home to our guides, and to interact, should they wish to, with the people there. Two overnights at Delta Camp in a standard twin chalet with private en-suite facilities inclusive of all meals, all local brand drinks, teas/coffees, snacks, game-viewing in the form of mokoro and walking only as well as laundry.
4
Day 7, 8 and Day 9
Today you will be transferred by light aircraft to Mapula Lodge, in the northern Okavango Delta, just on the borders of the magnificent Moremi Game Reserve. Accommodation is in 10 well appointed luxury Chalets, each with en-suite facilities (bath and shower) and each overlooking the lagoon in front of the Lodge. The attention to detail and use of local craftsmanship in the construction of the Chalets is particularly impressive and attractive. Facilities in the Lodge include a small swimming pool and sun deck and a well stocked bar. Game viewing is particularly good in this area. Hippos live in the lagoon opposite the lodge, and the trees around the Lodge are home to a huge variety of birds. Being in a permanent water area, Mapula Lodge can offer year round water activities, especially important during January – May when water levels in the Okavango can become too low to allow the use of the traditional mokoro. Three overnights at Mapula Camp in a standard twin bedded chalet with private en-suite facilities inclusive of all meals, all local brand drinks, teas/coffees, snacks, game-viewing and laundry
5
Day 10
You will be transferred to the airstrip in time for your scheduled light aircraft charter flight to Maun Airport, where you connect with your Air Botswana flight BP 211 departing at 15.00 to Johannesburg.
Included
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All flights during the tour
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$15.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- The government imposed an increase in taxes and/or park fees
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We travelled with Falcon Safaris in Zimbabwe and Botswana for 16 days. Falcon designed a wonderful trip with private guide to the most interesting sites in both countries. The organization of the whole trip was excellent, flights within the country, accommodation and activites. The guides were very knowledgable and told us a lot about the countries, their history, people, economy and much more. We visited the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the Victoria Falls Tour and a number of national parks in both countries.
Rhino tracking was a real adventure! We had tremendous further game drives and saw very many animals - we did the Big Five. We had much more Victoria Falls Activities than planned and enjoyed very much.We strongly recommend Falcon Safaris to everyone planning a trip to Southern Africa and East Africa.
Wonderful trip to Zimbabwe and Botswana with excellent organization and very competent guides
Our Consultant Vimbai was very helpful and accommodating. We stayed at the Elephant hills hotel which was nothing short of amazing.Our activities included a helicopter flight, dinner cruise as well as a morning game drive. All the activities were absolutely amazing.
Exceptional!
We worked with Gertrude to schedule and organize everything and she did an excellent job. I asked a lot of questions via e-mail and she answered everyone in a timely helpful manner. Our guide at Victoria Falls was also great. He met us at the airport, provided a thoughtful tour of the Falls and got us to our next guide in Botswana. Our lodgings at River View Lodge were just as described- very comfortable and excellent food. All the staff were so pleasant and helpful. If I had to do it again I would arrange a morning boat ride as well. We only did the sunset boat rides and they were the high point of our entire trip- we saw so many animals and our guide was very knowledgeable. Just a great experience. Our lodgings at Oddball's Enclave was rustic and we loved it. So great to disconnect from the world for a bit. Leo, our guide, was the best - got us out and about, saw fantastic wildlife and got back to camp safely each time. Doc manages the camp so well. This whole trip was planned and organized by Falcon Safaris and we could not have been happier.
Fabulous, well planned trip
Falcon safaris have given my the correct advice with excellent service. The only suggestion will be to work closer with the lodges to confirm bookings as soon as possible. We have booked and pay our deposit a year in advance. We have only receive our final convermation from Chobe Safari lodge a week before departure. I do realize its not within your controle but with limit alternatives and a group of 14 people it becomes an issue to find alternative accomodation if the booking was cancelled.
Excellent and efficient service
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