In this trip you will stay in 2 very different parts of Botswana – namely, the Central Kalahari and the Okavango Delta. One will immediately see the difference between the water wonder-world of the lush Okavango Delta and the arid desert areas of the Kalahari with its special desert adapted plants and wildlife.

During this safari, guests will also enjoy an authentic Bushmen experience

This is a Combination of Lodge and Mobile Tented Safari with 2 nights in a Lodge, 1 night in chalets and 6 nights in en-suite safari tents

Highlights

Khwai River

Moremi Game Reserve is surrounded by wildlife management areas and private concessions of the Okavango, with no boundaries between the concessions and the reserve allowing wildlife to move freely between the woodlands in the wet season when water is plentiful and back to permanent rivers and lagoons in the dry season. The Khwai area is managed by the Khwai community through the Khwai Development Trust. This area offers the same wildlife experience as the reserve itself. However, a key advantage of being in this private concession is the freedom to do walking safaris and night drives.

Maun

Maun is the starting point for most expeditions into the Okavango Delta and as a result, has developed into a bustling metropolis that is considered Botswana’s tourism capital. Area attractions include a renowned river boat that offers ‘booze cruises’ up and down the Thamalakane River, and the forest groves of the Maun Game Reserve.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the largest national park in Botswana; centrally situated in the country it is often referred to as the “heart of Botswana”. The Kalahari’s wide open spaces, intense solitude and rolling dunes that are well vegetated with grass and scrub make it a unique African holiday destination. Dinaka borders the northern part of the Central Kalahari Game-Reserve, and this is where we spend the first two nights of our tour.

Authentic Bushman Experience

Africa is like no other travel destination, and if approached with a spirit of reverence and spirituality, can change you and your perceptions of life. The Kalahari Desert is one of these destinations offering an amazing spirituality and/ or the humbling experience of the peoples of the San – The Kalahari Bushmen

Price from (Tour only ex Maun)

Low Season: 01st of January to 31st of May 2015

High Season: 01st of June to 31st of October 2015

Low Season: 01st of November 2015 to 31st of May 2016

All prices are subject to availability Prices are based on exchange rates at time of publication. Prices may vary at the time of booking. Prices may incur a credit card surcharge and booking fee.

Tailor made holiday
You can extend your stay or combine it with another at this destination or a different one (on request).

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 (2 nights): Dinaka Safari Lodge, Private Concession

Day 1 : Arrival Upon your arrival at Maun Airport you will be met by your private English speaking professional guide who will accompany you for the entire tour, excluding optional add on’s. After a brief introduction, you will be escorted to your private open game drive vehicle and depart Maun in a southerly direction for your first destination in the Central Kalahari Area, this being a 20 000 hectare private concession know as Dinaka. This interpreted into English from local language sethswana means “Horns”
Travelling Time: 2.5-3.0 hours (16 km on a tarred road and 120 km on a gravel and sandy road)

Day 2 : Exploring Day  Day spentexploring this private concession on game drives in the morning and night and experiencing in the afternoon a nature walk with the local bushman to learn about their anchestral surviving skills.

Overnight: Dinaka Safari Lodge

Situated in the heart of Botswana – the Central Kalahari Desert – Dinaka offers an explosion of colourful birdlife, herds of graceful antelope, and prides of Africa’s fiercest predators – amongst them the Kalahari black-maned lion.

There will also be an opportunity to spend time with local bushman people, who are proud to show you their ancient survival skills, ranging from shelters, hunting techniques , tracking and all important fire making.

Dinaka Safari Lodge is situated on a 20 000 hectare private game ranch on the northern boundary of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. It is centered around the permanent waterhole we created, making it as beautiful as it is remote.

A small lodge of only 6 tents, Dinaka Safari Lodge is able to provide you with real home comforts without losing its authentic bush feel.
Each tent is a private hideaway, nestled under the branches of the ‘Purple Pod’ trees; they blend in with the natural surroundings. All tents have an en-suite bathroom, with an open air shower and flushing toilet, along with a dressing area, and a bedroom with large white linen covered beds (king size or 2 singles). At the entrance to each tent is a covered veranda that overlooks the permanent waterhole we created – a perfect spot to relax after a day of new sights and sounds.

The spacious main lodge is furnished with comfort in mind and provides you with lounges, both a dining and bar area, and a splash pool for those hotter months. To minimize any effects on the pristine natural environment the camp is 100% solar operated.

Activities include:

• Game drives – Both during the day and at night. Watch the vast landscape transform as the sun sets and darkness settles in over the bush revealing new creatures and night-calls.
• Nature walks with Bushmen trackers -Learn from, or simply enjoy being in the presence of someone who is as much a part of the African bush as the sand you walk on or the sky you walk under.
• Stargazing – The night sky is a diamond studded wonder. Astronomy courses can be provided by special arrangement.
• Sundowners on a raised hide overlooking a waterhole – With a drink of your own, watch a myriad of animals quench their thirst after a long day in the African sun.
• Birding safaris – with over 200 positively identified bird species, the central Kalahari truly is a birders paradise.

During your stay at Dinaka, you can expect to see a wide array of animals, from the antelope – eland, kudu, gemsbok, impala, springbok and steenbok – to the reptiles, insects, birds and small mammals like the Honey Badger and porcupine – to the predators – the Kalahari lion, cheetah, leopard and brown hyenas.

Included
Bed, All Meals, Most Drinks(local), Fees, Activities being morning, afternoon and night game drives, bushman walk, laundry

Excluded
Extra activities, private travel and medical insurance

Day 3, 4 & 5 (3 nights):  Fully Serviced Mobile Camp, Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Day 3: Moving Day
After breakfast, we will depart Dinaka heading southwards to enter the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The following three nights’ stay in the park will solve some of the mysteries surrounding life in this arid region. The Kalahari and its adapted game and vegetation have succeeded in surviving the elements and their story is plain for those who wish to understand. Predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena occur here as well as water independent antelope, such as Oryx and Springbok. The combination of Kalahari and Okavango on one safari will clearly illustrate the difference water makes to an area. The Kalahari is one of the remotest and most unspoilt areas of Africa, with a size of 52 800 square kilometre

Day 4 & 5 : Exploring days
You will enjoy the next couple of days exploring the Kalahari Game Reserve with our days consisting of early morning and late afternoon game drives in search of various predators (such as lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hyaena) antelope (such as springbock, gemsbok, red heartbeest,..) and other game such as giraffe, zebra, etc and of course also the birds that inhabit this area.
Upon return to your campsite around late morning, a delicious brunch will be served. Thereafter you have time to relax in/around camp. You will explore this area in great detail, which is sure to provide many unforgettable game-viewing experiences.

Overnight: Endeavour Fully Serviced Mobile Camp
The concept of adventure camping in comfort and safety. These safaris have been designed in such a way as to ensure maximum comfort and respond to the demand for freedom and security for any adventurous travelers who prefers a semi luxurious, but still adventurous, African style product.
In our camps we set up large tents of 4.5 m x 3m, which have en-suite bathrooms and a partition between the bedroom and private bathroom interior. The tents have large windows with mosquito gauze.
In the bathroom there is a chemical toilet and a hot bucket shower, ensuring that you do not need to exit the security of the tent at night.

Further to this there is also a small linen closet with shelves, a mirror and containers for soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, brush, comb …. We provide towels and amenities such as soap, shampoo and insect repellent.

En-suite safari tents
We also provide high-density mattresses, pillows, quilts, sheets, and during the winter, blankets and hot water bottle. Between the beds there is a small table with a light and rechargeable battery. At the entrance of the tent there is a water container which is filled by our staff every morning and evening to wash your hands and face and clean your teeth.

The camp is set up with a mess tent, which includes a dining table and buffet table, and a coffee station which is available all day. The table for lunch and dinner is prepared by our camp staff with porcelain plates, glasses for water and wine, and metal cutlery.

The meals are prepared by our brilliant bush chefs on the fire and our menus include a variety of foods, including chicken, beef, pork and lamb, pasta, rice, potatoes, cooked and raw vegetables and fruits in season. Daily, our chefs prepare fresh bread and cakes for dessert and surprise birthday celebrations.

These safaris are organized with a minimum of 2 vehicles: one vehicle for passengers and the local professional guide, and a back-up vehicle for equipment, supplies and camp staff. The back-up vehicle departs before our clients, providing them with the required time to prepare the camp and meals before the clients arrive, where possible. Our staff efficiently ensure the cleanliness and order of the camp and the tents at all times, and they take down and reset the camp when you move from one place to another. In this way, our clients can relax when in camp and spend more time in search of animals and observing the flora and wild places of Botswana.

Included
Bed, All Meals, Most Drinks(local), Fees, Activities being morning, afternoon game drives, Park Fees

Excluded
Extra activities, laundry, private travel and medical insurance, tips

Day 6 (1 night): Thamalakane River Lodge, Maun
After an early breakfast we return to Maun for one night after a big return journey out of the Kalahari. Afternoon at leisure around the swimming pool, or just reading a book. Relaxed evening dinner.

Maun
Maun is the starting point for most expeditions into the Okavango Delta and as a result, has developed into a bustling metropolis that is considered Botswana’s tourism capital. Area attractions include a renowned river boat that offers ‘booze cruises’ up and down the Thamalakane River, and the forest groves of the Maun Game Reserve.

Overnight: Thamalakane River Lodge
Thamalakane River Lodge is ideally located an easy 20-minute drive from Maun Airport en route to the famous Moremi Game Reserve. It is a secluded haven of tranquility nestled in a grove of mature riverine trees on the bank of the Thamalakane River. The rambling lodge has an idyllic setting and is committed to service excellence.

Character en-suite stone chalets, some with private splash pools are positioned in the shade of the riverine forest, overlooking the river. All chalets and common areas have terraces that take advantage of the serene 180 degree view of the riverbanks lined with fluttering reeds visited by an ever changing array of water fowl and birds. The newly added Firefinch Camp consists of 8 en suite Meru tents offering a more traditional safari accommodation experience.

It is a delightful place to come home to after a day spent exploring.

Included
Packed lunch en-route, Dinner at the lodge

Excluded
Drinks, laundry, private travel and medical insurance, tips

Suggested Activity
Scenic Flight (45/60 min) over the delta

Day 7, 8 & 9 (3 nights):  Fully Serviced Mobile Camp, Khwai River

Day 7 : Moving Day
You will have short final opportunity to purchase any final things, before departing Maun for our destination – Moremi Area – situated in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta.
This game reserve is ideally situated for a wildlife sanctuary. It has no fences, hence allowing unobstructed seasonal movement of game which makes this a largely natural area. This is a paradise for birds, game and predators alike. Completely varied vegetation makes this area very special. Within an hours’ travelling it is possible to view the first of the wildlife inhabiting this area. We will stop en-route for a simple lunch of sandwiches and fruit, before continuing towards our camp.
Late afternoon arrival at your camp, with enough time to settle in before having our evening meal. Afterwards we will relax around the campfire, where your guide will explain some detail regarding your new area.
There are a number of new animal and bird species that will be on our priority list for the coming days.

Day 8 & 9 : Exploring days
You will explore the Moremi Delta area intimately with our days consisting of early morning and late afternoon game drives in search of various predators (such as lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hyaena) antelope (such as impala, lechwe, reedbuck, tsessebe) and other game such as giraffe, zebra, etc and of course also the birds that inhabit this area. Hippopotamus are abundant in the streams and lagoons that make up vast areas of the Delta.
Upon return to our campsite around late morning, a delicious brunch will be served. Thereafter you have time to relax in/around camp.This region is sure to provide many unforgettable game-viewing experiences.

Overnight: Fully Serviced Mobile Camp

Included
Bed, All Meals, Most Drinks(local), Fees, Activities being morning, afternoon and night game drives

Excluded
Extra activities, laundry, walking safaris (on request), private travel and medical insurance

Day 10: Departure
After an early breakfast, we have our final game-drive en route to Maun from where we depart for Johannesburg to connect with your outbound International flights or continuation of your tour.

Tour price includes

• 9 nights at fully accessible accommodation on a full board/fully inclusive basis as follows:
  • 1 night at a local lodge in Maun (full board basis – drinks excluded)
  • 3 nights: Central Kalahari Game Reserve: mobile camping in en-suite safari tents – Fully inclusive
  • 2 nights: Dinaka Lodge – chalets (full board basis – drinks excluded)
  • 3 nights camping in mobile campsites in Moremi Game Reserve (in en-suite safari tents) – Fully inclusive
• All meals, All soft drinks, mineral water, local beer & wine during the camping section
• Game drives
• Airport Transfers
• All park entrance fees
• Vehicles (Toyota Land Cruiser 4 x 4) equipped with a hydraulic lift.
• Services of a qualified English-speaking safari guide
• Back-up team (3/4 staff members: chef, driver, camp manager + back-up vehicle)

Not included

• International and local flights (return Johannesburg – Maun)
• Transfers not specified in the itinerary
• Single supplement charges
• Drinks when staying in fixed accommodations
• Comprehensive insurance (luggage, personal liability abroad etc)
• Optional activities
• Laundry
• Gratuities & items of a personal nature
• Tipping and gratuities to Chauffeur & Local guides
• Passport & Visa fees
• Airport TAXs

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