Self Drive Safaris

Botswana Ultimate Selfdrive Safari

Botswana and the Falls

BOTSWANA ULTIMATE SELFDRIVE SAFARI

20 nights/21 days

GABORONE > KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY > MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARK > CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE > NXAI NATIONAL PARK/BAINES BAOBAS > NATA BIRD SANCTUARY > CHOBE NATIONAL PARK/KASANE > SAVUTI > MOREMI GAME RESERVE/KHWAI> MOREMI GAME RESERVE (XAKANAXA) > MAUN > OKAVANGO DELTA > TSODILO HILLS > MAUN

Overview

Game Drives
Boat Cruise
Guided walks
Mokoro excursions
Bushman walks

This self-drive safari consists of a camping and lodges from Gaborone, Botswana through the Khama Rhino Sanctuary to the northern part of Botswana in Chobe. The camping is a guided group tour which covers elite tourist destinations in the country. Explore Botswana’s top game reserves where safari highlights include flat bare plains of Makgadikgadi, desert adapted animals of Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), Chobe’s famously large herds of elephant, game drives in predator-rich Moremi Reserve, and abundance of wildlife in Savuti located within Chobe National Park.

Set out and explore as you drive from serenity to serenity and lose yourself in the exquisite Botswana scenery. Rest your head at cozy safari lodges in between action-packed safaris. Venture on thrilling bush drives to track predators, antelope and other roamers. Experience the bush on foot on guided walking safaris. Sail off into the sunset on magical boat cruises of Chobe River, glide through the lily studded Delta waterways and witness a diversity of wildlife.

Daily Activity

DAY 1: GABORONE TO KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY

Arrive in Sir Seretse Khama international airport off Air Botswana/Qatar Airways at around 1000hrs where Imela Wilderness guides will meet you with a signage board written IMELA WILDERNESS. Gaborone is the capital city of Botswana inhabiting about 10% of the country’s population. Gaborone is the economic capital as well as the government capital; it is headquarters to numerous companies and the Botswana Stock Exchange. Gaborone is also home to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional economic community established in 1980.

From the airport you will then collect your 4×4 vehicle with air conditioning and snacks from Gaborone to Khama Rhino Sanctuary (about 4 hour drive). On the way we will have lunch in Palapye. We will do one night camping in the Sanctuary and 2 game drives, one in the evening upon arrival and 1 in the morning before heading to Makgadikgadi National Park.

DAY 2–3: MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARK (KUMAGA SIDE)

We wake up to have a quick breakfast before we take a trip to Kumaga which lies adjacent to Makgadikgadi National Park on the other side of Boteti River bank. There are about 10 camp stands at Kumaga with ablution blocks. There is also Meno a Kwena, a luxury tented camp for guests who do not want to do camping. The western entrance to Makgadikgadi National Park is the Kumaga gate which requires a ferry when the river is flooding. This ferry can only one vehicle at a time across the narrow 100 meters width.

The Makgadikgadi is home to the world’s second largest migration with an estimated 30 000 animals the majority being zebra participating each year. While enjoying a picnic lunch in the shade of a grove of trees, you will see the awe inspiring spectacle of the last surviving zebra and wildebeest migration in Southern Africa.

Other wildlife frequently spotted in this side of Makgadikgadi include elephant, lion, giraffe, leopard, cheetah, bat eared fox, and gazelle.

Birdlife include: Burchell’s coucal, Ostrich, Great white pelican, Greater flamingo (common migrant), lesser flamingo (common migrant). Other birds include African fish eagle, Gabar Goshawk, Kori bustard, Martial eagle, Wattled crane, Saddle-billed stork and many more.

DAY 4-5: CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE

We will wake up early in the morning have breakfast and a quick game drive in the park before heading to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). It is quite a long distance between CKGR and Nxai National Park. However, with the ecosystems, wildlife and landscapes in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve differing very much to what you would experience further north in Okavango regions it is definitely a destination to include in your safari list. With this you will notice a variety of species that are more prolific here than elsewhere in Botswana; such as brown hyena, aardwolf, oryx, bat-eared fox and ostrich.

Springbok are the most numerous of the large herbivores. Oryx numbers in the Central Kalahari are also very strong, often seen on the short grass plains during the rains in herds exceeding 100. Red hartebeest, eland, wildebeest, kudu and giraffe can also be found in good numbers. The birdlife in the Central Kalahari is varied. The largest of these, the ostrich and Kori bustard, are doing extremely well and are commonly spotted. Doves are well represented with Cape turtle doves, laughing doves and Namaqua doves all seen in high numbers. All the sub-Saharan species of sandgrouse can also be found in the reserve. We will camp here for 2 nights.

DAY 6-7: NXAI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast we will load our bags in a 4×4 vehicle waiting for us and then depart to Nxai National Park. When the seasonal rains come, the vast grasslands of the park attract grazers in numbers (herds of wildebeest and herds of zebra) and consequently, these attract an impressive range of predators.

We will do a day trip to the Baines baobabs where we will also have a nice view of the salt pans. During our stay here we will take a full day to explore this beautiful wildlife area. Nxai Pans is a relatively undiscovered part of Botswana that offers some of the best wildlife viewing. We will camp for 2 nights on exclusive campsites.

Present in this park are other species such as giraffe (watch out for the canopy shape of Acacia tortilis as a result of the feeding behavior of the giraffe), lion, jackal, Oryx, springbok, cheetah, leopard and abundant birdlife.

Notable birds in Nxai Pan National Park include the Black Bustard, Ostrich, Pale Chanting goshawk, Pin-tailed Whydah, Saddle-billed Stork, Wattled Crane, Pied Avocet, Martial Eagle, Kori Bustard, red-necked Falcon, Wattled Crane, Barred owl, Dusty lark and White Stork amongst others.

DAY 8: NATA BIRD SANCTUARY/MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast we head to The Nata bird Sanctuary which is situated on the eastern tip of the Makgadikgadi Pans. This area provides us with an opportunity to view birds and other wildlife in a truly pristine environment. Shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi appear as a glaring white, endless plain. When the rain comes a dramatic change takes place as thousands of wildebeest and zebra migrate to the sweet nutritious grasslands and clouds of flamingo feed in its algae rich waters.

The Nata Bird Sanctuary harbors about 165 bird species common ones being the lesser and greater flamingoes, great white pelican, and the pink-backed pelican. Other notable bird species include Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Blacksmith Lapwing, Black necked Grebe, Bustards, Carmine, Darters, African fish Eagle, Geese, Korhaans, Pied Kingfisher, Black-chested snake Eagle, Spoonbills and Martial Eagle amongst others.

We spend an afternoon exploring this beautiful birdlife and wildlife area and camp for 1 night.

DAY 9-10: KASANE/CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

We will leave for Kasane after a morning game drive where we will stop for a picnic lunch before taking an afternoon boat cruise. We will arrive in Kasane a town just outside Chobe national park around lunch where you will be stay in a lodge for 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis (lunch at own expense). After that siesta you may take a swim or take a rest in your room before we leave for an afternoon game drive along the Chobe River where we will see big herds of buffalos, elephants, pods of hippos, and prides of lions. Chobe is a unique a park because; during dry season big herds of animals congregate along the river. You will see elephants swimming from one bank to the other, buffalos crossing to the island. Get back from a beautiful game drive, freshen up and have dinner- own expense before going to bed.

Next morning, wake up have and have quick breakfast before departing for a long morning game drive. You will also have an opportunity to observe the animals closely. Chobe also boasts two antelopes rarely encountered elsewhere in Botswana – the puku and the Chobe bushbuck. The puku, with their shaggy orange-brown coats and V-shaped horns, can be spotted grazing the floodplains. Always on the lookout for predators, a repetitive whistle is used to warn fellow herd members. In contrast, the Chobe bushbuck is nocturnal and rarely forms groups of more than one pair. Rarely seen, this shy antelope, with its short, spiral horns relies on a sharp bark as an alarm call when threatened. Both the puku and the bushbuck have a number of predators to contend with, from lion, hyena and leopard, to African wild dog.

We will get back to the lodge after a beautiful drive to have brunch and after that is siesta time. At 15.00pm we will depart for a beautiful sunset boat cruise along the Chobe River where you will see a lot of animals and come very close to crocodiles and pods of hippos from the boat and if you are lucky see lions. We will get back to the lodge after sunset and dinner is at 20.00pm at a local restaurant (own expense). Time of going to bed is determined by the last guest.

We will be staying in a lodge for 2 nights.

DAY 11-12: SAVUTI

Savuti region is situated in the southern stretch of Botswana`s Chobe national park. Recognized as a prime game viewing area, the Savuti (also spelt Savute), covers almost 1,930 sq. miles (5,000 square km) in the south west of Chobe National Park.

Undoubtedly it is the interaction between lion and elephant that is the most interesting aspect of Savuti. The area is inhabited by a huge pride of lions with numbers fluctuating from 20-30 members. These remarkable lions have learned over the years how to hunt these massive pachyderms that are supposedly above predation. Launching their attack under darkness and using their numbers, they manage to kill adolescent and even young adult elephant. The marsh is prime cheetah country and in the wet season it is not unusual to have the wild dog hunting here in Central Chobe. Lion and the Spotted Hyena live in constant battle for survival. Other commonly sighted species are zebra, elephant giraffe, kudu and buffalo.

The surface water that is pumped by the Government here provides a major attraction for birdlife. In the dry season thousands of dove and sandgrouse come down to drink in the mornings and are under constant surveillance by Yellow-billed Kite, Tawny Eagle and African Hawk-Eagle. Red-crested Korhaan are common in the Kalahari Apple-leaf (Lonchocarpus nelsii) veld. The marsh is the summer home for good numbers of Caspian Plover* and Montague’s Harrier* as well as Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark, Grey-backed Sparrowlark, Northern Black Korhaan, Rufous-naped Lark, African Pipit and Desert Cisticola. Dickenson’s Kestrel, Amur Falcon* and Red-necked Falcon are found along the
perimeter of the marsh.

The drive is a bit longer from Chobe to our exclusive campsite in Savuti; however, the drive is much enjoyable as you will see lots of birds and animals on the way. The scenery is amazing and very African looking, with lots of acacia tortilis with giraffe feeding and many more including the most photographed bird, lilac breasted roller. We camp wild at an exclusive campsite for 2 nights, enjoying the activities on a day to day basis.

DAY 13-14: MOREMI KHWAI (NORTH GATE)

Wake up and have breakfast before we depart to Moremi Game Reserve. It is situated in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta, bordering the Chobe National Park on the south-western part of the Park. The Moremi Game Reserve covers almost one third of the Delta. The Khwai River forms a boundary between the reserve and the community area. We spend the following two nights camping at an exclusive campsite in the community area, exploring the Khwai floodplains on game drives both during the day and at night. Exploring after dark with spotlights offers you an opportunity to experience some of the nocturnal animals that are rarely encountered during the day. We will also have the opportunity to explore the surrounding wilderness on foot (please note that this activity is seasonal based on rains and grass height, your guide will determine the safety of walking in Khwai) and mokoro and enjoy an up close and personal encounter with Botswana’s flora and fauna. It is important to note that night drives and guided walks are not permitted within the national parks and reserves. These activities are conducted outside the boundaries of the
Moremi Game Reserve in the Khwai community area.

The Khwai region boasts excellent populations of both bull elephant as well as breeding herds. Lion, leopard, serval and African wildcat are common predators of the region with wild dog and cheetah being less common. Buffalo use this area seasonally with large herds moving in during the summer rains. The swampy areas in the west are home to red lechwe. Other ungulates include tsesebe, blue wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, sable antelope, roan antelope and impala.

Common birdlife include Mecca’s, the uncommon Rosythroated Longclaw and the Bat-Hawk. Other interesting raptors here are Cuckoo Hawk (rare), Long-crested Eagle and Black Sparrowhawk. More commonly Tawny Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Lesser-spotted Eagle, Martial Eagle, Bateleur and African Hawk-Eagle. The waterways host Africa Rail, African Crake, Greater Painted Snipe, Allen’s Gallinule, Lesser Jacana and Lesser Moorhen.

DAY 15-16: MOREMI XAKANAXA (THIRD BRIDGE)

We wake up to have a quick breakfast before we take a quick a game drive then embark on a trip to Xakanaxa-Moremi game reserve. Set-aside in 1963 by the Batawana tribe, the Reserve is rated as Africa’s most beautiful game reserve. Our drives will take us to the park’s most beautiful areas such as the third bridge, Bodumatau and dead tree island. Game is plentiful and the sightings include elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion, hyena, jackal and many different antelopes including red lechwe and shy sitatunga; a web-footed antelope perfectly adapted to life in the swamps, Wild dog, whose numbers are so rapidly decreasing elsewhere, are regularly sighted in the Moremi game reserve, It is the great diversity of plant and animal life that makes Moremi so well known. The reserve contains within its boundaries approximately twenty percent of the Okavango Delta.

Moremi lies on the eastern extremity of the Okavango Delta. Habitats here range from wide-open floodplains, marshes, lagoons, papyrus fringed channels, vast stands of Miscanthus and Phragmites, woodland and savannah. As a result of the extremely variable habitat the diversity of both wildlife and birdlife is excellent.

Moremi is amongst the best game reserves in Africa for viewing the endangered African wild dog. Xakanaxa is home to a resident herd of several hundred buffalo whose range covers the territories of at least 4 prides of lion which may often be seen flanking the ever moving herd. Breeding herds of elephant
move between their browsing areas in the mopane forests and the fresh water of the Okavango. Red lechwe a one of the more unusual antelope species and commonly found here.

The swampy areas of Xakanaxa are home to African Rail,
Coppery-tailed Coucal, Black Coucal*, Red-chested Flufftail, African Crake*, Black Crake, Chirping Cisticola, Luapula Cisticola, Purple Swamphen, Allen’s Gallinule to name but a few. The open
waters attract African Skimmer, Saddle-billed Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Intermediate Egret, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle as well as the globally threatened Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane.

We will camp in the Wilderness for 2 nights enjoying the activities on a day to day basis.

DAY 17: MAUN

We will wake up in our camp site, have a quick breakfast and a short game drive before departing to Maun where we will be staying overnight in a lodge. Maun has grown rapidly from its early days as a small, rural frontier and has now spread along the wide, Thamalakane River. It now boasts hotels and lodges as well as car and 4-wheel drive vehicle hire. However, it retains a rural atmosphere and, as befitting its role as the hub of the Delta’s safari industry, travelers pass through here on their way to the Okavango Delta.

We will be staying in a lodge for 1 night on bed & breakfast basis (Lunch & dinner at own expense). After checking into the lodge that afternoon you may take a scenic flight over the Okavango delta and enjoy a scenic flight from Maun Airport over the Okavango Delta (Own expense). Keep a look out for Hippos in the waterways and Elephant and Buffalo in the shade of the trees. Observe how the water channels meander their way through the Delta in ever changing paths as this Dynamic water system evolves. The vastness of this pristine wilderness is breathtaking.

DAY 18-19: OKAVANGO DELTA

Wake up, and have your small bag ready packed before having breakfast. We depart to the Okavango delta, here you will meet your local mokoro pooler who will serve also as your guide. This activity is conducted by local mokoro community guides though our chef comes along. When we arrive the camp assistants will put up camps under a canopy of trees, have brunch followed by siesta time where you can swim in the delta clear waters. Tea/coffee will be served before you take a walk on the island.

Travelling by mokoro is undeniably the best way to experience the Okavango delta as you get to explore the waterways, and take nature walks where you have the opportunity to track game and get an up-close feel of this unique environment. Here bird life is spectacular and on foot you are able to have a much more intense experience of the wilderness, particularly the flora and fauna that might otherwise go unnoticed. Guides are experienced in tracking animals and are able to point out interesting sightings of various types of wildlife. We camp in the wilderness in a remote campsite for 2 nights.

DAY 20: TSODILO HILLS

Depart to Tsodilo Hills after breakfast on a 5 hour drive from the Delta. We will stay in Tsodilo for 1 night visiting the different hills. The four hills form a line and are referred to by the San people as “The Male” – the largest hill which reaches a height of 410 meters above the surrounding plain; “The Female” – a smaller hill, about 300m, but has an overall area of almost three times that of The Male; and the next in size of 40m is referred to as “The Child” and lies about 2km away from The Female. Beyond these three is a much smaller unnamed knoll, located 2.2km northwest of The Child, which legend has it was The Male Hill’s first wife who was discarded when he met and married the taller Female Hill.

The enigmatic and spiritual quality of the hills was noted by the famous author Sir Laurens van Der Post in his book “The Lost World of the Kalahari”. It was here that Sir Laurens’s cameras inexplicably jammed, his tape recorders ceased functioning and his party was attacked by swarms of bees three mornings running. When he learned from his guide that two of his party had disturbed the Tsodilo spirits by ignoring long-established protocol and killing a warthog and a steenbok while approaching the sacred hills, Van Der Post buried a note of apology beneath the panel of paintings that now bears his name and it was apparently accepted. We will camp for one night.

DAY 20: MAUN

We will wake up at around 6.00am for a beautiful sunrise, come back for breakfast and disassemble the camp before we depart to Maun at around 08:00am. We will arrive in Maun in the afternoon and be accommodated in a (bed and breakfast basis) for 1 night. There is provision to allow those wishing to go to town buy their necessities before departing the following day, while those remaining behind may rest by the pool side.

DAY 21 – TOUR ENDS

You will wake up and have breakfast, then be transferred to Maun airport for your flight to Johannesburg or drive back to Kasane or Gaborone to return back home or engage in other further activities.

TOUR ENDS

Safari Accommodation

CAMPING NIGHTS:
17 nights camping

LODGING:
3 nights lodging

A non-participatory wild camping with en-suite facilities (17 nights) and lodging (3 nights). Imela Wilderness will provide a bucket shower with warm water off the fire. Imela Wilderness chef prepare fresh meals in the camp on site.

Note; All our tours are non-participatory, meaning we have enough staff to do the camp chores while you sit and enjoy your safari.

Details

Included in Your Safari

The quoted price includes all accommodation, park entry fees, excursions, and transfers.

ITINERARY INCLUDES:

Park & Reserve entry fees
Pick up and drop off at the airport
4X4 vehicle fully equipped for camping
All
Camping meals
Vehicle Fridge
Tea/coffee and hot chocolate
Professional Guide
2 Game drives per day
Chef
Camp assistants X2
Mokoro activities (seasonal)
Mokoro pooler fees
Entrance fees to the delta
Boat Cruise in Chobe
Lodge accommodation in Maun, Kasane/Chobe National Park

ITINERARY EXCLUDES:

Scenic flight over the Okavango delta
Boat cruise in Okavango delta
Staff tips
Premium wines
Emergency evacuation
Curios
Insurance
All flight tickets unless otherwise indicated
Items of personal nature
Any drinks at lodges or accommodation other than Imela Tented camps unless stated.

Easy Payment Options

40% Deposit to confirm booking. Balance due 6 weeks prior to departure.

BOTSWANA AND THE FALLS SELFDRIVE SAFARI

20 nights/21 days

KASANE > CHOBE NATIONAL PARK > VICTORIA FALLS > MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARK > NXAI PAN NATIONAL PARK/BAINES BAOBAS > MAUN > OKAVANGO DELTA (FLY-IN) > MOREMI GAME RESERVE (XAKANAXA) > MOREMI GAME RESERVE/KHWAI > SAVUTI > KASANE

Overview

Game Drives
Boat Cruise
Guided walks
Mokoro excursions

This self-drive Botswana safari tour from Chobe to Okavango Delta via Victoria Falls, is ideal for guests who want to experience Botswana and Zimbabwe at their own pace while still enjoying the luxury of camping and staying at a safari lodge. Set out and explore as you cross the borders to drive from camp to camp and lose yourself in the exquisite Botswana scenery. Rest your head at cosy safari lodges in between action-packed safaris.

Venture on thrilling bush drives to track predators, antelope and other roamers. Experience the bush on foot on guided walking safaris. Sail off into the sunset on magical boat cruises of Chobe River, glide through the lily studded Delta waterways and witness a diversity of wildlife. Explore Botswana’s top game reserves where safari highlights include flat bare plains of Makgadikgadi, Chobe’s famously large herds of elephant, game drives in predator-rich Moremi Reserve, and abundance of wildlife in Savuti located within Chobe National Park.

Daily Activity

DAY 1: PICK UP CAR RENTAL IN KASANE

Arrive in Kasane International Airport off Air Botswana/Qatar Airways at around 1000hrs where Imela Wilderness guides will meet you with a signage board written IMELA WILDERNESS. Pick up your Botswana car rental and experience this amazing journey at your own pace as you travel through exquisite scenery en route to your Chobe River accommodation. Unwind with a refreshing drink and enjoy picturesque views of the lush vegetation and the pristine Chobe River. After a long journey, relax and unwind with a cold drink and freshen up for the adventures you are about to experience. Set off on an action-packed game drive and celebrate your first night on your self-drive Botswana safari tour with sundowner drinks in a scenic location.

DAY 2–3: CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Next morning, wake up and have quick breakfast before departing for a long morning game drive. You will also have an opportunity to observe the animals closely. Chobe also boasts two antelopes rarely encountered elsewhere in Botswana – the puku and the Chobe bushbuck. The puku, with their shaggy orange-brown coats and V-shaped horns, can be spotted grazing the floodplains. Always on the lookout for predators, a repetitive whistle is used to warn fellow herd members. In contrast, the Chobe bushbuck is nocturnal and rarely forms groups of more than one pair. Rarely seen, this shy antelope, with its short, spiral horns relies on a sharp bark as an alarm call when threatened. Both the puku and the bushbuck have a number of predators to contend with, from lion, hyena and leopard, to African wild dog.

We will be staying in a lodge for 2 nights.

DAY 4-5: VICTORIA FALLS

After breakfast we will depart to Zimbabwe, Victoria falls. Our guides will transfer you to a lodge accommodation in Victoria Falls where you will be staying here for 2 nights, on a bed and breakfast basis (dinner and lunch at own expense). Victoria Falls is the largest single curtain of falling water on the planet. More than twice the size of Niagara Falls, this Natural Wonder and World Heritage Site has become one of Southern Africa’s top tourist destinations. This spot on the Zambezi River, the natural border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, has been described as one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.

The National Park has rich biodiversity of fauna like elephant, hippos, giraffes, zebra antelopes and a variety of birds like klipspringers, herons, falcon and waterfowls. The stunning beauty of islands in the river upstream draws the tourists through a boat cruise. The Devil’s pool, another prominent tourist attraction, is a fresh water pond where swimming is accessed to the tourists.

The bridge, which was constructed across the second gorge, gives the splendid view of the falling waters. The two islands of Cataract Island and Livingstone Island divide the massive water into number of smaller streams in the upstream of the river. The Victoria Falls can be reached through Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe as well as Livingstone town in Zambia. These two towns are well accessible through air and roads.

Our adventure begins in Victoria Falls and besides the fantastic viewing of the falls, the Victoria Falls Bridge and David Livingstone’s Statue, the destination offers a wide range of activities:

• Bungee jumping

• Helicopter tours

• Crocodile jumping

• Canopy tours

• Zip lining

• White water rafting

• Other activities on offer are horse-riding, elephant-riding, walking with Lions, or canoeing. We will be staying here for 2 nights.

Important Note: Imela Wilderness does not pay for any park entry fees and activities conducted in Victoria Falls. They are not included in the quote.

DAY 6-7: NATA BIRD SANCTUARY/MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARK

We spend an afternoon exploring this beautiful birdlife and wildlife area and camp for 1 night.

DAY 8-9: NXAI PANS NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast we will then depart to Nxai Pans National Park. When the seasonal rains come, the vast grasslands of the park attract grazers in numbers (herds of wildebeest and herds of zebra) and consequently, these attract an impressive range of predators.

DAY 10-11: OKAVANGO DELTA (FLY IN)

After an early morning breakfast make your way to Maun. Drop off your vehicle in Maun at our offices and board a light aircraft that takes you into the Okavango Delta. Lose yourself in the marvellous scenery from your private window as you fly at a low altitude over the Delta waterways. Sit back and enjoy a mini-game transfer to your Okavango Delta accommodation. Discover the hidden secrets of the African bush on a leisurely mokoro cruise and witness of a profusion of birds, and feel the thrill as you encounter hippo.

Motorboat safaris in the afternoon are ideal for witnessing the majestic African sunset. Dose off as the nocturnal choir sends you off into a deep sleep.

We will be staying in a lodge in the Delta for 2 nights.

DAY 12-13: MOREMI XAKANAXA (THIRD BRIDGE)

We wake up to have a quick breakfast before we take a quick game drive then board a flight back to Maun. We will then collect our vehicles at Imela Wilderness offices before heading to Xakanaxa-Moremi game reserve. Set-aside in 1963 by the Batawana tribe, the Reserve is rated as Africa’s most beautiful game reserve. Our drives will take us to the park’s most beautiful areas such as the third bridge, Bodumatau and dead tree island. Game is plentiful and the sightings include elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion, hyena, jackal and many different antelopes including red lechwe and shy sitatunga; a web-footed antelope perfectly adapted to life in the swamps, Wild dog, whose numbers are so rapidly decreasing elsewhere, are regularly sighted in the Moremi game reserve, It is the great diversity of plant and animal life that makes Moremi so well known. The reserve contains within its boundaries approximately twenty percent of the Okavango Delta.

We will camp in the Wilderness for 2 nights enjoying the activities on a day to day basis.

DAY 14: MOREMI KHWAI (NORTH GATE)

Wake up and have breakfast before we depart to Khwai. It is situated in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta, bordering the Chobe National Park on the south-western part of the Park. The Moremi Game Reserve covers almost one third of the Delta. The Khwai River forms a boundary between the reserve and the community area. We spend the following 1 night camping at an exclusive campsite in the community area, exploring the Khwai floodplains on game drives both during the day and at night. Exploring after dark with spotlights offers you an opportunity to experience some of the nocturnal animals that are rarely encountered during the day. We will also have the opportunity to explore the surrounding wilderness on foot (please note that this activity is seasonal based on rains and grass height, your guide will determine the safety of walking in Khwai). It is important to note that night drives and guided walks are not permitted within the national parks and reserves. These activities are conducted outside the boundaries of the
Moremi Game Reserve in the Khwai community area.

15-16: SAVUTI

DAY 17: KASANE

We will wake up in our camp site, have a quick breakfast and a short game drive before departing to Kasane where we will be staying overnight in a lodge. We will be staying in a lodge for 1 night on bed & breakfast basis (Lunch & dinner at own expense).

DAY 18 – TOUR ENDS

You will wake up and have breakfast, drop off your vehicle and board your flight for further connections back home or to your next holiday destination.