Botswana Magic Lodge Safari - Victoria Falls to Maun (or reverse) via Savuti & Okavango Delta - 6 Nights / 7 days - Okavango Expeditions
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Botswana Magic Lodge Safari
Victoria Falls to Maun (or reverse)
via Savuti & Okavango Delta - 6 Nights / 7 days
Introduction
Botswana is a wildlife sanctuary nestled in the heart of Southern Africa and 17% of its land mass is Game
Reserves and National Parks which has successfully protected this natural heritage for nearly 60 years. Home
to the world’s largest elephant population and some of Africa’s most beautiful wilderness areas, we invite you
to explore Victoria Falls, Chobe and Moremi National Parks as well as the Okavango Delta.
This lodge to lodge safari will allow you to experience authentic Africa in comfort, thanks to a closed vehicle
with a pop up roof for game viewing as well as nights and meals enjoyed in lodges. Your guide will accompany
you throughout your safari and will help you discover Botswana’s rich ecosystem, from the Okavango’s life
giving rivers, channels and secret lagoons to the grasslands and mopane forests of the arid far north where
African animals flourish, including lions, leopards, wild-dogs, zebra, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelope
and many more.
Key Points
Accompanied by your guide throughout the safari in custom designed 4x4 safari vehicle
Visit the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, including Savuti area of Chobe
National Park
Accommodation for 6 nights in lodges, rest camps and guesthouses (depending on availability,
accommodation of a similar standard may be booked)
Window seat for each guest for comfort and prime game viewing
Medical Evacuation Cover with Okavango Air Rescue
Scheduled lodge safari / minimum 2 guests / maximum 7 guests
Itinerary & Activities
D1 : Victoria Falls to Kasane – Boat cruise on Chobe river – Overnight at Old House Guest Lodge
D2 : Chobe National Park – Game drives in closed vehicle – Overnight at Old House Guest Lodge
D3 : Chobe National Park & Chobe Forest Reserve – Game drives & transfer – Overnight at Thobolo’s Bush
Lodge
D4 : Chobe Forest Reserve - Savuti to Moremi region – Game drives & transfer - Overnight at Mogogelo
Camp
D5 : Moremi Game Reserve – Game drives in closed vehicle - Overnight at Mogogelo Camp
D6 : Moremi region to Maun – Game drive & transfer– Overnight at Thamalakane River Lodge
D7 : Maun – Airport drop off
Page 1
Page 2
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Victoria Falls - Kasane
Your transfer driver will meet you at your hotel in the late morning and you start your journey from Victoria
Falls to Kasane by road. We recommend spending at least one night in Victoria Falls before you begin your
safari. In the early afternoon, you will cross the Zimbabwe border into Botswana, reaching The Old House
situated in the heart of Kasane overlooking the mighty Chobe River. After settling in, you start your safari with
a boat cruise on the Chobe River late afternoon. This experience allows you to enjoy game viewing from the
water and to be able to enjoy the elephants, hippos, crocodiles and all the animals that come to drink in the
afternoon, without forgetting the spectacular birds. You will then return to your accommodation in Kasane
around dusk where you will also enjoy dinner at the Old House Guest Lodge.
Dinner - Approx distance 90 Kms - 1.5h driving time.
Day 2: Chobe National Park
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you head out on safari to Chobe National Park. Your guide will accompany
you in a 4x4 safari vehicle specifically designed for your comfort and prime game viewing. You may be lucky
enough to see a number of elephants especially in the drier month in Chobe National Park, leaving little
wonder why it is sometimes referred to as the “Land of Giants”. You spend the morning in the park observing
wildlife that could include lions, buffaloes, antelopes as well as the little creatures you may encounter along
your drive. As the lodge is located a short distance from the park, you can return to the lodge for lunch and
spend time lounging by the pool. Later in the afternoon, you will enjoy a game drive with the chance to see
animals not seen during the morning drive. Arriving back at the Old House Guest Lodge in Kasane at the end of
the day for dinner and a night filled with the memories of the day.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner – Distance and driving time depending on chosen itinerary.
Day 3: Chobe National Park – Chobe River –Chobe Forest Reserve
Following breakfast, a new day of wildlife viewing in the heart of Chobe National Park awaits you. Your safari
will take you along the banks of the Chobe River, from Kasane to Ngoma where you may have an opportunity
to see elephants coming down to the water to drink, cool off and playing in the water. Keep your eyes open
for a chance to see the red lechwe antelope who prefers the water areas or maybe the rare Puku antelope
best seen in Chobe National Park. After leaving the park at Ngoma gate, you continue to the Chobe Forest
Reserve. This area is unfenced and wild animals move can freely. Along the way, you enjoy a picnic in this
beautiful landscape arriving at Thobolo´s Bush Lodge mid afternoon where you will spend the night. End the
day by enjoying a sundowner, overlooking the sunset on the viewing deck, admiring Barangwe Pan where the
local wildlife may come to quench their thirst.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner – Approx distance 130 Kms – 2 to 3h driving time.
Page 3
Highlights… Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park, founded in 1967 in Northwestern Botswana, is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries on
the African continent and the most diverse park in Botswana. Covering an area of 11,700 square kilometers, it
is the third largest park in the country, after Central Kalahari Reserve and Kgalagadi National Park. The park is
divided into four distinct ecosystems.
The Serondela region (Chobe River Front or banks of the Chobe River) is located in the extreme northeast of
the park. It has many geographic features such as lush plains and dense teak forests. The Chobe River, which
runs along the north-eastern border of the park, is a good watering point for elephants and buffaloes during
the dry season.
The Savuti swamp region is sometimes fed by the sporadic flowing Savuti channel, which dries up when
rainfall is not abundant and may also stop flowing for long periods of time and then start flowing again as a
result of the tectonic activity in the region. Due to this variable flow, there are hundreds of dead trees along
the banks of this channel. The region is also covered with vast savannas and rolling grasslands, which makes
the fauna particularly diverse.
In this area, in the dry season, you can see warthogs, kudu, impalas, zebras, wildebeest and elephants. During
the rainy season, the park's bird richness represents around 450 species throughout the park. Groups of lions,
hyenas, zebras or more rarely cheetahs are also visible. This region is famous for its annual migration of zebras
and predators.
The area northwest of the park, around the Linyanti and Kwando rivers, consists of riparian forests, open
forests and lagoons. The rest of the region is mainly made up of floodplains. There are large concentrations of
lions, leopards, wild dogs, various antelopes, hippos and especially huge herds of elephants, the highest
concentration of elephants in Africa. The rare Red Lechwe's, sitatungas and crocodiles can also be found in this
region, as well as a large population of birds.
Finally, a hot and dry hinterland, mainly occupied by the grassy forests of Nogatsaa, lies between the marshes
of Linyanti and Savuti. The region retains water during the dry season and therefore attracts an abundance of
game between August and October. It is particularly conducive to viewing rare antelopes.
Day 4: Chobe Forest Reserve – Savuti – Moremi region
Page 4
It’s an exciting day ahead and an early start. Your will head south-west from Chobe to the Savuti region. The
Savuti plains and marsh are famous for the its variety of landscapes, the density of its fauna as well as its
predator populations creating an ideal hunting ground. Keep your eyes open! It is early in the morning that
these predators can sometimes be seen returning from their previous nights hunting activities. The Savuti area
is arid despite the presence of the Savuti channel and offers a striking contrast when it flows. This river was
dry for more than 30 years after a seismic surge. In 2008, it flowed again for three years, which drastically
altered the wildlife that had moved to the 50-kilometre-long Linyanti River. The Savuti Channel fed the
surrounding marshes developing a rich ecosystem. Today the Savuti Channel is dry again and a new change is
taking place. You leave Savuti through the Mababe gate enjoy a picnic lunch en-route.
After a long day of wildlife watching, you arrive at your accommodation for the next two nights, Mogogelo
Camp, where a hot shower, a delicious dinner and a well-deserved nights rest awaits you.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner – Approx distance 250 Kms – 6 to 8h driving time.
Day 5: Moremi Game Reserve
Another new day on safari, this time in Moremi. Each safari is different and today you can explore one of
Botswana’s most iconic wilderness areas, the Moremi Game Reserve. The area is renowned for its high density
of wildlife, including the Big Five. It is also one of the best places in Africa to observe the African wild dogs.
Some special species of antelopes such as tsessebe, roan and sable antelopes can be spotted, as well as lions,
leopards, elephants, zebras, giraffes and if you are lucky, the cheetah. In the afternoon, you return to
Mogogelo Camp. As the sun sets on another memorable day, you can enjoy the sunset from the camp’s deck
watching the animals come to drink at the water hole in front of camp.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner – Distance and driving time depending on chosen itinerary.
Page 5
Highlights… The Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve
Arriving from the Angolan high plateau, the Okavango River flows into Botswana within the Kalahari Basin
sands where it forms the world largest inland delta (15000Km²), thus creating a natural wonder and an
unparalleled ecosystem. The Okavango Delta is made up of permanent marshes, papyrus lined channels,
seasonal marshes and myriads of islands and inlets, thus forming an oasis of life and plentiful wildlife. One of
the unique characteristics of the Okavango Delta, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2014, is that
annual floods occur in the dry season, so plants and animals have synchronized their biological rhythms with
the floods and annual rains. It is an amazing example of the interaction of climatic, hydrological and biological
eco-systems. The Okavango Delta supports populations of some of the large mammals such as cheetah, wild
dog and lion.
In 1963 the Botswana Government created Moremi Game Reserve, east of the Okavango Delta, to protect this
ecosystem which covers a third of its surface (5000Km²). The reserve has a remarkable variety of habitats,
from constantly inundated lands to drier woodlands, creating a magical combination of land and water. It
includes the areas of Chief Island, the Mopane tongue where Xakanaxa is located as well as the Khwai area.
Page 6
Day 6: Moremi Region - Maun
After breakfast, you depart for a last game drive. Who knows, perhaps today you will observe an animal or an
interaction you have never seen before! This is the magic of a safari. You head south towards Maun through
the bush landscapes of Botswana. In the early afternoon, you arrive at your accommodation for your last night
at Thamalakane River Lodge where you can enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. The lodge is beautifully
located on the banks of the Thamalakane River, just outside of Maun where you can to take a refreshing dip in
the lodge pool. If you are not planning to continue your trip to the Okavango Delta, you can take a scenic flight
over the Okavango Delta in the afternoon. Ending this day with another delicious dinner, before sitting around
the campfire overlooking the river remembering the unforgettable moments experienced over the past few
days.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner – Approx distance 70 Kms – 1.5h driving time.
Day 7: Maun - Airport
After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to pack your luggage. Your guide or a transfer driver will take you to Maun
Airport for your onward flight. We trust that your stay in the heart of Botswana and viewing its wildlife will
have been an incomparable and memorable experience.
Breakfast – Approx Distance 20 Kms- Driving time 30 mins
DISCLAIMER: Although we make every effort to adhere to the details of this itinerary and the listed
activities, these are subject to change due to changing local conditions and factors outside of our control such
as the weather and the condition of the roads, as well as availability. In the event of any necessary changes,
we will keep you informed.
Page 7
7 days Botswana Magic – Dates & Rates
Start Date End Date Arrival Town Departure Town Rack Rate Rack Single Supp
07/04/22 13/04/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
14/04/22 20/04/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
28/04/22 04/05/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
05/05/22 11/05/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
19/05/22 25/05/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
26/05/22 01/06/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
09/06/22 15/06/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
16/06/22 22/06/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
30/06/22 06/07/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
07/07/22 13/07/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
21/07/22 27/07/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
28/07/22 03/08/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
11/07/22 17/08/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
18/08/22 24/08/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
01/09/22 07/09/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
08/09/22 14/09/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
22/09/22 28/09/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
29/09/22 05/10/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
13/10/22 19/10/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
20/10/22 26/10/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
03/11/22 09/11/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
10/11/22 16/11/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
24/11/22 30/11/22 Maun Kasane (Vic Falls) USD 3850 USD 4450
01/12/22 07/12/22 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
29/12/22 04/01/23 Kasane (Vic Falls) Maun USD 3850 USD 4450
Page 8
Included:
A professional guide & Game drives in a closed 4x4 vehicle
6 nights in 3 star lodges according to day to day description (in case of unavailability an accommodation of
equivalent level will be proposed therefore maybe a slight change in rate)
All meals during the safari according to day to day description from Day 1 dinner to Day 7 breakfast
Entrances fees to National Parks and Game Reserves
Victoria Falls to Kasane road transfer
Activities according to day to day description
Group size: Min 2 pax – Max 7 pax - 1 guest per vehicle window
Excluded:
International, regional and domestic flights
Airport taxes & visas
Drinks
Meals not indicated in the day to day description
Tips and personal expenses
Laundry
Personal Client Insurance – Health, Repatriation, Travel (compulsory)
Optional excursions or activities e.g. Maun scenic flight
Accommodation before pre / post safari in Okavango Delta or Victoria Falls
OPTIONS
On request, we can book an extension in Victoria Falls at the beginning of your stay, as well as an extension in
the Okavango Delta. Do not hesitate to contact us for other extensions or activities.
N.B: National Park entry fees are subject to change without prior notice by the Botswana Government.
Page 9
You can also read
