Itinerary

Day 1 JOHANNESBURG to KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY
An early start as we depart Johannesburg at 06:30am and head north across the border into Botswana at Martins Drift. The Kharma Rhino Sanctuary is a 4300 hectare community based wildlife reserve and is an integral part of the conservation and re-introduction of the white rhino to Botswana. We arrive in the late afternoon, set up camp and enjoy a game drive in search of rhino, zebra and wildebeest. Our evening is enjoyed around a campfire and we fall asleep to the sounds of the African wilderness. [camping -LD] 
[B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]

Day 2, 3, 4 CENTRAL KALAHARI
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is one of the largest game reserves in the world (52,800 square kilometre). Made famous by Mark and Delia Owen in the book Cry of the Kalahari, its remoteness, unforgiving climate and harsh terrain have kept it pristine and untamed. This reserve is characterised by vast open plains, saltpans and ancient riverbeds. During the summer months, when the rains fall, the Kalahari grasslands turn green and lush and the good grazing attracts large herds of zebra, wildebeest springbok and gemsbok (oryx). Following the herds we hope to find the Kalahari lions. We use 4WD vehicles to visit the northern portion of the reserve and camp wild for 3 nights. [camping BLD]

Day 5 MAUN
Our next stop is Maun the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Here we restock on provisions and enjoy a swim in the pool, a cool drink in the bar and a restaurant meal (own expense). Opportunity to take a light aircraft flight over the channels Okavango in the late afternoon (own expense). [camping BL-]

Day 6 - 7 OKAVANGO DELTA
We venture by 4WD into the vast wilderness of the Okavango Delta where we meet our local community guides. Relax as your poler expertly guides your mokoro (dugout) through the winding channels of the delta. Camp is set up on the islands under a towering canopy of trees. We set out on foot for morning and evening game walks with local guides. During the heat of the day, time is spent relaxing in camp or swimming in the clear delta waters. Birdlife in the Okavango during the summer months is spectacular with all of the summer migrants returning to this water wonderland. The sound of birds are sure to wake you at dawn each morning! [camping BLD]

Day 8 – 9 NXAI PAN
We return to the “poling station” and continue with our 4WD to the vast fossil lake beds which form the unique and beautiful Nxai Pan national park. These pans surrounded by baobab and umbrella thorn trees are covered with short nutritious grass that attracts the wildlife. One of few parks that is best in rainy season, we spend the next two days on a game drives hoping to spot large herds of springbok and gemsbok and zebra. The seven giant trees that form the famous Baines Baobabs are a highlight of the visit. [camping Bx2 Lx1 Dx2]

Day 10 MAKGADIKGADI PANS
Camping wild on the flat Makgadikgadi pans is an experience you’ll never forget. After watching the sunset over the pans, the evening is spent enjoying wide open spaces and the canopy of stars. 
[camping BLD] 

Day 11 – 12 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
Chobe National Park is famous for large herds of elephants. We set up camp in Chobe and enjoy afternoon and morning game drives. The afternoon of day 12 we embark on a cruise on the Chobe River, a brilliant wildlife experience where we get close to the hippopotamus, crocodiles and elephants. Keep an eye out for the endemic Chobe puku. [camping BLD]

Day 13 – 14 VICTORIA FALLS / LIVINGSTONE
We cross the border into Zambia at the Kazangula Ferry. Our afternoon is spent exploring the Mosi au Tunya NP and enjoying the views as the mighty Zambezi plunges 100m over the Victoria Falls. The following day is free to enjoy the range of adventure activities including river rafting, bungee jumping and the Flight of Angels over the falls (own expense). We sample the local cuisine at a variety of restaurants in the evening (own expense). [camping Bx2 - -] 

Day 15 LIVINGSTONE – TOUR ENDS
Tour ends at 08:00 after breakfast. Transfers to local airports available. [- B - -]

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM:
The Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and provide economic benefits to the local Motswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources.

PRE & POST TOUR ACCOMMODATION:
Due to the early departure time of this safari we recommend that you stay in Johannesburg the night before safari. Please indicate if you require assistance with airport transfers and hotel reservations in your enquiry .

Single supplement
If you are travelling on your own, we will “room” you with another same gender client so you do not pay extra when booking as a single person. If however, you request a single room, then the single supplement is applicable.

Local payment
A local payment is required on this safari and this will be collected by the tour leader on departure. This covers a portion of the local operational costs including entrance and park fees. This ensures that a major portion of your tour price goes directly into the country you are visiting, benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the area.

Included

 
14 nights camping 
Entrance fees 
Use of camping equipment (except sleeping bags) 
Professional guide 
Okavango Delta excursion 
Kalahari, Nxai Pan & Chobe excursion
Maximum group size: 12 Travellers

Transport in minibus / safari truck & 4WD
Vehicle - for longer distance travel, place to place, we use custom-built safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats. Your comfort is catered for with individual seats (with safety belts), ample legroom and large vertical sliding windows for unobstructed viewing and photography.
There are roof hatches for excellent "open" views and an integral cab and passenger compartment so contact with the driver is easy. Each truck also have large packing compartments, a built in kitchen, freezers, drinking water tanks, interior lights and gas stoves (to minimise use of wood and destruction of forest areas). There is also a pullout set of steps into the passenger compartment, making access for clients easier.

or Toyota Hiace minibuses with 10 forward facing seats (roof rack and trailer for equipment and baggage); or Mercedes Sprinter minibuses with 16 forward facing seats (and trailer for equipment and baggage). There are a couple of long days of travelling but the vehicles have a comfortable cruising speed.

For the national parks of Botswana we use custom built 4WDs, with individual "bucket" seats, with trailers for the equipment. Game viewing from an “open” vehicle is the best way to go for Botswana – small groups in Land Rovers and Land Cruisers have the best wildlife sightings!
We are pleased to announce the introduction of its new Land Cruiser 4WD open game viewing vehicles in Botswana (July2008). These custom built game viewing vehicles are the first of their kind in Botswana. Each new vehicle has a built in “roll cage” that conforms to the latest safety standards of South Africa, and each individual bucket seat has a lap belt. The vehicles are constructed by a registered coach builder and ensure structural integrity of the passenger cabin in the unlikely event of a roll.

Meals as per itinerary
We pride ourselves on giving very good healthy meals to our clients and will provide three meals per day, except where shown in the itinerary, where we try out local restaurants.
The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: Breakfast - cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast, Lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls, Dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided.
We do cater for special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies.)
We will supply fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner

Excluded

All other beverages will be for your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour
Botswana: 
Flight over Okavango 45min $100-120 (subject to the number of people sharing the aircraft).
Zambia / Zimbabwe: 
Game drives (2 hours) $35, Horse riding (2-3 hours) $50-70, Flight – fixed wing $55, Flight – helicopter $85-170, Flight – micro light $80-140, Rafting ½ day $95, Rafting full day $95, River boarding $135, Bungi jumping $85, Canoe upper – Zambezi ½ day $75, Canoe upper – Zambezi 1 day $88, Zambezi cruise $35-48, Elephant rides $110, Crocodile farm $12, Snake park $5

Departures

Starts: Johannesburg – Finishes: Livingstone
09 Jan 10 – 23 Jan 10
30 Jan 10 – 13 Feb 10
20 Feb 10 – 06 Mar 10
27 Mar 10 – 10 Apr 10
17 Apr 10 – 01 May 10
08 May 10 – 22 May 10
29 May 10 – 12 Jun 10
19 Jun 10 – 03 Jul 10
10 Jul 10 – 24 Jul 10
14 Aug 10 – 28 Aug 10
11 Sep 10 – 25 Sep 10
09 Oct 10 – 23 Oct 10
06 Nov 10 – 20 Nov 10
04 Dec 10 – 18 Dec 10

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