MIRACLE RIVERS & ANCIENT LAKES

6 Days / 7 Nights  Maun to Maun
3 Nts camping in Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve
1 Nt fly-camping in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
2 Nts Camping in Nxai Pan, Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pan National Park

US$1620.00 per person sharing (Mar-Jun, Nov&Dec)
US$1800.00 per person sharing (Jul-Oct):

Includes:

- Spacious and comfortable tented accommodation, including beds and bed linen, with a private bathroom en-suite
- Services of a professional guide and safari team, including a camp manager, safari chef and camp assistants, complete with a supply vehicle
- Game drives and local transfers in customised safari vehicles with a guaranteed window seat
- Exclusive camping in private campsites within the national parks and reserves
- All entrance and camping fees within the national parks and reserves
- All meals and drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, beer, wine and G&T – no other spirits)
- All activities as specified in the itinerary
- Medical Evacuation Insurance

Excludes: international & domestic flights, travel and medical insurance, visas, spirits, items of a personal nature.

2006 SCHEDULED SAFARI DATES

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1,2&3: Camping in Xakanaxa within the Moremi Game Reserve (Full Board)

A Game Trails representative will be there to welcome you on your arrival at Maun Airport and assist you with checking in and boarding your onward flight to Xakanaxa in a light aircraft. Your exact departure time from Maun Airport will be advised closer to the time (mid-day to early afternoon), as this depends on Air Botswana’s flight schedule. For those guests who plan on spending a pre-safari night in Maun (highly recommended after a long-haul flight), please arrange a hotel transfer to the airport to meet your guide at the specified time, or make an arrangement for your guide to meet you at the hotel before going to the airport.

The flight from Maun to Xakanaxa is approximately 25 minutes. Your guide will meet you on arrival at Xakanaxa airstrip in Moremi Game Reserve and transfer you to your pre-erected camp where the rest of the safari team will be awaiting your arrival. Spending the following three nights camping in the Xakanaxa region, we explore the surrounding wilderness and waterways on game drive and by motor boat.

You will embark on a water world adventure, exploring the endless network of crystal clear waterways and secret lagoons by motor boat, and the surrounding palm fringed islands on foot. After a full day on the water, we return to dry land for our last night in Xakanaxa.

 Day 4: Fly-camping in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans (Full Board)

Following breakfast, we set off on the long road ahead to the vast salt pans of the Makgadikgadi, a stark contrast to the fertile Moremi Game Reserve. This is by far the longest transit day, and guests should be prepared to spend the full day on the road, arriving in camp late that afternoon.

The enchanting experience of the Makgadikgadi starts as the sun sets. The sun baked earth relaxes as the soft warm light washes over the barren landscape. You will spend the evening gazing up at the seemingly endless and mystical canopy of stars. 

“Fly-camping” means to camp with only the bear essentials. In this case, simply your bed and bedroll set out on the pans, with one toilet and shower shared by all. This is the best way to fully appreciate the magic of the Makgadikgadi. However, tents will be available on request.

Day 5&6: Camping in Nxai Pan National Park (Full Board)

Leaving the pans at first light we make out way towards to rolling grasslands of Nxai Pan, arriving in time for lunch. Spending our last two nights camping in the Nxai Pan National Park, we explore the surrounding grass plains on game drives. 

Day 7: Safari ends in Maun (B&L)

 Following an early morning game drive, we return to Maun. On arrival in Maun at approximately 13:00, your guide will drop you off at Maun airport for your onward flight, or for pick-up by your hotel, should you be spending a night in Maun.

NORTHERN EXPLORER

9 Nights / 10 Days   Maun to Kasane or Kasane to Maun

Moremi Game Reserve
Okavango Delta
Chobe National Park (Savuti & Chobe River Front)

US$2430.00 per person sharing (Mar–Jun, Nov&Dec)
US$2700.00 per person sharing (Jul-Oct)

2006 SCHEDULED SAFARI DATES

DETAILED ITINERARY (Maun – Kasane)Day 1&2: Camping in Xakanaxa within the Moremi Game Reserve (Full Board)

Your safari guide will be there to welcome you on arrival at Maun Airport.  The exact departure time from Maun Airport will be advised closer to the time, as this depends on Air Botswana’s flight schedule. We expect to leave Maun and begin our journey mid-day to early afternoon. For those guests who plan on spending a pre-safari night in Maun (highly recommended after a long-haul flight), please arrange a hotel transfer to the airport to meet your guide at the specified time, or make an arrangement for your guide to meet you at the hotel before going to the airport.

We begin our journey to Moremi Game Reserve, stopping for a picnic lunch en-route, and arriving at our pre-erected camp in the Xakanaxa region of the reserve in time for sundowners. Spending our first two nights camping in the Xakanaxa region, we explore the surrounding wilderness on game drives during the day.

Following an early morning game drive en-route to the Xakanaxa boat station, you will embark on a water world adventure, exploring the endless network of crystal clear waterways and secret lagoons by motor boat, and the surrounding palm fringed islands on foot. After a full day on the water, we return to dry land and head north-east, en route to the Khwai community area. 

The Khwai rivers forms a boundary between the reserve and the community area. We spend the following three 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 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.

We head further north en-route to Chobe National Park, were we spend the following two nights camping in an exclusive wilderness campsite in the Savuti region, exploring the dessert-like landscape of game drives.

Leaving this parched landscape, we continue our journey north to the contrasting Chobe region of the park. We spend the last two nights camping in an exclusive wilderness campsite along the Chobe river, exploring the river banks and surrounding flood plains on game drives. The grand finale being a leisurely afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe river against the backdrop of a magnificent African sunset.

Day 9: Safari ends in Kasane (B)

Following breakfast and a early morning game drive, our safari ends in Kasane late morning, around 11:30am. Your guide will drop you off either at Kasane Airport for onward flights or road transfers to Victoria Falls or Livingstone, or at your hotel, should you be spending a night in Kasane.

For those departures starting in Kasanse and ending in Maun, your guide will meet you in the reception at Chobe Safari Lodge at 11:00 of the first day. Your safari will end in Maun at approximately 13:00, where you will be dropped off at the airport for an onward flight, or at your hotel, should you be spending a night in Maun.

DESERT & DELTA EXPLORER

12 Nights / 13 Days

Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Park
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
 Moremi Game Reserve
Okavango Delta
US$3240.00 per person sharing

DETAILED ITINERARY 

Day 1&2: Camping in Nxai Pan National Park (Full Board)

For those guests who plan on spending a pre-safari night in Maun (highly recommended after a long-haul flight), please arrange a hotel transfer to the airport to meet your guide at the specified time, or make an arrangement for your guide to meet you at the hotel before going to the airport.We begin our journey to Nxai Pan, stopping for a picnic lunch en-route, and arriving at our pre-errected camp in time for sundowners. Spending our first two nights camping in Nxai Pan, we explore the surrounding wilderness on game drives during the day, including a visit to Baines Baobabs.

Day 3: Fly-camping at Kubu Island in the Makagadikgadi Salt Pans

Day 4: Lodge accommodation at Meno A Kwena Tented Camp on the Boteti  (Full Board)

The camp is situated on a cliff overlooking the dry Boteti river bed, bordering the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Wildlife concentrate around the waterhole in front of camp, and the cliff provides a great viewing point over the surrounding area. The camp offers fully serviced accommodation in min-meru style tents, each with it’s own bucket shower and flushing toilet, with a central dinning and sitting area under canvass. It’s a ideal place to relax on your fist night on safari, and prepare for the journey ahead.

Following breakfast, we conitue our journey through cattle country and along the contraversial Kuke fence, to Deception Valley in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, arriving in time for lunch. Spending the following two nights camping in the reserve, we explore the surrounding wilderness on game drives.

Following a early morning game drive, we set off to Deception Valley Lodge situated on the northern boundary adjoining the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, arriving in time for lunch.

Your guide will enlighten you about the hunting and survival skills, culture and crafts of one of Africa’s oldest cultures. Later that evening, we will have the opportunity to explore after dark on a night game drive, which promises to reveal a fascinating world of nocturnal species rarely encountered during the day.

Leaving this parched landscape behind, we travel further north, passing through the dusty village of Maun, en route to the contrasting Moremi Game Reserve. This is by far the longest transit day and guests should be prepared to spend the full day on the road.

Day 10,11&12: Camping in the Khwai community area bordering Moremi Game Reserve (Full Board)

The Khwai rivers forms a boundary between the reserve and the community area. We spend our last three nights camping at an exclusive campsite in the community arae, exploring the Khwai floodplains on game drives both during the day and at night.

Day 13:  Safari ends in Maun (B&L)