Botswana Overland Camping Adventure

Trip Highlights

• Wild camping in the Kalahari.
• Guided Bushmen walk experience.
• Game viewing in open 4x4 safari vehicle in Moremi Wildlife Reserve.
• Mokoro (dugout canoe) excursion in the Okavango Delta area of Moremi.
• Game viewing cruise on the Chobe River.
• 2 nights in Livingstone/ Victoria Falls.
• Sunset on Makgadikgadi Pans (weather permitting).

About this Safari

This is a participation Safari.  The concept behind a Participation Safari is for guests to enjoy the tasks they are responsible for, while still feeling like valued visitors who are on vacation. Clients’ involvement is an integral part of an enjoyable and successful journey. Clients are required to participate in certain tasks such as assisting the guide and assistant with the making and breaking up of camp.
Accommodation: 13 nights camping.
Meals: All meals when camping except 1 lunch and 1 dinner in Livingstone/ Victoria Falls.
Group Size: 4-16 participants.
Sleeping Bag Hire:  $35 - must be booked in advance.
Transfers:   Return airport transfers and pre-tour accommodation in Johannesburg may be pre-booked at an additional fee. 
Important: This safari is recommended for healthy, active participants looking for an adventurous holiday.

The concept behind a participation safari is for guests to enjoy the tasks they are responsible for, while still feeling like valued visitors who are on vacation. Clients’ involvement is an integral part of an enjoyable and successful journey. Clients are required to participate in certain tasks such as assisting the guide and assistant with the making and breaking up of camp, erecting and dismantling their tents with ease.

Camping Equipment
Large, spacious, comfortable tents (W2.4m x L2.4m x H1.9m) accommodating 2 persons are provided. Each tent is insect proof and equipped with a built-in ground sheet for insulation as well as two large aerating windows with mosquito nets. Each passenger is provided with a 6 cm thick foam mattress and a comfortable safari folding chair. A comprehensive set of cooking and camping equipment, water containers, first aid box, reference books on mammals and birds of the area and a set of spare parts are carried in the vehicle. Clients are requested to bring their own small pillow and sleeping bag (alternatively sleeping bags may be hired).

Day By Day Itinerary

Day 1: Johannesburg - Kalahari Desert
We depart at 07h30 from our hotel in Johannesburg, and install our bushcamp in the Kalahari Desert. The evening is spent admiring the bright stars of the southern hemisphere around our campfire. (L, D).

Day 2: Kalahari (Bushmen Experience)
We set up camp at Dqae Qare Bushmen village in the Kalahari. The project is owned and run by the local Bushmen community with all proceeds directly benefiting the community. The following morning a 1 hour guided bush walk is undertaken, with a local guide explaining and showing us the many uses of the surrounding environment. (B, L, D).

Day 3: Maun
Arriving in Maun – the ‘gateway’ to the Okavango Delta, the evening is spent relaxing around the campfire and preparing for our 4x4 excursion into Moremi the following morning. (B, L, D).

Day 4/ 5: Okavango Area of Moremi Wildlife Reserve
Entering Moremi Wildlife Reserve, we explore the area on early morning and late afternoon game drives in open x4x4 vehicles. A day is spent exploring the channels of the Okavango Delta by Mokoro. We lunch on an island in the delta and enjoy a game walk (subject to the water level of the delta). (B, L, D).

Day 6/ 7: Khwai Area of Moremi Wildlife Reserve
The Khwai area is a pure wilderness area of great beauty, with rich green vegetation, palm trees, teeming with birdlife and a vast population of wild animals. We enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives exploring the reserve in open 4x4 safari vehicle. (B, L, D).

Day 8: Moremi – Maun
An early morning game drive is enjoyed as we leave Moremi, returning to Maun in time for lunch and an optional scenic flight (own expense) over the Okavango Delta. (B, L, D).

Day 9: Chobe River - Kasane
Camp is set up on the banks of the Chobe River. Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of wildlife and birdlife. Sunset is enjoyed and the following morning we relax on a game viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River. (B, L, D).

Day 10/ 11: Livingstone/ Victoria Falls "Mosi-oa-Tunya" - The Smoke that thunders
We travel across the Zambian border to view Victoria Falls - one of the most spectacular sights in Africa. Days are spent at leisure to browse the local markets, to experience the many optional activities on offer in the adrenalin capital of Africa including white water rafting, bungi jumping, microlighting/ airplane or helicopter over the Falls, rhino walks, elephant back safaris etc. and to visit the Falls (own expense). (All meals excluding 1 lunch & 1 dinner).

Day 12: Makgadikgadi Pans
Making our way back into Botswana we set up camp at Nata. We visit the Makgadikgadi Pans for a truly unforgettable sunset over what remains of an ancient 6500km2 lake. (B, L, D).

Day 13: Limpopo Area
We install our camp for the last night near the mighty Limpopo River, which forms the border of Botswana and South Africa. (B, L, D).

Day 14: Johannesburg
We travel via the ‘Jacaranda City’ of Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa and home of the famous Union Buildings, ending at +-16h00. (B, L).

(This itinerary will depend on local conditions.)

Meal Codes: B = Breakfast,  L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Dates and Rates 2008 - Botswana Overland Camping Adventure

Rates are based on two people sharing.  Please contact us for single supplement rate.