Best of Botswana

BEST OF BOTSWANA offers guests the opportunity of starting and ending off in Livingstone, near the remarkable Victoria Falls, as well as seeing Mkagadigadi and Sua - the world's largest salt pans, the unique wilderness that encompasses Nxai Pan, one of the least visited areas in Botswana and the pristine wetlands of the Okavango.

This non-participation safari entails a 14 day tour through wildlife areas of Nxai Pan, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango and Chobe National Park with diverse habitats ranging from semi-arid drylands to lush woodlands and riverine forests. Days are spent game-driving across vast areas, in search of the tremendous variety of animals Botswana is well known for, from Wild Dogs to huge herds of Elephant, the elusive Leopard, Prides of Lion and good variety of Antelope.

A total of ten nights are spent inside game-reserves and because the number of guests are well controlled and limited-very few vehicles and other signs of civilization. Only private sites are utilized to set up our well-appointed camp.

Day 1	Depart Livingstone and drive to Makadikadi Salt Pans ( L, D)
Day 2 & 3	Drive to Nxai Pan National Park, Nature Drives (B, L, D)
Day 4	Depart Nxai Pan, drive to Maun (B, L)
Day 5 & 6	Depart Maun and Drive to the Xakanaxa region, Moremi Game Reserve (B. L, D)
Day 7 & 8	Nature drive and transfer to the Khwai Region, Moremi Game Reserve (B, L, D)
Day 9 & 10	Nature drive/ transfer to the Savuti region, Chobe National Park (B, L, D)
Day 11 & 12	Nature drive/ transfer to the Chobe River region, Chobe National Park (B, L, D)
Day 13	Nature drive and then transfer to Zambezi Waterfront Lodge, Livingstone (B)
Day 14	Arrangements end after Breakfast

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Mkagadigadi Salt Pans

Guests depart Livingstone by road transfer (07h00) and cross the Zambezi River into Botswana at Kazungula, where the borders of Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana meet. After customs and immigration formalities, you will meet your guide, who will assist with the purchase of drinks in Kasane, before driving south to the villge of Nata, which is situated on the edge of the Madgadigadi Salt Pans. These Salt Pans, the world’s largest, are the remnants of a once massive inland lake. Today they offer spectacular scenery and endless horizons. In season a large variety water birds nest here. The pans offer a truly unique camping experience as well as an opportunity to witness an unforgettable sunset.

Distance: 370km,5 hours-sightseeing
Departure: 07h00
Accommodation: (L,D) Nata Sanctuary. Serviced Camping

Day 2: Nxai Pan National Park

We leave Makgadgadi Salt Pans quite early ,after a light breakfast. Our journey takes us westwards to Nxai Pan National Park. The area is known for large herds of Springbok and Gemsbok, species that are not water dependent. The artificial water-hole at the heart of the pan allows for some remarkable wildlife sightings. Nxai Pan is an ancient lake-bed scattered with islands of Acacia Trees. The Pans have changed little in thousands of years and offer a place to totally lose oneself in limitless wilderness. Camping for the next two nights is in Nxai Pan National Park, with afternoon and morning game-drives.

Distance: 170km, 3 hours-sightseeing
Departure: 08h30
Accommodation: (B,L,D) Nxai Pan National Park. Serviced En-Suite Camping. Private Campsite

Day 3: Nxai Pan National Park

We start with a light breakfast in the cool early hours of the morning, heading out at first light. The drive typically lasts until about 10:30 am, with a coffee break mid-way. On return to our private camp a brunch is served, after which there is an opportunity to have a siesta throughout the heat of the day. As the air starts to cool towards late afternoon, we embark on our after-noon game drive.

Distance: Game-viewing activities
Departure: 06h00
Accommodation: (B,L,D) Nxai Pan National Park. Serviced En-Suite Camping. Private Campsite

Day 4: Maun

Today we take a gamedrive out of Nxai Pan National Park and journey on further west into the frontier town of Maun, to our hotel which has a pleasant eating area with a welcome swimming pool. The afternoon is at leisure at the Hotel, which is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River.Lunch and Dinner are at guests own expense. Guests are also able to replenish their drinks for the next eight days.

Distance: 130km, 2 hours Game-viewing activity
Departure: 06h00
Accommodation: (B) Sedia Riverside Hotel, Maun

Day 5: Xakanaxa, Okavango Delta

We travel by road to Xakanaxa (pronounced ka-ka-ni-ka), which is an integral part of the eastern waters of the Okavango Delta. The area is encompassed by Moremi Game Reserve and boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa. The Game-Reserve has areas of dry lands rising between vast wetlands, crystal clear water channels on the edges of Mopane and Apple-Leaf woodlands. Game viewing takes place alongside waterways and floodplains. Species such as Giraffe, Zebra and Wildebeest are but a few that occur here, along with an astonishing variety of birds.

***Ten Day “Highlights Of Botswana” guests join the safari on this day.

Distance: 130km, 3 hours, Game-viewing activities
Departure: 08h30
Accommodation: (B,L,D) Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve. Serviced En-Suite Camping. Private Campsite

Day 6: Xakanaxa, Okavango Delta

We make our way to the banks of the Okavango River along game-drive routes in the early morning. Today we explore the clear channels, lagoons and rivers of the Okavango Delta by motor boat , going upstream through a myriad of crystal clear waterways lined with African Mangosteen and Water Berry Trees, as well as swaying seas of papyrus. We follow the Okavango River through the Lagoons of Xaxanaxa and Gadikwe, deep into the permanent waters of this unique inland delta. Birdlife is prolific-Kingfishers, Fish Eagles,Ducks and beautiful Pygmy Geese being regularly seen.After a picnic lunch, we make our way back downstream to the mainland for the short evening drive and dinner.

Distance: Game-viewing and River activities
Departure: 06h00
Accommodation: (B,L,D) Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve. Serviced En-Suite Camping. Private Campsite

Day 7: Khwai River, Moremi Game Reserve

The team breaks camp and we take a leisurely drive to our private campsite in the Khwai River area of Moremi Game Reserve. This region’s diversity of animals is truly astounding. Moremi was procaliamed a conservation area in 1964-the result of this foresight is that Moremi is quite rightly been rated as one of the best game-viewing areas in the world.

Distance: 130km, 3 hours, Gameviewing activities
Departure: 06h00
Accommodation: (B,L,D) Khwai, Moremi Game Reserve. Serviced En- Suite Camping. Private Campsite

Day 8: Khwai River, Moremi Game Reserve

Today is spent on early morning and afternoon game drives. Your guide will generally spend maximum time on game-drives, depending on what is seen, trying to cover as much area as possible. The result of this is guests are given the best chances of seeing a variety of wildlife-although there is of course, that obligatory siesta during the hottest part of the day !

Distance: Game-viewing activities
Departure: 06h00
Accommodation: (B,L,D) Khwai, Moremi Game Reserve. Serviced En-Suite Camping. Private Campsite

Day 9: Savuti, Chobe National Park

We leave Moremi, crossing the Khwai Bridge to the northern bank of Khwai River. There is a quick opportunity to buy more drinks in the small village, before making our way to Chobe National Park. Due to the fact that none of Botswana’s wildlife areas are fenced, game can move freely between these two wilderness areas. Hippo, Elephant and sometimes Lion are often found on this route. Moving through the Mababe depression, we relocate to Savuti were we camp in the region of the flowing Savuti Channel. Game viewing this afternoon takes place along the fringes of the marsh and surrounding water holes. The area is best known for large populations of Bull Elephants-and Prides of Lion that patrol the banks of this enigmatic channel.

Distance: 160km,4.5 Hours Game-viewing activities
Departure: 07h00
Accommodation: (B,L,D) Savuti, Chobe National Park. Serviced En-Suite Camping. Private Campsite

Day 10: Savuti, Chobe National Park

We again we have the opportunity to spend many hours on morning and afternoon game drives, and time dependent, an opportunity to climb one of the hills to see San Bushman paintings, an indication that this area has always drawn those who have an affinity to the wilderness. Savuti is unique and the special opportunity of exploring this area always remains with our guests for a long time afterward.

Distance: Game-viewing activities
Departure: 06h00
Accommodation: (B,L,D) Savuti, Chobe National Park. Serviced En-Suite Camping. Private Campsite

Day 11: Serondella Area, Chobe National Park

We journey north toward the Chobe River ,the second biggest river in Southern Africa (Zambezi in the largest).Chobe River is home the world’s largest Elephant herds; large numbers of big game such as Buffalo, Hippo and Lion can be seen here. Our private campsite is on a Teak forested dune that overlooks this beautiful river. Gamedrives are taken in the afternoons and mornings to find the remarkable variety of species that are drawn to this permanent water source.

Distance: 160km,4.5 Hours Game-viewing activities
Departure: 07h00
Accommodation: (B,L,D) Serondella Area, Chobe National Park. Serviced En-Suite Camping. Private Campsite

Day 12: Serondella Area, Chobe National Park

After an early start, we take a slow drive along the southern bank of the Chobe River, where we can find Chobe Bushbuck and Puku Antelope. The sheer variety of animals, in abundance, make this region a mustsee for any wildlife enthusiast.In the afternoon, guests might choose to go on an optional afternoon boat cruise along the Chobe River-perhaps the last river where one has a fair chance to see Lion and Elephant, Leopard or Wild Dog from the unique viewpoint of a boat.

Distance: 160km,4.5 Hours Game-viewing activities
Departure: 06h00
Accommodation: (B,L,D) Serondella Area, Chobe National Park. Serviced En-Suite Camping. Private Campsite

Day 13: Victoria Falls, Livingstone-Zambia

We have a leisurely start this last camping morning and say fond farewells to our efficient back-up and camp crew after breakfast.We head eastwards on a last gamedrive to the exit-gate at Sedudu Valley. From there it is a short drive to Kazungula Border Post, where your Safari Guide will ensure that your transfer back to Livingstone is seamless, before leaving to lead another safari.This afternoon can be spent exploring one of the truly magnificent sights on earth-the wonderfully beautiful Victoria Falls-300 feet high and over a mile wide! Witness the power of nature as an average of 550000 tons of Water thunders into the Zambezi Gorge every minute. Optional activities and Victoria Falls Entrance at guests own expense.

Overnight is usually at the Zambezi Waterfront. Please note that the entrance fee to Victoria Falls is not included within this safari.

Distance: 120km,4.5 Hours Game-viewing activity
Departure: 08h00
Accommodation: (B) Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone

Should guests wish to start or end their Safari in a Lodge or Hotel other than The ZambeziWaterfront (the last night which is included within the cost of the safari), this can be arranged. Alternative accommodation and transfers can be to any of the establishments in the towns of Livingstone (Zambia) or Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). An extra cost applies.

Day 14: Victoria Falls, Livingstone-Zambia

After breakfast, the safari arrangements end. Before proceeding with onward arrangements, guests might want to partake in the numerous optional activities that are available in this adventure capital! (B)