Botswana covers around 580,000 square kilometres and has a population of around 1.5 million.
Whilst the official language is considered English the native language Setswana is still in common use by much of the population.
It’s two major tourist attractions are the Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta.
BOTSWANA Climate -
Sunny all year round. Best
game viewing months April to October. Most rain falls
during the months of December to March. Language
- English is widely spoken Currency
- Botswana Pula divided into
100 Thebe. Visa
- No Visa is required for
Australian passport holders. Local
Time- GMT
plus two hours. Departure Tax - Included on tickets.
With
Participation Camping Safarisyour participation
and involvement is part of the fun. All the camp
duties are shared amongst the participants. You
assist the guide with the making and breaking of
camp, quickly and easily erecting and
dismantling your tent. A camp assistant/ cook
helps with the cooking.
Nothing can compare to sitting around a blazing campfire at night, under a canopy of stars in a spectacular wilderness area, listening to the sounds of Africa.
THE HIGHLIGHTS:
• Wild camping in the Kalahari.
• Guided Bushman 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).
‘Following in the footsteps of Dr David Livingstone’- An
en-suite mobile safari in secluded, exclusive bush camps
situated in the famous Botswana Reserves and National
Parks. A safari crew travelling in a separate vehicle
pre-erects the comfortable camp. A professional safari
guide conducts early morning and late afternoon game
drives.
DAY 1 - JOHANNESBURG - KALAHARI DESERT
An early departure from our hotel in Johannesburg takes
us in the direction of the Botswana border. Our bushcamp
is installed in the Kalahari Desert where the evening is
spent admiring the bright stars of the southern hemisphere
around our campfire. (LD)
DAY 2 - KALAHARI (BUSHMAN EXPERIENCE) Arriving in Ghanzi for lunch we set up camp at Dqae Qare
Bushman village in the Kalahari. The project is owned and
run by the local Bushman community with all proceeds
directly benefiting the community. The afternoon is spent
observing the traditional Bushman way of life. 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. (BLD)
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. (BLD)
DAY 4/5 - MOREMI WILDLIFE RESERVE
Entering Moremi Wildlife Reserve, we explore the area on
early morning and late afternoon game drives in our open
4x4 vehicles, and spend the day exploring the channels of
the Okavango Delta by mokoro. We often lunch on an island in
the delta and enjoy a game walk (subject to the water
level of the delta). (BLD).
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 our open 4x4 safari vehicle. (BLD)
DAY 8 - MOREMI – MAUN
An early morning game drive is enjoyed as we leave Moremi, returning to Maun in time for lunch for an optional
scenic flight (own expense) over the Okavango Delta. (BLD)
DAY 9 - CHOBE RIVER
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
overlooking the Chobe River.
(BLD).
DAY 10/11 - LIVINGSTONE/ VICTORIA FALLS "MOSIOA-
TUNYA" - THE SMOKE THAT THUNDERS
This morning we relax on a boat
cruise on the Chobe River before travelling across the
border to Victoria Falls - without doubt one of the greatest and 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 (weather permitting)
for a truly unforgettable sunset over what remains of an
ancient 6500km2 lake. (BLD)
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. (BLD)
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 Johannesburg late afternoon. (BL)
This itinerary will depend on local conditions.
Participation Safari
Details Accommodation: 13 nights camping. Meals: All meals when camping except 1
lunch & 1 dinner
in Livingstone/ Victoria Falls. Group Size: 4-16 participants. Sleeping Bag Hire: Must be booked in
advance. Transfers: May be pre-booked at
additional cost.
Important: This safari is recommended for
healthy, active participants looking for an
adventurous holiday. Facilities (eg showers and
toilets) in the remote areas that are visited
are somewhat primitive and at times
non-existent. PLEASE COME PREPARED! At times
there will be camps with facilities (eg hot &
cold running water, showers, toilets etc), at
others they will be bush camps
Key to Inclusions:
(B) Breakfast
(L) Lunch
(D) Dinner
(B&B) Bed & Breakfast
(FB) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
14 Days/13 Nights Package
Cost Per Person
Twin
Single
01 Jan - 31 Mar 08
$2650
N/A
01 Apr - 30 Jun & 01
Nov - 31 Dec 08
$2765
N/A
01 Jul - 31 Oct 08
$2980
N/A
Day Trips Available - We have a number of
additional half or full day optional excursions
available to extend your stay. Please contact us for
details.
The alternative
to 'Adventure Participation Camping' are 'Mobile
Safaris' which are fully serviced exclusive camping
safaris in upmarket tented accommodation with en suites. Mobile
safaris are listed with South Africa, Botswana,
Namibia and Kenya.
Please confirm prices with Bench International prior
to booking your trip.
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