Southern Africa's ultimate luxury safari with the Botswana experts!

Soar over the marvels of Botswana, from the wildlife-rich Kalahari Desert to the Okavango Delta, one of the world’s largest and most iconic inland water systems. As one of the first American companies to operate trips in the country (since 1982), we’ve scouted and carefully honed this exclusive itinerary to give you Botswana’s best, including all of the continent’s classic game. You’ll be whisked by plane from one exclusive, luxury private camp to the next, covering a range of environments and ecosystems while minimizing your travel time. On safari, you’ll take in the fragile Kalahari desert, home to herds of springbok, ostriches, lions and cheetahs. You’ll explore the pristine Okavango Delta, whose meandering waterways and sparkling lagoons contain a huge variety of birdlife, as well as crocs and hippos. You’ll travel to the Linyanti Private Game Reserve, home to many of Botswana’s elephants. And you’ll wrap up your adventure with a day in Livingstone, Zambia, where you can visit astounding Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Filled with extraordinary experiences and seamless transitions, this “best of the best” safari is simply unmatched by any other company.

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Activities

Game viewing by 4-wheel-drive vehicle, boat travel, night drives, optional bush walks; minimum age 12

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Exclusive luxury safari with one of the first US companies to operate trips in Botswana—our well-honed, comprehensive itinerary and highly trained guides are unmatched!
• Active exploration of 3 incredible ecosystems & multiple game reserves by mokoro and 4-wheel-drive vehicle: the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango Delta, the Moremi and Linyanti Game Reserves, and Chobe National Park!
• Bask in the comforts and exclusivity of classic, luxury tented camps in Botswana’s finest private concessions.
• Charter flights provide unique bird’s-eye views of wildlife, minimize travel time and eliminate long drives!
• Visit awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world
• Our private groups have their own vehicle and dedicated guide selected from Botswana’s finest

Duration: 10 days Start Location: Maun, Botswana End Location: Livingstone, Zambia

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Arrive in Maun – Central Kalahari

  Arrive in Maun, Botswana, and fly to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Overnight in Kalahari Plains Camp.

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  Day 2 : Central Kalahari Game Reserve

  Game viewing in Deception Valley, one of the best places to observe the wildlife of the fragile Kalahari ecosystem, which includes herds of springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest, ostrich, and a number of smaller antelopes. Predators include cheetahs, lions and wild dogs.

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  Days 3 - 4 : Northern Okavango Delta

  Fly to the Khwai Concession near the northern tip of Moremi game reserve.

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  Days 5 - 6 : Okavango Delta

  Fly to the Okavango Delta, Africa's most pristine wilderness wetland. Float the waterways by mokoro, a unique way to travel: traditional boatmen pole you through narrow channels that cut through mats of floating papyrus and water lilies, then paddle you across lovely deep-water lagoons. You'll also explore the islets on foot: birding at this water camp is incredible (Pel's fishing owl, slaty egret, wattled crane); wildlife includes red lechwe, elephant, lion, leopard, and buffalo.

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  Days 7 - 8 : Linyanti Private Game Reserve

  Fly to a permanent tented camp in Linyanti Game Reserve, part of the greater Chobe ecosystem and noted for its large herds of elephant, rare roan and sable antelope, red lechwe, and sitatunga; wild dogs are common. Here you'll go on game drives (including night drives to search for nocturnal animals, as well as big cats on the prowl!). Other activities include game and birding walks (if water levels permit).

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  Day 9 : Livingstone – Victoria Falls

  Fly to Kasane and transfer overland to Livingstone, Zambia. Visit the nearby world-famous Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world!

• Day 10 : Depart

  Fly home, or join one of our extensions in Southern Africa.

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  Kalahari Plains Camp

  Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana

  Located in a remote part of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, this camp offers some of the best summer wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa. Each Meru-style, en-suite tent is raised off the ground to catch the breeze and offers its own viewing deck for sleeping under the stars.

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  Banoka Bush Camp

  Botswana

  Banoka Bush Camp is named in honor of the River San, or Banoka, ancestors of the Khoi and the earliest settlers of the Okavango Delta. It is situated in the Khwai Development Trust Community Concession, on the banks of the Khwai River in the north-eastern corner of the Okavango Delta adjoining the Moremi Game Reserve. The camp is built along the tree line overlooking a lagoon; the whole camp is raised off the ground to take in the view. Accommodation is in ten en-suite tented rooms complete with private verandas. There are two family tents which accommodate two adults and two children each. The main area consists of a bar, lounge, dining area and plunge pool and deck. There is an open campfire area to relax in and discuss the day's adventures. The camp is 100% solar powered.

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  Xigera Camp

  Okavango Delta, Botswana

  Nestled in a magnificent riverine forest, Xigera (pronounced Keejera) consists of ten luxurious tents built on raised wooden platforms with en-suite facilities and outdoor showers. Each tent offers superb lagoon views.

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  Duma Tau Camp

  Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana

  Spacious luxury tents lie in the shade of a mangosteen grove and overlook a hippo-filled lagoon. Each tent features an en-suite bathroom and an outdoor shower, and the main area offers a dining room, pub, lounge and pool.

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  Toka Leya Camp

  Livingston, Zambia

  Overlooking the Zambezi River and shaded under the canopy of jackalberry and waterberry trees, Toka Leya offers spacious, Safari-style tents with expansive wooden decks, climate control, and beautiful views.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

On Safari

This is a first-class safari using a variety of unique luxury camps that boast many comfortable amenities. Our accommodations are at remote but deluxe and intimate private bush camps that are surprisingly well appointed and ensure every comfort. These camps are ideally situated in remote settings which allow you to feel truly in touch with the real Africa. Throughout the trip a safari staff will handle all camp chores, laundry, and do all food preparation (all we do is relax and have fun). (NOTE—Because you can have laundry done nearly every day, you don’t need to bring too much clothing.) Campsites are not fenced and wild animals may wander through camps.

Game viewing will be aboard large four wheel drive open-sided Land Cruisers or Land Rovers. These carry up to eight passengers (plus driver) in great comfort, and allow each passenger excellent, unobstructed game viewing.

During our mokoro safari, our mekoro are poled by local Africans, expert punters who know all the intricacies of the Delta waterways.

Many of the animals we go to Africa to see are large and potentially dangerous. Wild animals are generally quite afraid of humans. They tend to avoid our campsites and to run away if approached on foot. Attacks by wild animals are rare, but no walking or camping safari in the African wilderness can guarantee that such incidents will not occur. Mountain Travel Sobek, or their Botswana outfitters or guides, are not to be held responsible for any injuries caused during any incident involving the behavior of wild animals. Walks are offered where possible at the discretion of the guide. The chances of incidents with wildlife are remote, but members should be aware that they join this trip at their own risk.

We’ll fly aboard light charter aircraft between camps. This cuts down on the wear and tear of the roads, ensures you have more time for game viewing, and distinguishes our safaris from others. Because of air charters, there is a strict baggage weight limit totaling 44 lbs. (this includes duffel, daypack, and photo gear).  No suitcases or wheels are allowed, only soft bags.  Persons over 220 lbs in body weight must pay for an extra seat per air charter sector for safety reasons. Laundry service is available every day, so you will not need to bring many changes of clothing.

In addition, all camps provide basic toiletries, including shampoo, soap, conditioner, skin cream, and mosquito repellent.

Activity Level

Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and intellectually involved, and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude.  A safari into northern Botswana is an expedition into a very remote area where towns are few and many amenities of modern life are lacking (although you will be surprised by how comfortable and deluxe our camps are). Backcountry exploration by Land Cruiser or Land Rover on dirt or non existent roads can be jarring and is not recommended for people with severe back problems. You should be prepared for travel over rough roads in dusty country. Minimum age for participation is 12.

Expert Leadership

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.  One of the potential guides for this trip is:

• Victor Horatius

  Victor was born and raised in Maun, Botswana. He spent his weekends and school holidays helping out on a farm in the Kalahari, the beauty of which fascinated him. As a child, he always enjoyed watching the smaller creatures, like bull frogs fighting with each other after the summer rains. These nature experiences sparked his passion and he began searching for a career in the beautiful Botswana wilderness. Victor studied International Business Communication at college and then worked his way up to managing safari camps in the Delta. After a few years of this he began focusing on guiding, and spent five years guiding at Jao Camp, where he progressed to becoming Guide Coordinator. He now holds guiding and walking certifications. Victor is a contributing member of the Botswana Birdlife Association, to whom he reports sightings of rare and threatened species. Tracking, botany and photography are his passions. He has had photos of unbelievable sightings published in Africa Geographic, Africa Birds and Birding and Singapore’s Taste magazine. He has been involved with Children in the Wilderness since 2002, and has traveled to the USA and through most southern African countries.

photo credits: ©Wilderness Safaris