BOTSWANA - 10 NIGHT MAGIC RIVERS SAFARI
Highlights: Chobe National Park, Susuwe National Park, Popa Falls, Mahango National Park, Tsodilo Hills, Okavango Delta & Moremi Game Reserve
Safari Summary
The safari starts in Kasane and ends in Maun.
Private vehicle and guide throughout (inter-camp transfers and activities)
3 nights Elephant Valley Lodge, Chobe Forest Reserve
2 nights Susuwe Island Lodge, Susuwe National Park in the Caprivi
2 nights Xaro Lodge, Okavango River – Panhandle of Okavango Delta
Full-day visit of Tsodilo Hills, motor boating on the Okavango River followed by an afternoon scenic flight over the Okavango Delta to Moremi Game Reserve
3 nights Xakanaxa Camp, Moremi Game Reserve
Optional Safari Extensions (prices available on request)
Pre-nights: 2 nights Zambezi Sun in Livingstone OR The Stanley & Livingstone in Victoria Falls
Post-nights: 2 nights Pom Pom Camp in the Okavango Delta
OR 2 nights Nxai Pan Camp in Nxai Pan OR Tau Pan Camp in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
OR 2 nights Linyanti Tented Camp in Linyanti, Chobe Enclave
DETAILED ITINERARY
An Introduction
This is a driven safari with a private vehicle and guide. This type of travel allows you to fully appreciate the subtle
changes in the environment as you move from one area to the next by land,
and learn about the forces which drove these changes and shaped the
contrasting landscape around you. The thrill is not only in the destination,
but the journey itself.
3 Nights ELEPHANT VALLEY LODGE, Chobe Forest Reserve
The guide will meet the guests at Elephant Valley Lodge.
Elephant Valley Lodge lies hidden in the bordering valley between Botswana and Zimbabwe, only a few kilometres outside Kasane. The Lodge is situated in the Lesoma Valley which lies in the heart of the Kasane Forest Reserve. The reserve is adjacent to the Chobe National Park.
The lodge offers 20 Meru-style safari tents, all with their private ensuite bathrooms. The public areas consist of a bar and a dining room as well as a beautiful terrace towards the waterhole. Activities include game drives into Chobe National Park, boat cruises on the Chobe river and night drives in the Chobe Forest Reserve. A large waterhole in front of the lodge guarantees for regular visits of herds of Elephants.
From Elephant Valley Lodge the groups heads towards Susuwe in the Caprivi.
2 Nights SUSUWE LODGE, Susuwe National Park
Susuwe Island Lodge offers our visitors the opportunity to experience a wild and untouched island of Africa. Situated in north eastern Namibia, the island is in the remote Kwando River - a permanent water source which nourishes delicate ecosystems and sustains varied game and birdlife. Relaxation, privacy and comfort are paramount here.
The lodge is built to incorporate the riverine forest. Guests are accommodated in six spacious brick and thatch suites equipped with double bathroom, bedroom, lounge and wooden viewing deck each with private plunge pool. The main complex features a viewing deck overlooking endless savannahs, glistening lily-studded wetlands and ancient Kalahari woodlands, as well as a firepit, spacious lounge and dining areas, curio shop and small reference library.
Surrounded by the sinuous Kwando, the lodge offers excellent game viewing within the Bwabwata National Park for large migrant herds of elephant and buffalo, leopard, sable and roan antelope, tsessebe, lechwe, lion, hyena, wild dog and much more. Activities include day game drives, river cruises, and fishing.
From Susuwe we drive to the Mahango National Park, which border Botswana. A game drive through the park leads us to the Botswana border. The drive from Susuwe to Xaro Lodge willl take about 6 hours (excl border crossing).
2 Nights XARO LODGE, Okavango Panhandle
Xaro Lodge is situated on a peninsula of the mainland, well shaded and hidden amongst a grove of mangosteen, knobthorn and jackalberry trees. The lodge is accessed by a pleasant fifteen minute boat trip from its parent camp Drotsky's Cabins and offers a tranquil destination, excellent for bird watching and fishing.
The camp offers eight spacious tents overlooking the main channel of the Okavango. Each tent is equipped with a private deck and has a separate shower and toilet. The main lodge is thatched with a dining and lounge area.
The camp specializes in birding and fishing safaris. Bird watching is outstanding in the region amongst the tall, shady, riverine forests and many resident and migratory birds can be seen along the river. Fishing trips are offered by motorboat with expert guides, with barbel (catfish), bream and tiger fish and many more species available.
About 40 kilometres to the west of the Panhandle lies a rocky outcrop known as Tsodilo Hills. Rising 400 metres above the dry Kalahari landscape, Tsodilo boasts one of Africa's richest collections of San rock art with over 3,500 individual paintings.
Most of the morning and early afternoon will be spent visiting the UNESCO world heritage site TSODILO HILLS. After a picnic lunch at this sacred sight, the guide will take the guests back to Xaro Lodge for a sunset boat cruise. The next morning will be spent at the lodge, enjoying the peace of the Okavango River. A 30 minutes boattrip on the Okavango River takes the guests to Shakawe airstrip. From Shakawe a small aircraft takes them on a one hour “scenic” flight to Xakanaxa in the Moremi Game Reserve.
Your guide will leave you already in the morning to drive back to Maun, refuel and on to Moremi.
3 Nights XAKANAXA CAMP, Moremi Game Reserve
A guide of the lodge will
pick you up from Xakanaxa airstrip and take you on a short game drive to the
lodge. Your
Xakanaxa Camp is located in the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. This is a lush area with abundant game year-round.
The stylish main buildings extend into the Khwai River and are set on raised platforms to maximize the views over the surrounding lagoons and islands. Constructed of local timber, reed and thatch they comprise of an elegant lounge containing a small but comprehensive library, dining room, expansive sundeck, plunge pool and sala with day bed as well as a fire-deck set under giant Jackalberry trees. The reception lounge boasts a curio shop and facilities are provided for charging videos, cameras and batteries. The camp operates on generator power but at night all lighting is supplied by gas and paraffin lanterns, giving the camp an authentic African ambience.
Xakanaxa accommodates only 24 guests in twelve classic safari tents on raised platforms set on the banks of the Khwai River, each with a private viewing deck overlooking the Xakanaxa Lagoon. Each tent is tastefully furnished with twin or double beds and en-suite facilities with shower, hand basin and ablution facilities.
The three days in Xakanaxa are spent with extensive game viewing. Moremi is known as one of the best game viewing areas in all of Africa. The daily routine will include two game drives per day as well as a boat excursion through the channels of the Okavango Delta.
Ends Maun
After three nights in Xakanaxa the group heads back to Maun. For those guests who wish to book an extension to a camp in the Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi or Linyanti afterwards, we organise their flight out of Moremi.
DATES & RATES 2010
RateS for the 10 night / 11 day safari (3N Elephant Valley Lodge, 2N Susuwe Island Lodge, 2N Xaro Lodge, 3N Xakanaxa Camp). Rates (in USD) for 10 nights in twin- / double rooms.
|
Code |
Date |
Rack rate USD per person sharing |
Single room supplement USD Rack rate |
|
BWC 101 |
09 – 19 March 2010 |
4200 |
930 |
|
BWC 102 |
30 March – 09 April 2010 |
4200 |
930 |
|
BWC 103 |
27 April – 07 May 2010 |
4200 |
930 |
|
BWC 104 |
25 May – 04 June 2010 |
4200 |
930 |
|
BWC 105 |
19 – 29 July 2010 |
5600 |
1623 |
|
BWC 106 |
08 – 18 August 2010 |
5600 |
1623 |
|
BWC 107 |
07 – 17 Sept 2010 |
5600 |
1623 |
|
BWC 108 |
19 – 29 Oct 2010 |
5600 |
1623 |
|
BWC 109 |
02 – 12 Nov 2010 |
4420 |
930 |
|
BWC 1010 |
16 – 26 Nov 2010 |
4420 |
930 |
|
BWC 1011 |
21 – 31 Dec 2010 |
4420 |
930 |
* On these three departures we have a German translator (if min 4 pax are German) – the surcharge for the translator will be USD 330 pp, for all German speaking guests requesting it.
INCLUDES
All meals (breakfast, lunch – sometimes Picnic-Lunch and dinner)
All game viewing activities as listed in the description (in a Bush Ways Safaris vehicle with a Bush Ways Guide) and boating excursions.
EXCLUDES
Lunch on day 1, the safari only starts at 13h30 with a briefing,
Beverages in the lodges (have to be paid directly at the lodges), personal expenses,
Optional safari extensions e.g. pre nights in Livingstone
This safari runs with a minimum of 5 / 6 participants and a maximum of 10 participants (min 3 rooms, max 5 rooms).
BOOKING PROCEDURES, TERMS & CONDITIONS
Reservations
Provisional bookings will be held for a period of 12 days, after which time confirmation of the booking and payment of a 20% non-refundable deposit will be required, or the booking will automatically be released.
Confirmation of the booking will be made once an invoice has been issued by 25 Degreez, followed by the receipt of the 20% non-refundable deposit. If an agent confirms a booking with 25 Degreez on behalf of their client, it will be understood that the agent is holding the deposit and therefore they will be liable for cancellation penalties.
On confirmation of a booking, we require the following information:
- Full names of passengers
- Flights arrival and departure details (Airline, flight number, departure & arrival times)
- Special dietary requirements & medical conditions
- Special occasions while on safari e.g. honeymoon, birthday, anniversary, engagement etc
The balance of payment is required 60 days prior to the date that the safari commences. A booking made within 60 days of commencement in payable in full on confirmation.
Cancellations
All
cancellations should be made in writing and will only be deemed effective upon
acknowledge receipt by 25 Degreez.
Cancellations will be subject to the following penalties:
60 Days or more prior to commencement: forfeit 20% deposit
Less than 60 Days prior to commencement: forfeit 50% of the package price
Less than 30 Days prior to commencement: forfeit 100% of the package price
Please ensure that you take out cancellation and curtailment insurance.
Insurance
It is a condition of booking with 25 Degreez that each and every guest be adequately covered by comprehensive travel and medical insurance.
