Camping Itinerary
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15 day small group participation camping safari Guaranteed from 4 clients, maximum group size: 12 clients DEPARTS: JOHANNESBURG on Saturday at 06:30 am ENDS: LIVINGSTONE on Saturday at ±08:00 am Highlights * Khama – Rhino Sanctuary * Central Kalahari – open 4WD game drives * Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion and bush walks * Nxai Pan – large herds of plains game * Makgadikgadi Pans – feel the vastness of Africa * Chobe – watch huge herds of elephants * Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion and bush walks * Victoria Falls – adventure activities Includes * 14 nights camping * Entrance fees * Use of camping equipment (except sleeping bag & pillow) * Transport in minibus / safari truck & 4WD * Meals as per itinerary * Professional guide * Central Kalahari & Okavango Delta mokoro excursion A true exploration of Botswana. We visit the awe inspiring Central Kalahari, the famous Okavango Delta, the game rich Nxai Pan, the vastness of the Makgadikgadi Pans, the elephant herds of Chobe, and finish off with a natural wonder of the world – Victoria Falls! A true African adventure! CAMPING ITINERARY Penguin Travel Frederiksberg Alle 32, 1820 Frederiksberg, Denmark, tel: +45 33 21 51 00, 33 55 70 10 www.penguintravel.com Day 1. KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY [camping -LD] (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) An early start as we depart Johannesburg at 06:30 am and head north across the border into Botswana at Martins Drift. The Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a 4300 hectare community based wildlife reserve and is an integral part of the conservation and re-introduction of the white rhino to Botswana. We arrive in the late afternoon, set up camp and enjoy a game drive in search of rhino, zebra and wildebeest. Our evening is enjoyed around a campfire and we fall asleep to the sounds of the African wilderness. Includes: Entrance to Khama Rhino Sanctuary Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers. Distance/time: 630km, ± 7½ hours, excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch Optional Activities: N/A Day 2, 3, & 4. CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE [camping BLD] The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is one of the largest game reserves in the world (52,800 square km). Made famous by Mark and Delia Owen in the book Cry of the Kalahari, its remoteness, unforgiving climate and harsh terrain have kept it pristine and untamed. This reserve is characterized by vast open plains, saltpans and ancient riverbeds. During the summer months, when the rains fall, the Kalahari grasslands turn green and lush and the good grazing attracts large herds of zebra, wildebeest, springbok and gemsbok (oryx). Following the herds we hope to find the Kalahari lions. We use 4WD vehicles to visit the northern portion of the reserve and camp wild for 3 nights. Includes: Entrance fees to Central Kalahari, and morning and afternoon game drives in open 4WD game viewing vehicle Overnight: Wild camping – basic ablutions with bucket shower Distance/time: 420km, ± 6 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing + game drives Optional Activities: N/A Day 5. MAUN [camping BL-] Our next stop is Maun the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Here we restock on provisions and enjoy a swim in the pool, a cool drink in the bar and a restaurant meal (at own expense). Possibility to take a light aircraft flight over the Okavango in the late afternoon (at own expense). Includes: N/A Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming pool restaurant & bar Distance/time: 300kms, ± 5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch Optional Activities: Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta: USD 95-120 pp depending on number of people in each aircraft Day 6 & 7. OKAVANGO DELTA [camping BLD] We venture by 4WD into the vast wilderness of the Okavango Delta where we meet our local community guides. Relax as your poler expertly guides your mokoro (dugout) through the winding channels of the delta. Camp is set up on the islands under a towering canopy of trees. We set out on foot for morning and evening game walks with local guides. During the heat of the day, time is spent relaxing in camp or swimming in the clear delta waters. Birdlife in the Okavango during the summer months is spectacular with all of the summer migrants returning to this water wonderland. Includes: Entrance to Okavango Delta, mokoro excursion, morning and afternoon game walks with local guides Overnight: Wild camping – basic facilities with bucket shower Distance/time: 2 hour 4WD transfer into the Delta, each way Optional Activities: N/A Day 8 & 9. NXAI PAN [camping Bx2 Lx1 Dx2] We return to the “polling station” and continue with our 4WD to the vast fossil lake beds which form the unique and beautiful Nxai Pan National Park. These pans surrounded by baobab and umbrella thorn trees, are covered with short nutritious grass that attracts the wildlife. One of a few parks that is best in rainy season, we spend the next two days on game drives hoping to spot large herds of springbok, gemsbok and zebra. The seven giant trees that form the famous Baines Baobabs are a highlight of the visit. Includes: Entrance fees to Nxai Pan National Park, game drives in open 4WD game viewing vehicles Overnight: Wild camping – basic facilities with bucket shower Distance/time: 300kms, ± 5½ hours excluding stops for sightseeing, shopping & lunch Penguin Travel Frederiksberg Alle 32, 1820 Frederiksberg, Denmark, tel: +45 33 21 51 00, 33 55 70 10 www.penguintravel.com Optional Activities: N/A Day 10. MAKGADIKGADI PANS [camping BLD] Camping wild on the flat Makgadikgadi pans is an experience you’ll never forget. After watching the sunset over the pans, the evening is spent enjoying wide open spaces and the canopy of stars. Includes: Entrance fees to Makgadikgadi Pans Overnight: Wild camping – basic facilities with bucket shower Distance/time: 250kms, ± 5 hours excluding stops for sightseeing Optional Activities: N/A Day 11 & 12. CHOBE [camping BLD] Chobe National Park is famous for large herds of elephants. We set up camp in Chobe and enjoy afternoon and morning game drives. Includes: Entrance to Chobe National Park, morning & afternoon game drives in open 4WD game viewing vehicle, morning boat cruise on the Chobe River on Day 13 Overnight: Wild camping – basic facilities with bucket shower Distance/time: 450km, ± 5½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch Optional Activities: N/A Day 13 & 14. ZAMBIA / VICTORIA FALLS [camping Bx2--] Mid morning we embark on a cruise on the Chobe River; a brilliant wildlife experience where we get close to hippopotamus, crocodiles and elephants. Keep an eye out for the endemic Chobe puku. We then cross the border into Zambia at the Kazangula Ferry. Our afternoon is spent exploring the Mosi au Tunya NP and enjoying the views as the mighty Zambezi plunges 100m over the Victoria Falls. The following day is free to enjoy the range of adventure activities including river rafting, bungee jumping and the flight of angels over the falls (at own expense). We sample the local cuisine at a variety of restaurants in the evening (at own expense). Includes: Entrance Fees to see the Victoria Falls Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers, swimming pool, bar & restaurant Distance/time: 85kms – 1 hour, excluding border formalities (which can take 2 to 4+ hours) Optional Activities: White water rafting, sunset cruises, elephant back safaris, scenic flights & many more Day 15. TOUR ENDS [- B--] Tour ends at 08:00 after breakfast. Transfers to local airports available on request. Please note: The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and photo stops! Special Interest: This safari is a specialist wildlife tour, focusing on the Central Kalahari Game Reserve during the optimum wildlife viewing season of January to May. Rains attract large herds of wildebeest, springbok, zebra and gemsbok (oryx). Sustainable Tourism: A Botswana guide travels with us through the national parks. This ensures employment for local people and direct benefits for the community from tourism. The local guides are highly knowledgeable so please ask plenty of questions; you’ll be amazed at what you can learn. DETAILED TOUR INFO In a nutshell • A true wildlife expedition through the Botswana – see it all! • All inclusive trip with, adventure, wildlife during the beautiful summer months. • Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Central Kalahari, Okavango Delta, Nxai Pan, Baines Baobabs, Chobe & Victoria Falls. Why travel with us We understand that there are several options available to you when choosing your African safari. We also know that you want to make the most informed decision about your safari, what you get, what you see & experience, what’s included and which company to book with. So these are just a few of the qualities and facts regarding our local partner: Penguin Travel Frederiksberg Alle 32, 1820 Frederiksberg, Denmark, tel: +45 33 21 51 00, 33 55 70 10 www.penguintravel.com • Small groups – by travelling with a maximum of 12 people, you are able to witness Africa and have first hand contact with this amazing continent and its people without being a negative influence. This has been a key factor in our continued success. Our trips appeal to a wide variety of ages. The average is 38 – with most being aged 25 to 60. The range of travellers gives a variety of perspectives which adds to the experience of each safari. • 2 local tour guides – group leaders are the key to any safari. On this safari you will travel with 2 qualified and registered field guides (Field Guides Association of SA). 2 guides as crew, not a guide and a driver, means interesting trips with maximum knowledge and information. The guides have a passion for Africa, her people and her wildlife, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with you.