Itinerary
6 nights Botswana - 2 nights Victoria Falls
The best of Botswana and Victoria Falls
This is a sample itinerary – contact us for more options-Please ask us to create a holiday that is exactly right for you - that is our speciality!
DAY 01
Arrive Maun by own arrangements Meet and greet on arrival in Maun Scheduled transfer by light aircraft Maun to Xakanaxa Afternoon safari activity
Overnight XAKANAXA CAMP in a twin bedded tent with en suite facilities on a full board
XAKANAXA CAMP – Moremi Game Reserve – Permanent Okavango Delta Big lagoons and big game, a land and water experience in the Okavango Delta. Set in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, which is rated as being one of the finest game viewing areas in Africa, Xakanaxa Camp has one of the best locations in Botswana Accommodation is in twelve tents. Each tent is tastefully furnished with twin or double beds and en-suite facilities with shower, hand basin and w.c. The tents are situated on the edge of the lagoon and from their private viewing deck, with comfortable loungers, one looks onto the reeded fringes at the waters edge The camp, with its eclectic mix of furnishings from all over Africa, has a dining room, lounge/bar area, fire deck and plunge pool all slightly raised on wooden platforms with spectacular views over the lagoon. The reception area boasts a curio shop. At night the camp looks stunning as it is lit by dozens of paraffin lamps and candles The game drives in this sector of Moremi take one down winding tracks, through Mopane forests and across lush grasslands. The waterways are either forded by vehicles or crossed on rustic log bridges. The camp faces out over the Xakanaxa Lagoon on the Khwai River, where boat and mokoro (dug-out canoe) trips explore the sinuous channels and floodplains of the Delta, one of Africa’s greatest natural wonders. Birding in the area is excellent, especially in the spring and summer months when the migrants are breeding. To the north are the world famous heronries, which attract large numbers of breeding storks and herons
DAY 02
Morning and afternoon safari activities which may include a boat cruise, mokoro excursion or game drive
Overnight XAKANAXA CAMP in a twin bedded tent with en suite facilities on a full board
DAY 03
Early morning scheduled transfer by boat to Kwara Camp Afternoon safari activity
Overnight KWARA CAMP in a twin bedded tent with en suite facilities on a full board basis
KWARA CAMP - Kwara Concession - Permanent Okavango Delta Kwara Camp is located in the heart of a large concession of 1750 sq km on the northern boundary of the world famous Moremi Game Reserve On a large island hidden under massive trees are eight specially designed safari tents on teak decks. Each tent with its en suite facilities has a view over the floodplains of the Delta The guest areas consist of lounge, bar, dining area, small gift shop and plunge pool.
The attraction of Kwara is its range of activities in an area of intricate channels, rivers, lagoons, dramatic palm-fringed islands, reed beds, floating grasses and papyrus that form a natural wilderness like no other Year round powerboat trips due to the presence of permanent water. Mekoro excursions for which the Okavango Delta is famous are also a year round activity. Water experiences combined with the ability to drive both off-road and at night add to the uniqueness of Kwara. Experience the peace and tranquillity of gliding silently through the Delta waters in the early morning and feel the pulse and excitement of a lion hunt at night. Whilst on an island walk with an armed guide you will learn about their deep beliefs and knowledge of the intricacies of nature.
The birds of the Delta are both colourful and melodious and the guides will reveal them to you from close range. Gadikwe Lagoon is one of the largest bird breeding colonies in Botswana. From September to December thousands of birds and their young may be viewed in their nesting grounds from Kwara’s double decker pontoon boat Fishing for bream, catfish and pike is excellent.
The staff at Kwara Camp subscribe to Kwando Safaris’ core values of delivering a personal service in an intimate camp within a stunning private concession area offering a host of activities
DAY 04
Morning and afternoon safari activities which are exploring the channels of the Okavango Delta by boat or mokoro, walking with a professional guide, birding and game drives by vehicle
Overnight KWARA CAMP in a twin bedded tent with en suite facilities on a full board basis
DAY 05
Scheduled transfer by light aircraft to Kwando Lagoon or Kwando Lebala Afternoon safari activity Overnight KWANDO LEBALA or KWANDO LAGOON in a twin bedded tent with en suite facilities on a full board basis
KWANDO LAGOON CAMP – Kwando Concession Located in the 232,000-hectare private Kwando concession that is fronted by more than 80 km of the Kwando River, which divides northwestern Botswana from the Caprivi Strip. Lagoon Camp lies on the shady banks of a permanent lagoon formed by the meandering Kwando River among tall and ancient Africa Ebony and Marula trees With only six safari tents Lagoon Camp has the charm that only a small camp can possess. Each purpose designed tent comprises an entrance area, large bedroom with extra long three quarter beds, en suite reed enclosed facilities with his and hers basins, flush loo and outside shower. The tents overlook the water of the lagoon Lagoon Camp is designed to have its own unique character and charm and is not part of a formula approach.
The lounge, bar and dining area is under thatch and nearby there is a small plunge pool Activities concentrate on open vehicle game drives and boat cruises on the river. Walks are on offer but at the guide’s discretion due to the concentrations of elephant. Lagoon Camp offers off road and night drives so essential for the real African experience. The purpose built camp boat floats noiselessly in the current of the Kwando river while you can spot game from the upper deck. Stop for a spot of fishing in the river or its numerous lagoons and catch the fighting tiger fish, bream, catfish and pike The Kwando concession offers exclusive access to one of the most remote and unexplored wildlife strongholds left in Botswana. It incorporates the Linyanti wetlands, huge tracts of Mopane forest and vast open plains. This variety of natural habitat makes Kwando unique, drawing wildlife and bird life in abundance as herds of elephant and buffalo roam the plains adjoining the Kwando River, whilst lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and sable are frequently sighted KWANDO LEBALA CAMP – Kwando Concession Lebala – in the Setswana language means wide-open spaces. Situated in the southern part the 232,00 hectare private Kwando concession Lebala Camp is sited on a peninsula of land jutting into the Linyanti marshes that surround the camp.
The Kwando River disperses into the marshes which is a permanent patchwork of reed beds, wetlands, palm covered islands and open plains Eight spacious tents are built on raised teak decks designed to offer expansive views over the surrounding plains while affording guests privacy. The tents have an entrance area with closets, a separate bedroom and a spacious bathroom with his and hers basin, classic Victoria ball and claw bathtub and a reed enclosed outdoor shower for those who enjoy the night stars The thatched guest areas consist of a north facing lounge with large roof overhang, dining area, bar and plunge pool. The combination of the Linyanti marshes, seasonal flood plains, savannah and wooded Mopane scrub makes an ideal assortment of eco-systems for excellent game viewing. Species such as lechwe, impala, kudu, zebra, blue wildebeest, hippo, giraffe, tsessebe, roan, sable, buffalo and elephant are regularly sighted. These species in turn attract ever attendant predators including the wild dog Game drives are in open vehicles that drive off road. Night time sightings of mammal behaviour are a highlight at Lebala with its high visibility plains. The nocturnal birds witness many of the dramas played out under cover of darkness in scenes straight from the script of a wildlife video. This is the reason that many wildlife filmmakers and photographers have spent time at Kwando For those guests searching for a true wilderness experience the intimate design of the camp, combined with the private concession, personal service and a flexible approach Lebala is a must.
DAY 06
Morning and afternoon safari activities which are game drives, walking and boating at Kwando Lagoon
Overnight KWANDO LEBALA or KWANDO LAGOON in a twin bedded tent with en suite facilities on a full board basis
DAY 07
Scheduled transfer by light aircraft to Kasane Airport. Scheduled transfer by road to Ilala Lodge Afternoon at leisure
Overnight ILALA LODGE in a standard twin bedded room on a bed and breakfast basis
ILALA LODGE A warm Zimbabwean welcome awaits you at Ilala Lodge, which enjoys an extremely convenient location. Not only is Ilala the closest hotel to the Victoria Falls it is also the closest to the banks, post office, and African craft village & curio shops. All 32 rooms (two deluxe suites, six doubles and 24 twins) have en suite bathrooms with bath and separate shower, air conditioning, ceiling fan, telephone, safe and satellite TV. There are two restaurants to choose from. The Palm Restaurant, where guests enjoy breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner menus and the casual, open air Kubika, a stir fry Mongolian theme restaurant with a wide range of interesting dishes.
In addition there are two pubs and a swimming pool with a large wooden deck that overlooks the Victoria Falls National Park. Conference facilities are available and there is a gift shop. Ilala is small enough to retain that personal touch yet big enough to offer its guest a range of amenities. The lodge is rightly proud of its friendly service in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
DAY 08
Day at leisure Overnight
ILALA LODGE in a standard twin bedded room on a bed and breakfast basis
DAY 09 Scheduled transfer to Victoria Falls Airport
CONTACT THE INDEPENDENT TRAVELLER FOR COSTS
