8 Day Okavango Experience - Botswana Tours, Safari
8 Day Okavango Experience
Highlights of the 8-day participation camping safari is spotting rhino's in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, feel the spray of the mighty Victoria Falls, experience untouched wilderness in the Okavango Delta, pole a mokoro canoe through lily lagoons, cruise the
Tour Code: UOO
Depart From: Johannesburg
| Ending at: Livingstone
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Duration: 8 Days
Country:
Botswana
Departures: Two-weekly
(Every Second Sunday)
Type: Camping | Safari | |
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Tour Description
Enter a watery wonderland on this eight-day adventure through south-east Africa's iconic waterfalls, rivers and inland waterways. Marvel at the crashing white water of Victoria Falls, the unique, sprawling Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park's fertile elephant haven and the tranquillity of Khama Rhino Sanctuary.
Pack a camera, because these lush pockets of wilderness are so amazing you'll hardly believe your eyes.
In Botswana the immensity, variety and untamed vitality of the old Africa are still there to be experienced. The Okavango Delta is a favoured game-viewing area and is well known for its large herds of animals and offers an astounding game experience.
Explore the crystal-clear channels, islands and waterways by mekoro (dug-out canoe), and enjoy game-viewing walks on the islands.
Please note This is a participation safari and recommended for healthy, active participants looking for an adventurous holiday.
Children under 18 years are unfortunately not allowed on this tour.
Guests to erect their tents and help with cooking, washing dishes and vehicle cleanliness.
Pre-departure Accommodation
Departures will be from Amadwala Lodge only.
Amadwala Lodge offers Airport Shuttles as well as private transfers. Clients need to book their seats on the shuttle in advance.
Post-tour Accommodation
The safari ends at the Kaazmein Lodge Campground, Plot Number 2764, Mainasoko Road, Livingstone.
Itinerary
Day 1 Johannesburg - South Africa
You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting tonight at 6pm - at Amadwala Lodge. Your leader will collect your local payment at this meeting and you'll meet the other members of the group.
Our journey begins in Johannesburg, a sprawling city of remarkable contrasts: in the townships, mansions stand alongside tin shacks and there are as many green parks on the outskirts of the city as there are conglomerations of concrete in the city centre. This is a good place to spend a couple of days to get an insight into South Africa's history and it's a great base for exploring the rest of the country.
Day 2: Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Botswana
Today we head to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary situated on the edge of the vast Kalahari Desert. The area is prime habitat for white rhinos, zebras, wildebeest and giraffes, and game is easily observed around its many natural waterholes.
A visit to this locally-based wildlife project benefits local communities and you'll also be contributing to the protection of the highly endangered rhinoceros. We head out on a dusk game drive to see the rhinos when they are at their most active.
Tonight we overnight at a campsite with camp toilets and hot and cold showers.
Days 3 - 5: Okavango Delta - Botswana
We head to Maun, our base for heading into the Okavango Delta. Our destination today is one of the world's most renowned and complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta. Springing from the Okavango River which begins life in Angola, this is a natural wetland system formed by the river dividing into an intricate floodplain of thousands of channels, spreading 1,600,000ha over northern Botswana. This fan-like network of waterways forms an inland delta, the only one of its kind in the world.
For those wanting more adventure there is an opportunity to fly over the delta in a small plane for a bird's eye view, a great way to appreciate the immensity of this watery world.
On day 4 we traverse the waterways by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe navigated by friendly local 'polers', as well as on foot. With luck, you might spot some of the delta's unusual wildlife and prolific birdlife while on these safaris. We also spend time exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot, led by experienced and knowledgeable guides.
We camp on a remote island in the heart of the wilderness. We dig a bush toilet and go without a shower but it is all part of the Delta experience. At night, the sounds of the African bush are the only things you will hear - a true wilderness experience!
Day 5 sees us driving the 240kms (approx. 3 hours) to Planet Baobab. Our campsite is situated around an ancient boabab forest- a wonderful chance to get up close to these magnificent trees.
Day 6: Chobe National Park - Botswana
This morning there is a chance to head out on an optional morning tour out to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans or enjoy some of the other adventure activities on offer.
We then take to the road again, driving 340km to Chobe, which will take around 5 hours including our lunch break.
Nestled in the northern corner of Botswana amid lush forest, Chobe covers a huge area of 12,000 sq km and is home to some of the largest elephant populations in Africa as well as lions and a flurry of bird life, including the famous African fish-eagle. In the late afternoon, we enjoy a fish-eagle cruise on the Chobe River, a very relaxing way to see hippos in the shallows and maybe even a herd of elephants coming down to the river's edge for bath time
Tonight we camp. There are hot showers and flush toilets at our campsite.
Days 7 - 8: Victoria Falls/Livingstone - Zambia
Our day begins early, with the chance of an optional dawn game drive before heading for Zambia, its border naturally formed by the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers and we cross it aboard the Kazangula Ferry.
The powerful Victoria Falls is the perfect place to end this wilderness adventure. After settling in to our campsite in Livingstone this afternoon we head to the Falls to experience this wonder of nature. The falls are an enormous curtain of water, about a mile wide, falling 108 m into a narrow chasm below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise up an incredible 400 m and the falls are an impressive raging torrent. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and it's possible to see little islets in the river below.
Tonight we overnight at a campsite near the mighty Zambezi River.
There are no activities planned for day 8 and you are able to depart at any time. If you would like to stay extra nights to explore more of the adventure activities that Livingstone offers, please enquire about additional accommodation at time of booking.
Please see Trip Notes for the Okavango Experience.
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in spacious two person canvas dome tents with comfortable mattresses. Sleeping bags are available to hire if needed.
Meals
While camping on Overland journeys, all meals will be included. You may be required to share in cooking and shopping duties for the group's meals. When you are not camping you will have the freedom to decide where, what and with whom you eat.
Meals included are 6 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 6 Dinners. Allow USD $80 for meals not included.
Transport
Safari vehicle, boat, ferry, mokoro (dugout canoe), walking - maximum 16 passengers per group.
What To Bring
For comfort reasons luggage is limited on each trip to 1 backpack, 1 small daypack, sleeping bag and camera per person . Soft Bags only may be used (i.e.: no suitcases) Please note that there are storage facilities. We provide you with your tent, sleeping mat and cooking equipment.
Binoculars
Torch & Batteries
Sun Screen & Hat
Insect Repellent
Small Personal First Aid Kit
Towel
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Rain Coat (if travelling in rainy season)
Anti malaria Medication
Camera and films
Roll of Toilet Paper
Warm jacket for evenings
Sleeping Bag
Swimming Gear
Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for the safari.
Cost
Please note over and above the tour price a local payment of US$300 per person has to be paid in cash on departure.
Health
All countries visited on this tour recommend vaccination for Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Meningitis and Typhoid. Yellow Fever vaccinations are only compulsory if you have travelled to an endemic area.
Botswana is in a malaria zones. Please ensure you are taking adequate precautions such as anti-malaria medication.
Activities
Activities Included
- Evening game drive - Khama Rhino Sanctuary
- Mokoro trip - Okavango Delta
- Guided walk - Okavango Delta
- Fish-eagle river cruise - Chobe National Park
- Victoria Falls - Livingstone
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight, Okavango Delta - US$75
- Makgadikgadi Salt Pans trip, Okavango Delta - US$
- Dawn game drive, Chobe National Park - US$50
- Gorge swing and abseil, Livingstone - US$95
- Zambezi jet boats, Livingstone - US$90
- Canoeing Zambezi, Livingstone - US$90
- Horse riding (2 hours), Livingstone - US$70
- Elephant riding, Livingstone - US$140 (plus Park Fee)
- White water rafting, Livingstone - US$135
- Flight over the falls, Livingstone - US$110-220
This is not an exhaustive list and the list and prices should be used as a guide only.
Tour Include
All ground transportation, services of experienced qualified driver / guide, camping equipment (2 person dome tents, mattresses, cooking equipment), all highlights, meals, entrance fees & accommodation per itinerary.
Tour Exclude
All visa costs are the clients responsibility, travel insurance, flights, departure taxes, sleeping bags, items of a personal nature, drinks, optional activities.
Visa requirements change often, so you should consult your nearest embassy prior to departure.
Visitors entering South Africa are required to have a minimum of two blank pages in their passports to enable the entry visa to be issued.
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