TIER 1 - BEST OF BOTSWANA SAFARI

STANLEYS CONCESSION - OKAVANGO DELTA - WATER BASED ECOLOGY

Fly from Johannesburg, South Africa to Maun. Upon arrival at the Maun Airport, our airport guest relations’ officer will personally meet all arriving guests. We will be standing outside the arrival section holding a signboard with your name on it. You are met and transferred by air to the first Okavango Delta concession for 3 nights stay at Baines Camp offering the ultimate luxury safari paradise. The camp is located on a vast private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. Named after the 19th century explorer and painter Thomas Baines, this is a small camp with just five suites. An eco-friendly property, Baines Camp was built using only commercially grown wood, with over 150,000 recycled aluminum cans incorporated within the walls to provide insulation.

The five suites are set on elevated platforms that offer expansive views over a permanent lagoon on the Boro River. All have en suite facilities, traditional safari ceiling fans and four-poster “sky beds” swathed in mosquito netting. The beds can easily be wheeled out onto the private wooden deck for a night under the stars. For the ultimate indulgence, guests can enjoy a “star bath” on the deck. There is a communal swimming pool, and the wide wooden deck that surrounds the main dining and sitting room is the ideal place to relax while observing the varied wildlife present here. See prowling lions looking for prey at the edge of the lagoon that the camp overlooks, or watch one of the many elephants who live in the area.

Baines Camp and non-profit charity Living With Elephants invite you to explore Africa from an elephant’s perspective by experiencing the optional Elephant Interaction Activity. You will meet and interact with Jabu, Thembi and Morula, a trio of semi-habituated orphaned elephants, while walking in their gigantic and silent footsteps though the African wilderness. Exclusive to guests at Baines Camp and Stanleys Camp, this is a truly uplifting experience. Explore Africa from an elephant’s perspective, walking in the gigantic and silent footsteps of three semi-habituated elephants. The elephant interaction activity is very popular, and in order to avoid disappointment we recommend pre-booking. (Additional cost applies)

Activities Included: Specialized water based activities - see accommodation for complete details.

Overnight Accommodation: Baines Camp

CHIEF'S ISLAND CONCESSION - OKAVANGO DELTA - LAND BASED ECOLOGY

After breakfast, you will fly to your second Okavango Delta concession experience for 3 nights stay at Chief's Camp. The camp is located in the Chief's-Mombo Concession on Chief’s Island. Part of the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve, the area is known as the “predator capital of Africa” and is also home to large herds of elephant and buffalo as well as over 500 bird species. The decked lounge, pool, dining area and atmospheric fire pit all overlook expansive floodplains so that guests can continue game viewing in camp. The twelve guest pavilions are nestled in a jackalberry and sausage tree woodland that is characteristic of the area. All have both an indoor and outdoor shower, as well as a private viewing deck overlooking the surrounding floodplains of the Okavango Delta. Sumptuous four poster beds and traditional ceiling fans also feature.

The game viewing opportunities at Chief’s Camp are simply awe-inspiring. Our expert guides are always on hand to share a wealth of wildlife knowledge, taking guests deep into the bush on morning and afternoon game drives. On the plains, watch the roaming lions that prey on the thousands of antelope, zebra and buffalo who live here all year round. Spot leopard, hyena and cheetah, perhaps even the rare wild dog. Apart from its predators, the area is renowned for its large concentrations of plains-game, elephant and buffalo. Both white and black rhino were introduced into the Mombo Concession in 2001 and 2003.

Activities Included: Land and water based activities - see accommodation for complete details.

Overnight Accommodation: Chief's Camp

LINYANTI RESERVE - SAVANNAH & RIVER ECOLOGY - KING POOL

After your early morning activity, fly to Linyanti. On arrival, transfer to Kings Pool Camp for your 3 nights stay. The camp is named after the Scandinavian royalty; this luxurious and stylish camp overlooks the oxbow-shaped Kings Pool Lagoon and Linyanti River system. Nine well-appointed rooms of canvas and thatch each have a large en-suite bedroom and lounge. Folding doors lead to a veranda with private plunge pool, separate thatched sala to soak up the views and an outdoor shower. The lounge and dining areas are set on expansive decks, and there is a pool and an open-air ‘kgotla’ (boma) for evening dining under the stars. An open-sided thatched gym is available. Activities include day and night game drives, walks, and boat cruises along the Linyanti River (water levels allowing). Two hides allow guests to spend their siesta watching game come down to drink. One is edge of the camp, while the other is underground, with the water at eye-level – seeing elephant feet and trunks almost within touching distance while safely inside is an experience that transcends that of an ordinary safari.

Activities Included: Land and water based activities - see accommodation for complete details.

Overnight Accommodation: Kings Pool Camp

MAKGADIKGADI PANS - DESERT ECOLOGY - JACK'S

After your early morning activity, fly to Makgadikgadi Pans for your 3 nights stay at Jacks Camp. The camp offers ten green roomy and stylish canvas tents with en-suite bathrooms and indoor and outdoor showers (for those who want to feel the Kalahari breeze on their skin) fashioned in classical style and are set into a palm grove creating an oasis of civilization in what can be the harshest of stark environments. Persian rugs underfoot and cool cotton sheets form a striking contrast with the rugged wilderness viewed from the comfort of one’s own verandah.

During the wet season the landscape transforms. Clouds of flamingo and other migratory birds descend from the heavens to decorate the watery grasslands. Herds of zebra and wildebeest materialize, drawn by the lush grass, and for several months, the desert is teeming with game and predators. The guides at Jack's Camp are an erudite breed. Often graduate students who combine research with guiding, they team up with a small group of Zu/’hoasi Bushmen to guide our Guests on a morning’s walks and game drives. The response from those who have been there is always the same: first your question is echoed, 'Jack's Camp?' followed by a reflective pause/ 'It's different.' And there they leave it, the difficulty of describing it hanging in the air like a half-built bridge.' The Makgadikgadi is not without drama and, here, the emphasis is on observing the intricacies of a truly unique ecosystem to which the camp has added stylish adaptations of its own.

Activities Included: Specialized desert land based activities - see accommodation for complete details.

Overnight Accommodation: Jacks Camp

DEPARTURE & TRIP EXTENSIONS

Day 13: Maun Departure & Extensions

Breakfast. Morning activity. Thereafter, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Maun Airport with a onward connection to Johannesburg, South Africa. Upon arrival in Johannesburg, check in for your international flight back home. OPTIONALLY customize the below extensions to Cape Town, Victoria Falls and/or Chobe as part of your itinerary.

RECOMMENDED PRE AND POST SAFARI AND TOUR EXTENSIONS IN CHOBE, VICTORIA FALLS & CAPE TOWN

LOCATION OF YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN OKAVANGO DELTA, LINYANTI & MAKGADIKGADI PANS

With the various customization and personalization options available as an independent and/or combination safari with other countries in Southern and East Africa, the prices for this safari/tour are best available by having a discussion with our safari professionals to ensure a perfect match. Please contact us to customize your safari and request prices based on your travel preference.