Full
Itinerary
Days 1, 2 & 3: Jacana Camp,
Okavango Delta
After arrival in Maun, you will be met by your guide or our representative
and fly by light aircraft over the shimmering water world of the
Okavango Delta.
The Delta encompasses life at its most fertile: abundant water,
sunlight and nutrients fuse to produce a wetland paradise teeming
with life.
Lush Jacana Camp is situated in a permanently flooded region
of the private Jao Concession of the Okavango Delta. A true water
camp, it represents the essence of the Delta, with year-round
mokoro safaris as well as island bush walks and, water level permitting,
motorboat cruises. In fact, when the flood levels are at their
peak we are able to motorboat from the airstrip to the lodge,
a truly surreal camp arrival! On one of the full days, we will
also enjoy game drives around the productive Jao flats region
to the north of camp.
Jacana Camp is set in one of the wetland areas most densely
populated with sitatunga and red lechwe. Wildlife concentrations
depend on the water flow and volume, thus changing from season
to season, but all the large animals can be found in the area
including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. Pel's Fishing-Owl
is a favourite amongst birders as well as African and Lesser
Jacana.
Days 4, 5 & 6: Ketumetse Trails Camp (Motswiri),
north-eastern Okavango Delta
We depart this morning by aircraft to Ketumetse Trails Camp located
in the south-western sector of the Selinda private concession,
in the seasonally flooded portion of the Okavango Delta where
it joins into the Selinda Spillway.
The area in which the camp is located is scenic with generous
shade provided by leadwood and russet bushwillow trees. Open floodplains
and woodlands spread out in front of camp. Activities concentrate
on nature walks and canoeing, providing a superb view from the
canoe of big game coming to the water's edge to drink. Game drives
(by day and night) are possible and often reveal sightings of
the rare roan and stately sable antelopes, in addition to an array
of other general game species. Seasonally, "catch and release"
fishing is offered as an alternative activity.
Days 7, 8 & 9: Linyanti Discoverer Camp, Linyanti
After a light breakfast, we fly north-eastwards to the private
Linyanti Concession; after a short game drive we arrive at our
private Discoverer camp, which is elegantly set up under African
ebony and knobthorn acacia trees overlooking panoramic vistas
of the Linyanti Swamps
The landscape of the Linyanti varies from floodplains
to open dry land savannah and forest with sweeping views, creating
a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species.
Activities include game drives in the private northern sector
of the concession, exploring a range of habitats from riverbanks
to scrub and forest, with a myriad of wildlife en route to slake
their thirst from the river. The seldom-seen sitatunga can also
be spotted in the waterways, as well as rare plains game such
as roan and sable antelope and of course their predators, the
lion and leopard - with the endangered wild dog as an incredible
bonus.
There's also a game drive to a private area for lunch, then a
siesta in hammocks and the possibility of an afternoon canoe trip,
before returning to camp at dusk. (This activity is not always
possible, as it is dependent on whether there are hippo pods moving
in and out of the areas in which we canoe.) Another possible activity
is an all-day game drive to the Savute Channel, with lunch en
route. This game drive is specifically designed to gain an introduction
to the "Stolen River" as well as enjoying a part of
the Selinda Spillway with its rich floodplains.
To complete the experience, in the rainy season and on the third
day it is possible to enjoy a full-day activity to the Savute
Channel, with lunch at a scenic setting under a shade tree. The
spectacular but seasonal (rain dependant) zebra migration moves
between Linyanti and the Savute Marsh between end November and
March, the area also boasting an impressive diversity of mammals,
including large elephant herds. When undertaken and during the
correct season, this day is specifically tailored to enjoy the
seasonal and migratory movements of wildlife, although sighting
the zebra migration is not guaranteed.
Day 10: Chobe River boat cruise, Chobe National Park
and River Club, Zambia
After a short morning drive and breakfast, we depart by light
aircraft to the northern Chobe region of Chobe National Park.
This area is famous for its vast herds of elephants in the dry
season and other unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe
bushbuck that move to the river in the hottest hours of the day.
Enjoy a light lunch on the boat cruise in a catamaran-style shaded
boat.
We leave Botswana and fly to Livingstone International Airport,
arriving at River Club in the late afternoon. On leaving Botswana,
we fly over the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries
of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet.
Day 11: Victoria Falls
transfer to Livingstone Airport
The grand finale is a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of
the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 metres wide, it
is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than
100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
Transfer to Livingstone Airport immediately after the tour of
the Victoria Falls and bid farewell to the adventure |
Accommodation
Jacana Camp
Jacana Camp has 5 Meru-style tents. Each
tent is on a wooden
deck overlooking the
floodplains and has an en-suite bathroom
with flush toilet and shower.
The bathroom is enclosed but roofless, allowing for showers by
starlight. The camp
has a plunge pool for cooling off from the
midday sun.
The main dining area is on an elevated wooden deck between two
magnificent sycamore fig trees and surrounded by
dense wild date
palms.
Downstairs, there is a cosy pub and lounge
with an area perfect
for an open fire under
the stars.
Ketumetse Trails Camp
Accommodation is in 6.3m x 3.5m walk-in
Meru-style tents (maximum
of two guests
per tent).
The tents are airy and designed to recreate
the accommodation
style of the early explorers, with richly coloured teak director
chairs and simplistic camp features.
Separate bedside tables with 12v reading
lamps, canvas and wood
wardrobes, bathrobes, comfortable beds, flushing
toilets and mirrors
are provided.
Camp amenities (conditioning shampoo,
soap, shower gel and body
lotion) are elegantly displayed for use and private, en-
suite
separate toilet and shower areas are
River Club
Ten luxury thatched chalets overlook the
Zambezi River
and have en-suite facilities
including a bath, shower, toilet
and basin.
The rooms are all completely open in the
front, providing uninterrupted
views of the
Zambezi.
Seven rooms have a concertina screen door
or window across the
front of the bedroom
and/or bathroom.
The River Club lies dreaming in dappled
shade on the Zambian
banks of the
Zambezi River, 18km upstream from the
world-famous
Victoria Falls.
Its main area is a well-appointed Edwardian-
style house, with
a comfortable lounge,
large dining room, impressive library and
wide veranda on which breakfasts and teas
are taken.
Manicured lawns (where midday meals are
often served) spread
out beneath the trees
and a croquet court is an ideal venue for
a
Pimm's-soaked croquet game.
The pool seems part of the river itself, a
secluded deck with
hammocks and loungers
provides respite and beauty treatments are
available in the calico 'massage' tent.
Bedroom at Jacana © Wilderness
River Club Bedroom © Dana Allen
Black and White Photo of Main Falls |
