Kalahari, Okavango & Victoria Falls

Itinerary

• Botswana

  Formerly known as Bechaunaland, a British protectorate, Botswana gained independence in September 1966. Botswana is most famous for its two sublime game parks, the Okavango Delta and Chobe reserve. The Okavango is the world's largest inland delta and has no outlet to the sea - baffling early explorers. It turns out that the massive volume of waters simply disappear into the Kalahari Desert, which covers 70% of Botswana's land surface. This unexpectedly lush swamp in the midst of scorching desert is a magnet for wild game and birds. Nearby Chobe reserve is famous for its elephants, the world's largest.

  Maun is the tourism hub of the country, with the capitol of Gaborone located on the southern border. Botswana is a rare country in Africa, with no civil unrest, balanced budgets, working democracy, and one of the world's fastest growing economies. It is also the world's largest producer of diamonds and is twice the size of the United Kingdom - yet only has a population of 1.9 million people. Since independence it has had one of the fastest growth rates in per capita income in the world. Botswana's people, truly unique landscapes and game are hugely impressive, it is well worth a visit.

• Central Kalahari

  The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is an extensive national park in the Kalahari desert of Botswana. Established in 1961 it covers an area of 52,800 km² making it the second largest game reserve in the world. The park contains wildlife such as giraffe, brown hyena, warthog, cheetah, wild dog, leopard, lion, blue wildebeest, eland, gemsbok, kudu and red hartebeest. The land is mostly flat, and gently undulating covered with bush and grasses covering the sand dunes, and areas of larger trees. Many of the river valleys are fossilized with salt pans. Four fossilized rivers meander through the reserve including Deception Valley which began to form around 16,000 years ago.

• Linyanti

  The Linyanti Marsh, located at the Northwest corner of the park and to the North of Savuti, is adjacent to Linyanti River. To the west of this area lies Selinda Reserve and on the Northern bank of Kwando River is Namibia's Mamili National Park. Around these 2 rivers are riverine woodlands, open woodlands as well as lagoons, and the rest of the region mainly consists of flood plains. There are here large concentrations of lions, leopards, wild dogs, Roan antelopes, Sable antelopes, hippopotamuses and above all enormous herds of elephants. The rarer red lechwe, sitatunga or crocodile also occur in the area. Birdlife is very rich here.

• Okavango

  The Okavango is a labyrinth of lagoons, lakes and hidden channels covering an area of over 17,000 square km and the largest inland delta in the world. Trapped in the parched Kalahari sands it is a magnet for the wildlife who depend on the permanent waters of this unique feature. Sometimes called a 'swamp', the Okavango is anything but. Moving, mysterious, placid, gentle and beautiful, from a wide and winding channel it spreads through tiny, almost unnoticeable channels that creep away behind a wall of papyrus reed, into an ever expanding network of increasingly smaller passages.

• Zambia

  Zambia is has a relatively young tourist industry, growing with the volume of people visiting Victoria Falls on its southern border. With the troubles in Zimbabwe, Livinstone is the new gateway to the falls and its unexpectedly wide array of adrenaline activities, game parks, and scenic beauty. With the attention has come the discovery of pristine parks of Lower Zambezi. For the purists, this is one of the last untouched safari experiences on the continent.

• Livingstone

  Victoria Falls, the world's largest falls cascade across a sheer rock face over 1km wide, mere meters away from visitors. The falls form the border between Livingstone (Zambia) and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). Livingstone features fine hotels and a broad array of adrenaline activities from ultra light and helicopter flights, white water rafting, river cruises, bungee, elephant-back safaris, and much more - it is a great spot to visit. Flight connections are limited to Lusaka.

• • Central Kalahari
  • Tau Pan

  Day 1: Johannesburg - Maun - Central Kalahari

  Upon arrival into South Africa you will be met inside the airport and escorted through Customs and Immigration avoiding any queues.

  This flight departs from Maun and travels to the Central Kalahari, Botswana.

  The Central Kalahari Game Reserve gets animals such springbok, gemsbok and wildebeest in their thousands and is quite a sight to behold. Predators abound with plentiful Lions – especially the famous Kalahari black-maned Lion, Cheetah, Leopard and Jackals. Brown Hyenas and Wild Dogs are also found in the area. Several species of antelopes make the trip to the sweet grasses of the CKGR which include the Eland, Springbok, Steenbok, Gemsbok, Hartebeest, Kudu and Duiker. Honey Badgers are regular visitors as well as Ground Squirrels and Meerkats and many an hour can be wiled away watching these fascinating animals.

  Accommodation: Tau Pan Camp

  Tau Pan Camp is situated inside the world famous Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) right on the edge of the beautiful Tau Pan. "Kalahari' is derived from the Tswana word Kgala meaning “great thirst” – and it has vast areas covered by red sand without any permanent water. The Kalahari Desert is the largest sand basin in the world stretching 2,500 kms from the northern regions of South Africa through to Namibia/Angola and ending in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is the largest game reserve in the world (52,800 sq km’s) and for many years was closed to the public, hence it is known for being one of Africa’s last true wild areas.

• • Cheetah

  Day 2: Central Kalahari

  At first light you'll meet up with others at the lodge for your morning game drive in open 4X4's. Please note that Tau Pan is in a national park and an ecological sensitive area – for this reason we cannot drive off road or at night!

  You'll also have the opportunity to have a guided walk with a San who will explain and entertain you by answering all your questions from birth to marriage to bush survival.

  Accommodation: Tau Pan Camp
• • Oryx

  Day 3: Central Kalahari

  At first light you'll meet up with others at the lodge for your morning game drive in open 4X4's. Please note that Tau Pan is in a national park and an ecological sensitive area – for this reason we cannot drive off road or at night!

  Later this afternoon you'll meet up with others from the lodge to explore the Central Kalhari. Every game drive is different as you never know what you're going to see. Our guides and trackers have a wealth of knowledge and will give you a complete picture of life in these abundant eco systems. How everything from termites and dung beetles, even grasses and soils, right up to lion, cheetah and elephant, contribute to the balance of life.

  Accommodation: Tau Pan Camp
• • Okavango
  • Kwara Tented Camp

  Day 4: Central Kalahari - Okavango

  This flight departs the Deception Valley airstrip in the Central Kalahari and arrives in Maun, Botswana.

  Here in the Okavango Delta lives some of the most spectacular and varied wildlife on Earth. Famed for its big cat and bird population, the delta is a peaceful haven where animals have been protected for decades and know they will not be disturbed. You'll have the opportunity to see animals up close when expert guides accompany you on morning and evening game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles. A night game drive is the perfect means to see some of the nocturnal animals one wouldn’t see during the day time. The park also boasts a diversity of landscape with desert, dry savannah, lagoon and swamps in close proximity – cheetah, crocodile and elephant can also be seen on a game drive.

  Accommodation: Kwara

  This well known camp is set overlooking a secluded lagoon in the northern Okavango Delta. This region offers a contrasting experience, as its location allows access to the permanent waterways of the Delta as well as expansive dry land areas, admired for their quality game viewing. The camp fronts onto a huge floodplain, adjacent to the permanent water of the Delta and is backed by extensive bush. It is a magnificent wilderness area in excess of 1,700 square kilometres, bordering the Moremi Reserve.

• • Mokoro Safari
  • 

  Day 5: Okavango

  The Okavango Delta is of course flooded for much of the year and when it is, you can experience serene silence at the gentle pace of a poled mokoro excursion along the narrow Delta channels. Just sit back and relax as they glide through lily ponds on local dugout canoes while they get eye to eye with a buffalo as it laps water from the river, watch crocodiles sunbathe on the banks or cruise past a pod of hippos as they lie in a pool. Fish eagles, frogs and fabulous lilies form much of this experience, but more frequently it is the quietness and gentle pace that makes its impression on you after a mokoro morning.

  The Okavango Delta features some of the best game viewing in all of Africa. Drives are typically done at around 4pm when the animals are active. Usually lasting for a few hours. (shared with other guests at the lodge).

  Accommodation: Kwara
• • Linyanti Reserve
  • Kwando Lebala

  Day 6: Okavango - Linyanti

  This flight departs the Okavango airstrip and arrives in Linyanti.

  Later this afternoon you will meet up with others from the lodge for your game drive.

  Accommodation: Kwando Lebala

  Kwando Lebala is situated in the Kwando Wildlife Reserve in the Linyanti area in northern Botswana. Lebala offers an intimate and exclusive safari experience in an area offering incredible wildlife and magnificent views. Night game drives and off road game drives are a highlight, accompanied by expert guides and trackers.

• • Elephant

  Day 7: Linyanti

  Apart from the simple appeal of watching the elephants at the water's edge from the luxury of the raised decks of Kings Pool Camp, spectacular wildlife viewing is available on day and night game drives and walks. Allowing for water levels, seasonal barge cruises along the Linyanti River are also on offer. The reed and papyrus swamps are ideal for numerous and diverse species of birds and are a magnet for game in the dry winter months.

  Later this afternoon you will meet up with others from the lodge for your game drive.

  Accommodation: Kwando Lebala
• • Livingstone
  • Sussi & Chuma

  Day 8: Linyanti - Livingstone

  Luggage restricted to 12 kg per person in soft sided bags.

  Airport transfer with private vehicle.

  Today you can enjoy two of the included activities offered by Sussi & Chuma (falls visit, game viewing, boat safari, village tour) or sign up for extra activities on location. You can sign up for spa treatments, tour the  Zimbabwean side of the falls, flights over the falls, white water rafting, elephant back safari or the Livingstone Island visit. These extras are not included in the hotel cost.

  Accommodation: Sussi & Chuma

  Sussi & Chuma is named after David Livingstone’s faithful companions and consist of an intimate lodge and two exclusive houses, both of which are situated to make the most of the amazing views that the sweeping Zambezi River provides.

• • Victoria Falls

  Day 9: Livingstone

  Today you can enjoy two of the included activities offered by Sussi & Chuma (falls visit, game viewing, boat safari, village tour) or sign up for extra activities on location. You can sign up for spa treatments, tour the  Zimbabwean side of the falls, flights over the falls, white water rafting, elephant back safari or the Livingstone Island visit. These extras are not included in the hotel cost.

  Sign up for optional activities at your hotel (not included in tour price); helicopter, ultra-light, Gypsy Moth flights, elephant-back or horseback safari, white-water rafting, bungee jumping, Chobe game park day trip, jet boat, cultural tours, and more.

  Accommodation: Sussi & Chuma

• Day 10: Livingstone

  Airport transfer with private vehicle.

  Accommodation: Depart

  Depart from Livingstone international airport - End of itinerary.

Accommodation

• Culinary Moments

  Imagine settling in after a thrilling evening game-drive, to enjoy a delicious alfresco banquet of Pan-African cuisine in the boma illuminated by dozens of candles and lanterns.

• Natural Wonders

  In a country, which is approximately 80% arid, the Okavango Delta is a permanent life giving water source. It is a rather bizarre phenomenon in which a major mountain fed river reaches the vast tracts of the Kalahari and disperses into the floodplain in a maze of delta channels which are eventually consumed by the desert. Within the desert, the channels of the delta attract an abundance of animal and bird life.

• Wildlife Encounters

  Did you know? Elephants live in a highly organized social structure referred to as a matriarchal herd. The herd is typically composed of up to ten females and their young. Males beyond the age of maturity are with the herd only during mating. In Botswana, there is an estimated elephant population of over 120,000 - we are sure to see a few along the way!

• • Tau Pan

  Tau Pan Camp

  Tau Pan Camp is situated inside the world famous Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) right on the edge of the beautiful Tau Pan. "Kalahari' is derived from the Tswana word Kgala meaning “great thirst” – and it has vast areas covered by red sand without any permanent water. The Kalahari Desert is the largest sand basin in the world stretching 2,500 kms from the northern regions of South Africa through to Namibia/Angola and ending in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is the largest game reserve in the world (52,800 sq km’s) and for many years was closed to the public, hence it is known for being one of Africa’s last true wild areas.

  • More information
• • Kwara Tented Camp

  Kwara

  This well known camp is set overlooking a secluded lagoon in the northern Okavango Delta. This region offers a contrasting experience, as its location allows access to the permanent waterways of the Delta as well as expansive dry land areas, admired for their quality game viewing. The camp fronts onto a huge floodplain, adjacent to the permanent water of the Delta and is backed by extensive bush. It is a magnificent wilderness area in excess of 1,700 square kilometres, bordering the Moremi Reserve.

  • More information
• • Kwando Lebala

  Kwando Lebala

  Kwando Lebala is situated in the Kwando Wildlife Reserve in the Linyanti area in northern Botswana. Lebala offers an intimate and exclusive safari experience in an area offering incredible wildlife and magnificent views. Night game drives and off road game drives are a highlight, accompanied by expert guides and trackers.

  • More information
• • Sussi & Chuma

  Sussi & Chuma

  Sussi & Chuma is named after David Livingstone’s faithful companions and consist of an intimate lodge and two exclusive houses, both of which are situated to make the most of the amazing views that the sweeping Zambezi River provides.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
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