11 day/ 10 night Thirstlands of the Kalahari
This itinerary will allow you to see the Makgadikgadi National Park, Central Kalahari, Southern and Northern Okavango Delta
Day 1
Upon arrival of your flight at OR Tambo Airport you will be met by an Island-Safari.com representative who will assist you onto your Air Botswana flight BP212 , departing at 10:10 and arrival at 11:50. Upon arrival at Maun Airport you will be met by a representative of Meno A Kwena and transferred by road to the lodge for check-in. The transfer will take approximately one and a half hours.
Two overnights at Meno A Kwena in a standard twin tent with private bucket shower and toilet inclusive of all meals, all local brand drinks, teas/coffees, snacks, game-viewing and laundry
Meno a Kwena – "Tooth of the Crocodile" Meno A Kwena Camp offers a traditionally classic tented camp experience where each of our six tents is ideally situated to take in the breathtaking view over the dry riverbed and Makgadikgadi National Park and overlooks the watering hole where wildlife come to drink.
Meno A Kwena is the name given to a deep stretch of the Boteti River once inhabited by hippos and crocodiles in a garden of water lilies. Translated from Setswana, Meno A Kwena means ‘Tooth of the Crocodile’.
The view from the entire camp high up on white calcrete and silcrete cliffs forms the centrepiece of the Meno A Kwena experience. Overlooking the dry riverbed of the Boteti, which stopped flowing over a decade ago, a waterhole has been maintained by the camp to sustain the myriad of animals and birds that come to drink there. Opposite camp on the other side of the dry Boteti River bed is the Makgadikgadi National Park
The camp is owned and managed by David Dugmore, a legendary guide in the Kalahari and Okavango, who also produces and directs wildlife documentaries. The fact that the camp Cook wears a 'tablard' from Highgrove, home of Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry who spent a great deal of time in the Kalahari, gives away a well kept secret! The wildebeest and zebra migration concentrates along the Boteti during the dry season (May to November), small pools are the only surface water available to them. Resident and nomadic wildlife includes the big cat and small ones, impala, kudu, warthog, monkeys, jackal, and occasionally wild dog, elephant and giraffe. The bird life is excellent along the riverine woodlands of acacia, lead wood and terminalia.
The main tent comprises the lounge area, library, bar and kitchen from where delicious traditional safari meals are prepared. Meals are cooked on the campfire by the chef, and prepared specially for the BBQ and ‘tin box oven’, adding to guests’ authentic safari experience.
Accommodation
Fully serviced accommodation is in mini meru walk-in tents. Comfortable twin or double bedrolls are made up with fresh cotton linen and traditional camping blankets. Fresh towels are provided for the duration of your stay.
Each tent has its own private bucket shower and loo. It is quite an experience standing under an open Kalahari sky filled with stars or alive with the traffic of riverine birds – depending on the time of day you choose to have your shower!
The camp is located inside Ngwato tribal land in the Central District, between the Moreomaoto and Khumaga Villages - on the Motopi to Rakops road.
The Camp has relatively easy access to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve , Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and Nxai Pans National Park; all are within two hours drive from Meno A Kwena.
You can read more about Meno A Kwena at:
http://www.kalahari-desert.com/Menoakwena_Camp_Kalahari_desert.asp
Day 3
You will be transferred back to Maun Airport where you will be met by a representative of Grasslands Bushman Lodge and transferred by road to the lodge for check in. The transfer will take approximately three hours.
Three overnights at Grasslands Bushman Lodge in a standard double room with private en-suite facilities inclusive of all meals, all local brand drinks, teas/coffees, snacks, game-viewing and laundry
Grassland Bushman Lodge is situated on the western side of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in the Ghanzi district of Botswana, the property is a private wildlife reserve of some 15 000 ha. The Central Kalahari is our home and has been so for five generations, we would love to share our passion and first hand knowledge of the Kalahari with our guests.
Our lodge is somewhat different from most others you will encounter in Botswana. We are a family concern and proud citizens of Botswana. Apart from the family the rest of our staff compliment is made up entirely of San (Bushmen), most have worked alongside our family for generations. In fact our family has lived in the Ghanzi district for over 120 years. Our lodge can accommodate 16 guests and we also are able to accommodate families in a special family unit.
Our hospitality can best be described as home away from home, a sense of genuine ease prevails …. A relaxed and informal holiday.. after all holidays are meant to be relaxing.
The main complex area can be divided into three areas, a large lounge and dinning room in one building, a huge covered bar area that also doubles up as a dinning area/ outside lounge which is adjacent to the swimming pool. All of these structures overlook a waterhole where huge variety of wildlife can be seen from the comfort of chairs or from the pool area.
Accommodation is in comfortable en-suite chalets with shower, basin and wc. Electricity is provided during most parts of the day by means of a generator.
Near the lodge is a private registered airstrip, which is serviced by all charter companies, though we prefer to fly with Delta Air. Self-drive access is possible, although a 4 X 4 vehicle is required to reach the lodge. Alternatively guests travelling in a sedan vehicle can be collected by the lodge staff in Ghanzi (where secure parking is available) and transferred to the lodge.
At Grassland Bushman Lodge we focus on four main groups of activities:
A very, comprehensive San (Bushmen) experience, day and night drives, our unique predator rehabilitation centre and finally horseback safaris – where guests can get really close to wildlife.
Day 6
You will be transferred to the airstrip in time for your scheduled light aircraft charter flight to Delta Camp. Upon arrival your guide will await you and transfer you by mokoro (canoe) to the camp for check-in.
Two overnights at Delta Camp in a standard twin chalet with private en-suite facilities inclusive of all meals, all local brand drinks, teas/coffees, snacks, game-viewing and laundry
This intimate and informal safari camp nestles on a small island close to the south-western edge of Chief's Island, heart of the Okavango Delta - the vast oasis of the Kgalagadi Desert, Botswana. Accommodation is in spacious 'lethaka' (reed) chalets with en-suite facilities. The amazing design of the Chalets is such that you enjoy the luxuries of a 'top rate' hotel, but without affecting the environment; you will find you share your chalet with the trees around which the chalets have been built rather than having been cut down during their construction.
Delta Camp was voted the best Safari Lodge in Southern Africa by the prestigious South African Getaway Magazine in its 2004 anniversary edition
The Okavango Delta is a shifting web of crystal-clear channels, lagoons,
sweeping floodplains and palm-studded islands. Home to over 450 bird and
1,000 plant species, crocodile, hippo, elephant, buffalo - in fact the full spectrum of African big-game and several species of antelope that are amongst the world's rarest - the Okavango has earned its reputation as one of the world's premier wilderness areas. Your chalet at Delta Camp directly overlooks the waterways.
Delta Camp is on the banks of the Boro, one of the primary watercourses of the Okavango. Excursions, by foot and mokoro - the traditional dug-out canoe - are conducted in the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, with your own professional game-guide, a man of the swamps, completely at one with his environment.
Dine in the elegant Dining Room overlooking the sweep of the Delta, or take a beautifully prepared picnic onto one of the many nearby islands for a secluded and intimate experience.
This unusual Camp engenders in its staff and guests alike, an acute awareness of the ecological sensitivity of this magnificent area. Bio-degradable products have been sourced and are used, careful separation and treatment of refuse ensures that nothing that is not fully bio-degradable stays on the island - light aircraft remove cans, bottles and the like from the Okavango altogether.
The accent is on peace and tranquillity (stalking game on foot provides all the excitement one could wish for) and guests are actively encouraged to visit a local village, home to our guides, and to interact, should they wish to, with the people there.
You can read more about Delta Camp at:
http://www.island-safari.com/hotels/deltacamp.htm
Day 8
You will be transferred back to the airstrip in time for your scheduled light aircraft charter flight to Mapula.
Three overnights at Mapula in a standard twin chalet with private en-suite facilities inclusive of all meals, all local brand drinks, teas/coffees, snacks, game-viewing and laundry.
Mapula Lodge is situated in the remote North Eastern area of the Okavango Delta, outside the Moremi Game Reserve. All the activities at this Botswana safari lodge, allow you to witness and experience the beauty of Africa, and guests have the added advantage of being able to able to enjoy game walks, and night drives, along with morning and afternoon drives, or mokoro excursions. Game viewing is particularly good in this area. Hippos live in the lagoon opposite the lodge, and the trees around the Lodge are home to a huge variety of birds.
Accommodation is in 10 well appointed luxury Chalets, each with en-suite facilities (bath and shower). All chalets overlook a lagoon in front of the Lodge. The attention to detail and use of local craftsmanship in the construction of the Chalets is particularly impressive and attractive. Additional facilities include a small swimming pool and sun deck, and a well stocked bar.
Being in a permanent water area, Mapula Lodge can generally offer year round water activities, especially important during January - May when water levels in the Okavango can become too low in some areas, to allow the use of the traditional mokoro.
You can read more about Mapula at:
http://www.island-safari.com/menu.html
Day 11
You will be transferred to the airstrip in time for your scheduled light aircraft charter flight to Maun to connect with your Air Botswana flight to Johannesburg departing at 15:00 and arrival at 16:40.
** End of service **
Cost:
From US$ 4 293 per person sharing
Included in the cost:
Meet and Greet at OR Tambo Airport
Return scheduled flight from Johannesburg to Maun
Road transfer from Maun to Meno A Kwena
Two overnights at Meno A Kwena as per the itinerary
Road transfer from Meno A Kwena to Maun
Road transfer from Maun to Grasslands Bushman Lodge
Three overnights at Grasslands Bushman Lodge as per the itinerary
Scheduled light aircraft charter flight from Grasslands Bushman Lodge to Delta Camp
Two overnights at Delta Camp as per the itinerary
Scheduled light aircraft charter flight from Delta Camp to Mapula
Three overnights at Mapula as per the itinerary
Scheduled light aircraft charter flight from Mapula to Maun Airport
Not included:
Visas
Gratuities
Items of personal nature
Travel and medical insurance
Code: ECT1
EMAIL US - info@island-safari.com for a quotation for your dates |
