Classic Seasonal Mobile Botswana – Best Kept Secrets
This 12 day Classic Seasonal Mobile Botswana safari allows you to discover Botswana’s best kept secrets, from the stark Central Kalahari to the beauty and tranquillity of the Okavango Delta, an oasis in the heart of this desert. In between there will be an exceptional opportunity to spend time with a Bushman community and learn about their amazing way of life.
This mobile Botswana safari allows you to experience a land of contrasts while moving through the aridity of the Kalahari and onto the Eden of the Delta, each habitat boasts abundant wildlife. Guests will be able to enjoy exciting game drives and bird watching at each location.
You will have wonderful photographic opportunities on this Botswana holiday. See amazing birdlife in the middle of the desert and the spectacular Kalahari sunsets, as well as the endangered Wild Dogs of Moremi amongst many other species of wildlife.
Day 1: Johannesburg – Maun – Central Kalahari
On the first morning of your safari, you will take a scheduled flight from Johannesburg to Maun in Botswana. On arrival at midday, you will be met by your guide and transferred by road from Maun to the Central Kalahari region. This transfer can be considered a mini game drive, and you should keep your eyes open for animals such as Gemsbok, Springbok and Ostriches. /p>
Once you have arrived at the lodge, you will have time to refresh before heading out on an afternoon activity such as game drive, the lodge also provides nature walks with a Bushmen tracker. This area offers an abundance of colourful birdlife and herds of graceful antelope. Predators include the Kalahari Black-maned Lion.
Day 2 & 3: Deception Valley (Central Kalahari)
The next 2 days will be spent exploring the dunes, ancient river valleys and pans of Deception Valley. Game drives are best done early in the morning, so you will wake up at dawn and enjoy some coffee and a light breakfast around the fire before heading out to see what animals you can see.
Highlights of your game drive will be visiting the Tau, Leopard, Sunday and Deception Pans. Look out for Eland, Red-Hartebeest, Kudu and Giraffe. The region is also known for its Kalahari Lions and Cheetahs. If you are lucky you may see Brown Hyena and sometimes Wild Dogs. The pans are good places to see the local birdlife such as Crowned Lapwings while the plains are home to Tawny and Martial Eagles.
Day 4: Deception Valley and Passarge Valley (Central Kalahari)
Today you will travel 60km (37.28 miles) through the arid landscape of the Central Kalahari and cross some long dry ancient river beds. You will have to leave early and will have a chance to stop for breakfast at a scenic spot en route. After breakfast you will continue your journey to the next camp.
Along the way keep an eye out for Leopard around the dunes, while in the valleys, Lion and Cheetah can be seen. Eland, Kudu and Southern Giraffe are often seen while doing this route. You will arrive at the next tented bush camp after lunch. The bush camp will already have been set up prior to your arrival. Enjoy a refreshing shower and afternoon tea before exploring the area on an afternoon game drive. Return to camp for a tasty dinner around the campfire.
Day 5 & 6: Passarge Valley (Central Kalahari)
The next 2 days focus on exploring the pristine Passarge Valley. After a light breakfast you can head out on an early morning game drive. The ancient river bed has many fossils while the grasslands provide a nutritious grazing ground for Kalahari game such as Gemsbok or Oryx, Springbok and Blue Wildebeest. Predators such as Kalahari Lions, Cheetah and Caracal are often seen in this area.
You could see many species of birds including Steppe Buzzards and Pale Chanting Goshawks. Threatened Lapped-faced Vultures nest in these valleys. After your morning game drive, you’ll enjoy a refreshing brunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing and head out again on an exciting game drive in the late afternoon.
Day 7: Passarge Valley – Bushman Village (Northern Kalahari)
Today you move on from Passarge Valley into the Northern Kalahari on a 4 – 5 hour drive, heading for a game reserve that is owned by a Bushmen community. Set on 7 500 hectares of land, this community based tourism project is run by the Ncoakhoe – meaning Red People.
After you have arrived and been welcomed, you will have time to settle in to your accommodation before the afternoon game drive. The game reserve is well stocked and you will see a wide variety of birds amongst wildlife such as Eland, Zebra and Giraffe. You could also spot Black Backed Jackal and Brown Hyena and numerous smaller mammals. Cheetah and Leopard are migratory in these parts.
Day 8: Bushman Village (Northern Kalahari)
Today you will spend time with the Ncoakhoe people at the village, participating in and learning more about what makes the Bushmen so interesting. Their bush survival skills are legendary and you will enjoy personal interaction with Africa’s first people. You can learn about their hunting and gathering techniques or how to make jewellery from Ostrich eggshell beads. You could also participate in games and traditional dances and listen to stories around the fire.
Day 9: Northern Kalahari – Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta)
Today you depart after breakfast in a closed vehicle for the 3 hour drive to Maun. In Maun you will change to an open game cruiser for the journey through the famous Moremi Game Reserve to your Xakanaxa campsite, your base for the next 3 nights.
You will traverse a varied landscape from towering cathedral woodlands to extensive stretches of scrub Mopane. On the drive, keep an eye out for Elephant, Impala, Zebra and Giraffe. Predators in this area include Lion and Wild Dog. In the Santawani region game such as Blue Wildebeest, Common Duiker, Steenbuck, Tsessebe and Greater Kudu are often spotted.
Day 10 & 11: Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta)
Over the next 2 days you will have time to explore the Moremi Game Reserve, home to the endangered African Wild Dog. Wake up early and enjoy a light breakfast around the campfire. Then head out for morning game drive. Game drives depart twice daily at dawn and dusk. You will also enjoy an Okavango boat cruise which is a most relaxing activity.
You’ll probably see large herds of Buffalo and many prides of Lion on these outings. Huge herds of Elephant also often pass through in the dry season and you should see many aquatic antelope such as Red Lechwe and the rare Sitatunga. In between game viewing activities you can enjoy brunch and a siesta or explore around camp. Dinner will be around the campfire under clear night skies.
Day 12: Moremi Game Reserve- Maun – Johannesburg
On the last day of your12 day Classic Seasonal Mobile Botswana Safari you’ll begin your journey back to Maun which will take you through some of the most scenic landscapes in Botswana. Keep an eye out for Giraffe on your drive back. You will arrive in Maun in time to catch your return flight to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport.
