Adventurous Botswana Safari Tour by Cox & Kings

Botswana Safari 10 Days , LIVINGSTONE to LIVINGSTONE

What's Included ●

All National Park and game reserve entrances.

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Chobe River homestay.

Open vehicle game drives in Savuti area, Chobe National Park, Khwai River and Moremi

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Okavango Delta 2-night houseboat excursion with game viewing and bird watching by boat.

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Overseas Medical Insurance for the duration of the tour (Sum of US$ 2,50,000 covered) 3 nights accommodation at the hotels mentioned or similar 1 night accommodation in a homestay.

3 nights accommodation in Comfort tented camps.

2 nights accommodation in a houseboat Meals Included: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners.

Arrival Airport Transfers on day 1 of the tour on shared basis All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary DAY 1 Livingstone Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included. Meet our CEO at the hotel (on Day 1 at approx. 6:00PM - please have a look at the information board in the hotel), he/she will go through your trip details.

David Livingstone was born on March 19, 1813 in the village of Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. He first studied Greek, medicine, and theology at the University of Glasgow and while working in London, joined the London Missionary Society became a minister. He originally planned to gain access to China through his medical knowledge. The Opium Wars, which were raging at this stage with no signs of peace on the horizon, forced Livingstone to consider other options. From 1840 he worked in Bechuanaland (present-day Botswana),

and in the period 1852-56, he explored the African interior, and was the first European to see the Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall, which he renamed Victoria Falls after his monarch, Queen Victoria.

The Victoria Falls waterfalls occur in a country that is perfectly flat. From its source on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Zambezi River meanders for 1300 km across the wooded plateau of Zambia, eroding for itself a shallow valley on its mild descent to the site of the falls. The river eventually found a weak spot on the lower lip of the surface over which it passed, and forced a passage which was steadily deepened into an exit gorge. During the last half million years the river has scoured out eight of these cracks across its bed. The Victoria falls occur where the river is 1688m wide, presents the spectacle of an average maximum of 550 million liters of water a minute tumbling over the lip of the trench in five main falls, the Devil's Cataract, Main falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow falls and the Eastern Cataract. The highest of these is Rainbow falls, on an average 108 m high. A peak flood sees 750 million liters of water in one minute hurtling over the falls.

The name Zambezi comes from the Tonka tribe, also meaning Great River, but the Sotho-speaking Kololo people of the upper reaches of the river gave it the well-known name of Mosi o a Thunya (smoke that rises). The Lozi people call it by the same name but translated it into smoke that sounds. The Ndebele call it aManza Thunqayo (the water that rises like smoke). The Namibian people call it Chinotimba (a noise-making place like the distant sound of digging).

There are numerous optional activities available in Livingstone and the surrounding area. We highly recommend booking pre or post nights to take full advantage of this area. We also have a convenient G desk, that can help you book optional activities and better explore the city and area.

DAY 2 Kasane/Chobe River Cross the border into Botswana and transfer to a private home on the Chobe River for a unique homestay experience.

We have a leisurely start this morning and say fond farewells to our resourceful G Adventure Livingstone Staff. With our CEO, we head westwards for the short drive to Kazungula Border Post, where your CEO will ensure that your transfer to Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River, is seamless. You will arrive in time for lunch at this beautiful located private home next to the river where we will stay tonight and enjoy the hospitality of the home owner. You shouldn't miss out on the optional photography sunset boat tour this afternoon.

Tonight you stay at a private homestead right on the bank of the Chobe river in a on-suite room, very typical traditional victorian style house with big veranda, peacefull atmosphere and an opportunity to spot wildlife right from the porch.

At night enjoy a traditional braai (bbq) around the fire listening to the sound of

frogs, hippos and hyena in the back ground.

Approximate Distance: 110 km Estimate Travel Time: 2 Hours Opt to take a sunset photography river cruise for wildlife viewing with an expert photography/wildlife guide.

If you opt to do the photo-safari, the experts will show you how the cameras work and advise you on how to frame the subject to capture a truly great image. We set ups the camera for you, to suit the conditions and even beginners will have no problem. The fact that the Chobe is such a game rich environment and that the Nikon D7000 is such a fantastic and user-friendly camera means that in no time you will be taking some images that truly do justice to your safari in the Chobe. Highlights along the river include elephants, hippos, crocodile and ample birdlife. This tour includes: transfers, park fees, drinks, camera usage (Nikon D7000 With 150 - 500 mm Zoom lens), photo permit, exclusive photo seat on Photo boat.

This is a world famous wildlife photography area, a "jewel" according to National Geographic, and a backdrop for lots of African wildlife documentaries.

This is a amazing opportunity to take great pictures with a very good camera and zoom lens - the memory card in the camera is yours to keep!

DAY 3 Chobe National Park Travel deeper into the Chobe wilderness to Ghoha Hills, with spectacular views of the surrounding bush. Enjoy late afternoon and evening game viewing in open vehicles around the hills and waterholes in search of elephants, lions, hippos and giraffes, to name a few.After an early start, we take a slow gamedrive along the southern bank of the Chobe River, where we can find Chobe Bushbuck and Puku Antelope, which are found only in this part of Botswana. Chobe River is home the world's largest elephant herds; and buffalo, hippo and lion can be seen here. Our private morning game-viewing takes place along routes that that overlook this beautiful river and the remarkable variety of animals that are drawn to this permanent water source.

Early afternoon we head south towards the Ghoga Hills and the Savuti Area.

Game viewing in the late afternoon takes place along the hills and surrounding water holes. The lodge/camp is situated high up on the Ghoha Hills, with spectacular views of the surrounding bush. The views are unique and awe inspiring, particularly due to the fact that Botswana is such a flat country. The main area in the lodge has a thatched roof with bar and lounge, which helps the lodge blend into the surrounding hillside. Accommodation is in luxury tents with comfortable amenities and en-suite.

Approximate Distance: 180 km

Estimate Travel Time: 6 Hours

DAY 4 Khwai River/Moremi Area Drive to the Khwai River area bordering Moremi Game Reserve via Savuti.

With astounding wildlife, this area has been rated one of the best for game viewing in the world. Embark on morning and afternoon open vehicle game drives with time to relax at the comfortable tented camp.

We take a leisurely drive to our camp in the Khwai River area via Savuti, an area best known for large populations of Bull Elephants and Prides of Lion that patrol the banks of this enigmatic channel. After a picnic lunch, we head towards our next nightstop, bordering Moremi Game Reserve. Due to the fact that none of Botswana's wildlife areas are fenced, game can move freely between wilderness areas. This region's diversity of game is astounding and Moremi has quite rightly been rated as one of the best Game viewing areas in the world.

The camp lodge boasts a majestic thatch roofed dining and lounge area leading to an elevated viewing deck over the riverbank. Spectacular sunsets can be admired over sundowners from the quaint bar or from the deck of your comfort en-suite tent.

Approximate Distance: 130 km Estimate Travel Time: 4 Hours

DAY 5 Khwai River/Moremi Area This day is spent on early morning and afternoon game drives. Over the course of the day, guests are given the best chances of seeing a variety of wildlife although there is of course, that obligatory siesta during the hottest part of the day.

DAY 6 Maun After a morning game drive, transfer to the frontier town of Maun.

Today we take quick and early gamedrive, drive out of the Moremi Area and journey south into the frontier town of Maun, to our accommodation which has a pleasant eating area with a welcome swimming pool.

Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta and has for a long time enjoying the reputation of being Botswana's own frontier town. Today it is one of the fastest growing towns in Africa. It was originally established in 1915 by the Batawana, a splinter group of the Bangwato. The name Maun means "place of reeds".

Maun, although officially still a village, is the fifth largest town in Botswana. It is an eclectic mix of modern buildings and native huts. Maun is the "tourism capital" of Botswana and the administrative centre of Ngamiland district.

Maun has developed rapidly from a rural frontier town and has spread along the Thamalakane River. It now boasts good shopping centres, hotels and lodges as well as car and 4-wheel drive vehicle hire. It still retains a rural atmosphere and local tribesmen continue to bring their cattle to Maun to sell.

This community is now distributed along the wide banks of the Thamalakane River where red lechwe can still be seen grazing next to local donkeys, goats and cattle.

Approximate Distance: 120 km Estimate Travel Time: 3 Hours Option to shop and take a scenic flight over the delta. The afternoon is at leisure at the Hotel, which is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River.

DAY 7 Okavango Delta Transfer to the houseboat, our home for the next 2 nights in the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta. Travelling by houseboat allows us to explore a more secluded area of the delta, taking small boats into the channels and waterways for wildlife viewing and bird watching.

Today we board our Houseboat, based on the serene waters of the Okavango River. We begin our journey into the "Panhandle" area of the Okavango Delta, in Northern Botswana. This area is recognized as one of the most peaceful areas in the Delta, due to its remoteness. Indeed, there are only a handful of permanent camps and boats operating in this wilderness area - which makes it ideal for our guests. Excursions from the houseboat are done on "tender boats" which allow us to get into smaller channels. The activities available can include fishing, bird-watching, boat safaris and an optional visit to Tsodilo Hills.

Tsodilo Hills is a World Heritage Site with the richest concentration of San Rock Paintings in the world. Having been inhabited for about 30,000 years, they're one of the world's oldest, historical sites and are to more than 4,000 San Bushman paintings. Several walking trails provide helpful routes around the painting sites.

"Where all this water goes is a mystery", Aurel Schultz, 1897 The area of the delta was once part of Lake Makgadikgadi, an ancient lake that dried up some 10,000 years ago. Today, the Okavango River has no outlet to the sea. Instead, it empties onto the sands of the Kalahari Desert, irrigating 15,000 square km of the desert. Each year some 11 cubic kilometers of water reach the delta. Some of this water reaches further south to create Lake Ngami. The water entering the delta is unusually pure, due to the lack of agriculture and industry along the Okavango River. It passes through the sand aquifers of the numerous delta islands and evaporates/transpirates by leaving

enormous quantities of salt behind. This precipitation processes are so strong that the vegetation disappears in the center of the islands and thick salt crusts are formed. The waters of the Okavango Delta are subject to seasonal flooding, which begins about mid-summer in the north and six months later in the south (May/June). The water from the delta is evaporated relatively rapidly by the high temperatures, resulting in a cycle of cresting and dropping water in the south. Islands can disappear completely during the peak flood, then reappear at the end of the season.

Approximate Distance: 380 km Estimate Travel Time: 5 Hours Opt to go fishing or on a cultural excursion to Tsoldilo Hills to view ancient San Bushman rock paintings, or relax on deck with a cool drink watching the passing scenery.

DAY 8 Okavango Delta The day is at leisure.

DAY 9 Livingstone Transfer by van and ferry crossing back into Zambia.

Approximate Distance: 550 km Estimate Travel Time: 8-9 Hours Option to visit Victoria Falls.

DAY 10 Livingstone Depart at any time.