THE BUFFALO SAFARI

NOTE that the Buffalo Safari exists in 2 versions: our "classic" 7-night Buffalo safari and an extended Buffalo, the 8-night Buffalo "Special" for more time in the bush at the exact same price. See below both itineraries:

DAILY OVERVIEW BUFFALO “CLASSIC” SAFARI

(all nights camping semi participation unless specified)

Day 1: Western Moremi Game Reserve – game drives

Day 2: Western Moremi Game Reserve – game drives

Day 3: Eastern Moremi Game Reserve / Khwai Concession – game drives

Day 4: Southern Chobe National Park (Savute / Zwei Zwei) – game drives

Day 5: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – game drives

Day 6: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – game drives

Day 7: Livingstone – standard ensuite tent at Maramba River Lodge or similar – optional visit of The Victoria Falls

Day 8: END of the safari at the lodge after breakfast

DAILY OVERVIEW BUFFALO “SPECIAL” SAFARI

(all nights camping semi participation unless specified)

Day 1: Community campsite outside Moremi Game Reserve (Kazikini) – game drive

Day 2: Western Moremi Game Reserve – game drives

Day 3: Western Moremi Game Reserve – game drives

Day 4: Eastern Moremi Game Reserve / Khwai Concession – game drives

Day 5: Southern Chobe National Park (Savute / Zwei Zwei) – game drives

Day 6: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – game drives

Day 7: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – game drives

Day 8: Livingstone – standard ensuite tent at Maramba River Lodge or similar – optional visit of The Victoria Falls

Day 9: END of the safari at the lodge after breakfast

Contact us to check availability.

Contact us to check availability.

Note:

1. You will first see below, the description of our classic 7-night Buffalo Safari
2. On some departures, we are extending the Buffalo Safari by one day (at the start) for the very same price! This is what we call our “Buffalo Special” as it offers you extra time in the bush for no extra cost. Below the itinerary, you will find extra details.

Please note: As the safari starts at 07h30 on Day 1, you will need to pre-night in Maun and purchase drinks for your safari the day before your safari starts. Bush Ways Safaris can assist with pre-safari arrangements (accommodation, transfers).

Day 1: Western Moremi Game Reserve (3rd Bridge / Xakanaxa area), camping

The safari begins in Maun, where your guide will meet you at 07h30 at a pre-arranged meeting point. From Maun, you will drive through to Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. During a short break en-route, your guide will give you a full overview of your safari. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After your morning game drives, you will return to camp for lunch and a siesta. On Day 3 you will move campsites to explore a different area of this diverse park. Camping will be in private designated campsites with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)

Community campsite outside Moremi – Western Moremi: 80km, 3-4h (transfer and game drive)

Day 2: Western Moremi Game Reserve (3rd Bridge / Xakanaxa area), camping

Game drives to explore the Moremi Game Reserve around the 3rd Bridge / Xakanaxa areas. (B,L,D)

Day 3: North-East Moremi Game Reserve / Khwai Concession, camping

Transfer / game drive from Western Moremi to the region surrounding the Khwai river (North-east Moremi / Khwai Concession). Game drives to explore the areas. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Southern Chobe National Park (Savute / Zwei Zwei), camping

Chobe National Park, with its diverse and striking landscapes, will be your next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, you will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. You will then head northwards to the Chobe River where your game drives will meander along the banks of the river, followed by the call of the majestic African Fish Eagle. Camping will be in private designated areas with bush ablutions, first in the Savuti area (Day 4), then in the northern part of the park closer to the riverfront (Days 5 & 6). (B, L, D)

Eastern Moremi – Savuti: 120km, 7-8h (transfer and game drive)

Day 5: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain), camping

Transfer / game drive from Southern Chobe National Park to the Chobe river floodplain. Game drives to explore Northern Chobe National Park. (B,L,D)

Savuti - Chobe River: 170km, 5-6h (transfer and game drive)

Day 6: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain), camping

Game drives to explore Northern Chobe and floodplain. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Livingstone, Zambia, comfortable lodge

After a short morning game drive, you will cross the Zambezi River by ferry and then drive to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner will be at your own expense at the lodge. (B, L)

Chobe River – Livingstone: 100km, 2-3h (including border crossing)

Day 8: END OF THE SAFARI

The safari officially ends after breakfast on Day 8, at the lodge.
Bush Ways is happy to arrange post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Livingstone airport or lodges, Victoria Falls airport or lodges or Kasane, Botswana, at an additional cost. Activities in Livingstone include White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, Canoeing on the upper Zambezi, Elephant rides and Helicopter Flights over the Victoria Falls, please ask your guide for further details. (B)

*** BUFFALO "SPECIAL" ***

On selected dates, we are offering an extra day at the start for the very same price.
Tour codes will be specific to this 8-night Buffalo “special” safari, i.e. BWB.

Days 1: Community campsite at the doorstep of Moremi Game Reserve (L, D)

The safari starts in Maun at 08:30 am from where you will be transferred to the edge of the Delta to meet your Bush Ways team and start your exploration of Botswana’s fantastic wilderness. After a relaxing lunch overlooking the Santantadibe floodplain, you will proceed through quaint villages renowned for their talented basket weavers. Your first night will be spent in a concession located outside Moremi Game Reserve.

Maun – community campsite outside Moremi: 110km, 4 to 5 hours (including lunch break)

Day 2: Western Moremi Game Reserve (3rd Bridge / Xakanaxa area), camping

Early morning of Day 2, you will enter Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After your morning game drives, you will return to camp for lunch and a siesta. On Day 4 you will move campsites to explore a different area of this diverse park. Camping will be in private designated campsites with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)

Community campsite outside Moremi – Western Moremi: 80km, 3-4h (transfer and game drive)

Day 3: Western Moremi Game Reserve (3rd Bridge / Xakanaxa area), camping

Game drives to explore the Moremi Game Reserve around the 3rd Bridge / Xakanaxa areas. (B,L,D)

Day 4: North-East Moremi Game Reserve / Khwai Concession, camping

Transfer / game drive from Western Moremi to the region surrounding the Khwai river (North-east Moremi / Khwai Concession). Game drives to explore the areas. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Southern Chobe National Park (Savute / Zwei Zwei), camping

Chobe National Park, with its diverse and striking landscapes, will be your next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, you will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. You will then head northwards to the Chobe River where your game drives will meander along the banks of the river, followed by the call of the majestic African Fish Eagle. Camping will be in private designated areas with bush ablutions, first in the Savuti area (Day 5), then in the northern part of the park closer to the riverfront (Days 6 & 7). (B, L, D)

Eastern Moremi – Savuti: 120km, 7-8h (transfer and game drive)

Day 6: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain), camping

Transfer / game drive from Southern Chobe National Park to the Chobe river floodplain. Game drives to explore Northern Chobe National Park. (B,L,D)

Savuti - Chobe River: 170km, 5-6h (transfer and game drive)

Day 7: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain), camping

Game drives to explore Northern Chobe and floodplain. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Livingstone, Zambia, comfortable lodge

After a short morning game drive, you will cross the Zambezi River by ferry and then drive to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner will be at your own expense at the lodge. (B, L)

Chobe River – Livingstone: 100km, 2-3h (including border crossing)

Day 9: END OF THE SAFARI

The safari officially ends after breakfast on Day 9, at the lodge.
Bush Ways is happy to arrange post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Livingstone airport or lodges, Victoria Falls airport or lodges or Kasane, Botswana, at an additional cost. Activities in Livingstone include White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, Canoeing on the upper Zambezi, Elephant rides and Helicopter Flights over the Victoria Falls, please ask your guide for further details. (B)

Description

Camping safari requiring a minimum participation from the guests, i.e.: setting up the tent and packing it / carrying their bag from/to the vehicle at campsites. The rest of the camp chores are carried out by our team made up of one guide and one camp assistant.

Equipment

Tents are 2.1m x 2.1m x 1.75m. A 5cm high-density foam mattress is provided for each guest. Ablutions are shared and bush ablutions set up by our team when staying in game reserves and national park campsites.

Vehicle

4x4 safari vehicles custom-built by Bush Ways - custom built trailers.
# of guests: Max 12 pax - departure is guaranteed as soon as we have confirmed 1 guest (except Hyena Safari: min. 6 pax - max 10 pax)

Check out the following page (link to Semi Participation page)

LUGGAGE

• One large kit bag (preferably a rucksack or a bag with soft sides – Please do not bring hard suitcases as they are very difficult to pack in our trailers and can pose a problem for any light aircraft flights you may take as part of your safari. Semi-hard suitcases should be avoided as well.
• One item of hand luggage (e.g. a small backpack) – there will be room for this at your feet
• Main luggage: max weight = 12kg, max. size = 700mm x 350mm x 350mm
• The sleeping bag can be carried outside the main luggage.
• If you are travelling with us to the Delta we request that you take only what you need for the 2/3 nights in a smaller pack. You can leave the large bag with the vehicle which will be locked in a secured area while you will be staying on a small island, with transfers by traditional dugout canoes.
• Remember that on safari you need far fewer clothes than you think so bear this in mind when packing

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

• Sleeping bag (note that nights can be chilly all year round and cold in winter, therefore, a warm sleeping bag is advised). A sleeping bag and small pillow can be hired (EUR 20 for the duration of the safari, please book this in advance)
• Torch with spare batteries and bulbs – a head torch is a good idea
• Hat/cap
• Scarf and gloves (especially for winter months – note that if you also have gardening or working gloves, they can be convenient to set up & pack your tent)
• Warm jacket/fleece/jumper – windproof in winter months (May - Sept), waterproof in summer months (Nov - Mar)
• Swimming costume
• Towel
• Natural clothing (i.e. no bright colours and no white), t-shirts, shorts, a pair of lightweight long trousers and a lightweight long sleeve shirt (long sleeves are extremely useful for sun protection during the day and mosquito protection during the evening)
• Please note that camouflage printed clothing is fine for the bush but please do not to wear in towns or when crossing borders.
• Comfortable walking shoes and flip-flops/sandals
• Camera equipment, binoculars, lots of spare films, batteries and spare memory cards for digital cameras are essential as the opportunity to download photos is limited.
• Adapters for cables, chargers, USB, etc.: note that we recommend you label them to avoid confusion on the vehicle charging station
• Water bottle and a small daypack for walks

TOILETRIES AND FIRST AID

• Personal toiletries and medications in small bag, not a vanity case
• Sunscreen
• Malaria prophylaxis (see below section "medical precautions" for further information)
• Mosquito repellents/lotion/spray
• Toilet paper (this is only necessary if you prefer 2 or 3 ply toilet paper)
• Waterproof/zip lock bags for storing personal items to keep dust free and/or dry.
• Personal First Aid Kit
  Please note: A First Aid Kit will be present throughout the safari but personal medicines must be brought for the duration of the safari.

MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS

• Check with your local immunisation authority, travel clinic, public health facility or personal physician
• Visit the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION website for up to date information www.who.int
• Botswana is considered a malaria area and preventative medications should be taken
• Between 2012 and 2015, both South Africa and Botswana required that all travelers coming from / going to Zambia should have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Beginning of 2015, both South Africa and Botswana officially communicated that they shall not require the yellow fever vaccination certificate for travelers coming from / going to Zambia. However, beware that regulations could change again without prior notice.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION

• Valid passport: your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the end date of your trip and there must be at least 6 blank visa pages.
• Many nationalities are able to obtain tourist visas for Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe at the border posts HOWEVER citizens of certain countries are required to obtain a visa before travelling. Please note that certain visas can take up to 3 months to be processed so please consider this when booking.
• For more information see www.botswanatourism.co.bw, www.zambiatourism.com, www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw and www.namibiatourism.com.na
• Valid visas – it is your responsibility to arrange visas
• For up-to-date visa requirements please check with your travel consultant and/or Embassy
• If you need to get a visa for one of the countries visited during your safari, please check when and where the visa can be obtained, and which currency is required for its payment.
• Requirements for minor traveling through all Botswana ports of entry
  Effective from the 1st October 2016 minors travelling through the country’s borders will be required to produce certified copies of unabridged birth certificates in addition to their valid passports. In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent’s affidavit consenting to such travel should be availed. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate.
• As of 1 June 2017, all travelers to Botswana are required to pay a Tourism Development Levy of USD 30 per person to enter the country. For more information please check: www.botswanatourism.co.bw/tourismlevy

TRAVEL INSURANCE

• For all our safaris, it is COMPULSORY to take out travel insurance covering for: cancellation and curtailment, medical situations, baggage, emergency evacuation.
• Bush Ways Safaris does not provide travel insurance.
• Bush Ways Safaris can assist you to sign up for the Okavango Air Rescue membership. The service provides medical evacuation from isolated areas of the bush by a medically equipped helicopter and emergency doctor, ensuring smooth and swift operations. International insurance companies are not always familiar with the practicalities of dealing with emergencies in the Botswana bush, which can add to delays in obtaining medical care. Although the OAR membership is not compulsory and does not replace an international medical insurance and evacuation (which remains compulsory with or without OAR membership), we highly recommend to sign up for the OAR membership which is only BWP175 / USD 17 / EUR 15.
• Please note that you will be required to provide your insurance details prior to your arrival so we can liaise with your insurance company in the shortest amount of time in case of an emergency. Required details include: medical evacuation insurer's Name, medical evacuation policy number, 24-hour contact number of Medical evacuation insurer (must be able to phone it from Botswana - USA 800 numbers don't work from here).

SAFARI DRINKS

• Drinks (water, soft and alcohol) are not included on all our camping safaris and are to be bought the day prior if your safari leaves early on day 1 or on the day if your safari starts at 13h00.
• Please note that our safari teams do not sell drinks during the safari and drinks can only be bought in town prior to and/or during the safari.
• A minimum 3 litres of drinking water is recommended per person per day
• At all hotel/lodge accommodation drinks are on a cash bar basis