THE SERVAL SAFARI – SOUTHBOUND

(all nights camping fully serviced)

Day 1: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – lunch and afternoon boat cruise

Day 2: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – game drives

Day 3: Southern Chobe National Park (Savute / Zwei Zwei) – game drives

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

Day 5: Eastern Moremi Game Reserve / Khwai Concession – game drives

Day 6: Eastern Moremi Game Reserve / Khwai Concession – game drives and a mokoro excursion

Day 7: Drive to Maun - END of the safari at Maun airport

Contact us to check availability.

Day 1: Chobe floodplain - Chobe National Park

Arriving in Kasane, an extraordinary cruise on the Chobe River awaits you. The meeting point is at Kalahari Tours, Kasane at 12h30 before embarking on the boat cruise at around 14h00. This amazing experience allows you to get a closer look at the aquatic animals and birds not easily approached on safari. The cruise is also a great ice-breaker where everyone on the safari gets to know one another. After the boat cruise, Chobe National Park awaits. A leisurely game drive to your camp will give great opportunities for amazing views of the sun setting over the Chobe River floodplain. You will arrive at camp just before dark, where the rest of the safari team will welcome you to your home for the next 2 nights. Camping will be in private designated campsites with ensuite bush ablutions on each tent. (L, D)

Kasane – Chobe camp: 30km, 1,5h

Day 2: Chobe floodplain - Chobe National Park

The next day, your morning and afternoon game drives will meander along the banks of the river, followed by the call of the majestic African Fish Eagle. The Chobe River Floodplain is an amazing game viewing area where water attracts large herds of buffalo, elephant, zebra and other herbivores. Due to the proliferation of prey, predators are likely to be close at hand. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Savute/Zwezwe - Chobe National Park

Today we head south, away from the Chobe River, further into the heart of Chobe National Park.  As you continue your search for wildlife, you will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. Savuti is very well known for its predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and even African wild dog. Camping will be in private designated campsites with ensuite bush ablutions on each tent. (B, L, D)

Chobe River – Savuti:  170 km, 5h

Day 4: Savute/Zwezwe - Chobe National Park

Game drives to explore Southern Chobe National Park (Savute / ZweiZwei). (B,L,D)

Day 5: Moremi / Khwai

From Savuti you will drive through to Moremi / Khwai, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next two 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.

Camping will be in private designated campsites with en-suite bush ablutions on each tent. (B, L, D)

Savuti – Moremi / Khwai: 120km. 5-6h

Day 6: Moremi / Khwai

Game drives to explore the region surrounding the Khwai River (North-east Moremi / Khwai Concession). A mokoro excursion will take you along a tributary of the Khwai River to view game from another perspective and to experience this tranquil mode of transport. (B, L, D)

Days 7: Maun

Leaving early on day 7, a game drive out of Moremi / Khwai will be our last opportunity to see the more elusive animals not yet spotted.  We continue on to Maun arriving at around 12h00, where we will drop you off at your lodge or at the airport. Bush Ways is happy to arrange post-tour accommodation and activities at an additional cost. (B)

Moremi / Khwai - Maun: 150km, 5h (including game drive)

Description

Camping safari where all camp chores are carried out by our teams. There is one guide with the guests at all times and a backup team (chef + camp assistants) in a backup vehicle setting up and breaking camps, cooking meals, etc.

Equipment

Very spacious tents wide frame walk in mini meru tents with bedrolls and bedding included and ensuite private bush ablutions (shower, toilet, toiletry stand) with direct access from the tent. All drinks included (soft, local alcoholic drinks, still water).

Vehicle

4x4 safari vehicles custom-built by Bush Ways - custom built trailers - one backup vehicle specifically dedicated to setting-up/packing the camp

Number of guests

Maximum participants = 9 pax so that everyone gets a window seat. Departure is guaranteed as soon as we have confirmed 1 guest

Check out the following page (link to Fully Serviced 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 = 18kg, max. size = 700mm x 350mm x 350mm
• Remember that on safari you need far fewer clothes than you think so bear this in mind when packing

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

• Torch with spare batteries and bulbs – a head torch is a good idea
• Hat/cap
• Scarf and gloves (especially for winter months)
• Warm jacket/fleece/jumper – windproof in winter months (May - Sept), waterproof in summer months (Nov - Mar)
• Swimming costume
• Natural clothing (i.e. no bright colours and no white), t-shirts, shorts, a pair of light weight 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.
• Adaptors 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 section 5 for further information)
• Mosquito repellents/ lotion/ spray
• Toilet paper (this is only necessary if you prefer 2 or 3 ply toilet paper)
• Water proof/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.

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 provides Okavango Air Rescue membership for the duration of the safari nights. 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. Please note this cover does not include pre and post safari arrangements.
• 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).