THE LEOPARD SAFARI

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 – 2: Deception Valley Private Reserve – camping

The safari begins in Maun where your guide will meet you at 07h30 at your lodge. You will travel 160km to a private reserve on the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Upon arrival you will set up camp and have a safari briefing.

You will explore the area for the next two days, enjoying game drives and participate in a nature walk led by a local San tracker. They will share intricate bush knowledge and give you an insight into their unique and intriguing culture. Game drives will allow you to explore the area, home to a fascinating variety of desert specialised wildlife such as oryx, springbok and eland as well as predators including lion, brown hyena and cheetah. Savor the vast open spaces, clear night skies and uninterrupted beauty. This is adventure camping in its purest form as water and communications are limited and we travel as a self-sufficient group.  (Day 1 - L, D, Day 2 - B, L, D)

Maun – Deception Valley Private Reserve (northern border CKGR): 160km, 5h

Day 3 - 5: Central Kalahari Game Reserve, camping

You will wake up as the sun rises and head toward the pristine wilderness of the largest game reserve in Botswana. The next three days will be spent exploring the undeveloped wilderness of the northern region of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Camping is in a private designated campsite with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)

Deception Valley Private Reserve – Central Kalahari Game Reserve: 80km, 3-4h (including game drive)

Day 6: Makgadikgadi, comfortable lodge

This is your last morning in the Kalahari, after breaking camp you will do a slow drive to the Makgadikgadi area. You will spend the night at a camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi National Park, overlooking the Boteti River in Khumaga village. Enjoy an afternoon game drive into Makgadikgadi National Park. (B,L,D)

Central Kalahari Game Reserve – Boteti River Camp: 180km, 4-5h (including game drive)

Day 7 - 9: Okavango Delta, camping

After an early morning breakfast, you will pass by Maun for drinks shopping, essential for the remainder of your safari. Once you have reached the edge of the Okavango Delta by the Gomoti River, you will meet your polers from the local community with their mekoro (dugout canoes). Quietly cruising along river channels and floodplains, you will enjoy the spectacular landscape of this unique region taking you deep inside the Delta. You will spend three days exploring this beautiful area with mokoro excursions and guided nature walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango, camping wild with bush ablutions on a small island for two nights and one night on the edge of a lagoon.

On the afternoon of the third day, you will have the option of taking a 30min flight in a helicopter with doors removed, allowing magnificent views from above. Rate TBA by your guide/agent. This experience must be booked during the safari, and payment made in USD cash only. The flight over the Okavango gives you an eagle’s eye perspective of the area and it is even possible to spot large game animals such as elephants, giraffes and hippopotami. (B, L, D)

Boteti River Camp – Okavango Delta: 210km, 5h

NOTE: You will leave your main luggage in the trailer and will need to pack a smaller bag (small backpack, hand luggage) with what you need for the 2 days on the island. Transfers from the mainland to the island where you will stay are done on traditional dugout canoes (mekoro) which cannot accommodate large bags. Your main luggage will safely remain in the vehicle that will be parked in a secured area while you are on the island.

Day 10 - 12: Western Moremi Game Reserve/Xakanaxa/3rd Bridge and Khwai, camping

After an early breakfast, you will make your way to Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana, which features both floodplain and woodland habitats. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while delighting in the beauty of this region. You will spend 3 nights exploring this wonderful Game Reserve, at two different campsites. Game drives in the early morning and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. Camping will be in private designated campsites with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)

Okavango Delta –Moremi: 90km, 5h (transfer and game drive)

Day 13: 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 Savute where bull elephants dot the plains. The Savute region is known for its dynamic ecosystem, which can undergo significant changes over time. The presence of waterholes, dry river channels, and marshes can attract a diverse range of animals, making each game drive a thrilling and unpredictable adventure. Camping will be in private designated areas with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)

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

Day 14: Northern Chobe National Park, camping

You will then head northwards to the Chobe River where your game drives will meander along the banks of the river, following the call of the majestic African Fish Eagle.  Enjoy a wide variety of animals including puku and Chobe bushbuck, as well as stunning birdlife in this unique river environment.  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 15: Northern Chobe National Park, camping

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

Day 16: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe comfortable lodge

After a short morning game drive your guide will take you to the Kazungula border where you will meet the transfer vehicle for your lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (Visa required). 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. Lunch and dinner will be at your own expense. (B)

Chobe River – Victoria Falls: 100km, 3h (excluding border crossing)

Day 17: END OF THE SAFARI

The safari officially ends after breakfast on Day 17, at the lodge. Bush Ways is happy to arrange post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Victoria Falls airport or lodges or Kasane, Botswana, at an additional cost. Activities in Victoria Falls include White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, Canoeing on the upper Zambezi and Helicopter Flights over the Victoria Falls, please ask the lodge reception for further details. (B)

(all nights camping semi participation unless specified)

Day 1 & 2: Deception Valley Private Reserve – cultural experience, game drives

Day 3: Central Kalahari Game Reserve – game drives

Day 4: Central Kalahari Game Reserve – game drives

Day 5: Central Kalahari Game Reserve – game drives

Day 6: Makgadikgadi – chalet at Boteti River Camp or similar

Day 7: Southern Okavango Delta – Mokoro safari & nature walks

Day 8: Southern Okavango Delta – Mokoro safari & nature walks

Day 9: Southern Okavango Delta – Mokoro safari & nature walks

Day 10: Moremi Game Reserve / Xakanaka/3^rd Bridge and Khwai - game drives

Day 11: Moremi Game Reserve / Xakanaka/3^rd Bridge and Khwai - game drives

Day 12: Moremi Game Reserve / Xakanaka/3^rd Bridge and Khwai - game drives

Day 13: Southern Chobe National Park (Savute / Zwei Zwei) – game drives

Day 14: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – game drives

Day 15: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – game drives

Day 16: Victoria Falls – comfortable lodge – optional visit of The Victoria Falls

Day 17: END of the safari at the lodge after breakfast

Contact us to check availability.

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)

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
• 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 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 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).

SAFARI DRINKS

• Drinks (soft drinks 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.
• We provide filtered drinking water during the entire duration of the safari
• 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