Botswana Safaris: CAMPING BEST OF BOTSWANA DAWNING

With growing concerns for the conservation of wildlife and habitats, Eco-tourism has become one of the most popular and socially accepted forms of utilizing natural resources. Most countries in southern Africa are realizing that the biggest profit to be made is by protecting these natural resources. Tourism leads to development and creates employment, so local populations have a great reason to protect these wilderness areas from poaching and unorthodox agriculture methods. However, finding the balance is key to sustaining the environment and allowing for overdevelopment.

With this in mind we offer a variety of mobile-tented camping safaris, amongst the wilderness, while maintaining the ultimate goal of conservation and protecting the natural habitats. The tour operators throughout Botswana believe that tourism should be conducted in a manner that maximizes the wildlife experience with minimal impact on the environment. Thus, safaris in Botswana are High quality/low density rather than low cost/high volume.

CAMPING IN COMFORT
The mobile camping safaris are in spacious dome style tents equipped with camp beds, mattresses, fitted sheets, pillows, pillow cases and sleeping bags. Other equipment used on the safari to increase comfort are: camping basins/wash stands, hot water bucket showers and water based potable toilets.

Vehicles used on these safaris are modified Toyota Landcruisers, which have been customized to offer both height and comfort allowing for maximum game viewing potential. The vehicles have individual bucket seats, open roof and sides (with roll down weatherproof canvas) as well as battery powered refrigerator for beverages. The driver and passenger compartments are connected to allow for good communication between the guide and guests. The guide had radio contact with the tour office in Maun. Only the very best equipment is used to ensure that all guests experience the wilderness close-up without being hindered from the very things that guests come to see.

ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1: Nata Sanctuary.
You will be collected from the Sprayview Hotel this morning at 08h30 (08h00 from other hotels) and from there depart Victoria Falls by road for Nata Sanctuary. Situated on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, the Nata Sanctuary offers spectacular scenery and various water birds (in season) and makes for a truly unique camping experience. Enjoy a sunset on the pans. (Lunch/Dinner)

Day 2 & 3: Nxai Pan National Park.
After a light breakfast, we break camp and head for Nxai Pan National Park with lunch en route. After a short rest we continue the last 20 km to Nxai Pan and set up camp for the next two nights. This area is known for large herds of Springbok and the water hole at the heart of the pan allows for some spectacular scenery. Day three starts with a light breakfast before heading out for the morning drive. Lunch is followed by a welcome siesta through the heat of the day and towards late afternoon, as the air starts to cool, we set off on another game drive. Overnight camping (B/L/D)

Day 4: Maun, Tree Lodge.
Today we move on to the frontier town of Maun. A short drive takes us to our lodge where we have the opportunity to relax and spend the afternoon at leisure at the bar and swimming pool. (B)

Day 5 & 6: Xaxanaka, Moremi Game Reserve.
We travel by road to Xakanaxa, which forms part of the permanent Delta. The area boasts some of the best game sightings in Botswana. Game viewing is done along the waterways and floodplains. Species such as giraffe, Zebra and wildebeest are but a few that occur here. Overnight camping in the Xakanaxa area. On day six we explore the crystal clear channels of the Delta by motor boat and on foot, followed by a picnic lunch on a sand bank in the heart of this permanent water system. Overnight camping. (B/L/D)

Day 7 & 8: North Gate, Moremi Game Reserve.
We return to Xaxanaka and take a leisurely drive to our exclusive campsite in the Khwai area of Moremi Game reserve. This area's diversity of game is astounding and the reserve has been hailed one of the best in the world. Day eight is spent on early morning and afternoon game drives with an obligatory siesta once again in the hottest part of the day. Overnight camping Moremi (B/L/D).

Day 9 & 10: Savuti, Chobe National Park.
Moving through the Mababe depression, we relocate to Savuti where we set up camp on the edge of the dry Savuti Channel. Intensive game viewing along the fringes of the dry marsh and surrounding water holes. The area is best known for its large population of Bull Elephants and lion. Next day is time spent again on morning and afternoon game drives with the opportunity to visit ancient bushman rock art in the surrounding hills. (B/L/D)

Day 11 & 12: Serondella area, Chobe National Park.
We journey north toward the Chobe River - home to some of the world's largest elephant breeding herds, large numbers of big game such as buffalo, hippo and lion can be seen here. We begin day twelve with a morning game drive and in the afternoon, a leisurely boat cruise (optional at extra cost) along the Chobe River, which delivers spectacular viewing of crocodile, hippo, elephant and numerous bird species. (B/L/D)

Day 13: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
After a morning game drive and breakfast we take a short drive via Kazungula border post arriving in Victoria Falls. Afternoon at leisure for optional flight and tour of the Falls. Overnight Sprayview Hotel. (B)

Day 14: Victoria Falls.
Safari ends after breakfast. (B)

NATA SANCTUARY ~ MAKGADIKGADI PANS
Nata Sanctuary is situated 13km South of Nata at the edge of Sua pan. The largest of Makgadikgadi's numerous pans, Sua is one of the worlds last breeding grounds for the greater flamingo. At certain times of the year, the view from the sanctuary platform is nothing less than breathtaking. The pans are seasonal and depend solely on regional rainfall. Wet or dry, the pans always deliver unrivaled scenery and sunsets.

NXAI PAN ~ NXAI PAN NATIONAL PARK
Nutritious grasses on the pan attract a large concentration of antelope, such as springbok and oryx. These concentrations also attract some of the more elusive predators like lion and leopard. During the rainy season (December to March) large numbers of Elephant and zebra also migrate to the pan and surrounding area. "Nxai" is the San Bushman word for a trap. Another attraction to this area are the Baines Baobab trees, made famous by the artist and explorer Sir Thomas Baines who painted them in 1852.

XAKANAXA ~ MOREMI GAME RESERVE
Xakanaxa is probably the most diverse area in Botswana. Situated where permanent and season delta meet, the area attracts a myriad of game species and game viewing is always spectacular throughout the year. Species found in the area include giraffe, elephant, waterbuck, lion and an incredible selection on colorful birds.

KHWAI ~ NORTH GATE, MOREMI GAME RESERVE
The Khwai River floodplain is one of Botswana's high impact areas. Game is attracted form throughout the region to the waters of the Khwai River. Species found in the area include wildebeest, hippopotamus, tsessebe and wattled crane, as well as one of Africa's most endangered large carnivores, the cape hunting dog. The wide open spaces of the Khwai floodplain allow for some of the most interesting wildlife scenes in Botswana.

SAVUTE ~ CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
Once a wetland area, Savute now depends on three man-made waterholes to provide water to it's huge elephant bull population. Antelope and predator alike also visit the water holes during the dry season, making doe exciting game viewing. During the rainy season, zebras and elephant breeding herds move to the area in what is part of Botswanas largerst migration. Savute's rocky hills not only add to the ambiance of the area but are also home to a number of Bushman rock paintings.

SERONDELA ~ CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
Situated along the Chobe River floodplain, this corner of Chobe National Park is the bastion of Botswana's elephant population. As the year progresses through the dry season, elephant numbers increase in the area and at certain times of the year their constant presence can be overwhelming. Serondela is big game country and vast numbers of buffalo, hippo, crocodile, kudu and lion are present. The river also attracts species such as sable and roan antelope, as well as the Chobe bushbuck, unique to this region.

VICTORIA FALLS ~ ZAMBEZI RIVER
The main attraction in Victoria Falls is the Falls themselves. The majestic Victoria Falls are aptly named by the local people "Mosi oa Tunya" the smoke that thunders. After a drop of more than one hundred meters the Zambezi crashes down into the Botoka Gorge and is channeled through a series of narrow bends creating some of themost exhilarating whitewater rafting experiences in the world! Victoria Falls is geared for tourism and has an array of activities to suit all needs.

Photos courtesy of Wilderness Dawning