Budget Botswana


Budget Botswana

From US$ 3 308 per person based on two persons traveling during low season

Highlights:
1 night at Planet Baobab in a Bakalanga Mud Hut
1 night under the starts at Ntwetwe Pan, Quad bike excursion
5 nights accommodation at Oddballs Camp in the Okavango Delta, with the 2nd, 3rd & 4th nights on Mokoro Trail
2 nights at Elephant Valley Lodge at The Chobe National Park
2 nights at the Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls

Day 1

Upon arrival of your flight at OR Tambo (formerly Johannesburg) International Airport, you will be met by an Falcon-safaris representative who will assist you with your with your check-in for the scheduled Air Botswana flight to Maun (departing 10.00). When you arrive in Maun, you will be met by a representative of Planet Baobab and transferred by road to the lodge. The transfer will take approximately two hours.

Arrive at the Baobab capital of the world! A traditionally styled mud Kalanga and Bushmen grass hut village shaded by giant baobab trees whose average age is 4000 years old!
Take a stroll with one of the local Guides through the surrounding bush as he points out local ecology, geology and culture and watch the sunset with a cool Gin and Tonic over a camp fire set deep in the bush. Return to Planet Baobab for a tasty, wholesome dinner.

Day 2

At the crack of dawn the camp staff will have you transported to Ntwetwe in a little over two hours. You can spend the day exploring the pans and the surrounding area. Ntwetwe is the bigger of the two Makgadikgadi Pans, extending as far as the eye can see in all directions – truly a breathtaking expanse of nothingness.

The peripheries are dotted with the remains of cultures long since departed and the pans are scattered with the salty, petrified skeletons of past wet seasons. Birds, insects, mammals and reptiles have all succumbed to the sapping heat of the pans and their perfectly preserved remains are a strange reminder of the fleeting fertility of the rains.
After a delicious lunch, head off on quad bikes into the magical unknown – far across the unexplored wilderness of the salt pans. Enjoy a drink before a barren and beauteous sunset followed by a barbeque dinner cooked to perfection by the ever-talented guides.

At the end of an action-packed day snuggle into your bedroll under the phenomenal Makgadikgadi, your very own star- spangled ceiling.

Day 3

Today you will be transferred back to Maun Airport by a representative of Planet Baobab. Arrive at Maun Airport where you will be met by your Delta Air pilot for the 20 minute light aircraft flight over the Okavango Delta to Oddballs Camp. This flight is an experience in itself, affording superb aerial views of the Delta and its wildlife, so ensure your cameras are to hand.

On arrival at the Oddballs airstrip you will be met by your own personal professional Guide who will be looking after you during your stay. At Oddballs you will be accommodated in a 2m x 2m domed tent set on a raised wooden platform with mattresses and pillows provided, please bring your own sleeping bags (although these can be hired from Oddballs at Euro 4 per day) and towels.

After lunch – (ALL your meals are included in your Tour; breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as all your teas and coffees, but you will be required to pay for additional drinks), you will go out with your Guide for either a mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursion or a walking safari. Dinner this evening is taken in the Dining Room overlooking the Boro River, to the accompaniment of the ‘sounds of the Delta’

Day 4

You will collect all your camping equipment and a hamper of food from the store (all included in your Tour price) and accompanied by your Guide will go out on Mokoro Trail, your Guide will find a suitable camping spot in the ‘bush’ close to the water, and assist you to set camp, and build a fire. Whilst on Mokoro Trail your food is provided, but you will be responsible for its preparation.

From your base camp your Guide will take you out on Walking Safaris – truly the only way to go out ‘on safari’, enabling you to be ‘at one’ with the environment, and mokoro excursions on the myriad of crystal clear waterways that make up the Okavango Delta obtain stunning views of both the wildlife and birdlife that congregate at the water’s edge. Your Guide will be happy to track and stalk particular animals that you are interested in seeing.

Days 5 and 6

An early morning wake-up, and after some coffee an early morning walk conducted at your pace, in the Moremi Game Reserve, returning after three hours or so for a hearty breakfast. During the heat of the day you can relax, and then after lunch another excursion by mokoro. Dining by the light of the camp fire under the canopy of the ‘African Sky’ completes your day. If you are particularly energetic you can go out on a longer walking safari taking a picnic breakfast or lunch with you.

Day 7

Another early morning safari, then return to Oddballs for lunch, and a rest before going out again for a mokoro excursion. You may also be interested in visiting the nearby village. Your Guide will be proud to show you his home and introduce you to his Family, a unique experience, especially if this is your first visit to Africa.

Read more about Oddballs at:
http://www.okavango-delta-safaris.com/Oddballs_Camp_Okavango.php

Day 8

Your day starts with an early morning walking safari and breakfast. Depart on a light aircraft charter flight to Kasane Airport where you will be met by a representative of Elephant Valley Lodge.

Two overnights at Elephant Valley Lodge in a standard twin bedded tent with private en-suite facilities inclusive of all meals and all game-viewing activities.
The lodge is situated in the Kasane Forest Reserve which forms part of the Chobe National Park and is close to the border crossings for both Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is the only lodge situated in the Kasane Forest with an incredibly active waterhole at the lodge providing excellent game viewing from the comfort of the hide. Game viewed at the lodge (at night the waterhole is well lit) includes elephant, buffalo, leopard, wild dog, antelope, genet, baboon, monkey and honey badger to name a few. The bird life at the lodge is also prolific.
The lodge offers morning boat safaris on the Chobe River, afternoon/evening safaris into the Chobe National Park and night drives in the forest in ten seat open game viewers with experienced and knowledgeable guides.

Day 10

You will be met by your driver at approximately 10.00 and transferred to the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The transfer will take approximately two hours and will involve customs and immigration formalities.

Two overnights at the Kingdom Hotel in a standard twin room with private en-suite facilities on a bed and breakfast basis.
Opened in 1999, The Kingdom Hotel is situated within a short walk of the Victoria Fall .The complex comprises a luxury hotel, and an adjacent Entertainment Wing with a Casino, restaurants, night club, tourist shops, pharmacy and bars.

Rooms are modern and well equipped some having views over the ornamental lake and waterfall. The Hotel section has its own Restaurant serving Buffet lunches and Dinners, with such specialties as Mopane Worms! Every evening there is a floorshow of African dancing.

The swimming pool and sun deck are a welcome oasis in the middle of the bustling Town of Victoria Falls, as is the pool bar. The Kingdom Hotel is perfect for those looking for the style and standards of an International Hotel providing ‘comforts from home’.

You can read more on the Kingdom Hotel at:
http://www.falcon-safaris.net//Zambia/Kingdom-Hotel-Zimbabwe.php

Day 11

You can book some of the many activities on offer in Victoria Falls. We can pre-book this for you or you can book this upon arrival.
Click here to view Victoria Falls Activities

Day 12

You will be collected by your driver and transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your return flight to Johannesburg.

Included:
Meet and Greet at Johannesburg International Airport
Scheduled Air Botswana flight from Johannesburg to Maun
Road transfers as per itinerary
Accommodation as per itinerary
Scheduled charter flights as per itinerary
Activities/ excursions as offered by Camps/ Lodges
5 nights accommodation at Oddballs, with the 2nd, 3rd & 4th nights on Mokoro Trail
All meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner – on a ‘self preparation’ basis whilst on Mokoro Trail
Teas and Coffees
National Park entrance fees – Botswana
All camping equipment whilst on Mokoro Trail: tent, mattresses, pillows, cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, BBQ grid and cooler box

Not included:
Gratuities/ items of a persona nature
Visa fees (if applicable)