Camp Kalahari
Day 1 and 2
Accommodation Type: Lodged
Includes: Collection from Francistown Airport, Accommodation, guests laundry, activities, food & beverages, expert guiding & National Park entry fees.
Day 1
Arrive at Camp Kalahari, nestled amongst the acacias and Mokolwane palms of Brown Hyaena Island, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, adjacent to the Makgadikgadi-Nxai Pans National Park, Botswana. This traditional bush camp has ten spacious Meru tents, comprising six twin tents, three double tents and one family unit which has two adjacent tents, accommodating two Guests in each with an inter-leading bathroom. All Guest tents have en-suite covered bathrooms, hot and cold running water and flush loos along with four poster beds, crunchy cotton sheets, rich textiles, Moroccan kilims and hot water bottles in winter.
A thatched central library, living and dining area featuring an eclectic mix of original African furniture and textiles paired with traditional campaign style pieces and colonial antiques provide the perfect area in which to relax and enjoy the serenity of this enchanting area. For those who’d like to cool off, or enjoy a lazy siesta in or out of the sun, the thatched swimming pool pavilion is ideal. Head off after tea in the beautiful afternoon light, stop o watch the sun set and listen to an explanation of how the Makgadikgadi Salt pans, the remnants of the world’s largest ever super-lake, were formed. Enjoy an evening game drive back to camp and spot some unique desert species such as aardvark, bat eared foxes, aardwolves, and the elusive brown hyaena, which is the third rarest large carnivore in Africa, with only about 8,000 in the wild. Brown Hyenas are the consummate desert specialists, surviving in arid areas where both food and water are scarce. A timid, nocturnal species rarely seen by humans, but in spite of being solitary foragers they are very social animals, living in clans of up to 10-12 hyaenas. Tuck into a lamp lit dinner back at Camp Kalahari.
DUE TO AN ONGOING HABITUATION PROGRAMME, IT’S POSSIBLE FOR GUESTS TO GET UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH THESE CAPTIVATING CREATURES!
Day 2
Set off in the morning to visit some of the Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats. As a meerkat’s wake up time is weather dependent, breakfast might be enjoyed in camp on cooler and rainy days, or as a picnic on warmer, sunnier days. Due to an ongoing habituation programme, it’s possible for Guests to get up close and personal with these captivating creatures. Remember, they are not tame – just used to our non-threatening presence. On chilly mornings, you might well find a meerkat snuggling up to you for warmth. Or, in the absence of a termite mound or tree, using your head as a sentry lookout post… By spending quality time with these incredibly social, superbly adapted animals, you will be able to see how they interact with each other and their environment. You also get the chance to see the desert through the eyes of a meerkat – which, despite the fact that it’s only a foot off the ground, is a pretty spectacular vantage point, and definitely one of the most special and memorable game experiences you will encounter in Botswana. Leave the meerkats as they continue with their eternal foraging, to visit a remote cattle-post. Here you will learn about the traditional culture of the Batswana people.
Close by is the famous Chapman’s Baobab (Also known as the Seven Sisters) which is acknowledged to be the third largest tree in Africa, and was the campsite of early explorers like Livingstone and Selous when they pioneered the area. This gives you an opportunity to gain a fascinating insight into the history of the early explorers. Return to camp for a refreshing lunch and siesta. After tea, travel down to the pans where you will be given a brief safety talk before mounting your trusty quad bike to head off across the pans. Watch the sun set and the stars rise. This is one of the only places in the world where the silence is so complete you can hear the blood circulating through your ears. There is not one visual landmark to be seen, and one swiftly loses one’s sense of perspective where 16000 square kilometres of baking soda void are, inhabited only by you and a few gazillion invisible brine shrimp!
ONE OF THE ONLY PLACES IN THE WORLD WHERE THE SILENCE IS SO COMPLETE YOU CAN HEAR THE BLOOD CIRCULATING THROUGH YOUR EARS.
Day 3
Spend the morning walking with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen. Uncharted Africa has pioneered and passionately supported cultural tourism in Botswana since the company’s inception in 1993. It has long been our belief that it is a vitally important tool in terms of preserving this unique, but sadly fast-vanishing, culture. We have been working closely with the Zu/’hoasi people of the Western Kalahari for many years and are privileged to have Bushmen women, men and pre-school children comprised of four generations, living at Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi. Offering a window into the past, they teach us how they have survived in this harshest of environments, using their vast and ancient knowledge of plants, animal behaviour and survival skills. The Zu/’hoasi lead a semi-traditional lifestyle, and share their traditional hunting and food-gathering skills as well as how they make jewellery and hunting equipment, it is a glimpse into their fast-vanishing, traditional way of life, but by no means an attempt to keep them frozen in time.
Crocodile Camp
Day 3 and 4
Accommodation Type: Lodged
Includes: Accommodation and breakfast
Crocodile Camp Safari & Spa, situated on the banks of Thamalakane river in Maun Botswana, is an oasis for those who love the Safari experience. Croc Camp, with a distinguished heritage, has been a palace of adventures for visitors since 1946. This is where your adventures to one of Africa´s best Safari experiences begins!
Crocodile Camp Safari & Spa is a Safari lodge offering the best luxury accommodation in Maun. Whether you need a romantic weekend away, or planning a wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, corporate event, conference or launch, Crocodile Camp Safari & Spa will ensure you have a memorable stay and experience.
Attention to detail ensures individually decorated rooms for African styled comfort in every space. Crocodile Camp Safari & Spa is undoubtedly the most beautiful safari lodge with the best camping facilities in all of Maun. Crocodile Camp Safari & Spa boasts two conference facilities, a board room, a restaurant, dining room, spa, fitness center, pool and the famed Croc Rock Bar. For our distinguished guests, the brandy lounge grants an excellent view and exclusive space to mingle amidst the gardens.
This is where your adventures to one of Africa’s best Safari experiences begins!
Optional Maun Scenic Flight
Enjoy scenic flights over the Moremi that makes up the greatest experience in Botswana. Focus down onto the big five wildlife and surrounding natures that will forever change your perception of this timeless land while you enjoy the scenic flights over the Delta, getting the overall perspective of the area. The best times for scenic flights are in the morning and late afternoon when weather conditions are calmer. For your comfort and safety, please take heed of your pilot’s safety instructions. Your pilot will assist you in looking out for game along the way.
Optional Mokoro Ride
Mokoro Trip Boro Poler Trust – 40 minutes drive. Guests are picked up at the lodge and transferred to Boro Poler station where they embark on a guided walk and a Mokoro adventure. Meals and soft drinks are included in this day trip. A Mokoro trip will give guests the opportunity to learn more about the Delta, the ecosystem and its functioning – how the delta works, why it floods, the importance of flooding to the ecosystem, the effect of this on all animal life – both disadvantages and advantages, the effect it has on plant life, the various species that need the flood to survive, the special adaptations of certain plants to increased water levels each year, the guide will show you the actual plant, pull it out and explain the mechanisms for survival etc… Also learn more about the cultural aspect and way of life of the tribes, how they survived in this watery wilderness. Hear some fascinating cultural stories on why it floods, the determination of settlements because of floods and the impact on social life. And of course there are the birds, a truly amazing variety of birds are to be seen, on a mokoro you are placed right there in their habitat, you witness nest making, feeding young, mating behaviour and foraging.
Camp Savuti – Chobe National Park
Day 5, 6 and 7
Accommodation Type: Lodged
Includes: Accommodation, dinner and breakfast, private game drives in closed 4×4 safari vehicles.
The Savuti is often described as the best wildlife-viewing area in all of Africa and is ideal for a Botswana Safari. It boasts one of the highest concentrations of safari wildlife – where all of the major species can be seen: giraffe, elephant, zebra, impala, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, eland and more. The bird life is diverse and thus photograph opportunities abound. Savuti is known for its many predators, including lion, spotted hyena, jackal, bat-eared fox, wild dog and even cheetah.
The wildlife alone attracts tourists to visit this area on our ‘Botswana Safaris’ annually.
Camp Savuti is a small intimate camp accommodating a maximum of 10 guests in comfort and style creating a new type of “luxury camping” in a public campsite. To further enhance the experience the pre-erected tents have been placed to ensure privacy and a modest level of exclusivity. At Camp Savuti 5 meru tents have been placed on platforms overlooking the Savuti Channel. The tents are large, spacious with en-suite facilities and an open shower almost identical to the type you would encounter at most luxury camps/lodges in Botswana. The guest area consists of an intimate lounge, bar and dining area overlooking the Savuti Channel.
Chobe Safari Lodge
Day 8, 9, 10 and 11
Accommodation Type: Lodged
Includes: Accommodation, breakfast, dinner, game drives into Chobe National Park in closed 4×4 safari vehicles, entrances into National Park per person and per vehicle, Victoria Falls guided visit, and 3 hour photographic boat safari.
Situated on the lush banks of the Chobe River in Botswana, the Chobe Safari Lodge is only 100 km west of Victoria Falls. This Chobe national park lodge is just 5 minutes drive from the famous wildlife reserve. Chobe Safari Lodge overlooks the Zambezi, a magnificent river, the national park itself having one of Africa’s highest concentration of elephant and the Caprivi floodplains.
Their 46 individually decorated safari rooms offer every comfort. All rooms have superb views directly over the river and have stunning open plan bathrooms with deep baths, all are equipped with air conditioning, satellite television, direct dial telephone and tea and coffee making facilities. Optional Fishing activities are available and daily visits to Chobe National Park are enjoyed.
Right on our doorstep is the meeting of four African countries; Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
3 Hour Photo Boat Safari
Enjoy a 3 hour photographic safari by boat on the Chobe River and in the Chobe National Park of Botswana – one of the most picturesque and game filled parks on the African continent where you will find an abundance of wildlife photo opportunities.
Cross border through from Botswana to Zimbabwe for a DAY VISIT to Victoria Falls …Victoria Falls… or “The Smoke that Thunders”.
This is the place where Dr. David Livingstone wrote the following… “so beautiful the angels must have gazed upon it in their flight”. Victoria Falls – A natural phenomenon and one of the seven natural Wonders of the World, the Victoria Falls is an immense curtain of water cascading over 100m. Around 550 million litres over the lip every minute, at peak flow this increases to 750 million litres. Around the Falls is rainforest sustained by the spray of the Falls with some plant species rarely found elsewhere in Zambia or Zimbabwe. During peak flow (January to June) the Zambian side of the Falls is the most spectacular and there are walkways to look out points and across the swaying Knife Edge bridge.
Elephant Sands
Day 12
Accommodation Type: Tented Accommodation / Chalet
Includes: Accommodation
At Elephant Sands Lodge guests can enjoy viewing elephants as they drink from the waterhole right in front of the lodge or from our swimming pool. We also have a wide variety of other wildlife that can be viewed, from lions to giraffe and buffalo. We offer 14 rustic chalets comprising two Family Chalets and 12 twin chalets. There is plenty of camping space overlooking the waterhole. The campsites do not have electricity. There is a restaurant with a set menu for meals.
The wildlife alone attracts tourists to visit this area on our ‘Botswana Safaris’ annually.
Kwa Nokeng Lodge
Day 13
Accommodation Type: Chalets
Includes: Accommodation
Kwa Nokeng Lodge is a family-owned business in the Tuli Block in Botswana, situated along the Limpopo River at the Martin’s Drift border post. Translated from the local language Setswana, Kwa Nokeng means, ‘at the river’.
Kwa Nokeng will be your first stop coming into Botswana and the last one going out. If it’s accommodation and a hearty meal around the fire you’re looking for, or adrenaline-pumping adventure, or simply just to fill up and stretch your legs, Kwa Nokeng has something for everybody.
Overlooking the majestic Limpopo River with splendid views of indigenous trees, incredible bird-life and hippo’s loafing in the water…
Imagine Africa
Day 14, 15, 16 & 17
Accommodation Type: Luxury Tented Accommodation
Includes: Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, open game drives and entrance fees per person.
Set in the Olifants West Nature Reserve and Greater Kruger, Imagine Africa Luxury Tented Camp promises rich game viewing and spectacular views, as our boundary with Kruger National Park is open and the Northern Drakensberg Mountains form a majestic backdrop. This owner run small private Camp prides itself on the warm atmosphere offered, delicious food, beautiful views and African style safari tented accommodation. Our unassuming Camp provides an intimate nature experience in a relaxing environment where you can unwind, kick your shoes off and be yourself.
Enjoy lantern lit dinners in our boma or on our open deck under the star studded African sky. Breakfast and lunch is served on the open deck with views of the bush and waterhole frequented by a variety of resident animals. Sunrise and sunset safaris in open 4 x 4 vehicles are the highlights of the day. With our professional field guides, visitors can go in search of some of Africa’s famous variety of mammal and bird life, such as Giraffe, Zebra, African Fish Eagles, Vultures and the notorious Big 5 – Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo.
Imagine Africa has a warm and welcoming atmosphere where you can feel at home and offers an authentic safari experience for all!
The Safari Camp:
Each luxury tent is spacious and built in an elevated position with it’s own special view. The tents are fully furnished and have their own private deck and ensuite bathroom with an outside bath, indoor and outdoor shower and separate toilet. A choice of inverter or eco based air-conditioners and overhead fans are fitted in each tent ensuring that you stay cool during those warm summer nights… and can be set to warm during those colder nights in winter too.
In the main reception area, visitors will find a lounge for those lazy afternoons, and a dining area that keeps visitors dry when it rains. There is a cosy bar complete with a variety of first class South African wines. On the open deck area outside, there is a sunken swimming pool and sun loungers where visitors can enjoy those magical African days in the sun. During the day, the deck has unrivalled views of the surrounding bush, waterhole and mountains in the background. Imagine Africa’s resident staff will ensure that everyone has a memorable stay and becomes part of our continually growing family.
Our African safari-style tents are nestled in between Marula, Knobthorn and Acacia Trees and are perfectly positioned to provide breathtaking views all the way to the amazing Northern Drakensberg Mountains…
Home
Day 18
Includes: Road transfer through to Hoedspruit Airport.
End of Service
Interesting Facts - Victoria Falls
Native people called Victoria Falls “Mosi-oa-tunya,” which means ‘smoke that thunders.’disposition for every one.
