Botswana — Africa — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

AFRICA BOTSWANA " ZAMBIA " NAMIBIA Savuti Safari Lodge Botswana Lodge Safari 15 DAYS LODGES/HOUSEBOAT WILDLIFE, WILDERNESS & WATERFALLS Ref OZ JFMAMJJASOND JFMA NAMIBIA " BOTSWANA Watchful lions From Desert to Delta Ref NB This easy-paced safari is mostly accommodated in luxury lodges and features extensive game viewing in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. We include a relaxing two-day stay on the Okavango Panhandle aboard our privately chartered houseboat. There's also time to enjoy the 'Smoke that Thunders'Victoria Falls. Into the Okavango Delta We begin on the Namibian side of the Chobe River exploring the banks and islands of this wonderful wilderness area by foot and by boat. From here we head south into the Savuti area of Chobe National Park, a lush landscape of forests and flood plains, before continuing into the watery heart of the Okavango Delta in Moremi Game Reserve. Hundreds of species are attracted to this fertile, freshwater basin including elephant, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu and innumerable birds. Panhandle Houseboat & Caprivi Strip Northwest lies the Okavango Panhandle, a geological fault that restricts the meandering river until its release into the main delta. Here we enjoy the unique experience of a two-night stay on a private houseboat and spend the afternoon and following day cruising the vast reed beds and lagoons with time as well for walks and bird-watching. Next it's into Namibia as we traverse the lush savannah of the Caprivi strip. Chobe & Victoria Falls We spend time in Chobe National Park from our lodge on the Botswanan side of the river exploring the riverbanks on game drives before we finally arrive in Livingstone, the adventure capital of Zambia and visit the raging 'Smoke that Thunders', Victoria Falls. There is also an option to safari in Mosi-oaTunya National Park in search of White Rhinoceros among a choice of many other activities. Olive baboon/Andy Binks JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 19 DAYS HOTELS/GUESTHOUSE/CAMPING THROUGH ANCIENT BUSHMEN LANDS Namibia and Botswana contain, without doubt, some of the great wilderness areas of the world. From the magnificent golden-orange dunes of the Namib Desert, to the green paradise of the Okavango Delta and through the red sands of the Kalahari, this is truly a journey of colourful contrasts. Wildlife is plentiful in Etosha and Moremi and well also spend time with the fabled San Bushmen. Sossusvlei Dunes & Atlantic Coast First we head southwest into the Namib Desert, the oldest desert on Earth, to explore Sesriem Canyon and the sand dunes and pans of the Sossusvlei area. Theres time for a dawn balloon flight (optional) over the dunes before leaving the sands for the seas, as we make a scenic drive to the Atlantic coast. Reaching Swakopmund, we enjoy a day at leisure and then visit the thriving Cape Cross Seal Colony (home to up to 100,000 Cape fur seals). Damaraland & Salt Pans of Etosha Next we enter southern Damaraland and begin our exploration of the area a unique cultural and conservation experience. At the heart of Etosha National Park lie the sprawling salt pans, once a lake the size of Holland dating back some 12 million years, its now a silvery depression of dust-laden mirages. In terms of game viewing, many consider Etosha as one of the very best in Africa, and during our explorations we hope to observe prolific birdlife and some of the many species of animals which thrive here. From Desert to Delta Ref NB ANGOL A ETOSHA NP Game drives NAMUTONI Popa Falls OKAUKUEJO Petrified forest Rock Art Brandberg ABA-HUAB Cape Cross Seal colony NGEPI XAXANAKA MOREMI GR Okavango Delta Boat safari MAUN GHANZI Bushmen SWAKOPMUND Walvis Bay Lagoon WINDHOEK BOTSWANA FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Livingstone. 2 Arrive Livingstone (Zambia); drive to Kasane (Namibia). 3 Walks and boat trip on Chobe River. 4 Drive to to Savuti in Chobe N. Park (Botswana); game drive. 5 In Savuti, game drives. 6 Drive through Chobe to Moremi in Okavango Delta. 7 Game viewing in Xaxanaka area. 8 Drive via Maun to houseboat on Okavango Delta. 9 On houseboat; boat cruise and walks. 10 Drive to Kasane (Botswana) via Caprivi Strip (Namibia); optional boat cruise. 11 Game viewing in Chobe N. Park. 12 Drive to Livingstone (Zambia); view Victoria Falls. 13 At leisure in Livingstone. 14 Fly London 15 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 10nts lodge, 2nts houseboat; 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 8 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: 4WD Safari vehicle/Ferry/Shared cabins on Houseboat. Comment: All lodges are located in wonderful wilderness settings, generally overlooking a river and ideal for more relaxed wildlife-watching. Designed to blend carefully into the natural surroundings, most have a small plunge pool for cooling off in the midday heat. Tour Staff & Support: : Explore Tour Leader/driver/ guide plus various boat crew. Group Size: Approx. 9 to 12. K A L A H A R I DESERT ATLANTIC OCEAN Optional balloon flight Namib SESRIEM Naukluft NP Canyon hike Sossusvlei High dunes NAMIBIA km 0 500 Okavango Delta & Kalahari Desert Following the Okavango River to Popa Falls, we enter Botswana and then head into the Xaxanaka area of Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Hundreds of species of animal and bird are attracted to this fertile, freshwater delta. Well spend three memorable days exploring the channels and reedbanks by boat and safari vehicle. Returning to Windhoek, we traverse the great Kalahari and have a chance to join San Bushmen on a nature walk. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Windhoek. 2 Arrive Windhoek; drive to Sesriem. 3 In Namib-Naukluft NP; explore Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon. 4 Optional balloon safari; scenic drive via Walvis Bay to Swakopmund. 5 In Swakopmund; optional activities. 6 Drive via Cape Cross Seal Colony to Damaraland. 7 Drive via Petrified Forest and Twyfelfontein to Etosha NP. 8 & 9 Game viewing in Etosha NP. 10 Drive to Ngepi and Popa Falls. 11 Free day relaxing on the Okavango River; optional Mahango Game Park. 12 Drive to Maun. 13 Optional flight over Delta; drive into Okavango Delta; game viewing. 14 & 15 Boat safari and game drives in Xaxanaka area of Okavango Delta. 16 Drive via Maun to Ghanzi in Kalahari Desert. 17 Optional nature walk; drive to Windhoek. 18 Fly London. 19 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 1nt hotel, 2nts guesthouse, 13nts camping; 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches & 13 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: 4WD Safari Truck/Motor boat in Delta/On foot/Land cruiser-style safari vehicles. Comment: An overland style camping safari, well supported by local crew with some participation expected. Roads and campsites are of a generally good standard. We use smaller 4WD vehicles and a motor launch to explore the Okavango waterways of Moremi Game Reserve. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), cook and boatmen. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Zambezi mokoro Botswana Lodge Safari Ref OZ Z am ZAMBIA i Zambezi river crossing NAMIBIA KASANE obe Game OKAVANGO h drive HOUSEBOAT CHOBE NP C XAXANAKA Game drives MOREMI GR Maun Okava km 0 ng o D BOTSWANA Makgadikgadi Salt Pans el ta bez 200 LIVINGSTONE Victoria Falls ZIMBABWE SAVUTI Game drives Tackling the dunes/Nicola Waller Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement 131

Africa contd… Botswana