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Botswana
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| March 4 - 6 | Arrive in Johannesburg to take the morning flight to Maun on March 6 to meet Grant, then on to Moremi. |
| March 26 - 28 | Moremi near the Okavango Delta for 3 nights camping at Xakanaxa. |
| March 7 - 8 | Campsite in Moremi Game Reserve at Khwai and spectacular game drives. |
| March 9 | Thamalakane River Lodge near Maun for a late afternoon walk along the river. |
| March 10 - 12 | Sunday Pan in the Central Kalahari for 3 nights in camp overlooking the pan. |
| March 13 - 15 | Passarge Valley in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. |
| March 16 - 18 | Deception Valley camping, 60 km from Passarge Valley. |
| March 19 | Travel from Deception Valley to Magkadigkadi Pans along ephemeral saline lakes. |
| March 20 | Magkadigkadi Pans exploration and nocturnal wildlife action. |
| March 21 | Travel to Nata Lodge and Nata Bird Sanctuary, enroute to Chobe. |
| March 22 - 24 | Chobe National Park for 3 nights of wonderful game drives and a boat trip. |
| March 25 | Cross the Zambezi River to Victoria Falls near Livingstone. |
| March 26 | Victoria Falls in the morning then flight to Johannesburg for flights home. |
| March 27 | Arrive home. |
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March 4 - 6, Friday - Sunday : Arrive in Maun, then to Xakanaxa in Moremi Game Reserve
March 4 to 6 will most likely be travel days from your home (or from Nairobi International Airport if you joined us on our Tanzania and Kenya Southern Migration Safari) to Maun, Botswana. Your flight should go through Johannesburg where you may have to overnight. On March 6, take the only available daily flight from Johannesburg to Maun, Botswana, arriving at about noon. Grant Reed will meet you at the airport in Maun. We are happy to assist with booking flights and with any extra overnights, such as near the Johannesburg Airport. Review our flight details.
Drive the 140 km from Maun to Xakanaxa at the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. The dominant tree in the wooded areas, Mopane (pronounced Mo-pa-ni), grows in dense stands and provides a safe refuge for large, rare, and timid antelopes, especially Greater Kudu. Every type of "mopane habitat" (compact woods or bush, not open grassland) is encountered on this drive, from the towering cathedral woodlands called Xakanaxa to the classic climax mopane woodland and, in the drier and harsher habitats, extensive stretches of scrub mopane. The San-ta-Wani region has scattered ephemeral water pans with large floodplains and camel-thorn woodlands.
Mobile Tents in Botswana
About Mobile Camping: We'll be camping in HATAB (Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana) sites that Grant books two years in advance. There are no fixed buildings or facilities at these sites and the entire camp is erected and removed by Grant's camp staff. Everything is brought with us and we leave no trace once the wind has dusted our tracks. Our "semi-luxury" camp contains large tents sized 9x15 feet (3x5 meters) with a roof high enough to stand in, a nine-foot covered area in front, and an en-suite toilet in an attached enclosed private room in back. Camp beds are made up with comfortable mattresses, sheets, warm duvets, and pillows. The bed linens and towels are labeled when the staff tears-down the camp to ensure that we get the same ones at our next campsite. There is a tall washbasin and a mirror outside each tent for each person. The basin is filled with warm water early in the morning and again on each arrival in camp. There is also a dining tent, but with the normally excellent weather and skies, the table is often set beneath the stars. The food is excellent with three-course dinners prepared by a professional safari chef. Several separate private shower tents surround a bucket and showerhead hanging from a tree. Hot showers can be requested and the water is heated in a bucket on the fire. There is no electricity in the tents and each tent has an outside oil lantern. It is still essential to bring a small flashlight and headlamp with spare batteries to use inside the tent and around camp. Camera and other gear can be charged in the evenings and at night through an inverter connected to the safari vehicle battery, this converter provides 220 volts AC.
On safari in Botswana, we will take advantage of the best action and beautiful light with game drives early in the morning, often leaving at sunrise. Sometimes we will eat a picnic lunch in the field and sometimes we will return to camp for a delicious lunch followed by a short break and a possible walk in the camp vicinity. In the afternoons, we will go on game drives to take advantage of the nice afternoon light, and when allowable, to be in the field during the magical dusk, when the nocturnal animals become active. Sometimes there are restrictions in the parks and reserves on how late we can stay out game driving.
Botswana is built on sand and its soil is the result of thousands of years of termites at work turning wood into soil. On walks it is very interesting to see all the tracks left in the sand by many species. We'll be at the Xakanaxa site in the Moremi Game Reserve for three nights.
Camping: Xakanaxa in Moremi Game Reserve on March 6
Our safari vehicles in Botswana
March 7 - 8, Monday - Tuesday : Xakanaxa in Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta
Set-aside in 1963 by the Batawana tribe, Moremi is one of Africa's most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries. Moremi lies on the eastern extremity of the Okavango Delta. There are many types of habitats here including wide-open floodplains, marshes, ox-bow lakes, riverine forest, lagoons, papyrus-fringed channels, vast reed-beds of Miscanthus and Phragmites, woodlands, and savannah. The variety of habitats of the Okavango makes it a truly wonderful area and all the major habitats and ecotones of the Okavango are preserved here. As a result of the extremely variable habitat, the diversity of both mammals and birds is excellent. Moremi is among the best game reserves in Africa for seeing the endangered African Wild Dog, especially around Xakanaxa. A resident herd of several hundred Cape Buffalo and also be found here, their range covering the territories of at least four Lion prides, which may often be seen flanking the ever-moving herd. Breeding herds of African Elephant move between their browsing areas in the mopane forests and the fresh water of the Okavango. Red Lechwe, one of the more unusual antelope species, is commonly found here, while the rare Sitatunga, an amazing aquatic antelope, may be spotted from a motorized boat along the water-ways, where we plan to travel later.
The birding is tops for aquatic birds and raptors along the waterways. The swampy areas of Xakanaxa are home to African Rail, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Red-chested Flufftail, African Crake, Black Crake, Chirping and Luapula cisticolas, Purple Swamphen, and Allen's Gallinule, to name a few of the rare ones. The open waters attract African Skimmer, Saddle-billed Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Intermediate Egret, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, as well as the globally threatened Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane. While we are in the Delta, Wattled Crane, Slaty Egret, and other rare birds will be challenges to find as both Kurrichane Thrush and Heuglin's Robin will keep us entertained with their beautiful songs.
Botswana is a land of sand, which would be desert here, except that the water from the highlands of Angola some 1,000 km away flows into the Okavango Delta turning it into a vast wetland supporting a huge diversity of wildlife. This interestingly situated rests between shallow fault lines at the end of the Great African Rift Valley. The Okavango is spread throughout an area of some 16,000 square km.
Camping: Xakanaxa in Moremi Game Reserve
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Waterbuck
March 27 - 28, Tuesday - Wednesday : Xakanaxa in the Okavango Delta at Moremi
Set-aside in 1963 by the Batawana tribe, Moremi is one of Africa's most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries. Moremi lies on the eastern extremity of the Okavango Delta. Habitats here range from wide-open floodplains, marshes, ox-bow lakes, riverine forest, lagoons, papyrus fringed channels, vast reed-beds of Miscanthus and Phragmites, woodland and lots of savannah. The variety of habitats of the Okavango makes it a truly wonderful area and all the major habitats and ecotones of the Okavango are preserved here. As a result of the extremely variable habitat, the diversity of both mammals and birds is excellent. Moremi is among the best game reserves in Africa for viewing the endangered African Wild Dog, especially around Xakanaxa, which is also home to a resident herd of several hundred Cape Buffalo. Their range covers the territories of at least 4 prides of Lion, which may often be seen flanking the ever moving herd. Breeding herds of African Elephant move between their browsing areas in the mopane forests and the fresh water of the Okavango. Red Lechwe is one of the more unusual antelope species and commonly found here, while the rare Sitatunga, an amazing aquatic antelope, may be spotted from a motor boat along the water-ways, where we plan to travel one morning at dawn.
The birding is tops for aquatic birds and raptors along the waterways. The swampy areas of Xakanaxa are home to African Rail, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Red-chested Flufftail, African Crake, Black Crake, Chirping and Luapula cisticolas, Purple Swamphen, and Allen's Gallinule to name a few of the rare ones. The open waters attract African Skimmer, Saddle-billed Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Intermediate Egret, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, as well as the globally threatened Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane. While we are in the Delta, Wattled Crane, Slaty Egret, and other rare birds will be challenges to find. Both Kurrichane Thrush and Heuglin's Robin will keep us entertained with their beautiful songs.
Botswana is a land of sand, which would be desert here, except that the water from the highlands of Angola flowing into the Delta turns it into a wetland paradise located within the arid Kalahari sands. It rests between shallow fault lines at the end of the Great African Rift Valley. Deserts are low on rainfall, as is Botswana. However, each year floodwater flows into the Okavango from its source in the moist central African highlands over 1000 km away. These floodwaters flow from their cachement southwards and into the Kalahari Desert to create a unique wetland that supports and sustains a huge diversity of wildlife. The Okavango is spread throughout an area of some 16000 square km. At full flood the Delta is an area of lily covered lagoons and narrow channels hemmed in by papyrus reeds. The best time to visit this beautiful area is anytime from May to October when the Okavango River floods the Delta. The edges of the Delta are the best for game viewing, where mammals congregate on the patches of high ground. Since roads in Botswana are built on sand, some can be very dusty, but on game drives we'll go very slowly.
Camping: Xakanaxa site in Moremi Game Reserve
Hippopotamus
March 9, Wenesday : Xakanaxa in Moremi to Thamalakane River Lodge near Maun
This morning's game drive will take us back through the Moremi Game Reserve back to Maun, with a stop for lunch. Tonight enjoy Thamalakane River Lodge located outside Maun on the banks of the meandering Thamalakane River. Later this afternoon, walk with Grant along the river until the orange glow of sunset turns to darkness. On a short walk here, we should see hippos and birds, including Hamerkop, African Fish Eagle, Gray Lourie, Pied Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Lilac-breasted Roller, White-rumped Babbler, Heuglin's Robin, Swamp Boubou and others. At this time of the year there are both the resident birds and many of the intra-Africa and Palearctic migrants (from Europe and Asia). We could see about 50 bird species on a walk along the Thamalakane River.
Lodging: Thamalakane River Lodge
March 10 - 12, Thursday - Saturday : To Sunday Pan in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
The Kalahari Game Reserve covers about 52,000 square km and is reputed to be the second largest conservation area in the world. Sadly there are now few Bushman communities that are able to live in the traditional manner eking out a simple existence from the fruits of the desert. Our trip to Sunday Pan from Maun is 280 km, which takes about seven hours through a very interesting combination of vegetated duneveld, valleys of ancient rivers, and pans that are quite green at his season. The northern regions of the Kalahari boast a higher rainfall than the drier southern regions and produce mature woodlands of beautiful Purple-pod Terminalia.
We'll depart very early to reach great habitat for large herds of Gemsbok and Springbok, the most abundant antelopes here, with smaller groups of Red Hartebeest, Eland, Blue Wildebeest, Southern Giraffe and Greater Kudu. Some very exciting predators follow these ruminants, including Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild Dog (rarely), Spotted Hyena, Brown Hyena, Caracal, African Wildcat, Black-backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, and Cape Fox.
The Purple-pod Terminalia woodlands support many birds that would not typically be associated with the Kalahari, such as Paradise Flycatcher and White-browed Scrub-Robin, which replaces the Kalahari Scrub-Robin. Black Cuckoos arrive at this season to parasitize the beautiful Crimson-breasted Shrike. The pan floor is perfect habitat for Temmink's Courser and the far more common Double-banded Courser, as well as the striking Northern Black Korhaan in the amazing bustard family. It's a great area for raptors, including Gabar Goshawk, Lanner Falcon, Pale-chanting Goshawk and Greater Kestrel. Common large raptors include Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, and two species of snake eagles, Black-chested and Brown.
Grant's staff will have everything ready when we arrive in camp for our three-night stay. The campsite overlooks Sunday Pan on the edge of Deception Valley, which is stunning in March. Colorful sunsets should provide enchanted evenings in camp. Enjoy the excellent dinners that taste even better under the Kalahari stars. Despite our remoteness, all the meals will be excellent. In the Kalahari look for nocturnal mammals and owls by night spotting for Porcupine, Honey Badger, Common Genet, Civet, African Wild Cat, Caraval, Serval, the big cats and other species active at night.
Camping: Xakanaxa in Sunday Pan
March 13 - 15, Sunday - Tuesday : Passarge Valley in the Central Kalahari
It is only 40 km from Sunday Pan to Passarge Valley, but we will make stops along the way to examine the springtime landscape. Pass over sand dunes that have been stabilized by vegetation in the Kalahari, then descend into characteristic Central Kalahari pans, through an ancient river bed carved by wetter times. Leopards are common in the dunes but are very secretive, so we may only find prints left in the sand. Lion and Cheetah can be found in the valleys. Eland are more common in the northern areas than anywhere else in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Southern Giraffe, Greater Kudu, and Common Duiker frequent the vegetated dunes. The slopes are home to one of the most endearing of the Kalahari species, the Rufous-eared Warbler that will be actively trying to reproduce. There are good chances of seeing other warblers trying to attract a mate, plus Acacia Pied Barbet, and Temmink's Courser.
An ancient river formed the Passarge Valley and the clay floor left behind provides highly nutritious grazing and browsing for Kalahari game. Here we will find much higher numbers of large animals than the sandy dune-veld. Tree islands of Umbrella Thorn Acacia dot the wide open spaces offering precious shade in an otherwise harsh landscape. Oryx, Springbok, Blue Wildebeest and Red Hartebeest make up the most commonly encountered herbivores. Herds in excess of 30 Southern Giraffe are not uncommon here in the northern part of the Kalahari and the largest of all the antelope, the Eland, are also seen quite regularly here. The open plains are the domain of the Cheetah where they have room to run. Lion are also frequently seen here, plus we hope to see African Wildcat and Caracal, the smaller predators. Raptors from the north, including Montague's Harrier, Steppe Buzzard and Steppe Eagle, join the resident Tawny Eagles and Pale Chanting Goshawks. The raptor presence also includes three species of vulture, the globally threatened Lapped-faced Vulture, which nest here in the valley, White-headed Vulture and White-backed Vulture.
Camping: Passarge Valley
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March 16 - 18, Wednesday - Friday : To another beautiful campsite in the Kalahari's Deception Valley
Today we go to our third and final campsite in the Central Kalahari, about 60 km away. The drive is slow going since we left the beaten track to travel these remote areas of Botswana. The Deception Valley consists of stunning open grassland on Kalahari sand, dotted with small tree islands. It is the largest open eco-system remaining in Botswana and to explore this area is like traveling back in time to an Africa of long ago. If there has been a reasonable amount of rain the valley looks more like an arid savanna wilderness than a true desert. Delia and Mark Owens made the Deception Valley region famous with their book, Cry of the Kalahari (it is on our suggested reading list!). Some of the highlights of the vast Deception Valley that we will see in these next few days are Tau Pan, Leopard Pan, Deception Valley itself, Deception Pan, and the Passarge Waterhole. We will explore this area during the cool early morning and late afternoon and evening, also the best time for photography and animal activity.
Herds of Gemsbuck, Springbuck, Wildebeest and Hartebeest are attracted to the area by the grasses that flourish in the ancient valley following the rains. There is also a chance of seeing Brown Hyena, a solitary nocturnal mammal that was studied here by the Delia and Mark Owens. The highly social but shy Suricates or Meerkat with their banded backs and dark eye rings, provide good entertainment for us. They live in warrens housing up to 30 individuals, sometimes shared with Ground Squirrels or Yellow Mongoose. During this season, young Meerkats accompany adults during foraging forays. Mammals include two elusive canids, Bat-eared Fox and Cape Fox. We will keep a watch for mysterious and beautiful Caracal.
Wild Dogs or Painted Wolves
We will investigate Leopard Pan in the cool morning light. Here we will watch out for Honey Badgers, Black-backed Jackals and other elusive predators. Lions and Cheetah are found and there is even a slight chance of Wild Dogs in this peaceful and isolated wilderness area.
The Kalahari birdlife is quite extensive. Eagles are well represented here by Bateleur, Black-breasted Snake Eagle, and Tawny Eagle. Bateleurs are a favorite with its distinctive cut-off tail and impressive 22 secondary feathers used for effortless soaring. Harriers and Secretarybirds should also be found. The habitat is perfect for Ostrich and we should locate both Temminck's and Double-banded coursers.
Our camp at Deception Valley will be self-sufficient and a long way from civilization and other vehicles. The tents will be erected in the shade of acacia trees with views of the grazing Springbok. Evenings in the camp will be relaxing after a long day of exploring. During the night perhaps we will hear the roaring of distant Lions or even hear them passing through camp as we lay snug and safe in our tents.
Camping: Deception Valley
March 19 - 20, Saturday - Sunday : Magkadigkadi Pans along ephemeral saline lakes
On Saturday we will drive about seven hours, covering 200 km, from Deception Valley to the Madkadigkadi Pans. The semi-arid scrub of the Central Kalahari gives way to the bright white salt-plains of the Makgadikgadi Pans, which stretch on endlessly to the horizon. Fringing these pans are small islands of Acacia trees and salt resistant grasses. This seemingly forbidding environment sustains a surprising number of birds and mammals, although here much of the of wildlife is nocturnal, which we will investigate with night spotting. The Makgadikgadi is one of the harshest habitats in Africa. Nothing lives in the pan during the dry season and the fringe is inhabited by only the hardiest of species. These include Springbok, Gemsbok (Oryx), Aardwolf, Aardvark, and Ostrich. Depending on rainfall, huge flocks of flamingo of up to half-a-million strong can appear. In the distance, these flocks look like endless pink ribbons strung through the shallow blue waters of the saline lakes. Caspian Tern and Lesser Black-backed Gull show-up here and ducks on occasion.
We'll have one day to explore this saline desert, which is now transformed into an impressive lake. Billions of invertebrates are hatching and the concentration of blue-green algae is increasing as the water level starts to subside. Along the Nata River emptying into the pans, dense groves of flood-plains thorn acacias support nests in a heronry during wetter years. The Madkadigkadi pan is one of the only breeding sites for the Great White Pelican that use the temporary islands to breed without the pressures of the Brown Hyena and Black-backed Jackal. White-breasted Cormorant, Grey Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, African Darter, Glossy Ibis and many other species can breed here in profusion if the conditions are right.
Camping: Madkadigkadi Pans
March 21, Monday : Magkadigkadi Pans to Nata Lodge and Nata Bird Sanctuary
We head east towards the outpost of Nata, our route will depend on water levels in the pans. A central route is available only in years of low rainfall; the alternative route winds along the edges of the pans and takes about seven hours to cover the 180 kms through this sandy terrain. Wildlife is restricted to arid tolerant species such as Springbok, Gemsbok (Oryx), and Kudu, with scattered colonies of Ground Squirrels and a small chance of Meerkat. Nata Lodge is surrounded by shady trees which offer good birding. Look for Pied and Arrow-marked babblers, Meyers Parrot, Paradise Whydah and a number of thirsty seed-eaters that come for a drink from the bird baths provided by the lodge.
Lodging: Nata Lodge
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Elephants in Chobe National Park
March 22 - 24, Tuesday - Thursday : Chobe National Park game drives and boat trip
Our drive to Chobe will be long, about 6 hours over 320 km on a good road, but the reward at the end is grand. We will transition through a remarkable change of habitats, from the saline desert of the Magkadigadi to the lush teak and riverine forests of Chobe. A diverse landscape will be found in Chobe - mixed broad-leafed woodland, mopane scrub, savannah with dense clusters of Hyphaene palms, and arid grassland. As a result of the great variety of habitat there are new and exciting species to encounter in Chobe. This sub-tropical climate is home to massive herds of African Elephant, Cape Buffalo and Impala as well as exceptional numbers of both Roan and Sable antelope that are considered endangered over much of their range. We will witness beautiful scenery and magnificent sunsets during our stay in this special region.
Since the good road affords faster speeds, the birds we pass will be of large and conspicuous species. Brown Snake-Eagle, Black-chested Snake Eagle, and the largest of Africa's eagles, the Martial Eagle are found. Red-necked Falcon breed in the palm savannah and Pale Chanting Goshawk are the most common raptor in the driest areas. Dickenson's Kestrel and Lizard Buzzard are some of the small raptors to look for, while the diminutive White-faced Owl can often be seen roosting in the roadside vegetation near Chobe. Time permitting, we will stop to investigate some of the broad-leafed woodlands while enroute to Chobe, where Racket-tailed Roller are known to reside. Ground Hornbills are a fairly common roadside species in the north.
The Chobe River gives the park its name and flows in an easterly direction to join the Zambezi en route to the Indian Ocean. All of the larger mammals are present here, as well as the Chobe race of the Bushbuck and the very rare Puku. This antelope, active around sunrise and sunset, has a very limited range and can be seen grazing on the floodplains. The wildlife along the Chobe River at the northern end of the park enjoys extensive riverine forest with varying habitats. Chobe is the heart of elephant country and by late afternoon in this season there are huge herds in and around the Chobe River. One afternoon we will photograph the amazing elephant behavior and other wildlife action during a boat trip on the river. Sable and Greater Kudu are resident, but well camouflaged in the mopane woodlands. There is also a good chance of seeing Lion and Leopard.
We will pass over an impressive sand ridge containing a broad-leafed woodland (miombo) that lines the broad and meandering Chobe River. As you move into the valley, you will see a landscape covered with trees that have been pruned and stunted by the large elephant population. Dense tangled masses of Knobbly Combretum and Wooly Caper bush that appear impervious to the constant onslaught of browsers are common here. Much of Chobe's wildlife drink from the river in the late morning and early afternoon. This is one of the best places to see Roan and Sable antelope. Breeding herds of elephant appear around every corner and the massive herds of buffalo are flanked by the ever-hungry Lions. This region has one of the highest Lion densities of any park or reserve in southern Africa.
Approximately 300 species of birds have been recorded, including Black, Coppery-tailed, Senegal and White-browed Coucals and several kingfishers. The striking Crimson-breasted Shrike often gives itself away by its metallic call. Bat-Hawk, Cuckoo Hawk, and Ovambo Sparrowhawk are some of the more interesting raptors. African Rail, Quail Finch, and Rosy-throated Longclaw are found on the edges of the floodplain. Large flocks of Great White Pelican investigate the drying pools, and large flocks of thousands of the nomadic Red-winged and Black-winged Pratincoles can be uncovered. The woodlands support Racket-tailed Roller, Stierling's Wren-Warbler, and Miombo Rock-Thrush.
Our camp staff will welcome us on our arrival at the Chobe campsite, where we'll spend three nights.
The camp is located in the far north of the park near the banks of the Chobe River, to the west of the city of Kasane.
Camping: Madkadigkadi Pans
March 25, Friday : Chobe to Livingstone and Victoria Falls
We will enjoy a hearty final breakfast in camp and thank our mobile camp staff during a short ceremony. It will be sad to bid adieu to our new friends on the helpful camp staff as we leave the comfortable camp one last time. We head out for Kasane through some of the best parts of Chobe National Park. One year we encountered Wild Dogs (Painted Wolves) on this morning along the Chobe River. There is always the chance of spotting exciting birds, such as Racket-tailed Roller, Lizard Buzzard, and Cuckoo-Hawk in this area.
Grant will leave his safari vehicle in Kasane and we'll board a special Bushtracker transfer service bus. Our drive today includes an interesting car ferryboat crossing of the Zambezi River that provides the border between Botswana and Zambia. Legendary Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world, is located further up on the wide and powerful Zambezi River. It may take some time to pass through the crowded customs office to pay the Zambia visa fee once we disembark the ferry. Once we pass customs, we will continue the short drive to Livingstone through small rural settlements.
Victoria Falls is an unbelievably impressive sight. You will get excellent photos of the gorges and falls from the Zambia side of the falls. Over a mile across, these falls contain the widest curtain of water in the world and have a spectacular 328-feet drop. The constant mist emanating from the falls keeps the surrounding forests lush. Several species of birds, including Trumpeter Hornbills, do well in this moist forest. Victoria Falls is a spectacular spot to finish up this incredible safari.
This evening we will check into the Chrismar Lodge, located near the Victoria Falls Game Reserve and only a ten-minute drive to the Falls.
Lodging: Chrismar Lodge
March 26 - 27, Tuesday - Thursday : To Johannesburg and homeward
After breakfast on Saturday there should be enough time to revisit the Falls before transferring to the Livingstone Airport. Once at the airport, you will say farewell to our wonderful guide, Grant and board the plane to Johannesburg. From Johannesburg take your connecting flights homeward, most likely arriving home on Sunday. Review our flight details. Lunch and subsequent meals are on your own.
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Costs, Payments and Cancellations: Upon receiving your deposit, we will send complete trip materials. Deposits are refundable before the final payment date, except for $150. The $150 may go toward another tour if a reservation is made within six months of the departure date of this trip. There are no refunds given after the final payment date. Trip cancellation insurance applications are available. Trip options, if any, and singles are extra.
| Cost per Person | |
| Trip cost, double occupancy | $8,800 |
| Payment Schedule | |
| Deposit - to reserve your space | $500 |
| March 5, 2010 - second payment | $1,000 |
| December 5, 2010 - final payment | remaining balance |
Included:
Not Included:
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Reservations: Please contact us to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, fill out our reservation form, and mail it to us with your deposit:
Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
20800 Kittredge Road
Saratoga, CA 95070
Toll Free: (800) 527-5330
Local: (408) 741-5330
Fax: (408) 741-0358
Email: info@cheesemans.com
Grant Reed
Leader: Grant Reed is the author of Okavango - Spirit of Life and narrator of From Dust to Dust - The Story of Lake Ngami. Apart from his 15-years guiding experience in five African countries, he also holds a post-graduate degree in Nature Conservation and is currently working on his PhD. Grant holds the highest level of guiding qualification in southern Africa and is a recognized trainer and evaluator for the Southern Africa Guide Association. He does extensive guide training in Botswana. Grant and his brother own Letaka Safaris in Botswana. He lectures both in Botswana and abroad on the ecology of Botswana, on conservation, and on birds and other wildlife. Two of our safari participants said, "Grant Reed was fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable, personable, accommodating, capable. His extensive knowledge of birds and photography was an added bonus."
Flights: Please let us know if you would like help arranging your own flights. Fly through Johannesburg (JNB) to Maun (MUB), Botswana, and then back home from Livingstone (LVI), Zambia, most likely back through Johannesburg.
Arrival - Arrive in Johannesburg in time to take the Air Botswana flight to Maun on March 6, currently departing at 10:10 am and arriving at 12:10 pm. You will most likely (and it is best to) have to spend a night in Johannesburg.
Departure - Depart in the afternoon from Livingstone on March 26 on a flight to Johannesburg and then on connections homeward.
Travel Insurance: Emergency Medical Insurance is optional, but encouraged, for this tour. Read about travel insurance and our recommendations and requirements.
Climate: Temperatures vary at this season from very comfortable to hot in the middle of the day, especially in the Central Kalahari. It will be cool in the early morning and in the evening, so bring a jacket for early morning game drives. It can be dusty in these areas, so bring a neck scarf for driving in the open vehicles. Rain could be encountered.
Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online information request form or send us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!
Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.
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All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.
All photos © Doug or Ted Cheeseman, unless otherwise credited.
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