Botswana: Natural Selection - Exploring Botswana's Diversity with 10 days safari

Natural Selection - Exploring Botswana's Diversity...

IF YOU’VE EVER WANTED TO DISCOVER ALL THE HIDDEN GEMS THAT BOTSWANA HAS ON OFFER, THEN OUR 10 DAY BOTSWANA EXPLORER TRIP IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

It will take you deep into the Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi National Park, where you will spend 10 glorious days exploring the abundant landscape, birdlife and wildlife in each area, gaining a deeper understanding for Botswana, its beauty and its people.

From game drives, houseboat adventures, bushman walks, hidden hides, scenic flights over the Okavango, ancient rock art, mokoro meanderings, nocturnal night drives, game viewing on horse back and community visits - this 10 day Botswana exploration will give you a wide and diverse variety of activities to experience and enjoy. 

DAY 1 - 2: OKAVANGO SPIRIT, OKAVANGO DELTA. 

Your trip will start in the tranquil 'Panhandle' area of the Okavango Delta in Northern Botswana, on the Okavango Spirit Houseboat. With serene waterways and phenomenal bird-watching, here you’ll enjoy peace and quiet, as you float along blissfully, spotting birds and wildlife from the comfort of your own bedroom. Enjoy a trip to Tsodilo Hils, to see one of the most significant rock art sites in Africa.

DAY 3 – 4: EXPEDITIONS CAMP, OKAVANGO DELTA.

Next, you’ll head by road to our mobile-tented camp set up in a private game concession in the Okavango Delta. This area offers some of the most incredible game viewing opportunities and is one of the best areas to see big cats and wild dog. You'll find yourself in a world of dry lands rising between vast wetlands and crystal clear water channels on the edge of mopane and apple-leaf woodlands. Perfect to weave your way around on mokoro or game viewing vehicle.

DAY 5 – 6: HYENA PAN, KHWAI PRIVATE RESERVE.

From here you’ll head to a remote airstrip and charter a small plane to Hyena Pan in the Khwai Private Reserve, 200 000-hectares of pristine wilderness. This cosy and comfortable tented camp overlooks a magnificent forest of cathedral mopane trees and a watery lagoon. One of the highlights of your trip will be hiding out in the ground-level hide near the waterhole. A favourite amongst guests and photographers and the perfect opportunity to get up-close-and-very-personal with all the wildlife.

DAY 7-8: MENO A KWENA, KALAHARI / BOTETI RIVER / MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARK.

After this incredible experience, you will fly back to Maun and then take a short drive to Meno A Kwena, a refreshingly stylish tented camp, perched on a rocky clifftop above the Boteti River, overlooking the Makgadikgadi National Park. This offers spectacular scenery and unforgettable sunsets. Take a guided walk & cultural safari with the San Bushmen, discovering the natural world through their ancient eyes. 

DAY 9 – 10: ROYAL TREE LODGE, MAUN.

Your last day and evening will be spent at Royal Tree Lodge, only a 20-minute drive from Maun Airport, perfectly situated to get your COVID-19 testing done before flying home. Set in a private nature reserve on the banks of the Thamalakane River, you’ll discover an abundance of wildlife and activities to enjoy, while taking in the peace and tranquility of this beautiful reserve. 

10 days on safari in beautiful Botswana will leave you exhilarated, enriched by every experience and ready to come back for more! You'll discover that here the journey matters just as much as the destination and we guarantee you'll find happiness in both. 

For all enquiries & to find out more contact info@traveltonamibia.com

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

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Desert & Delta Safaris November 2021 update

MONTHLY DESERT & DELTA SAFARIS UPDATE

November 2021

It was so exciting to spend the last 3-months with bumper guest numbers throughout the properties. If you are still waiting for travel restrictions to ease from your country, we can’t wait to have you here! 

Guests have the pleasure of feeling carefree and connected with nature while at the same time extremely comfortable with our COVID safety measures. We are excited to announce that nearly 100% of our camp staff are fully vaccinated, ensuring their safety while working in our camps and peace of mind for our travellers. Owing to the remote locations of our lodges, the distribution of vaccines has been a challenge. Still, we are proud of the work we have done in supporting the government to speed up vaccine distribution into the remote locations of Botswana. 

We’re also celebrating the addition of Nxamaseri Island Lodge to our portfolio. Below you will find more information on Nxamaseri Island Lodge and what this unique property has to offer.

WATER LEVEL UPDATES

THE OKAVANGO DELTA

Levels are low but normal for this time of year thanks to good 2020/21 rains

At this time of the year, it is normal for the Okavango to be approaching its lowest level. The water volume from the catchment areas in Angola that travelled down the Kavango River was lower than average. However, good rains in the last summer season have helped maintain a decent water level throughout our Okavango based properties. 

It is too early to tell what we are in store for in terms of water levels for the coming months but metrological sources are forecasting a good rainy season which is positive.

Remember – all Desert & Delta Safaris camps & lodges based in the Okavango offer all-year-round water activities.

THE LIONS OF SAVUTE

UPDATES ON THE FORMIDABLE MARSH PRIDE & NORTHERN PRIDE

The Savute Marsh Pride continues to grow in numbers, now consisting of more than 30 members. Their sheer size has enabled them to continue their domination of the Savute region. As our guest numbers increase, regular sightings of the pride have been a highlight for travellers staying at Savute Safari Lodge. The Savute Marsh has dried up through the winter months forcing the wildlife to congregate at water points like Marabu Pan and Rhino Vlei. This is where the pride wait patiently for their next meal.

With the Marsh Prides dominance around the Savute Marsh, the Northern Pride have moved onto the fringes, but the guides are still reporting regular sightings of the pride, sometimes at the waterhole right in front of the lodge. The young males in the pride continue to grow in stature, so we are eagerly watching to see where the subsequent conflict between the two prides will occur.

THE CHOBE RIVER AND ELEPHANT UPDATE

WATER LEVEL UPDATES AND ELEPHANT MOVEMENTS IN THE CHOBE REGION 

The Chobe River saw good levels of water push in from the Zambezi River earlier this year. Currently, the river is home to vast numbers of wildlife, including Sable, Giraffe, and other plains wildlife congregating around the nearby floodplains. A sight to behold from the comfort of one of our solar-powered safari boats.

September & October, in particular, has been epic for elephant herds along the Chobe River. Guides at both Chobe Game Lodge and Chobe Savanna Lodge have seen more than 800+ elephants on an afternoon safari cruise.

THE BOTETI RIVER & THE ZEBRA MIGRATION

WATER LEVEL UPDATES AND ZEBRA MOVEMENT ON THE BOTETI RIVER 

The floods down the Boteti River were significant this season. While the water levels are currently dropping, the excellent rains earlier in the year and the strong flow from the Okavango Delta ensured plenty of water in the river for a spectacular zebra migration. 

Between mid-April and mid-October, our guides reported remarkable zebra sightings from the boat as well as on daily game drives. At the end of the season, water levels dropped steadily, creating a spectacle in front of the lodge where the zebra congregated at the remaining water.

Due to the falling water levels, boating activities are not possible for the foreseeable future. The region has received its first rains, and with the above predictions of high rainfall through the coming season, we wait to see the impact on the Boteti River.

Meanwhile on the Salt Pans

Our salt pans sleep-out trips have been a huge hit. 

“Best experience in my life” 

“Absolutely unbelievable” 

“The most amazing thing we’ve ever done” 

A few of the comments and feedback from recent guests. 

The first signs of rain are already appearing so unfortunately the season is just about closed but those still planning 2022 safaris must consider 3-nights at Leroo La Tau between 15 July – 31 October and include a complimentary sleep-out under the stars.

SIGHTING OF THE MONTH

FEATURING TSODILO HILLS at NXAMASERI ISLAND LODGE

We are just so excited about the addition of Nxamaseri Island Lodge to our group. Our most recent trip included an in-depth exploration of the Tsodilo Hills cultural experience and a hike to the top of Botswana (the Male hill). This month we have gone with two photos for sighting of the month. The first shows off the unique location of Nxamaseri Island Lodge at sunset with the Tsodilo Hills in the background. The second was captured on arrival at the Tsodilo Hills in the early morning as we prepared to explore the cultural heritage site.

A visit to Nxamaseri will allow you to explore the Tsodilo Hills, home to an impressive collection of ancient rock art and incredible history. Something quite unique to Botswana and well worth a visit on any itinerary to the country!

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com