Home About Safaris Destinations Travel Advice Blog Contact
The seventh season of the Amazing Race visited Botswana.

Aerial View of Elephants in Botswana, Copyright  Wilderness Safaris 

11 day The Great Wilderness Journey

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

At the turn of the century, explorers and adventurers made their way leisurely along the dusty paths of Africa. Experience a nostalgic camping / lodge safari that recreates the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers. The Great Wilderness Journey takes time to experience and explore Botswana's scenic northern areas: from the blue-green wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the diverse and wildlife-rich Linyanti and Chobe River systems, ending with the world-famous Victoria Falls on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River. (Please note that this trip will operate only in the Maun-to-Livingstone direction.) 

Highlights

Take the time to experience and explore Botswana’s contrasts and extremes: from the waterless and strange landscape of the Kalahari Desert to the lushly vegetated wetlands of the Okavango. 



Lechwe running in Camp Jao, Copyright  Wilderness Safaris 

San Camp in Botswana, Copyright  Wilderness Safaris 

RHINOMETER
Footprint
Ethics
Authentic
Education




Rates Included
Rates Excluded
  • Accommodation on a per person sharing basis, 
  • all meals and drinks (except premium brands), 
  • National Park fees, 
  • laundry, 
  • activities 
  • all internal charters on a seat-rate basis. 
  • Flights (other than specified in the detailed safari itinerary), 
  • visas, 
  • compulsory insurance, 
  • all relevant entry and departure government taxes, 
  • all personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls etc.), 
  • gratuities, 
  • optional extra activities 
  • all travel arrangements before or after the safari. 
Itinerary Details

Days 1, 2 & 3:  Jacana Camp, Okavango Delta

After arrival in Maun, you will be met by your guide or representative and fly by light aircraft over the shimmering water world of the Okavango Delta. The Delta encompasses life at its most fertile: abundant water, sunlight and nutrients fuse to produce a wetland paradise teeming with life.Lush Jacana Camp is situated in a permanently flooded region of the private Jao Concession of the Okavango Delta. A true water camp, it represents the essence of the Delta, with year-round mokoro safaris as well as island bush walks and, water level permitting, motorboat cruises. In fact, when the flood levels are at their peak we are able to motorboat from the airstrip to the lodge, a truly surreal camp arrival! On one of the full days, we will also enjoy game drives around the productive Jao flats region to the north of camp. Jacana Camp is set in one of the wetland areas most densely populated with sitatunga and red lechwe. Wildlife concentrations depend on the water flow and volume, thus changing from season to season, but all the large animals can be found in the area including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. Pel's Fishing-Owl is a favourite amongst birders as well as African and Lesser Jacana.Jacana Camp has 5 Meru-style tents. Each tent is on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains and has an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and shower. The bathroom is enclosed but roofless, allowing for showers by starlight. The camp has a plunge pool for cooling off from the midday sun. The main dining area is on an elevated wooden deck between two magnificent sycamore fig trees and surrounded by dense wild date palms. Downstairs, there is a cosy pub and lounge with an area perfect for an open fire under the stars.

Days 4, 5 & 6:  Ketumetse Trails Camp (Motswiri), north-eastern Okavango Delta

Depart this morning by aircraft to Ketumetse Trails Camp located in the south-western sector of the Selinda private concession, in the seasonally flooded portion of the Okavango Delta where it joins into the Selinda Spillway.Accommodation is in 6.3m x 3.5m walk-in Meru-style tents (maximum of two guests per tent). The tents are airy and designed to recreate the accommodation style of the early explorers, with richly coloured teak director chairs and simplistic camp features. Separate bedside tables with 12v reading lamps, canvas and wood wardrobes, bathrobes, comfortable beds, flushing toilets and mirrors are provided. Camp amenities (conditioning shampoo, soap, shower gel and body lotion) are elegantly displayed for use and private, en-suite separate toilet and shower areas are part of the main structure.The area in which the camp is located is scenic with generous shade provided by leadwood and russet bushwillow trees. Open floodplains and woodlands spread out in front of camp. Activities concentrate on nature walks and canoeing, providing a superb view from the canoe of big game coming to the water's edge to drink. Game drives (by day and night) are possible and often reveal sightings of the rare roan and stately sable antelopes, in addition to an array of other general game species. Seasonally, "catch and release" fishing is offered as an alternative activity.

Days 7, 8 & 9:  Linyanti Discoverer Camp, Linyanti

After a light breakfast, fly north-eastwards to the private Linyanti Concession; after a short game drive arrive at our private Discoverer camp, which is elegantly set up under African ebony and knobthorn acacia trees overlooking panoramic vistas of the Linyanti Swamps.The landscape of the Linyanti varies from floodplains to open dry land savannah and forest with sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. Activities include game drives in the private northern sector of the concession, exploring a range of habitats from riverbanks to scrub and forest, with a myriad of wildlife en route to slake their thirst from the river. The seldom-seen sitatunga can also be spotted in the waterways, as well as rare plains game such as roan and sable antelope and of course their predators, the lion and leopard - with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus.There's also a game drive to a private area for lunch, then a siesta in hammocks and the possibility of an afternoon canoe trip, before returning to camp at dusk. (This activity is not always possible, as it is dependent on whether there are hippo pods moving in and out of the areas in which we canoe.) Another possible activity is an all-day game drive to the Savute Channel, with lunch en route. This game drive is specifically designed to gain an introduction to the "Stolen River" as well as enjoying a part of the Selinda Spillway with its rich floodplains.To complete the experience, in the rainy season and on the third day it is possible to enjoy a full-day activity to the Savute Channel, with lunch at a scenic setting under a shade tree. The spectacular but seasonal (rain dependant) zebra migration moves between Linyanti and the Savute Marsh between end November and March, the area also boasting an impressive diversity of mammals, including large elephant herds. When undertaken and during the correct season, this day is specifically tailored to enjoy the seasonal and migratory movements of wildlife, although sighting the zebra migration is not guaranteed.

Day 10:  Chobe River boat cruise, Chobe National Park and Toka Leya, Zambia

After a short morning drive and breakfast, depart by light aircraft to the northern Chobe region of Chobe National Park. This area is famous for its vast herds of elephants in the dry season and other unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river in the hottest hours of the day. Enjoy a light lunch on the boat cruise in a catamaran-style shaded boat.Leave Botswana and fly to Livingstone International Airport, arriving at Toka Leya in the late afternoon. On leaving Botswana, we fly over the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet.Overlooking the mighty Zambezi River and some of its islands, under a shady canopy of jackalberry and waterberry trees lies Toka Leya. The islands in front of camp are intriguing and part of the braided channel of the Zambezi with some rapids, a main channel and fringing dense vegetation.The camp consists of 12 safari-style tents, each en-suite with a view of the magnificent Zambezi River and some of its islands. The camp's dining and bar area is set beneath a shaded canopy of trees overlooking the River and a swimming pool.

Day 11 Victoria Falls, transfer to Livingstone Airport

The grand finale is a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 metres wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.Transfer to Livingstone Airport immediately after the tour of the Victoria Falls and bid farewell to the adventure.




Limitations
  • group size: minimum: 2; maximum: 8 
  • Children from the age of 12 are welcome on all scheduled departures. For parties with children under 12, a private tailor-made 
  • Guests over the age of 75, a certified medical certificate of full health must be submitted on booking confirmation. 
Departures

Friday 09 January Maun - Monday 19 January Livingstone
Monday 02 February Maun - Thursday 12 February Livingstone
Sunday 15 February Maun - Wednesday 25 February Livingstone
Sunday 01 March Maun - Wednesday 11 March Livingstone
Tuesday 10 March Maun - Friday 20 March Livingstone
Tuesday 17 March Maun - Friday 27 March Livingstone
Wednesday 25 March Maun - Saturday 04 April Livingstone
Saturday 28 March Maun - Tuesday 07 April Livingstone
Friday 03 April Maun - Monday 13 April Livingstone
Monday 06 April Maun - Thursday 16 April Livingstone
Thursday 09 April Maun - Sunday 19 April Livingstone
Saturday 18 April Maun - Tuesday 28 April Livingstone
Tuesday 21 April Maun - Friday 01 May Livingstone
Friday 24 April Maun - Monday 04 May Livingstone
Sunday 03 May Maun - Wednesday 13 May Livingstone
Wednesday 06 May Maun - Saturday 16 May Livingstone
Saturday 09 May Maun - Tuesday 19 May Livingstone
Monday 18 May Maun - Thursday 28 May Livingstone
Thursday 21 May Maun - Sunday 31 May Livingstone
Sunday 24 May Maun - Wednesday 03 June Livingstone
Tuesday 02 June Maun - Friday 12 June Livingstone
Friday 05 June Maun - Monday 15 June Livingstone
Monday 08 June Maun - Thursday 18 June Livingstone
Tuesday 23 June Maun - Friday 03 July Livingstone
Thursday 02 July Maun - Sunday 12 July Livingstone
Sunday 05 July Maun - Wednesday 15 July Livingstone
Tuesday 14 July Maun - Friday 24 July Livingstone
Tuesday 21 July Maun - Friday 31 July Livingstone
Thursday 30 July Maun - Sunday 09 August Livingstone
Sunday 02 August Maun - Wednesday 12 August Livingstone
Wednesday 05 August Maun - Saturday 15 August Livingstone
Friday 14 August Maun - Monday 24 August Livingstone
Monday 17 August Maun - Thursday 27 August Livingstone
Friday 28 August Maun - Monday 07 September Livingstone
Saturday 12 September Maun - Tuesday 22 September Livingstone
Tuesday 15 September Maun - Friday 25 September Livingstone
Friday 18 September Maun - Monday 28 September Livingstone
Sunday 27 September Maun - Wednesday 07 October Livingstone
Wednesday 30 September Maun - Saturday 10 October Livingstone
Saturday 03 October Maun - Tuesday 13 October Livingstone
Monday 12 October Maun - Thursday 22 October Livingstone
Thursday 15 October Maun - Sunday 25 October Livingstone
Sunday 18 October Maun - Wendesday 28 October Livingstone
Tuesday 27 October Maun - Friday 06 November Livingstone
Friday 30 October Maun - Monday 09 November Livingstone
Thursday 05 November Maun - Sunday 15 November Livingstone
Wednesday 11 November Maun - Saturday 21 November Livingstone
Tuesday 17 November Maun - Friday 27 November Livingstone
Wednesday 25 November Maun - Saturday 05 December Livingstone
Wednesday 02 December Maun - Saturday 12 December Livingstone
Thursday 17 December Maun - Sunday 27 December Livingstone
Saturday 26 December Maun - Tuesday 05 January Livingstone
Tuesday 29 December Maun - Friday 08 January Livingstone 


Rates


SITE MAP