Descriptive Itinerary

Big Cats of Botswana Safari
SOUTH AFRICA BOTSWANA ZIMBABWE
10 Days | October 26 – November 4, 2016
Johannesburg, South Africa | Kalahari, Botswana | Okavango, Botswana | Chobe, Botswana | Victoria
Falls, Zimbabwe | Johannesburg, South Africa
Big Cats of Botswana Safari
SOUTH AFRICA • BOTSWANA • ZIMBABWE
10 DAYS • OCTOBER 26 – NOVEMBER 4, 2016
Itinerary
26-Oct
Wednesday
Johannesburg
South Africa
Fairlawns Hotel & Spa
27-Oct
Thursday
Kalahari
Botswana
Tau Pan
28-Oct
Friday
Kalahari
Botswana
Tau Pan
29-Oct
Saturday
Okavango
Botswana
Xakanaxa Camp
30-Oct
Sunday
Okavango
Botswana
Xakanaxa Camp
31-Oct
Monday
Chobe
Botswana
Ngoma Safari Lodge
1-Nov
Tuesday
Chobe
Botswana
Ngoma Safari Lodge
2-Nov
Wednesday
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe
Ilala Lodge
3-Nov
Thursday
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe
Ilala Lodge
4-Nov
Friday
Johannesburg
South Africa
Depart
$8,448
Per Person
This is a sample itinerary and the price is an estimate, used for rough planning purposes only and is subject to change. Actual prices
and availability must be finalized by one of our trip planners who will contact and confirm pricing with all accommodations and
operators.
26 OCT 2016 – Johannesburg
operators.
26 OCT 2016 – Johannesburg
Start safari O.R. Tambo International Airport
Johannesburg, South Africa (Arrival Location)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Sofiatown. Joburg. Gold Reef City. This is the commercial capital of one of Africa's strongest economic engines,
South Africa. Johannesburg was built on a gold mining town established in the 1800's, and you can still see the
slag heaps within the city limits. If you are focused on a wildlife safari, your time should be kept to a minimum
in Johannesburg. But if you have time to explore the city, it’s definitely worth a stay. Feel the vibe of Soweto, for
example (an acronym for South West Township), then we can organize a fun bike ride that takes you through
the streets of Soweto and gives you a flavor for this colorful and energetic township.
Fairlawns Hotel & Spa
Conveniently situated in the Sandton suburb of Morningside Manor, Fairlawns is an award-winning boutique
hotel boasting a total of 40 highly individualized, world-class suites. The conference center, a large fully
equipped gym, Balinese spa and an excellent a la carte restaurant are available to ensure a full range of services.
Once the private home of the current live-in owners, John and Anna Thacker, the property was originally
bought from the Little Brenthurst Trust of Oppenheimer fame, and consisted of 10 acres with horses, stables
and rolling green lawns. Portions of the property have been sold off, but it has retained its stately, park-like
ambience with huge mature trees and prolific bird-life. This well-kept secret is the perfect balance between
tranquility and proximity to the thriving business centers of Sandton, Woodmead, Sunninghill and Rivonia,
between professionalism and the warm, welcoming ambience created by friendly and caring staff.
Included: Accommodation, full English breakfast, complimentary wireless internet, 24-hour access to the in
house gym, VAT
Available at an Additional Cost: A la carte dining room where lunch and dinner are served, room service,
spa treatments, Pretoria City tour, Soweto Township tour, Apartheid Museum, DeWildt Cheetah Centre,
Sterkfontein Caves, Maropeng Cradle of Humankind, Origins Centre, Elephant Educational at Harbeespoort
Dam
Amenities: Air Conditioning
27 OCT 2016 - 28 OCT 2016 – Kalahari
Johannesburg
Maun
Commercial Flight (1 hour, 45 minutes)
Commercial Flight (1 hour, 45 minutes)
Maun
Kalahari
Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (55 minutes)
Kalahari, Botswana
You might have read "Cry of the Kalahari," and that certain mystique exists in this flat, scrub desert. It's the
epitome of wide open space and wildness. During the dry African winter (June to September) the animals are
present but in relatively low concentrations. This changes dramatically in the African summer (November to
March) when sporadic rain showers bring the desert alive and the animals do concentrate. Here you may see
impressive black-mained lions, brown hyena, herds of eland antelope, and cheetah, among a wide range of
other species.
Tau Pan
Tau Pan offers truly incredible views from the ridge of an ancient sand dune, an unusual experience in a land as
flat as Botswana, and overlooks the famous Tau Pan - recognized for its stark beauty and remoteness. The first
safari camp to be built in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Tau Pan is a model of environmental sensitivity.
As with its sister camp, Nxai Pan, Tau Pan has been constructed with delicate ecologies in mind. Both utilize
only solar power for the generation of electricity, heating of water and pumping of water from deep under the
Kalahari sands. Waste water is treated in a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant and the fully treated water is
returned to the sands of its origin. Tau Pan accommodates up to eighteen guests in eight specially designed
thatched units on raised decks, one of which is a family unit accommodation four guests. Activities offered at
Tau Pan are game drives, day trips to the well-known Deception Valley as well as Sunday, Piper and Passarge
Pans, star gazing, bush brunches on Tau Pan, and nature walks with Bushman trackers. The daily safari routine
usually involves an early morning wake up call, and a gathering around the fireside for piping hot tea and coffee,
a bowl of sumptuous porridge and freshly baked muffins. As well as offering fresh, early-morning air and a
dazzling sunrise, an early departure greatly increases the chances of unusual sightings, as the majority of
mammals are active at the beginning and end of the day when temperatures are lower. Game drives are
undertaken in custom-designed Toyota game viewing vehicles seating no more than six guests at a time in two
rows of three. The use of only two rows ensures that guests are never so far from the front of the vehicle that
they are unable to hear the guide or tracker's interpretation, even while driving. Guests are guided by a twoperson team of a professional guide and a tracker - a special feature of the Kwando Safaris wildlife experience.
This team enables the guide to communicate points of interest and the complex interrelations that exist
throughout the natural world, while the tracker ensures no sightings or tracks are missed.
Included: Accommodation with all meals and beverages, including premier brands, all game viewing
activities: game drives, nature walks, stargazing, outdoor dining, daily laundry, emergency medical evacuation
cover (all guests must have their own travel and health insurance), meet & greet in an out of Maun airport in
our private guests lounge if being transferred with Moremi Air
Available at an Additional Cost: Private vehicles, private guides, curio shop items, scenic helicopter tours,
day trips to Deception Valley, Sunday, Piper and Passarge Pans
Amenities: Ensuite Bathrooms, Laundry Included, Local Drinks Included, Pool, Recharge Facilities
29 OCT 2016 - 30 OCT 2016 – Okavango
Kalahari
Maun
Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (55 minutes)
Maun
Okavango
Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (45 minutes)
Okavango, Botswana
The Okavango Delta is a safari icon, and in 2014, it was named to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list for its
unique habitat and remarkable wildlife densities. Its landscapes are awe-inspiring: yellow grasslands, pristine
papyrus filtered rivers, ivory palm trees standing tall above the savannahs, red sunset skies punctuated by fish
eagle cries…and great game viewing. It is a resilient system where drainage basins in Angola capture rain water
in the African summer (December to March). But because Botswana is so flat, it takes months for that water to
make it down the Okavango River and flood into the Kalahari Desert. The timing is perfect - it brings water to
the Kalahari during the dry season (May through October) and becomes a key attraction for wildlife at this time
of year.
Xakanaxa Camp
As the custodians of one of Botswana’s very first safari camps, the owners of Xakanaxa Camp (pronounced Kaka-na-ka) have gone to extraordinary lengths to preserve its original African bush camp character, while always
providing guests with every comfort. Xakanaxa is located on the banks of the Khwai River on the Xakanaxa
Lagoon, in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve. Rated as one of Africa’s most beautiful game reserves,
Moremi Game Reserve ensures that it is one of the only safari destinations which can provide guests with an
authentic, year round Okavango Delta land and water safari experience. The reserve offers sanctuary to
abundant herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffe, lechwe, wildebeest, impala, waterbucks, sable and more. Lions,
leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas complete the picture. Birding is also quite spectacular, especially
during spring and summer when the migrants breed. The stylish main buildings extend over the Khwai River
and are set on raised platforms to maximize the views over the surrounding lagoons and islands. Constructed of
local timber, reed and thatch, the elegant lounge contains a small but comprehensive library, dining room,
expansive sundeck, plunge pool and sala with day bed as well as a fire-deck set under giant Jackalberry trees.
Xakanaxa is able to accommodate 24 guests plus tour leader with 12 guest tents and 1 guide / pilot tent.
Accommodations are canvas, Meru-style classic luxury safari tents on raised decks. Canvas window covers can
be closed as desired or left open to view the surroundings through a mesh screen at each window. Each tent
boasts en-suite facilities, fans, a unique water sprinkler system which aids cooling in the midday heat, electrical
outlets, safe, soaps, shampoos and insect repellents, and hairdryer. Xakanaxa Camp’s staff creates a camp
environment in which guests experience a seamless service in the warm, friendly style for which Africa is
famous. The camp operates on generator power, but at night all lighting is supplied by battery powered lamps,
candles and paraffin lanterns, giving the camp an authentic African ambience. Guests are offered two activities
of their choice per day, or an all-day outing can be arranged. These activities are included in the
accommodation cost and include: morning and afternoon game drives, and water game viewing in powerboats.
Included: Accommodation, all meals, refreshments, house spirits and wines, laundry service, scheduled
activities: power boating or game drives with licensed guides, outdoor dining, park fees, emergency medical
evacuation insurance, government levies and taxes
Available at an Additional Cost: Scenic helicopter tours, curio shop items, premium brand drinks
Amenities: Ensuite Bathrooms, Hairdryer, Laundry Included, Local Drinks Included, Pool, Recharge
Facilities
31 OCT 2016 - 1 NOV 2016 – Chobe
Okavango
Chobe
Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (1 hour, 20 minutes)
Chobe, Botswana
Famous for its population of 30,000 elephants, Chobe allows visitors to get close to these animals by boat or by
vehicle. Choose from a wide variety of elegant lodges within an hour’s drive of Victoria Falls.
Ngoma Safari Lodge
Situated in northern Botswana, within the Chobe Forest Reserve, Ngoma Safari Lodge features panoramic
views overlooking the Chobe River and Caprivi Floodplain. Ngoma Safari Lodge offers accommodation in eight
luxurious river-facing suites with spacious internal and external living areas, a bath, an inside and outside
shower, overhead fans, air conditioning, mini bar, tea/coffee facilities and an open lounge. Each of the suites
has a view of the river and offer the opportunity to see the famous Chobe elephants, migrating zebra or buffalo
grazing on the floodplain below, depending on the season. Two of the eight suites have Indian day beds and can
be used as triples. The central guest area is built adjacent to a magnificent Baobab and overlooks the Chobe
River. It includes the reception area, guest sitting room, dining room and bar area. Also centrally located are
the swimming pool, sundeck and adjacent viewing platform. Cultural experiences and interaction with the
community are paramount and these include visits to the local school, the clinic and the village. As Ngoma
Safari Lodge is situated in the Chobe Forest Reserve, both walking and night drives are permitted. Other
available activities include: game walks on the concession, escorted by an armed professional guide, full-day
game activity includes cruising on the Chobe River, driving within the Chobe National Park and a sumptuous
picnic lunch and drinks, day game drives are into Chobe National Park and night drives on the concession or
birding.
Included: Accommodation, meals, all house beverages, laundry, road transfers from Kasane Airport or
Kazangula Borders, park fees and community levy, scheduled activities: morning or afternoon drive, full day
safari inclusive of drive and cruise, cultural/community tour and night drive, outdoor dining
Available at an Additional Cost: Premium beverages, curio shop items, private vehicle activities, scenic
helicopter tours
Amenities: Air Conditioning, Cell Phone Coverage, Ensuite Bathrooms, Hairdryer, Laundry Included, Local
Drinks Included, Pool, Recharge Facilities, Wi-Fi
2 NOV 2016 - 3 NOV 2016 – Victoria Falls
Chobe
Victoria Falls
Private Road Transfer (2 hours)
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
While David Livingstone named the falls on his visit, he didn’t realize it already had a more fitting name –
Mosai-Oa-Tunya, The Smoke That Thunders. The mighty Zambezi River drops off in spectacular fashion,
creating a powerful spectacle that is the most notable of the seven natural wonders of the world. If you want to
take part in any of the hundreds of activities that the Victoria Falls area offers (from river cruises to bungee
jumping), you’ll need more than one day. We can also lay on a wonderful historical tour that highlights the life
of Dr. David Livingstone.
Ilala Lodge
Ilala Lodge is situated on the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls and is the closest hotel to the Victoria Falls as
well as the Vic Falls town center. Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. David
Livingstone, the Scottish explorer, is believed to have been the first European to view the falls, and he named
them Victoria Falls, the name still used in Zimbabwe. The older, indigenous name of Mosi-oa-Tunya is the
name in official use in Zambia. The World Heritage List recognizes both names. While it is neither the highest
nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is claimed to be the largest. This claim is based on a width of 5,600 ft
and height of 360 ft, forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world. Ilala Lodge offers distinguished yet
affordable accommodation in warm elegant surroundings. The decor evokes an era of early adventure and the
quest for discovery in Africa. The national park borders the front of the property and wild animals often graze
on the hotel lawns, with the spray of the falls in the background. Ilala Lodge offers 32 standard rooms and 2
standard suites as well as 20 deluxe rooms and 2 executive suites. All rooms have en-suite bathroom with
separate shower, air conditioning, overhead fan, satellite TV and have individual coffee and tea facilities. The
rooms are spacious with railway sleeper teak furnishings and patio doors leading onto either an open lawn or a
balcony where you are afforded a view of the spray of the falls from the upper level rooms. Victoria Falls is
known as Africa's adventure capital and has a lot to offer visitors, from high-adrenalin activities like bungee
jumping and whitewater rafting to more sedate pastimes like fishing or elephant back safaris.
Included: Accommodation, breakfast, complimentary wireless internet, VAT & tourism levy
Available at an Additional Cost: Restaurant dining, room service, all drinks, curio shop items, spa
treatments, laundry, sundowners, Guided Tour of the Falls, Sundowner Cruise on the Zambezi, Village Visit,
Canoeing, Fishing the Zambezi, Horseback Riding, Helicopter Flight over the Falls, Helicopter Flight over the
Falls/Gorge/Game Park, Half Day Game Drive in Victoria Falls National Park, Mists of Time Private Tour of
Victoria Falls, Horseback Riding, Walking with Lions, Canoeing on the Upper Zambezi, Zambezi River Boat
Safari, Whitewater Rafting, Golf at Elephant Hills Golf Course
Amenities: Air Conditioning, Cell Phone Coverage, Ensuite Bathrooms, Hairdryer, Laundry Included, Pool,
Recharge Facilities, Wi-Fi
4 NOV 2016 – Johannesburg
Victoria Falls
Johannesburg
Commercial Flight (1 hour, 40 minutes)
Johannesburg, South Africa (Departure Location)
End Safari O.R. Tambo International Airport