Safari Express

About Us

Safaris
Kenya Group
Kenya Personal
Tanzania Group
Tanzania Personal
Uganda Personal

Botswana Personal
South Africa Personal

FAQ's

Photos

Related Links

Request Info

Merchandise

  Next Group KE Safari: September 16, 2007 Deposit Due: April 30, 2007 Next Group TZ Safari: March 17, 2007 Deposit Due: July 31, 2006 Next Group Kili Trek: TBA Next Family Safari: TBA  
     
Botswana - Personalized Safaris
 


by Alpha Travel

There is no ordinary day!

BOTSWANA
ADVENTURES INTO BOTSWANA (4 Day Safaris)
Premier Safari
Classic Safari
Vintage Safari

MAGICAL DISCOVERIES (7 Day Safaris)
Premier Safari
Classic Safari
Vintage Safari

MAUN
PARKS
CAMPS

For a copy of these tours:  Click Here (Twelve Pages)

 

ADVENTURES INTO BOTSWANA - Premier Safari
Day 01 - 03
On arrival into Maun Airport, you will be met and transferred by light aircraft to your Wilderness Premier Camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta for the following three nights.

Your stay will be at Jao Camp.

Day 04
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will be transferred back to the airstrip for the light aircraft flight to Maun for your onward arrangements.

What is included.
What is not included.


ADVENTURES INTO BOTSWANA - Classic Safari
Day 01 - 03
On arrival into Maun Airport, you will be met and transferred by light aircraft to your Wilderness Classic Camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta for the following three nights.

Kwetsani, Vumbura / Little Vumbura or Xigera (see below for details on each choice of camp) Duba Plains is on a request basis with a supplement cost.

Day 04
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will be transferred back to the airstrip for the light aircraft flight to Maun for your onward arrangements.

What is included.
What is not included.


ADVENTURES INTO BOTSWANA - Vintage Safari
Day 01 - 03

On arrival into Maun Airport, you will be met and transferred by light aircraft to your Wilderness Vintage Camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta for the following three nights.

Jacana, Kararota, Pom Pom, Tubu Tree (see below for details on each choice of camp)

Day 04
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will be transferred back to the airstrip for the light aircraft flight to Maun for your onward arrangements.

What is included.
What is not included.

 

MAGICAL DISCOVERIES - Premier Safari
Day 1 and 2
On arrival into Maun Airport, you will be met and transferred by light aircraft to your Wilderness Premier Camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta for the following two nights.
Two
nights at Jao Camp on an all-inclusive basis

Day 3 and 4
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will transfer by light aircraft from the Okavango Delta to the Moremi.
Two nights at Mombo or Little Mombo on an all-inclusive basis.

Day 5 and 6
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will transfer by light aircraft from the Moremi to the Linyanti.
Two nights at Kings Pool on an all-inclusive basis.

Day 7
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will be transferred back to the airstrip for the light aircraft flight to Maun for your onward arrangements.


What is included.
What is not included.


MAGICAL DISCOVERIES - Classic Safari
Day 1 and 2
On arrival into Maun Airport, you will be met and transferred by light aircraft to your Wilderness Classic Camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta for the following two nights.
Two
nights at Duba Plains, Kwetsani, Vumbura / Little Vumbura or Xigera on an all-inclusive basis.

Day 3 and 4
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will transfer by light ircraft from the Okavango Delta to the Moremi.
Two nights at Chitabe or Chitabe Trails on an all-inclusive basis.

Day 5 and 6
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will transfer by light aircraft from the Moremi to the Linyanti.
Two nights at Dama Tau or Savuti Camp on an all-inclusive basis.

Day 7
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will be transferred back to the airstrip for the light aircraft flight to Maun for your onward
arrangements.

What is included.
What is not included.


MAGICAL DISCOVERIES - Vintage Safari
Day 1 and 2
On arrival into Maun Airport, you will be met and transferred by light aircraft to your Wilderness Vintage Camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta for the following two nights.
Two
nights at Jacana, Kararota, Pom Pom, Tubu Tree on a full board and all activities basis.

Day 3 and 4
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will transfer by light aircraft from the Okavango Delta to the Moremi.
Two nights at Chitabe or Chitabe Trails on a full board and all activities basis.

Day 5 and 6
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will transfer by light aircraft from the Moremi to the Linyanti.
Two nights at Linyanti Tented Camp on a full board and all activities basis.

Day 7
After an early morning activity and brunch, you will be transferred back to the airstrip for the light aircraft flight to Maun for your onward arrangements.


What is included.
What is not included.



INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
What Is Included on Adventures Into Botswana A, B & C
· Road transfers and charter flights as specified
· Accommodation on a shared basis
· All meals as specified
· Activities at safari lodges and camps
· Any excursion as specified
· Services of the lodge guides and staff
· Park fees
· All local wines, beers and spirits at dinner and on activities. Please reconfirm this on arrival
· Laundry can be done in most camps. Please reconfirm this on arrival

What Is Not Included on Adventures Into Botswana A, B & C
· All international scheduled flights and their departure taxes
· All items of a personal nature
· All insurance
· Visas and their respective fees
· All other drinks
· Any new Government tax · Gratuities to staff
· Any meal, activity or excursion, which is not specified

Note: Baggage in charter aircraft is restricted to 12kg per person in a soft bag (including camera equipment and carry on baggage).


MAUN - Gateway to the Okavango
Almost all tourists entering the Okavango do so through Maun, situated at the gateway to the Delta and Moremi Game Reserve. Maun is the tourism capital of Botswana and the administrative centre of Ngamiland. It is also the headquarters of countless safari and air-charter operations whose signs and offices dot almost every intersection, particularly towards the airport.

Since the town's establishment in 1915 as the tribal capital of the Batawana people, Maun has had a rough and ready reputation as a hard-living 'Wild West' town servicing the local cattle ranching and hunting operations. But with the growth of the tourism industry and the completion of the tar road from Nata in the early 1990s, Maun has developed rapidly, losing much of its old frontier town character. It is now home to over 30,000 people.

Regular supplies of almost everything can be bought in Maun, and the town boasts several good shopping centres, filling stations, a choice of hotels and lodges as well as car and four-wheel-drive vehicle hire. The Maun Airport, which was officially opened in 1996 after extensive renovations, is - if one counts the light aircraft charters to the various Delta camps - one of the busiest airports in Southern Africa.

The name Maun is derived from the San word "maung", which means "the place of short reeds". The village began in 1915 as the capital for the Tawana people. The capital was moved from Toteng after glorious victory over Ndebele King Lobengula.

This metropolis is now spread out along the wide banks of the timeless Thamalakane River where red lechwe can still be seen grazing next to local donkeys, goats and cattle.

As one crosses the new causeway across the Thamalakane River to the main commercial centre, the Best Western Riley's Hotel is set on the riverbank to the left of the main traffic circle. This fine hotel is a very popular stopover with tourists travelling into and out of the Delta, and has been an important landmark in the town since the 1920s when Charles 'Harry' de Beauvoir Riley first arrived here. In those days it was a gruelling 35-hour haul from Francistown to Maun and when the men (mostly professional hunters) arrived, all they wanted was something cold to drink and a place to relax. Seeing the opportunity, Harry set up a little bar that was the scene of many wild parties.

Other areas of interest in and around Maun include the small Maun Game Reserve which covers just 8km2 of woodland. It follows the Thamalakane riverbank upstream from the Best Western Riley's Hotel and includes the original "Place of Reeds" from which the town takes its name. The reserve is open every day and is traversed by numerous walking trails for which a small entrance fee is charged.

PARKS (source - www.game-reserve.com/botswana.html)
Linyanti
Moremi Game Reserve
Okavango Delta


Linyanti Wildlife Reserve
The Linyanti River (which is later named the Chobe River), forms a natural border between Namibia and Botswana. The river's course is smooth and gentle until it hits a volcanic fault line which causes a dramatic 90-degree change of course from south-east to north-east. Inside the right-angle corner created at this juncture, a swamp has formed (on the Namibian side), similar in appearance to the Okavango Delta, with papyrus lined waterways leading to towering riverine forests of giant ebony and marula trees.

On the southern banks of the Linyanti River (in Botswana), is the private Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. Here the marsh subsides into lagoons and steadily flowing rivers with riverine forests of jackalberry and sausage trees leading to open grasslands, and dry inland wooded areas.

ANIMALS & BIRDS
The Linyanti Reserve is highly populated with animals particularly in the dry winter months when elephants concentrate in enormous numbers at the rivers and waterholes. Thousands of zebra spend the winter in the Linyanti before heading south to the Savuti in November in expectation of summer rains and good grazing. The particularly beautiful sable and roan antelopes are found here and red lechwe and the aquatic sitatunga antelope inhabit the wetlands.

The main predators are lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena. A smaller carnivore and efficient predator sometimes seen, is the serval. This feline catches rodents and birds by silently pouncing on them and has a creditable 50% success rate. Bat-eared foxes are the cutest of the small carnivores and prey on insects, scorpions, mice and small birds.

Birdlife is abundant here and particularly vocal with a magnificent dawn chorus. Daytime noises include incessantly grunting hippos and trumpeting elephants, while the night brings roaring lions and laughing hyenas.

SEASONS

Rainy season: Rain falls during the warm months of November to March creating high temperatures and humidity. Mosquitoes breed well in these conditions.

Dry season: May to October is dry and as the months progress and surface water becomes scarce, animals congregate in huge numbers along the river. Game is at its most dense and easily visible. October is the hottest month.


Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi falls within the tribal land of the Batswana and is named after the late Chief Moremi III. It was clear to his wife, who reigned after his death, that the game in their traditional hunting grounds was fast disappearing. With encouragement from conservationists, Mrs Moremi proclaimed the Moremi Game Reserve in March 1963 and the tribe agreed to vacate the land.

Chief's Island is the largest landmass within Moremi and was the Batswana tribe's richest hunting grounds with a vast array of animals. The dry sandy interior of this 100,000 hectare (1,000 square kilometer) island is full of mopane woodland and acacia thornscrub interspersed with clay pans.

These pans fill with rain and attract large herds of buffalo who seem to prefer drinking from the pans rather than the river. They also like the sparse but sweet grasses found here, as opposed to the long but courser fodder of the floodplains. As the mopane bush gives way to floodplains and riverine forests, other animals become abundantly visible and the whole spectrum of Africa's game can be seen.

Today, Moremi rates as one of the leading wildlife areas of the world. The mosaic of grasslands, floodplains, palm-tree islets, forests, lily lagoons and winding water channels combine to form a perfectly constructed puzzle, in which animals wander as they please.



Okavango Delta
The Okavango is a unique ecosystem of papyrus-lined waterways, knee-deep floodplains, water-lily lagoons, shady forest glades and rich savannah grasslands. All this fecundity lies in the middle of the largest continuous stretch of sand in the world - the Kalahari Desert Basin. Seen from space as an emerald swirl surrounded by a parched landscape, the Okavango Delta is an incredible source of life in a country that is 80% arid.

Rather than a delta, it is in fact an alluvial fan of sediment and debris, which filled a trough formed by the sinking of the earth's crust, between a series of parallel faults across the Okavango River.

The fan (or delta as it is more commonly called), resembles the shape of a hand. The palm is a permanent delta of constant water, and the fingertips are seasonally flooded swamps and lush floodplains. The water of the Okavango literally floats on a saturated sea of sand.

The Delta is fed by the Okavango River originating over 800 miles (1,280 km) away in the highlands of Angola. The Angolan highlands have an average rainfall of between 1,200 and 2,000mm per year, compared to around 400-600mm in the Okavango. The delta therefore fluctuates in size depending on local rains and the Angolan floodwaters. The spill over from the rising river starts pushing gently into the Okavango in January and reaches a peak at the top of the Okavango in about May. By June or July each year (depending where you are within the Okavango), the water levels are at their maximum.

The Okavango region contains the state-run Moremi Game Reserve surrounded by a number of strictly controlled, privately managed wildlife concessions. The game viewing in all of these areas is no less than outstanding and activities can either be undertaken on foot, in a game-viewing vehicle or in a mokoro (dug-out canoe) or motorised boat. Such varied opportunities in a beautiful and diverse range of habitats, makes the Okavango the best all-encompassing safari destination in the world.

CAMPS
PREMIER SAFARI CAMPS
CLASSIC SAFARI CAMPS
VINTAGE SAFARI CAMPS


PREMIER SAFARI CAMPS

JAO CAMP - A Premier Safari Camp
Okavango Delta

Jao Camp is situated in the Jao Reserve, an area of 60,000 hectares, in Botswana's Okavango Delta. It is built in a private reserve bordering on the Moremi Game Reserve, to the west of Mombo, on a densely wooded, oval~shaped island. Jao can offer both land and water activities, depending on the fluctuating levels of the Okavango's floodwater. This area comprises a superb variety of habitats, ranging from permanent waterways and lagoons on the one extreme to thick Kalahari soils on the other.

Jao ranks as one of the best lodges in Southern Africa according to the July 2000 issue of Harpers and Queen. The camp sleeps a maximum of 16 guests in unique and stunningly beautiful, luxury rooms. The whole of Jao is raised on wooden decks above the lush palms below and is beneath a dense canopy of ancient indigenous trees. Each room has thatched roofs with canvas walls. En suite facilities include a bath, flush toilet, basins, as well as an outdoor shower. Each room has a "sala" for midday siestas with a wonderful view. The main dining, lounge and pub area is under cool thatch beneath the tree canopy. The camp has a pool. We also have an outdoor "kgotla" (Botswana's version of a boma) for dining under the stars. Raised walkways connect the rooms to the dining room and lounge. The camp is open all year.
A variety of habitats ensures diverse and interesting game viewing. The wildlife at Jao depends largely on the water levels in the area. The lagoons are home to Hippo and Crocodile and the permanent waters attract large numbers of waterfowl. In the permanent waters, Sitatunga can be tracked silently by mokoro. From October to March the waters subside and enormous open plains are the highlight. This is where the game viewing is the best. Lion, Cheetah and Leopard are plentiful, while Tsessebe, Red Lechwe, Zebra and Wildebeest dot the flood plains. During our winter months, the water levels at Jao rise and the savannah areas become covered with water. The focus at Jao switches more to water activities with game drives on the larger islands. Nowhere in the Okavango do we experience more extreme contrasts in the seasons. From about May to late September, the floods arrive and the floodplains fill up with crystal clear waters. From October to April, the flood levels drop and the floodplains turn into savannah grasslands. Jao is a multi~activity camp. Mekoros, boating, walks, game drives and night drives are all on offer all year. The primary focus of the activities changes according to the time of year and the flood levels.

KINGS POOL CAMP - A Premier Safari Camp
Linyanti
Kings Pool Camp is located in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, bordering on the western boundary of Chobe National Park in Northern Botswana. The reserve consists of 125,000 hectares of unspoiled wilderness. Most of the area is characterised by open grassland, riverine forest, mixed terminalia woodland and the dry Savuti Channel. The camp overlooks the Kings Pool Lagoon and the Linyanti River to the north. Accommodation is in ten tented rooms with well~appointed, private bathrooms. Each room is built on a raised deck with wonderful views onto the Kings Pool Lagoon and its wildlife. The tents have been designed to ensure that each guest is totally comfortable and private, while at the same time offering all the atmosphere of a tented camp in Africa. Each bathroom is tiled and has a shower, toilet and hand basin. There are outside showers, too. The main lounge, pub and dining room are under thatch and there is an open air "Kgotla" for dining under the stars. There is a swimming pool as well as a hide on the periphery of the camp where guests can watch game safely during the midday "siesta" hours.

The area is most noted for its very large Elephant populations, which can reach enormous densities in the winter months. Impala, Lechwe, Kudu, Zebra, Giraffe, Sitatunga, Sable, Roan, Waterbuck, Buffalo, Bushbuck and the smaller antelope are all found here. The major predators, such as Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild Dog and Hyena, are resident and regularly sighted. The reed and papyrus swamps are ideal for numerous and diverse species of birds, ranging from the Fish Eagle to waterfowl, cranes, storks, plovers and herons. One of the camp's highlights are the wildlife sounds: very few camps in Africa are noisier! The pre~dawn chorus of bird song starts off the morning. Hippos grunt and snort all day, Baboons bark and screech, Elephants wander through camp and trumpet, and Lions often roar around the camp at night! The private reserve borders on Chobe National Park, but the activities here are not limited to the rules and regulations of Chobe. We can therefore offer game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives and walks. In addition, the lodge has a double-decker boat which cruises the Linyanti River, offering wonderful opportunities to view game and birds from the water when water levels allow. There are also a number of great hides in the area where guests can view wildlife peacefully.


MOMBO AND LITTLE MOMBO CAMP - Premier Safari Camps
Moremi Game Reserve


Hidden from the world within Botswana's Okavango Delta and situated just off the north~western tip of Chiefs Island, is the secret paradise of Mombo. The "new" Mombo Camp is situated deep within the Moremi Game Reserve, on a scenic island about 800 metres from the old Mombo. Large concentrations of wildlife occur right in front of the new camp. It is not impossible to see up to twelve different mammal species from the comfort of your veranda! Giant umbrella thorns and Ilala palms dot the expansive plains to create a magnificent savannah landscape alongside the marshes and floodplains of the Delta.

As a year~round exclusive wildlife destination (especially for predators), Mombo has a record unequalled in Africa. This area provides one of the highest quality wildlife viewing opportunities on earth. Many of the Cheetah photos reproduced in National Geographic's December 1999 issue and the photos of wild dog in the May 1999 issue were taken here. Mombo was rated as one of the top destinations of the 'Ultimate Safari' in the March 1999 issue of Conde Nast Traveler. Mombo also ranks as one of the best lodges in Southern Africa according to the July 2000 issue of Harpers and Queen.

The design of the new Mombo is radically different from the old Mombo while still retaining its tented charm. The camp has a total of 12 identical guest rooms divided into two distinct and independent camps. Mombo has 9 rooms and Little Mombo has 3 rooms. Each tented room is raised off the ground offering great views over the floodplains. The new rooms will have a tented camp feel, but are luxuriously appointed. The bathrooms are en suite, including an indoor shower with hot and cold running water. There is also an outdoor shower. The main living area is under thatch and canvas. There are pools at both camps. We will have raised walkways to link bedrooms and the living area. Mombo Camp has a "kgotla" or boma for outdoor dining under the stars.

Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and all the major predators are common in the region. A large pack of Wild Dogs frequents the area around the camp and has been successful in raising many litters in recent years. The excellent game at Mombo has made this area Botswana's top wildlife documentary location. National Geographic, the BBC and many others have filmed here. Birdlife is prolific, with waterfowl and waders being particularly common. Drives in open 4x4 vehicles explore the savannah and floodplains where large concentrations of wildlife and birds abound. Experienced guides will accompany you, ensuring that early morning and late afternoon excursions are interesting and educational. When the new Moremi regulations come into place, night drives will be allowed.

CLASSIC SAFARI CAMPS
CHITABE CAMP - A Classic Safari Camp
Moremi Game Reserve

Chitabe (pronounced Chitaabee) is located in a 28000 hectare photographic reserve alongside the Moremi Game Reserve. The reserve's boundary in the east is the Gomoti Channel and the Santantadibe River in the west. The area is made up of a superb variety of habitats, which include waterways and marshlands, dry acacia and mopane woodland, riverine areas, open grasslands and seasonally flooded plains. Chitabe has the classic Okavango scenery. Chitabe offers guests game drives in open 4x4 vehicles during the day and at night, as well as nature walks. This is not a water activities camp. Chitabe has been operational since 1997 and has developed an outstanding reputation.

The camp itself is situated on one of the most beautiful islands in the Delta. Surrounded by ancient ebony, leadwood and sausage trees, Chitabe offers eight luxurious, twin~bedded, East African style tents, built on elevated wooden decks under a lush canopy of indigenous trees. Each luxury tent has en suite facilities with hot and cold running water. A separate thatched dining room, pub, lounge and pool area is linked by raised walkways. The raised decks offer superb views over the open floodplain in front of the camp.

Wildlife seen here includes Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard and Cheetah. Wild Dog are among the major game attractions of the area. Guests should also see Zebra, Reedbuck, Red Lechwe, Impala, and all the plains game. Night drives can be very rewarding, giving rare opportunities to view animals such as Pangolin, Civet Cat, Genet Cat, Porcupine and Aardwolf.


CHITABE TRAILS CAMP- A Classic Safari Camp
Moremi Game Reserve

Chitabe Trails Camp is situated in a different part of the same island as Chitabe Camp within Botswana's Okavango Delta. Even though the two camps are relatively close together, they are run as totally separate entities, and each camp has its own staff, managers and guides. The camp is ideal for small parties who are looking for their own private camp, as well as those individuals who prefer an even smaller camp. The camp itself is situated on one of the most beautiful islands in the Delta. Surrounded by ancient ebony, leadwood and sausage trees, Chitabe Trails has five tents and usually accommodates six or seven guests in the same luxurious tents as those of Chitabe. A few nights per year we may go to eight guests, but this is not normal. The main difference between Chitabe and Chitabe Trails is that the tents at Chitabe Trails are not raised on wooden decking but are built on the ground. This camp's roomy tents have bathrooms en suite, as well as an additional outdoor shower. Pathways connect the guest tents with the main area. The dining room, lounge and pub areas are under canvas overlooking the waterway in front of the camp. There is a great pool, too.

Chitabe Trails is strictly a game viewing camp ~ no water activities are offered here. We travel out into the field in the morning and afternoon, returning usually after dark where we can often spot the shyer nocturnal animals. The game drive is in the same area as Chitabe's guests, so the game viewing experience is identical. Wildlife seen here includes Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard and Cheetah. Wild Dog are among the major game attractions of the area. Guests should also see Zebra, Reedbuck, Red Lechwe, Impala, and all the plains game. Night drives can be very rewarding, giving rare opportunities to view animals such as Pangolin, Civet Cat, Serval, Porcupine and Aardwolf.


DAMA TAU CAMP - A Classic Safari Camp
Linyanti

The Linyanti Reserve consists of 125,000 hectares of prime wildlife countryside in Northern Botswana. The reserve is bordered to the north by the Linyanti River and to the east by the Chobe National Park. Two thirds of the Savuti Channel is situated within this reserve. The region has all the habitat diversity to make it a haven for wildlife. There are excellent grasslands and waterholes along the Savuti Channel and along the Linyanti. Inland, there are acacia and mopane forests, which sustain large numbers of Elephants in the winter months. The Savuti area is famous for its Lions, which have been documented in National Geographic films. It is in this reserve that DumaTau is situated. DumaTau is built under cool mangosteen trees overlooking an enormous lagoon. It is located just east of the source of the Savuti Channel. Accommodation is in nine luxurious, raised, tented rooms under thatch with en suite facilities with hot and cold running water, flush toilets and shower. Each room has an additional outdoor open~air shower, for those who prefer to be closer to nature. There is a dining room, pub, lounge, a plunge pool and a guest "loo" with a fantastic view.

Elephants are one of the area's biggest attractions, especially in the dry winter months, along with the Red Lechwe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Impala, Waterbuck, Sable, Roan, Eland, Giraffe, Baboon, Monkey, Warthog, Crocodile and Buffalo. Then there are the predators ~ Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild Dog and Hyena ~ and the nocturnal animals ~ Bushbabies, Spring Hare, Aardwolf, Serval, Genet, Pangolin ~ and the smaller predators. Birding is great here ~ from the Okavango "specials", such as Slaty Egret, Whiterumped Babblers and Wattled Cranes, to the bushveld species.DumaTau offers day and night game drives along the Linyanti and Savuti as well as short nature walks. The camp's boat allows guests access to the waterways to observe the Hippos at close range (water levels permitting). There are a number of hides in the area which give guests the opportunity to observe and photograph animals close up in their natural environment without disturbance.


DUBA PLAINS CAMP– A Classic Safari Camp
Okavango Delta

Duba Plains is one of the Okavango Delta's most remote camps and is located in the furthermost reaches of the Okavango Delta in a very private reserve of 30,000 hectares. The camp is built on an island shaded by large ebony, fig and garcinia trees and surrounded by expansive plains which are seasonally flooded ~ usually from about May to early October each year, depending on the rains in central Africa. Since Duba has access to large islands, floodplains and marshes, the camp offers a diversity of experiences. Duba's real treat is its exclusivity and it is particularly suited to those who want to be far away.

Duba Plains is small and intimate, accommodating only twelve people. Guests receive a highly personalised experience.
Each of the six large tented rooms has an en suite bathroom with shower and flush toilet facilities as well as a veranda overlooking the floodplain. The dining room and pub are raised on decking under large riverine trees. There is a small communal pool too.

The wildlife at Duba Plains is fascinating. As the vast open grasslands are often isolated from the mainland by deep waterways, the variety of animals is not as high as in other areas within the Okavango. However, Duba Plains more than makes up for this as it is a high impact game viewing area. Thousands of buffalo are hunted almost daily by up to four different prides of lions. Often the hunting is during the day - so one gets great photo opportunities. Lechwe, buffalo, elephant, tsessebe and warthog dot the savannah and hippo concentrate in the deeper channels. We often have productive hyena dens in the area that offer great hyena cub viewing. Leopard are found on the forested islands. Most of the Okavango Delta's birdlife is found in the area and birding "specials" like wattled crane and slaty egret are often seen.

Duba Plains offers a variety of activities and the focus depends on how much water is in the area. Guests may choose between game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, mokoro excursions and walking safaris. The night drives often provide opportunities to photograph Africa's elusive nocturnal animals in action. Mekoros are best from May to October. For the rest of the year we can usually offer shorter mokoro excursions, but the activities concentrate more on game drives, night drives and walks.


KWETSANI CAMP - A Classic Safari Camp
Okavango Delta

Kwetsani Island is a large, elongated island surrounded by enormous open plains in Botswana's Okavango Delta. It is located in the private Jao Reserve, an area of 60,000 hectares to the west of Mombo and the Moremi Game Reserve. The island is heavily wooded with palm, mangosteen and fig trees. The water levels around the island change each year, depending on the magnitude of the annual floods from central Africa. The water levels at Kwetsani are at their highest from April or May to September each year. Kwetsani Camp is a small, intimate, ten~bedded luxury camp and is raised on wooden decks above the lush ground vegetation. The five spacious and lavish "tree~house" chalets are built under thatched roofs and have canvas and pole walls. En suite facilities under thatch include a shower, flush toilet and basin, with an additional outdoor shower. The rooms have an open, airy feel about them, with a superb view of the surrounding plains. The dining room, lounge and pub area is situated under cool thatch.

Hippo, Sitatunga antelope and Crocodile reside in the deeper permanent lily~filled lagoons of the area. Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog, Cheetah, Tsessebe and Lechwe are among the major game attractions at Kwetsani. Nocturnal animals such as Porcupine, Aardwolf, Serval, Genet and Bushbaby can be observed on the night drives (water levels permitting). Kwetsani offers superb land and water activities ~ with much of the focus depending on the water levels from the region's annual flood. In addition to stalking game by mokoro, you will also be able to enjoy exploring palm~fringed islands on foot. Day game drives are a highlight, enabling guests to experience varied and diverse game viewing. Guests have excellent chances of spotting predators during the day as well as on night drives.

LITTLE VUMBURA CAMP - A Classic Safari Camp
Okavango Delta

Little Vumbura is one of our very small camps. The camp accommodates ten guests on a wonderful island in the same region as its sister camp Vumbura in Botswana's Okavango Delta. The focus at Little Vumbura is slightly more on the water activities than at Vumbura as the camp is surrounded by water. This camp is also closer to the permanent waters of the big, fast~flowing rivers. However game viewing by vehicle is very much one of the highlights.

Little Vumbura has five tents under an enormous canopy of ancient Okavango forest with ebony, marula, knobthorn, garcinia and fig being the dominant trees. Attractive palms give the island a wonderful tropical feel and bring the Elephants onto the island, especially towards the end of winter. Each tent is large and roomy and has en suite facilities, as well as an outside shower for those who want to be even closer to nature. The dining room and pub are under canvas and have been built in and around the existing trees. There is a pool for relaxing by in the quiet of the day. One of the camp's attractions is the outdoor dining area. Wooden decks have been built on the floodplains and dinners under the stars are a wonderful experience.
Little Vumbura has both the wetland and savannah species of wildlife ~ Red Lechwe, Waterbuck, Hippos, Crocodiles, as well as Sable, Kudu, Wildebeest and Tsessebe, who roam the open plains. On game drives we often see more Sable than we do Impala. Herds of Buffalo and Elephant occur here, along with the predators ~ Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog and Cheetah. Guests who enjoy their birding will love the combination of all the Okavango water "specials" with acacia and dry woodland species. Like Vumbura, this camp offers the full house of activities in boats, mekoros, walks, drives and fishing. Game drives are conducted in open 4x4 Land Rovers with experienced guides. Night drives are possible nearly all year, but may be restricted for a few months in the middle of each year if we have extremely high flood levels. The variety of wildlife here is stunning. Guests can go out by boat in the morning and see Hippos, Crocodiles, Red Lechwe and all the aquatic wildlife ~ and then travel out by Land Rover in the afternoon to see Elephant, Sable and all the dry savannah game.


SAVUTI CAMP - A Classic Safari Camp
Linyanti

Savuti Camp is situated in the southern part of the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve in Northern Botswana. It is built along the Savuti Channel and can accommodate eight guests at a time. The Savuti Channel is a legendary wildlife region, best known for its large number of predators. When the channel flows, water travels from the Linyanti marshes into the interior of Chobe National Park. The channel stopped flowing in 1980 and what was a Hippo~filled river is now wide open grasslands. Savuti Camp is a small and intimate tented camp in an isolated area, far from any crowds. If you are looking for that Savuti experience of old, Savuti Camp should not be missed. Accommodation is in five large comfortable walk~in tents with en suite facilities. Each tent has its own bathroom with a shower, handbasin and flush toilet. There is a separate dining room and pub under reed and thatch, as well as a plunge pool. Three of the tented rooms have bathrooms inside the tents and two of the rooms have more open bathrooms with two of the best bathroom views in Africa

Game concentrations here are high, especially in our winter months. Besides your normal plains game, the area has good concentrations of Roan, Sable and Giraffe. All the predators occur in the area ~ Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and Wild Dog. We have already identified 40 different Lion along the channel around the camp. The Chobe/Linyanti area is renowned for its dense Elephant population and for some of the best Elephant viewing anywhere in Africa in the winter months. As the waterhole in front of the camp is the only supply of water for a large area in the dry winter months, one of the highlights for Savuti Camp is the fantastic wildlife viewing directly from the camp. Hides at other waterholes are also a special feature. As Savuti Camp is within the private Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, activities are not limited to the rules and regulations of Chobe. We can therefore offer game drives, night drives and walks with an armed guide. We also have a number of elevated hides where guests can view animals quietly and safely away from vehicles.


VUMBURA CAMP - A Classic Safari Camp
Okavango Delta

Vumbura Camp is situated about 25 kms north of Mombo, in the neighbouring northern private reserve of 60,000 hectares, within Botswana's Okavango Delta. Vumbura can offer both water and land activities as this area has scenic waterways and is also close to the Okavango's outermost open savannahs. The water levels around the camp change each year depending on the level of the annual floods from central Africa. The privacy of this area is one of Vumbura's main attractions ~ along with its great wildlife and superb all~round Okavango experience. Vumbura has nine large, luxury tented rooms, sleeping a maximum of sixteen guests. Each room has hot and cold running water, flush toilet and shower en suite as well as an outside shower. The rooms are tastefully decorated and give Vumbura guests a wonderful feeling of remote Africa ~ while still being comfortable. The main dining, lounge and pub area is tucked beneath a canopy of shady indigenous trees with a superb view across the floodplain. There is a plunge pool, too.

Vumbura has both the wetland and savannah species of wildlife ~ Red Lechwe, Waterbuck, Hippos, Crocodiles, as well as Sable, Kudu, Wildebeest and Tsessebe, who roam the open plains. On game drives we often see more Sable than we do Impala. Herds of Buffalo and Elephant occur here, along with the predators ~ Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog and Cheetah. Guests who enjoy their birding will love the combination of all the Okavango water "specials" with acacia and dry woodland species. Vumbura offers mokoro excursions, walks, boating and game drives. Game drives are conducted in open 4x4 Land Rovers with experienced guides. Night drives are possible nearly all year, but may be restricted for a few months in the middle of each year if we have extremely high flood levels. The variety of wildlife here is stunning. Guests can go out by boat in the morning and see Hippos, Crocodiles, Red Lechwe and all the aquatic wildlife ~ and then travel out by Land Rover in the afternoon to see Elephant, Sable and all the dry savannah game.


XIGERA CAMP - A Classic Safari Camp
Okavango Delta

Xigera (pronounced Keejera) is one of the Okavango and Botswana's best kept secrets. Built in one of the most beautiful corners of the Okavango, Xigera Camp is is situated on "Paradise Island" within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is in an area which has permanent water all year round, which makes it the perfect water and land activity camp. It is one of the only Okavango camps to offer mekoros and boating trips, foot safaris and game drives in total privacy, with the main emphasis being on water activities. Xigera was rated as one of the top destinations of the 'Ultimate Safari' in the March 1999 issue of Conde Nast Traveler.
The new Xigera opened in April 2000. The old camp has been completely torn down and a wonderful new camp has been built on a new and better site on the island. The camp takes a maximum of sixteen guests in superb and comfortably furnished tented rooms. En suite bathrooms indoors have showers, flush toilets and an outdoor toilet and shower. The rooms are built within a shady grove and overlook a floodplain and waterhole which is often teeming with Red Lechwe and other animals. Meals are enjoyed in the dining room overlooking the main river, which, along with the pub and lounge area, is under thatch. Raised walkways connect the rooms to the dining area. There is a plunge pool.
Xigera has excellent birding. Pel's Fishing Owl, Wattled Crane, African Skimmers, Slaty Egret, Rufousbellied Heron, Swamp Boubou and a host of eagles, vultures and raptors will keep the bird~lover fully occupied. The rare Sitatunga antelope are at their highest density in the Okavango in the Xigera area. Stalking Sitatunga silently by mokoro is an experience never to be forgotten. The wooden foot bridge, which connects this island to the next, is often used by Lion and Leopard to move between islands. Many a guest has enjoyed Lion viewing from the dining room. When water levels permit, game drives are an attraction. Some years we can drive throughout the year. If there has been a very high flood, we can only usually drive from late September to April.
Xigera has something for everyone, in an area where there are no other Moremi camps. Great scenery and activities in a totally private setting make Xigera a wonderful area. The quiet waterways offer perfect mokoro opportunities ~ some lucky guests have even seen Leopard from their mekoros. Game drives give guests a different perspective of the area. Boating takes one further afield, and the walks offer the opportunity to get close to wild Africa. When the new park rules come into effect in 2001 or 2002, night drives will also be allowed. To get the best wildlife experience, we suggest you mix your activities.


VINTAGE SAFARI CAMPS
JACANA CAMP – A Vintage Safari Camp
Okavango Delta

Jacana Camp is situated about 25kms west of Mombo, outside the Moremi Game reserve on the Jao flats - a reserve of 60,000 hectares. It is a true water camp and offers mokoro and walking safaris all year round. As the floodwaters recede game driving and night drives in open 4x4 land rovers are available from October to March. Jacana Camp has five small meru-style tents accommodating a maximum of eight guests. Each tent is on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains and has an en suite bathroom with flush toilet and shower. The main dining area is on the top floor of an elevated wooden deck between two magnificent sycamore figs and surrounded by dense wild date palms. Downstairs, there is a cosy pub and lounge with an area for an open fire under the stars.

The camp is set in one of the most densely populated wetland areas for Sitatunga and Red Lechwe. Hippos and crocodiles are regularly sited. In the dry season on the floodplains wildebeest and zebra occur and in the woodlands to the west, Elephant and Buffalo. Lions, Cheetah, Leopard and Wild Dog are occasionally sited on the floodplains. This is a prime area for wetland bird species, including Wattled Cranes, Pels Fishing Owls as well as greater and lesser Jacanas.


KARAROTA CAMP– A Vintage Safari Camp
Okavango Delta

Five meru-style en suite tents are raised up on decks, and have wonderful views over the surrounding islands and floodplains. The bathrooms are enclosed, but roofless. The thatched dining and pub area is connected to the opposite island by a walkway bridge, and is raised on a teak deck overlooking the channel.

Kaparota has both the wetland and savannah species of wildlife - Red Lechwe, Waterbuck, Hippos, Crocodiles, as well as Sable, Kudu, Wildebeest and Tsessebe, who roam the open plains. Herds of Buffalo and Elephant occur here, along with the predators - Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog and Cheetah. Guests who enjoy their birding will love the combination of all the Okavango water "specials" with acacia and dry woodland species. Birding in the area is incredible, and species include White Headed Vulture, African Hawk Eagle, Roufusnaped Lark, Meyers Parrot, and Pels fishing owl.

Kaparota offers game drives, guided walks (at the final discretion of the camp manager), and mekoro rides. Game drives are conducted in open 4x4 Land Rovers with experienced guides. Night drives are possible nearly all year, but may be restricted for a few months in the middle of each year if we have extremely high flood levels. The variety of wildlife here is stunning. Guests can go out by boat in the morning and see Hippos, Crocodiles, Red Lechwe and all the aquatic wildlife - and then travel out by Land Rover in the afternoon to see Elephant, Sable and all the dry savannah game.


LINYANTI TENTED CAMP - A Vintage Safari Camp
Linyanti

Linyanti Tented Camp is situated in the exclusive, Linyanti Wildlife Reserve in Northern Botswana. It is located to the east of Kings Pool and close to the western boundary of Chobe National Park. Linyanti is built in a secluded area of the 125,000 hectare reserve. The region's key feature is the Linyanti River and marshes, which are complemented by the contrasting dry woodlands inland. Massive lagoons and steadily flowing rivers abound with papyrus and phragmites. The heavily forested riverine fringes blend into dry countryside further inland, away from the river. The camp sleeps a maximum of eight guests in five comfortable tents, all with en suite facilities (hot and cold running water, showers and flush toilets). The dining area and pub area are also under canvas. The camp has the rustic charm of an old~style safari camp with a great atmosphere and feeling of intimacy.

This area is best known for its enormous herds of Elephant, which move down to the Linyanti River at the start of our winter months and only retrace their steps inland once the main rains arrive. Sable and Roan Antelope occur, as well as Lion, Leopard and Wild Dog. The marshes are home to Red Lechwe, Sitatunga, Hippo, Crocodiles and wonderful birdlife. Moving along the fringes of the waterways, guests can see Kudu, Zebra, Buffalo, Waterbuck and Impala. These are varied and include game drives, both by day and by night in open 4x4s, game and bird walks, canoeing in stable "Canadian" canoes on the large lagoons and boating on the smaller waterways. Everything possible is on offer!


POM POM CAMP - A Vintage Safari Camp
Okavango Delta

Pom Pom is located in the heart of the Okavango in a private concession to the west of the Moremi Game Reserve. Pom Pom offers great Okavango scenery with game drives, night drives, walks and mokoro safaris as the main activities on offer. This is a 12-bedded safari camp built and designed in the style of safari camps of old. The camp overlooks a scenic lagoon and is built under a grove of shady trees. This is a camp for the safari traditionalist.

Pom Pom has six large walk-in tents, with en suite showers and flush toilets. The bathrooms are enclosed, but roofless - for a true bush experience. There is no electricity in the camp. Instead, paraffin lamps give a wonderfully warm atmosphere.

All the big predators, and Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest can be seen. If you are lucky, some of the nocturnal animals such as Serval, Civet and Genet may be seen on night drives.

Guests can choose from game drives, nature walks, fisihg and mokoro excursions. Night drives in open 4x4 Lan Rovers are also permitted. Hippo and Crocodile are found in the deeper lagoons in the area. Birding enthusiasts will enjoy sighting Pells Fisihg Owl, African Fish Eagle, Giant Eagle Owl and White Backed Vultures.


TUBU TREE CAMP - A Vintage Safari Camp
Okavango Delta

Tubu Tree Camp is a traditional style tented safari camp built on to raised wooden platforms to take best advantage of the beautiful view over the floodplains. The camp sleeps a maximum of 10 guests in 5 large and comfortable tents. The tents have a small and private deck in front. Each tent has en suite bathroom facilities, with hot and cold running water, consisting of flush toilet, handbasin, and private outdoor shower. The main dining and lounge areas are also large tents on raised platforms, with an outdoor pub area built under the canopy of a large marula tree.

A variety of habitats ensures diverse and interesting game viewing, as well as spectacular birding. Wildlife seen here includes Elephant, Lion, Zebra, Red Lechwe, Giraffe, Tsessebe, and Wildebeest on the floodplains. Kudu, Impala, Leopard and Bushbuck are also seen in the forested areas. During our winter months, the water levels rise and the floodplains become covered with water, permitting water activities. The variety of bird life is impressive with dry land species seen on the large islands and all the wetland birds seen on the floodplains and waterways.

Tubu Tree Camp offers game drives with experienced guides in open 4 x 4 vehicles during the day and night, as well as walking with an armed guide. When the flood is in, boating, fishing and mokoro trips are also offered. Full day adventurous transfers by mekoros can also be undertaken during the flood season, to transfer to Jacana Camp that is a water camp in the eastern area of the Jao concession.


For a copy of these tours:  Click Here (Twelve Pages)

 

 

   
  by Alpha Travel  

 

MAP AND INFO ON BOTSWANA

OTHER INFORMATION
AIRFARE
BALLOON SAFARI
FLIGHT SCHEDULES
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PRICES & DATES

WHAT TO EXPECT

 

       
   

 

Photos may not be reproduced without written permission.
© 2002 Safari Express Company

 

  Photos with an * at the end of their caption can be enlarged by clicking on it.