11 Day Great Wilderness Journey

Overview

This journey takes the time to explore Botswana’s contrasts and extremes in pristine and remote locations. You will have the time to really experience the world-famous Victoria Falls on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River and 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. The skilled rangers and guides accompanying guests are able to share their knowledge on the wildlife and wilderness, as well as advising guests on the best ways to capture everything with their cameras.

Itinerary

Day 1 :  Toka Leya Camp, Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Livingstone, Zambia 
After arrival in Livingstone you will be met by a representative and transferred directly for a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 metres (5604 ft) wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops 103 metres (338 ft) into the basalt depths of the sheer Zambezi Gorge.

Toka Leya Camp is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in the eastern sector of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, some 12 kms(7.46 miles) up from the Victoria Falls. 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.

Days 2 – 4:  Chobe River boat cruise, Chobe National Park and Linyanti Discoverer Camp, Linyanti Concession    
After a full breakfast we leave Toka Leya and transfer by road to Livingstone Airport. On leaving Zambia, we fly over the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet.

Enjoy a leisurely shaded boat cruise along the Chobe River, with a light lunch. This boat cruise offers a unique opportunity to observe puku, large herds of elephant, numerous pods of hippo and large crocodiles, as well as enjoying fantastic views of other general game and diverse birdlife.

We then depart by light aircraft transfer to the private Linyanti Concession. After a short game drive we arrive at our private Discoverer camp, which is elegantly set up under African ebony and knobthorn 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, which reveal 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 roan and sable antelope, plains game and of course their predators, the lion and leopard – with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus.

To complete the experience, it is possible to enjoy a full-day excursion to the Savute Channel, with lunch at a scenic setting. This spectacular day gives guests a real understanding of the geology of Northern Botswana, the relationship with the Great African Rift Valley and the chink in the faultline, where the Savute Channel begins. This channel, now flowing for the first time in three decades has resulted in water reaching into the heart of Chobe National Park through the Linyanti Reserve…and game viewing is as a result both diverse and abundant.

Days 5 – 7:  Khwai Discoverer Camp, Okavango Delta
Depart by light aircraft to Khwai Discoverer Camp, located in a private concession just north of the Khwai River above the Moremi Game Reserve.

The Khwai Concession is one of the most diverse areas in northern Botswana which seldom disappoints when it comes to producing extraordinary wildlife experiences. The life source for this area is the Khwai River – the northernmost “finger” of the Okavango Delta alluvial fan, which provides vital sustenance to numerous animals.

Over time, the Khwai area has metamorphosed into a wide range of exciting wildlife habitats – some of the most varied to be found in the entire Okavango Delta: a blend of forests, floodplain, wetland and grasslands. The narrow Khwai Channel is home to large mammals such as hippo and crocodile with buffalo and red lechwe often seen grazing along the fringe. The beautiful gallery riverine woodland found along the river provides further sanctuary to birds, primates and leopard. Elusive roan antelope often come to the river to drink. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mokoro excursions.

Away from the river there is a wonderful mix of acacia and leadwood trees of varying sizes that abuts into mopane woodland. The latter, together with the permanent presence of water, attracts large numbers of elephant to the area. Larger predators include lion, wild dog and spotted hyaena, while birdlife found here is just as varied thanks to the colourful palette of habitats.

Accommodation is in 6.3m x 3.5m (20.67 ft x 11.48 ft) walk-in canvas 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 minimalist interiors. Separate bedside tables with 12v reading lamps, canvas and wood wardrobes, bathrobes, comfortable beds 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. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mokoro excursions.

Days 8 – 10:  Jacana Camp, Okavango Delta
After breakfast we fly by light aircraft over the shimmering water-world of the Okavango Delta which represents life at its most fertile.

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 levels permitting, motorboat cruises. In fact, when the flood levels are at their peak we are able to motorboat from the airstrip to the camp, a truly surreal arrival! On one of our 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, Lesser Jacana, Western Banded Snake-Eagle and Coppery-tailed Coucal are just some of the birding highlights.

Jacana Camp has 5 Meru-style tents. Each 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 and 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 an intimate pub and lounge with an area perfect for campfires under the stars.

Day 11:  Transfer to Maun Airport
Bid farewell to the adventure as we transfer by light aircraft to Maun Airport.

Wildlife

Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta provides a true big five safari experience, with vast herds of elephant, buffalo and hippo making this fertile region their home, as well as numerous antelope, giraffe and zebra, followed by lion, leopard, cheetah and the stealthy crocodile. The delta environment has large numbers of animal populations that are otherwise rare, such as red lechwe, sitatunga, wild dogs and wattled crane. This area is a popular destination for bird watchers with over 450 species recorded, including many Okavango specials and lots of migrants during the summer months.

Chobe National Park

Renowned for predators and large concentrations of game, particularly Elephant and Buffalo.