DISCOVER BOTSWANA

12 Nights, 13 Days

This program suites repeat clients that are looking to explore new areas of Botswana. The Kalahari spans over two thirds of Botswana, and offers some amazing landscapes, that are host to an array of desert wildlife.

Highlights

1 Night Maun Lodge

3 Nights Central Kalahari Game Reserve

2 Nights Nxai Pan

3 Nights Khwai Concession Area

3 Nights Moremi Game Reserve

Day 1 Arrival Maun-Maun Lodge 

Upon your arrival at Maun Airport with Airlink flight 4Z300 from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg OR Airlink Flight 4Z314 if you are coming from Cape Town, Royale Wilderness Guide will meet you and transfer you to Maun lodge, which is roughly 15 minutes from the Airport. You can rest here for the afternoon by the pool and fight off some jet leg. Your Guide will join you and go over the safari program over dinner.

Activities:                   There are no planned activities.

Accommodations:    Maun Lodge

Day 2 Moving Day- Maun to Deception Valley, Central Kalahari Game Reserve 

After breakfast and last minute shopping in Maun, we begin our journey to Deception Valley in Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The journey goes southerly direction, past Makalamabedi village, to Phefodiahoka Gate before entering CKGR at Matswere Gate.  We will have a picnic lunch en-route as well as good game viewing as we arrive in camp later in the afternoon.

Your camp will already be set by your capable Crew who would have left Maun earlier than you. Your expected time of arrival at camp is around 1700hrs.

Activities:                   Afternoon Game Driving into camp.

Accommodations:    Royale Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 3 Deception Valley, Central Kalahari Game Reserve 

After morning tea and breakfast you set off to explore this ancient river bed that once carried waters from great rivers in to north to sea. Fossilised and much drier today, it is habit to a great many species of the desert conditions. Species like Gemsbok, Springbok, Hartebeest, Brown Hyena and Aardwolf that are not seen in the northern parks are found here. It goes without saying that it is great Habitat for Cheetah and other big predators like Lion and Leopard. We return to camp for Lunch and an early afternoon rest in camp.

We start the afternoon game drive after the afternoon tea. There are many places to explore in this region. The Waterhole at Sunday pan is always worth the visit whether it is in the morning or afternoon. It is always worth it to go via Leopard Pan on the way there or back. After a Sundowner in the VALLEY, you get back into camp early in the evening for dinner.

Activities:                   Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Game Drive

Accommodations:    Royale Wilderness Tented Camp 

Day 4 Deception Valley, Central Kalahari Game Reserve 

We set off to a new area after breakfast. Letiahau is another water hole some distance south of Camp. The trip there takes you past Deception Valley pan. Because of the openness of the Kalahari, one finds a lot of Honey Badger activity, digging for grubs in valley floors. Very often they are followed by Pale Chanting Goshawks. Bat Eared Fox are also in abundance here. We return to camp for lunch and some rest, before setting off again in the afternoon for the afternoon game drive and a Sundowner in the valley.

There is a great book that captures the life of the Kalahari, written by Mark and Delia Owens called ‘The Cry of the Kalahari’. This young couple lived not very far from our camp, and we drive past where they used to live daily. The site will look familiar with some of the pictures in their book. We return for a delicious dinner in camp after sunset.

 Activities:                   Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Game Drive

Accommodations:    Royale Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 5 Moving Day-Deception Valley to Nxai Pan

After morning breakfast we set off to Nxai pan. The heading is more north easterly direction, through Makgadikgadi game reserve, arriving in camp later in the afternoon. Nxai Pan is east of Maun, and not in the grander scales as Central Kalahari. Big heads of Zebras migrate to here in the rainy season. We will have a Sundowner in camp, an early shower, dinner and sleep.

Activities:                   Game driving out of CKGR. Afternoon Game Driving into Nxai Pan

Accommodations:    Royale Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 6 Nxai Pan, Nxai Pan National Park 

After morning tea and breakfast, we set of to explore Nxai Pan. The waterhole here is the main attraction, but more active in the afternoon when the resident wildlife comes to drink after a hot day in the sun. This is the only place in Botswana where one sees both Impala and Springbok in one habitat. It is not unusual to find Lions at the waterhole in the morning, but Cheetah, Bat Eared Foxes are quite common here too. You get back to camp late morning to a hearty brunch, a short nap, reading or a bucket shower.

 Not far South of Nxai pan there is a cluster of Baobabs, on the edge of Kudiakam Pan, made famous by explorer and missionary by the name of Thomas Baines. He documented them in the 1870’s and they still stand today, quite like in the drawing. The afternoon game drive could be a visit to these Baobabs, returning to a Sundowner in camp before dinner. 

Activities:                   Morning Game Drive. Afternoon Game Drive

Accommodations:    Royale Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 7 Moving day- Nxai Pan to Khwai Concession Area 

After breakfast we begin our journey to the Khwai Concession area. We will refuel and have lunch at Hilary’s in Maun. With last minute shopping done, we head northerly direction past the Shorobe village to the Khwai Concession Area.

There are good sightings of Bull Elephants, Giraffe, Zebra and sometimes big heads of Buffalo encountered en-route. There is also lovely Impala, Greater Kudu and Steenbok just to mention a few. Look out for African Hawk Eagle, Tawny Eagle, and Arnot’s Chat in the Mopane woodland.

The arrival in Khwai is via the picturesque Khwai River, which is often teaming with wildlife drinking in the late afternoons, with arrival in camp expected at 1700hrs. You will have a Sundowner in camp, a hot bucket shower and early dinner. 

Activities:                   Game driving from Nxai Pan to Khwai via Maun.

Accommodations:    Royale Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 8 Khwai Concession Area 

After morning breakfast, you set off for a morning game drive, which takes you along the Khwai River and its floodplains looking for Lion, Leopard and hunting Wild dogs. African rivers have resident species like Hippopotamus, Crocodiles and great birdlife. They are also a draw for thirsty wildlife, which in turn attracts predator life. The other species seen here are Red Lechwe, Common Reedbuck, Waterbuck, Giraffe, Impala, heads of Cape Buffalo, Elephants, Sable Antelope, Black Backed and Side Striped Jackal, Zebra and Wildebeest. There is a good chance of Lessor Jacana, the rare Pel’s fishing owl, and Saddle billed Stork, Wattled Crane, Malachite Kingfisher, Rebilled and Hottentot Teal at Leopard Lagoon. There is always a Coffee break on a morning game drive, arriving in camp late morning to a hearty brunch, some time to relax in camp, read a book, a little nap or a shower.

After the afternoon tea, you head off for the afternoon game drive, normally in a different direction to the morning activity. This activity can include a short hike/game walk before returning to the vehicle for a Sundowner, which is usually by the river while watching wildlife drinking. You will arrive in camp for a hot bucket shower and a delicious 3 course dinner. A night game drive may follow before sleep time. But this is an optional activity for those that are interested.

Activities:                   Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Game Drive, Night Drive.

Accommodations:    Royale Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 9 Khwai Concession Area

 The Khwai river front, Matswere area, Leopard Lagoon, Lechwe plains, Sable Alley and the Chobe boundary area offer a lot to be seen. Much of the Khwai wildlife roams between these habitats, and after the morning breakfast you will be heading into some of these areas to find good wildlife. You will head back to camp late morning to a delicious brunch before settling in camp for some downtime and a shower.

After afternoon tea, you are off for an afternoon game drive and a Sundowner by the river watching Hippopotamus get ready to head out for their nightly feed. You drive back to camp much later than normal, with a spotlighting to catch some of the nightly wildlife coming out.

 Activities:                   Morning and afternoon Game drive, leading into an evening drive.

Accommodations:    Royale Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 10 Moving Day-Khwai to Xini/Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve 

After breakfast, we begin our journey to the Xakanaxa or Xini areas of Moremi Game Reserve. We will have a picnic lunch en-route as well as good game viewing before your arrival in camp later in the afternoon. We journey through the Khwai floodplains often full of Lechwe, Giraffe, Zebra, Hippopotamus and occasionally predators like Lion and Wild Dogs. There is great birdlife in all the habitats that you will be journeying through. We arrive in Camp late afternoon to an early Sundowner, shower and a delicious dinner.

Activities:                   Morning Game driving out of Khwai. Afternoon Game Driving into camp.

Accommodations:    Royale Wilderness Tented Camping

Day 11 Xini/Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve 

After breakfast you set off on a morning game drive. Whether you are at Xini or Xakanaxa, you are in close proximity to very rich wildlife areas like Bodumatau, 2nd Bridge areas, Mboma Loop, Dead Tree Island and Paradise pools. Moremi is also world renowned for its Wild dog population, and any visit to any these places could be rewarding with good Wild Dog activity, Cheetah, Leopard and Lions. Heads of Buffalo, Elephants, Zebra, and Red Lechwe are very common in the floodplains of this part of the Okavango Delta. You get back to camp late morning to a hearty brunch, a short nap, reading or a bucket shower.

 The Afternoon Game drive stars after the afternoon tea. Most animals visit the rivers in the afternoons to quench their thirst after a day of baking in the Kalahari heat. Heads of Elephants traversing from the woodlands, into the floodplains swim across these rivers daily after drinking. The day ends with a Sundowner, a Gin Tonic or a chilled white wine at sunset. You return to camp after sunset, to a hot bucket shower and a three Course dinner followed by a night cap by the fire.

Activities:                   Morning and Afternoon Game Drive

Accommodations:    Royale Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 12 Xini/Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve

After breakfast you set off on a morning game drive. Whether you are at Xini or Xakanaxa, you are in close proximity to very rich wildlife areas like Bodumatau, 2nd Bridge areas, Mboma Loop, Dead Tree Island and Paradise pools. Moremi is also world renowned for its Wild dog population, and any visit to any these places could be rewarding with good Wild Dog activity, Cheetah, Leopard and Lions. Heads of Buffalo, Elephants, Zebra, and Red Lechwe are very common in the floodplains of this part of the Okavango Delta. You get back to camp late morning to a hearty brunch, a short nap, reading or a bucket shower.

 The Afternoon Game drive stars after the afternoon tea. Most animals visit the rivers in the afternoons to quench their thirst after a day of baking in the Kalahari heat. Heads of Elephants traversing from the woodlands into the floodplains swim across these rivers daily after drinking. The day ends with a Sundowner, a Gin Tonic or a chilled white wine at sunset.  You return to camp after sunset, to a hot bucket shower and a three Course dinner followed by a night cap by the fire.

 Activities:                   Morning and Afternoon Game Drive

Accommodations:    Royale Wilderness Tented Camp

Day 13 Transfer to Xakanaxa Airstrip-Charter Flight to Maun 

After morning breakfast you leave camp for the last time and drive leisurely game viewing towards the Xakanaxa Airstrip. You will bid your Guide goodbye here followed by a 30 minute flight to Maun Airport for onward connections. Guests flying to Johannesburg will be on Airlink Flight 4Z301 while Airlink Flight 4Z315 will be for Guests going to Cape Town. The flights leave Maun at 14:00HRS and 13:35HRS respectively.

Activities:                   Morning Gamedrive out of camp/Charter flight to Maun Airport.

 END OF ROYALE WILDERNESS ARRENGEMENTS

Included

• All transfers by road from Maun to Camps and between Camps

• Accommodation at Maun Lodge on Bed and Breakfast basis only

• All Game viewing activities as offered by Royale Wilderness

• Scenic flight back from Xakanaxa to Maun Airport

• All accommodations in twin bedded tents with private shower and toilet area

• All meals

• All drinks (South African Wines and a selection of Spirits)

• Park entrance, Camping fees and VAT (Where applicable)

• Emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital

• A 2 hour river Cruise in the Okavango

• Laundry Service (while camping only)

Excluded

• Travel Insurance

• International Flights and Visas

• Airport Taxes

• Tips and Gratuities

• Items of Personal Nature

Possible Wildlife

Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Brown Hyena, Aardwolf, African Wild dog, Side Striped Jackal, Black Backed Jackal, Serval, Caracal, Bat Eared Fox, African Buffalo, African Savannah Elephant, Red Lechwe, Impala, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope, Springbok, Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest, Tsessebe, Steenbok, Ground Squirrel,  Roan Antelope, Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Common Warthog, Steenbok, Blue Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Bush Buck, Nile Crocodile, Ground Squirrel, Tree Squirrel, Banded Mongoose, Yellow Mongoose, Dwarf Mongoose, Slender Mongoose, Leopard Tortoise, Flap-necked Chameleon, Rock Monitor Lizard, Water Monitor Lizard

 There are over 475 species of Birds in Botswana. While there are enough colourful birds throughout the season to fulfil amateur birding interest, the best time for more serious birding is from November through to March. Birding trips can be arranged.

Recommended Flights

Johannesburg to Maun       Depart 1145HRS       Airlink FLIGHT          4Z300 

Cape Town to Maun             Depart 1035HRS       Airlink         FLIGHT          4Z314

Maun to Johannesburg        Depart 1400HRS       Airlink         FLIGHT          4Z301

Maun to Cape Town              Depart 1335HRS       Airlink FLIGHT          4Z315

Please contact us for a quote at: reservations@royalewilderness.com or res1@royalewilderness.com