Botswana Explorer
BOTSWANA EXPLORER
8 Nights, 9 Days
A similar program to Pioneer, but with an extra 2 more nights. A median safari if you have just a little over a week in Botswana, but want to see great wildlife. Works well with an extension to Victoria FALLS should guests wish to do so.
What to Expect
Great all round general game
Great Predator sighting: Lion, Leopard, Wild dogs, Hyena and a chance of Cheetah in Savuti.
Great all round birding: Wattled Crane, Slaty Egret, Rufous Bellied Heron, Possible Pel’s Fishing owl in Khwai
The amazing Chobe River front
3 Nights Khwai Concession Area
3 Nights Savuti, Chobe National Park
2 Nights Serondela, Chobe River Front Area
Day 1 Arrival Maun-Shared charter flight to Khwai Airstrip
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 staff will help you connect you with the charter company that will fly you to Khwai. Royale Wilderness Guide will be waiting to pick you up at the Khwai Airstrip upon your arrival there. You will do a leisurely drive along the Khwai River towards camp arriving late in the afternoon.
After your arrival, and introduced to the crew in Camp, your guide will give a thorough briefing on safety. It is important that you pay attention to all of the safety briefing, and adhere to these safety precautions at all times while you are on safari. Afterwards, you will be showed the workings of your accommodations.
Activities: Game driving into camp.
Accommodations: Royale Wilderness Tented Camp
Day 2 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.
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 3 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 Hippopotami getting ready to head out for their nightly feed. You drive back to camp much later than normal, with a spotlight 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 4 Moving Day - Khwai to Savute
After the early morning breakfast, we head out for game viewing along the Khwai River. We later leisurely head to Savuti, with a picnic lunch along the way. The transit to Savuti takes you through the Mababe Depression, once part of a gigantic lake that spread across northern Botswana. The sweet grasses of the depression are much sort after by grazing species like Buffalo, Zebra and Wildebeest. But they are many other types of wildlife encountered daily on this route.
After a picnic lunch, you arrive in the greater Savuti area early afternoon. You may just have enough time to drive past some of Savuti’s waterholes. Many Elephants, Roan Antelope, Zebra, Wildebeest Warthog, Giraffe, Tshessebe, Ostrich, Impala are seen at these waterholes daily. It is not a surprise that Lions, Hyenas and occasionally Leopard are seen here too. Hundreds of Burchel’s Sandgrouse arrive at these waterholes every afternoon to drink and collect water to carry to their chicks tens of Kilometres away. Your will arrive in camp late afternoon. A drink in camp and an early shower is followed by a delicious dinner cooked over open fire. A night cap is a norm by the fire while re-capping the day’s sightings.
Activities: Game Drive out of Khwai. Game Drive into Savuti
Accommodations: Royale Wilderness Tented Camp
Day 5 Savuti, Chobe National Park
After the early morning breakfast, you set off into Savuti to catch up with the Savuti predator life. The Savuti Lions have been a subject of many documentaries because of their unique skill of hunting Elephants. They are a regular sighting at Savuti waterholes. There are two Prides in Savuti with the Northern Pride at Harvey’s Pan and Pump Pan area, and the bigger Marsh Pride at Marabou Pan, Rhino Vlei and Jackal Island. The other predators usually skirt around this two Lion prides, while Hyenas compete directly with them for food. You return to camp late morning to a hearty brunch, followed by some down time in camp.
The afternoon game drive starts after the afternoon tea. Most of the wildlife particularly Elephants visit the waterholes later in the day when it is hottest. The afternoon game drives will inevitably stop by one or two of the waterholes to enjoy the interactions of the different species including predators sometimes. You return to camp for a shower and dinner just after sunset.
Activities: Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Game Drive.
Accommodations: Royale Wilderness Tented Camp
Day 6 Savuti, Chobe National Park
After morning breakfast, you set off to get more into the Savuti wildlife. The beauty of a three night stay in a place like Savuti, allows more time to follow up on some of the activity seen the day before. An early visit to Savuti waterholes is always rewarding particularly with the Savuti predators. You get back to camp late morning. After brunch you can read a book, shower or catch up with much needed sleep.
The afternoon drive starts after afternoon tea, and ends at sunset with a Gin and Tonic, while enjoying the rich colours of the African sun setting behind the Sand Ridge. You arrive back in camp for a hot bucket shower and an exquisite three course dinner.
Activities: Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
Accommodations: Royale Wilderness Tented Camp
Day 7 Moving day- Savuti to Serondela, Chobe River Front Area
After morning breakfast you pack the Cruiser and head out for a short game drive in Savuti. A North easterly direction takes you out of Savuti towards Ghoga hills gate, through Teak woodland, the Chobe Enclave area that has small villages of Kachikau, Kavimba and Mabele. Re-entry into the Chobe National Park is at Ngoma Gate.
You will have a picnic lunch at Kachikau or near and after, a visit to the Kachikau craft shop where you could get yourself a Botswana Souvenir.
The aproach into camp takes you along the Chobe River front, where depending on the season; thousands of Zebras, Buffalo and other wildlife can be seen grazing along the floodplains. There is good Sable Antelope, Roan Antelope and great birdlife along the river and the adjacent Teak woodland. There is a rare antelope here only seen in Chobe called Puku. You get into camp late afternoon to a chilled drink and a hot bucket shower followed by a delicious three course dinner, and a nightcap by the fire.
Activities: Game Drive out of Savuti. Game Drive into Chobe
Accommodations: Royale Wilderness Tented Camp.
Day 8 Serondela, Chobe River Front Area
After morning breakfast you set off on an early morning drive along the Chobe River in north easterly direction towards Kasane town. Chobe wildlife, including Cape buffalo is drawn to the river in the afternoons and stays on to graze on sweet grasses along the river at night, leaving the floodplains in the morning after sunrise. Chobe Lions are very often seen in tow behind the Buffalo, looking for an opportunity for weakness.
You will have brunch at the Oldhouse in the town of Kasane. At noon, a short walk to the Jetty to start a three hour Boat cruise on the Chobe River, before returning to camp by road, arriving in Camp at Sunset. A Sundowner is in camp, then a hot bucket shower before dinner.
Activities: Morning Game Drive. A Three hour boat Cruise. Afternoon Game Drive
Accommodations: Royale Wilderness Tented Camp
Day 9 Transfer to Kasane for onward connections
After morning breakfast you leave camp for the last time, and drive leisurely towards Kasane town. Guests extending to Victoria Falls will be switching transport in town that will be taking them to Victoria Falls. Guests flying from Kasane to Johannesburg, with AIRLINK FLIGHT 4Z307 will have brunch at the Oldhouse before a short transfer to Kasane Airport for onward connections.
Activities: Morning Game drive/Transfer to Kasane Airport/Drop off in Kasane for a link to Vic Falls.
END OF ROYALE WILDERNESS ARRENGEMENTS
Included
A shared charter flight from Maun to Khwai on day of arrival
All transfers by road from Khwai airstrip to camp and between camps
All Game viewing activities as offered by Royale Wilderness
All accommodations in twin bedded tents with private shower and toilet area
All meals and drinks (South African Wines and a selection of Spirits)
Park entrance, Camping,Concession fees and VAT (Where applicable)
Emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital
A 3 hour river Cruise on the Chobe River
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, African Wild dog, Serval, Civet, Bat-eared Fox, Side Striped Jackal, Black Backed Jackal, African Buffalo, African Savanna Elephant, Red Lechwe, Puku, Impala, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope, Roan Antelope, Tsessebe, Honey Badger, Plains Zebra, Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Common Warthog, Steenbok, Common Duiker, Common Reedbuck, Blue Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Bush Buck, Nile Crocodile, Leopard Tortoise, Flap-necked Chameleon, Water Monitor Lizard, Rock Monitor Lizard, Banded Mongoose, Yellow Mongoose, Dwarf Mongoose, Slender Mongoose, Tree Squirrel
There are over 475 species of Birds in Botswana. While there are enough colorful birds throughout the season to fulfill amateur birding interest, the best time for more serious birding is from November through to April. Special Birding trips can be arranged for private groups with minimums of 4 people.
Recommended Flights (North bound)
Johannesburg to Maun Depart 1145HRS Airlink FLIGHT 4Z300
Cape Town to Maun Depart 1035HRS Airlink FLIGHT 4Z314
Kasane to Johannesburg Depart 1400HRS Airlink FLIGHT 4Z307
Contact us for a reservation at: reservations@royalewilderness.com
Terms and Conditions:
Royale Wilderness is not a lodge. We offer Mobile Tented Safaris, meaning the camp moves with you.
All safaris are accompanied by a full on Crew made up of a Camp Manager, Bush Chef, Waiter, Tent Stewards and Safari assistants.
The Crew is responsible for Setting up your tents and all other camp chores.
All safaris are led by a Botswana licenced Professional Guide who stays with the group throughout the safari, with the exception of any extensions to Victoria Falls.
The Crew will only do laundry at Moremi, Khwai, Nxai Pan, Savuti and Chobe areas because of availably of water. Laundry will not be done at Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Discover Botswana Program) because of water scarcity.
We advise that Guests bring a maximum of 10kg luggage per person not including carryon bags, and that luggage be in soft duffle bags.
All relevant booking conditions of Royale Wilderness Safaris and/or any other booked services will apply to your travel arrangements.
A deposit of 20% of the total amount is required to confirm your booking. The 20% deposit is not refundable, so please ensure that you have adequate insurance prior to confirming your safari.
The 20% deposit must be paid within 21 days of receiving the invoice, or your booking will automatically be cancelled.
You must please cover yourselves, prior to confirming the booking, with comprehensive travel, medical, cancellation, curtailment and default insurance for the duration of your trip. Due to the remote and wild areas that we operate in, it is vital that all guests are covered for emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances. We will not be held responsible for guests travelling without insurance.
While Royale Wilderness safaris are comfortable, some level of fitness is required.
The relevant cancellation policy applies should you fail to join or start your safari for any reason, including airline delays or missed connections. Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance for this purpose. You become liable for cancellation penalties immediately on confirmation of your booking services.
The Price is subject to any VAT, levy, fuel or any other industry increases that are beyond our control.
Two daily Activities are included in the Price; this is the Morning and afternoon activity. They are carried out in Customized 4x4 Toyota Land cruiser.
The above itinerary includes places that are situated in Malaria areas. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist and establish what precautions will be required for this fever.
Passports must be valid (usually for at least 6 months after date of travel) and have at least 3 blank visa pages (not endorsement pages).
All visa requirements must be fulfilled and these are your responsibility. If you have any queries about obtaining visas please contact us.
Due to the logistics of travelling on a safari to remote areas, we strongly recommend that you read all the literature that will be forwarded to you and if you have any queries to please contact us directly.
For reservations contact us at: reservations@royalewilderness.com /res1@royalewilderness.com