SABLE LODGE-TO-LODGE SAFARI 10 NIGHTS

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Your Itinerary Overview (North Bound)

Day 1-2: Deception Valley Private Reserve

Your safari will start in Maun, where your guide will meet you at 14:30 at Maun International Airport. You will then travel 160 km to Deception Valley Private Reserve, on the northern edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Upon arrival, you will receive a safari briefing and spend the night in a comfortable camp.

Over the next two days, you will go on exciting game drives and a nature walk with a local San tracker, who will share knowledge of the bush and their captivating culture. You will discover a stunning region home to desert wildlife like oryx, lions, hyenas, and cheetahs, and enjoy open spaces and clear night skies.

Distance: Maun to Deception Valley Private Reserve: 160 km | Travel Time: 4 hours | Meals: Day 1- D& Day 2 – B, L, D

Day 3: Makgadikgadi, comfortable camp

You will rise early for a short game drive before heading to Makgadikgadi. You will spend one night at a camp overlooking the Boteti River in Khumaga village, on the edge of Makgadikgadi National Park. After arriving for lunch, you can enjoy a siesta before an afternoon game drive along the Boteti River.

Distance: Deception Valley Private Reserve to Boteti River Camp: 120 km | Travel time: 4-5 hours | Meals: B, L, D

Day 4 – 6: Moremi/Khwai

After breakfast, you will travel west, stopping in Maun for lunch at your own expense. You will continue to Khwai, driving through wildlife areas. An optional helicopter transfer to Khwai is available that afternoon. The Khwai River area borders the Moremi Game Reserve.

Over three days, you will search for diverse wildlife and birds while enjoying the region’s beauty. Game drives will explore the Khwai River area, and a mokoro excursion on a river tributary will reveal hidden water system secrets. Accommodation will be at Khwai Guesthouse in Khwai Village.

Distance: Boteti River Camp to Khwai: 340 km | Travel Time: Approx. 6 hours (excluding lunch stop)| Meals: Day 1 – B, D, Day 2 & 3 – B, L, D)

Day 7 – 8: Chobe

You will journey to a rustic camp at the edge of Chobe National Park for two nights, exploring its northern regions. The day will include a game drive through the Savuti area to the Chobe floodplains, with a picnic lunch on the way. You will arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon.

The park is teeming with wildlife due to the Chobe River, and you can expect to see large herds of elephants and buffalo, along with predators like lions and leopards. While at Chobe Elephant Camp, you will participate in game drives and a boat cruise.

Distance: Khwai to Chobe: 200 km | Travel Time: 10 hours (including game drives) | Meals: B, L, D

Day 9 – 10: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, comfortable lodge

Following a brief morning game drive, your guide will escort you to the Kazungula border, where you will meet your transfer vehicle to your lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (Visa required). This is where your time with the Bush Ways team (including translators) will come to an ends as they handover the group to the Zimbabwean team.

You will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoons, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the thundering Victoria Falls and shop for souvenirs. Lunch and dinner will be at your own expense.

Distance: Chobe to Victoria Falls: 160 km | Travel Time: Approx 3.5 hours driving time (plus border crossing) | Meals: B, L, D (at your own expense)

Day 11: Your Bush Ways Adventure Ends Here

Bush Ways will assist with post-tour arrangements for accommodations and transfers to nearby lodges or Victoria Falls Airport.

Your Itinerary Overview (South Bound)

Day 1 – 2: Victoria Falls

Your journey begins at a cozy lodge in Victoria Falls. Bush Ways Botswana is delighted to assist with pre-safari arrangements, including airport transfers to the lodge at an additional cost. You’ll have the afternoon free to unwind or explore Victoria Falls town and its many attractions. Lunch and dinner will be at your own expense. For more details on activities like white water rafting, canoeing on the upper Zambezi, or helicopter flights over Victoria Falls, kindly inquire at the lodge reception.

Meals: B

Day 3 – 4: Chobe

Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at your lodge. The lodge reception will inform you of the departure time for your transfer to Botswana. Upon leaving Zimbabwe, your safari guide will be ready to welcome you in Botswana. You will spend the next two nights at a rustic camp on the outskirts of Chobe National Park. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you travel through the park to your destination.

In Chobe National Park, you’ll experience an incredible wildlife thanks to the Chobe River, which provides water year-round. Large herds of elephants and buffalo are often spotted, and many predators, such as lions and leopards, thrive in this area due to the high density of herbivores. During your stay at Chobe Elephant Camp, you will enjoy both a game drive and a boat cruise within the park.

Distance: Victoria Falls – Chobe, Chobe Elephant Camp: 160 km | Travel Time: Approx. 3.5 hours driving (plus border crossing) | Meals: B, L, D

Day 5 – 7: Moremi/Khwai

After breakfast, your adventure continues to the southern regions of Chobe National Park, where you’ll have lunch in the Savuti area before heading to the Khwai River region, which borders the Moremi Game Reserve. This area is one of Botswana’s premier wilderness spots, known for its high concentration of wildlife. Over the next three days, you’ll search for the diverse array of wildlife and birds that this region is famous for while soaking in its natural beauty and sounds. Game drives will take you around the Khwai River (Northeast Moremi/Khwai Concession), and you’ll have the chance to embark on a mokoro excursion (dugout canoe) along a tributary of the Khwai River. Your mokoro poler/guide will reveal hidden gems of this waterway. Your accommodation will be at Khwai Guesthouse in Khwai Village.

Distance: Chobe – Khwai Guest House: 200 km | Travel Time: 10 hours (including game drives) |Meals: B, L, D

Day 8: Makgadikgadi National Park

Inspired by the beauty of the area, you will travel south to Maun. You will have the option of taking a 45-minute helicopter transfer that morning to Maun. This must be booked and paid for in USD cash during the safari.

Enjoy a bit of curio shopping while waiting for the guide and the rest of the group to arrive then have lunch at a local restaurant (lunch at own expense). After lunch you will head towards your next lodge, an oasis on the edge of the Makgadikgadi National Park, overlooking the Boteti River in Khumaga village. Spend the afternoon on a game drive in the Makgadikgadi National Park, relax by the pool or enjoying the view from the lounge.

Distance: Khwai – Boteti River Camp: 340 km | Travel Time: Approx. 6 hours by road (excluding lunch stop over) | Meals: B, DDAY

Day 9 – 10: Deception Valley Lodge Private Reserve

After your breakfast, you will travel to the Deception Valley Private Reserve on the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

Over the next two days, you will go on exciting game drives and a nature walk with a local San tracker, who will share knowledge of the bush and their captivating culture. You will discover a stunning region home to desert wildlife like oryx, lions, hyenas, and cheetahs, and enjoy open spaces and clear night skies.

Distance: Boteti – Deception Valley Private Reserve (northern border CKGR): 180km | Travel Time: 4hours | Meals: B, L, D

Day 11: Your Bush Ways Adventure Ends Here

Following an early breakfast, you will make your way to Maun International Airport where the safari officially ends at 12h00. Bush Ways is happy to arrange post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers.

Meals: B

ABOUT OUR ACCOMMODATED SAFARIS
A lodge-to-lodge safari with one of our knowledgeable local Bush Ways guides throughout your journey. This adventure provides travellers the chance to discover some of the most breathtaking wilderness regions. Activities are conducted at the various lodges where we stay, utilising lodge game drive vehicles, boats, and mekoro (traditional dugout canoes), in addition to a customised Bush Ways safari vehicle.

DESCRIPTION

The Bush Ways Accommodated Safari offers travelers the opportunity to explore the most amazing wilderness areas of Botswana as well as a glimpse of the beauty of Zimbabwe simultaneously providing the comfort of permanent camps and lodges with the incredible privilege of being introduced to these fantastic natural wonders from beginning to end by one of our passionate Bush Ways guides.

This lodge-to-lodge mobile safari itinerary is around a 2/3-star standard and offers a lot of activities. Transportation between lodges is done in a custom-built Bush Ways open game viewer.

The activities are carried out in the various lodges where we are staying using the lodge game drive vehicles, boats and mekoro (traditional dugout canoes).

The accommodations provided during this tour will include:

• Kalahari: The Dune Camp or a comparable option
• Makgadikgadi: Boteti River Camp or a similar facility
• Moremi/Khwai: Khwai Guest House or an equivalent
• Chobe: Chobe Elephant Camp or a similar location
• Victoria Falls: Pioneers or an alternative option

VEHICLE

• For this safari, a custom-built Bush Ways open game viewer will be used for the activities as well as the drive between properties.

NUMBER OF GUESTS

• Maximum participants 12 pax. Departures are guaranteed from 4 guests confirmed on a tour.

PROFILE

• Activity packed lodge-to-lodge safari that allows you to discover the diversity of Zimbabwe and Botswana in comfort.

LUGGAGE

• One large kit bag (preferably a rucksack or a bag with soft sides – Please do not bring hard suitcases as they are very difficult to pack in our trailers and can pose a problem for any light aircraft flights you may take as part of your safari. Semi-hard suitcases should be avoided as well.
• One item of hand luggage (e.g. a small backpack) – there will be room for this at your feet
• Main luggage: max weight = 18kg, max. size = 700mm x 350mm x 350mm
• Remember that on safari you need far fewer clothes than you think so bear this in mind when packing.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

• Torch with spare batteries and bulbs – a head torch is a good idea
• Hat/cap
• Scarf and gloves (especially for winter months)
• Warm jacket/fleece/jumper – windproof in winter months (May – Sept), waterproof in summer months (Nov – Mar)
• Swimming costume
• Natural clothing (i.e. no bright colours and no white), t-shirts, shorts, a pair of light weight long trousers and a lightweight long sleeve shirt (long sleeves are extremely useful for sun protection during the day and mosquito protection during the evening)
• Please note that camouflage printed clothing is fine for the bush but please do not to wear in towns or when crossing borders.
• Comfortable walking shoes and flip flops/sandals
• Camera equipment, binoculars, lots of spare films, batteries and spare memory cards for digital cameras are essential as the opportunity to download photos is limited.
• Adaptors for cables, chargers, USB, etc.: note that we recommend you label them to avoid confusion on the vehicle charging station
• Water bottle and a small day pack for walks

TOILETRIES AND FIRST AID

• Personal toiletries and medications in small bag, not a vanity case
• Sunscreen
• Malaria prophylaxis (see section 5 for further information)
• Mosquito repellents/lotion/spray
• Water proof/zip lock bags for storing personal items to keep dust free and/or dry.
• Personal First Aid Kit

Please note: A First Aid Kit will be present throughout the safari but personal medicines must be brought for the duration of the safari.

MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS

• Check with your local immunisation authority, travel clinic, public health facility or personal physician
• Visit the World Health Organisation website for up to date information
• Botswana is considered a malaria area and preventative medications should be taken
• Between 2012 and 2015, both South Africa and Botswana required that all travelers coming from/going to Zambia should have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Beginning of 2015, both South Africa and Botswana officially communicated that they shall not require the yellow fever vaccination certificate for travelers coming from/going to Zambia. However, beware that regulations could change again without prior notice.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION

• Negative Covid PCR result documentation not more than 72 hours valid
• Valid passport: your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the end date of your trip and there must be at least 6 blank visa pages.
• Many nationalities are able to obtain tourist visas for Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe at the border posts HOWEVER citizens of certain countries are required to obtain a visa before travelling. Please note that certain visas can take up to 3 months to be processed so please consider this when booking.
• For more information see www.botswanatourism.co.bw, www.zambiatourism.com, www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw and www.namibiatourism.com.na
• Valid visas – it is your responsibility to arrange visas
• For up-to-date visa requirements please check with your travel consultant and/or Embassy
• If you need to get a visa for one of the countries visited during your safari, please check when and where the visa can be obtained, and which currency is required for its payment.
• Requirements for minor traveling through all Botswana ports of entry
• Minors travelling through the country’s borders will be required to produce certified copies of unabridged birth certificates in addition to their valid passports. In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent’s affidavit consenting to such travel should be availed. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate.
• The Botswana Tourism Development Levy has not been reinstated, if put back in place this will be advised.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

• For all our safaris, it is COMPULSORY to take out travel insurance covering for: cancellation and curtailment, medical situations, baggage, emergency evacuation.
• Bush Ways Botswana does not provide travel insurance.
• Bush Ways Botswana provides Okavango Air Rescue membership for the duration of the safari nights. The service provides medical evacuation from isolated areas of the bush by a medically equipped helicopter and emergency doctor, ensuring smooth and swift operations. International insurance companies are not always familiar with the practicalities of dealing with emergencies in the Botswana bush, which can add to delays in obtaining medical care. Please note this cover does not include pre and post safari arrangements.
• Please note that you will be required to provide your insurance details prior to your arrival so we can liaise with your insurance company in the shortest amount of time in case of an emergency. Required details include: medical evacuation insurer’s Name, medical evacuation policy number, 24-hour contact number of Medical evacuation insurer (must be able to phone it from Botswana – USA 800 numbers don’t work from here).

SAFARI DRINKS

• Drinks are at your own account at all lodges
• Please note that our safari teams do not sell drinks during the safari and drinks can only be bought in town prior to and/or during the safari.
• We always recommend that people drink a minimum 3 litres of drinking water / juices / soft drinks per person per day to avoid dehydration.
• At all hotel/lodge accommodation drinks are on a cash bar basis