Elegant Botswana

12 Days
Johannesburg to Johannesburg

Botswana is a wild and beautiful country – offering a true African Wilderness Experience. On this safari we have packaged our favourite camps to offer you the most diverse and spectacular safari in one of Africa’s remaining wilderness areas.

Itinerary:

Day 1:
Today you will fly to Johannesburg where on arrival you will take the courtesy shuttle to the Metcourt Laurel Hotel for your overnight stay including breakfast.

The Metcourt Laurel is part of Emperors Palace, South Africa's premier casino resort destination. A stay at The Metcourt Laurel creates a superb experience for all travellers whether it is for business, a short city stay en-route to a renowned tourist destination, or simply spending a few nights at an incomparable resort. Located only five minutes from Johannesburg International Airport, Emperors Palace offers complimentary shuttle transfers to and from the Airport. The hotel incorporates luxurious accommodation and relaxation facilities, the finest in dining and entertainment and a unique retail concourse.

Days 2/3:
Today you will make your way to the airport by courtesy shuttle bus for your Air Botswana flight to Maun where on arrival you will be met and assisted to your charter Flight to Chief ’s Camp, located in the Mombo Concession of the Moremi Game Reserve - "Predator Capital of Africa" - for your 2 night stay including all meals, drinks, park fees, laundry and game activities.

Please note: there is a luggage restriction of 12kg per person in soft sided bags.

Excess luggage can be left at the 24 hour security left luggage office at Johannesburg airport and can be collected on return from Victoria Falls before proceeding onto Cape Town. The charge for this is approximately R40 per 24 hours and to be paid directly at the airport.

Chief’s Camp – Mombo Private Concession – Seasonal Okavango Delta
Located in “ The predator capital of Botswana” on a private concession on Chief’s Island within the Moremi Game Reserve, this elegant, secluded tented camp provides an oasis of comfort in the heart of the Okavango Delta.

Nestled under a canopy of huge trees are 12 secluded, luxury bush pavilions, which have been designed for privacy and comfort. Set on stilts and with tented walls and ceiling the spacious pavilions are decorated in earthy tones and natural textured fabrics that provide a contemporary African feel. Luxury and tradition reside side by side as ceiling fans, en suite facilities, hot and cold water, plenty of cupboard space, a dressing table with hairdryer and private viewing decks ensure that the guests’ every need is catered for. Chief’s Camp has been so skilfully integrated into the landscape that guests can often view game without even leaving the comfort of the camp. The main guest areas are under thatch and consist of a dining room, bar, lounge, reference library and curio shop. A swimming pool surrounded by a large deck overlooks the flood plains.

Enjoy exceptional opportunities to view lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog as well as recently introduced rhino, on the daily game drives in open 4x4 vehicles and on the tranquil mokoro rides (dug-out canoes) along the Delta channels (seasonal). The bird life is also extraordinary here. Expert guides are always on hand to offer a wealth of wildlife knowledge to help you make the most of this unique and exciting camp.

Days 4, 5 and 6:
Light aircraft transfer to Stanley’s Camp for 3 nights accommodation including all meals, drinks, park fees, alundry and game activities. Enjoy safaris in this area on foot, by open vehicle and in dug out canoes.

Stanley’s Camp – Private Concession – Permanent Okavango Delta
Situated in a 260,000 acre private concession of untamed African bush on the southern tip of Chief’s Island, Stanley’s Camp offers some of the best game viewing in the Okavango, including an abundance of buffalo, elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog.

Set in an amphitheatre of ebony and sausage trees Stanley’s Camp is a small camp with only eight classically styled safari tents. The delicately appointed tents exude classic Africa; handcrafted beds dressed with the finest linen, antique furniture individually selected and oriental carpets all ensure an air of colonial-era luxury. Facilities are en-suite. Built into an existing tree line with its main support being a large sausage tree, the sitting and dining room has been built on a raised wooden deck offering extensive views over the surrounding floodplains.

Due to year-round access to permanent water Stanley’s Camp affords guests the opportunity to partake in a wide range of activities from daily open 4x4 game drives, night drives, walking with an armed professional guide and serene water safaris in mokoros.

OPTIONAL ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE – to be pre-booked and at additional cost.
This fascinating activity encompasses a leisurely paced walk with a trio of semi-habituated elephants, becoming personally acquainted with them, observing and interacting with them and culminates in brunch.

As part of a unique learning adventure you are invited to discover the elephants, from the bristled ends of their long tails to the tip of their powerful yet sensitive trunks. Marvel at their big ears, thoughtful eyes and enormous padded feet. Trace the textures of their skin and the silken polish of their ivory. Explore the astonishing bonds of kinship forged over more than a decade between the elephants and their guardians in a wilderness of great beauty.

A delicate blink of Morula’s long lashes reveals her sensitive yet powerful personality. Jabu takes you, trunk in hand, with his bold and generous nature and together you slowly uncover the age-old secrets of the African elephant and the mysteries of the surrounding wilderness. Thembi, cute, boisterous and impossible to ignore, infatuates you and transforms your understanding of elephants to a deeper and more personal level. All three elephants have very different personalities.

Jabu, short for Jabulani, a Zulu name, means happiness and indeed Jabu’s zest for life is inspiring. Jabu is a proud and handsome bull who enjoys his role as alpha elephant of the small herd. He is kind, playful, generous, big-hearted and dependable. Of the three elephants he is the most independent and confident. Jabu loves interacting and building solid relationships based on mutual trust and respect. He is predictable and unconditional in his giving. Thembi, short for, is a common Zulu name meaning trust. Thembi is the sweetheart of the herd and the smallest instature. Perfectly formed, pretty and dainty, Thembi knows a few tricks for getting her way. Smart and very social, she loves to be the centre of attention.

Morula, is named after a beautiful African fruit tree. Her strongest personality trait is one of great gentleness; she is mild-natured, sensitive and easily bruised emotionally. She can be described as a wallflower but she blossoms beautifully when love and attention are focused directly on her. Morula weaves a powerful magic of her own as in her quiet and subtle way she captures your heart with her sincere, loyal and sweet nature.

Duration: +- 4 hours in the morning followed by a bush brunch.
Maximum number of guests: 8 on an activity.

Days 7, 8 and 9:
Today you will take your charter flight to Kasane where on arrival you will be met and transferred to Chobe Chilwero Lodge for your three night stay including all meals, drinks, park fees, laundry and game activities. Enjoy safaris in this area by boat and open safari vehicle.

Chobe Chilwero – Chobe National Park
Chilwero means (approximately) “the vista beheld” in the local language – an apt enough epithet because the views from the Chobe Chilwero Lodge, set atop a 100m hill overlooking the Chobe River and the flood plain, are indeed magnificent. With gorgeous, breathtaking vistas as a backdrop, you’ll come face-to-face with the abundant creatures of the bush, and some of the most spectacular sunsets Mother Nature bestows.

Game activities at Chobe Chilwero are scheduled flexibly, according to the whims of guests and the changing habits of the game. Thrilling guided game drives in open vehicles bring you to the heart of Africa’s largest concentration of elephants, as well as hippos, buffalos, puku, antelopes, lions and other creatures that gather on the Chobe River's banks. Or join the famous Chobe Safari River Cruises.

You will enjoy creature comforts - elegantly appointed accommodations, silver service, gourmet meals and fine wines. Relax in luxurious thatched cottages with en-suite, sunken handcrafted baths, indoor and outdoor showers, private gardens and terraces overlooking the magnificent Chobe River.

The main public area includes an elegant lounge and dining room, which are linked to spectacular outdoor viewing decks. The well-stocked wine cellar is temperature controlled and houses a large variety of the finest South African and European wines. This superb lodge also boasts a swimming pool, library, curio and an e-communications centre that allows guests to keep in touch with e-mail and internet information. End each day with a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, followed by a sumptuous meal lovingly prepared by the expert culinary staff - a delicious, eclectic fusion of Western and African cuisine and delicacies - all topped off by a sampling of vintage wines and spirits from their cellar. It’s the perfect complement to your one-of-a-kind African adventure.

Days 10 and 11:
Today you will be transferred by road to Victoria Falls – approximate 2 hour drive across the border to Zimbabwe for your two night stay at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge including breakfast daily.

Day 12:
Today you will be transferred to Victoria Falls airport for your flight to Johannesburg.

All prices in Australian Dollars

Includes: Johannesburg/Maun - Victoria Falls/Johannesburg flights, all charter flights, all accommodation, meals, touring and inclusions as per itinerary.

Excludes: Airport taxes - $140.

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