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VINTAGE SAFARI / BOTSWANA & ZIMBABWE
10 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS
MAKGADIKGADI PANS, Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls
DAYS 1-3: San Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana
DAYS 4-6: Tuludi Camp, Okavango Delta
DAY 5: Victoria Falls Hotel, Zimbabwe
DAYS 4-6: Tuludi Camp, Okavango Delta
DAY 5: Victoria Falls Hotel, Zimbabwe
3 DAYS / SAN CAMP / MAKGADIKGADI
mak
After a final drive and breakfast we depart from the local airstrip by air charter for Camp Kalahari In the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Its a flight that takes as northwards into the Kalahari and remote interior of Botswana. The region south of the Okavango is dominated by the remnants of an ancient superlake, the largest ever known on earth. These remnants are the lowest lying areas which are now a series of salt pans that cover a massive area of some 30 000 square kms.
Situated on a small tree island, known as ‘Brown hyena Island’ surrounded by a sea of salt pan and grasslands lies Camp Kalahari, our Makgadikgadi base for three nights. The vast private concession is situated on Ntetwe Pan, the largest of all the salt-baked, sun-scorched pan remnants and is surrounded by glittering grasslands, tree islands and towering old baobabs.
We have two full days to explore the pans, tree-islands and grasslands of Ntetwe Pan and an enormous 500 000 hectare exclusive concession! The large saline pans create a lunar-like landscape unique to Botswana, and often best explored by quad bikes.
Game viewing by open 4x4, during the day and night, is a must and the dry grassland habitat produces a fantastic array of desert adapted predators such as lion, cheetah, iconic brown hyena, bat-eared fox, aardvark and aardwolf. This compilation indicates an impressive list of herbivores that include zebra, wildebeest, eland, and steenbok. Seasonal lists from elephant are also possible. Depending on the availability of surface water, the amount of plains game is often overwhelming and Ntetwe Pan is located on massive migration route of zebra and wildebeest. Between January and April it is possible to have some 30 000 animals passing through.
Makgagikgadi, because of the ancient lake a fertile lands of yesteryear is an anthropological hotpot with evidence of human habitation dating back as far as 500 000 years. An absolute must-activity is a walk with local Zu’/hoasi Bushmen to discover the fascinating and ancient bushcraft skills of these remarkable people. We learn about setting traps, making fire, how to locate water in the desert and of course much about the natural history of the pans. This is certain to be a highlight!
A visit to a nearby meerkat family is a highlight as these charming animals often climb on your head or shoulders to use as vantage points. It’s up close, personal and fascinating! Adventurous horseback safaris are also available for experienced riders. Seasonal helicopter flights to visit a flamingo colony on Sowa Pan are available.
Its an area of semi-desert, hauntingly beautiful and alive with wildlife. Its quiet, wild remoteness is unique to Botswana and is one of the most alluring destinations in the country.
We land at a bush airstrip and after a short drive arrive at Camp Kalahari. An afternoon activity is recommended followed by dinner and overnight.
The geological mysteries of the Kalahari have long since puzzled scientists but it is accepted that much of northern Botswana was once a massive superlake that was fed by all major rivers of the subregion. Around 10 000 years ago, the rivers changed course and lake began to dry leaving behind the saline pans which form the nucleus of the Makgadikgadi. The area consists of grassland , woodland, tree islands and vast open pans. Our safari traverses different regions of Makgadikgadi, encompassing varied habitats and the most productive game viewing. Its a land of zebra migrations, ephemeral desert rivers and transformation. The region is the heartland of the Kalahari San Bushmen.
After a final drive and breakfast we depart from the local airstrip by air charter for Camp Kalahari In the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Its a flight that takes as northwards into the Kalahari and remote interior of Botswana. The region south of the Okavango is dominated by the remnants of an ancient superlake, the largest ever known on earth. These remnants are the lowest lying areas which are now a series of salt pans that cover a massive area of some 30 000 square kms.
Situated on a small tree island, known as ‘Brown hyena Island’ surrounded by a sea of salt pan and grasslands lies Camp Kalahari, our Makgadikgadi base for three nights. The vast private concession is situated on Ntetwe Pan, the largest of all the salt-baked, sun-scorched pan remnants and is surrounded by glittering grasslands, tree islands and towering old baobabs.
We have two full days to explore the pans, tree-islands and grasslands of Ntetwe Pan and an enormous 500 000 hectare exclusive concession! The large saline pans create a lunar-like landscape unique to Botswana, and often best explored by quad bikes.
Game viewing by open 4x4, during the day and night, is a must and the dry grassland habitat produces a fantastic array of desert adapted predators such as lion, cheetah, iconic brown hyena, bat-eared fox, aardvark and aardwolf. This compilation indicates an impressive list of herbivores that include zebra, wildebeest, eland, and steenbok. Seasonal lists from elephant are also possible. Depending on the availability of surface water, the amount of plains game is often overwhelming and Ntetwe Pan is located on massive migration route of zebra and wildebeest. Between January and April it is possible to have some 30 000 animals passing through.
Makgagikgadi, because of the ancient lake a fertile lands of yesteryear is an anthropological hotpot with evidence of human habitation dating back as far as 500 000 years. An absolute must-activity is a walk with local Zu’/hoasi Bushmen to discover the fascinating and ancient bushcraft skills of these remarkable people. We learn about setting traps, making fire, how to locate water in the desert and of course much about the natural history of the pans. This is certain to be a highlight!
A visit to a nearby meerkat family is a highlight as these charming animals often climb on your head or shoulders to use as vantage points. It’s up close, personal and fascinating! Adventurous horseback safaris are also available for experienced riders. Seasonal helicopter flights to visit a flamingo colony on Sowa Pan are available.
Its an area of semi-desert, hauntingly beautiful and alive with wildlife. Its quiet, wild remoteness is unique to Botswana and is one of the most alluring destinations in the country.
We land at a bush airstrip and after a short drive arrive at Camp Kalahari. An afternoon activity is recommended followed by dinner and overnight.
The geological mysteries of the Kalahari have long since puzzled scientists but it is accepted that much of northern Botswana was once a massive superlake that was fed by all major rivers of the subregion. Around 10 000 years ago, the rivers changed course and lake began to dry leaving behind the saline pans which form the nucleus of the Makgadikgadi. The area consists of grassland , woodland, tree islands and vast open pans. Our safari traverses different regions of Makgadikgadi, encompassing varied habitats and the most productive game viewing. Its a land of zebra migrations, ephemeral desert rivers and transformation. The region is the heartland of the Kalahari San Bushmen.
WHAT MAKES THE SAFARI UNIQUE?
- An exclusive privately guided safari of distinction, with 30 years of experience.
- Small, choice selected, remote and unobtrusive camps ensuring the most productive, meaningful and rewarding wildlife and wilderness encounters.
- The largest elephant population private land in the world.
- Ancient landscapes off the normal Botswana safari circuit.
- Walking trails in the Okavango Delta tracking and stalking big game on foot.
- Explore the region that supports the highest concentrations of elephants in Africa on foot, by dugout canoe and by vehicle.
- 9 days immersed within one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.
- A combination of tranquil wilderness encounters with the adrenalin and vibrancy of adventure activities.
- Visit two World Heritage Sites.
- Scenic game flights over the Okavango.
- List one of the most evocative places on earth: the Zambezi River, with a tour of the sublime Victoria Falls, as well as white water rafting.
- Cross into Zambia from Botswana at Kazangula, a unique point in the world where the territories of four different countries can be seen (Botswana, Namibia, Zambia & Zimbabwe).
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WILDERNESS IS NOT A PLACE, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE
Banner Photography ©Jens Cullmann: instagram or www.jenscullmann.de
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ©Alan McSmith Safaris 2021
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ©Alan McSmith Safaris 2021