Upon arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport, you will be met by a representative of Ilala Lodge who will take you the short distance to the hotel and help you check into your deluxe room. This charming hotel is very close to the Falls themselves and its an easy 10-15 minute walk down to the entrance. If you like we can arrange a guide to show you the falls but quite honestly path along the Victoria Falls is easy to explore and very spectacular. Just remember to take something waterproof as the spray from the Falls can make it seem like you are in a rainstorm at times.
Victoria Falls Town is a lovely place to explore with its curio shops and local street artisans to barter with. The famous Victoria Falls Hotel is a wonderful place to pop into for afternoon tea and is a throwback to the Victorian era.
Should you wish to see the Falls from the air then we can arrange a helicopter flight for you (ideally in advance so as to avoid disappointment) and our operator of choice will collect you from the hotel at a time of your choosing for a flight. We normally recommend taking the longer 25-minute flight to make the most of this once in a lifetime experience.
On your third day your driver will meet you and bring you to The Chobe National Park. The Pangolin Chobe Hotel is situated on the hillside overlooking the Chobe River and the floodplains of the Caprivi. The total travel time is around 2 hours and you will arrive at The Lodge in time to check in, unpack and enjoy high tea before heading out into the park on one of the custom photo boats.
Dinner each evening is a set menu with a couple of choices for the main course. This is served in the dining room and if weather permitting out on the pool deck. A selection of wines will be served.
Every day at the lodge will include a morning and afternoon cruise on the river or drive in the park and the lodge will happily supply you with a state of the art DSLR camera and lens should you require to use during these times. You will be hosted by one of the resident photo guides who will be on hand to help you make the best of every photo opportunity that presents itself. You are supplied with all of the memory cards that you need and in between sessions you can view the images taken on the computers by the reception desk.
The photo boats and vehicles take a maximum of eight people and the lodge will try as much as they can to match clients together with similar photographic goals and experience. Refreshments are served during the activities.
During the day and in the evenings you are welcome to relax by the swimming pool or on your private balcony. The upstairs bar offers spectacular views and is a lovely place to relax with a good book. Your accommodation is fully inclusive so if you would like any refreshments throughout the day you need only ask a member of staff and they will be more than happy to help you.
Enjoy another day working on your photography skills and enjoying the safari game drives and boat tours.
Getting from The Pangolin Chobe Hotel to Bushman Plains couldn’t be easier. It’s a five-minute drive to the airport and then a one and a half hour flight to the Vumbura Airstrip in The Delta which services the camp. The flight path takes you over some spectacular scenery.
This rustic little camp hidden on the edge of a tree-lined island is a gem in Botswana. It is owner managed and does away with all the unnecessary frills to concentrate on the wildlife experience that the more discerning clientele really crave.
There are five guest tents at the camp making it nice and intimate. There are a central dining area, lounge and a campfire, of course, to enjoy after dinner under the beautiful Jackalberry trees and ultimately the African night sky.
The Bushmen (and women) who own and manage the camp have lived here all their lives and this reflects in the deep understanding of every facet of its ecology. Here people learn about tracking and bushcraft as soon as they can walk and this is what makes the wildlife experience so special at Bushman plains.
The camp has two game viewers and with only eight people in camp at any one time, it means only four clients per vehicle. There are two guides onboard each with one driving as the other one follows the tracks from the “jump seat” on the front. This teamwork is hugely productive. The advantage of having two vehicles is that the group has the option of a drive altogether (there are nine seats per vehicle) or to split off there are different interests and needs within the group.
An additional activity not to be missed is the game walk where your Bushman guide will take time to explain the tracks that you come across as well as the uses for the various trees and plants in the local culture. It’s fascinating.
During the floods (usually from May to October) it is possible to experience that most iconic Delta activity – a Mokoro excursion. This traditional dug-out canoe is punted through the channels by expert “polers” and is a wonderfully serene way to experience the Delta.
The food at Bushman Plains is good wholesome fare served in the communal dining tent and once in a while around the fire on your laps in the traditional Bushman way. The well-stocked bar is always open for business (and complimentary) with plenty of chilled alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
Please note that there are no cameras available and you will have to have your own photographic gear for this part of the safari.
Enjoy another day in the Okavango Delta!
On the final day, there will be time for a shorter game drive in the morning followed by a brunch and then the drive back to the airstrip to connect with your charter flight. We are more than happy to organise onward journeys to other regional safari destinations. By far the most popular destination, however, is onwards to Cape Town as there are daily flights from Maun and within a few hours, you can be enjoying a view of the ocean and Table Mountain.
