Traversing the Delta-12 Nights

Traversing the Delta-12 Nights

Duration: 13 Days | 12 Nights

Days: 1-4 Okavango Pan Handle| Days: 4-7 Okavango| Days: 7-10 Moremi Game Reserve | Days: 10-13 Moremi Game

Countries: Botswana                  

Camps: Nxamaseri Island Lodge, Xugana Island Lodge ,Camp Moremi & Kanana

Type of Safari

Classic:  Fully Inclusive Custom Itinerary for group size (2+)

Departure Date: All year round/Daily

Summary:

This thwelve-night traversing the delta package is a unique opportunity for guests to explore the diversity of the Okavango Delta from three distinct regions. The itinerary starts in the Okavango Panhandle in the north, where the Okavango River enters Botswana. The region offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the deep waters of the Okavango River while also visiting the Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognised for its cultural significance for Botswana.

The next stop is three nights in the heart of the Okavango Delta in a private concession. Here guests can take in the wonders of the Okavango Delta from various activities, including guided bush walks, mokoro safaris and boating safaris.

A memorable boat-based transfer will take guests from the private concession of the Okavango Delta to the renowned Moremi Game Reserve for three nights of exceptional game viewing. The Moremi Game Reserve is one of Botswana’s primary wildlife destinations, making it the perfect end to an exciting Botswana safari.

To wrap up this amazing  delta experience, you will be air lifted to the forever beautiful newly rebuilt Kanana.

Highlights of this safari:

• Game Drives
• Boat safaris (seasonal)
• Mokoro Safaris (seasonal)
• Fishing (seasonal)
• Walking safari
• Cultural visit
• Helicopter Trips (additional costs)
• Tsodilo Hills excursion

Safari Itinerary

Days: 1-4

OKAVANGO PAN HANDLE

On arrival at the Maun Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by one of the representatives and assisted with your scheduled light aircraft transfer to Nxamaseri Island Lodge in the Okavango Panhandle.

Spend three nights at Nxamaseri Island Lodge in comfortable chalet with private patio. With a variety of activities on offer, Nxamaseri Island Lodge offers you the chance to discover the wonders of the Okavango Panhandle, including a visit to the Tsodilo Hills. The lodge offers a variety of luxuries allowing you to take the necessary time to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Situated in the northwestern area of the Okavango Delta, the Panhandle is a stretch of the Okavango River that follows a more-or-less straight course for approximately 70 kilometres before entering the wetlands. This deep channel serves as the main water source feeding the delta and offers excellent tiger and bream fishing, while the surrounding woodlands and the river’s shallow waters teem with a myriad of birds.

The Okavango Panhandle is dotted with several villages and serves as a gateway to the scenic Tsodilo Hills, some 40 kilometres west, with their various tribal cave paintings, some dating back as far as 20 000 years. Visitors can enjoy excellent fishing, first-class birding, boating on the Okavango River and game viewing in the Mahangu National Park.

The lodge offers water-based activities, including boating and mokoro trips among the network of channels that make up the area. Nxamaseri is one of the top birdwatching and fishing destinations in the country and specialises in both, with expert and enthusiastic guides guaranteed to make your experience a memorable one. Nxamaseri is also close to the magical Tsodilo Hills, a world heritage site and one of Botswana’s greatest treasures. The lodge offers guided day trips to Tsodilo Hills, where one can view some of the 2000 ancient San paintings.

Overnight at Xugana Island Lodge (3 Nights) – Fully inclusive

Days: 4-7

OKAVANGO DELTA

Enjoy a final morning activity with Nxamaseri Island Lodge before your light aircraft transfer to Xugana Island Lodge in the Okavango Delta. You will spend the next three nights at Xugana Island enjoying a variety of delta-based activities.

Visitors can enjoy a number of wonderful activities such as game viewing, fishing, bird watching or taking an authentic guided Mokoro excursion through this wetland paradise in a traditional dugout canoe. Commonly spotted animals include: lion, rhino, leopard, giraffe, hippos, elephants, crocodiles and countless species of bird.

Xugana Lagoon is widely accepted as being the most spectacular permanent water site in the entire Okavango Delta. Xugana Island Lodge, situated on a wooded island abutting the lagoon, takes full advantage of this magnificent site. The thatched common area, comprising cocktail bar, lounge and curio shop, is still the original building put up in 1974, when Xugana became only the second tourist lodge ever built in the Okavango Delta.

Mokoro trips in eco-friendly dugout canoes built to the traditional design, boat safaris to lagoons and islands and wilderness walks give guests the chance to see the Delta denizens such as sitatunga and lechwe antelope, crocodile and hippo, as well as the other big game that frequents the islands and riverine fringes. Bird-watching opportunities are outstanding, and the bream and tiger fishing can be excellent at certain times of the year. The peaceful boat ride back across Xugana Lagoon during the spectacular African sunset provides a lifelong memory. All activities are conducted by our experienced naturalist guides, who, as well as ensuring that guests come to no harm, are keen to impart their vast knowledge and love of this unique area.

Overnight at Xugana Island Lodge (3 Nights)- Fully inclusive

Days: 7-10

MOREMI GAME RESERVE

A memorable boat-based transfer will take guests from the private concession of the Okavango Delta to the renowned Moremi Game Reserve for three nights of exceptional game viewing.

The Moremi Game Reserve is one of Botswana ‘s primary wildlife destinations, making it the perfect end to an exciting Botswana safari. You will spend three nights at Camp Moremi, located within the Xakanaxa region of the Moremi Game Reserve.

Camp Moremi has a well-deserved legacy in the Botswana tourism industry for being able to deliver the classic African safari experience. Recently completely rebuilt, Camp Moremi is located within Botswana’s world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve, situated on the edge of the Xakanaxa Lagoon in an area known for its spectacular game-viewing opportunities.

Game drives conducted in open 4x4 vehicles in the morning and late afternoons, offer excellent game viewing including frequent sightings of lion, leopard and cheetah as well as wild dog. Alternatively, guest can explore the Xakanaxa Lagoon and surrounding Okavango channels by boating safari.

Overnight at Camp Moremi (3 Nights)- Fully Inclusive

Days: 10-13

OKAVANGO DELTA

A hidden jewel on the Xudum River, Kanana is located in the southwest of the Okavango Delta. The area encompasses a necklace of islands dotted with palms, figs, ebony and knobthorn, and is home to a myriad of birds, plants and animals. The nature of the habitat means it is the perfect place to experience the diversity of species found within the Okavango Delta.

The annual floods transform parts of this concession into a true water paradise, offering guests the best of both worlds. Due to the camps location guests can experience magnificent game sightings during drives as well as the unique experience of exploring the delta’s beautiful waterways by boat or Mokoro at times that the annual Okavango Delta flooding allows for these activities to happen. You may actually, at times of peak flood, enjoy the breath-taking spectacle of the water visibly rising around the camp’s raised teak decks. The Sleep Out Deck offers guests the opportunity to spend the night out under the magnificent African night sky.

Situated in the Kanana Concession, the focus of activities at Kanana varies with the rising and falling levels of the Okavango Delta. Activities include morning and afternoon game drives in open safari vehicles, with afternoon game drives often continuing into the evening. When out on game drives our window seat guarantee ensures space and comfort for guests and individual use of a camera mount.

Alternatively, when annual flood allows, you may explore the crystal-clear waterways by Mokoro or motorboat, and enjoy the magnificent variety of birds, plant and reptile species found in the area. Birding is spectacular with Kanana hosting a seasonal heronry that is one of the largest in Southern Africa, a highlight that converts all visitors to avid ‘twitchers’. Guided bush walks are highly recommended as is fishing for tilapia, African pike and sharp tooth catfish.

Overnight at Kanana (3 Nights)- Fully Inclusive

Day 13: End of Safari

After a final morning activity, you will depart the camp for Maun Airport where you will continue with onward travel arrangements.

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Included

• Accommodation: As per itinerary Meals: 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners
• Meet and greet: Maun International Airport
• Drinks: Selected local brand drinks
• Transfers: Scheduled air, road and boat transfers
• Activities: game drives; Water-based activities; Nature walks; Fishing; Bird watching; Cultural visits
• Entrance fees: National Park fees
• Guide: Registered guide per lodge/boat.
• Other language guides are subject to availability

Excluded

• Flights (other than specified in the detailed safari itinerary)
• Visas 
• Compulsory comprehensive insurance 
• All relevant entry and departure Government taxes 
• Travel, medical and personal accident insurance
• Gratuities 
• All personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls, etc.) 
• Optional extra activities 
• Pre and post safari tours 
• All other travel arrangements pre or post the safari and any new Government taxes 
• Levies 
• Fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control
• Excursions not detailed in the itinerary
• Private charters/transfers or specialized guides
• Premium brand drinks
• Porterage

Transport

Lite Aircraft, 4 x 4 safari vehicle, Motorboat, Mokoro

Luggage: Soft sided duffel bag / 20kg maximum inclusive of hand luggage