New Adventures

Botswana: Desert and Deltas - 8 days

Explore the extreme habitats of Botswana, from the beautiful Okavango Delta to the stark Kalahari Desert, enjoying luxury accommodations for ultimate comfort, and an oasis in the desert.  Start your journey in the Okavango, a lush, green waterworld, with groves of wild date palm, papyrus and water lilies growing around deep lagoons lined with riverine forest.  Enjoy viewing animals from a dugout canoe. Then travel to the dry but extraordinary landscape of the vast Kalahari Desert, and the Makgadikgadi Pans, a vista of white sand and salt as far as the eye can see.  Indulge in an up close and personal meeting with the region's entertaining meerkats, and take a quad bike out onto the vast expanse to explore remote archaeological sites or look for species unique to the area, such as aardvark, gemsbuck and springbuck.  In this truly unique environment you can travel across the pans at great speed and still arrive nowhere.This adventure starts and ends at Maun International Airport in Botswana.

Day 1 & 2

Upon arrival at Maun Airport you will be met by a member from our team who will assist you onto your light aircraft flight to Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp or Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge – the choice is all yours!

A maze of sparkling lagoons, meandering channels and overgrown islands teeming with wildlife, the Okavango Delta likes like a sparkling jewel at the heart of the Kalahari Desert. Known as “the river that never finds the sea”, crystal clear channels spread over the thirstlands of the Kalahari with their papyrus-fringed banks and fertile floating islands. Adapted for a life in and out of the water, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga are found in this watery wilderness. Lion, leopard, cheetah and African wild dog, share the floodplains with large herds of elephant and buffalo. Hippos inhabit the deeper channels and lagoons, while honey badgers can be seen in broad daylight. Tall termite mounts are homes for families of dwarf and banded mongoose.

Spend two nights at Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp. Accommodation is in an East African-style safari tent, raised on a wooden platform with a private veranda overlooking a floodplain. Your stay includes three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, emergency medical evacuation insurance, laundry, daily lodge activities and park fees.

Adventures include meandering along the floodplains of the Delta by mokoro (dugout canoe), exploring the deeper channels by motor boat, nature walks accompanied by a professional guide or tracking game in an open 4x4-safari vehicle, in the mopane forests and open grasslands. The added highlight of an early evening, spotlit game drive assures you of an unforgettable wildlife experience in Botswana.

Alternatively…

Spend two nights at Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge. Accommodation is in an African-inspired cottage, with all windows covered in gauze to maximise views of the forest. Your stay includes three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, emergency medical evacuation insurance, laundry, daily lodge activities and park fees.

Activities includes twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicle, bush walks, boating excursions in the Delta, birdwatching and stargazing. For relaxation there is a hammock, which sways in the trees on the upper deck of the guest area and a shaded plunge pool.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp OR Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

Day 3 & 4

Today you will be flown by light aircraft to Pom Pom Airstrip, from where you can choose to stay in either Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge or Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp.

A maze of sparkling lagoons, meandering channels and overgrown islands teeming with wildlife, the Okavango Delta likes like a sparkling jewel at the heart of the Kalahari Desert. Known as “the river that never finds the sea”, crystal clear channels spread over the thirstlands of the Kalahari with their papyrus-fringed banks and fertile floating islands. Adapted for a life in and out of the water, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga are found in this watery wilderness. Lion, leopard, cheetah and African wild dog, share the floodplains with large herds of elephant and buffalo. Hippos inhabit the deeper channels and lagoons, while honey badgers can be seen in broad daylight. Tall termite mounts are homes for families of dwarf and banded mongoose. Experience the delicate details of the glistening waterways on a mokoro ride, where iridescent dragonflies, frogs of every colour and jewel-like kingfishers live in the papyrus-lined banks.

Spend two nights at  Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge. Accommodation is in a playfully crafted safari suite, in handsome tones of chocolate and ebony, feature a large bathtub and romantic al fresco showers. Each suite boasts a lofty hide out with magnificent views. Your stay includes three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, emergency medical evacuation insurance, laundry, daily lodge activities and park fees.

Adventures include an irresistible combination of water and wildlife on twice-daily game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles, boating and mokoro (dugout canoe) adventures in the Delta and guided walks. A scenic helicopter flight and transfers are available at an additional cost.

Alternatively…

Spend two nights at Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp. Accommodation is in a sleek ensuite safari tent, which boasts a romantic sala that offers breathtaking views over the channel. Your stay includes three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, emergency medical evacuation insurance, laundry, daily lodge activities and park fees.
Adventures include a combination of water and wildlife on twice-daily game drives in open 4 x 4 safari vehicles, guided walks, spotlit night game drives, boating and mokoro (dugout canoe) adventures in the Delta, guided walks and excellent birdwatching. A scenic helicopter flight and transfers are available at an additional cost.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge OR Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp

Day 5, 6, & 7

Upon landing you will met by a member from Jack’s Camp who will drive you to the camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
The Makgadikgadi Pans span 16 000km2 and are the largest saltpans in the world. It is a totally overwhelming sight to see thousands of kilometres of absolutely nothing but overpowering whiteness. The Makgadikgadi Pans are the remnant of an ancient lake and in between the pans are sandy desert and occasional vegetation. Only quad bikes are allowed onto the sensitive pans. It is amazing to see one of Africa's biggest zebra populations in this vista of white sand and salt. When rains fall during the wet season, the pans are filled with water, and attract large flocks of flamingos as well as big herds of zebra, springbok and wildebeest, followed closely by predators, making for fantastic game viewing.

Spend three nights at Jack’s Camp in a stylish canvas tent with an ensuite bathroom (that features an indoor and al fresco shower) and a private veranda.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Jack's Camp

Day 8

After a mouth-watering breakfast, we wave a fond farewell as you take your scheduled flight to Maun.

To receive the most up-to-date pricing of this itinerary, please call one of our travel advisors at 888-437-8456 or email us at travel@newadventures.com

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