Botswana 2022

What to expect...

This safari is meant to capture the wildness and beauty of a landscape that is unique and a rarity in our over–populated and over–developed world. Diverse habitats, epic sunsets and vast expanses of undisturbed wilderness are what make Botswana the last true wilderness on earth. From the Okavango Delta– the realm of the lion, the elephant, the hippo, the rare sitatunga and colourful birds–this safari takes us through the most iconic safari destinations of Botswana as we pass through Moremi Game Reserve, Khwai Concession, Savuti, onto Chobe National Park before departing Botswana for Zambia & Victoria Falls.

Part 1: Okavango Delta

Arrival in Johannesburg and the Okavango Delta

Day 1 – 4th September, 2022

Johannesburg – Africa Sky Guest House Here to greet us will be Schutte Bekker and his staff, who will transport us 10klms to their beautiful Africa Sky Guesthouse, after checking in we will be able to really relax in the surrounds of this restored homestead. We stay here every time we travel thru Johannesburg, and it is always a great pleasure returning. Dinner tonight will be a sumptuous affair, and certainly a quantum leap over aircraft food. Get a good nights rest in the comfortable beds before an early start and the beginning of your Botswana Safari

Day 2 – 5th September

Overnight Accomm. & travel to Okavango Delta Transfer back to airport; JNB 12:00 Flight 14:10 Maun (MUB) Botswana (B) Transfer to our overnight accommodation, checkin. For those who have booked, transfer back to airport, for a low-level, doors-off, 30-minute helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta, for the others a chance to relax by the river or pool, before dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Day 3 – 6th September

We will be picked up from our Maun accommodation early in the morning. Leave for the Southern tip of the Okavango Delta to meet local mokoro polers. Board your mokoro around 08:00 and be silently poled along the quite waterways of the Okavango Delta system to one of the many islands located within the Okavango Delta where you will set up camp for 2- nights. Afternoon game drive when the day cools

Day 4 – 7th September

Exploring the Okavango Delta Wake up early in the morning for a light breakfast before setting off with your guide for your morning safari walk in the Okavango Delta. As you explore the Okavango on foot, you will once again be searching for game as the Okavango is famous for its rich biodiversity. The safari walks are led by local guides who are part of the community that lives on the fringes of the Delta. On these outings you may come across a combination of game animals and you will also be presented with excellent photographic opportunities to capture the beauty of the Okavango. It is possible to spot game such as elephants, hippos, zebras, etc. during these safari walks. Come back from the safari walk around midday to chill and enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon you will set off once again to explore the Okavango Delta either on foot or in a mokoro. Return to camp in the late afternoon to have a shower and enjoy a campfire cooked dinner.

Part 2: Moremi

This diversity makes Moremi one of the prime game viewing and bird watching areas of the world. Throughout your stay in Moremi you will conduct both morning and afternoon game drives to search for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that Moremi is well known for.

Day 6 – 9th September

Exploring Moremi Game Reserve Wake up to a very early breakfast and then head into Moremi for your morning game drive, break for lunch, rest, then afternoon game drive. Look out for large herds of African elephants in the mopane scrub and for pods of hippopotami in pools, lagoons and waterways. Also keep an eye on for large herds of the Cape buffalo on the open plains. Keep looking out for those elusive African wild dogs and the very elusive leopard, as well as lions. Birders should keep an eye out for the raptors such as the mighty Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, the majestic African Fish Eagle and that incredible aviator, the Bateleur and many others Set off in the afternoon for more birding and game viewing. Return to camp just after sunset to have a shower and enjoy a campfire cooked dinner.

Day 7: 10th September

Wake up to a very early breakfast Leave Moremi for a slow game drive and travel nor’east towards Khwai River for a 2-nights stay.

Part 3: Khwai Concession

The Khwai area boasts an excellent population of African Elephant, both solitary bulls and breeding herds. The swampy areas are home to Red Lechwe. Other resident species includes the Southern Giraffe, Burchell’s Zebra, Tsessebe, the Greater Kudu, Impalas, and other smaller antelope. Khwai has a fabulous selection of predators such as Lion, Leopard, Serval and African Wild Cat. The whole of Khwai is also one of Botswana’s birding Mecca’s and as such, the raptors and waterbirds are particularly abundant and make for some great photography.

Day 8 – 11th September

Today, following an early breakfast, you will go for your usual morning game drive. Come back to camp after this, lunch and a siesta, before an afternoon exploring the Khwai Concession again. Return to camp just after sunset to have a shower and enjoy a campfire cooked dinner.

Day 9 – 12th September

Wake up early in the morning for some breakfast. Thereafter you leave, in a slow game drive around Khwai and travel northeastwards to Savuti for a two (2) nights stay. Part 4: Savuti Savuti is best known for its predators especially lion, cheetah and hyena. It’s rolling savannas normally attract many different species of antelope, zebra, wildebeest, etc. This in turn will attract many predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dogs. throughout your stay, you will conduct both morning and afternoon game drives, exploring Savuti’s wide– open grasslands in search of its resident wildlife.

Day 10 – 13th September

Wake–up calls early in the morning to freshen up before you start the new day. Thereafter enjoy breakfast typically consisting of cereals, rusks, coffee/tea, bread, etc. After breakfast you will head out to survey the Savuti. Return to camp in the late morning for lunch and, if needed, some siesta time. Head out again in the afternoon to explore further the Savuti region as you search for game. Return to camp just after sunset. Dinner will then follow before you turn in for the night.

Day 11 – 14th September

Wake up early in the morning for breakfast. Shortly thereafter, you leave in a slow game drive around Savuti and travel north-eastwards to Chobe National Park for a three (3) nights stay.

Part 5: Chobe

Chobe Covering approximately 11900 square kilometers, Chobe National Park encompasses floodplains, swamps and woodland. Throughout your stay, you will conduct both morning and afternoon game drives to explore Chobe National Park, which supports a diversity and concentration of wildlife unparalleled anywhere else in the country.

Day 12 – 15th September

Today you wake up very early in the morning to enjoy a cooked breakfast prepared by your chef, before heading into Chobe National Park for your game drive. Chobe is one of the best places to see and photograph Roan and Sable antelopes. Puku antelope occur here, and nowhere else in Southern Africa, but on the Chobe floodplains. Here we find massive herds of the African Buffalo that inhabit Chobe, constantly alert as they are regularly flanked by the prides of ever–hungry lions

Day 13 – 16th September

Early breakfast again, then out on a game drive along the banks of the Chobe River, the game drive continues through the morning, before arriving at Kasane, where we can enjoy lunch (own expense) at Chobe Waterfront Lodge, perhaps a dip in the swimming pool, before the highlight of today, an afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River. This boat cruise gives you the chance to experience the animals of the Chobe from another vantage point, whilst being able to get very close to the wildlife along the river banks. Family herds of Elephants wait impatiently for other Elephant families to vacate strategic spots on the riverbank, so that they too can quench their thirst. Much trumpeting and ear-flapping displays occur as they gaze down from high on the bank.

Part 6: Victoria Falls

Day 14 – 17th September

Wake up very early in the morning to enjoy breakfast prepared by your bush chef. Then head out of Chobe National Park in the form of a game drive. The Botswana Safari ends around mid-morning in Kasane, where you will be dropped off at the Botswana / Zambia border crossing. After completing immigration formalities, transfer in air-con bus to Livingstone, on the Zambia side of Victoria Falls; check-in to the Waterfront Lodge, then enjoy a tour of Victoria Falls, known since the dawn of man as Mosi-au-Tunya (The Smoke that Thunders), before boarding a boat for a sunset BBQ and drinks cruise of the mighty Zambesi River, upstream of Victoria Falls.

Day 15 – 18th September

Victoria Falls adventures await: Today you have a choice of one of two adventures that are on the mighty Zambesi River: 1. Full day White Water Rafting the mighty Zambesi, starting at the base of Victoria Falls, you will navigate 25 rapids on your trip down the river. Including grades 4 & 5, the Zambesi here is the highest rated, commercially rafted river in the World. 2. Half-day raft float down a lesser turbulent Zambesi, grades 2 & 3, above the falls. This float presents many photographic opportunities, elephants, hippos and crocodiles are regularly encountered along the banks

Day 16 – 19th September

Victoria Falls Early breakfast this morning as we venture into the Mosi-au-Tunya National Park, firstly on a game drive, then on a guided walk, tracking the endangered White Rhinos of Zambia. Your guides are very good at this, knowing where the Rhinos like to hang out as well as following their spoor on a daily basis. These Rhinos have armed guards with them, year round, 24-hours a day, to protect them from poachers, ensuring their survival and our opportunity to see and wonder at them. Back to Waterfront Lodge, quick shower, check-out, transfer to airport for journey homeward.Zambia – South Africa – USA Monday

19th September

Livingstone, Zambia LVI 13:00 Flight 14:40 JNB 19:55 Flight Tuesday: Lose a day in flight mode Wednesday 21st September: Arrive 06:16 Atlanta, Georgia, USA ATL 08:25 Flight 10:02 LAX

Included:

-All transport described in the itinerary

- Accommodations

- Professional guides

- Photography instruction and workshops

-Meal as stated in itinerary

-All park and permit fees

Excludes:

-Personal expenses

-Extra optional activities (Hot air balloon)

- Drinks

-TRAVEL INSURANCE (MANDATORY)

-Meals not stated in itinerary

-Tips and gratuities (drivers, hotel staff, restaurant staff, guides, trackers etc)

- All airfare -Visa costs

For full itinerary, please email me photographybyleighton@yahoo.com

Fine Print

Comfortable casual clothing is suitable throughout the year. It is highly recommended that clients keep their luggage to a minimum. We therefore strongly recommend that; • You travel with ‘soft duffel’ or ‘backpack’ style bags. Please do not bring hard-body or wheeled suitcases as they will not fit properly in the vehicle/trailer, and also will not fit on the luggage compartments of the light aircrafts normally used. • Lightweight clothing of neutral colors that blend with the African bush and forest are preferable during summer. • Neutral colors are fawn, khaki, forest green etc. Wearing bright or vibrant colored clothing or even hats or a scarf can spook the wildlife. So, please don’t even pack them. • Warm wear such as jackets and jerseys, again of neutral colors, should be brought along during the winter months as it can be very chilly on the early morning and late evenings. In some parts of the country temperatures can even fall below zero degrees Celsius. • Trousers, long-sleeved shirts and blouses are also necessary as they minimize the chances of getting bitten by mosquito. Clothing of lighter shades of color aids in discouraging mosquitoes landing on you. • Closed, comfortable walking shoes (better) or gym shoes (not so good) are a must in all seasons. • Bring along a sun hat, preferably wide brimmed, as opposed to a baseball cap. • Also pack a good quality sunscreen, polarized sunglasses and a mosquito repellent to use at dawn and dusk. • A small day pack can also become handy for your prescription medicine, lip balm, moisturizer, binoculars, camera, camera batteries, sunscreen lotions, insect repellents and other small items.

IMPORTANT

It is very important to note that when travelling on a safari luggage is restricted to 20 kg per person because of space constraints. This includes all hand luggage and camera equipment. 2. Bags should be soft-sided and flexible to facilitate packing into the trailers and the vehicles used to transfer guests between the camps.

PASSPORT AND VISAS

It is the sole responsibility of the client to ensure that all passport and visa requirements are fulfilled prior to departure. Please, note that country entry regulations change daily. Please consult your travel agent or relevant embassy for all details such as VISA FEES and opening hours.

NOTE: EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS WHEN PLANNING TO JOIN A QUEST TOURS’ SAFARI. QUEST TOURS does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or VISA requirements.

INSURANCE

It is a booking requirement that all travelers take out comprehensive travel insurance. This should be done at the time your booking is confirmed and your deposit paid. All clients should be fully insured against accident, all medical eventualities, repatriation, cancellation, curtailment and default. Quest Tours or any safari company acting on its behalf cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to baggage and personal effects. This should be covered by your travel insurance policy.

HEALTH

Consult your doctor or pharmacist to seek professional medical advice recommended for travel when visiting Africa. Anti-malaria precautions must be taken, and these are the sole responsibility of the client. It is the responsibility of clients to advise us prior to departure of any specific medical conditions. Note: All the travel information provided here is given in good faith. Therefore, it should be treated as a guide only.

DECLARATION

You acknowledge that you are aware that during any safari, trip or tour arranged by Quest Tours, you are participating in certain risks and dangers particularly while traveling in wilderness areas and further that, these risks and dangers include the possibility of property loss or damage, personal injury and death. Therefore by participating in such safari, trips, tours and/or other activities and services arranged for me by Quest Tours, you assume all such risks, and to the fullest extent permitted by law you hereby release Quest Tours, its officers, employees, and agents from any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, claims, and demands of every kind and nature, howsoever caused.

Photography by Leighton

Photography By Leighton

Botswana 2022