This outstanding mobile safari will give guests the opportunity to gain an insight into areas and wildlife not necessarily available to guests on a typical fly-in safari, whilst still enjoying the luxury and comfort of strategically located lodges within Botswana’s famous game reserves and national parks. Each departure is accompanied by a selected professional safari guide, providing a unique and personal insight into the wonders of these wilderness destinations. With a maximum of six participants per departure the group size is limited and guests will travel in fully equipped and customised luxury safari vehicles.
Private activities are provided throughout by the accompanying guide and are tailored in consultation with the group allowing the flexibility to meet the group’s needs and interests. This safari operates on scheduled departure dates based on a minimum of two people per departure. The safari can also be booked by private small groups or individuals. This guided mobile safari is fully inclusive of all services.
Day 1 – 3: Chobe Game Lodge
On your arrival at Livingstone or Victoria Falls airport, you will be met and welcomed by a representative from Desert & Delta Safaris and transferred by road to the iconic Chobe Game Lodge, where you will meet your safari guide who will brief you on the various aspects of the safari. You will spend the following two nights at Chobe Game Lodge.
The Chobe National Park is famous for its huge herds of elephant and buffalo.
Set out on your afternoon game activity - a sundowner cruise on the magnificent Chobe River or an exciting game drive exploring the Chobe area. Sunset cruises are spectacular as you will be able to view the wildlife that congregates at the water’s edge whilst enjoying an awe inspiring African sunset.
The Chobe area is renowned for magnificent star-gazing and your professional guide will be happy to show you the African skies and explain local folklore.
Chobe Game Lodge facilities include a riverside boma, a large swimming pool, a stylish cigar bar with an outside terrace overlooking the Chobe River. Chobe Game Lodge also has wildlife reference library with lounge and terrace.
Should you wish to pamper yourself, your guide can schedule an appointment for you with Chobe Game Lodge’s in-house beautician.
Day 3 – 5: Savute Safari Lodge
After an early wake-up and breakfast, you will depart Chobe Game Lodge in your specially equipped safari vehicle for the Savute area of the Chobe National Park. The day is spent travelling to Savute Safari Lodge and depending on the time of the year, your guide may choose to take the road less travelled and incorporate a visit to the Nogatsaa area. Stop in the shade of a large tree enroute and enjoy lunch. Your safari vehicle is equipped with a fridge to ensure access to a variety of cold drinks, water, fruit juices, beer, wine and local brand spirits throughout your journey. In the afternoon you will arrive at Savute Safari Lodge, where you will stay for two nights.
Located on the banks of the dry Savute channel, Savute Safari Lodge is intimate, accommodating only 24 guests in cool thatched timber and glass suites.
The area is renowned for its population of bull elephant and for the unique interaction of the resident predator species. The close proximity of wildlife translates itself into the recently refurbished, modern African décor.
All suites have private decks, combined bedroom and sitting areas and en-suite facilities. The sitting area, library and cocktail bar are situated in an exquisite thatch and timber main building.
Savute boasts a viewing deck, an al fresco dining area and swimming pool – which is ideal for watching game at the waterhole. These features set the lodge apart from other typical safari destinations.
Open 4x4 game drives are conducted in the Savute area, including the famous Savute Marsh, and the ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills, add magic to a delightful African safari.
Day 5 – 7: Camp Moremi
After an early morning wake up and breakfast at Savute Safari Lodge, you will depart in a south westerly direction travelling through the Mababe depression and enter Moremi Game Reserve, crossing the well known Khwai River bridge at North Gate. Moremi Game Reserve is world famous for its dramatic scenery and abundant wildlife. You will enjoy an extended game drive to Camp Moremi in the Xaxanaka area. The vehicle is equipped with director’s chairs, a table and hammocks which allow for you to relax and enjoy en route lunch.
Xaxanaka is considered one of the most beautiful areas in the Moremi Game Reserve. Located on the edge of the permanent waters of the Okavango Delta, this area is rich in plant and animal species.
Camp Moremi has eleven twin-bedded luxury safari tents, all built on wooden decks with adjacent en-suite bathrooms. The elevated main lodge building, which houses the lounge, bar, and dining room, has spacious wooden decks which look out over the Xaxanaka lagoon. Other facilities at the lodge include a swimming pool, scenic viewing deck, curio shop and boma area where breakfasts and teas are served.
Day 7 – 9: Camp Okavango
Leaving your safari vehicle at Camp Moremi, you will depart by boat into the heart of the Okavango Delta. This journey through the serpentine channels, and expansive lagoons of the Okavango Delta gives one the opportunity to experience this magnificent ecosystem.
Camp Okavango is situated on Nxaragha Island located well within the permanent Okavango Delta. For the next two days, you will experience the incredible diversity of this water wilderness. Explore the waterways and floodplains by boat and mokoro and the islands on guided walking safaris.
Accommodation at Camp Okavango is in eleven twin-bedded, glass fronted safari tents on raised wooden decks. Each tent has en-suite bathroom facilities. The main public areas of Camp Okavango, which house the lounge, bar area and adjacent dining room, all lead out onto an open patio with alfresco lounge and fireplace. Additional facilities include an elevated viewing deck, refreshing swimming pool, reference library and curio shop.
Day 9 – 11: Leroo La Tau
Enjoy a morning activity before departing on your scheduled charter flight over the Okavango Delta to the desert location of Leroo La Tau. Leroo La Tau is situated on the banks of the Boteti River which forms the western boundary of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
Leroo La Tau rises majestically above the dry Boteti Riverbed which stretches across the western border of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
The park, populated by up to 30,000 zebra and wildebeest closely accompanied by predators, offers guests the chance to experience the exhilaration of seeing large concentrations of game and the resultant predator interaction. The lodge offers a raised hide above the waterhole where guests can enjoy spectacular wildlife sightings.
With just 12 thatched chalets, each with en-suite bathrooms, a dining room, reading room and bar in the main lodge, expansive wooden decks and a plunge pool.
Having explored the area and enjoyed a spectacular wildlife phenomenon on guided day and night game drives, guests can retire after dinner to a splendid fireplace overlooking the waterhole.
Day 11: Departure Day
After a morning activity and breakfast, you will bid farewell to your guide and be transferred from Leroo La Tau to Maun Airport for your onward arrangements.
Please Note: Certain departure dates of this scheduled safari operate in reverse order.
Notes for this safari
- Botswana Luxury Accommodated Guided Mobile Safari itinerary operates with a minimum of two and maximum of six travellers per departure.
- Certain scheduled safari dates operate in reverse, starting at Leroo La Tau and ending at Chobe Game Lodge.
- This safari can be booked as per advertised itinerary as a seat on schedule departure or on as a private safari. Rates for private safari departures differ from the advertised scheduled departure safari rates. Please contact tours@africanwelcome.com for details on private departures.
- The Camp Okavango – Leroo La Tau – Maun (or reverse) transfer will operate as a scheduled charter flight.
Professional Safari Guide
You will enjoy the services of a fully licensed professional guide. Your guide will conduct all safari activities and will be with you from your arrival at Chobe Game Lodge until you depart from Leroo La Tau.
Our environmentalist, Wouter Theron, will select guides to complement the needs of the group.
Please note:
- All scheduled departure safaris are conducted in English.
- Private departure safaris can be conducted in various foreign languages upon request.
- We have access to some of Botswana’s most experienced guides who can be booked for private departures and according to the special interests of the group.
Our lodges and accommodation:
All lodges mentioned are small and exclusive. The lodges accommodate between 16 and 24 guests with the exception of Chobe Game Lodge, our largest property which has 46 rooms. Some lodges are located in private concession areas. Chobe Game Lodge is the only permanent lodge built within the Chobe National Park.
Despite the remote locations of our lodges and camps, they provide all the comforts that you would expect from a modern lodge. En-suite bathrooms, walk in showers, flush toilets and fans in each bedroom. Tea/coffee making facilities are available. Most of our lodges rely on generator power and 12-volt batteries for lighting at night, except for Chobe Game Lodge which has 24 hour power via the national grid.
Specially modified mobile safari vehicle
The Landrover Defender 130 was customised for the adventure safari industry. Long travel coil suspension all round allows for maximum comfort.
An auxiliary battery system with fridge and three 12V cigarette lighter power points have been installed to allow for charging camera batteries. Comfortable canvas bucket seats, with safety belts have been fitted unrestricted “theatre style” viewing for all.
The vehicle will also be equipped with a 2 way HF radio, comprehensive first aid kit and Inmarsat Satellite Phone for emergencies. The entire route has been pre tracked with GPS.
Credit cards
Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club credit cards are accepted in the camps. American Express cards are however not accepted.
Our responsibilities
Fully qualified environmentalist is employed to ensure that our lodges are as eco-friendly as possible and every aspect of the operation is monitored in terms of environmental impact. All non perishable waste is packaged and transported from the remote camps to the closest town. Gas is used for heating and cooking. Fibre-glass mokoros are used for activities – this is done to protect the trees of the Okavango Delta.
Your safety
Guest safety is of paramount importance. Guests are escorted to and from their accommodation after dark.
Baggage Restrictions
For your own comfort and inter-camp air transfers, space and safety concerns do not allow for excess baggage, so the following should be taken into account:
There is a very strict weight restriction on all light aircraft. The limit is 20 kg (44 lbs) per person that MUST be packed into small soft bags. The soft bags make it easy for the luggage to be stowed on the aircraft and vehicle. Camera and video equipment are included in the 20 kg limit. For safety reasons any excess luggage will be left behind with our representative and forwarded to your point of departure at your expense. There are complimentary laundry services at all of the camps and lodges.
Health precautions
Immunisation requirements vary from country to country and up-to-date information should be obtained from your local health department. It is the guest’s sole responsibility to ensure that they have had all necessary inoculations, immunisations and medications prior to departure.
Malaria prophylaxis with Lariam, Malarone, or doxycycline is recommended for travel in Botswana. All guests must consult their own medical doctor or health authorities regarding the use of anti-malarial tablets prior to departure.
It is the guest’s obligation to ensure that he/she is medically fit to participate in travel i.e for walking activities at Camp Okavango a reasonable level of fitness is required.
Communications
The lodges do not have telephones as they are situated in very remote areas. However, lodge managers are in daily radio contact with the operations offices in Maun through whom messages can be passed.
Should you bring your cell phone with you, we would ask that you bear in mind that most guests come to Africa to get away from phones/faxes/emails and therefore the least disturbance to your fellow guests would be appreciated. We do not allow cell phones in public areas or on game drives.
There is no cell phone coverage at Savute Safari Lodge, Camp Moremi or Camp Okavango.
Internet access is only available at Chobe Game Lodge.
Your safari vehicle is equipped with satellite telephone to ensure calls can be made in the case of extreme emergency.
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