Tailor-made safaris and travel to Southern Africa
THE MOPANE SAFARI
This 12-day participation camping safari explores the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve, the Chobe National Park and the Victoria Falls. Participants are actively involved in camp chores and cooking, but a camp assistant does all the washing up. The emphasis is on a high quality participatory experience. Guests are limited to eight.
Upon arrival in Maun, we fly by light charter aircraft into the heart of the Okavango Delta to our Mokoro Trails Camp where we will spend the next three nights. Here we explore papyrus fringed channels, lily-covered lagoons and forested islands.
Transport is by mokoro, punted by Bayei boatmen. The elusive Sitatunga, Buffalo and the beautiful Red Lechwe are frequently seen, as well as all of the Okavango's big game. Swamp Boubou, Slaty Egret, Pygmy Goose, Copperytailed Coucal and Lesser Jacana are among the special birds one may encounter. African Fish Eagles and waterbirds are plentiful. Here, in a secluded private camp under a profusion of stars, one may enjoy the exquisite tranquillity of the Delta night punctuated by the calls of owls and nightjars and the distant grunting of a Hippo.
Days 4 to 6
This morning we will fly back to Maun before driving into the Moremi Wildlife Reserve where our game viewing begins. Our private campsite is in Moremi, one of Botswana's most scenic reserves. Time is spent traversing the floodplains and open woodlands in search of Wild Dog, Leopard, Lion and birds such as Meyer's Parrot and Green Pigeon.
Days 7 and 8
Savute is our next stop, and we camp alongside the now dry Savute Channel. Lion prides and clans of Spotted Hyenas are resident in the area and are frequently seen around the camp. Cheetah and Wild Dog are also found in the area, and large herds of ungulates gather on the open grasslands. Opportunities for photography here are exceptional. Several award-winning documentaries, including "Eternal Enemies" and "Patterns in the Grass", have been filmed in this area.
Days 9 and 10
From Savute we head north to the Chobe River. Camp is set up on a private campsite near the banks of the Chobe River within the park. This is superb elephant country, and some safaris see more than 500 in a day. Antelope, including the rare Puku, as well as predators such as Lion, abound in this region. Water birds are also abundant.
Day 11
From northern Chobe it is a leisurely drive to Victoria Falls. We expect to be at Ilala Lodge, a comfortable small hotel located close to the Victoria Falls, by mid-day. Victoria Falls is twice as high as Niagara, one and a half times as wide, and is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. In addition to viewing the Falls, there is plenty to keep one occupied. Several companies in Victoria Falls offer white water river trips below the falls and kayaking trips above the falls.
Day 12
The safari ends at mid-day in the town of Victoria Falls. The total distance travelled by road is approximately 800 kms (roughly 500 miles). The itinerary is flexible depending on game movements and local conditions Vehicles used are specially built Land Rovers.
The typical camping experience |
Cooking dinner is a joint affair |
To find out more about the Mopane Safari, or to make a reservation, call on
27-11-463-7889 or email us.
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Photo credits: Wilderness Safaris