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The Okavango Delta

Botswana Safaris - Travel by mokoro

Click on the name of the camp for details.

MAP of the Okavango Delta showing the Ker & Downey camps.

Botswana is undoubtedly one of the best preserved wilderness areas left in the world, and the jewel in its crown is the Okavango Delta.  This amazing destination offers the most varied profusion of wildlife in Southern Africa, with free-roaming herds of buffalo, zebra, antelope and elephant, as well as lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah, and an incredible 550 species of birds. 

This classic fly-in safari uses the luxury tented camps run by Ker & Downey, whose aim is to recreate the style of the traditional African safari, with a touch of nostalgia. 

10 days from £3225

excluding international flights

BOTSWANA FACTFILE

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: British Airways from London Heathrow to Johannesburg, with an onward connection to Maun in Botswana (see below).  If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrival in Maun. Moremi Game Reserve.

On arrival in Maun you will be met by a representative of Ker & Downey (on behalf of World Discovery) and taken by specially chartered light aircraft into Moremi Game Reserve, where you will stay at Okuti Camp.  Moremi Game Reserve supports the most diverse habitat and animal populations in Botswana. Resident species include wild dog, cheetah, leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, hyena, zebra, kudu, lechwe, sable and roan antelope.  Game-viewing is excellent year-round but this, however, has not always been the case. Due to various factors, including uncontrolled hunting in the early 1960s, wildlife in the area was at serious risk of extinction. With guidance from early conservationists, the Batswana tribe agreed to set aside 4872 sq kilometres (1856 sq miles) between the Khwai and Mogogelo rivers as a wildlife reserve. Named after Chief Moremi III, the Reserve was proclaimed on 15 March 1963 and today boasts a vast array of African wildlife.
Meals included: Lunch, dinner.
Pictured: Black rhino at Moremi.

DAYS 3 AND 4 - Moremi Game Reserve.

There are two daily game drives at Okuti, led by a personal guide in specially designed vehicles, as well as excursions by motorboat.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAYS 5 and 6 - Kanana Camp.

Continue by light aircraft to Kanana Camp on the banks of the Xudum River in the southwest Okavango, Botswana's world-renowned wilderness region which has become the country's principal tourist attraction.  This vast area is a maze of lagoons, channels and islands, where the only way to travel is by boat - normally the traditional mokoro (dug-out canoe) which is poled through the shallow waters.  The area around Kanana encompasses a necklace of islands dotted with palms, figs, ebony and knobthorn, and is home to myriad 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.
Pictured: pride of lions near Kanana.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAYS 7 AND 8 - Shinde Camp.

Another light aircraft flight will take you to Shinde Camp, nestled on a lush palm island in the heart of the northern Okavango Delta.  This intimate camp sits at the edge of Shinde Lagoon, which teems with animal and bird life.  A unique tree house made of a multi-tiered raised dining/lounge area under canvas, set amongst the shade of ebony and mangosteen, complements the atmosphere of this original safari destination.  During your time at Shinde, excursions by powerboat or mokoro provide a chance to experience the incredible number of bird, plant and reptile species found in the aquatic habitat of the Delta.  Game drives in Ker & Downey's specially-designed vehicles, or guided walks for the more adventurous, are available; Shinde also offers fishing for a variety of species such as tilapia and tiger fish.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAY 9 - Depart for home.

In the afternoon depart by light aircraft for Maun.  Continue by Air Botswana to Johannesburg to connect with your flight to the UK.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 10 - Arrive UK.

Morning arrival in the UK.

BANA BA LETSATSI
As part of its social responsibility programme Ker & Downey Botswana supports Bana Ba Letsatsi, established in 2004 with the mission of supporting vulnerable, orphaned and at risk children living in Maun. There are over 200 children on the register; these children are registered as they have either never been to school or dropped out, suffer sexual or physical abuse, are orphaned or lack parental care, beg, work underage, abuse drugs. When you book a World Discovery Botswana safari that includes stays at the Ker & Downey camps, a small donation is made on your behalf to Bana Ba Letsatsi.

International Flights

We recommend the services of British Airways to Johannesburg, with connecting flights to and from Maun on Air Botswana. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Johannesburg. Depart at 19.05; arrive Johannesburg at 06.50 (next morning)
Johannesburg/Maun. Depart at 10.10; arrive Maun at 11.50
Maun/Johannesburg. Depart at 15.00; arrive Johannesburg at 16.40
Johannesburg/Heathrow. Depart at 20.15; arrive Heathrow at 05.20 (next morning)

Botswana Safaris: The Okavango Delta (Tour Reference: WDBS003)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

November to March is the Botswana summer period, with average temperatures ranging from 16-32 degrees Celsius. November, December and March border the rainy season (December to February), and you may encounter brief but occasionally heavy rain.  Gameviewing is still good and prices are lower.  Please ask us for prices if you wish to travel during these months.

Single Room Supplement on request.

The price includes:

• Light aircraft flights between Maun, Okuti Camp, Kanana Camp and Shinde Camp.
• Tented accommodation as listed above: twin-bedded tents with ensuite facilities.
• 7 full breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners as shown in the itinerary, plus snacks.
• All beverages, including bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages in reasonable quantities (featuring South African wines and spirits).
  
• All activities while at camp, escorted by professional guides.
• Daily laundry services (safari clothes in reasonable quantities).
• All taxes, VAT, park entrance fees and service charges.
• Emergency evacuation insurance from Ker & Downey camps to a regional medical facility.
• A donation to Bana Ba Letsatsi.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter

A deposit of £500 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Botswana safari must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.