Linyanti Camp

Highlights: Experience a nostalgic, turn-of-the-century camping / lodge safari that recreates the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers. At the turn of the century, explorers and adventurers made their way leisurely along the dusty paths of Africa, allowing the great continent to seep into their souls. Wilderness” guided mobile safaris takes time to experience and explore Botswana”s contrasts and extremes in prime areas where few guests travel: from the lushly vegetated wetlands of the Okavango Delta set in the parched Kalahari Desert to the diverse and game-productive Linyanti and Chobe River systems and the Victoria Falls, a cascading curtain of water on one of Africa”s largest rivers, the Zambezi. The spacious walk-in tents create a sense of connectedness to the Earth and nature, enhancing the view and the feeling of the wild and untamed. The style of accommodation in the private Discoverer campsites takes you back to the era of Africa”s exploration. Pure linens of heavy cottons, separate flushing toilets and shower areas all add to the atmosphere, while luxury comforts and amenities are elegantly provided. Discoverer camping (Linyanti and Ketumetse) aims to bring the guest closer to nature, by means of a lively campfire, hurricane lanterns, wide-ranging activities and a warm atmosphere complimenting the comfort and added luxury of the lodges visited. Discoverer camps are specifically outfitted to ensure that old-style camping feel with a clear emphasis on necessary and stylish comfortable interiors, creating a peerless wilderness experience.

ITINERARY:
Tour Code: 10N AFR WS

Days 1, 2 & 3:  Jacana Camp, Okavango Delta
After arrival in Maun, you will be met by your guide or our representative and fly by light aircraft over the shimmering water world of the Okavango Delta. The Delta represents life at its most fertile: abundant water, sunlight and soil combine to form a paradise bursting with life. Lush Jacana Camp: is situated in a permanently flooded region of the private Jao Concession of the Okavango Delta. A true water camp, it represents the essence of the Delta, with year-round mokoro safaris as well as island bush walks and, water level permitting, motorboat cruises. In fact, when the flood levels are at their peak we are able to motorboat from the airstrip to the lodge, a truly surreal camp arrival! On one of the full days, we will also enjoy game drives around the productive Jao flats region to the north of camp. Jacana Camp is set in one of the wetland areas most densely populated with sitatunga and red lechwe. Wildlife concentrations depend on the water flow and volume, thus changing from season to season, but all the large animals can be found in the area including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. Pel”s Fishing Owl is a favourite amongst birders as well as Greater and Lesser Jacanas. Jacana Camp has 5 Meru-style tents. Each tent is on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains and has an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and shower. The bathroom is enclosed but roofless, allowing for showers by starlight. The camp has a plunge pool for cooling off from the midday sun. The main dining area is on an elevated wooden deck between two magnificent sycamore fig trees and surrounded by dense wild date palms. Downstairs, there is a cosy pub and lounge with an area perfect for an open fire under the stars.

Days 4, 5 & 6:  Khwai Camp, Okavango Delta

Depart by light aircraft to Khwai Discoverer Camp, located in a private concession just north of the Khwai River above the Moremi Game Reserve. The Khwai Concession is one of the most diverse areas in northern Botswana which seldom disappoints when it comes to producing extraordinary wildlife experiences. The life source for this area is the Khwai River - the northernmost "finger" of the Okavango Delta alluvial fan, which provides vital sustenance to numerous animals.Over time, the Khwai area has metamorphosed into a wide range of exciting wildlife habitats - some of the most varied to be found in the entire Okavango Delta: a blend of forests, floodplain, wetland and grasslands. The narrow Khwai Channel is home to large mammals such as hippo and crocodile with buffalo and red lechwe often seen grazing along the fringe. The beautiful gallery riverine woodland found along the river provides further sanctuary to birds, primates and leopard. Elusive roan antelope often come to the river to drink. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mokoro excursions.Away from the river there is a wonderful mix of acacia and leadwood trees of varying sizes that abuts into mopane woodland. The latter, together with the permanent presence of water, attracts large numbers of elephant to the area. Larger predators include lion, wild dog and spotted hyaena, while birdlife found here is just as varied thanks to the colourful palette of habitats.Accommodation is in 6.3m x 3.5m walk-in canvas tents (maximum of two guests per tent). The tents are airy and designed to recreate the accommodation style of the early explorers, with richly coloured teak director chairs and minimalist interiors. Separate bedside tables with 12v reading lamps, canvas and wood wardrobes, bathrobes, comfortable beds and mirrors are provided. Camp amenities (conditioning shampoo, soap, shower gel and body lotion) are elegantly displayed for use and private, en-suite separate toilet and shower areas are part of the main structure. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mokoro excursions.

Days 7, 8 & 9:  Linyanti Discoverer Camp, Linyanti

After a light breakfast, we fly north-east to the private Linyanti Concession. After a short game drive we arrive at our private Discoverer camp, which is elegantly set up under African ebony and knobthorn trees overlooking panoramic vistas of the Linyanti Swamps. The landscape of the Linyanti varies from floodplains to open dry land savannah and forest with sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. Activities include game drives in the private northern sector of the concession, exploring a range of habitats, from riverbanks to scrub and forest, which reveal a myriad of wildlife en route to slake their thirst from the river. The seldom-seen sitatunga can also be spotted in the waterways, as well as rare roan and sable antelope, plains game and of course their predators, the lion and leopard - with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus. To complete the experience, it is possible to enjoy a full-day excursion to the Savute Channel, with lunch at a scenic setting. This spectacular day gives guests a real understanding of the geology of Northern Botswana, the relationship with the Great African Rift Valley and the chink in the faultline, where the Savute Channel begins. This channel, now flowing for the first time in three decades has resulted in water reaching into the heart of Chobe National Park through the Linyanti Reserve and game viewing is as a result both diverse and abundant.

Day 10:  Chobe River boat cruise, Chobe National Park and Toka Leya Camp, Zambia
After a short morning drive and breakfast, we depart by light aircraft to the northern Chobe region of Chobe National Park. This area is famous for its vast herds of elephants in the dry season and other unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river in the hottest hours of the day. Enjoy a light lunch on the boat cruise in a catamaran-style shaded boat. We leave Botswana and fly to Livingstone International Airport, arriving at Toka Leya Camp in the late afternoon. On leaving Botswana, we fly over the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet. Toka Leya Camp: is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in the eastern sector of the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, some 12km up from the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Accommodation consists of 12 safari-style tents, each en-suite with a view of the magnificent Zambezi River. The camp”s dining and bar area are under a canopy of trees overlooking the River and a sparkling swimming pool.

Day 11:  Victoria Falls, transfer to Livingstone Airport
The grand finale is a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1708 metres wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge. Transfer to Livingstone Airport immediately after the tour of the Victoria Falls and bid farewell to the adventure.

Rates
Per Person Sharing:  USD 7600
Single Supplement:  USD 1094
validity : 29th Dec 2010

Price Excludes:

Airfare and Taxes

Anything not specified

Visa charges

Government Service Tax of 2.575%

Tailor-made itinerary options are also available on flexible dates, for groups of up to eight guests.

Dates for 2010 

Departure-End Dates
21 Apr-01 May	12 Sep-22 Sep
24 Apr-04 May	15 Sep-25 Sep
03 May-13 May	24 Sep-04 Oct
06 May-16 May	30 Sep-10 Oct
09 May-19 May	03 Oct-13 Oct
18 May-28 May	06 Oct-16 Oct
21 May-31 May	12 Oct-22 Oct
24 May-03 June	15 Oct-25 Oct
02 June-12 June	21 Oct-31 Oct
05 June-15 June	02 Nov-12 Nov
08 June-18 June	05 Nov-15 Nov
23 June-03 July	08 Nov-18 Nov
26 June-06 July	11 Nov-21 Nov
02 July-12 July	17 Nov-27 Nov
14 July-24 July	23 Nov-03 Dec
17 July-27 July	29 Nov-09 Dec
20 July-30 July	02 Dec-12 Dec
29 July-08 Aug	08 Dec-18 Dec
04 Aug-14 Aug	11 Dec-21 Dec
07 Aug-17 Aug	17 Dec-27 Dec
16 Aug-26 Aug	23 Dec-02 Jan
28 Aug-07 Sep	26 Dec-05 Jan
31 Aug-10 Sep	29 Dec-08 Jan
09 Sep-19 Sep

Guides: The entire safari is guided and hosted by a professional trained guide, who shares in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari experience.

Exclusive experience: Many areas in which we travel are private concessions. All Discoverer camps are private and for the use of Exploration travellers only, while our lodges are open to all our guests.

Routes: To maximise guests” travel time, a variety of travel modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in seat-on charters and overland transfers provide both a bird”s-eye view and an in-depth visual experience of the contrasting landscapes of Botswana.

Time: We have specifically allowed for 3-night stays at Discoverer camps; in a journey of this nature, guests have the time to fully relax and unwind, at the same time fully appreciating an in-depth introduction to the diversity of the area as well as its activities.       

Seasonality: We take advantage of the changing seasons so as to provide the best in wildlife viewing on an annual basis.   For example, between 1 December and 31 May, to maximise the possibility of viewing the zebra migration and other game that moves between Linyanti and Savute at this time, guests can take a day to explore and experience the area at its most productive time. (Note: If rains are poor, this migration usually does not occur and sighting of this game movement cannot be guaranteed.)

ADDITIONAL SAFARI NOTES
International air connection onto the safari: If arrival is planned for the day of the safari”s departure, please ensure that this arrival is with the earliest possible flight from Johannesburg. Arrival on a later flight may necessitate additional road or air transfers (as departure for the first camp/lodge will already have taken place), subject to extra cost.

International air connections leaving the safari:  Please ensure that your departure flight is booked for after 12h30 from Livingstone. For earlier international departure flights, an additional transfer will be required to arrive for this connection, subject to an extra cost.

Flashlights/ torches: Please ensure that a minimum 2-D cell flashlight is brought on safari, with spare batteries. Head lamps are also useful. We do not supply flashlights.

Camera battery charging facilities: Please note that a 12V cigarette lighter adaptor will be required (that is compatible with camera make) on this safari for charging batteries while on game drive or transfer drives. 110/ 240V outlets are available at Jacana Camp and Toka Leya Camp; however Linyanti Discoverer and Ketumetse Trails Camp only have 12V electricity.

Dietary requirements and special occasions: Due to remote locality of Discoverer camps, please ensure that full dietary requirements and special occasions are advised at the time of your booking confirmation.