Into the Wilderness

Arrival: Maun International Airport, Botswana On arrival at Maun International Airport, you will be met by a Wilderness Explorations guide who will assist you in boarding a light aircraft for your flight to Xigera, situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta. After a short flight you will arrive at Xigera Camp in time for an afternoon safari activity.

Day 1 – 3: Xigera Camp, Xigera Concession, Okavango Delta
Enjoy morning and afternoon safari activities exploring the Xigera Concession. Activities offered include boating, mokoro trips, game drives and walks.

Nestled in a magnificent riverine forest, Xigera Camp embodies the essence of the Okavango Delta. The camp is found on the aptly-named ‘Paradise Island’, surrounded by almost year-round water and lush vegetation. We invite you to stay in one of the nine beautifully furnished, en-suite tented rooms offering views over a seasonal floodplain and small lagoon. You will enjoy meals and drinks in the lounge and dining area overlooking the flowing channel or under the stars in our traditional African boma. During long lazy afternoons, take a plunge in the pool or soak up the sun on a lounger. Surrounded by spectacular wilderness, Xigera Camp will give you a feeling of wellbeing far from the hubbub of modern living.

Did you know?

• The camp is 100% solar powered.
• Your activities at Xigera typically include mokoro and motorboat outings. Game drives are seasonal, dependent on the water levels.
• Mammal sightings include the water-loving red lechwe, spotted-necked otter, elephant and tsessebe along with the elusive sitatunga. Predators include leopard and spotted hyaena.
• Xigera is a delight for birdwatchers with specials such as Pel’s fishing-owl, African skimmer, greater swamp warbler and wattled crane occurring here.

Included: All meals, daily activities, limited laundry and local drinks (excluding premium import brands)

Days 4 – 6: Linyanti Tented Camp, Linyanti Concession, Botswana
After a morning safari activity at Xigera, transfer by light aircraft transfer to Linyanti Tented Camp in the Linyanti Concession in time for an afternoon safari activity. Enjoy your time here exploring the wildlife-rich area on morning and afternoon/evening game drives.

Set in the 125 000-hectare Linyanti Concession bordering Chobe National Park, Linyanti Tented Camp is the ideal base from which to explore this wildlife-rich area. Unrivalled in its remoteness and the sense of space that it affords, the concession is bordered by two iconic watercourses – the Linyanti River to the north and the Savute Channel to the south.

The eight tents are large, airy and designed to recreate the accommodation style of the early explorers, with canvas surrounds, wooden wardrobes and trunks. The en-suite toilet and shower, wide comfortable beds, mirrors, fans and deck chairs ensure that you can enjoy this secluded corner of northern Botswana in absolute comfort. The main area of the camp, built on a slightly raised deck, looks out over the Linyanti River and floodplain. The camp is the perfect place to relax around a crackling fire after a great day’s game viewing as you listen to the sounds of the African night. Our warm and friendly staff are on hand to ensure that all your needs are catered for, whilst our chefs will prepare fresh, sumptuous meals that can either be enjoyed on the dining deck or in the boma.

Did you know?

• The landscape of the Linyanti is diverse, from floodplains and riverine forests to open dry-land savannah and woodland with sweeping views.
• Wildlife includes a strong elephant population, as well as rare roan and sable antelope, plains game and the associated predators. The area has a strong leopard and wild dog population.
• Due to the vast size of the area, activities are centred on game drives exploring the wide range of habitats.

Included: All meals, daily activities, limited laundry and local drinks (excluding premium import brands)

Day 7: After a morning safari, you will depart from the Linyanti Airstrip and return to Maun.

Your journey: Your journey explores two unique wilderness areas that have been shaped by the southernmost fault lines of Africa’s iconic Great Rift Valley. Formed by seasonal flooding due to rains that have fallen in the Angolan Highlands, this fascinating inland delta is frequently inundated during the dry winter months. Our safari begins in the heart of the Okavango exploring the Xigera Concession from the beautiful island that is home to Xigera Camp.

Heading north to Linyanti Tented Camp, you will have the opportunity to explore the riverine woodlands of the Linyanti River – famed for the sharp change in its course due to the fault lines of the Great Rift. The river and associated floodplains are a hive of activity as large numbers of general game such as impala, zebra and kudu head to the life-giving water. The presence of these animals attracts the associated predators, in particular leopard and wild dog. The Linyanti Concession also has a reputation for its large concentrations of elephant.

Your guide: Explorations are led by highly skilled and qualified professional guides with an incredible passion for the natural regions they work in. Our guides are passionate about sharing their knowledge for these wilderness areas. Having one guide throughout your safari ensures a sense of continuity together with a consistent and detailed interpretation that is shaped to your specific interest. Many of our guides are skilled photographers – from making sure that the safari vehicle is situated in the best location to checking your camera settings where necessary, they are on hand to ensure you capture the best possible images.

Did you know?

• Exclusive access to wilderness areas in the Okavango Delta and Linyanti Wildlife Reserve.
• Accommodation is in authentic, fully-serviced, luxury tented accommodation that also provides an intimate ‘close-to-nature’ experience.
• Combines two fascinating Botswana areas for a discovery of a variety of habitats and wildlife.
• Experience an exceptionally diverse range of activities: walks, day and night wildlife viewing – both water- and land-based.
• The light aircraft transfers offer spectacular aerial views of the Okavango Delta

ADDITIONAL SAFARI NOTES
Tour direction: Maun to Maun

Private safari options: Tailored Explorations are available on flexible dates, accommodation and itineraries, for groups of up to seven guests. These are also ideal for families or for small groups from four guests.

Exclusivity: Both camps in this Exploration are located in private concessions. The camps and air linkages may however be shared with other Wilderness Safaris guests.

Transfers: All transfers on this safari are by light aircraft.

Time: We have specifically allowed for 3-night stays at both camps. A three-night stay offers an opportunity to unwind, whilst at the same time allowing one enough time to explore the diversity of these vast wilderness areas.

International air connection onto the safari: If arrival into Botswana 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 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 13h00 from Maun. 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. Wilderness Explorations does not supply flashlights.

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

As a set-departure guided journey, the Into the Wilderness – Botswana’s fully inclusive rates comprise the expertise of one knowledgeable and professional guide who leads you from beginning to end, combined with tailor-made services like logistics, sightseeing and accommodation in our camps.

Our rates include:

• Accommodation
• All meals
• A reasonable amount of soft drinks
• Mineral water
• Fruit juice
• House wine and beer, as well as local spirits such as gin and Amarula
• National Park fees
• Laundry
• Road transfers
• Scheduled activities
• All internal charters

Our rates exclude:

• Flights (other than specified in the detailed safari itinerary)
• Visas
• Compulsory comprehensive insurance
• All relevant entry and departure Government taxes
• Gratuities
• All personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls, etc.)
• Optional extra activities
• Pre and post safari tours
• All other travel arrangements pre and post the safari
• Any new Government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control

Into the Wilderness

Rates will be determined once we have secured the relevant lodge accommodations for you.