Okavango Channels and Plains

The journey starts with a fascinating overland journey to the Santawani Concession where you are hosted in a charming Explorations camp, and where you go in search of wildlife on the abundant plains of the south-eastern Okavango. A short flight over the scenic expanse of the region transports you to the plentiful channels and waterways of the heart of the Delta and a Classic Wilderness Safaris camp.

This Exploration runs between November and April

Maun International Airport, Botswana You will be met by your Wilderness Explorations guide and transferred by road (approximately 2.5 hours) to the Santawani Concession. On this drive, you will pass through some small villages giving you an insight into the way of life in rural Botswana. The last part of the drive will be through conservation areas where you will have the opportunity to view wildlife.

Days 1 – 3: Gomoti Tented Camp, Okavango Delta
Discover the mixed woodlands and open grasslands of the Santawani Concession. Gomoti Tented Camp is the ideal base from which to explore the area through day and night game drives and guided bush walks.

Gomoti Tented Camp lies in the centre of the 6 000-hectare Santawani Concession, in the south-eastern corner of the Okavango Delta. The camp is nestled under large acacia trees in a diverse, game-rich area. Most of the concession is comprised of mixed woodland that gives way to open grasslands. In years of plentiful rain, these grasslands can be transformed into seasonal floodplains.

Accommodation is in five 5 x 3 metre Savannah canvas tents, which are spacious and comfortable. The tents are designed to recreate the style of the early explorers, with richly-coloured teak director chairs and comfortable interiors. Separate bedside tables with 12-volt reading lamps, wooden-framed wardrobes, comfortable twin beds and mirrors are provided. A private, en-suite toilet and shower forms part of the structure. Paraffin lanterns and a crackling campfire set the ambience in the evening, while fresh, sumptuous meals are prepared by your warm Explorations staff. These are served at a long table in the thatched dining area which overlooks an active waterhole. An after-dinner digestif may be enjoyed around the fire or taken in the cosy lounge adjacent to the dining area.

Did you know?

• Activities focus around day and night game drives and nature walks.
• The fertile, alluvial sands in these areas result in good grass growth which attracts a multitude of grazers.
• Wildlife is plentiful and includes leopard, lion, wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, elephant and plentiful general game.

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

Days 4 – 6: Xigera Camp, Xigera Concession, Okavango Delta
After breakfast we fly by light aircraft over the shimmering water-world of the Okavango Delta to Xigera, where we will have the opportunity to explore the channels of the world-renowned Okavango Delta by boat and mokoro.

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 imported brands)

Day 7: Transfer by light aircraft from Xigera to Maun Airport for your onward arrangements.

OVERVIEW
Summer in Botswana is a special time of year. The vibrant floral displays and dramatic skylines provide a stunning backdrop to the explosion of new life: many species give birth to their young. As such, predators take full advantage of the abundance of inexperienced younger prey. Birding is also outstanding with several species displaying splendid breeding plumage and many intra-African and Palearctic migratory species are present. This journey takes the time to explore the waterways of the Delta as well as the wildlife-rich savannahs of the south-eastern corner of the Okavango. You will experience a nostalgic camping/lodge safari that recreates the sense of adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers.

Your guide: Explorations are led by highly skilled and qualified professional guides who have an incredible passion for the natural regions within which they work. Your guide will host you for the duration of safari, providing you with a consistent, detailed interpretation that is shaped to your specific interests. Many of our guides are skilled photographers who will assist you in capturing outstanding images on your safari.

Did you know?

• We have exclusive access to wilderness areas in the Okavango Delta
• Deluxe camping in the Santawani concession provides an ideal base to explore the habitats and wildlife of the area.
• This safari provides you with an opportunity to explore the Okavango Delta by land, on the water and from the air. You will experience: walks, day and night game-drives, boating, mokoro trips and light air transfers.
• The transfers between locations are diverse and exciting and include both land and air transfers.
• The camps will take 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 simplistic comforts and amenities are elegantly provided

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 eight guests. These are ideal for families or for small groups.

Tented Camp Description (Gomoti Tented Camp): Tented camps are specifically designed to ensure that old-style camping feel with a clear emphasis on necessary and comfortable interiors, creating a peerless wilderness experience. The camps bring the guest closer to nature, by means of a lively campfire, hurricane lanterns, wide-ranging activities and a warm atmosphere.

Exclusivity: Many areas in which we travel are private concessions. Gomoti Tented Camp is private and for the use of Wilderness Explorations guests only, while Xigera Camp and air linkages are open and shared with all Wilderness Safaris guests.

Transfers: To maximize guests’ travel time, a variety of travel modes that bring out the best in each area are used. These include light aircraft transfers and overland transfers in customized 4X4 safari vehicles.

Time: We have specifically allowed for 3-night stays at both camps. This allows one the opportunity to relax and unwind, whilst at the same time giving one the chance to appreciate the diversity of the areas visited.

International air connection onto the safari: The safari and services of the guide start on our Day 1 as per the brochure and detailed itinerary. All scheduled commercial flights must coincide with the start and end point of the particular Exploration that you have booked. This Exploration starts and ends at Maun Airport. If arrival is planned for the day of the safari’s departure, please ensure that this arrival is with the earliest possible flight into Maun. It is important that all guests are ready to depart with the guide by no later than ±13:30. Arrival on a later flight may necessitate additional road or air transfers, or even a Maun overnight (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 the remote locality of tented camps, please ensure that full dietary requirements and special occasions are advised at the time of your booking confirmation.

Okavango Channels and Plains

Our rates include:

• Accommodation
• All meals
• 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 as specified
• Scheduled activities and 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 or post the safari and any new Government taxes
• Levies
• Fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control

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