Botswana & Zambia Explorer

Day 4-5: Camp Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve

Fly from Leroo La Tau to Moremi Game Reserve, the heart of the Okavango Delta. Spend 2 nights in Moremi exploring the area in a mix of game drives and boat cruises. We recommend doing more game drives as your chances are better for wildlife viewing and there will be plenty of boating opportunities at the next camp. Camp Management will confirm the times for your light aircraft transfer during your stay.

Moremi Game Reserve

Area Overview

The Moremi Game Reserve is situated in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta, on the south-western border of the Chobe National Park, and covers almost one-third of the Delta.

With such a wide variety of vegetation comes a diverse spectrum of wildlife. Huge herds of Impala and Tsessebe are found in the area, while in the dry season large herds of Buffalo, Wildebeest, Elephant and Zebra flock into the reserve from the Kalahari in search of food and water. The rare Sitatunga and Lechwe antelope live in the papyrus banks of the waterways. Lions, Cheetahs and packs of Wild Dogs hunt in the open grassland.

The reserve is home to over 400 species of birds, including the African Fish Eagle, the Crested Crane and the Sacred Ibis. This vast variety of mammal, bird, insect, plant, fish and reptile species have successfully adapted to the swamp conditions. Moremi Game Reserve is a wilderness paradise, with great game viewing throughout the year.

On the north-eastern tip of Moremi, the Khwai River is an area where tall evergreen trees fringe a wide floodplain. In the heart of Moremi, at the tip of the Mopane Tongue, lies Xakanaxa Lagoon. Mopane forests and a patchwork of deep waterways and shallow flooded areas create a beautiful area packed with game. Leopard and Cheetah are regularly seen and the density of antelope is amazing. The area’s birdlife is exceptional.

Camp Xakanaxa

Property Overview

The prime location of Camp Xakanaxa (pronounced Ka-ka-na-ka) on the banks of the Khwai River on the Xakanaxa Lagoon, in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, makes it one of the very few safari camps that offers guests an authentic, year-round Okavango Delta land and water safari experience.

In camp, a relaxed and friendly atmosphere together with personalized and caring service evokes a feeling of coming home. The stylish main buildings extend over the Khwai River and are set on raised platforms to maximize the views over the surrounding lagoons and islands. The elegant lounge and dining rooms, built of local timber, reed, and thatch, feature a small library, expansive sundeck, plunge pool, and sala with day bed. The fire-deck extends over the Khwai River and creates an enchanting environment in which to relax after dinner. There is also a larger pool with elevated sun deck in the expansive grounds.

The camp accommodates 24 guests in 11 spacious all-canvas, classic Meru-style Luxury Safari Tents, each with en-suite showers, hand basins, and toilet facilities. Situated around the fringe of the lagoon, every tent has a private viewing deck with comfortable loungers. Camp Xakanaxa is one of the few camps in Botswana which still offers the essence of a classic tented camp.

The ancient riverine forests, open savannah, serpentine channels and seasonal floodplains that surround the camp make for a varied habitat of exceptional fauna and flora. The camp is one of few offering a year-round land and water game-viewing experience, in open 4×4 safari vehicles or powerboats. The diverse habitat ensures prolific sightings of elephant, buffalo, hyena, giraffe, hippo, wildebeest, kudu, lechwe, lion and leopard, among many others. Birding is spectacular, especially in the spring and summer months when the migrants are breeding.

Day 6-7: Nxamaseri Island Lodge, Okavango Delta

Fly from Moremi Game Reserve over the entire Okavango Delta to the Pan-handle region for a further 2 night stay. Camp Management will confirm the times for your light aircraft transfer during your stay.

Embark on a scenic helicopter flight first thing in the morning over the Okavango Delta with Helicopter Horizons. Enjoy a day tour to the Tsodilo Hills UNESCO World Heritage Site for an opportunity to see the ancientrock art of the San People or hike to one of the highest points Botswana.

Okavango Delta

Area Overview

The Okavango Delta is the largest intact inland delta in the world, and is exceptionally rich in wildlife. Situated deep within the Kalahari Basin, the Delta is characterized by meandering deep water channels lined with papyrus reeds that open up into larger lagoons and islands; these in turn give way to seasonal floodplains and eventually large tracts of dry land where animals congregate. Fed by the Okavango River and rains from the highlands of Angola, the Delta can vary in size from 15,000 sq km (5,800 sq mi) during drier periods to a staggering 22,000 sq kms (8,500 sq mi) during wetter periods.

The game viewing depends on season, floodwaters and food availability but it is one of the most sought after wilderness destinations in the world. In addition to big game viewing, visitors come to experience the supreme tranquility and serenity of an untouched delta, and scenes of extraordinary natural beauty. It consistently produces very good predator action with considerable herds of ungulates and elephants, as well as a reintroduced (predominantly white) rhino population.

Nxamaseri Island Lodge

Property Overview

Nxamaseri Island Lodge is a unique African experience on a private island in the permanent waters of Botswana’s Okavango Panhandle. A small, exclusive lodge, it is one of the oldest in the Okavango Delta. The distinct style of Nxamaseri Island Lodge showcases the beauty of the permanent swamp that is it’s home and subtly expresses the rich vibrance of the indigenous people.

Locally inspired, Nxamaseri Island Lodge celebrates the colourful vibrance of the Botswana culture. Enjoy incredible views of the panhandle from the lounge area which has comfortable seating and plenty of good books to browse.

Nxamaseri Island Lodge prides itself on providing a personal touch. The lodge features 9 charming, en suite chalets. Teak walkways link the chalets to the lodge main area, providing an opportunity to witness, at close range, the remarkable birdlife that inhabits the tree canopy above.

Take a boat or mokoro trip in the cool Nxamaseri waterways to relax and revitalise your soul. The channels abound with water lilies, fish and wildlife such as crocodiles, hippos, otters, swamp antelope, and bird species too numerous to count.

Day 8-9: Chobe Game Lodge, Kasane

Today you will fly to the town of Kasane. On arrival you will be met by a driver for a transfer to your accommodation inside the Chobe National Park. Spend 2 nights here exploring this incredible wildlife area on twice daily activities. Lodge Management will confirm the times for your airport transfer during your stay.

Chobe National Park

Area Overview

Chobe National Park is located in northern Botswana, in easy driving distance to Kasane and Victoria Falls. Chobe is Botswana’s first designated national park and, at over 11,700 km2 (4,500 mi2), is one of the largest. The greater Chobe area consists of the Chobe River, Savute, and Linyanti, which combined is home to Africa’s largest elephant population.

There is a rich variety of landscapes in addition to the famed riverfront including vast floodplains, woodlands, grasslands, and clay pans which can be enjoyed by boating safaris and game drives.

Chobe Game Lodge

Property Overview

The only permanent game lodge situated within the famous Chobe National Park, Chobe Game Lodge is Botswana’s premier venue for guests looking for a perfect base from which to explore the National Park and the Chobe River. This five-star Lodge has full eco-grading by the Botswana Tourism Board.

Chobe Game Lodge is designed as a haven of peace and privacy – where relaxation is effortless and you can enjoy your own space. With six comfortably furnished viewing decks, a riverside boma, two bars, six different lounges and four dining locations, a comfy chair or lounger is never far away, each with a different perspective on the wilderness that surrounds the lodge. A large swimming pool provides welcome relief during hot afternoons and there is always a waiter on hand to bring you refreshments from the bar.

Chobe Game Lodge offers a choice of land or water-based activities and the most complete game experience in the Chobe National Park. Early-morning and late-afternoon game drives are conducted by expert guides in open-sided 4×4 vehicles to ensure maximum visibility of Chobe National Park’s spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. Meanwhile, riverside game viewing may be done from small and highly manoeuvrable boats, perfect for morning or sunset cruises.

Day 10-11: Taita Falcon Lodge, Livingstone

A transfer will take you to Kasane Airport. Here you will meet a representative from Taita Falcon Lodge for your transfer across the border to Zambia. Spend 2 nights at the newly rebuilt Taita Falcon Lodge. During your time here you will have an opportunity to visit the Victoria Falls and the town of Livingstone. Camp Management will confirm details for your airport transfer during your stay.

Livingstone

Area Overview

This laidback and friendly border town on the edge of the Zambezi River is named after famous Scottish explorer and missionary Sir David Livingstone, the first non-Zambian to encounter the majestic Victoria Falls in 1855. It serves as a hub for exploring the further reaches of Zambia and offers a multitude of activities for adrenaline junkies, including white water rafting, gorge swinging, jet boating, microlight plane rides, elephant back safaris, and bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls bridge which, at 111 meters (364 ft), is one of the highest bridge jumps in the world.

While fisherman angle for Tigerfish upstream, downstream the Zambezi River rages with up to grade 5 rapids, such as the aptly named ‘overland truck eater.’ During the drier months, a rock pool known as Devil’s Pool forms on the edge of the Falls, creating the ultimate infinity pool. During a full moon, especially from June to August, visitors have the chance to witness a lunar rainbow over the Falls at night.

Taita Falcon Lodge

Property Overview

Nestled above the Zambezi River, overlooking its winding waters and the dramatic cliffs of the Batoka Gorge, lies Taita Falcon Lodge. This wilderness retreat is located in the heart of Zambia, downriver from the mighty Victoria Falls.

With its vast viewing platform, open-air bar, and lounge perched over the sheer cliffs, it’s the perfect place to take in Zambia’s scenic vistas. Winding stone-lined pathways lead the way through the grounds from the main lodge, bar, pool, and boma area around to the secluded chalets.

This secluded lodge has a total of 7 en-suite chalets, all of which are designed and built using local materials. Each chalet is named after a bird of prey that can be seen soaring the skies.

Taita Falcon Lodge is an ideal base to explore the falls and experience the many activities offered in the area. Some of the popular activities are tours of Victoria Falls and Livingstone, visiting a cultural village, sunset river cruise, canoeing safaris, game drives, dining at the Elephant Café & the Floating Restaurant, Zambezi River fishing, helicopter & micro light flights, white water rafting, jet boat rides, abseiling, the Gorge Swing, Vic Falls bungee jumping, high-tea on Livingstone Island, riding the Livingstone Express, a tram bridge tour, Chobe day-trip safari, and quad-biking.

Day 12-16: Chikunto Safaris, South Luangwa

A transfer will take you from Taita Falcon Lodge to Livingstones airport. From here you will fly via Lusaka to the town of Mfuwe. On arrival you will be met by a driver for a transfer to your accommodation inside South Luangwa National Park. Spend 4 nights here exploring this incredible national park. Camp Management will confirm details for your airport transfer during your stay.

South Luangwa National Park

Area Overview

South Luangwa is 9,060 km2 (3,500 mi2) in size and has incredibly diverse landscapes ranging from dense forests of mopane, ebony and sausage trees to wide open savanna punctuated only by the occasional lonely baobab – all hugged by the wide and winding Luangwa River. The river is the most intact major river system in Africa and the lifeblood of this park. The now famous “walking safari” originated here and is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness firsthand. The changing seasons add to the park’s richness, from dry bushveld in the winter to lush wonderland in the summer months.

60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species live in South Luangwa National Park. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction. Aptly named the Valley of the Leopard, it is widely considered one of the best places in Southern Africa to look for these elusive cats. With an estimated 50 hippos per kilometer of the Luangwa River, it’s a very popular destination for them too.

Chikunto Safaris

Property Overview

Chikunto Safaris is a superb new boutique property, delivering a unique hybrid ‘Camp’ and ‘Lodge’ experience for its guests; successfully combining the authenticity, remoteness and connections with the bush of the former, with the feelings of security, the amenities and the discrete luxuries of the latter.

It is located on an amazing site within the world-renowned South Luangwa National Park, known to many as the ‘Valley of the Leopard’, and recognised as one of Africa’s premier national parks – frequently referred to as the ‘Real Africa’.

Chikunto was built with the assistance of local villagers from the rural Mfuwe area, under the guidance of the German/Swiss owners, and is renowned for its game-rich location, the quality of its guiding and the superb food it consistently delivers. The close bond with the local community has been retained, with many of the locals involved with the original construction being re-trained and continuing to work as part of the ‘Chikunto Family.’

Chikunto Safaris offers a range of unforgettable safari experiences and activities tailored to suit your time and interests. During game drives and walking safaris, the well trained safari guides will will take you on a memorable journey of discovery.

On your last morning, a transfer will take you back to Mfuwe Airport for a flight to Lusaka’s International Airport for onward connection.