Botswana
It is said that Botswana is the jewel of Africa and that the north of the country would be the ultimate wild Eden of the continent, the last haven of the authentic Africa where the footprint of Humankind does not yet cover that of the animals.
Situated in an arid part of the interior of meridional Africa, it borders Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabue and South Africa. It is quite a flat country, almost completely occupied by a plateau at an altitude which ranges from 700 and 1200 meters, somewhat enhancing the ruggedness of the terrain at its eastern extremity. The Kalahari desert occupies almost 70% of the surface of the country, and, to the north, the Mababe Depression is partially occupied by the Okavango Delta.
Botswana is undoubtedly a great safari destination. The wild Flora and Fauna are the queens of the wildlife spectacles which are matched only by very few countries.
With over 160 different species, among them are the famous Big Five: the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the buffalo and the rhinoceros. Its elephant population is the largest in Africa, making up ¼ of all the species in the continent. The rhinoceros, on the contrary, is seriously endangered, being it only possible to observe them in two reservations, created to protect them.
—Program details
Exit from Lisbon on a schedule to be announced towards Johannesburg, South Africa.
Arrival at the Airport of Johannesburg. After disembarking formalities, transfer transfer to the parking lot of the 4×4 vehicles. Start of a connection trip to Zeerust, a small location before the border with Botswana.
Dinner and accommodation at the Lodge.
After breakfast and customs formalities, the next stage follows up to Ghanzi, crossing the Kalahari desert by road with a trip to the Bushman village.
Dinner and stay at the Lodge.
After arriving in Maun around lunch time, the afternoon is taken to visit the city and to buy supplies for the meals of the following days at the Okavango Delta, and, for those who are interested, a scenic flight over the delta.
Dinner and stay at the Lodge.
Start of the first big day at the Okavango Delta.
Okavango
Okavango is the largest terrestrial delta in the world, covering an area of up to 15.000km2, with a fascinating and unique ecosystem. Famous for the wonders of the terrestrial delta, its silence, flora and various animals which are plentiful in the area, such as: hippopotamus, crocodiles, herds of buffalo, elephants and giraffes, as well as a great variety of antelopes and impalas, swimming lions, among many other predators.
The Okavango Delta is composed by 4 distinct areas: the eastern side, the inferior part of the Delta, the Moremi Wildlife Reserve and the enclave on the northern side of the Delta. It is at the Moremi Reserve that we will spend the day. It is one of the most beautiful reserves of Africa, with an enormous and diversified population of birds and wild animals. It covers over 3.000km2 of marshlands, islands, flooded plains, forests and dry lands. Right at the heart of the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, is the stunning Xakanaxa lagoon, which supports a big variety of fish. A population of leopards and wild dogs can be seen regularly around here. Lunch (packed) will take place around the Park, and the night will be spent camping. Dinner around the fire, and the opportunity to test your culinary skills.
This day will still be dedicated to Moremi before we enter a most beautiful path by a branch of the delta, where we will camp. At night, hippopotamus can be heard, as we remain around the fire and under the starry sky of Africa.
On this day, we will continue along the delta branch until we enter the Chobe National Park, the second largest in Botswana. This Park is divided into 4 distinct ecosystems. Given the trajectory of our trip, the rest of the day will be spent in one of them: the Savuti Marsh. With an area of 10.878km2, it has already been the stage for several documentaries about the yearly migration of zebras. In all of this space, live an astonishing variety of wildlife: large-sized mammals and over 450 species of birds. Lunch (packed) will be around the Park, and then we will head to Kassane, by the Chobe river.
Accommodation and dinner at the Lodge.
On this day, you will get a different perspective of the Delta, and for the morning we have reserved a boat ride across the National Park of Chobe. The Chobe river is the main attraction of the Park, with its magnificent landscapes and its abundance of wildlife, mostly bird species. Another highlight of the Park is its vast population of elephants, estimated to be around 120.000, the largest in all of Africa. Besides elephants, it’s possible to spot other wild animals, such as buffalos, zebras, giraffes, impalas, African warthogs, kudus and wildebeests, hippopotamus and crocodiles which concentrate in large numbers along the river. After lunch, in Kassane, we will head to the frontier with Zimbabwe. After customs formalities, we leave for Victoria Falls, where we will stay for the night.
Free time around dinner.
Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
After breakfast, return to Botswana. After customs formalities, we will begin a road trip to Planet Baobab, a very original lodge muito by the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, which holds some of the most stunning baobabs of Botwsana.
Dinner and accommodation at Planet Baobab.
Early exit for an extraordinary stroll around the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The name Makgadikgadi means “vast and lifeless land”. Nowadays, the plains are practically uninhabited by humans, which brings about a true sensation of isolation. Despite its moon-like appearance, for some moths of the year this place becomes one of the most interesting marshlands of Africa.
The great plains covered in a shiny coat of salt form in the dry seasons about 5.000km2 of white surface, a bright white that hurts the eye and only seem to come alive in the short months of Austral summer, when it is covered by a few inches of water and shelters several species of aquatic birds. The rain also regenerates the plants and attracts zebras and predators from South Africa. By the end of the day, we will arrive at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary and camp for one last time and one last night of conviviality around the fire.
After raising camp, we will make a small visit to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a refuge for white rhinoceros. This Sanctuary still holds about 30 other animal species and 230 more bird species. The reserve has been well succeeded, flourishing even more under the protection of a dedicated team of specialists and the Armed Forces of Botswana, which protect this space against hunters by surveilling it 24h a day. We head to Gabarone. The capital of this country, it’s a vibrant and colorful city, located in a valley between the hills of Kgale and Oodi, having an estimated population of about 186.000 inhabitants. Gabarone was chosen for headquarters of the Government given its strategic location, its closeness to the railway and to Pretoria, its accessibility to most main tribes, and especially because of its proximity to an important source of water.
Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel.
We head towards Sun, where we will stay for 2 days. Free day to get to know this absolutely fascinating complex. Sun City is internationally recognized as the main and most exotic holiday resort of South Africa. It offers an infinite number os attractions and activities for everyone 24h a day. It is a true luxury tourist complex, composed by 4 hotels of different categories, casinos, a water park, golf court, tennis court, artificial beach with waves, crocodile breeding park, shops and even panoramic ballon or paragliding rides. Within, the famous Lost City is recreated as an exuberant palace.
After 2 days in Sun City, we return to Johannesburg to hand over the 4×4 vehicles and head to the airport, so as to return to Lisbon.
Arrival in Lisbon.
—Conditions for participation
✓The price includes
- Off-road vehicle with insurance
- Fuel
- 13 overnight stays with breakfast
- 13 dinners
- Travel insurance
- Entrance to natural reserves
- Ferry
- Fees
- Flights
✗The price does not include
- Meals not stated in the program
- Drinks at meals and extra expenses
- Personal expenses
- Visas and custom fees
▸Terms of use:
- Payment of 50% of the total price upon payment.
- Payment of the remaining 50% until up to 30 days before the beginning of the trip.
- See in detail all terms of use.
◎Participants:
- Min: 12 people
- Max: 18 people
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