BOTSWANA
FLY-IN SAFARIS
Yet another option on a Botswana fly-in safari is to spend a couple of days or so on the Kubu Queen houseboat, which operates in the deep water of the permanent delta. It sleeps a maximum of four persons in two bedrooms. The Okavango Delta is one of the most prolific wildlife areas in Africa, unique by virtue of the fact that it is a wetland system surrounded by a desert. Its diverse and pristine habitats, together with unmatched scenic beauty, make the region one of Africa's most popular wilderness destination and Botswana's prime wildlife product. The Okavango Delta, which covers an area of up to 15,000 square kilometers, is fed by the Okavango River which originates in the highlands of Angola. The even gradient in Botswana causes the Okavango River to divide into a number of smaller rivers, channels and floodplains. These floodplains are seasonally inundated by the arrival of the water from the catchment area in Angola. The Okavango River spills out into the desert many months after the rain has fallen, to flood the southern reach of the Delta in the winter months when the rest of the country is drying up.
The Chobe and Linyanti regions in northern Botswana have some of Africa's highest concentrations of game and complement the Okavango Delta to create wonderful safari opportunities. Yet another facet of the country is the massive Kalahari Desert, which covers more than 80% of the country. From January to April the grassy plains of the Makgadikgadi Game Reserve attract large herds of migrating wildebeest and zebra. Botswana is one of the few countries in Africa which offers great wildlife viewing away from crowds of tourists.
N. BOTSWANA FLY-IN SAFARI:
LINYANTI, OKAVANGO DELTA & MOREMI WILDLIFE RESERVEThe itinerary which follows is a 'typical' 6-night Botswana fly-in safari, spending time in the Linyanti area, Moremi Wildlife Reserve and the Okavango Delta. A trip such as this one may start in Victoria Falls and end in Maun or vice versa; it can also be undertaken from and back to either Maun or Victoria Falls. There are many variations on this theme: a Northern Botswana fly-in safari can be extended with a few days in the Kalahari (such as at Jack's Camp) or at Chobe (Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe Chilwero or Cresta Mowana Lodge), and there are packages which also include Matetsi Game Lodge near Victoria Falls.
For a first-hand account of what many of the camps are like, please read the May/June 1998 Botswana trip report.
Day 1 -LINYANTI CONCESSION - DUMATAU TENTED CAMP
You will be met on arrival in Maun. Light aircraft transfer to Dumatau Camp - 2 nights on full board basis including activities.
Dumatau Camp is a 16-bedded luxury tented camp situated in a 125,000 hectare private concession bordering onto the Chobe National Park in northern Botswana. Dumatau is built around a shady grove of mangosteen trees, overlooking a large hippo-filled lagoon within the Linyanti waterway system. The grunting of the hippos provides pleasant background sounds for guests staying at Dumatau. The tented rooms have been especially designed to give maximum atmosphere and comfort. The bathroom facilities are en-suite and well appointed.
Visitors to the camps in Northern Botswana are usually pleasantly surprised by the variety and quality of food served at mealtimes. On wake up, usually before sunrise, there is a very light breakfast of tea, coffee, cereals, juices etc. Upon return from the morning game activity a large brunch is served. The camps usually serve savory snacks just before the afternoon activity and guests enjoy a large dinner after the game drive. The camp is situated close to the confluence of the Savuti Channel and the Linyanti River. Because of the wide variety of terrain in the area, activities are diverse and allow guests time on the water, on land and on foot. Game drives are conducted in open 4WD vehicles. The area is famous for its elephants - huge herds congregate along the Linyanti waterways and lagoons - as well as at waterholes down the Savuti Channel. We enjoy good game-viewing along the dry Savuti Channel and along the Linyanti. Savuti is featured in the National Geographic film "Eternal Enemies" where conflicts between hyenas and lions are well documented. During the dry months sable and roan traverse down to the waterways to complement the impala, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, lechwe, tsessebe and other plains game in the area.
Activities at Dumatau include game drives, night drives and walks. Guests are not bound to national parks regulations and can do drives before and after sunset.
Here's what Wilderness Safaris' Colin Bell had to say about Dumatau in his July '98 newsletter:
" Dumatau: This camp has settled down really well and guests I met there were very happy. The initial camp layout has worked wonders and this camp is giving consistent good reviews. The concentrations of lion around the camp itself and in the game drive region in this area are enormous. While I was there, just driving through to get from camp to camp, we saw a pride with 11 cubs and some of the best elephant sightings possible. Guests on game drives that night all saw leopard, dogs, lion and cheetah! Like Kings Pool, these hides in this concession are a great hit and give guests a wonderful way to pass siesta time. Kings Pool, Dumatau and Savuti all have hides close to each camps. Two more are about to be completed in the concession."
Day 3 - OKAVANGO DELTA - DUBA PLAINS CAMPS
Light aircraft transfer to Duba Plains Camp - 2 nights on FB basis including activities.
Duba Plains Camp is one of the Okavango Delta's most remote camps, located in the furthermost reaches of the Okavango Delta. The camp is situated on an island shaded by large ebony, fig and garcinia trees and surrounded by expansive plains which are occasionally flooded.
Duba is small and intimate, accommodating only ten people, therefore guests receive a highly personalized experience. Since Duba has access to large islands, floodplains, and marshes, the camp offers a diversity of experiences. Duba's real treat is its exclusivity and it is ideally suited to those who want to enjoy the wilderness in privacy and seclusion.
Activities at Duba are varied. Guests may choose between game drives in open 4WD vehicles, mokoro excursions and walking safaris. The night drives often provide opportunities to observe and photograph Africa's elusive nocturnal animals in action. At Duba, vehicles are allowed 'off-road' for the ultimate game-viewing experience.
Wildlife at Duba depends upon the water levels in the area. The large herds of buffalo and sable are the lion's main prey. Lechwe dot the savannah and elephant feed on the islands. Hippo concentrate in the deeper channels when the water levels are up (late June through September/October) and leopard are found around the islands. Most of the Delta's birds are found in the area as well.
Accommodation consists of six large tented rooms which accommodate a maximum of 10 guests. Each room has an en-suite bathroom with shower and flush toilet facilities. Each tent has a verandah overlooking the floodplain. The dining room and pub are raised on decking under large riverine trees. There is a small pool for the warmer summer months (September through April).
Comments about Duba Plains from Wilderness Safaris' July Newsletter:
"This camp has changed dramatically since last year for those who have not been there this year! What a great camp! It has lost none of its rustic charm in the rebuild, but the rough edges have been wiped out. Managers Britt and Cardo are doing a superb job and the camp has a wonderful warm feel to it. The entire camp has been rebuilt and there are three main structures in the main living area - all under thatch. The dining room and pub/lounge are joined by stairs and the swimming pool and its reading room (gazebo) are about another 75m away. The reading room is really peaceful and so many of the guests use this area for their relaxing.
The tented rooms are brand new and again look completely different to anything we have in our portfolio. We have erected wooden poles within the tent, at its corners and at it apex. These poles support the inner tent - and the new and tastefully outfitted bathrooms are at the back.
The other big change to the tent, is that doors have been built into the tent - both at the front entrance and to the bathroom. So no zips either!! There is new linen and a whole new feel to the rooms. Pathways are now behind each tent and each tent has lots of peace and quiet out on the verandahs.
Game viewing has been superb, with lots of lion, wild dog, sable and those huge herds of buffalo! The leopards are around, but we are seeing fewer this year than last year for some reason. Mokoro trips have been superb, but as the water level (like Vumbura) has not been as high as last year, we can no longer launch mokoros from directly in front of the camp. We have just moved the mokoro launch point from the front of the camp to a point closer to the permanent waters."
Day 5 - MOREMI WILDLIFE RESERVE - MOMBO TENTED CAMP
Mombo Camp Light aircraft transfer Duba Plains to Mombo Camp - 2 nights on FB basis including activities.
Hidden from the world and situated just off the north-western tip of Chief's Island, is the secret paradise of Mombo. Sometimes an island of its own, sometimes linked to Chief's Island, the region is constantly modified by the ebb and flow of the Delta's waters. Mombo Camp is situated deep within Moremi, beneath huge trees on the edge of a broad floodplain. Large concentrations of wildlife, including all of the large predators, occur in this remote and isolated wilderness region. Several award-winning wildlife documentaries have been filmed at Mombo.
Mombo provides one of the highest quality wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa. Giant umbrella thorns and Ilala palms dot the expansive plains to create a magnificent savannah landscape alongside the marshes and floodplains of the Delta. Privacy for guests is ensured, as we have exclusive use of this area for Mombo and our trails camp. Apart from the occasional government official or wildlife film-maker, our staff and other guests are the only other people you will see during your stay.
Drives in open 4 X 4 vehicles explore the savannah and floodplains where large concentrations of wildlife and birds abound. Experienced guides will accompany you and make early morning and late afternoon excursions educational and entertaining. The middle of the day is the time for pure relaxation - dozing outside your tented room, gazing out over the floodplain from the lodge's hide, or enjoying a dip in the pool, are part of the Mombo experience.
Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and all the major predators are common in the region. A large pack of Wild Dogs frequent the area around the camp and have been successful in raising large litters in recent years. The excellent game at Mombo has made this area Botswana's top wildlife documentary location. National Geographic, BBC and many others have been filming here. Birdlife is prolific with waterfowl and waders being particularly common. Dickinson's Kestrel, Pinkthroated Longclaw, Black Coucal (summer months), Wattled Crane and Meyer's Parrot are among the species found on the floodplains and in the woodlands. At night, the air is filled with sounds of Barred Owls and nightjars, along with fruit-bats and sometimes a passing Leopard or roaring Lion.
Ten large tented rooms accommodate a maximum of twenty guests. Each unit has private en-suite toilet and shower facilities as well as solar-powered lights. A separate dining area, lounge and pub raised onto teak decking and under thatch overlook the floodplains. A plunge pool is built into the wooden deck.
Day 7 - END OF SAFARI
Light aircraft transfer to Maun for onward flight connection.
2002 Price: $2,250 per person sharing (low season through end of June and November/December); $820 single supplement.
High season (01 July to 31 Oct): $2,985 p.p. sharing, single supplement $820.
From April 2000 the new prices will be in effect for Mombo; please call.
To order a brochure, newsletter or 'Frequently Asked Questions' about selecting an African safari destination, send an e-mail message to info@fisheaglesafaris.com with your name, address and telephone number, or call 1-800-513-5222 (713-467-5222 if you're calling from outside North America)
We can also be reached by fax at 713-467-3208. To send us a request for further information, simply complete the response form.
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