Desert and Delta Safari by Private Air, 11 Days - $10,995
Botswana and Zimbabwe
Trip Summary
This African safari is scheduled during the African summer, which spans December to April, and designed for the traveler seeking plentiful game sightings as well as the photographer aiming for vibrant landscapes in optimal lighting.
During the African summer, Southern Africa and the Kalahari Desert receive a relatively low rainfall with short afternoon showers, sunny days and bright blue skies. In places like the Kalahari, desert life blooms with colorful grasses and migratory birds, herds of springbok gather to calve, and cheetah activity is high. This is the season when the Victoria Falls are powerful and covered with bright rainbows and photographers revel in clear light. The waters of the Okavango Delta are also receding, allowing both canoe excursions and safari game drives. Private air will comfortably transport you between each of these distinctive ecosystems.
Our African summer safari captures the annual transformation of deserts and deltas and magnificent Victoria Falls, and gets you up-close to the miracle and drama of new life in the African bush.
Highlights
- Enjoy the insights of Ralph Lee Hopkins, your expedition leader and director of Photo Expeditions for the Lindblad/National Geographic Alliance
- Take safaris in the Kalahair desert alive with grasses, birds and calving antelope
- Take guided safaris in open four-wheel-drive vehicles and by mokoro in the Okavango Delta
- Visit magnificent Victoria Falls with a walking tour led by a local historian
- Travel by private air between safari parks
Trip Details
Price:
| Per Person, double occupancy | $10,995 |
| Single supplement | $1,800 |
Departure Dates:
- March 11, 2011
- February 22, 2011
Itinerary
Days 1 - 3
Mashatu Private Game Reserve, Botswana
Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa off your international flights and board your private charter aircraft to the Mashatu Private Game Reserve in Botswana. Explore Mashatu's 75,000 acres of African wildlife and history over these three days. See the veldt renew itself after December's rains and witness the calving season for zebras, waterbucks and kudus. On your safari you may also see elephants, lions, eland, giraffe, ostrich, baobab trees and the unique kori bustard. Take a walk through Motlhabaneng village for a view of contemporary life. Mashatu offers jeep safaris and walking safaris in the African bush.
Lodging: Mashatu Main Camp
Days 4 - 5
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Fly in your private charter aircraft to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and check in to the Victoria Falls Hotel. Take a walking tour of the famed Victoria Falls, which are at their seasonal fullest, with a local historian. Also visit a local African village. Optional extra activities available at Victoria Falls include flights over the falls, boating on the Zambezi River and more.
Lodging: Victoria Falls Hotel
Days 6 - 8
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Fly by private air to Xigera Camp located in the Moremi Game Reserve within the Okavango Delta. Explore the delta by mokoro (dugout canoe)and on jeep safaris in the dry channels. You may witness lions, leopards, hyenas or buffaloes swimming between islands in the Okavango Delta.
Lodging: Xigera Camp
Days 9 - 10
Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana
A morning private flight to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is a game-viewing experience in itself. Explore the unspoiled Kalahari Desert which comes alive at this time of year as the grasses flourish, luring in springbok, gemsbok, blue wildebeest and predators such as cheetahs, jackals and unique Kalahari black-maned lions and brown hyena. Jeep safaris are often accompanied by native San Bushmen, adding culture to your Botswana safari experience.
Lodging: Kalahari Plains Camp
Day 11
Depart for USA
Board your private aircraft one last time and return to Johannesburg where you connect with your international flight home.
Destinations
The Details
