Botswana Safari Wet Season

Botswana safari S E T D A T E D E P A R T U R E

w E T S E A S o n I T I n E R A R Y

3 nIGHTS In THE MoREMI GAME RESERVE & THE oKAVAnGo DELTA3 nIGHTS AT CAMP KALAHARI

DELTA & MIGRATION...ON sAfAri wITh uNchARTed AfRIcA sAfRAI cO.Join us on a six night adventure packed safari to explore the two iconic and totally different features of

Botswana - the world’s largest inland delta system and the makgadikgadi, a salt pan system the size of

switzerland. this is the genuine article – an authentic three night moBile safari expedition, set up in the

Best location, in the greatest of comfort. track lion, follow herds of elephant, experience the okavango

delta, then head off for three nights at camp kalahari, a traditional Bush camp in the heart of the mak-

gadikgadi. see the last surviving migration of zeBra and wildeBeest in southern africa, walk with Bushmen

guides, visit chapman’s BaoBaB, and get up close and personal with the coolest meerkats in the kalahari.

it’s real adventure in unreal style!

InTRoDUCTIon PG 2

flush lOOs, Down piLLows, puRe cOTTON sheeTs, peRsIAN RuGs, bonE-hAnDLED siLvEr cuTleRy, DAmAsk TAble lINeN, TeAk ANd bRAss cOMbINe comforT wiTh sTyLE...

we deploy only the most experienced and

qualified of the company’s guides on our

mobile expeditions. carefully trained by

ralph Bousfield, each qualified Biologist

guide must have a minimum of at least

two years guiding experience in the kala-

hari allowing us to give our guests a holistic

understanding of this magical and pristine

wilderness environment.

uncharted africa safari co’s vehicles are

top-of-the-range, extremely comfortable

toyota landcruisers. the multiple thought-

ful details including roof top seats, leather

beanbags for photography and ponchos, to

keep one warm during sunrise drives, make

them perfect for game viewing.

camp will be comprised of large tents

equipped in a luxurious fashion unequalled

on any other mobile safari.

real beds, flush loos, down pillows,

pure cotton sheets, persian rugs, bone-

handled silver cutlery, damask table linen,

teak and brass classically styled campaign

kit combine comfort with style. the only

concessions to roughing it are the bucket

showers, which are private and en suite.

uncharted africa safari co. is renowned

throughout the industry for menus that

emphasise fresh tastes and originality.

three course meals under the stars

include such treats as fresh tomato and basil

soup, ostrich piccata, roast Botswana beef,

delectable orange tarts and impossibly

rich, but light, chocolate puddings.

teas are indulgent affairs with treats like

triple layer, banana caramel cake, tangy

lemon curd biscuits and the best brownies

in the bush!

all bread is baked daily, and delicious full

cooked english breakfasts are on offer

every morning.

STYLES & STAnDARDS PG 3

STYLES & STAnDARDS PG 4

GAmE & wATeR...3 NIGhTs IN The morEmi GAmE rEsErvE & The okAvAnGo DELTA

The unsurpassed diversiTy ThaT BoTswana has To offer is BesT experienced

on The move. This prisTine wilderness is Teeming wiTh game and has more

wildlife species Than anywhere else in africa!

MoREMI GAME RESERVE & oKAVAnGo DELTA PG 5

pARk AT The edGe Of A lAGOON ANd wATch hErDs of ELEphAnT ANd A MyRIAd Of birDs cOMING dOwN TO dRINk whIlsT The sun sETs

DAY 1

on arrival, you will be met at maun

airport and transferred by air into the

moremi game reserve, where you will

meet your guide.

once in the moremi, a slow meander/

game drive to familiarise yourselves

with the area and then into your camp in

good time to shower and unpack before

sundowners and dinner.

DAY 2

Breakfast in the first light of day and

head out in the safari vehicles for your

introduction to some of the animals of

the dry floodplain environment, looking

for zebra, wildebeest, impala and preda-

tors such as wild dog and cheetah.

return to camp for lunch and a siesta.

after a delicious spread of tea and cake,

head out for sundowners. park at the

edge of a lagoon and watch herds of

elephant and a myriad of birds coming

down to drink whilst the sun sets and

you are given an informal talk on the

geological history of the area.

return to camp for a sumptuous dinner.

mor e m i gam e r e s e rve & okavango de lta pg 6

DAY 3

after breakfast, take a game drive to the

lagoon’s edge and board a boat to ex-

plore the waters of the delta.

the open lagoons provide a wonderful

contrast in habitat after the dry forest ar-

eas and floodplains. putt along the maze

of channels, stopping to admire rare birds

and the diversity of aquatic life.

spot small crocodiles basking in the sun

on sparkling white sandbanks and hippos

jousting for territories with spectacular

splashes and clashes of jaws and some

serious dental equipment.

have a picnic lunch on a sandy bank in

the river and cool off at a safe swimming

spot.

relax and sneak in a short siesta.

return to your boat and head back along

the waterways towards camp. search out

creatures typical of the ecosystem and

explore the interrelationships of species

and the systems in which they live.

arrive in camp. enjoy a relaxing time

around the camp fire, and your last lamp

lit dinner in the moremi.

DAY 4

say your farewells and transfer out of the

delta to camp kalahari.

puTT AlONG The mAzE of chAnnELs, sTOppING TO ADmirE rArE birDs & The DivErsiTy Of AquATIc lIfe.

mor e m i gam e r e s e rve & okavango de lta pg 7

CAMP KALAHARI PG 8

AcAcIAs & ADvEnTurE...3 NIGhTs IN The mAkGADikGADi pAns & The kALAhAri DEsErT

Cam p kalaHar i pg 8

DAY 1

arrive at camp kalahari, nestled amongst the acacias and

mokolwane palms of Brown hyaena island, on the edge of

the makgadikgadi salt pans, adjacent to the makgadikga-

di-nxai pans national park, Botswana.

this traditional bush camp has ten spacious meru tents,

comprised of six twin tents, three double tents and one

family unit which has two adjacent tents, accommodating

two guests in each with an inter-leading bathroom.

all tents have en-suite outdoor bathrooms, hot and cold

running water and flush loos along with comfy beds,

crunchy cotton sheets, traditional african blankets and hot

water bottles in winter.

The following iTinerary is an ouTline of The acTiviTies offered

during your sTay aT camp kalahari. The order in which The

acTiviTies are experienced may vary depending on weaTher and/or

oTher facTors. please noTe ThaT guesTs wiTh an early morning

deparTure will noT Be aBle To do The final morning’s acTiviTy.

CAMP KALAHARI PG 9

CAMP KALAHARI PG 10

due TO AN ONGOING hAbITuATION pROGRAMMe, IT’s pOssIble fOR GuesTs

TO GET up cLosE & pErsonAL wITh These cApTivATinG cReATuRes!

a thatched central library, lounge and dining

area, allow one to relax and enjoy the se-

renity of this enchanting area, and for those

who’d like to cool off, or enjoy a lazy siesta

in or out of the sun, there’s the thatched

swimming pool pavilion.

head off after tea in the beautiful afternoon

light, stop to watch the sun set and listen

to an explanation of how the makgadikgadi

pans, the remnants of the world’s largest

ever super-lake, were formed.

return to camp kalahari for a delicious din-

ner.

DAY 2

set off in the morning to visit some of the

kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the

meerkats. as a meerkat’s wake up time is

weather dependent, breakfast might be en-

joyed in camp on cooler and rainy days, or

as a picnic on warmer, sunnier days.

due to an ongoing habituation programme,

it’s possible for guests to get up close and

personal with these captivating creatures.

remember, they are not tame – just used

to our non-threatening presence. on chilly

mornings, you might well find a meerkat

snuggling up to you for warmth.

or, in the absence of a termite mound or

tree, using your head as a sentry lookout

post… By spending quality time with these

incredibly social, superbly adapted animals,

you will be able to see how they interact with

each other and their environment.

you also get the chance to see the desert

through the eyes of a meerkat – which,

despite the fact that it’s only a foot off the

ground, is a pretty spectacular vantage

point, and definitely one of the most special

and memorable game experiences you will

encounter in Botswana.

leave the meerkats as they continue with

their eternal foraging, to visit a remote cat-

tle-post. here you will learn about the tradi-

tional culture of the Batswana people.

close by is the famous chapman’s Baobab

(also known as the seven sisters) which is

acknowledged to be the third largest tree in

africa, and was the campsite of early explor-

ers like livingstone and selous when they

pioneered the area.

this gives you an opportunity to gain a fas-

cinating insight into the history of the early

explorers.

return to camp for a refreshing lunch and

siesta.

after tea, head off in search of some

unique desert species such as aardvark,

bat eared foxes, aardwolves, and the

elusive brown hyaena, which is the third

rarest large carnivore in africa, with only

about 8,000 in the wild.

Brown hyaenas are the consummate

desert specialists, surviving in arid areas

where both food and water are scarce. a

timid, nocturnal species rarely seen by

humans, but in spite of being solitary for-

agers; they are very social animals, living

in clans of up to 10-12 hyaenas.

enjoy a night game drive back to camp,

and with the aid of a spot light, look for

nocturnal desert inhabitants such as

aardvark, bat eared foxes, aardwolves,

porcupine, honey badgers and perhaps

even a black maned kalahari lion!

arrive at camp kalahari in time for dinner.

DAY 3

wake up to a delicious breakfast and

head off for a full day in the makgadik-

gadi national park to see the zebra and

wildebeest migration.

in the kalahari desert rain is the ‘currency

of life’ and it is incredible to see how, as

soon as the rains arrive, the desert trans-

forms into a green oasis teeming with life.

within days of the first rain, thousands

of Burchell’s zebra and blue wildebeest

make their way across the makgadikgadi

national park to feed on the sweet sum-

mer grasses, and benefit from the high

mineral content found in the salt pans.


The kAlAhARI: The deseRT wITh The GrEATEsT spEciEs DivErsiTy IN The wORld!

As sOON As The rAins ArrivE, The deseRT TRANsfORMs INTO A GrEEn

oAsis TeeMING wITh lIfe.

until recently it was thought that the zebra

and wildebeest came from the Boteti river,

but new research has shown that some of

the zebras come from as far away as the

southern parts of the okavango delta. the

route to the makgadikgadi from the southern

delta is no easy trot and this new data has

emphasised just how incredibly important

the makgadikgadi area is to these animals.

while enjoying a picnic lunch in the shade

of a grove of trees, you will see the awe-in-

spiring spectacle of the last surviving zebra

and wildebeest migration in southern africa.

this is the second largest migration of af-

rican ungulates, with an estimated 30,000

animals, the majority being zebra, partici-

pating each year.

close behind the zebra and wildebeest are

the predators, and it is during the rainy sea-

son that you might encounter lion, cheetah

and, sometimes, even leopard or wild dog.

resident all year round are the rare brown

hyaena, which do not hunt, but mainly scav-

enge, these fascinating and somewhat mis-

understood animals benefit hugely from the

arrival of the migration. also benefiting from

this influx of life are the many birds of prey

and vultures.

the bird life in the makgadikgadi is as fas-

cinating as the animals and you are sure to

spot some unique desert birds, such as os-

trich and sand grouse as well as the water

birds, which arrive with the rains. waders,

ibis, ducks, geese, storks, as well as the rare

wattled crane can be seen during this time,

and towards the end of the season, flamin-

gos, can be seen resting on the pans before

continuing on their migration.

your guide will explain in great detail how

mammals evolved; this process having been

shaped by the complex but, fascinating re-

lationship between predator and prey. the

origins of hunting and water sourcing and

its influence on man’s development will also

be explained. our guides are specialists,

and are able to convey all the nuances of

the desert and the clever adaptations of its

inhabitants that we consider one of the most

interesting features of the environment.

return to camp kalahari after a jam packed

day for hot showers, and a final delicious

dinner.


uNchARTed AfRIcA hAs pIONeeRed ANd pAssionATELy supporTED cuLTurAL Tourism IN bOTswANA sINce The cOMpANy’s INcepTION IN 1993.

DAY 4

spend the morning walking with the

zu/’hoasi Bushmen.

uncharted africa has pioneered and pas-

sionately supported cultural tourism in

Botswana since the company’s inception

in 1993.

it has long been our belief that it is a vi-

tally important tool in terms of preserv-

ing this unique, but sadly fast-vanishing,

culture.

we have been working closely with the

zu/’hoasi people of the western kalahari

for many years and are privileged to have

Bushmen women, men and pre-school

children comprised of four generations,

living at Jack’s camp in the makgadik-

gadi.

offering a window into the past, they

teach us how they have survived in this

harshest of environments, using their

vast and ancient knowledge of plants,

animal behaviour and survival skills.

the zu/’hoasi lead a semi-traditional life-

style, and share their traditional hunting

and food-gathering skills as well as how

they make jewellery and hunting equip-

ment, it is a glimpse into their fast-van-

ishing, traditional way of life, but by no

means an attempt to keep them frozen in

time.


through our initiative, a community is able

to work together and share their knowl-

edge with each other and our guests,

allowing the older generation to pass the

knowledge on to the next generation.

the young children are the future and we

hope that they carry the knowledge and

traditions of their incredible ancient cul-

ture into the modern world with a sense of

pride and personal empowerment.

after breakfast, drive through the bush

to the traditionally built Bushmen village

where the community gathers during the

day. the huts provide shelter from the

harsh kalahari environment, but are not

the community’s permanent accommoda-

tion.

on arrival, the elders of the community

will meet you in a traditional manner after

which you will walk out into the bush with

the men, women and children.

the focus of the walk will be to provide

a gentle introduction to the kalahari and

Bushmen way of life. the group will point

out the distinct ecological characteristics

of this area and its animal and bird spe-

cies. spontaneous gathering and discus-

sions about the uses of plants and wildlife

by your Bushmen guides provide the link

between culture and wild environment that

we seek to offer our guests.

enjoy one more camp kalahari lunch, be-

fore you bid farewell to the makgadikgadi

in preparation for your onward journey.

MeeTING The bushMeN Is lIke fINdING OuT who you rEALLy ArE. ANd, IT’s A wONdeRful dIscOveRy, becAuse They’Re such lOvely, GEnTLE pEopLE. Alex shoumatoff, vanity fair


Documents

Botswana Safari Wet Season