11-21 OCTOBER 2013

Expedition Botswana

Join me on a journey to Botswana and its pristine wilderness. During a week you will live in the middle of its unspoilt nature with animals as your nearest neighbor. Leave your hectic everyday life and let us together experience Africa for real. With an open mind you'll greet Africa and come home with impressions you never thought possible. Do not hesitate to contact me for more info on this adventure of a bygone Era.

Botswana 11-21 October 2013 Itinerary in Brief

DAY LOCATION ACCOMMODATION TRANSFERS/ACTIVITIES MEALS

11 oct

The journey starts

12 oct

Maun Thamalakane River Lodge Arrive in Maun and overnight at Thamalakane River Lodge. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Any activities and extras for own account

13 oct

Chobe National Park, Savuti Area

Private Camp, dome tents After breakfast, pack and transfer to the airport, board light aircraft and do a game flight to Savuti where you will be picked up. Settle into Camp, Afternoon gamedrive

B, L, D, LSB

14 oct

Chobe National Park, Savuti Area

Private Camp, dome tents Gamedrives in Savuti B, L, D, LSB

15 oct

Chobe National Park, Savuti Area

Private Camp, dome tents Gamedrives in Savuti B, L, D, LSB

16 oct

Khwai area, North Moremi

Private Camp, dome tents After breakfast, pack up camp and gamedrive to the Khwai area, about 5 hour drive, picnic lunch en route, settle into camp and afternoon drive

B, L, D, LSB

17 oct

Khwai area, North Moremi

Private Camp, dome tents Gamedrives and possibility of walking and driving at night with spotlight

B, L, D, LSB

18 oct

Khwai area, North Moremi

Private Camp, dome tents Gamedrives and possibility of walking and driving at night with spotlight

B, L, D, LSB

19 oct

Khwai area, North Moremi

Private Camp, dome tents Gamedrives and possibility of walking and driving at night with spotlight

B, L, D, LSB

20 oct

Safari ends in Maun and the journey home begins

The flight back home begin B, L

21 oct

Arrive back

B= Breakfast/ L= lunch/brunch/ D= dinner / LSB = limited selected beverages SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AT TIME OF BOOKING. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND PARK FEE INCREASES The Botswana Government has informed us that the National Park fees for Botswana will be increasing. They however cannot tell us when or by how much they will increase yet. Should the Park Fees increase, our prices will have to reflect this increase with immediate effect. This means any increase will need to be covered by the guests.

Inclusions: Accommodation in Jacana chalets with Bed, Breakfast and Dinner included 1 transfer from Maun Airport 1 transfer to Maun Airport All meals on the safari nights as indicated on the itinerary Limited selected drinks (beer, soft drinks, red and white house wine, water) – Except at Thamalakane lodge All park fees and camping fees – subject to Park fee increase Professional guide services in Botswana Road transfer Savuti – Khwai - Maun Game flight from Maun to Savuti Exclusions: All extras such as telephone calls/curio shopping/postage and so forth Personal spending International flights & taxes Visas if required for Botswana, please check with your consulate or consultant Travel and medical insurance Any activities not included in the itinerary Any drinks not specified Errors and Omissions Drinks and extras at Thamalakane River Lodge Flights – International flights need to be booked and paid by yourselves directly to an agent or airline. Please remember to take out Travel Insurance for yourselves. We do not cover travel insurance or visa fees.

Detailed itinerary Day 1: The journey begins The flight towards Johannesburg, South Africa. Day 2: Thamalakane River Lodge/ Thamalakane River on the outskirts of Maun (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast) At Johannesburg airport the luggage is picked up and carried to the check in for the flight to Maun with Air Botswana. On arrival in Maun Airport, you will be collected by a representative from Thamalakane River Lodge and you will drive 20 minutes out of Maun to the Lodge. Once you arrive at the Lodge, your afternoon and evening will be at leisure giving you time to refresh from your long journey. Should you wish to do an activity from the lodge (possibly a boat cruise) this will need to be arranged directly with the lodge and will be for your own account. Dinner and breakfast are included. Any extras are for your own account.

Thamalakane River lodge is placed on the banks of the Thamalakane River, 19km out of Maun and en route to the famous Moremi game Reserve. Character en suite stone chalets, are positioned in the shade of the riverine forest along the river. Chalets, public areas and our swimming pool take advantage of the 180 degree view of the riverbanks lined with fluttering reeds visited by an ever changing array of water fowl and birds. The widely acclaimed restaurant serves a la carte meals from an ever changing menu. Dusk is spectacular with the sun setting the river ablaze as it sinks below the tree line.

Day 3, 4 and 5: Savuti Area of the Chobe National Park: Camping (Full board) After breakfast you will be collected by a Thamalakane River Lodge representative and will be transferred to Maun Airport where you will board a light aircraft and will do a game flight en route to Savuti airstrip. The flight will be just over an hour. Upon arrival at Savuti Airstrip, you will be met by your Safari Life Africa guide and will be transferred to your camp for the next 3 nights. On arrival at your campsite in Savuti, the luggage is offloaded and camp set up whilst you relax with a refreshing beverage and enjoy the atmosphere of being in the wilderness. Accommodation is in spacious dome tents with bedrolls and bathroom facilities are shared tented bush showers and toilets. For our standard safaris, we do not usually provide stretchers as in the photograph below as its more comfortable to sleep on a bedroll on the ground in this size tent. We can provide a stretcher for those who request it (in case of back/leg problems etc). Meals will be prepared for you over open fire and dining is under the stars in your private camp. The evenings are particularly special, spent relaxing around the dancing flames and glowing embers of the campfire.

The following days will be exploring the dynamic Savuti area where the vegetation and wildlife changes through the seasons. The Savuti River flows in the the expansive Savuti Marsh. In the 1980’s the Savuti River dried up and only in 2010 did it begin to flow again, changing the landscape from dry and barren to an oasis with a range of different animals frequenting the area. Herds of elephants, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, impala, Wildebeest, to mention a few, can be seen around the Marshes. Savuti is also well known for its lion prides and leopard, wild dogs and occasional cheetah can also be seen in this area. It’s all being in the right place at the right time.

Days 6, 7, 8 and 9: Khwai Area north of Moremi Game Reserve, Camping After an early breakfast and after camp is packed up, you will start heading toward the Khwai area. The drive is about 5 hours along a 4x4 challenging sand ridge. The drive will be taken at an easy pace and you will have a picnic lunch en route to Khwai. On arrival in Khwai, you can relax with a refreshing drink while the guide and camp assistant set up camp. The Khwai campsites are situated close to the Khwai River on the edge of the Moremi game Reserve. There are no fences keeping animals inside the park. In this area you may have the possibility of walking and driving at night with a spotlight to enable you to discover some of the more nocturnal creatures. Walking and night driving is not permitted inside the National Parks. This area has produced some amazing wildlife sightings recently and in the past.

The Wildlife that can be seen in this area includes lion, leopard, wild dog, buffalo, elephant, the occasional sable & roan and a lot of various general game species. The advantage in this area is that you may be lucky to see some of the nocturnal species that occur in this area as you may return to camp after dark. For example, springhare, civet, genet, owls and many more species…

Day 10: The safari end in Maun After an early breakfast and the camp are packed up, you will start heading back to Maun with a short game drive along the Khwai River en route. The drive to Maun is about 3-4 hours. You will arrive back in Maun around midday in time for the flight back to Johannesburg and then onwards to Europe. Day 11: Arrive back home You arrive back home.

A Typical Day on Safari As it is a private safari, you can enjoy the peaceful ambience of a private campsite with your travel companions and really enjoy the sights and sounds of the wilderness. Your days will be spent exploring the area on game drives in an open safari vehicle, designed for optimal game viewing and photography in safety. In addition your itinerary may include a guided walk and night drive. A mobile safari is an all encompassing experience. From the moment you enter the Wildlife areas in Botswana you are surrounded by an incredibly unspoilt wilderness area, so even the transfers to the campsites are part of your safari adventure! On a full day in camp you generally wake at sunrise and join your group around the campfire for that first 'essential' cup of tea or coffee. As everyone rises and prepares for the morning activity a light breakfast is served of cereal, toast, fruit and rusks. We head out as early as possible in order to be the first on the roads to track fresh spoor left from the animal's overnight activities – we may spot fresh lion tracks walking straight past the camp or evidence of a passing herd of buffalo not far away. Your guide assesses where would be the best area to head depending on what calls were heard during the night as well as the tracks found on the road and off you go to investigate further. Part of the unique appeal of Botswana is that the wildlife moves naturally and you are actually 'searching' for them, which can lead to the most amazing sightings and a great appreciation and respect for the bush. Generally on the morning game drive or walk we stop for morning tea and head back to camp by late morning. In camp we enjoy a lunch or brunch, depending on the time, and then there is plenty of time for showers and that great safari tradition 'siesta time'. Many people read or write in a journal and others just catch up on sleep after their early wakeup call! We meet together for afternoon tea and then head out on the afternoon activity, perhaps seeking a new area or returning to a great morning sighting. The Khwai area has its advantages as in this area we are permitted to do a guided walk and also drive in the dark with a spotlight. Your guide combines his knowledge of the wildlife, safety and road and weather conditions when planning your activities and transfers.

Meals on Mobile Safari All meals are prepared for you over an open fire, whetting your appetite with tantalizing aromas as we cook and offering hearty and healthy bush cuisine. Meals can either be taken at a set dining table or enjoyed in a relaxed manner around the campfire. Evenings are spent relaxing and star gazing, as the guide/camp assistant takes care of cleaning up after dinner. Food is always plentiful on safari and we provide a hearty, international style of bush cuisine – all prepared over an open fire. A typical day's food offers: Breakfast - generally a light breakfast is served of cereals, toast, fruit and rusks with tea/coffee Morning tea - tea/coffee and biscuits Lunch - generally salads, cold meats, cheese and bread with fruit; however on some mornings we may do a cooked brunch Afternoon tea - tea/coffee and biscuits Sundowner snacks Dinner - generally a hearty meal is served combining meat, starch and vegetables. Examples of meals include: braai (barbeque), fillet with vegetables, chicken and vegetable stir fry, spaghetti bolognaise, beef and vegetable casserole.

Tea and coffee is served with 'something sweet'. Fruit and light snacks are always available. Tea, coffee and 'tap' water is always available. Other beverages included depend on your specific itinerary inclusions, discuss upon booking what your preferences are (to bring your own or pay additional to have drinks included). Should you have any special meal requirements (vegetarian, lactose intolerant etc) we do need to know in advance so that the supplies can be provided accordingly. Please note that there are no shops in the bush, so we need to bring everything with us, so it is very difficult to accommodate special meal requirements without advance notice. The very nature of a camping safari affects the type of provisions that we can bring along and supplies can be seasonal, however we do guarantee that there will be a variety of healthy and flavorsome food provided throughout.

Packing List Please note that it is important to keep your luggage to a manageable size when traveling on safari due to logistical space constraints, generally we recommend you travel with a soft 'duffel' or back pack style bag with a weight restriction of 12 - 15 kg. Please DO NOT bring hard edged 'Samsonite' suitcases as they will not fit in the vehicle/trailer. This is of more importance if you are flying in light aircraft for any stage of your journey - they are very strict for safety and logistical reasons and you are not permitted over 15 kg or hard/large suitcases. Should you wish to bring excess luggage please contact us to discuss options. Travel Documents Passport with appropriate Visas (be sure to check visa requirements for your nationality when planning your trip and note that for most African countries you require at least 2 blank pages and more than 6 months validity on your passport). Airline tickets/e-ticket references (please reconfirm your tickets 72 hours prior to departure). Traveler’s cheques (with a separate list of the numbers) , USD or EUR Cash AND/OR Visa or MasterCard (American Express is not often accepted in Africa). Please contact us for recommended form of money as it varies with your itinerary. A photocopy of your passport and other important documents (kept separate from the original). Accessories Camera (the quality of camera and appropriate lens depend on your photographic interests – contact us if you need recommendations). Spare batteries / memory cards for the camera Camera cleaning equipment and a dustproof soft sided bag for the camera Battery charger for cigarette lighter (recharging in the vehicle) Quality binoculars Flashlight Reading material Pen and paper, playing cards (optional) Locks for your luggage on commercial flights Clothing 1 pair light weight slacks/pants 2 pairs shorts 1 windproof/warm jacket (in rainy season ensure it is waterproof) 6 shirts (4 short sleeved and 2 long sleeved) 1 sweater 1 pair comfortable walking shoes 1 pair flip flops/strops Underclothing and socks Pajamas or tracksuit for sleeping Swimsuit Sun protection (hat/sunglasses/sunscreen/lip balm) For winter months – beanie/scarf/gloves

Toiletries Personal toiletries (deodorant/shampoo/brush /moisturizer/tooth brush and paste) Insect repellant Band aids/aspirin/anti diarrhea medicine/dehydration salts/antiseptic cream (the guide will carry a full medical kit – please just bring your personal preferences). Tissues/moist towelettes Any prescription medicine and prophylaxis (be sure to include a letter from your physician for prescribed medicines)SAFARI LIFE AFRICA Insurance It is a condition of booking that each and every guest is adequately covered by comprehensive travel and medical insurance.