11 Day Mopane Safari

Day 1 : Victoria Falls - Ilala lodge

The safari normally starts on a Wednesday evening when guests meet at the Ilala Lodge for a pre-safari briefing with your guide. Those arriving earlier in the day may enjoy a variety of optional activities in the area. A full day is needed for white water rafting, and would require an additional night in Victoria Falls prior to the safari.

Days 2 to 5 : Chobe National Park, including Savute

We depart Victoria Falls midmorning for Botswana's Chobe National park some 85 kms away. Camp is set up on a private campsite along or near the banks of the Chobe River within the park. This is superb elephant and big game country, and some safaris see more than 500 in a day. Antelope, including the rare Puku, as well as predators such as Lion, abound in this region. Water birds are also abundant. Savute is our next stop, and we camp alongside the now dry Savute Channel. Lion prides and clans of Spotted Hyenas are resident in the area and are frequently seen. Cheetah and Wild Dog are also found in the area, and large herds of plains game gather on the open grasslands.

Days 6 to 8 : Moremi Game Reserve and the eastern Okavango

After breaking camp at Savute we travel by road to the eastern reaches of the Okavango and our first taste of the Delta's crystal clear waterways. Our private campsite is in Moremi, one of Botswana's most scenic parks. The Okavango consists of slow-moving channels and open floodplains, a great contrast to the dry Savute grasslands. Time is spent traversing the woodlands in search of Wild Dog, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and birds such as Meyer's Parrot and Wattled Crane.

Days 9 to 10 : Okavango Delta

From Moremi we drive to Maun and fly to our camp in the Okavango Delta. This segment of the safari is in complete contrast to the earlier stages, as we explore papyrus fringed channels, lily-covered lagoons and forested islands. Transport is by mokoro (dug-out canoe)punted by Bayei boatmen. The elusive Sitatunga, Buffalo and the beautiful Red Lechwe may be encountered, along with all of the Okavango's big game. Fish Eagle, Wattled Crane, Slaty Egret, Pygmy Goose, Coppery tailed Coucal and Lesser Jacana are among the special birds one may see. Here, at our secluded campsite under a profusion of stars, one may enjoy the tranquility. of the Delta night punctuated by the calls of Owls and Nightjars and the distant grunting of a Hippo.

Day 11 : End of Safari

A scenic flight out of the Delta takes you back to Maun in time for your onward flight. The Mopane Safari is also run from Maun to Victoria Falls. The total distance travelled by road is approximately 800 kms. The itinerary is flexi Specials depending on game movements and local conditions. Vehicles used are specially built Land Rovers.

* The Mopane Safari is also run from Maun to Victoria Falls

The Mopane tree, Colophospermum mopane, is the tree after which this safari is named. The Mopane is characteristic of dryer areas with clay soils over much of northern Botswana, Zimbabwe and the Northern Province and lowveld of South Africa. It is a fairly large tree, reaching up to 18 metres in height and usually occurs in forests as the exclusive tree species. The leaves Specials green butterflies and in the summer months may attract hundreds of brightly coloured caterpillars known as Mopane Worms. These are gathered in large quantities, grilled and savoured by some of the local people. The leaves of the Mopane are eaten by browsers such as Elephant, Kudu and Giraffe. In areas of poor soil quality, trees may form Specials thickets of scrub. Mopane wood is very hard and Specials, and it has been used extensively for props in mine shafts, and for bridges in the Okavango Delta. Look out for Arnot's Chat, a special bird only found in Mopane forests.

Mopane Safari New Itinerary: In 2003 this safari is an 11 day safari. We will spend 5 nights in the Okavango and not the 6 nights as we did in 2002.

NOTES ON 11 DAY MOPANE SAFARIS

• There are no extra food kitty charges.
• Included is accommodation on a sharing basis, all meals (except for Victoria Falls which is on a bed and breakfast basis), and all excursions related to the safari, services of our guide.
• Excluded are drinks, visas if required, full travel insurance, malaria Specialists, any excursion unrelated to the safari, transfers in Victoria Falls; international flights, gratuities, items of a personal nature, etc.
• Age Limits
  • No children accepted under the age of 12 years
  • Maximum age accepted is 65 years

From Johannesburg you have the choice to travel onto further destinations: