This participation camping safari explores the Okavango Delta and the Moremi Game Reserve, the wildlife-rich Chobe National Park, Savute and Victoria Falls. Participants are actively involved in camp chores and cooking, but a camp assistant does all the washing up. The emphasis is on a high quality, but participatory experience. Guests are limited to eight, and meals are inclusive, except for Victoria Falls which is on a bed and breakfast basis.

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 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 ungulates 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 reserves. The Okavango consists of slow-moving channels and open floodplains, a great contrast to the dry Savute grasslands. Time is spent traversing the floodplains and open woodlands in search of Wild Dog, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and birds such as Meyer's Parrot and Wattled Crane.

Days 9 to 11 : 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 with no vehicle access. Transport is by mokoro punted by Bayei boatmen, or on foot. 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, Copperytailed 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 tranquillity of the Delta night punctuated by the calls of Owls and Nightjars and the distant grunting of a Hippo.

Day 12 : 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 flexible depending on game movements and local conditions Vehicles used are specially built Land Rovers.

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 resemble 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 impenetrable thickets of scrub. Mopane wood is very hard and durable, 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.

Rates and Departure Dates: 2002

Single Supplement - US$ 0 if willing to share with another; US$300 NETT per person if a single/room/tent is requested (subject to availability)

PARK FEES ARE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE AT THE TIME OF SETTLING FULL PAYMENT.

Notes :

There are no extra food kitty charges. Included are accommodation on a sharing basis, all meals (except for Victoria Falls which is on a bed and breakfast basis), all excursions related to the safari, services of our guide. Excluded are drinks, visas if required, travel insurance, malaria tablets, any excursion unrelated to the safari, transfers in Victoria Falls, international flights, Zimbabwe international departure tax of U$20 per person, gratuities, items of a personal nature, etc.

BD18A = Eclipse itinerary only - 27 to 28 November, Mopane Mokoro Trails Camp 29 - 30 November Moremi, 1-2 December Savuti, 3-4 December Ngwezumba, 7 December Ilala, 8 December Safari ends.

Please note that BD10A (14 to 25 July) and VM19 (23 Dec to 03 Jan) are family departures.

Please note that BD18-A is our Eclipse Mopane Safari.

Guest Comments:

"This was really a trip of a lifetime for us. Mark, Joe and the Okavango staff gave us much, much value for the dollar. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone ! Glad we had Okavango at the end. Thanks - hope to see you again ! Keep up the conversation effort."
A W

"I had found Wilderness Safaris in Namibia & Botswana excellent. I cannot fault them in any way. All staff has been friendly, efficient and a pleasure to deal with. Pilot & Mike who I did the overland trip with made me at all times feel safe & completely relaxed. A wonderful holiday.
G H

"For our family's around the world trip, we saved the best, our safari, for last. We'd hoped to entice our 10 & 12 year olds with the animals at the end of the trip, when things got tough, we left the US at the end of September 2000 and arrive home tomorrow July 16. We had no idea that the best really would be THE BEST !! Our children and we will remember these last two weeks of our travels for the rest of our lives. Our time in Botswana was a highlight of the world literally. And that is due primarily to one man - Pilot Manga and the people who back him up and everyone else at Wilderness Safaris. Thanks ever so much,"
the E. family

"As you know it has been a dream of mine to visit Africa for as long as I can remember since childhood. It took 50 years, but I made it. I'm already planning my next visit"
W B

"I really enjoyed this safari. This was a life changing event for me. I was very impressed with the knowledge, service and caring of each employee. Pilot in my "limited" opinion is the best guide you have. I will return for safari in the future and would want Pilot to be my guide then as well. Thank you for this experience! Although not my guide, Dave was also very helpful & knowledgeable in our camp. Dave & Pilot make a great team".
T K

Participation camping is the true African experience. The mokoro paddlers were excellent.
L.B., USA

I just wanted you to know what a wonderful time we had on the Mopane Participation Safari. We started with three peaceful days in the Okavango at Zepa Camp, then flew back to Maun where we picked up our safari vehicle and headed out for Moremi. Once there, we found Cheetahs, Lions and lots of Elephants....one night we watched as four male Lions walked within 20 feet of our campsite. We had a great family adventure, and I would recommend this trip to any family that enjoys camping. Thank you so much.
P.W.,USA

One of the finest holidays in my life - I would do it again in a second - in fact, I would like to turn around and start over.
J.G., USA

The Delta so peaceful - mekoros excellent - Moremi, Savuti, Chobe all excellent. More wildlife as trip progressed. Something new every day.
C.L., Australia

I have travelled on several other guided trips (5) and this was the most outstanding in terms of staff, preparedness and knowledge of any I've gone on. You are sure fortunate to have such great people working for you. Staff at Okavango Delta were awesome as well. I will give great recommendations to all I speak to. Thanks a million.
S.F., Australia

I've had a wonderful safari experience with the staff of Wilderness Safaris. The guides were so personable, knowledgeable, funny and helpful with every part of the trip. They made the trip such a great learning experience. I won't soon forget the trip and the wonderful staff which was a part of my trip.
S.D., USA

Everything was Excellent. It was a great trip, and the guides were both informative and entertaining.
T.B.W., USA

Everyone was so great!… The safari surpasses all expectations!
T.D., USA

I had a wonderful time. The staff was wonderful. The cook cooked the best food I have ever eaten and the guides were very entertaining.
K.R., USA

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