This is the highest quality cross country camping safari in Botswana. It was featured in the November 1995 edition of National Geographic's "Traveler" magazine and has been enhanced since then. It offers a combination of cross country drives and light aircraft transfers to enable guests access to the best areas of Northern Botswana. Accommodation varies between small permanent tented camps and pre-erected tented camps, all with private facilities, and are booked exclusively for the group.

A unique feature of this safari compared to similar safaris offered by our competitors is that many nights are spent in private concessions, far from others, in superb game country. Here night drives and off-road driving are permitted. All meals are included except for lunches and dinners in Victoria Falls. Guest numbers are limited to eight, and the group is accompanied by a guide and a hostess throughout.

Days 1 to 3 : The Central Okavango Delta - the land experience - Kaparota

After arrival in Maun, usually on a Sunday, you will be met by your guide or our representative and transferred by light aircraft to the heart of the Okavango Delta. The game viewing in open 4x4's is good, with Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Cheetah, Wild Dog and Elephant regularly sighted. Birdlife is varied and abundant.

Days 4 to 6 : Okavango Delta - the water experience - Jacana Camp

Today the group is flown further into the Okavango Delta and transferred to our secluded Jacana Camp for the next three nights. The Delta is an ever changing tapestry of forested islands and crystal clear channels which we explore by mokoro and on foot, giving guests the opportunity to experience Africa at close quarters. The elusive Sitatunga antelope and the rare Pel's Fishing Owl may be seen, as well as smaller quantities of Elephant, Buffalo and other plains game.

Days 7 and 8 : The Linyanti - Linyanti Tented Camp

We depart the Okavango Delta and transfer by aircraft to Linyanti Tented Camp. Guests enjoy the Linyanti experience on game drives during the day and at night Walks, boating and canoeing are also offered.

Days 9 to 11 : Chobe National Park

This morning we depart early for our drive north to Chobe, where our camp has been set up in a private site along or near the banks of the Chobe River. On the Chobe floodplains, Elephants can sometimes be viewed in numbers not found elsewhere on the continent, while water birds such as egrets, herons, ducks and storks occur in profusion.

Day 12 : Victoria Falls - Ilala Lodge

It is a leisurely drive from the Chobe River to the famous Victoria Falls. Arrival at Ilala Lodge will be around midday, and you will have the rest of your afternoon at leisure to explore the rain forests alongside the Falls, or take an optional sunset cruise up the Zambezi River. Guests wanting to enjoy whitewater rafting will have to spend an additional night in Victoria Falls.

Day 13 : End of Safari

You are transferred to the Victoria Falls airport for your onward flight.

The Jacana Safari also operates in reverse - beginning at Victoria Falls and ending in Maun. The itinerary is flexible depending on the time of the year.

The Jacana Safari gets its name from one of the region's most attractive birds. The familiar African Jacana and the elusive Lesser Jacana occur in quiet back-waters and lily-covered lagoons in northern Botswana. Also know as "lily Trotters", these aquatic birds have such long toes that they are able to walk across the water on floating vegetation. Female Jacanas are polyandrous (having more than one mate), an unusual phenomenon among birds. After laying her beautifully camouflaged eggs, she leaves the male to incubate, feed and rear the nestlings while she goes off in search of another breeding partner. Baby jacanas are carried under their father's wing when danger threatens.

Rates and Departure Dates: 2002

Single Supplement - US$ 0 if willing to share with another; US$ 600 NETT if a single room/tent is requested (subject to availability )

NOTES ON THE 13 DAY JACANA SAFARI:

There are no extra Park Fees (except entrance to Victoria Falls) or 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, all drinks except premium wines, spirits and liqueurs. A transfer between the airport and Victoria Falls is included. Excluded are visas if required, travel insurance, malaria tablets, any excursion unrelated to the safari, additional transfers in Victoria Falls; international flights, Zimbabwe international departure tax of U$20 per person, staff gratuities, items of a personal nature, etc.

Please note that BFV9 ( 7 to 19 July ) is a family departure.

Guest Comments:

"....Of course, the tragedy in New York on 9/11 brought a somber start to the trip. We appreciate your updates on what was happening with the airlines. We managed to get out on the 9/13 flight to Joburg via Nigeria. We had a wonderful time on safari. The trip exceeded my expectations in every way. The staff at Wilderness Safaris took care of everything once we were in their hands. The game viewing was spectacular. The food was great. The accommodations were better than expected. Thank you for all of the time and effort you spent answering our questions and making arrangements. It truly was the trip of a lifetime. (Now to plan the next one...)"
C.H.

"I can't say enough about Richard and Rebecca. It was more like travelling with friends than travelling with a guide and hostess. Both had an extensive knowledge of all areas visited, and more importantly, an excitement about everything we saw and did that could not be matched. They are truly delightful people who work tremendously well as a team. I hope to see them again on my next safari. Thanks for a fantastic safari ! It was much better than I could have ever imagined"
CF

"Safari was truly incredible experience - can't really put it into words. The guides really made the trip - so knowledgeable and easy to be with. The whole experience was amazing. All of the staff were helpful and attentive.
J T

" I have done a few safari trips in the past and Warren is by far the best guide I have ever had the privilege of being led by. His knowledge is vast, his enthusiasm is contagious and his patience is saintly. His ability to track and find game is phenomenal. I can't say enough about him. He is also a fun guy to spend a couple of weeks with. Jennifer is also perfect for her job. She is very personable, organized and cheerful. She was great, would say more but I'm out of space"
D.G.

This was our honeymoon - one of the most important periods in our lives - and it could not have gone better. After this experience I would except to contact Wilderness first for any future trip to Southern Africa. 2 very satisfied customers.
S.W. and V.W., Belgium

After being on numerous safaris all over Africa, my wife and I felt this would be our last, as we felt that we had seen the best. But thanks to Wilderness Safaris' choice of locations, and our fantastic guides, Hein and Lassie, all the old excitement has returned. Apart from wonderful Africa itself, your greatest assets are people like Hein and Lassie. Thank you Wilderness.
M.S., U.K.

I just wanted to follow up and let you know that the Botswana Jacana Safari that we recently completed was just perfect. We went on to safari in Kenya and to work on an Earthwatch Project. We have now seen enough of Kenya but I really want to go back on a Wilderness Safari in Botswana. The Jacana Camp was just about the best run tourist operation that I have ever seen. Our guide, Roger Briggs, was by far, the best naturalist guide that we have ever encountered. He is an absolute credit to a Wilderness Safari. Again, Thank you for you able help. We hope to repeat sometime in the future. Thank you,
R & S H

Best vacation in my lifetime.
K.C and L.H., USA

Our guide enhanced this safari with his encyclopaedic knowledge of birds and animals. He paid attention to each individual and impressed with his professionalism and organising ability.
Mr & Mrs P.J.P., U.K

Our guides made a very good team and were also good company. We really can't think of anything that could have been done better - we'll be recommending Wilderness to everyone we know!
E.R. and J.O., U.K

I would recommend this company and staff to anyone considering visiting Africa. Roger and Lassie showed exceptional ability. Their care for everyone on the tour was evident. They are a credit to themselves and Wilderness Safaris.
K.P., USA

Couldn't have been better, will be back!
L.B.,USA

I can't wait to do this again.
S.B., USA

We had an absolutely fabulous time! What an experience! Some highlights: Vic Falls was terrific! We had baboons and warthogs right outside our room at the Ilala Lodge! The Flight of Angels was wonderful and Andrew really enjoyed the horseback riding. A permanent rainbow. Wow! We spent an incredible hour watching Wild Dogs near the Linyanti camp. We even saw them mating! We were but a few yards away. Andrew and I were moved to tears with excitement! We saw a Lioness and four 3-month old cubs at Chobe eating a Zebra, also just a few yards away. We also saw a fascinating confrontation whan an Elephant and her baby entered the Lion area! Near Baobab, we saw a Lioness eating a huge Zebra she had just killed. We watched the progress over a period of three days, seeing how she dragged it to a hiding place and guarded it. Finally, on the third day, a large male Lion joined her! We saw a young male Lion mating with a young Lioness. It was interesting to compare the mating behavior of Lions and dogs! In addition to the Wild Dogs, we saw other rarely seen wild life including the Pel's Owl, the Sitatunga antelope and the Roan antelope. The Elephants were a joy, as were the Giraffes. We loved the wide variety of ways we traveled: on foot, on land, in the water and in the air by a variety of conveyances! We even tried our hand at poling a mokoro. Andrew was quite good at it! Having a chance to be in different locations was wonderful, and the Okavango Delta was amazing.
A.F.,L.F. and A.F., USA

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