THE KALAHARI SAFARI

Please note: As the safari starts at 07h30 on Day 1, you will need to pre-night in Maun and purchase drinks for your safari the day before your safari starts. Bush Ways Safaris can assist with pre-safari arrangements (accommodation, transfers). In the afternoon of your pre-night, you will have the option of taking a 45 minute scenic flight over the Delta – or a 30min flight in a helicopter with no windows and doors, allowing magnificent views from above. Rate TBA by your agent. Both experiences have to be booked prior to arrival, and payment made in USD cash only (transfers not included, extra charges apply). During the flight it is even possible to spot large game animals such as Elephant, Giraffe and Hippopotami.

Day 1 – 2: Deception Valley Private Reserve – camping

The safari begins in Maun where your guide will meet you at 07h30 at your lodge. You will travel 160km to a private reserve on the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Upon arrival you will set up camp and have a safari briefing.

You will explore the area for the next two days, enjoying game drives and participate in a nature walk led by a local San tracker. They will share intricate bush knowledge and give you an insight into their unique and intriguing culture. Game drives will allow you to explore the area, home to a fascinating variety of desert specialised wildlife such as oryx, springbok and eland as well as predators including lion, brown hyena and cheetah. Savor the vast open spaces, clear night skies and uninterrupted beauty. This is adventure camping in its purest form as water and communications are limited and we travel as a self-sufficient group.  (Day 1 - L, D, Day 2 - B, L, D)

Maun – Deception Valley Private Reserve (northern border CKGR): 160km, 5h

Day 3 - 5: Central Kalahari Game Reserve, camping

You will wake up as the sun rises and head toward the pristine wilderness of the largest game reserve in Botswana. The next three days will be spent exploring the undeveloped wilderness of the northern region of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Camping is in a private designated campsite with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)

Deception Valley Private Reserve – Central Kalahari Game Reserve: 80km, 3-4h (including game drive)

Day 6: Makgadikgadi, comfortable lodge

This is your last morning in the Kalahari, after breaking camp you will do a slow drive to the Makgadikgadi area. You will spend the night at a camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi National Park, overlooking the Boteti River in Khumaga village. Enjoy an afternoon game drive into Makgadikgadi National Park. (B,L,D)

Central Kalahari Game Reserve – Boteti River Camp: 180km, 4-5h (including game drive)

Day 7: END OF THE SAFARI

After an early morning breakfast you will make your way to Maun. The safari officially ends at approximately 11am on Day 7 at Maun Airport. Bush Ways can assist with your onward travel arrangements. (B)

Boteti River Camp – Maun Airport 180km, 2.5h

(all nights camping semi participation unless specified)

Day 1 & 2: Deception Valley Private Reserve – cultural experience, game drives

Day 3: Central Kalahari Game Reserve – game drives

Day 4: Central Kalahari Game Reserve – game drives

Day 5: Central Kalahari Game Reserve – game drives

Day 6: Makgadikgadi – chalet at Boteti River Camp or similar

Contact us to check availability.

Description

Camping safari requiring a minimum participation from the guests, i.e.: setting up the tent and packing it / carrying their bag from/to the vehicle at campsites. The rest of the camp chores are carried out by our team made up of one guide and one camp assistant.

Equipment

Tents are 2.1m x 2.1m x 1.75m. A 5cm high-density foam mattress is provided for each guest. Ablutions are shared and bush ablutions set up by our team when staying in game reserves and national park campsites.

Vehicle

4x4 safari vehicles custom-built by Bush Ways - custom built trailers.
# of guests: Max 12 pax - departure is guaranteed as soon as we have confirmed 1 guest (except Hyena Safari: min. 6 pax - max 10 pax)

Check out the following page (link to Semi Participation page)

LUGGAGE

• One large kit bag (preferably a rucksack or a bag with soft sides – Please do not bring hard suitcases as they are very difficult to pack in our trailers and can pose a problem for any light aircraft flights you may take as part of your safari. Semi-hard suitcases should be avoided as well.
• One item of hand luggage (e.g. a small backpack) – there will be room for this at your feet
• Main luggage: max weight = 12kg, max. size = 700mm x 350mm x 350mm
• The sleeping bag can be carried outside the main luggage.
• If you are travelling with us to the Delta we request that you take only what you need for the 2/3 nights in a smaller pack. You can leave the large bag with the vehicle which will be locked in a secured area while you will be staying on a small island, with transfers by traditional dugout canoes.
• Remember that on safari you need far fewer clothes than you think so bear this in mind when packing

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

• Sleeping bag (note that nights can be chilly all year round and cold in winter, therefore, a warm sleeping bag is advised). A sleeping bag and small pillow can be hired (EUR 20 for the duration of the safari, please book this in advance)
• Torch with spare batteries and bulbs – a head torch is a good idea
• Hat/cap
• Scarf and gloves (especially for winter months – note that if you also have gardening or working gloves, they can be convenient to set up & pack your tent)
• Warm jacket/fleece/jumper – windproof in winter months (May - Sept), waterproof in summer months (Nov - Mar)
• Swimming costume
• Towel
• Natural clothing (i.e. no bright colours and no white), t-shirts, shorts, a pair of lightweight long trousers and a lightweight long sleeve shirt (long sleeves are extremely useful for sun protection during the day and mosquito protection during the evening)
• Please note that camouflage printed clothing is fine for the bush but please do not to wear in towns or when crossing borders.
• Comfortable walking shoes and flip-flops/sandals
• Camera equipment, binoculars, lots of spare films, batteries and spare memory cards for digital cameras are essential as the opportunity to download photos is limited.
• Adapters for cables, chargers, USB, etc.: note that we recommend you label them to avoid confusion on the vehicle charging station
• Water bottle and a small daypack for walks

TOILETRIES AND FIRST AID

• Personal toiletries and medications in small bag, not a vanity case
• Sunscreen
• Malaria prophylaxis (see below section "medical precautions" for further information)
• Mosquito repellents/lotion/spray
• Toilet paper (this is only necessary if you prefer 2 or 3 ply toilet paper)
• Waterproof/zip lock bags for storing personal items to keep dust free and/or dry.
• Personal First Aid Kit
  Please note: A First Aid Kit will be present throughout the safari but personal medicines must be brought for the duration of the safari.

MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS

• Check with your local immunisation authority, travel clinic, public health facility or personal physician
• Visit the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION website for up to date information www.who.int
• Botswana is considered a malaria area and preventative medications should be taken
• Between 2012 and 2015, both South Africa and Botswana required that all travelers coming from / going to Zambia should have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Beginning of 2015, both South Africa and Botswana officially communicated that they shall not require the yellow fever vaccination certificate for travelers coming from / going to Zambia. However, beware that regulations could change again without prior notice.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION

• Valid passport: your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the end date of your trip and there must be at least 6 blank visa pages.
• Many nationalities are able to obtain tourist visas for Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe at the border posts HOWEVER citizens of certain countries are required to obtain a visa before travelling. Please note that certain visas can take up to 3 months to be processed so please consider this when booking.
• For more information see www.botswanatourism.co.bw, www.zambiatourism.com, www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw and www.namibiatourism.com.na
• Valid visas – it is your responsibility to arrange visas
• For up-to-date visa requirements please check with your travel consultant and/or Embassy
• If you need to get a visa for one of the countries visited during your safari, please check when and where the visa can be obtained, and which currency is required for its payment.
• Requirements for minor traveling through all Botswana ports of entry
  Effective from the 1st October 2016 minors travelling through the country’s borders will be required to produce certified copies of unabridged birth certificates in addition to their valid passports. In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent’s affidavit consenting to such travel should be availed. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

• For all our safaris, it is COMPULSORY to take out travel insurance covering for: cancellation and curtailment, medical situations, baggage, emergency evacuation.
• Bush Ways Safaris does not provide travel insurance.
• Bush Ways Safaris can assist you to sign up for the Okavango Air Rescue membership. The service provides medical evacuation from isolated areas of the bush by a medically equipped helicopter and emergency doctor, ensuring smooth and swift operations. International insurance companies are not always familiar with the practicalities of dealing with emergencies in the Botswana bush, which can add to delays in obtaining medical care. Although the OAR membership is not compulsory and does not replace an international medical insurance and evacuation (which remains compulsory with or without OAR membership), we highly recommend to sign up for the OAR membership which is only BWP175 / USD 17 / EUR 15.
• Please note that you will be required to provide your insurance details prior to your arrival so we can liaise with your insurance company in the shortest amount of time in case of an emergency. Required details include: medical evacuation insurer's Name, medical evacuation policy number, 24-hour contact number of Medical evacuation insurer (must be able to phone it from Botswana - USA 800 numbers don't work from here).

SAFARI DRINKS

• Drinks (soft drinks and alcohol) are not included on all our camping safaris and are to be bought the day prior if your safari leaves early on day 1 or on the day if your safari starts at 13h00.
• We provide filtered drinking water during the entire duration of the safari
• Please note that our safari teams do not sell drinks during the safari and drinks can only be bought in town prior to and/or during the safari.
• A minimum 3 litres of drinking water is recommended per person per day
• At all hotel/lodge accommodation drinks are on a cash bar basis