English
DeutschBotswana is considered Southern Africa’s premier game viewing destination. But it is also known as a very expensive destination. However by using a range of affordable lodges we offer a fully accommodated tour of Botswana at a value for money price.
ADVENTURES: 2-3 Star accommodation, Limited participation with helping out with chores, Guides prepare the meals.
Price 2023:
14 day itinerary US$3,627 pp sharing + local payment of US$ 300, Single Suppplement US$750.-pp
13 day itinerary joining tour in Maun on day 2 (Monday) US$3,517.- pp sharing, + local payment of US$300, Single Supplement US$680.-pp
Single supplement Note:(If you are traveling on your own,we will “room” you with another same gender client. You do not pay extra when booking as a single person. If however you request a single room, then you’ll pay the single supplement.)
Style: Accommodated Adventure – 2-3 Star accommodation, Limited participation with helping out with chores, Guides prepare the meals
Guaranteed departures
Small group safari maximum: 12 travellers
Travel through: Botswana & South Africa & Zimbabwe
Safari length: 14 days/or 13 days with joining on Day 2 in Maun
itinerary
DEPARTS: JOHANNESBURG on Sunday at 06:30am
ENDS: VICTORIA FALLS on Saturday at +/-08:00am
Highlights
* Khama Rhino Sanctuary – game viewing
* Okavango Delta – mokoro trail and bush walks
* Moremi Game Reserve – 3 day 4WD game viewing
* Chobe – 4WD game viewing & river cruise
* Victoria Falls – adventure activities
The 14 day tour starts in Johannesburg and saves you the cost of flights to Maun, and includes an opportunity to see rhino.
The 13 day Maun tour start clients join the 14 day booked group in Maun on day 2 eliminating the drive Jo’burg to Maun.
Overnight a total of all 13 nights accommodation in lodges, chalets and tented camps. Of which; 10 nights on safari we stay at small and intimate lodges, with en suite facilities.
1 night in Khama is in self catering chalets where two bedrooms share a bathroom.
2 nights tented camp in the Okavango. Each tent has twin camp beds with linen and en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire.
Meals 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 6 dinners are included. Of which 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners are provided by the lodges. The remaining included meals are provided by the crew, prepared at the vehicle and eaten around the camp fire.
Transport for the majority of this safari you travel in a custom-built Safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats; or (on 10% of tours) Mercedes Sprinter minibuses with 12 forward facing seats and air conditioning. For the game drives in Moremi and Chobe and the transfer into the Okavango we use open sided 4WD vehicles with local guides.
Limited participation An essential part of your safari is some participation. From carrying your own bag to cleaning your window and packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Where the tour leaders provide meals we ask that clients help (on rotation) with the washing up.
Day 1 JOHANNESBURG to KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY [chalets – LD]
(B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner)
Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head north into Botswana and the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. The Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and provide economic benefits to the local Botswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. This reserve situated on the Kalahari sandveld, has several natural waterholes and provides prime habitat for white rhino, zebra and wildebeest.
Day 1: Breakfast is not included
Day 1: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 1: Dinner provided tour leaders with the help of the group
Includes: Entrance fees to Khama Rhino Sanctuary & afternoon game drive
Overnight: Khama Rhino Sanctuary, 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms.
WiFi not available
Distance/time: 630km, ± 7½ hours, excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch
Day 2 MAUN [lodge BL-]
We drive through the Kalahari to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Since Maun’s founding in 1915 as the capital of the Batawana people, it has had a reputation as a hard-living ‘Wild West’ town helping the local cattle ranching and safari operations. The name Maun is derived from the San word ‘maung’, which translates ‘the place of short reeds’.
Day 2: Breakfast provided tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 2: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 2: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant
Includes: –
Overnight: Mochaba Crossing, twin share bedrooms
WiFi not available
Distance/time: 450kms. ± 6½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing
Optional Activities Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD95-120) pp depending on number of people in each aircraft)
Day 3 – 4 OKAVANGO DELTA [tented camp x2 BLD]
We drive into the Okavango Delta to the launch station where we board our mokoro’s and pole to our tented camp in the heart of the largest inland delta in the world. This amazing environment has large numbers of red lechwe, buffalo, elephant and birds, particularly kingfishers! One of the best experiences in the Okavango Delta is to be poled along reed-lined channels in a mokoro (dug-out canoe). Sit back and relax as the water gurgles gently under the mokoro while your skilled poler points out the fauna and flora.
Day 3: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 3: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 3: Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Includes: Entrance fees to the Okavango Delta, morning & afternoon game walks with local guides
Overnight: Wilderness tented camping – 2 nights tented camp in the Okavango. Each tent has twin camp beds with linen and an en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire. Tents have built-in insect nets. We need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild tented camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. The wilderness tented camp supplies all linen blankets and pillows. The camp chairs have a backrest. You will need to bring your own towel.
WiFi not available
Distance/time: 2 hour 4WD transfer into the Delta, each way
Day 5, 6, 7, 8 MOREMI [3x tented bushlodge BLD, 1x lodge BL-]
We take an open 4WD into Moremi Game Reserve for fantastic game viewing! Chief’s Island is the largest landmass within Moremi and was the Batswana tribe’s richest hunting ground, before being declared a game reserve by the tribe. We spend 4 days on game drives watching the abundant wildlife including elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion & other game, both in Moremi Game Reserve and in private concession reserves surrounding the park. We return to Maun midday on day 8 for an evening restaurant meal (own expense).
Day 5: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 5: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 5: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge
Day 6, 7: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 6, 7: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 6, 7: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge
Day 8: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 8: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 8: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant
Includes: Entrance fees to Moremi Game Reserve, morning & afternoon game drives in open 4WD vehicle
Overnight: 3 x nights Elephant Pool or Hyena Pan Bushlodge – exclusive private tented bush lodge, bordering Moremi Game Reserve. Twin share permanent tented lodge with en suite facilities.
WiFi not available
1x night Maun Mochaba Crossing, twin share bedrooms with en suite facilities.
WiFi not available
Distance/time: 150kms ± 4 hours, excludes game drives & stops for wildlife viewing (Maun – Lodge)
Optional Activities Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD95-120) pp depending on number of people in each aircraft)
Day 9 MAKGADIKGADI PANS [tented lodge or chalets BL -]
We have time for an optional game flight over the Okavango before we head to Nata (own expense). The shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi appear as a glaring white, endless plain. When the rain comes a dramatic change takes place as thousands of wildebeest and zebra migrate to the sweet nutritious grasslands and clouds of flamingo feed in its algae rich waters. It is an area of low rainfall so this spectacle only lasts a short while.
Day 9: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 9: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 9: Dinner will be an own expense meal
Includes: Entrance fees into Makgadikgadi Pans
Overnight: Nata Lodge – twin share luxury tents with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. (or Pelican Lodge, – Chalets with en suite facilities)
WiFi not available
Distance/time: 320km, ± 3½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing
Day 10 – 11 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK [lodge BL -]
The Chobe River is a stunning feature of Botswana and will be the focus of our lodge stay. The Chobe River flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. An Early morning 4WD game drive in the Chobe National Park and an afternoon game viewing “sundowner” cruise to see the mighty elephant herds return to the Chobe River to quench their thirst.
Day 10, 11: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 10, 11: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 10, 11: Dinner will be an own expense meal
Includes: Entrance fees to Chobe National Park, morning game drive (day 11), sunset boat cruise (day 11)
Overnight: Thebe River Safaris – twin chalets with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.
WiFi available
Distance/time: 300kms, ± 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing + 1x 3 hour game drive
Optional Activities Afternoon game drive in open 4WD vehicle (on day 10)
Day 12 – 13 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE [hotel Bx2 – -]
We visit “Mosi oa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” – Victoria Falls. These magnificent falls are one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Victoria Falls Bridge was commissioned by Cecil John Rhodes in 1900, and was completed by 1905, although Rhodes never lived to see it. It spans the impressive gorge and the famous adrenalin pumping Victoria Falls bungi jump is done from this bridge, with a terrifying drop of 360ft (111m). Opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, bungi jump, or take a “flight of angels” (own expense).
Day 12: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 12: Lunch will be an own expense meal
Day 12: Dinner will be an own expense meal
Day 13: Breakfast provided by the hotel
Day 13: Lunch will be an own expense meal
Day 13: Dinner will be an own expense meal
Includes: Entrance to see the Victoria Falls
Overnight: Shearwater Explorers Village, twin rooms with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool, restaurant, bar and telephone.
Free WiFi available
Distance/time: 70kms – 1 hour, excluding border formalities
Optional Activities White water rafting, sunset cruises, scenic flights & many more
Day 14 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE – TOUR ENDS [- B – -]
Tour ends after breakfast at 08:00am.
Day 14: Breakfast provided by the hotel
Day 14: NA
Day 14: NA
Includes: N/A
Overnight: N/A
Distance/time: N/A
Please note: The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions
Please note: That the accommodation specified above and in the itinerary, is a guide only and is subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard, and accommodation changes will be made without notice.
Special Interest:
Moremi is known for its big game including frequent leopard sightings. These elusive cats lead a predominantly solitary life and Moremi GR, with its varied habitats and high prey species densities, provides a perfect refuge for these beautiful creatures.
Sustainable Tourism:
In Maun we visit a community project, Sibanda’s Craft shop, where craftswomen manufacture unique hand-painted cotton textiles such as tablecloths, & cushion covers. The aim at Sibanda’s is to generate more employment within the community, empowering women to realise their dreams and improve the quality of their lives and those of their children, through economic upliftment and self-fulfillment.
Some tours can be combined with a Livingstone – Livingstone Namibia and Botswana 21day accommodated safari to create and awesome safari that visits the highlights of Botswana & Namibia.
In a nutshell
- A participation tour that offers an accommodated safari in Botswana at a reasonable price, accommodated in chalets, and cabins with a couple of nights tented camp to get us close to the wildlife.
- Some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa from open 4WDs and on game walks
- All inclusive trip with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife.
- Victoria Falls, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, Kalahari desert and Makgadikgadi Pans.
Shopping
- Craft shopping for carvings, batiks, paintings and clothing are best in Victoria Falls which has a wide variety of curios. Botswana has beautiful grass weavings.
Food
- We pride ourselves on giving very good healthy meals to our clients and will provide three meals per day, except where shown in itinerary, when we try out local restaurants.
- The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning and meal preparation for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: Breakfast – cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast, Lunch – cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls, Dinner – braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided.
- We do cater for special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies.)
- We will supply fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be for your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour.
Difficulty
- Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip. The accommodation used is simple but clean and this trip will appeal to anyone interested in getting the real wilderness of Botswana.
- Full itinerary with a couple of long driving days. The road conditions through the wilderness areas a very poor and our progress can at times be slow and dusty. Remember to hold on at all times and enjoy the ride!
- Everyone is asked to help out with the running of camp on tour. In other words if everyone spends a little time setting up camp, preparing meals and cleaning up then the tour will run smoothly and everyone will have a good time. Participation is the name of the game.
Things you should know
- Includes park entrances, game drives and the Okavango Delta excursion.
- Your client will need a valid passport and visas for entry into South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe.
- Luggage, please pack to a limit of 12kgs in a soft sports tog bag. Also bring daypack for walks and keeping in the vehicle. You will need to bring your own towel.
- We recommend that you bring Euro, US$ or South African Rand for personal expenses on this trip but please note that foreign currency will need to changed into Botswana Pula as shops, restaurants and market vendors only accept BWP. Expenses in Victoria Falls can be paid in US$ and major credit cards can also be used for optional activities. Traveller’s cheques can be changed in Maun, Kasane and Victoria Falls. Request our tour dossier for approximate costs of drinks and meals etc.
Common questions about this trip
- Can I buy camera memory cards? Memory cards and other photographic accessories will be available several times on tour. A camera with a zoom lens from wide angle to telephoto, 35-300mm, is advisable to capture both scenic and wildlife shots. Each vehicle is fitted with a 12/24V cigarette lighter – this should not be relied on for charging camera batteries and we recommend you bring a 2nd Remember you can also charge your camera on those nights we use accommodation (SA 220V)
- Is it safe? Botswana is relatively safe and your guide knows the countries intimately and will endeavor to show you the best parts while looking after you. In the wild areas your guide will brief you on the necessary precautions, follow this advice and you will be fine. Be aware of your personal belongings and you will have a great trip!
- Do I need malaria tablets? Yes, the trip passes through malaria areas and prophylactics are recommended.
- What do I need to bring? All details are covered in our general tour briefing but the basics are: – comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, a small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly – a sense of adventure!Why travel with us on Value Tours:We understand that there are several options available to you when choosing your African safari. We also know that you want to make the most informed decision about your safari, what you get, what’s included and what you see and experience. So these are just a few of the qualities and facts:
- Small groups – by travelling with a maximum of 8 or 12 people (depending tour), you are able to witness Africa and have first-hand contact with this amazing continent and its people without being a negative influence. This has been a key factor in our continued success. Our trips appeal to a wide demographic of traveller. Our clients range in age from 25 to 65+ with the average being 45. The range of travellers gives a variety of perspectives which adds to the experience of each safari.
- 2 tour guides – group leaders are the key to any safari. On our safari you will travel with 2 qualified and registered field guides (Field Guides Association of SA). Two guides as crew, not a guide and a driver, means interesting trips with maximum knowledge and information. Our guides have a passion for Africa, her people and her wildlife, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with you.
- Guaranteed departures – departure dates on each itinerary shown as bold are guaranteed departure dates. All other departures operate with a minimum of 4 clients.
- All inclusive price – when we travel ourselves, we always feel that if we’re in a country we should find and see the best it has to offer. So when planning the routes we ensure that each trip provides the best inclusions and experiences. For example, if you go to Botswana – you have to visit the national parks in an open 4WD – it is the essence of the Botswana wilderness. If you tour Zambia, then you must visit South Luangwa NP and do a game walk with a local scout. When booking our Safari there are no hidden costs. All of the entrance fees are included, and a wide range of activities, and most meals. We have included many highlights in our tours, so that you will see and experience the highlights without having to pay extra when you get there. So when you decide on which safari company to book with, look carefully at what you’re actually getting. You may only visit a place once, make sure you get the most out of it.
- Safety – our fleet of vehicles are custom built to ensure comfortable and safe touring. Each is constructed, by an authorized passenger vehicle builder, to the latest safety requirements, with a safety shell, and every seat has a lap belt. This gives you peace of mind when travelling with our Safaris on the often demanding African roads.
- Responsible travel – Our commitment to sustainable & responsible tourism is reflected in our low impact travel style where all we take is photographs and all we leave is our footprints. Being an African company we have the grassroots contacts to make a real difference in the lives of the people whose lands we visit.
On each itinerary in the brochure you’ll find a symbol which highlights just one of the sustainable travel initiatives that we support
- Solo Travellers – going it alone won’t make your holiday more expensive; our reservations staff will match you up with another same-gender traveller to keep your holiday affordable. If however you request a single room or tent these are available, with a price supplement
- Experience – Local operator has more than 22 years’ experience planning tours throughout Southern Africa. As such, our itineraries and routes have been perfected over many years ensuring that your tour will run smoothly. We visit the highlights of Southern Africa, but ensure that you do not follow the well-trodden tourist track. All of us have extensive travel experience in Africa, and throughout the world. Being adventure travellers ourselves, we know how to plan trips that give you a broad experience of the countries that you will visit.
- Local Operator in Africa – probably the most important part of our value safaris is that our operator is an African company with offices in South Africa and Botswana. They live in Africa, and travel in Africa and it is their passion for this amazing continent that makes them best travel option.
SOS trees project – Okavango Botswana
- For hundreds of years, the local communities in and around Botswana’s Okavango Delta have used the wood of the sausage tree to craft their traditional mokoro (dugout canoes). The knowledge and skill have been passed down from generation to generation and, up until recently, has been a sustainable practice. With increasing numbers of people visiting the Delta each year, more mokoro are needed and as a direct result, more and more sausage trees are being felled and the sausage tree is sadly disappearing from the region. A traditional wooden mokoro will have to be replaced every five years, thereby placing increased pressure on the dwindling sausage tree supply.
We have established a project to encourage polers in the local communities to buy replica fiberglass mokoro’s, which have a lifespan of approximately ten years, are more stable and are produced without any negative affect to the environment. As such, sponsorship for each fiberglass mokoro is needed, and a portion of the tour cost will be donated to the project, but we also will offer our clients the opportunity to contribute to this worthwhile cause. Please feel free to contact the our office for more information on the SOS trees project or if you would like to make any contributions towards this project. It is something that is close to all of our hearts and we hope that it will be successful.
Local Payment
- A local payment is required on some safaris and this will be collected by your tour leader on departure. The local payment forms part of your overall tour cost, and must be taken into consideration when booking your safari. It will be used by your tour leaders to pay for some of the operational costs incurred on safari.
We prepay by bank transfer, as many of the tour costs as possible. However, in many cases, a cash payment is the only option: certain of the destinations that we visit, only accept cash. For example entry fees to most national parks, some of the campsites and also local food markets (and even some shops) are only payable in cash. In addition, each vehicle has a garage card but these are only accepted in South Africa and parts of Namibia, therefore in all other countries, fuel must be paid for in cash. Due to the remoteness of some departure points, having a local payment system enables us to manage tour funds effectively. The efficiency of this system helps keep the overall tour prices down.
For these reasons, it is necessary for us to charge a local payment. It also ensures that a portion of the tour costs goes directly into the country you are visiting, thereby benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the areas we visit. This is all part of our ongoing effort to operate sustainable safaris that make a real difference.
E&OE
