Travel

Day 1 - October 30, 2015 - Depart Washington Dulles

Depart Washington Dulles (IAD) for your flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2 - October 31, 2015 - Arrive Johannesburg

On arrival in Johannesburg, you are welcomed by our security-approved representative from Wilderness at the gate as you get off your flight and assisted through Immigration, baggage claim and Customs. As you enter the arrivals hall you will be met by your Wilro Tours driver and escorted to your awaiting vehicle for transfer to your accommodations. Enjoy welcome cocktails on arrival at your hotel.

ACCOMMODATIONS: D'OREALE GRANDE HOTEL The D'Oreale Grande Hotel has palatial buildings set in a display of gardens, fountains and statues readily accessible from the O.R. Tambo International airport by the hotels complimentary shuttle service. The elegantly decorated rooms comprise king-size or twin beds, a writing desk, easy chair and marble topped coffee table. The en-suite bathroom has a shower over the bath and a spacious vanity. Other amenities include a hairdryer, key-pad safe, radio, TV with a variety of channels, and an electronically stocked minibar. D'Oreale Grande restaurant, Aurelia's, serves everything from Al Fresco breakfasts to romantic candlelit dinners. It features New Style South African fusion food in which 80% of the recipes and ingredients are of South African origin. The end result is simply irresistible and delicious.

Day 3 - November 1, 2015 - Linyanti Reserve

You will be met at your hotel this morning and transferred to the airport for your scheduled flight to Kasane.

On arrival and after clearing Customs, meet with your pilot and board the aircraft for the flight to your first safari camp. Please note these are the smaller planes.

Seven days will be spent game viewing in the beautiful and incomparable wilderness and surrounding areas of the Okavango Delta.

Four-wheel drive open vehicles are used for game viewing. Canoe excursions and guided walks are available in several camps. You will be afforded a look at the minutiae of nature and be presented with the most unbelievable big game photographic opportunities. The guides will manoeuvre the vehicles into the best possible position for you to take that close-up photograph that you will treasure for the rest of your life.

The impressions formed here will stay with you forever - driving through the bush into a herd of elephant, the sound of lion roaring in the distance, a family of baboons squabbling across the river, the lullaby of nesting birds as you sit contemplating the day's activities.

All staff is skilled in their own particular function, whether it is pouring cocktails, teaching you to identify the spoor of an eland, or interpreting the warning call of the Grey Lourie - the Go Away bird. The comfort of the camps and the friendliness of the staff all contribute to an unforgettable experience. Most of all, you will feel the special relaxation that freedom away from it all brings, and will benefit from being part of the wilderness and touching the wild.

Your safari in Botswana will be seven nights, staying at three different Safari Camps. The group will split into two groups, staying in two different camps in the Linyanti (at Kings Pool Savuti Camp), the Okavango Delta (at Vumbura Plains North South Camps) and the Moremi Reserve (at Chitabe Camp and Chitabe Lediba Camp).

Your tour flights between camps will be operated by Wilderness Safaris. On the day you transfer to your next camp flight times will be advised by the camp manager and arrangements made to be transferred to the appropriate airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft transfer to your next safari camp.

(Nov 1 and 2) ACCOMMODATIONS: KINGS POOL CAMP - Tented Room - 2 Nights Kings Pool Camp has well-appointed tents of canvas and thatch. Each has a large bedroom area, lounge, private plunge pool and 'sala'. The spacious en-suite bathrooms are tiled with double showers and hand-basins - as well as an outdoor shower for those who wish to shower close to nature! The lounge, dining room and pub areas are on expansive raised decks. There is also a communal pool and an open-air 'kgotla' for dining under the stars.

Kings Pool Camp overlooks the Linyanti River and the Kings Pool Lagoon. The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve has abundant wildlife in a wide variety of species, but is mostly noted for its very large elephant population which can reach enormous densities during the dry winter months. Other game concentrations are also high, and apart from abundant plains game, species such as roan and sable antelope, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal and wild dog may also be encountered. This area can also be excellent for the rarely-seen aardvark and aardwolf. Birding is a spectacular experience. This is an enormous wildlife-rich place that evokes unrivalled remoteness and space. (B,L,D)

AND

(Nov 1 and 2) ACCOMMODATIONS: SAVUTI CAMP - Tented Room - 2 Nights Savuti Camp is situated in a remote part of the Linyanti Concession along the Savute Channel.

This intimate camp has ensuite walk-in tents that are raised off the ground and face onto the channel. From the camp's thatched dining area, a plunge pool and large viewing area with fire pit extend outwards on raised wooden decks, providing a wonderful view of the water and its wildlife.

Due to its location on the Savute Channel and in the Linyanti Concession, Savuti has spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. Game viewing tops the agenda here. Morning and afternoon game drives are offered in open 4x4 Land Rovers. Bean bags are available to use for steadying your camera while on game drives. Night drives with spotlights allow you to find those nocturnal animals you wouldnt see during the day. On request, nature walks with skilled, armed guides are wonderful ways of getting close to nature and observing the smaller things you miss when travelling by vehicle.

All meals, laundry service, local drinks (premium exported brands excluded) and twice daily scheduled camp activities are included. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - November 2, 2015 - Linyanti Reserve

Enjoy more safari's.

Day 5 - November 3, 2015 - Northern Okavango Delta

(Nov 3 and 4) ACCOMMODATIONS: VUMBURA PLAINS CAMP NORTH SOUTH - 2 Nights Vumbura Plains Camp is a luxury camp situated in a private concession in the extreme north of the Okavango Delta. The concession, which is leased from the neighbouring community, includes a wide variety of habitats, diverse wildlife and an enormous traversing area of over 148,000 acres.

Vumbura Plains Camp is comprised of two separate satellite camps, each with its own raised dining, lounge and bar area tucked beneath a canopy of cool, shady, indigenous trees. A star-gazing deck with comfortable cushions protrudes into the floodplain, a place to gaze upwards, or a convivial camp fire setting. Magnificent vistas across the Okavango Delta floodplains are a feature.

Each large, luxurious room is raised off the ground on wooden decks and comprises a bedroom, lounge, shower and full en-suite bathroom with an outdoor shower. Each room also has a plunge pool and 'sala' - a comfortable area to lie and relax, watching the waving grasses of the floodplain.

Vumbura Plains Camp offers both land and water activities, principally nature viewing in varied habitats in open 4x4 vehicles, nature walks, mokoro trips and boat excursions. While exploring the spectacular ecology of this area, one can enjoy close-up viewing of lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah and buffalo along with all the plains game.

Birding around Vumbura Plains Camp is incredible - with both variety and prolific numbers. The Vumbura area is possibly the only area in the Okavango Delta where one can see red lechwe (an animal that inhabits the fringes of the waterways) and sable antelope (an animal that prefers the dry countryside) on the same game drive. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - November 4, 2015 - Northern Okavango Delta

Enjoy more safari's.

Day 7 - November 5, 2015 - Moremi Reserve in Southern Okavango Delta

(Nov 5, 6 and 7) ACCOMMODATIONS: CHITABE CAMP - 3 Nights Chitabe Camp is situated in a private concession area on a beautiful island in the south-east of the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

While playing host to the diversity of wildlife, birds and habitats which only the Okavango Delta can offer, this area is a breathtaking mosaic of open floodplains, waterways, marshlands, dry acacia and mopane woodland, riverine forest and open grasslands which is notably in contrast to the areas further north.

Chitabe Camp's eight spacious Meru-style tents are built on elevated wooden decks amongst the trees of the Okavango Delta. Each tent has twin beds, en-suite facilities and an indoor as well as an outdoor shower. The thatched dining area, pub and lounge area are built on raised decks to provide superb views across the Okavango Delta floodplain, and a pool allows guests to cool off in the heat of the day.

Luxury African safaris at Chitabe Camp include day and night game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, nature walks and spectacular birdwatching. The multiplicity of habitats surrounding Chitabe Camp means there is an abundance of wildlife to be seen, including elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, tsessebe, impala and, occasionally, wild dogs. Night drives also provide opportunities for guests to see nocturnal mammals such as civet, serval, genet, porcupine and aardwolf. (B,L,D)

AND

(Nov 5, 6, and 7) ACCOMMODATIONS: CHITABE LEDIBA - 3 Nights Chitabe Lediba Camp in the Chitabe Concession neighbors the Moremi Game Reserve in the south-east of the Okavango Delta. The Chitabe Concession consists of over 69,000 acres of the widest range habitats known to the Okavango Delta. From savannah to tree-filled islands and floodplains, a luxury African safari at Chitabe Lediba Camp makes for the most amazing wildlife sightings. Chitabe Lediba Camp offers an intimate experience - ideal for small groups or families. Its family units have adjoining bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms. Each of the spacious Meru-style tents are built on raised decks. En-suite bathrooms have outdoor showers with panoramic views of the Okavango Delta.

At Chitabe Lediba Camp the dining area, lounge and pool have a glorious vantage over the small lediba (remnant lagoon that has become a waterhole) after which the camp is named. Guests can view the multitude of wildlife which comes to drink by day from the comfort of the camp itself.

Chitabe Lediba Camp has both morning and afternoon game drives to explore the breathtaking variety of landscapes, habitats and wildlife which border the Chitabe Concession. Afternoon drives usually return after dark in the hopes of spotting the shyer nocturnal animals of the Okavango Delta: such as genet, civet, serval, and porcupine and, on the rare occasion, the aardwolf. Chitabe Lediba Camp also has two elevated platforms which can be utilized as a game viewing platform by day.

Wildlife seen here includes elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and cheetah; as well as zebra, tsessebe, giraffe, kudu and impala. On occasion guests are also privileged enough to see Wild Dog. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - November 6, 2015 - Moremi Reserve in Southern Okavango Delta

Enjoy 2nd day of Safari's.

Day 9 - November 7, 2015 - Moremi Reserve in Southern Okavango Delta

Enjoy more safari's.

Day 10 - November 8, 2015 - Windhoek

After a morning of game viewing, reluctantly bid farewell to your new found bush friends . You will be transferred by shared charter aircraft from your lodge to Maun. On arrival in Maun, you will connect to your scheduled flight bound for Windhoek.

On arrival in Windhoek, you are met and transferred by private vehicle to your reserved hotel.

(Nov 8) ACCOMMODATIONS: WINDHOEK COUNTRY CLUB RESORT The superb Windhoek Country Club Resort is the final word in luxury and entertainment in Namibia. Exceptional service, superb accommodations and a tranquil desert setting have made this hotel the premier destination in Namibia.

All rooms have individual heating and cooling controls and are soundproofed. They have spacious bathrooms and shower, queen or twin beds, a lounge area, direct dial phones, electric razor plugs, free wireless internet access, a mini bar, tea coffee making facility, in room safe, hair dryers, trouser press, Satellite T.V. and a balcony.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be enjoyed in The Kokerboom Restaurant - for dinner there is an extensive international A  la carte menu or a specialty buffet.

The Terrace and Pool Bar serve light meals and sundowners and you are spoiled with a view across the surrounding area.

If you consider yourself to be a connoisseur of specialty coffees, the Coffee Lounge is sure to entice a visit.

Tantalize your palate with something more exotic. Get a flavor of the Orient at the Chez Wou Restaurant. There is always Ellington's Jazz Lounge, located on the 1st floor above the Casino.

As you would expect, the Windhoek Hotel and Country Club offers facilities such as same day laundry, dry cleaning and valet services, a casino, 24-hour room service, 18-hole golf course, doctor on call, swimming pool, tennis courts, cinema, reflexologist, gym, babysitting and a games room for older children, hair salon, as well as free wireless internet connectivity. (B)

Day 11 - November 9, 2015 - Etosha

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your light aircraft transfer to Etosha for a two night stay.

The Etosha National Park is made up of over 5 million acres of saline desert. The vegetation in the park varies from dwarf shrub savannah and grasslands, which occur around the pan, to thorn bush and woodland savannah throughout the park. Etosha's definitive feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow depression, about one million acres in size.

The expansive white place of dry water is an unusual setting for game and the factor which sets Etosha apart from other reserves in Africa. On some days, the pan is a shimmering sheet of mirages on which the animals appear to be floating on air.

A total of 114 mammals are represented in the park, including several rare and endangered species such as black rhino and black-faced impala. Etosha's elephants are reputed to be of the largest in Africa, the tallest measuring up to 13 feet at the shoulder.

Other large mammals represented in the park include blue wildebeest, zebra and lion. Cheetah and leopard complete the trio of big cats . The giraffe, the tallest animal on earth, is also here.

The antelope species range from kudu, gemsbok and the large and stately eland to the diminutive Damara dik-dik. These tiny antelope have a height of less than 18 inches at the shoulder and weigh about 11 pounds. Smaller mammals include jackal, hyena, bat-eared fox, honey badger, warthog and ground squirrel.

Etosha's rich birdlife consists of about 340 species of waders. Etosha is one of the most important breeding grounds of greater and lesser flamingos in the southern African region. Ten of Etosha's 35 raptor species are migratory.

For the greater part of the year, Etosha's animals and birds are dependent on 30 odd springs and waterholes. This provides for excellent game viewing and ideal conditions for photography. Wildlife lovers who visit the area usually select a favorite waterhole, which they maintain is lucky for them.

(Nov 9 and 10) ACCOMMODATIONS: THE MUSHARA BUSH CAMP The Mushara Bush Camp located 6 miles from the Von Lindequist entrance gate of Etosha National Park, provides an idyllic base for exploring this premier attraction in Namibia. The Mushara Bush Camp offers a down-to-earth tented bush camp experience, an affordable base for independent travelers and families

The main Bush Camp House is thatched and has a true bush camp feel to it. The early evenings see a camp fire lit where guest can exchange stories of the days wildlife sightings. Dinner, lunch and breakfast are served on the thatched verandah with the bush being a mere step away.

Each of the 16 custom made en-suite tents is built from canvas, wood and local limestone. With a private veranda and windows from floor to ceiling, these tents are spacious and airy. Four of them have a sleeper couch suitable for two children each.

The large bathroom has a big window and the shower offers views into the surrounding bush. The brushed cement floors and stone walls keep the tents cool even in the afternoon sun.

A coffee station, safe deposit box, mosquito net, socket for charging storage batteries, hair drier and floor fan are standard. Whether you enjoy the privacy of your veranda or the comfort of your tent, the tranquility of the bush is guaranteed. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - November 10, 2015 - Etosha

Enjoy a 2nd day of safari's.

Day 13 - November 11, 2015 - Depart Namibia

Depart Etosha today for your tour flight back to Windhoek. On arrival, transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg where you will board your international flight home. (B)

Day 14 - November 12, 2015 - Arrive Washington Dulles

Arrive Washington Dulles (IAD). Please allow enough time to clear Customs with your connecting flight home.