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Safari from Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia is an overland journey. It usually refers to a trip by tourists to Africa, traditionally for a big-game hunt; today the term often refers to a trip taken not for the purposes of hunting, but to observe and photograph big game and other wildlife. There is a certain theme or style associated with the word, which includes khaki clothing, belted bush jackets, pith helmets or slouch hats, and animal skins—like leopard's skin. Entering the English language in the late 19th century, the word safari means "journey" in Swahili.
Although the word safari came to popular usage in reference to hunting and touring expeditions in East Africa, it is now used to mean watching and photographing wildlife in all parts of Africa. The term has also spread to cover other adventurous journeys and expeditions, including whale watching safaris, Artic safaris, Amazon safaris, eco-safari, and even Geo Safaris in Southern Africa exploring 3.6 billion years of the earth's oldest and best preserved rocks and some of the most magnificent geology to be found anywhere on earth. Lack of light pollution delivers pristine night skies for star gazing and astronomy observations and the dramatic scenery and wildlife can bring out the creativity in you and inspire you to photograph, paint or to sculpt what you see. Safari Lodges and Game Reserves increasingly cater for more and more specialist interests and Specialist Safaris provide leading professionals across all disciplines of art and science who can guide you to ensure you see and experience the best that Africa has to offer.
For an idea of Safari arrangements - here are details for an unforgettable mobile camping safari discovering the northern reserves of Botswana. Small and personal, Botswana Explorer is excellent value and game viewing is spectacular and rewarding. A superb way of seeing this fascinating country and viewing wildlife at close quarters.
MEAL PLAN → Prices include all meals (except lunch at David Livingstone Lodge), soft drinks, local beer and wine on camping days – taken in communal camp fire/al fresco dining areas; Breakfast and dinner in Livingstone.
ACCOMMODATION → Mobile domed safari tents are used that include bedding, linen, bedside table and lamp, en suite wc and shower facilities and safari chairs.
GROUP SIZE → The safari operates with a maximum of 6 all with a window seat.
TRAVEL TIPS → Sun cream, hat and a camera are essential. Don’t wear bright colours or white on safari. Minimum age 12 years. Guests over 70 may only travel with a doctor’s certificate. Maximum luggage allowance of 12kgs in soft bags applies – extra luggage can be left in Johannesburg airport.
Botswana Explorer is escorted by an English speaking local guide from Maun to Livingstone. Extensions are not escorted but assistance is provided by our local representatives.
DAY 1 → South African Airways overnight flight to Johannesburg.
DAY 2 → Connect with your Air Botswana flight to Maun, then a Safari Air flight to Nxabega airstrip in the Okavango Delta and your camp for two nights. Each camp location consists of ensuite safari tents with bucket showers and flush loo, amd a central mess tent and campfire area.
DAY 3 → Explore the channels, islands and waterways by four-wheel drive open game-viewing vehicle, mokoro and on foot viewing wildlife up close, returning to the campsite in a private concession area with camp staff to cater for you.
DAY 4 → Safari Air flight to Khwai, a breathtaking area of the Moremi Wildlife Reserve. Spend two full days here game viewing in a four-wheel drive vehicle. Moremi is a lush patchwork of lagoons and plains and benefits from high wildlife concentrations. In the north the Khwai River is a lovely area of tall evergreens that are home to high numbers of predators including leopard. Spend two nights here in a similar serviced camp.
DAY 6 → Today travel overland on a five to six hour game drive to Savute, an area renowned for its lion sightings. Enjoy two nights in this area of the Chobe National Park, camping in the Savute channel. Around Savute’s three waterholes spectacular game viewing includes many elephants and possibly a lion kill in the early or late hours of the day.
DAY 8 → Drive northward to the Serondela area of the national park (approx. 5 hours). This is the heart of elephant country and game viewing is highly rewarding with many choosing to stop by the Chobe River to watch huge herds congregate on the banks. The river is renowned for its wildlife concentrations including buffalo and antelope. Subsequently sightings of lion are excellent. Two nights are spent here with enjoying game drives and a boat cruise on the river.
DAY 10 → A short drive across the border to Livingstone in Zambia where you can wash off the dust and relax with a cold drink. Enjoy a tour of the falls before spending a night of comfort at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge in an en suite room.
DAY 11 → Fly South African Airways overnight from Livingstone via Johannesburg to Heathrow.
DAY 11 → Extend your stay at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi for three more nights, enjoying the spectacular location and perhaps partaking in the myriad of activities and excursions available (see p198).
DAY 14 → Fly South African Airways overnight from Livingstone via Johannesburg to Heathrow.→ Moremi: 2 nights → Chobe: 4 nights → Livingstone: 1 night
Botswana
Botswana is a largely road less wilderness of savannas, deserts, wetlands and salt pans and includes the 0kavango -- the world's largest inland delta. Take your pick of lions, cheaters, hippos, giraffes, antelopes, zebras and any number of bird species across the fabulous game reserves, the most famous being Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve. Best time to visit April to August for wildlife viewing. Burundi
Wedged between Tanzania, Ron Lander and Congo is the tiny mountainous nation of Burundi. You can take safaris through the dense jungle, marvel at Lake Tanganyika dwarfed by surrounding mountains. And in the heart of Africa you may also be lucky to see gorillas in the rainforests. Central African Republic
Bordering Cameroon, Chad, Sudan and the Congo, Central African Republic is a country of rare natural duty with some of the world's most amazing wildlife. True to the spirit of real Africa, the people of this plundered nation open, friendly and generous and hunting safaris are huge business. Best time to visit November to April in the dry season. Congo - Democratic Republic of
The Congo was a sprawling mass of rainforest, fast running rivers and remains intoxicatingly mysterious and largely cut off to visitors but has the potential to reclaim its mantle as Africa's most adventurous destination. At 2.3 million square kilometres it is almost as large as Western Europe and what an experience to travel by barge from Kinshasa to Kisangani along the Congo River -- the real highway of central Africa. Best time to visit December to February Congo - Republic of
The Congo boasts Africa's largest lowland gorilla population. Best time to visit June to September during the dry season Djibouti
This could be one of the East Africa's best kept secrets with a seductive blend of African, Arab, Indian and European influences. Away from the coast the hinterland is a bizarre landscape of eerie volcanic scenery and vast salt lakes. Best time to visit November to mid April when the weather is coolest.
Egypt
Egypt has a tremendous amount to offer from the frenetic activity of its major cities to drifting along the Nile, snorkelling and diving in the red Sea and trekking in the Sinai Desert. It is a multilayered history lesson with relics left by the Faroes, Greeks, Romans, Christians and Arabs alike. Best time to visit October to May to avoid the heat. Gambia
Gambia is a perfect gateway to West Africa with its sunshine and golden beaches which have long made it a winter getaway for Europeans. Best time to visit November to April. Jordan
Lawrence of Arabia, Bible stories and mysterious lost cities -- Jordan is romantic and epic and is home to two of the most spectacular sights in the Middle East - Petra and the startling desert scenery of Wadi Rum. Best time to visit April to May or September to October.
Kenya
Few places can rival Kenya for the safari experience and Kenny beckons the traveller with a magical mix of incredible wildlife, rich cultural heritage, palm fringed beaches and coastal town was steeped in Swahili history. Best time to visit January to February, the hottest and driest months.
Lesotho
Lesotho is a mountainous country landlocked in the heart of South Africa, dubbed the kingdom in the sky it offers fabulous hiking climbing and riding. Best time to visit May to September.
Libya
One of the last unspoilt places on the Mediterranean seaboard Libya offers fabulous hospitality, beautiful desert scapes, well preserved classical ruins, prehistoric rock art and palm fringed oases. Best time to visit November to March.
Madagascar
Teeming with fertile forests and geographical isolation have served to preserve Madagascar with a mix found nowhere else on earth. Best time to visit April to October. Malawi
Bordered by Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania, Malawi provides an ever-changing landscape of lofty mountains, steep escarpments, woodland, grassland and the fabulous shores of Lake Malawi. Watch for the Fish Eagles. Best time to visit in late April to November.
Morocco
The light is shimmering, the Art extraordinary and the region's history comes alive in its mediaeval cities, Roman ruins, Berber Kasbahs and Islamic monuments. Best time to visit October to April. Mozambique
Mozambique's coastline is one of the longest on the African continent with endless stretches of white sand; palm fringed beaches and unexplored offshore reefs. It has a unique blend of African, Arabic, Indian and European influences. Best time to visit June to August. Namibia
Bordered by Angola and Zambia, Botswana and South Africa and the chilly South Atlantic Ocean, Namibia is a land of deserts, seascapes, wildlife reserves, ancient rock art and a sense of boundlessness. Best time to visit May to October.
Oman
An ever increasing number of travellers are discovering Oman's friendly people, dramatic man mountain landscapes and unspoilt beaches. Best time to visit mid October to mid March.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has some of West Africa's most magical beaches with lush landscapes, jungle and reserves abundant with wildlife in the interior. Best time to visit November to April.
South Africa
A truly spectacular, friendly and rewarding place for all travellers, you can find yourself sitting a superb wine on majestic Table Mountain, catching a perfect wave on an unspoilt subtropical beach, tracking a lion on an African safari or simply marvelling at the huge variety of landscapes, climates and cultures that are crammed into Africa's southern tip. Best time to visit February and March.
Syria
Bordered by Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey, Syria is truly unique and full of hidden treasures and surprisingly easy to get around. Syria is a gem for travellers looking to get off the beaten track. Best time to visit March to May.
Tanzania
The Great Rift Valley, Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Victoria, the Serengeti and Zanzibar are legendary as is the teeming wildlife. It also houses fabulous white beaches on the Indian Ocean. Best time to visit in late June to October.
Uganda
Uganda has the highest mountain range in Africa, one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, Murchison Falls and perhaps the highest primate density in the world in Kibale Forest National Park. It is a beautiful country with a great deal to offer with beautiful mountains, trekking opportunities and the few remaining communities of endangered mountain gorillas. Best time to visit January to February.
Zambia
Land locked Zambia shares its borders with eight other African countries, yet it remains a remote place with an untamed wilderness areas, tranquil scenery and friendly easy going people. There are natural wonders such as the majestic Victoria Falls which it shares with neighbouring Zimbabwe, the serene on the Zambezi River and great national parks brimming with masses of wildlife. Best time to visit May to August.
Zimbabwe
Despite internal conflict, soaring inflation and ongoing drought, Zimbabwe offers an incredibly rich and diverse range of tours, activities and scenery ranging from the grandeur of Victoria falls, incredible wildlife and amazing ruins. Best time to visit May to October.
 Images courtesy of Roger de la Harpe
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