WHY IT'S DIFFERENT?
Visit Meerkats and sleep under the stars, before a mobile safari in the UNESCO Okavango Delta. Then enjoy the vibrant Cape Town scene before relaxing in the winelands.
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Mobile Tented Camp
The most authentic way to experience the Okavango. Stay in a luxury 5-star mobile tented camp in the bush amongst nature and wildlife. Enjoy freshly prepared gourmet meals and finish your days with a nightcap around the fire pit.
Meet with Meerkats
One of the best places to see these fascinating creatures. The meerkats are semi-habituated to human presence through years of research teams getting close, so you’ll get closer than you might think to the cheeky creatures!
The Okavango Delta
Now a UNESCO world heritage site, this incredible alluvial fan is packed full of wildlife in a wilderness environment that supports some of Africa’s greatest predator densities as well as the continent’s largest elephant population.
Sleep under the Stars
Take a quad bike deep into the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest in the world. You'll have dinner around a fire pit before for a night sleeping out under the stars. A truly unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Cape Town
Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa, lies between the ocean and beautiful mountains. Fondly referred to as "The Mother City" by locals. It offers ample activities and overflows with trendy bars and eateries.
Penguins at Boulders Beach
Currently classified as endangered, the African penguins are only found along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia. Boulders Beach, home to a colony of African penguins, is the only place where you can see them up close.
Wine Farms
Surrounded by lush valleys, with award-winning wine farms at every corner, it's every wine lover's dream destination. Be sure to try the Pinotage, which is unique to South Africa.
Food
South African cuisine is as diverse as the cultures that form the heritage. The most loved form of cooking is referred to as "a braai" and is similar to a barbecue, but on an open, wood fire. Meat and veggies are cooked this way.
“South Africa is renowned for its food and wine scene so restaurants do get booked up. Please make sure you book your restaurants in advance so you don’t miss out.”
James - Untravelled Paths
YOUR EXPERIENCE
One of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations, Botswana is a paradise for stunning scenery and wildlife. It is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world: the low population and vast areas of protected wilderness provide a haven for wildlife and offers a more exclusive and remote safari. It's home to the richly populated waterways of the Okavango Delta, arguably one of Africa’s ultimate destinations, and now a World Heritage Site where game found here includes, and is in no way limited to: lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, elephant, rhino, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, caracal, serval, spotted hyena, aardwolf, civet, roan, sable, kudu, sitatunga, and jackal, to name but a few. As well as the Makgadikgadi Pans, a desolate yet awe-inspiring area of nothingness and everything. The harsh environment of the pans changes from wet to dry season, and although only accessible by helicopter during the wet season, the dry season brings the opportunity to explore the pans in their full beauty. Wildlife that can be seen here includes the reclusive brown hyena, the fascinating meerkat, and the occasional cheetah. There is also the opportunity to sleep out in the pans, where one can see one of the only places on earth where the stars meet the horizon. This area is best explored between June and October. After your time in Botswana we will transport you deep into the vibrant heart of "The Rainbow Nation". A country ripe with history, offering ample activities from beaches to hiking to mountains to wine farms, this country offers it all. We begin our experience in "The Mother City", Cape Town, which is nestled in the belly of Table Mountain. We will awaken your taste buds with a wine farm tour in Franschhoek Valley.
YOUR EXPERTS
James
The Brains Behind the Operation - Meet James
NEED TO KNOW
| DESTINATION | Botswana, South Africa |
| DURATION | 14 nights |
| GROUP SIZE | 12 people |
| ASSISTANCE | Hands on |
| AIRPORT(S) | Cape Town |
| FLIGHTS | For details of flights from the UK please see the Trip Details section. |
| VISA | UK, EU & US not required |
| VACCINATIONS | None |
Arrive in Maun. Transfer to the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Check in to your Bakalanga thatched hut accommodation with en suite facilities at Planet Baobab.
INCLUDED
A morning drive out to the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, including a visit to a traditional Tswana cattle post, followed by a packed lunch and an afternoon’s quad bike expedition into the middle of the Pans for an overnight sleep-out under the stars.
INCLUDED
After waking up with the fresh air and early morning sunshine, you take the quad bikes back to where the salt pans meet the grasslands, and so begin the search for the local group of habituated meerkats. After spending a couple of hours hanging with these very cool customers, it’s an hour’s drive back to Planet Baobab for an afternoon hanging out surrounded by Baobab trees next to Africa’s coolest swimming pool.
INCLUDED
After breakfast at Planet Baobab, it is a 2-hour journey back to Maun for a brief stop for lunch at one of the great eateries in town, followed by a 4-hour drive into the heart of the Okavango Delta. As the town turns to villages, and then cattle posts, and the last signs of human habitation end, the game-viewing begins. The second half of the drive into the delta is set against seeing the first wildlife of this UNESCO world heritage site. After arriving in camp around sunset, you’ll be settled into your glamping tents with en suite bathrooms including flush loos, followed by a delicious dinner out under the stars.
All three full days follow the same pattern. You will be woken an hour before sunrise for a full continental breakfast, followed by a morning’s game drive return to camp by 11am for a wholesome buffet brunch. After an afternoon of your own leisure time in camp, it’s high tea at 4pm followed by an afternoon game drive culminating in the traditional African sundowner with a beautiful view, followed by a short drive back into camp for drinks around the open fireplace before a wholesome three-course dinner.
INCLUDED
This morning, it is a 4-hour return drive to Maun after the same early morning wake up and breakfast. You will arrive in Maun in time for your flight to Cape Town.
Morning transfer to Table Mountain, where you will take the cable car to the top, from where you can enjoy magical views of the City and Ocean. There is a restaurant at the top, and a cute souvenir shop. Walk around the top of One of the Seven Natural Wonders. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the City of Cape Town at your leisure.
Visit Robben Island via ferry, and see the prison where former South African president, Nelson Mandela, spent 18 years of his life in prison. Thereafter, you have the afternoon to explore the V&A waterfront, perfect place for shopping, craft markets, and there is even an aquarium and a rugby museum.
INCLUDED
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Visit Robben Island via ferry, and see the prison where former South African president, Nelson Mandela, spent 18 years of his life in prison. Thereafter, you have the afternoon to explore the V&A waterfront, perfect place for shopping, craft markets, and there is even an aquarium and a rugby museum.
INCLUDED
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
The last day in this amazing city, and we end it off with the most scenic tour. You pass over Chapmans Peak enroute to Cape Point. After exploring Cape Point, you will enjoy a long lunch, followed by a visit to the penguins at Boulders Beach. We will end the tour with a sunset.
INCLUDED
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Transfer to the Winelands, where you will check into your hotel, before heading out for a day of wine tasting in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley. The evening can be enjoyed at your leisure.
INCLUDED
Transfer to the Winelands, where you will check into your hotel, before heading out for a day of wine tasting in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley. The evening can be enjoyed at your leisure.
INCLUDED
A selection of our accommodation, which is subject to availability, however alternatives are always of a similar price, grade and location.
Luxury Tented Camp
Botswana
All 4 nights will be in a double or twin shared tented accommodation and an en suite bathroom comprising a flush loo, shower, mirror and basin. The shower will be refilled on request and the loo emptied regularly.
Planet Baobab
Botswana
You'll spend two nights in a traditional thatched Bakalanga hut with an en suite bathroom. Surrounded by huge Baobab trees and a lovely big swimming pool allowing you to relax when not on an adventure.
Makgadikgadi Pans
Botswana
You'll quad bike out into the middle of the remote, flat wilderness of the pans. Where your comfortable open-air bedrolls with be set out for you to sleep under the stars in the middle of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.
Cape Town
South Africa
You will be staying right in the heart of the Mother City, with many interesting sites close by, and minutes from the trendy bars and eateries.
Typical Accommodation: Cape Town Lodge or similar
Winelands
South Africa
A picturesque town in the heart of the Winelands. A fantastic location for you to enjoy nature, and sample some of South Africas award winning wines.
Typical Accommodation: Oxford Lodge or similar
WHERE YOU'RE GOING
One of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations, Botswana is a paradise for stunning scenery and wildlife. It is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world: the low population and vast areas of protected wilderness provide a haven for wildlife and offers a more exclusive and remote safari. It's home to the richly populated waterways of the Okavango Delta, arguably one of Africa’s ultimate destinations, and now a World Heritage Site. South Africa is part of Africa, but not nearly as wild as one would expect. No, there are no lions roaming around the streets, only in Game parks. South Africa is loving referred to as "The Rainbow Nation", and it's a very colourful nation. Home to many indigenous tribes, its not surprising that the country has 11 official languages. South Africa has a little bit of everything for every traveller. Bustling cities with great 5 star restaurants, quaint towns surrounded by beauty and a beautiful coastline offering all kinds of amazing beaches.
FAST FACTS
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“I took my daughter to Botswana for an Okavango Delta safari and stay in the Makgadikgadi Pans. The adventure was mind-blowing. Can't honestly say which I was most impressed with...the breadth and scope of natural wonders we explored or the detailed planning for a mobile camp.”
Gemhotline
Binoculars and a Camera
Given that you’ll be doing much looking for wildlife, it’s good to have a pair of binoculars for searching and observing from afar, and a good camera for capturing those magic moments.
Enjoy the Siestas
As you are awoken before sunrise most mornings, it is important to take your downtime when you can. The afternoons are a great period to relax to ensure you are well-rested for time out exploring.
Ask Questions
Throughout your incredible journey, you are being led by a vastly experienced professional guide with years of experience exploring the habitats you are visiting.
Use Uber
Uber is a great way to get around, as it is not recommended to hail a taxi off the street. It gives you the freedom to do your own thing during leisure time and it's much cheaper than in the UK.
As a tour operator we are not able to offer inclusive flights as part of our experiences however we are more than happy to help you find the most appropriate incoming and outgoing flights for you. All the listed airports fly directly in and out of Bucharest with multiple different airlines to choose from. We highly recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights.
Typically internal flights cost about £50 per person. In some instances for those flying via Johannesburg, it might make more sense to buy a domestic flight to Cape Town from Johannesburg and then at the end of your trip fly from Durban to Johannesburg, not Cape Town. For further information assistance on flights please don't hesitate to get in touch.
INSURANCE
In order to be fully covered on your trip should anything happen, we suggest getting an insurance before you travel. We recommend True Traveller, designed especially for adventure travel, who will be able to tailor an insurance package based on your needs. You can find out more here.
SOLO TRAVELLERS
Our prices are based on people sharing, for solo travellers who would prefer a private room the price per person will include a solo occupancy fee.
EXTRA NIGHTS
If you wish we can also organise extra nights at either end of your trip for you.
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