Okavango Exploration Safaris

SEMI PARTICIPATION CAMPING • 13 NIGHTS

THE HIPPO SAFARI

This adventure safari starts in Maun and ends in Victoria Falls. It explores the fascinating Okavango Delta water system and passes through some of the best wilderness areas of Botswana.

 

Highlights

Okavango Delta & mokoro excursions

4 nights Moremi Game Reserve

4 nights Chobe National Park

Optional visit to the Victoria Falls

Trip Details

 

(all nights camping semi participation unless specified)

Day 1: Pick the guests from the airport and take them to shops for shopping eg, water and drinks

Day 2: Southern Okavango Delta – Mokoro safari & nature walks

Day 3: Southern Okavango Delta – Mokoro safari & nature walks

Day 4: Community campsite outside Moremi Game Reserve (Kazikini) – game drive

Day 5: Western Moremi Game Reserve – game drives

Day 6: Western Moremi Game Reserve – game drives

Day 7: Eastern Moremi Game Reserve / Khwai Concession – game drives

Day 8: Eastern Moremi Game Reserve/ khwai Concession- game drives

Day 9: Southern Chobe National Park (Savute / Zwei Zwei) – game drives

Day 10: Southern Chobe National Park( Savute/Zwei  Zwei

Day 11: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – game drives

Day 12: Northern Chobe National Park (floodplain) – game drives

Day 13: Victoria Falls – comfortable lodge – optional visit to The Victoria Falls

Day 14: END of the safari at the lodge after breakfast

 

SAFARI INFO

DESCRIPTION

Camping safari where all camp chores are carried out by our teams. There is one guide with the guests at all times and a backup team (chef + camp assistants) in a backup vehicle setting up and breaking camps, cooking meals, etc.

EQUIPMENT

Very spacious tents (2.1m x 2.1m x 1.75m) 5 cm mattress and shared bush ablutions (shower and toilet). Drinks are not included (soft, local alcoholic drinks, still water).

VEHICLE

4×4 safari vehicles custom-built by Okavango exploration Safari – custom built trailers – one backup vehicle specifically dedicated to setting-up/packing the camp

NUMBER OF GUESTS

Maximum participants = 8 pax so that everyone gets a window seat. Departure is guaranteed as soon as we have confirmed 1 guest

Check out the following page (link for semi participate 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 = 18kg, max. size = 700mm x 350mm x 350mm
  • Remember that on safari you need far fewer clothes than you think so bear this in mind when packing

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

  • Torch with spare batteries and bulbs – a head torch is a good idea
  • Hat/cap
  • Scarf and gloves (especially for winter months)
  • Warm jacket/fleece/jumper – windproof in winter months (May – Sept), waterproof in summer months (Nov – Mar)
  • Swimming costume
  • Natural clothing (i.e. no bright colours and no white), t-shirts, shorts, a pair of light weight 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.
  • Adaptors 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 section 5 for further information)
  • Mosquito repellents/ lotion/ spray
  • Toilet paper (this is only necessary if you prefer 2 or 3 ply toilet paper)
  • Water proof/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.
  • Okavango exploration Safaris does not provide travel insurance.
  • Okavango exploration 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).