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The Green Desert Expedition with Wilderness Safaris li284This itinerary, guided by the leading Luxury Safari operator in southern Africa combines the best of Botswana. The unique features include: - Exposes the spectacular desert wildlife concentrations in the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pan systems during sporadic rainfall with a contrasting Okavango Delta experience (December to March). - Varied desert denizens revealed and interpreted. - Serviced safari camps pre-erected with comfortable dome tents, ending in a luxury lodge - Xigera Camp. Green Desert Expedition explores the contrasts of three major habitats: the Makgadikgadi "moonscape" saltpans, Deception Valley in the Kalahari Desert, and finally the lush islands and blue-green waterways of the Okavango Delta. This Exploration is specifically designed to enjoy the Kalahari Desert at its most productive season, when it receives low sporadic rains and the wildlife migrates into the desert valleys in large numbers. This precious water creates a short yet incredibly prolific wildlife-viewing period with concentrations of desert species and their young in the fertile, ancient river valleys of Deception Valley in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Days 1 & 2: Khumaga - Boteti River, Makgadikgadi Pans Accommodation: Adventurer campsite (2 Nights, Fully inclusive with activities) Upon arrival in Maun, we depart by road for Khumaga, on the edge of the great Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari Desert. The saltpans are among the largest in the world, part of a fossilised super-lake that existed aeons ago. The Adventurer campsite is well positioned under shady trees on the banks of the Boteti River. With the coming of rain, life abounds, and brown hyaena, gemsbok (oryx) and springbok are just a few of the desert-adapted species that can be seen. Activities include game drives, concentrating on the opportunistic birthing time of desert animals, as a result of the erratic rains, and the diverse array of birds, possibly including rarities like the Pallid and Montagu's Harriers. In addition, the seasonal wildebeest and zebra movements, if present in the area, provide amazing sightings at this time. Experience the phenomenal geology and simply enjoy the wide-open spaces of this ancient lakebed and surrounding grassy plains. It is usually not possible to see the actual saltpans at this time of year and our time is thus spent experiencing the surrounding habitats of the grasslands, river channels and the palm tree islands. Information: Magkadigkadi Pans The Makgadikgadi saltpan is a part of the once huge prehistoric lake in the Kalahari basin. When the rains arrive between November and May, the pan fills with water and attracts thousands and thousands of flamingos, pelican, duck, geese and other waterfowl as well as enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. In contrast the pan dries up during winter and presents a glittering white saltpan in the semi desert. Thousand year-old baobab trees surround the pan Days 3, 4 & 5: Deception Valley, Central Kalahari Game Reserve Accommodation: Adventurer campsite (3 Nights, Fully inclusive with activities) After an early breakfast, we depart overland to our private Adventurer campsite in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve with lunch en route. This prehistoric riverbed, flanked by petrified dune lands, is very appealing after brief rains, as it is covered with nutritious grasses that attract herds from all over the enormous reserve. These large congregations of desert wildlife with their young are followed by predators into the broad riverbed, all of which makes for outstanding viewing. On Day 4 or 5 we enjoy extended wildlife game drives (with picnic lunch), taking in the game-rich Pipers Pans area of the Kalahari, as well as the Letiahau and Deception Valleys. Activities revolve around nature drives into the Huab River System in search of Desert Elephants and other specially adapted flora and fauna. Walking in the Damaraland area is spectacular and is highly recommended as an afternoon activity. With prior notice, a trip can be arranged to the famous Twyfelfontein rock engravings located nearby. A full day excursion is available to track the endangered Desert Adapted Black Rhino, subject to the availability of a vehicle. Private vehicles for these excursions can be booked at an additional cost subject to availability either prior to departure or directly with the Camp Manager. Information: San The San, somewhat derogatorily known as "Bushmen", are the aboriginal inhabitants of southern Africa. Some of the friendly people still live a traditional life as hunters and gatherers. While the women collect wild fruits, berries and wild onions rich in starch, the men pursue hunting. They are known for their deep understanding of nature and its ecology. They are able to differentiate between hundreds of plant species and are regarded as excellent trackers. The San have inhabited Southern Africa for at least 30 000 years. Proof of this habitation is the wealth of rock art that can be found in numerous locations throughout the southern Africa. The Bushmen's hunter-gatherer lifestyle has constantly come under threat from all the other residents of the regions. The Bushmen followed water, game and edible plants, and were always mobile. They did not farm or keep animals and carried everything they possessed with them as they moved. It is thought that when the first Bantu tribes arrived, the San coexisted peacefully with them, but as the Bantu numbers swelled, pressure was placed on the placid San. Many San ended up as slaves while others abandoned their traditional hunting areas and moved into the drier areas (Kalahari) of Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The early Boer settlers in the Cape launched an extermination campaign and killed about 200 000 people in around 200 years. To these people the San were sub-human and no better than animals. Of the 55 000 San people who remain, about 60% live in the Kalahari in Botswana, 35% in Namibia with the rest scattered all over Southern Africa. The outlook for the San is not hopeful although some organisations are working to preserve the culture, but the last remaining areas where they could maintain the hunter-gatherer lifestyle are slowly been converted to commercial farmland or mining concessions. Alcoholism is also one of the main threats of the San people. Days 6&7: Okavango Delta Accommodation: Xigera Camp (2 Nights, Fully inclusive with activities) After a light breakfast we depart overland to Maun, after which we fly by light aircraft in the afternoon to the water-filled paradise of the private Xigera area, within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is the ultimate Delta experience, with serene waters flowing through innumerable channels around remote islands and a profusion of plant and animal life. Xigera Camp is a luxury tented camp situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta. It has something for everyone, in an area where there are no other Moremi camps and where permanent water all year round allows for a variety of activities. Enjoy a true Delta experience while you sit back in a mokoro (dugout canoe) and silently glide through the tranquil Okavango waterways or watch the sunset and birds gliding home to roost from a motorboat on the Xigera Lagoon. The more adventurous can enjoy a scenic nature walk. Nestled in a magnificent riverine forest, Xigera consists of 10 luxuriously furnished tented rooms with en-suite facilities and outdoor shower. Each room is raised off the ground on a wooden deck offering superb views of the seasonal floodplain and waterhole. Meals and drinks are enjoyed under the thatch of the raised lounge, pub and dining area overlooking a permanently flowing channel. A traditional boma offers alternative dining under the African stars. Wooden walkways wind through the forest connecting the rooms to the main area. There is a plunge pool for cooling off and relaxation. Birding in the area is excellent, with Pel's Fishing-Owl, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, African Skimmers and a host of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers to be found. The area has the highest density of the rare sitatunga antelope found anywhere in the Okavango Delta. Information: Okavango Delta The Okavango Delta is one of the most spectacular locations in the world. It is an impenetrable swamp area in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. The Okavango River, which originates in Angola spreads out into the delta through untold channels and rivulets and eventually seeps into the sand of the desert. During the months of July and August, the water table rises and water reaches the south of the delta. Untold numbers of water animals and game as well as an amazing variety of vegetation can be seen here where the desert and swamp regions meet. The delta has only been inhabited for approximately 200 years, and is still preserved in its original unspoiled state. Today though, since the Tsetse fly was eradicated, the southern part of the delta suffers from overgrazing. Tourism is restricted to the outskirts of the delta. Restrictions prevent the erection of permanent buildings and tourists are accommodated in tents. Once the tents are lifted the vegetation regenerates itself very quickly. Luxury tents are available in the heart of the delta and can only be accessed by plane from Maun. Day 7: Return Charter flight to Maun After an early morning activity and breakfast, we fly to Maun, where the safari ends. |
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| Climate Compensation For more information our project, please refer to our website: www.umfulana.com/climateza |
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 Botswana Fly-in SafariEUR 1,377.001 – 7 daysFrom Windhoek to the Victoria FallsEUR 2,170.001 – 15 daysOkavango, Victoria Falls, Caprivi: Diverse Southern AfricaEUR 3,099.001 – 18 daysBotswana Fly-in Safari SupremeEUR 5,389.001 – 10 days |
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| 1) Price per person based on two people sharing a double room, flights not included. Prices may vary by season and due to differences in available services. All tours are sold in euros. Prices indicated in other currencies are for informational purposes only and may vary in accordance with changes in exchange rates. |
