The Leopard Safari – Participation Camping Safari in Botswana
“A very affordable 16-night camping safari covering the best of Botswana”
“A very affordable 16-night camping safari covering the best of Botswana”
The Leopard Safari provides a comprehensive and broad travelling experience throughout Botswana – introducing you to one of the tribes in Botswana the Wayeyi, before enjoying the magical Okavango Delta and exploring Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park.
This incredibly 16-night safari is perfect for those travellers whom want a broad Botswana experience on a more affordable level and whom don’t mind helping out with the camping aspect of the tour.
The Leopard safari is semi-participation, meaning that guests will have to pitching their own tents and help with other camp duties whilst on this safari, which is actually quite fun! It brings a great sense of comradery and accomplishment to be out camping in true wilderness with like-minded people! Due to the tour being more affordable, it can take a max of 12 guests in the one custom safari vehicle.
The safari starts from Maun south to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, stopping for a cultural experience on route. Spend 4 nights exploring the vast open grasslands of the Kalahari in search of cheetah, black-maned lions, oryx and springbok on twice daily game drive activities. After the Kalahari you will head back to Maun for 1 night where you have the option to do a scenic flight over the delta. The following day you will set off to the Southern Okavango Delta where you will embark on mokoro and bush walks with local guides from the nearby community. Exploring this wetland paradise is a must when visiting Botswana! From there, heading to Moremi Game Reserve & Chobe National Park for the next 7 nights of incredible game viewing and camping in true wilderness! The wildlife and diversity of habitat covered on this section of the tour is sure to blow your mind, so ensure you bring a camera with many spare batteries! You then cross over to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe for a night in a comfortable lodge where this part of your safari then ends.
We are able to extend your trip before or after the tour if you wish to stay longer. Extending your stay at Victoria Falls is highly recommended as there are many fun activities to be experienced in the area!
Please note: As the safari starts at 08h00 on Day 1, you will need to pre-night in Maun and purchase drinks for your safari the day before your safari starts. We can assist with pre-safari arrangements (accommodation, transfers).
The safari begins in Maun where your guide will meet you at 08h00 at a pre-arranged meeting point. You will travel 180km to Boteti River Camp which borders Makgadikgadi National Park, set up camp and enjoy traditional African cuisine for your lunch. In the afternoon you will participate in a village walk lead by a local from the Wayeyi tribe. They will share their intricate knowledge and give you an insight into their unique and intriguing culture. That evening you will be entrained through song and dance by the Wayeyi one of Botswana’s interesting tribes. Camping at a lodge campsite with fixed ablutions. (L, D)
Maun – Makgadikgadi area: 180km, 2.5h
You will wake up as the sun rises and head toward the pristine wilderness of the largest game reserve in Botswana. The next four days will be spent exploring the undeveloped wilderness of the northern region of the Kalahari, moving from camp to camp. Savour the vast open spaces, clear night skies and uninterrupted beauty on game drives and at camp. This is adventure camping in its purest form as water and communications are limited and we travel as a self-sufficient group. Camping is in a private designated campsite with fixed bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Boteti River Camp – Central Kalahari Game Reserve: 180km, 4-5h
Game drives to explore the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Passarge Valley and surroundings. Camping is in a private designated campsite with fixed bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Transfer / game drive from Passarge Valley to Deception Valley. Game drives to explore the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Deception Valley and surroundings. Camping is in a private designated campsite with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Game drives to explore the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Deception Valley and surroundings. Camping is in a private designated campsite with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
After our final morning game drive in the Kalahari we return to the Maun area where your accommodation will either be in Maun or its outskirts. In the afternoon, you will have the option of taking an amazing scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. You could either do a 30min flight in a helicopter with no windows and doors, allowing magnificent views from above for EUR 173 for minimum 6pax! Alternatively you could opt for a 45 min flight in a light aircraft to enjoy this wetland for EUR 125 min 3pax. This experience has to be booked during the safari, and payment made in cash only. During the flight it is even possible to spot large game animals such as Elephant, Giraffe and Hippopotami. The night will be enjoyed in the comfort of a lodge. (B, L, D)
Deception Valley, Central Kalahari – Maun: 370km, 5-6h
Your adventure will take you to the southern tip of the Okavango Delta, a special corner of paradise. Once you have reached the edge of the Delta, you will meet your polers from the local community with their mekoro (traditional dugout canoes).
Quietly cruising along reed lined channels and floodplains, you will enjoy the spectacular landscape of this unique region during the tranquil transfer taking you deeper inside the Delta. You will spend two days exploring this beautiful area with mokoro excursions and guided nature walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango, camping wild with bush ablutions on a small island for two nights. (B, L, D)
Maun – Okavango Delta: 60km, 1.5-2h
NOTE: You will leave your main luggage in the trailer and will need to pack a smaller bag (small backpack, hand luggage) with what you need for the 2 days on the island. Transfers from the mainland to the island where you will stay are done on traditional dugout canoes (mekoro) which cannot accommodate large bags. Your main luggage will safely remain in the vehicle that will be parked in a secured area while you are on the island.
Mokoro excursions and nature walks to explore the islands and waterways of the Okavango Delta. (B, L, D)
Leaving the channels of the Okavango Delta, you will start making your way towards the drier regions of the delta where you will camp and refresh before proceeding into the reserve the next day. (B, L, D)
Okavango Delta – campsite outside Moremi 50km, 1.5-2h
Early morning of Day 10, you will enter Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After your morning game drives, you will return to camp for lunch and a siesta. On Day 12 you will move campsites to explore a different area of this diverse park. Camping will be in private designated campsites with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Community campsite outside Moremi – Western Moremi: 80km, 3-4h (transfer and game drive)
Game drives to explore the Moremi Game Reserve around the 3rd Bridge / Xakanaxa areas. (B, L, D)
Transfer / game drive from Western Moremi to the region surrounding the Khwai River (North-east Moremi / Khwai Concession). Game drives to explore the areas. (B, L, D)
Chobe National Park, with its diverse and striking landscapes, will be your next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, you will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. You will then head northwards to the Chobe River where your game drives will meander along the banks of the river, followed by the call of the majestic African Fish Eagle.
Camping will be in private designated areas with bush ablutions, first in the Savuti area (Day 13), then in the northern part of the park closer to the riverfront (Days 14 & 15). (B, L, D)
Eastern Moremi – Savuti: 120km, 7-8h (transfer and game drive)
Transfer / game drive from Southern Chobe National Park to the Chobe river floodplain. Game drives to explore Northern Chobe National Park. (B, L, D)
Savuti – Chobe River: 170km, 5-6h (transfer and game drive)
Game drives to explore Northern Chobe and floodplain. (B, L, D)
After a short morning game drive you will then drive to Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner will be at your own expense. (B, L)
Chobe River – Victoria Falls: 100km, 2-3h (including border crossing)
The safari officially ends after breakfast on Day 17, at the lodge.
safariFRANK is happy to arrange post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Victoria Falls airport or lodges or Kasane, Botswana, at an additional cost. Activities in Victoria Falls include White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, Canoeing on the upper Zambezi and Helicopter Flights over the Victoria Falls, please ask your guide for further details. (B)
Camping safari requiring a minimum participation from the guests, i.e.: setting up the tent and packing it / carrying their bag from/to the vehicle at campsites. The rest of the camp chores are carried out by our team made up of one guide and one camp assistant.
Tents are 2.1m x 2.1m x 1.75m. A 5cm high-density foam mattress is provided for each guest. Ablutions are shared and bush ablutions set up by our team when staying in game reserves and national park campsites.
4×4 safari vehicles custom-built – custom built trailers.
# of guests: Max 12 guests – departure is guaranteed as soon as we have confirmed 1 guest
LOW SEASON: Jan to Jun, Nov & Dec / HIGH SEASON: Jul to Oct
(Any price indicated in any currency other than Euro is merely indicative)
Camping equipment and accommodation (spacious bow tents with mattresses), rooms at comfortable lodges in Maun and Victoria Falls, all transfers and activities as per the itinerary, all meals that are indicated (B – breakfast, L –lunch, D – dinner) and filtered drinking water, tea/coffees, services of a Professional Guide and Camp Assistant, all Botswana park fees for activities included on itinerary and transport in specialised safari vehicles.
Restaurant meals (Maun or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe), entrance to the Falls, visas, airport transfers, tips, curios, optional excursions (scenic flight over the Delta and activities in Victoria Falls/Livingstone), beverages (alcohol and soft drinks), insurance to cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical, baggage, emergency evacuation, sleeping bag (and small pillow) on all camping sectors, any increase in National Park Fees.
Contact safariFRANK to get started on your safari of a lifetime!