The Botswana Explorer Safaris

Typical safaris

...in...

Zambia
Zimbabwe
Botswana
 Namibia

A selection of 6 and 9 night safaris that focus on Botswana's northern water systems   

Where

• All starting and ending in Kasane, these trips combine
• Selinda Camp in the Linyanti, west of Chobe 
• Xakanaxa Camp, Moremi Game Reserve 
• Xugana in the northern Okavango Delta
• Impalila Island at the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers

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Highlights

• These are lodge based safaris combining both of Botswana's water systems - the Linyanti and the Okavango.  The Impalila options include the Chobe and Zambezi.
• We regard the Selinda as Botswana's best walking safari area.  As a private reserve, safaris are conducted without the crowds and this is one of the few spots in Botswana where nocturnal species are tracked on night drives.
• Xugana Island Lodge is situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta on the edge of Xugana Lagoon. Xugana, meaning "kneel down to drink", is a 16-bedded lodge with reed and thatch en-suite chalets built on stilts near the water's edge. Activities include birding, seasonal fishing, boating, mekoro excursions and walking trails.
• Xakanaxa is located within the Okavango's permanently flooded zone overlooking Xakanaxa Lagoon on the Khwai River.  This is an ideal spot for exploring the Okavango's diverse habitats - the vast wetlands of islands, reed beds, channels, forest banks and permanent water ways as well as its Kalahari sandveld islands with deciduous woodlands and grassy floodplains. This area is also well known for it's birding opportunities particularly during the green season from around October to March. 
• Impalila Island Lodge is a luxurious 16-bedded lodge uniquely situated at
  the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers where Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Botswana meet (Impalila is in Namibian territory).
• These safaris represent the ideal "core" to a safari in Botswana - easily combined with the Kalahari, Chobe or Victoria Falls, Hwange, Kafue or the Luangwa and lower Zambezi Valleys. 

Best time of the year

• The Selinda is only open between March and November
• Each season and every year differs in the Okavango.  The seasonal flooding commences in December in the north and usually ends around June in the south. This results in a cyclical motion of water rising in the north as it recedes in the south during the wet season from November to March, and a rising in the south as it drops in the north from May to October. The nature of the annual floods is gentle with floodplains and islands disappearing under water and then reappearing in an ever-changing landscape at the end of each season.  Xakanaxa is accessible year round and always offers excitement.
• March, April, May and November are relatively quiet. The peak coincides with the dry season from July to October when the game is most concentrated particularly in the Selinda Reserve. 
• October is traditionally regarded as the best game viewing month - it's also the hottest. 
• March, April and November are best for birding enthusiasts. 

Best Access

These safaris commences from Kasane best accessed by air from Maun or Victoria Falls, alternatively a two hour road transfer from Victoria Falls. 

Tips and notes:

• These trips are easily extended - Victoria Falls is the primary hub from which Chobe and Hwange are accessed. Lusaka and Kariba are easy connections and hubs for Kafue/Luangwa and Matusadona/Mana Pools combinations. 
• Access to Selinda, Xugana and Xakanaxa is by light aircraft - baggage allowances are restricted to 12kg in soft bags, special allowance for additional photographic equipment must be made in advance. 

[Request form or e-mail for prices/availability/more detail]

Typical safaris

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Last updated 11 August, 2005