In true style of the great explorers you will experience Botswana, its amazing wildlife, a variety of habitats and scenery combined with the majestic Victoria Falls.
This Signature Journey will start in Livingstone, Zambia, where you will experience the majestic Mosi-oa-tunya (the local name for Victoria Falls meaning “The Smoke that Thunders”), whilst exploring the mighty Zambezi River. This river is one of Africa’s longest rivers and you will be able to view the Falls in all its glory. Depending on the water levels you might even be able to step onto Livingstone Island in the same manner as the early explorer, David Livingstone.
Your stay in the area will be on a small private island with only five rooms. Here you will have the opportunity to explore the myriad of waterways between the small islands of the river. You will enjoy boat rides, share encounters with hippopotamus, the Nile crocodile, view amazing birdlife and even see elephants coming down to drink.
Apart from the river, you will be embraced by the community and visit a local village as well as experience the amazing Tujatane Schooling project – an education development project close to our hearts.
Your journey will continue to the Selinda Reserve, a 320,000 acre private reserve situated between the Okavango Delta and the Savute Channel. This area teems with wildlife and boasts healthy numbers of elephant, buffalo and wild dog. Your stay will be at an explorers camp, a true reflection of the bygone era. This humbling experience will revive your senses and ensure that you learn how to track animals and silently move amongst them as visitors to their home.
Continue onto the Okavango Delta via a scenic helicopter flight where you will follow the Selinda Spillway that connects the Savute Channel with the Delta. Along this route you will experience some spectacular views of one of the most premier natural spectacles of the world. The waterways of the Delta, and more so the famous Duba Concession is home to big herds of buffalo and swimming lions made famous by Dereck and Beverly Joubert in many of their documentaries. The swimming lions use the water as a natural barrier to hunt and is a sight to behold.
Explore the waterways between the different islands and venture through the Okavango´s growing waters which have developed over the years. Vehicles here are especially geared to wade through the Delta’s channels and you will connect between the different palm-dotted islands, floodplains and other dry land habitats along the concession.
Head Southeast towards the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and discover the most barren landscape that you’ve ever seen. Overnight at a lodge at the edge of the Pans will be the ultimate departing point for exploring the area. The camps are perfectly positioned to enhance the views of the plains surrounding it, making sure you have everything you need to create an unforgettable experience.
Explore the salt pans on four wheeler quad bikes and discover remote archaeological sites with expert guides. Enjoy open-vehicle safaris on the periphery of the pans to search for specially adapted animals such as brown hyena, aardwolf, aardvark, bat eared fox, porcupine, honey badgers and even the black maned Kalahari lion.
You will interact with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen on a morning walk where you will learn about their vanishing culture, how they survive in this harsh environment and what the future holds for them.
