Africa Adventure; Deception Valley; Kalahari Desert; Makgadikgadi Pans; Njuca Hills; okavango delta; Safari; Sightseeing; Xigera Mokoro Trails;
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 region 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. In addition, we explore the contrasts of three major habitats: the Makgadikgadi “moonscape” salt pans, Deception Valley in the Kalahari Desert, and finally the fertile islands and waterways of the Okavango Delta. Specifically engineered to exploit the spectacular desert game concentrations in the Kalahari Desert and Makgadikgadi Pans during sporadic rains with a contrasting Okavango Delta experience (December to March). Prolific desert and savannah wildlife showcased. Serviced safari camps erected with large and comfortable dome tents. Varied overland transfers (water and land). The style and essence of Wilderness Safaris’ Adventurer Exploration safari takes you back to the long-gone days of Africa’s exploration – the ultimate safari. Our 3m x 3m dome tents, complete with verandas, allow you to feel more connected and open to the Earth and nature, accentuating the feeling of the wild and untamed. Pure cotton linen bedrolls (with down duvets) on GI stretchers, teak bedside table with silver lantern and mini luggage benches add to the atmosphere. Shared separate toilet and shower ‘bathrooms’ with old-style tin bucket showers and basins and all amenities create simple serviced comfort.
We depart early in the morning for Njuca Hills, on the edge of the great Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari Desert. The salt pans are among the largest in the world, part of a super-lake fossilized aeons ago. The Adventurer campsite is beautifully positioned under shady trees on rare hills with a superb view of the surrounding plains.
Surprisingly for such a harsh, lunar-like environment, life abounds, and brown hyaena, oryx and springbok are just a few of the desert-adapted species that can be seen. Activities include game drives, concentrating on the opportunistic birthings of desert animals and the diverse array of birds, including flamingos. In addition, the seasonal wildebeest and zebra movements 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.
After an early breakfast, we depart overland to our pre-erected private Adventurer campsite in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
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 this 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 we enjoy a full-day wildlife viewing activity (with picnic lunch), taking in the game-rich Pipers Pans area of the Kalahari.
After a light breakfast we depart overland to Maun, flying 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. There is no better way to experience the Okavango than to travel through it by mokoro, walking and camping out on some of its green islands – all essential elements of the Xigera Mokoro Trails experience.
Activities include mokoro and walking safaris, which enable up-close encounters with the excellent diversity of birdlife (including Pel’s Fishing Owl), frogs and a myriad wildlife species, some specially adapted to water, such as the rare sitatunga and the familiar red lechwe.
After an early game activity and breakfast, we fly to Maun, where the safari ends.
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All camps are private and for the use of Adventurer Exploration guests only. To maximize guests’ travel time, a variety of transport modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in private charters, overland transfers and exclusive combination mokoro-boat-land transfers provide both a bird’s-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Botswana. The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional guides.
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