Botswana Wildlife Panorama - 9 Days

Luxury Mobile Camping through Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park

Day 1.2.3.4

MOREMI GAME RESERVE

A representative of John Chase Safaris will meet you upon arrival in Maun, and we have scheduled a light aircraft charter flight to the Moremi Game Reserve. The 20 minute flight gives you the opportunity to view the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, sightings of elephant, giraffe, zebra and buffalo are common from the air. It is a short drive to our private camp, game driving en-route.

The JCS supply team travels ahead to set up camp. Activities consist of game drives in the early mornings and afternoons. We have an early light breakfast, and then head out on our morning activity, returning for a hearty brunch. Then there is a short siesta time, to relax, read about the local wildlife, and your showers are filled with warm water at your request, usually in the afternoon, as the morning breeze can be quite cold. As the midday hours are very hot, most of the animals retreat to the shade and are harder to spot during this time

After tea we embark on the afternoon game drive. As the sun sets on the African savannah, we enjoy sundowners and head back to camp for dinner. Three course meals are cooked over an open fire and dinner is served either in the marquee tent or under the stars. The evening is spent around the fire listening to the sounds of the wild, discussing the events of the day.

Moremi Game Reserve is completely surrounded by either company owned or community based wildlife management areas. It is accessible by both road and by air with landing strips in both Xakanaxa and Khwai. The road conditions in Moremi vary drastically; the roads can very sandy in places particularly around Xakanaxa and Third Bridge areas during the dry season and in the wet season entire sections of road may be under water. During the rains, in the Mopane woodlands the water puddles in the road, making it practically inaccessible, the end result can be driving in water so deep it flows over the bonnet of a Toyota Land Cruiser!

The reserve enjoys a wide diversity of habitat and is well known for the height of the trees in the mopane tongue, which covers the central area. Birdlife is prolific and varied, ranging from water birds to shy forest dwellers. Elephants are numerous, particularly during the dry season, as well as a range of other wildlife species from buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hyena, jackal and the full range of antelope, large and small, including the red lechwe. Wild dog, whose numbers are so rapidly dwindling elsewhere, are regularly sighted in the Moremi and have been subject to a project being run in the area since 1989 so these animals are often seen wearing collars placed on them by the researchers. It is claimed that the Moremi area contains about thirty percent of all remaining wild dog.

After breakfast in camp, we drive back to the airstrip, game-viewing on the way as time permits, to meet our scenic charter flight to Kasane, and from the airport, it is another game drive of an hour or two to reach our private campsite. By staying within the park, we have the advantage of exploring a greater area, as we are not restricted by having to return to the gate each day. At night time, when all the day visitors have departed, we are left alone in our exclusive camp, listening to the sounds of the African bush, as the stars shine brightly overhead.

The Chobe National Park takes its name from the Chobe River, a permanent source of water, which forms the parks natural northern border. The park was established in 1968; the river is the lifeblood of the reserve. Chobe boasts one of the largest elephant populations in Southern Africa. In the dry season, massive herds of elephants are forced to come down to the river and the waterholes to drink. Many other animals are found in the Park including buffalo, lion, leopard, giraffe, bushbuck, kudu, waterbuck, impala, puku and lechwe.

Chobe offers a large variety of contrasting vegetation and geological features, changing from Thorntree and Mopane forest into open grassland. Unlike Moremi which is quite flat, the floodplains along the river climb into high ridges, and these fascinating transformations make Chobe an unforgettable stay in Botswana.

Four nights are spent camping and exploring in this rich and fascinating area. Activities include morning and afternoon drives, and one boat cruise on the river. Seeing the park from the river is a magical experience, as you drift along the shores, watching the animals as they come to drink and play. Additional boat excursions can be arranged upon request, but may incur added expense.

After a hearty breakfast in camp, we return to Kasane, game driving en-route if time permits. We can transfer you to the Airport to meet your connecting flights, or to the border-post with Zambia or Zimbabwe, to continue your scheduled itinerary. 

Further Information

Mobile Camp Description
John Chase camps consist of spacious meru tents with twin beds, fitted with sheets, blankets and warm duvets. The bathroom is ensuite, with a bush bucket shower, and a “long drop” toilet. A fibre-glass base sits over a deep hole, providing a toilet seat and we supply a bucket with ashes and a scoop to maintain a clean environment.

Game Viewing
Game drives are conducted in open sided 4 x 4 vehicles ensuring maximum visibility.

Rates include:
 Meet and Greet at Maun Airport
 Air Charter Maun to Moremi Game Reserve
 Vehicle transfer to the campsite
 Accommodation for 4 nights in ensuite meru tents in the Moremi Game Reserve
 Charter flight from Moremi to Kasane Airport
 Accommodation for 4 nights in ensuite meru tents in the Chobe National Park
 Return transfer to Kasane.
 All National Park Fees and Camping Fees in Botswana
 All meals and beverages (mineral water, soft drinks, beer, local wines and spirits)
 Daily Laundry Service when there are no water restrictions

Rates exclude:
 International flights to Maun and from Kasane
 Any extra activities not mentioned on original itinerary and quote.
 Rates quoted for guests are from midday on date of arrival to after breakfast on the date of departure, (leaving camp latest 8.30am). This is to avoid additional National Park fees due to strict Government regulations. Guests wishing to arrive/depart before or after these stated times will be liable for additional Park and Guide fees.
 Tips and gratuities for guides and staff