Botswana and Zambia
Featuring Mobile Camping and Private Lodges
September 2 to 21, 2012

| At a Glance | Itinerary | Costs | Sign-up | Other Details |

Elephants

Our outstanding guides, Edward Selfe in Zambia and Joe Ramsden in Botswana, know the best places for Leopards and other cats and are experts on Southern African mammals, birds, and reptiles. Seek out amazing wildlife in South Luangwa in Zambia, then Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side and Chobe, Savuti and Moremi in Botswana. Late afternoon on the great Chobe River is perfect for observing waterbirds and herds of elephants that come down from the hills to drink and bathe. In Moremi, take a boat trip into some of the waterways of the famous Okavango Delta. Enjoy superb lodging including luxury en-suite safari tents overlooking the Luangwa River in Zambia, the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe, and "semi-luxury" mobile tent camping in Botswana. Edward and Joe are professional, fun leaders who know how to make your safari the best.

At a Glance

Cost: $8,500 per person, double occupancy, not including airfare. Review cost details.

Leaders: Edward Selfe in South Luangwa and Joe Ramsden at Victoria Falls and in Botswana.

Group Size: 7, not including leaders.

Number of Days: 20, including estimated travel days.

Conditions: A non-smoking safari for people who are very interested in all wildlife and spending the maximum time in the field. This safari includes staying in mobile camps.

Update: This itinerary was updated in November 2011.

Synopsis:

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Detailed Itinerary

September 2 - 4, Sunday - Tuesday International flights to Lusaka, then on to Mfuwe
For those in the US, depart on September 2, at the latest, to arrive in Lusaka, Zambia, by the morning of September 4. Arrive in Lusaka for the morning flight to Mfuwe, which departs at 11:50 am and arrives at 1:00 pm. Our guide, Edward Selfe will meet you on arrival in Mfuwe for the drive to Flatdogs (meaning "Crocodiles") Camp. Enjoy permanent luxury safari tents with en-suite flush toilets, running hot water, and friendly staff. Flatdogs Camp has a grand view of the Luangwa River, where elephants often appear along the river in front of you and occasionally even come into camp. Review our flight details.
Lodging: Flatdogs Camp

Puku

September 5 - 7, Wednesday - Friday South Luangwa National Park in the Mfuwe Sector
Each morning enjoy a buffet breakfast before dawn to be at the gate with Edward by dawn for very exciting mornings. Expect early breakfasts and late dinners so that we can make the most of our time in the park, including wonderful night drives. Bringing healthy snacks to munch on throughout the day is a good idea. South Luangwa is often called one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The concentration of game around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa. The only notable exception is the rhino, which was poached to extinction. The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the lifeblood of the park's 9,050 square kilometers. There are 60 mammal species and over 400 bird species. The Thornicroft's Giraffe, although very rare now in the Mfuwe area, is unique to the Luangwa Valley. There are 14 antelope species, most of which are easily seen on game and night drives. The most numerous antelope is the Impala, a favorite prey species, and can be seen in herds all over the park. Puku, of similar size but a much fluffier antelope with a rich orange coat, is also prolific. Perhaps the most beautiful is the Greater Kudu with its majestic spiral horns and delicate face. Although fairly common, they prefer dense bush. Reedbuck, Roan, Sable, Hartebeest, Grysbok, Klipspringer, and Oribi are also here, but not easily encountered.

Leopard

Of the primates, Yellow Baboons and Vervet Monkeys are easily seen. More rare is Maloney's Monkey. Bushbabies are seen on nocturnal drives. Night drives are fascinating in the Luangwa, not only for the chance of seeing a Leopard, but also for the many interesting animals that only come to life at night. We have encountered Civets, Servals, Common Genet, Spotted Hyenas, as well as owls, nightjars, foraging Hippos, Honey Badgers (Ratels), a mated pair of Leopards (one stalking an Impala), African Lions, and even the tiny Elephant Shrew. Hyenas are fairly common throughout the valley and their plaintive, eerie cry, so characteristic of the African bush, can be heard on most nights. South Luangwa has a good population of Leopard, but they are not easily spotted and tend to retreat when they hear vehicles. Edward is very skilled at finding Leopards on night drives and is one of the best trackers in the park. Other carnivores present, but not often seen, include the Caracal, Wild Dog, Serval, and Side-striped Jackal.

The Luangwa River also has an extraordinarily high number of Nile Crocodiles. It is not uncommon to see several basking on the riverbanks or even floating down the river tearing at a dead animal. Birds are superb in Luangwa Valley. Many large waterbirds can be seen wading through the shallows. The Yellow-billed Storks move along with their beaks open underwater, disturbing the muddy liquid with their feet until the fish flop into their mouths. The striking 1.6-meter Saddle-billed Stork makes quick darting movements into the water. The elegant Grey Crowned Cranes congregate in large flocks at the salt pans. Ground Hornbills emit the sound of a deep base drum early in the morning. The melodious Heuglin's Robin and cry of the African Fish Eagle are very distinctive against the ever present cooing of all the resident doves. Some magnificent trees grow in the valley and add a lot of habitat for all the birds and small mammals and reptiles. Among the more common trees in the valley are the Mopane, Leadwood, Winterthorn, some beautiful Baobabs, large Ebony forests, the tall Vegetable Ivory Palm, Marula, and the magnificent Tamarind tree. We will be sad to say farewell to this splendid national park in the Luangwa valley and the wonderful people who work here.
Lodging: Flatdogs Camp

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September 8 - 9, Saturday - Sunday To Livingstone via Lusaka and drive to Victoria Falls
After breakfast, fly from the Mfuwe Airport to Lusaka and south to the riverside town of Livingstone, Zambia. A meet and greet person will take you to your driver and vehicle for the transfer across the Zambezi River into Zimbabwe at the main bridge and meet Joe Ramsden at Victoria Falls Hotel where he will be waiting when you will arrive, probably about 6 pm or earlier. This hotel is historical and built in the traditional colonial style. Although not as modern as many of the big hotels here, it is the one with the most character and history and is right next to the best possible viewpoints.

Wattled Crane

The birding is tops for aquatic birds and raptors along the waterways. The swampy areas of Xakanaxa are home to African Rail, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Red-chested Flufftail, African Crake, Black Crake, Chirping and Luapula cisticolas, Purple Swamphen, and Allen's Gallinule, to name a few of the rare ones. The open waters attract African Skimmer, Saddle-billed Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Intermediate Egret, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, as well as the globally threatened Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane. While we are in the delta, Wattled Crane, Slaty Egret, and other rare birds will be challenges to find and both Kurrichane Thrush and Heuglin's Robin will keep us entertained with their beautiful songs.

This is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and deservedly so. Over a mile across, it is the widest curtain of water anywhere and with a spectacular drop of 110 meters, the sight of the falls is something to behold. Away from the waterfall, the landscape is dominated by broad-leafed (miombo) woodland and dry savannah. Near the falls, you'll be entranced by riparian forest, massive gorges and cliff faces, along with the broad meandering river above, and raging torrent below (with massive grade 5 and 6 rapids). The habitat around the falls itself is like a tropical rainforest maintained by the mist-spray generated from the mighty Victoria Falls. The birding is wonderful in this area of true riverine habitat. Look for African Fish Eagle, Schalow's Turaco, Trumpeter Hornbill, Collared Sunbird, and other beautiful birds. Joe Ramsden will join you on walks along the falls where the photography is excellent. Also drive to an excellent spot to look for the rare and endangered Taita Falcons that are residents here, if they are known to be nesting at this date. There are a number of optional attractions at Victoria Falls, such as microlight flights and white water rafting that might be of interest to you.
Lodging: Victoria Falls Hotel

September 10 - 12, Monday - Wednesday From Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park
After breakfast, drive across the Zimbabwe/Botswana border to the town of Kasane, then to Chobe and our private campsite in Chobe National Park. Along the roadside there is always the chance of spotting the beautiful Racket-tailed Roller. Miombo woodland makes up the scenery for the majority of the drive to Kasane. The woodlands are comprised of Zambezi teak, Baikea and Brachystegia. It is perfect habitat for Greater Kudi that might be spotted peering out through the greenery along the road. Sable and Greater Kudu are resident in the woodlands, but well camouflaged, a contrast to the open savannas of East Africa.

Our safari vehicles in Botswana

The wildlife along the Chobe River at the northern end of Chobe National Park has more riverine forest to provide different wildlife habitats. It is a good contrast to the southern end of the national park where we will travel going south to Savuti. The beautiful Chobe River gives the park its name and flows in an easterly direction to join the Zambezi en route to the Indian Ocean. Chobe is the heart of elephant country and everyday in this season by late afternoon there are huge herds in and around the Chobe River. Enjoy an afternoon boat trip down the Chobe River when many elephants are there. Chobe has beautiful scenery and magnificent sunsets, as well as lots of mammals and birds. African Buffalo are often in breeding herds here with young. All of the larger mammals are present here along with the Chobe race of the Bushbuck and the very rare Puku. This antelope, active around sunrise and sunset, has a very limited range and can be seen grazing on the floodplains. Wild Dog, Lion and Leopard are also good possibilities.

Elephants along the Chobe River

The Chobe River is presided over by an impressive sand-ridge where broad-leafed woodland (miombo) is the dominant vegetation. The impact of the high elephant population is felt with the paucity of large trees that typically line the rivers of sub-tropical Africa. Instead there are the dense tangled masses of knobbly combretum and wooly caper bush that appear impervious to the constant onslaught of browsers. The river itself is broad and meandering. Much of Chobe's wildlife comes to drink in the latter half of the morning and early afternoon when the heat excites their thirst. This is one of the best places to see Roan and Sable antelope. Breeding herds of elephant appear around every corner and the massive herds of buffalo are constantly flanked by the ever-hungry Lions. This is one of the highest Lion densities of any national park or reserve in southern Africa.

Approximately 300 species of birds have been recorded, including Black, Coppery-tailed, Senegal and White-browed coucals, and several kingfishers. The striking Crimson-breasted Shrike often gives itself away by its metallic call. Bat-Hawk, Cuckoo Hawk, and Ovambo Sparrowhawk are some of the more interesting raptors. African Rail, Quail Finch, and Rosy-throated Longclaw are found on the edges of the floodplain. Large flocks of Great White Pelican investigate the drying pools and large flocks of the nomadic Red-winged and Black-winged pratincoles, sometimes numbering in the thousands, can be found on the drying floodplains. The woodlands support Racket-tailed Roller.

We'll arrive in the late afternoon at our "semi-luxury" Chobe campsite and meet our excellent camp staff. The tents are large with en-suite toilet and bucket shower. The food is excellent with three-course dinners prepared by a professional safari chef. We'll be camping in HATAB (Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana) sites. There are no fixed buildings or facilities at these sites and the entire camp is erected and removed by our supply team. Everything is brought in and when we leave a site, there is no trace that we were ever there, once the wind has dusted our tracks. The tents are 9x15 feet (3x5 meters) with high roofs and a nine-foot covered area in front of the tent. Camp beds are made up with mattresses, sheets, duvets and pillows. There's a tall washbasin and a mirror outside each tent. The basin is filled with fresh warm water first thing in the morning and again on every arrival in camp. There is a dining tent, but with the normally excellent weather and skies at this season, often the table is set beneath the stars. Hot showers can be requested and the water is heated in a bucket on the fire. Each tent has a lantern but also bring a good flashlight or a headlamp with plenty of spare batteries to use inside the tent. On walks around camp it is very interesting to see all the tracks left in the sand by many species. The soil in sandy Botswana is the result of thousands of years of termites at work.

Our Campsite in Botswana

About Camping: The semi-luxury camp has large tents with en-suite toilets. The food is excellent with three-course dinners prepared by a professional safari chef. We'll be camping in HATAB (Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana) sites. There are no fixed buildings or facilities at these sites and the entire camp is erected and removed by our supply team. Everything is brought in and when we leave a site, there is no trace that we were ever there (once the wind has dusted our tracks). The tents are 9x15 feet (3x5 meter) with high roof and a nine-foot covered area in front of the tent. Camp beds are made up with mattresses, sheets, duvets, and pillows. The rear door of the tent opens to a private en-suite loo. There is a tall wash basin and a mirror outside each tent. The basin is filled with fresh warm water first thing in the morning and again on every arrival in camp. There is also a dining tent, but with the normally excellent weather and skies, the table is often set beneath the stars. Showers are separate from the tents and are in the form of bucket showers hung from a tree with a canvas screen around the shower. Hot showers can be requested and the water is heated in a bucket on the fire. Each tent has a lantern, however it is still good to bring a good flashlight, such as a headlamp, with plenty of spare batteries to use inside the tent. Camera and other gear can be charged through an inverter connected to the safari vehicle battery, this converter provides 220 volts AC. You will need an Old British 3-pin plug adapter, M Plug, 15 A/250 V earthed (this is also called the "Type M" large 15 Amp South African plug).
Camping: Chobe mobile safari camp

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September 13, Thursday Chobe to Savuti
Since roads in Botswana are built on sand, some can be very dusty, but we will drive slowly on game drives. This is a long travel day of 170 km game driving partly along the Chobe River itself and the Chobe floodplain, which is tens of kilometers wide and through the wonderful Zambezi teak woodlands of the Chobe Forest Reserve across the sand-ridge to the stunted mopane scrub of the Goha clay basin. While there are community areas that we pass through that are settled by local tribes, most of the drive passes through wild country, where wildlife moves uninhibited by fences or man. Roan and Sable thrive in the teak woodlands. The low density of predators and lack of competition for food by other ungulates make this prime habitat for these large rare antelopes. Leopards occur in low numbers but are highly secretive and seldom seen. The Goha region has natural waterholes that hold water well into the dry season and herds of Cape Buffalo, Burchell's Zebra, Greater Kudu, and African Elephant come down to drink.

The most unusual species of birds on this drive are to be found in the teak Baikea plurijuga woodlands, which provide good pickings for insectivorous birds that favor canopy habitat. Paradise Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Amethyst Sunbird, Red-headed Weaver, and Violet-backed Starling are only some of the beautiful species that move around in "bird parties" in the canopy. Dickenson's Kestrel, Red-necked Falcon, and Lizard Buzzard are some of the raptors to keep an eye out for, while the diminutive White-faced Owl can often be seen roosting in the roadside vegetation. Flappet Lark, Fawn-coloured Lark, and Neddicky are some of the little brown birds that we might encounter around camp. Our camp staff will again welcome us on our arrival at the Savuti or Zwe Zwe campsite for two nights.
Camping: Savuti or Zwe Zwe mobile safari camp

Lion Cub

September 14, Friday Savuti in the southern reaches of Chobe National Park
Unlike the vast majority of Botswana, the Savuti area is not a flat landscape. Large outcrops of volcanic rock reach up out of the Kalahari sands, towering over the endless savannah. These hills provide habitat for a completely different array of small wildlife, birds and plants. The Savuti Marsh has been the stage for many of the most dramatic wildlife documentaries in Africa. The wide-open country, good ungulate populations, and particularly strong prides of Lion and Spotted Hyaena clans make for dramatic wildlife interaction. The now dry Savuti Channel runs through this landscape linking the dry sandveld, the waterholes, the hills, and the grassland that was the marsh. The Lion/elephant interactions are a very interesting aspect of Savuti. A huge pride of Lions (around 25) has learned over the years how to hunt these massive pachyderms that are supposedly above predation. Launching their attack under darkness and using their numbers, they manage to kill adolescent and even young adults.

The surface water that is pumped up by the government here provides a major attraction for birdlife. In the dry season thousands of dove and sandgrouse come down to drink in the mornings and are under constant surveillance by Tawny Eagle and African Hawk-Eagle. Red-crested Korhaan are common in the Kalahari Apple-leaf Phylenoptera nelsii veld type that occurs here. The marsh is the home for Northern Black Korhaan. Dickenson's Kestrel and Red-necked Falcon are found along the perimeter of the marsh.
Camping: Savuti or Zwe Zwe mobile campk

September 15, Saturday Savuti to Khwai
Botswana is a land of sand, low on rainfall, and would be desert here except that the water from the highlands of Angola flowing into the Okavango Delta turns it into a wetland paradise within the arid Kalahari sands. It rests between shallow fault lines at the end of the Great Rift Valley. Spend a full day with excellent game driving from Savuti to Khwai in Moremi Wildlife Reserve in the eastern sector of the Okavango Delta. We will make frequent stops for viewing and photography and for a great picnic lunch. It is a fascinating 100-km drive looking at some of the evidence of Paleo-Lake Makgadi-kgadi that dried up some ten thousand years ago. The most challenging part of the trip is crossing the Magwikwe Sandridge that formed the shoreline for this massive inland sea. The winding track through this deep sand makes for interesting travel. The old lakebed is now the Mababe Depression. The dense clay floor of the depression results in high protein feed for wildlife after the rains. During the rainy season the depression is impassable due to the "cotton soil" and alternative routes must be used. The range of habitat that is covered encompasses most of the habitat types of northern Botswana. We pass through excellent Lion country and some of the best Cheetah country that our safari will cover. Elephant occur throughout the drive, but are more common at the start and end of the drive where surface water can be found. Some of the less common ruminants, such as Tsesebe (also known as Topi in East Africa), Blue Wildebeest, Greater Kudu, Common Duiker, and Botswana's smallest antelope, the Steenbuck, do very well here.

The Mababe Depression on our drive today is a paradise for birds. The nutritious grasses that grow on the rich soils provide excellent seed for an impressive array of beautiful birds, so beautiful that they are popular cagebirds. Among these are the magnificently colored Violet-eared Waxbill, Black-cheeked Waxbill, Shaft-tailed Wydah, and Paradise Wydah. These in turn provide a good food source for small raptors such as the Little Sparrowhawk, Shikra, Gabar Goshawk, Red-necked Falcon, and Lanner Falcon. Not only the small birds feed on the grass seeds, but rodents too. There are annual outbreaks of huge numbers of rats and mice. As a result, huge numbers of Secretary Bird, Tawny Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, and Wahlberg's Eagle can be found. The Khwai Community Area is the North Gate region of Moremi in the heart of the Okavango Delta. The well water in Moremi is extremely pure coming from plentiful springs of the delta.
Camping: Khwai Community Area private campsite for mobile camping

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September 16, Sunday Khwai in Moremi Game Reserve
Set aside in 1963 by the Batawana tribe, Moremi is one of Africa's most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries. Moremi lies on the eastern extremity of the Okavango Delta. Habitats here range from wide-open floodplains, marshes, ox-bow lakes, riverine forest, lagoons, papyrus fringed channels, vast reed-beds of Miscanthus and Phragmites, woodland and lots of savannah. The variety of habitats of the Okavango makes it a truly wonderful area and all the major habitats and ecotones of the Okavango are preserved here. Each year floodwater flows into the Okavango from its source in the moist central African highlands over 1,000 km away. These floodwaters flow from their cachement southwards and into the Kalahari Desert to create a unique wetland that supports and sustains a huge diversity of wildlife. The Okavango is spread throughout an area of some 16,000 square km. At full flood, the delta is an area of lily-covered lagoons and narrow channels hemmed in by papyrus reeds. The best time to visit this beautiful area is anytime from May to October when the Okavango River floods the delta. The edges of the delta are the best for game viewing, where mammals congregate on the patches of high ground.

Wild Dogs are becoming very rare and both Moremi and Chobe are reserves where we have a reasonable chance of observing this highly social predator with packs sometime denning in the Khwai River area and Xakanaxa. Khwai boasts excellent populations of both bull elephant and breeding herds (matriarch groups). Lion, Leopard, Serval and African Wildcat are well-known predators of the region with Cheetah being much less common. The swampy areas in the west are home to Red Lechwe. Other ungulates include Tsesebe, Blue Wildebeest, Greater Kudu, Sable, Roan and Impala. Spotted Hyena, Chacma Baboon and Vervet Monkeys should also be spotted in Moremi. We'll take an early morning game drive, which should bring us close to the semi-aquatic Red Lechwe grazing on the floodplains.

We'll be in a great ecotone area between contrasting habitats, the dry-land leadwood, camel thorn woodlands and savannahs, and the riverside and marshy back-waters of the Khwai River. It's truly one of Botswana's birding meccas. Marula trees, a species of fig tree that produces the delicious liquor, and giant wild ebony trees shelter outstanding birdlife in the delta. The entire length of the river is hunting domain for the Bat-Hawk. Other interesting raptors here are Cuckoo Hawk (rare), Long-crested Eagle and Black Sparrowhawk, more commonly Tawny Eagle, Martial Eagle, Bateleur and African Hawk-Eagle. The waterways host Africa Rail, Greater Painted Snipe, Lesser Jacana, and Lesser Moorhen. Away from the waterways we will encounter new species of birds, such as hornbills, bee-eaters, rollers, radiant starlings, and others.
Camping: Khwai fully serviced, semi-luxury mobile camping

September 17, Monday Khwai to Xakanaxa in southern Moremi
We'll travel the 60 km from the Manuchira Channel, also known as the Khwai River at its eastern most extremity, to Xakanaxa to the south. The day's journey follows this water course with the track weaving from the mopane veld and the woodlands that make Khwai one of the most scenic areas of the Okavango to the riverside and floodplains of Xakanaxa. The western mopane veld is home to mostly breeding herds of elephant, while the eastern reaches of Khwai is home to some impressive old bulls. The mature bulls revel in the cool waters of the Khwai and are far more approachable while drinking and bathing than the breeding herds. The river has an unusually high density of hippo, as well as some huge crocodiles. We hope to encounter all four species of cats – Leopard, Cheetah, Serval and Lion – along this route. Both Xakanaxa and Khwai are included in the home ranges of two different packs of Wild Dog traditionally, but this rare predator can never be counted on making an appearance. This is their denning season and if they have a den nearby, Joe will know about it. Outstanding ruminants include a beautiful race of giraffe, the Southern Giraffe, also Burchell's Zebra, Tessebe, and Red Lechwe, with Roan and Sable antelope being less common residents. In the mopane woodlands African Hawk-Eagle, Gabar Goshawk, Little Sparrowhawk, African Harrier Hawk and Shikra are common raptors. Mixed bird parties move through the canopy and include Red-headed Weaver, Stierling's Wren-Warbler, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Neddicky, Yellow-breasted Apalis, and Chin-spot Batis to name but a few. The green edges of the swamp form breeding grounds for the Rosy-throated Longclaw and Long-legged Bustard. We pass the magnificent Dombo Hippo Pools in the afternoon, stopping to enjoy the scenery and the antics of the resident hippo.
Camping: Xakanaxa private campsite with fully serviced, semi-luxury mobile camping

African Fish Eagle

September 18 - 19, Tuesday - Wednesday Xakanaxa in the Okavango Delta at Moremi
As a result of the extremely variable habitat, the diversity of both mammals and birds is excellent. Moremi is among the best game reserves in Africa for viewing the endangered African Wild Dog, especially around Xakanaxa, which is also home to a resident herd of several hundred Cape Buffalo. Their range covers the territories of at least four prides of Lion, which may often be seen flanking the ever-moving herd. Breeding herds of African Elephant move between their browsing areas in the mopane forests and the fresh water of the Okavango. Red Lechwe is one of the more unusual antelope species and commonly found here, while the rare Sitatunga, an amazing aquatic antelope, may be spotted from a motor boat along the waterways, where we plan to travel one morning at dawn. The birding is tops for aquatic birds and raptors along the waterways. The swampy areas of Xakanaxa are home to African Rail, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Red-chested Flufftail, African Crake, Black Crake, Chirping and Luapula cisticolas, Purple Swamphen, and Allen's Gallinule to name a few of the rare ones. The open waters attract African Skimmer, Saddle-billed Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Intermediate Egret, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, as well as the globally threatened Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane. While we are in the delta, Wattled Crane, Slaty Egret, and other rare birds will be challenges to find. Both Kurrichane Thrush and Heuglin's Robin will keep us entertained with their beautiful songs.
Camping: Xakanaxa private campsite with fully serviced, semi-luxury mobile camping

September 20 - 21, Thursday - Friday South Luangwa National Park in the Mfuwe Sector
This morning we will be sad to bid our wonderful camp staff adieu. Drive the 140 km to Maun. Every type of "mopane" habitat (compact woods or bush, not open grassland) is encountered on the drive from Moremi to Maun, from the towering cathedral woodlands "Xakanaxa" to the classic climax mopane woodland and in the drier and harsher habitats, extensive stretches of scrub mopane. The first 40 km from our campsite is in the Moremi Game Reserve. We'll still be looking for Lion and Wild Dog (Painted Wolves) today. The San-ta-Wani region has scattered ephemeral water pans with large floodplains and camel-thorn woodlands.

Arrive at the airport in Maun in time to check in for the afternoon Air Botswana flight to Johannesburg for evening connections homeward. Arrive home on September 21.

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Costs

Costs, Payments and Cancellations: Upon receiving your deposit, we will send trip materials and travel insurance information. Until the final payment date, payments are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person. This fee may go toward another tour if reserved within six months of the departure date of the cancelled trip.

Included:

• All lodging and camping from the nights of September 4 to September 19.
• Meals from dinner on September 4 through breakfast on September 20, except for lunch on September 8 at the Lusaka Airport and all meals at Victoria Falls Hotel.
• Internal flights in Zambia from Lusaka to Mfuwe and Mfuwe to Livingstone via Lusaka.
• All specified activities, leaders, transport, park entry fees, and accommodations.
• Drinks while in our private mobile camps and drinking water while on game drives throughout.
• Airport transfers from September 4 in Mfuwe to September 20 in Maun.

Not Included:

• Airfare, except the specified Zambia flights. The flight from Maun to Johannesburg on Air Botswana is not included and is $358 if booked separately (quoted May 2011 and subject to change).
• Airport taxes, excess baggage and other airline fees.
• Separate airport transfers.
• Meals at Victoria Falls Hotel and lunch in Lusaka en route to Livingstone.
• Gratuities: Tipping is, of course, discretionary, however we suggest a total of $275 per participant to be distributed among all the resident guides and camp staff. If you prefer to include the gratuity with your final payment, we will make sure that Edward and Joe get part of it and the rest will go to the Botswana camp staff.
• Items of a personal nature (such as laundry), alcoholic beverages, and items not on the regular menu (if you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your reservation form).
• Travel insurance.

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Sign-up

To Make a Reservation: Please contact us (there are many methods of contacting us) to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, print our reservation form, fill out one form per person, and post it to us in the mail with your deposit. Or fill out our handy online information request and we will send you more information.

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Other Details

Leaders: Edward Selfe guides for Flatdogs Camp in the Mfuwe sector of Luangawa National Park and loves photographing and studying the mammals, birds and other wildlife of Luangwa. He is skilled at locating the exciting resident carnivores and sharing his knowledge of wildlife behavior and excellent identification skills. Edward is widely traveled outside South Luangwa. He attended school in the UK and has a great zoological background; he photographs wildlife and people and understands how to position the vehicle for wonderful shots. You can see samples of his photography on his website: http://www.edwardselfephotography.com/mostviewed.html

Joe Ramsden was born in the village of Maun in 1975 long before it became renowned as the gateway to the Okavango Delta. His first introduction to the wilderness was through his father, Jack Ramsden, who was one of Moremi's first game wardens. Stationed in the Khwai Village, Jack frequently took his entire family on game drives in remote wilderness areas and Joe's early memories are of numerous elephant, Lion and other wildlife encounters at his father's side. Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Joe continued to visit Moremi Game Reserve and other parts of the Okavango Delta with his older brothers. He developed a deep interest in wildlife behavior and Botswana's birdlife in particular and is an excellent wildlife photographer. He obtained his Botswana Professional Guide's license in 1997 and has been guiding full-time since. Joe is one of the most respected guides in the Okavango and the northern parks of Botswana. He speaks English as a first language and is also fluent in German and Setswana.

Flights: Please let us know if you would like help arranging your international flights and we will put you in contact with our excellent ticketing agent.

Arrival: Arrive in Lusaka, Zambia (LUN), by the morning of September 4 in time for the 11:50am flight to Mfuwe (MFU). For most, this will mean leaving home by September 2. The Lusaka/Mfuwe flight is included in your tour cost and will be booked by Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.

Departure: Depart from Maun, Botswana (MUB) on the afternoon of September 20. There is an Air Botswana flight from Maun at 2:30 pm to Johannesburg (JNB) to make evening connections home.

Internal: Internal flights from Lusaka to Mfuwe and from Mfuwe to Livingstone via Lusaka are included in the cost of the trip and will be booked by Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris. Flight schedules are as follows (as of November 2011):
September 4: Lusaka to Mfuwe 11:50-13:00.
September 8: Mfuwe to Lusaka 09:40-10:50; Lusaka to Livingstone 15:00-16:10.

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Travel Insurance: Emergency Medical Insurance is optional, but encouraged, for this tour. Read about travel insurance and our recommendations and requirements.

Climate: Temperatures vary at this season from cold to very comfortable to hot. It will be very cool in the early morning and in the evening, so bring warm clothes, including warm hat and gloves for early morning game drives. It is the "dry" season, but rain could be encountered, although very unlikely. Insects are not normally a problem at this season.

Non-smoking Policy: We have a strict non-smoking policy - smoking is not permitted at any time or any place during our tours.

Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online information request form or contact us to give us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!

Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is registered as California Seller of Travel #2063050-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC). In event of a client canceling where a refund is applicable in accordance with the schedule above, or in the event that CES needs to cancel the trip, all payments for transportation or travel service not provided to the client shall be promptly refunded, unless the client instructs us otherwise in writing. All client payments are deposited into a trust account in accordance with California law. If for any reason a valid refund is not forthcoming, the client may request reimbursement from the TCRC within six months of the scheduled end of the tour. Please feel free to ask us for more information.

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All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.
All photos © Doug or Ted Cheeseman, unless otherwise credited.
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