|
Photographic
Safaris to Botswana and beyond
The
golden grasslands shimmering in the sun, the myriad of animals
both big and small, the vibrant people, and the unbelievable night
sky with stars that stretch horizon to horizon--A trip to Botswana
will undoubtedly be one of the high points in your life. Many
people return again and again and we know quite a few who have
never left. When Peter first went to Botswana he also thought
he'd never leave.
There are several ways to see Botswana and beyond. These are by
staying in lodges, going mobile,
by boat, self drive,
or a combination there of. It is a matter of taste, budget, and
just how adventurous you are.
Lodges
range from the quaint to the unbelievable. However, all take advantage
of the beautiful Botswana weather. The dining areas are open and
airy, the accommodations, spread out along pathways. Many "rooms"
are actually large "Meru" tents. But these tents have electricity
and are furnished with king-sized beds, teak armchairs, and luxurious
bathrooms. Many also have interesting private outdoor showers.
Wake up to elephants parading by, spend the day relaxing and watching
giraffe and antelope graze, fall asleep to the distant roar of
a lion. We work with the smaller, quality lodge operators who
have several concessions so you can visit both the "wet" and "dry"
camps that are situated around the Okavango Delta and Moremi
Game Reserve. We also work with operators in the Makgadikgadi
Pans and Chobe. All our
lodge-based safaris are customized so please e-mail
us for more information and rates.
We
are the only American booking agent for Nanzhila
Plains Safari Camp. Debbie Peake, a friend of ours, has just
opened this brand new lodge in the southern Kafue
National Park in Zambia. This area has not had a lodge for
the past twenty years. Debbie also operates Mochaba,
which specializes in taxidermy, shipping trophies, and other safari
services in Maun. And she was recently aptly honored as Safari
Club International's Conservationist of the Year.
Mobile
safaris are just that--camping on the move. While you're enjoying
game drives and other activities, your camp is taken down, packed
and relocated. We work almost exclusively with an operator who
is recognized within the business as one of the best. The food
is excellent, and they are one of the few that provide small en-suite
toilets at the back of the tents. Plus there are hot showers,
cots with mattresses and sheets, and you don't have to lift a
finger--all taking you to the remotest wilds of Africa. We have
several basic itineraries which
get you to the best locals in Botswana and beyond.
Self-driving
is not a common way for Americans to see Botswana, but it is the
usual method for vacationing South Africans, knowing this is the
most economical mode of vacation. It requires a certain type of
person, someone who is adventurous, resourceful, and knows some
bushcraft. We would not recommend this for everybody!
Typically
a 4x4 pickup truck with a full kit of camping equipment is picked
up in Johannesburg, South Africa or Windhoek, Namibia, and driven
to Botswana from there. Once in Botswana, it's a matter of knowing
where to go, how to get there, how to book lodgings in advance,
and acquiring supplies. African Excursions can be of great help
with this way of travel since we've done it ourselves. We have
traveled through most of Botswana, into South Africa, Namibia,
and to Mozambique. If you're interested in self-driving, please
e-mail us. We
have several basic itineraries mapped out and can provide bookings
and an informational package to get you through.
Rates for Photographic Safaris in Botswana begin at $265 per
person per day. See our descriptions of lodge-based,
mobile , and boating safaris for more
information.
|
