BOTSWANA|ZAMBIA
guided self-fly expeditions
YOUR JOURNEY AT A GLIMPSE
Explore one of southern Africa’s greatest wildernesses from above and on the ground on our tailor-made Botswana expedition.
The below 15 day itinerary for exploring Botswana is just a suggestion of what is on offer and we look forward to handcrafting a flying expedition that ticks all your boxes of what you would like to experience when exploring this exceptional country from above.
Immerse yourself in the sparkling jewel of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, one of the most pristine wilderness areas on earth and be awed at the untouched beauty and diversity of wildlife this unique national park has to offer.
Enjoy one of the most incredible game viewing experiences on earth from the decks of a boat on the Chobe River. This region holds one of Africa’s highest concentration of elephant and a profusion of other wildlife including African wild dog, leopard, lion and the illusive puku antelope.
Feel the spray of the smoke that thunders and walk in the footsteps of explorers of old as you make the pilgrimage to wonder at the beauty and power of Victoria Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
Explore the vast Makgadikgadi Pans, a place like nowhere else on earth. It is a landscape of space and remoteness, spectacular otherworldly vistas, unique desert adapted wildlife, that combined with the old-world glamour of the lodges we will be visiting creates and experience unlike any other on the continent.
Explore the 29,000 HA, Mashatu Game Reserve, home to arguably Africa's best Leopard, Cheetah and Lion viewing. A truly remarkable experience, to get close and personal to these magnificent cats.
PREPARATIONS
DAYS 1-3 : Johannesburg (South-Africa)
On arrival in Johannesburg and once settled in, we will give a briefing on what to expect for the next few days. During the next two days we will assist you in obtaining your South-African pilot license validation and successfully completing your validation flights.
We will be with you every step of the away to ensure the process of obtaining your validation is as seamless as possible.
Your training and assistance will be provided by Sling Aircraft or, if prior requests were made, we will use a variety of pre-approved flights schools if you wish to obtain your validation in another aircraft.
Depending on the time required to obtain the above, we will schedule excursions to the Apartheid Museum, a tour of the fascinating township of Soweto, or a tour of the Origin of Mankind, Maropeng.
There will be detailed daily briefings on what to expect on your Namibian Expedition and ensure you are 100% prepared for the days ahead.
Johannesburg has various accommodation options of which you will be informed before your booking is finalized.
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
DAY 4 : MAUN (BOTSWANA)
Departing Johannesburg early on the morning of Day 4 we take a leisurely flight to Pilanesberg, a small town in the North West Province of South Africa and our launch pad into Botswana. Here we will clear customs and refuel before heading over the border.
Expect an easy 4-hour flight over the deep African bushveld that characterizes the arid Kalahari of southern Botswana before landing at Maun, a frontier village on the edge of the Okavango Delta where we will spend the evening on the banks of the Thamalakane River.
Here we will enjoy and iced cold larger or a chilled glass of wine as we listen to the abundant bird calls and spot the odd hippo and crocodile cruising down the river from the veranda, before enjoying a delectable dinner.
Accommodation options: Thamalakane River Lodge*
Included: Half Board, Avgas**
* depending on availability or similar. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.
** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)
THE ORIGINAL EDEN
DAYS 5 : The Okavango Delta (Botswana)
After a leisurely breakfast we return to the Maun airfield to refuel and then head off for a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta en-route to our camp for the evening. Flying over a maze of meandering water, papyrus fringes banks and floating islands teeming with wildlife we enter the heart of the Delta.
We will land on a private dirt airstrip and be transferred to our lodge by open safari vehicle where we will enjoy a delicious lunch under the spreading limbs of ancient fig and acacia trees before heading off for a late afternoon game drive and sundowners in the wild. We return to camp for a sumptuous dinner under the stars.
Rising early on the morning of the 6th day we will head out into the Delta on open safari vehicles and enjoy a full mornings game drive before returning for lunch and some relaxation time.
After lunch we head north over a maze of sparkling lagoons and meandering channels of the Delta, spotting herds of elephant and graceful herds of red lechwe as we head to the Chobe National Park on the Namibian border and the elegant Chobe Safari Lodge that will be our base for the next few days.
Accommodation suggestions: Camp Okavango* | Camp Xakanaxa* ( https://vimeo.com/desertanddelta )
Included: All meals and activities | Avgas **
* depending on availability or similar. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.
** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)
ELEPHANT MOMENTS
DAYS 6-7 : CHOBE (BOTSWANA)
Chobe Safari Lodge is situated on the bank of the Chobe River with elevated boardwalks and viewing decks that offer endless panoramic views over the river where one can watch the ever-changing wildlife parade across the river, on the islands and surrounding floodplains.
The Chobe is home to the largest concentration of elephants on the African continent and a veritable haven for bird enthusiasts. For the next two days we will enjoy the diversity morning and afternoon game drives with specialist interpretive guides viewing a profusion of wildlife that we leave you in awe.
Arriving on Day 6, we will relax by the pool, and then end the evening with a sumptuous authentic African dinner.
On the morning of Day 7, we will embark on a riverboat cruise on the Chobe River, an experience to remember as we watch hundreds of elephants come down to the banks to drink.
After lunch and some relaxation time, we will head out on an evening game drive, viewing some of the spectacular wildlife and Big 5 that Chobe has to offer.
Accommodation options: Chobe |Chobe Safari Lodge or similar. Dependent on availability *
Included: All meals and activities | local wine and beer | Avgas **
* depending on availability or similar. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.
** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)
MOSI-QA-TUNYA "THE SMOKE THAT THUNDERS"
DAYS 8-9: VICTORIA FALLS (ZAMBIA)
After a leisurely breakfast and clearing customs at Kasane in Botswana, we head east following the Zambezi River to Livingston, our entry point into Zambia and the spectacular Victoria Falls.
A world heritage site, Victoria Falls is one of natures greatest spectacles and the stuff of legends, romance and myth. Long before David Livingston ‘discovered’ the Victoria Falls in 1855, the local Batonga people called it Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘the smoke that thunders’.
Spanning nearly two kilometres and dropping 103 meters at its highest point, Victoria Falls is the largest curtain of falling water in the world. The immense volume of water that drops over the craggy precipice throws up a cloud of spray that can be seen from miles away.
Here enveloped in rainbows and cool spray we will explore the verdant forests surrounding the falls on scenic footpaths and gaze into the depths of the craggy Botoka Gorge as the emerald waters of the Zambezi tumble and roar into an endless chasm.
A one-hour scenic flight over the falls and along the Zambezi river is one not to be missed.
We will spend two nights at a lodge on the banks of the Zambezi. Here one can choose to unwind on the beautiful grounds at the swimming pool, admire the spectacular views as the sun sinks into the calm waters of the Zambezi or for the adventurous a variety of activities such as an elephant back safari, a game drive or white river rating are on offer.
Accommodation options: David Livingstone Safari Lodge* | The Royal Livingstone Hotel*
Included: Half Board, Game drives, Boat cruise, Avgas**
* depending on availability or similar. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.
** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)
THE SPIRIT OF THE KALAHARI
DAYS 10-11 : MAKGADIGADI (BOTSWANA)
After a leisurely breakfast we clear customs at Kasane and re-enter Botswana and fly south to the vast Makgadikgadi pans.
The largest salt pans in the world, the Makgadikgadi are a breath-taking sight –a vast sea of white criss-crossed with animal tracks, verdant green islands and craggy baobabs.
It was once the centre of a huge lake that evaporated over 2000 years ago. When the rains fall in wet season, the pans fill with water and attract large numbers of zebra, springbok and wildebeest, followed closely by predators, making for fantastic game viewing. The largest breeding colony of greater Flamingos occurs here and is a spectacle to be witnessed.
This is an extraordinary and almost lunar landscape where one can experience the privilege of silence and vast isolation.
For two nights we will experience the best the Makgadikgadi has to offer from above and below. From the air we will fly over the vast lakes and islands of the Makgadikgadi viewing the migratory herds of antelope, legions of flamingo and craggy baobab koppies that characterize this landscape.
On the ground you will have a choice of a variety of activities including getting up close and personal with meerkats, spending time walking and interacting with a group of Zu/’hoasi Bushmen gaining insight into their ancient culture, quad biking across the lunar landscape or partaking in a game drive.
Accommodation options: Jacks Camp* | Leopard Plains*
Included: Full Board / Half Board, Game drives, Avgas**
* depending on availability or similar. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.
** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)
THE LAND OF GIANTS
DAYS 12-13 : MASHATU (BOTSWANA)
After breakfast we leave the Makgadikgadi behind us and fly south-east to Mashatu Private game reserve. One of the largest private game reserves in southern Africa, Mashatu is located in the northern Tuli Game reserve where the great Limpopo and Shashe rivers converge.
Mashatu offers an exceptionally diverse landscape and some of the best wildlife sightings any reserve has to offer, in particular the big cats. Leopard, lion and cheetah abound in this reserve and it is quite common to see all three species on one game drive.
We will spend two nights exploring the open plains, grasslands, riverine forest and majestic sandstone ridges of this exceptional reserve by open safari vehicle and on foot with specialist guides. Horse rides and cycling are also available for the more adventurous.
Accommodation options: Mashatu main camp | Mashatu tented camp
Included: Full Board, Game drives, Avgas**
* depending on availability or similar. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.
** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)
HOMEWARD BOUND
DAYS 14-15
Departing after breakfast on Day 14, we clear customs at the Mashatu airfield before embarking on a leisurely 2.5 hour flight back to our final destination Tedderfield airfield near Johannesburg. Our last evening will be spent in Johannesburg where we will enjoy a traditional South-African dinner.
Accommodation options: Johannesburg (Various)*
Included: Half Board, Avgas**
* depending on availability. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.
** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)
Price Guide for 14 night Botswana & Zambia self-fly expedition
$USD 749 - 1,108*
Per person, per day ( 2 people sharing an aircraft and accommodation)
Single Supplement (accommodation per person per night): $USD 164 - 332*
Single Supplement (aircraft per person per day): $USD 95
* Price dependent on accommodation options (mid-range to high-end)
Total estimated flying time: 20 hours (including 4 hours scenic flights)
Included:
Sling TSi Aircraft Hire (or similar depending on availability)
Pilot License Validation and flights
Meals - as indicated
Avgas (21 hours) - additional Avgas will be available
Airfield pick-up and drop-offs
Excursions - as indicated
Taylor make your journey...
This unforgettable journey showcases just a few of our favorite experience combinations in this iconic destination.
It is merely an example from which you can use to start dreaming and creating your own adventure.
We build the itinerary around you. The time you have available and the things you want to experience dictate how we plan and execute your bespoke safari. All expeditions are personally guided by one of our top professionals. Our network of specialist guides, photographers, chefs, animal behaviorists, wildlife researchers and local guides are on hand to help build your personal safari experience.
Various accommodation options are available at the different locations.
Choice of accommodation depends on availability and budget.
We have provided a price range for each safari as the final price is dependent
on your choice of accommodation options.
We will recommend options depending on your requirements, budget and availability.