Botswana & South Africa Safari
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Cry of the Kalahari & the Cape
The vast Kalahari Desert covers the entire country of Botswana. Although better known for the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, Botswana holds little known wildlife riches tucked away in remote and seldom visited areas of the Kalahari. This is especially true after the annual rains bring relief to drought-stricken landscapes and what was dry and brown turns lush and green. During this short season of plenty another of Africa’s great migrations takes place as thousands of Zebras fan out over Nxai and Makgadikgadi Pans to take advantage of the abundance of grass and to give birth. Many species of antelope also move into these areas as do Elephants. Predators thrive on this influx of game and Lions, Hyenas and Cheetah are particularly prevalent. From the open plains and wooded waterways of Nxai and Makgadikgadi Pans we will travel south the Central Kalahari Game Reserve – one of the most remote wilderness areas left in the world.
Our first camp within the Central Kalahari is Deception Valley – made famous by Mark and Delia Owens in their best-selling book “Cry of the Kalahari”. Deception, at this time of year, has plentiful game with herds of Springbok, Gemsbok and Red Hartebeest. Lion and the elusive Brown Hyena are also quite common in this area. From Deception we will be able to reach other areas like Passarge Valley which is also rich in game and is particularly good for Meerkats. From the dry fossil riverbeds of the Central Kalahari we will travel back to Maun and fly into the oasis of the Kalahari – the Okavango Delta.
We will explore Okavango Delta/Moremi Game Reserve for four days before returning to South Africa for the flight to the Cape Region. This is an unusual safari to a very remote part of the continent and as such harkens back to another age – an earlier time when safaris under canvas were the only option and few people shared in the experience. EcoQuest Travel is proud to offer this once in a lifetime adventure and we look forward to exploring the Kalahari of Botswana with you.
After Botswana, we will also continue our explorations by spending time in South Africa’s Cape Region. This portion of our trip will concentrate on wildlife, the wine country and the cultural and scenic riches of the region.
25-Day Safari: April 24 - May 18, 2025
BOTSWANA & SOUTH AFRICA SAFARI
Wildlife of the Delta in the Desert & the Cape Region
Day 1 – Thursday, April 24: US to Johannesburg, South Africa
Day 2 – Friday, April 25: Arrival in South Africa
Day 3 – Saturday, April 26: Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve
Day 4 – Sunday, April 27: Flight from Johannesburg to Maun, Botswana; Depart for Nxai Pan
Days 5 & 6 – Monday & Tuesday, April 28 & 29: Nxai Pan National Park
Days 7 & 8 – Wednesday & Thursday, April 30 & May 1: Makgadikgadi Pans
Days 9 - 12 – Friday to Monday, May 2 - 5: Central Kalahari Game Reserve – Deception Valley
Day 13 – Tuesday, May 6: Central Kalahari back to Maun
Day 14 – Wednesday, May 7: Fly from Maun to the Okavango Delta/Moremi Game Reserve
Days 15, 16 & 17 – Thursday, Friday & Saturday, May 8, 9 & 10: Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve
Day 18 – Sunday, May 11: Fly from Maun to Cape Town
Day 19 – Monday, May 12: Cape Town Highlights: Robben Island & Table Mountain
Day 20 – Tuesday, May 13: South Africa’s Wine Country
Day 21 – Wednesday, May 14: Bontebok National Park
Day 22 – Thursday, May 15: Back to Cape Town and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
Day 23 – Friday, May 16: Cape Peninsula and Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
Day 24 – Saturday, May 17: Strandfontein Sewage Works, Shopping the Waterfront, Departure for the US
Day 25 – Sunday, May 18: Arrival in US and Flights Home
Please note that EcoQuest Travel will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.
Botswana | commons.wikimedia.org
South Africa | commons.wikimedia.org
