NATA LODGE LODGE

An oasis set among the mokolwane palms on the edge of the pans. It is ideally situated entrance to the Nata Sanctuary and is just off the main road, 10km from Nata village. This is the junction to Chobe and Francistown areas.

MAKGADIKGADI SALT PANS

This area incorporate a multitude of the salt pan and the vast grass plains dotted by palms island and forms the Great Makgadikagidi which comprise the largest area of salt pans in the world covering some 37 000 sq km in overall extent. It is the vast vestiges of Africa largest inland sea and exudes an atmosphere of antiquity and mystery.

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

This park is on the banks of the Chobe river and covers an area of 11000 sq km. It has Botswana s most varied wildlife.There are between 50 000 to 80 000 Elephants in the area and they are doing huge damage to the vegetation in the area. The park is also know for its lion population, which on occasion do hunt elephants. The river is good for viewing hippo, crocodiles and watching the elephants wallow in the water. The river flows into the Zambezi just past the parks borders. Elizabeth Taylor has had one of her marriages in the park. THE ZAMBEZI RIVER. The mighty Zambezi River, 2700 kilometers in length is the 4th longest river in Africa. It crosses Southern Africa from the west to east flowing through six countries. The river rises in the far northwestern corner of Zambia and flows briefly through Angola before entering Zambia again and further down becomes the border between Zambia and Namibia and briefly Botswana and then plummets over the the Victoria Falls. It then acts as a border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and forces its way down the Batoka Gorge and enters Lake Kariba. Beyond the lake the Kafue adds to the flow of the Zambezi as it runs through Mana Pools and the Lower Zambezi National Park. The Luangwa River then joins it and then the Zambezi enters Mozambique and creates the Cabora Bassa dam. Downstream from here the river slows and broadens and the Shire River, which drains Lake Malawi, joins it as the Zambezi flows over coastal plains, finally flowing into the Indian Ocean at a vast delta north of Beira.

9 Days - 8 Nights

Botswana / Zambia / Zimbabwe

Price: R 3 750.00 pp

Price for tours includes everything except: Visa’s, Extra activities, drinks & Sleeping bag.

DAY 1 : Pretoria To Palapye

We leave Pretoria for the border of Botswana where the wildlife rich country start. Lunch on the side of the road and then to the Campsite. Make yourself ready for a big fire/ braai and there will be time to talk about the tour in detail. Restaurant/ Swimming pool, Bar and Lounge at camp.

DAY 2 : Palapye To Nata

After leaving palapye we stop in the second biggest town in Botswana Francistown to explore the town. We camp under palm trees in the bush for 2 nights at Nata Lodge. Restaurant, Swimming pool, Gift shop , Bar and Lounge at lodge.

DAY 3 : Nata

Not a early morning for us. Cooked bush breakfast and then it’s time to explore Africa’s largest inland sea the Makgadigadi Salt Pan that includes Flamingoes and Pelicans in there thousands, transforming the shoreline into a pink haze blending into the western sky(Nov-June) Always keep your eyes open for 2 endangered species the Sable and Roan Antelope. Some optional activities like Quad Bikes is available.

DAY 4 : Nata Lodge To Kasane - Chobe

Short drive to reach one of the richest wildlife areas in Botswana. The kingdom of Hippo, Elephant, Crocodiles and Lions. The only place where you will see 26 or more lions hunt elephants. We camp on the banks of the Chobe river for 2 nights. While in the swimming pool have a look how the hippo’s float in the river. With an optional Sunset Chobe river cruise and Game drive on open safari vehicle makes this one of the highlights on the tour. Restaurant/ bar close to river/ Swimming pool.

DAY 5 : Chobe National Park

We will do a game drive with the truck inside the Chobe NP to the border of Namibia and Exploring the town Kasane with its local market and the Tswana cultural. Optional Activities: Tiger Fishing, Game drives and Boat cruise

DAY 6 : Kasane to Zambia

One of the natural wonders of the World is just across the border – Zimbabwe/ Zambia the VIC FALLS. We put the truck on an ferry/pontoon and cross over the Zambezi river into Zambia. We camp on the banks of the Zambezi river at Zambezi Waterfront Lodge. A very popular optional is a Sunset Cruise on the Mighty Zambezi river where food and drinks are included. Optional Activities: Zambezi Sunset cruise ,Vic falls visit.

DAY 7 : Victoria Falls

The not to be missed(all optional activities) -White Water River Rafting is an experience of a life time. While some is on the water you can ride an Elephant or take a flight over the falls. The last night will be spent at some of the traditional Restaurant to share the last Memories of the trip. We will visit the Victoria falls and the town of Livingstone for Curios and Crafts markets. You can also visit Zimbabwe that’s very close.

DAY 8 : Waterfront To Gweta

We are leaving the Victoria Falls behind and heading into Botswana again. We heading to a camp that’s close to the Okavango Delta. The camp is known for all the big up side down trees(baobab). Nice camp far away in the bush all surrounded by the big baobab trees. Nature walk in the afternoon. Bar/ Swimming pool and nice lounge area to relax.

DAY 9 : Gweta To Limpopo River

Heading south to the border of SA. We spend our last night on the banks of the Limpopo River. A big Braai/ Party to share all the good memories of the trip. Bar/ Swimming pool and Lounge area

DAY 10 : Botswana - RSA

We say good bye to Botswana and into South-Africa. Its here where all good things come to an end.

I WANT MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OPTIONAL 2 DAYS EXTRA OKAVANGO DELTA EXPLORER.

THE VICTORIA FALLS

Rising in northern Zambia, the Zambezi river flows in a southwesterly direction passing through Angola and winding its way through the Barotse Plain in Zambia before entering the Caprivi Swamps where the Chobe River joins it. From this point the Zambezi takes an easterly course creating the boundary between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Here the river plunges 108 meters into the gorge below, forming the Victoria Falls, named in 1855 by David Livingstone in honor of his Queen, also known as “mosi-oa-tunya”-the smoke that thunders.In the season of floods-March to June- the river swells greatly, but the shallows valley contains it and the movement of the water is still slow. Only a few minor rapids high up the valley, and the small Gonys falls, give it a flurry of speed. Along the full width of its course the river tumbled into a deep trench only about 200m wide The falls measure 1708 meters across and has a mean maximum flow of 700 000 cubic meters per minute. The river has eroded the soft earth filled cracks in the original volcanic basalt plateau and has , during the past half million years, cut back a deep zigzag path forming a gorge 100 kilometers in length. The falls are divided into the Devils s Cataract( 27m wide and 60m high), the main falls, which in turn are divided by projecting rock( 524m + 297m wide and 83m high) and the Eastern Cataract 304m wide and 96m high.In 1960 the flow of the Zambezi was constrained by a massive wall. Kariba, the then largest dam ever built, and backed up a lake 220 km long and in place 30 km wide. After escaping the confines of Kariba Dam, the Zambezi continues flowing on through Cabora Bassa Dam in Mozambique, Finally reaching the Indian Ocean.

THE NATA SANCTUARY

The Nata river delta feeds the Sua pan in the Nata sanctuary and forms the breeding ground for a host of water birds including Pelicans and Flamingo in their thousands, transforming the shore line into a pink haze blending into the western sky. Nata lodge offers guided tours in open safari vehicles into the sanctuary, not to be missed.

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