Botswana
The Kalahari Desert comprises much of Botswana, while in the north the miracle of The Okavango Delta is an unusual and very beautiful, lush oasis of diverse habitats. This large wetland teems with life in an otherwise dry and inhospitable environment. Heavy rains in the Angolan highlands to the North precipitate an annual flood resulting in fresh water flowing inland, turning the Kalahari sand into a maze of lagoons and channels. During the flood peak the delta’s area can expand to over 16,000 km² – a stark contrast to the less than 9,000 km² in the low period.
The famous Moremi Game Reserve lies within and to the east of the Delta, and hosts a feast of game due to the vast amount of water in the region. The wildlife areas of Chobe, Linyanti and Selinda to the north form a wonderful contrast to the Okavango, offering game filled grasslands, forests, and dry woodlands.
To further contrast this diverse country, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve offer a look at the complexity and vastness of this barren landscape, while the Makgadikgadi Saltpans with their moon-like expanse provide a unique experience. For a few months a year, these pans fill with water, turning itself into a breeding ground for birdlife, and attract herds of game to its grasslands.
Largely off-the-beaten track, Botswana is a haven for wildlife and especially elephants. This unique and diverse eco-system truly offers the visitor one of Africa’s most exquisite game viewing opportunities.
Best Game Viewing Months: The best time for game viewing in the Okavango Delta is during the period between May and October. The most impressive month is August, when the champagne-colored water is at its deepest. The best time for birding and vegetation is during the rainy season between November and April when most of the young are born.
Travel Tip:
Book well in advance during peak season (May to October) to avoid disappointment!
Suggested Itinerary:
2 Nights Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), 2 Nights
Savuti – Chobe National Park, 2 Nights
Okavango Delta & 3 Nights Moremi Game Reserve
2 Nights Stanley’s Camp, Okavango Delta – 3 Nights Chief’s Camp, Moremi Game Reserve – 2 Nights Sussi & Chuma Lodge, Victoria Falls (Zambia) – 1 Night The Olive Exclusive All-Suite Hotel – 2 Nights Wilderness Little Kulala, Sossusvlei – 2 Nights Wilderness Damaraland Camp, Twyfelfontein & 4 Nights Cape Grace, Cape Town
Experiences
Hi Joan - We have arrived home safely - with just a little jet lag. Your guidance and expertise in planning this trip was invaluable. The trip exceeded all of my expectations!! I would not have changed anything. It would be difficult to pick out the best part of the trip - in that each day was so special. Rob and Heath were exceptional and a great part in making the trip so special. Londolozi was amazing. I'm not sure who we have to thank for our special Anniversary treat of lunch in the tree house; but thank you, thank you, thank you!! It still brings tears to my eyes thinking of the it!! We started the trip by saying "if" we go back to Africa only for it to be quickly changed to "when" we go back to Africa. So until next time, I thank you again for making this such a special experience!!
We were a group of three couples traveling to South Africa for the first time. We have traveled to Italy, Cuba, Mexico and other locations together and had arranged to stay in a house outside of Cape Town on our own. Redfoot Safaris was introduced to us by a friend in Phoenix that had a great experience in 2017. We communicated with Rex by email and phone and were impressed by his patience as none of us had ever been on a Safari and we had lots of questions. Rex arranged for us to have two full day tours of Cape Town and the surrounding area and we were so impressed with our guide that we engaged him for another full day. Upon arrival at Rattray on Mala Mala we could not believe how comfortable and luxurious the facilities were and the staff and their service was impeccable. Our guide, Garrett, was fantastic and a wealth of knowledge. We were exposed to a great number of animals and learned so much about their lives and their environment. It was both an educational and relaxing break and our photos and memories will be enjoyed for years to come. We highly recommend letting Redfoot make the arrangements so that the total experience can be enjoyed even though it is far from home. We would love to return and repeat the entire experience.
Our trip was just perfect - spent three days touring Cape Town and surroundings with our guide, George Meyer, who was fantastic. Other than our pick-up time, nothing was set in stone, and George allowed each day to unfold as it happened. We got to see everything on our list - and then some. From there we headed to MalaMala for a couple days safari, which were amazing - the accommodations at Rattray's were beautiful, and we saw more wildlife than we were expecting. Our safari guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and perfectly suited for our group. All details were taken care of by Redfoot/Rex, including being met at the Johannesburg airport, which was a huge help on our way home! Can't say enough about Rex, George, and MalaMala. Loved the trip!!