Delta Explorer

Makgadikgadi Pans | Moremi | Okavango Delta

Days 2 & 3: Exploration Days - Moremi Game Reserve Habitat: Moremi Game Reserve encompasses much of the central and eastern portions of the Okavango Delta. Habitats here range from wide-open floodplains, marshes, lagoons, papyrus fringed channels, vast stands of Miscanthus and Phragmites, woodland and savannah. We   will be exploring the south-western portion of this region along one of the Okavango's main waterways which runs all the way south to the Thamalakane River in Maun which goes on to become the Boteti River which runs down into Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Wildlife: Red Lechwe and impala are commonly seen alongside the river and in the floodplains adjacent to the river. Large herds of buffalo move through the area and are often shadowed by lion. Elephant are often encountered either in or next to the river as are the ubiquitous hippopotamus. All of the large predators occur in this area although they are mostly found a little distance away from the river. Birding: The swampy areas of Xakanaxa are home to African Rail, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Black Coucal*, Red-chested Flufftail, African Crake*, Black Crake, Chirping Cisticola, Luapula Cisticola, Purple Swamphen, Allen’s Gallinule to name but a few. The open waters attract African Skimmer, Saddle-billed Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Intermediate Egret, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle  as well as the globally threatened Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane. Accommodation: Letaka Tented Camp Activities:  Boat cruises and nature walks, night sky exploration

Moremi

Day 4: Maun to Xakanaxa. Travel Day. 30 minute charter flight   After your arrival at Maun International Airport you will be met by Mack Air for your charter flight at approximately 14h00 to the Xakanaxa airstrip in Moremi Game Reserve where you will be met by your guide.   If you are staying in Maun prior to the safari, please request an airport transfer, Mack Air will liaise with your accommodation the day before to confirm the flight departure time. Alternatively, if you are coming from one of the many safari lodges, you can organize to fly directly into Xakanaxa Airstrip with the lodges preferred charter company although we do request that these flights land only after 12h00 in order for our guide to be there to meet you. Spending our first three nights camping in the Xakanaxa region, we explore the surrounding wilderness on game drives during the day. Wildlife: From the air only the larger animals are seen easily. These include large breeding herds of African elephant that live in the mopane scrub. On the open plains large herds of buffalo and lechwe can be seen and in the waterways rafts of hippopotami are a common sight. Once you land in Xakanaxa the smaller game can be found. Birding: A good day for raptors with African Hawk-Eagle, Gabar Goshawk, Shikra, Little Sparrowhawk, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Tawny Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle* and Steppe Eagle* all inhabiting the mopane and adjacent woodlands. Other birds common along this route includes most of Botswana’s hornbills including Red-billed, Southern Yellow-billed, African Grey, Bradfield’s and the Southern Ground Hornbills. A large number of brood-parasites may also be seen. Diederick Cuckoo*, Levaillant’s Cuckoo*, Jacobin Cuckoo*, Great-spotted Cuckoo*, African Cuckoo*, Common Cuckoo*, Shaft-tailed Whydah, Pin-tailed Whydah, Eastern Paradise Whydah, Greater Honeyguide, and Lesser Honeyguide. Accommodation: Letaka Tented Camp Activities: Game Drives, scenic flight

Moremi

Day 7: Xakanaxa to Khwai. Travel Day. 60km. 3-4 hours Following and early morning breakfast you take a slow drive through Moremi Game Reserve north-east towards the Khwai Community Area. Habitat: The Manuchira Channel is known as the Khwai River at its eastern most extremity. The day’s journey follows this water course, with the track weaving from the riverside and floodplains into the mopane veld and the woodlands that make Khwai one of the most scenic areas of the Okavango. We pass the magnificent Dombo Hippo Pools in the morning stopping to enjoy the scenery and the antics of the resident hippo. Wildlife: The western mopane veld is home to mostly breeding herds of elephant whilst the eastern reaches of Khwai is home to some impressive old bulls. The mature bulls revel in the cool waters of the Khwai and are far more approachable while drinking and bathing than the breeding herds. The river has an unusually high density of hippo as well as some huge crocodile. Leopard, cheetah, serval and lion are common predators along this route and both Xakanaxa as well as Khwai are included in the home ranges of 2 different packs of wild dog. General game includes southern giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, tessebe and red lechwe with roan and sable antelope being less common residents. Birding: In the mopane woodlands African Hawk-Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Gabar Goshawk, Little Sparrowhawk, African Harrier Hawk and Shikra are common raptors. Mixed bird parties move through the canopy and include Red-headed Weaver, Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Neddicky, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Chin-spot Batis, Diederik Cuckoo* to name but a few. The verges of the swamp form breeding grounds for the Rosy-Longclaw, Black Coucal*, Long-legged Bustard and the African Crake* Accommodation: Letaka Tented Camp Activities: Game drive and night drive

Day 10: Khwai to Maun. Travel Day. 30 minute Charter Flight. After breakfast we take a game-drive to the airstrip where you will be met by your charter flight back to Maun. Should you be flying on to a safari lodge, you can fly directly out from Khwai Airstrip to avoid returning to Maun.  Please request that the lodge’s preferred air charter company collects from Khwai Airstrip prior to 14h00. This marks the end of your Safari. *Denotes migratory species NOTE: Although we make every effort to adhere to schedules and itineraries, these are subject to change subject to weather, roads, and animal movements and availability. You will be notified of any changes.