Botswana Kwando Safari.
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THE KWANDO
PRIVATE CONCESSION SPECIAL PACKAGE - 2009
GREEN SEASON (Valid from 01 April until 31 May 2009):
Based
on 4 people traveling:
Total cost per person sharing:
US$10620.00
Based
on 2 people traveling:
Total cost per person sharing:
US$12990.00
PEAK SEASON (Valid from 01 June until 31 October 2009):
Based
on 4 people traveling:
Total cost per person sharing:
US$13543.00
Based
on 2 people traveling:
Total cost per person sharing:
US$16005.00
ONLINE KWANDO SAFARI ENQUIRY FORM.
Included:
·
Scenic air transfer from Maun to Tau Pan Camp (Central Kalahari)
·
4 Nights en-suite accommodation at Tau Pan Camp
·
Scenic air transfer from Tau Pan Camp to Nxai Pan Camp
·
4 Nights en-suite accommodation at Tau Pan Camp
·
Scenic air transfer from Tau Pan Camp to Lebala Camp
·
4 Nights en-suite accommodation at Lebala Camp
·
4 x 4 road transfer from Lebala Camp to Lagoon Camp
·
3 Nights en-suite accommodation at Lagoon Camp
·
Scenic air transfer from Lagoon Camp to Kwara Camp
·
3 Nights en-suite accommodation at Kwara Camp
·
All meals, drinks, teas and coffees
·
Private vehicle hire at all Kwando Camps
·
All park and private concession fees
·
4 x 4 game drives and guided walks at Tau Pan Camp
·
4 x 4 game drives, historical visits to Baines Baobabs and Pandamatenga
Cattle Trail and guided walks at Nxai Pan Camp
·
Guided game walks, mokoro excursions, boat cruises, fishing, 4 x 4
morning and night drives at Kwara Camp
·
4 x 4 morning and evening game drives, fishing and boat cruises at Lagoon
Camp
·
Guided game walks, fishing and 4 x 4 morning and spotlight night drives
at Lebala Camp
·
Scenic air transfer from Kwara Camp to Maun.
Excluded:
·
Visas and travel insurance
·
International flights
·
Gratuities and items of a personal nature.
All
game viewing activities at the Kwando camps are not rigid but very
guest friendly and flexible, below is a rough itinerary of what to
expect, but this could change depending on sightings, game movement,
tracking and guests personal preferences.
TAU PAN
CAMP
Tau Pan Camp is situated inside the world famous
Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) right on
the edge of the beautiful Tau Pan.
“Kalahari” is derived from the Tswana word Kgala meaning “great
thirst” – and it has vast areas
covered by red sand without any permanent water. The Kalahari Desert
is the largest sand basin in
the world stretching 2,500kms from the northern regions of South
Africa through to Namibia/Angola
and ending in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) The Central
Kalahari Game Reserve
(CKGR) is the largest game reserve in the world (52,800 sq km’s) and
for many years was closed to
the public, hence it is know for being one of Africa’s last true
wild areas.
The term ‘desert,’ is however not quite accurate when referring to
the Kalahari, the region receives
an annual rainfall of 60mm-175mm, too high to be classified as a true
desert. The Kalahari’s
vegetation consists mainly of grasses and acacia’s, as well as
stunted thorn and scrub bush. There
are over 400 identified plant species present. Annual rain season is
between December and March
when summer temperatures can get quite high. About 1,100 meters above
sea level – the largely
unchanging flat terrain is occasionally interrupted with gentle
valleys, sand dunes and a large
number of pans, which vary in size and complexity. These pans are
invaluable to the wildlife as
they supply them with nutrients from the salts and the grasses of the
pans.
Famous for being where the waters of the Okavango come to rest – the
Kalahari has been written
about by several explorers, notably David Livingstone and more
recently in “Cry of the Kalahari” by
Mark and Delia Owens, during their time studying of the Brown Hyena.
Animals and Birds:
After the summer rains –the CKGR completely transforms as the blue
sky fills with huge clouds, and the plains and pans burst with sweet
grasses. This is one of the best game viewing areas in Botswana at
this time of year and not many people to seem to aware of this – so
the visitors are few.
The CKGR gets the migratory animals such springbok, zebra and
wildebeest in their thousands and is quite a sight to behold.
Predators abound with plentiful Lions – especially the famous
Kalahari black-maned Lion, Cheetah, Leopard and Jackals. Brown Hyenas
and Wild Dogs are also found in the area.
Several species of antelopes make the trip to the sweet grasses of the
CKGR which include the
Eland, Springbok, Steenbok, Gemsbok, Hartebeest, Kudu and Duiker.
Honey Badgers are regular visitors as well as Ground Squirrels and
Meerkats and many an hour can be wiled away watching these fascinating
animals.
Bird life is aplenty with the world heaviest flying bird – the Kori
Bustard being common as well as the Black Korhaan who continuously
calls during the daytime. Ostrich are seen roaming free – usually in
large flocks. All the Sand Grouse species identified in southern
Africa live here from the Double Banded to the Namaqua which are a
sight to see in the mornings, when they flock to the waterholes in
their thousands, to drink and bathe in the water holes. Raptors from
the most common Pale- chanting Goshawk to the Rock Kestrel, Bateleurs
and Brown and Tawny Eagles are also seen regularly.
The dry season (May-September) is also a wonderful time to visit the
CKGR as the animals
congregate close to any surface water and pans
CKGR Specialties:
• Amazing visual display of cloud formations and lightning storms
during the summer rains
• Breathtaking night skies
• Access to beautiful Tau Pan and world famous Deception Valley
• Fascinating reptiles and insects
• Two migration seasons - hundreds of migratory species
The Camp
Situated on an established sand ridge overlooking Tau Pan – our camp
will command stunning
views of the permanent Tau Pan water hole and the endless Kalahari
horizon.
Guests are accommodated in 8 custom-built desert tents under thatch,
while the main area consists of dining room, lounge area and a viewing
deck. The camp will also offer facilities such as swimming pool,
interpretation centre/library and curio shop. One of the rooms will be
a family room and a guide/pilot tent will also be available.
Access:
The camp can be accessed by air. The airstrip is approximately 5kms
from camp and the flight time from Maun will be approximately 50
minutes.
NXAI PAN
CAMP
Nxai Pan
National Park lies just north of the Maun-Nata road and adjoins
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park on its northern border. Nxai Pan was
originally state land and an area of 1676 sq. km was declared a game
reserve in 1970, and then in 1992 the boundaries were extended to
include Baines Baobabs to give the present total area of 2578 sq km
and National Park Status was granted. The Nxai Pans were once part of
the great lake that covered central Botswana – which included The
Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi and Lake Ngami to name a few.
Livingstone passed this way during the middle 19th century and soon
traders and explorers followed and it became an important trade route.
Kgama Kgama pan in the centre of the park held water at that time and
many travelers came here to replenish their water supply and to rest.
In 1861 – the famous painter Thomas Baines arrived to paint an
unusual group of baobab trees – one of which lies on its side and
hence these beautiful group of tree’s became known as “Baines
Baobabs”. Other painters including Prince Charles have been
captivated by these amazing trees and have also painted them. These
are
located on the southern side of the park.
The Pan itself is another fossil lakebed about 40 sq km in size. The
landscape is largely covered by grassland and dotted with clusters of
umbrella acacia tree’s and mopane woodland in the north. During the
rains from November to April – the pans become covered in grass
which is a landscape very similar to the Kalahari.
Nxai Pan has also achieved fame from the IMAX movie “Roar” –
where Tim Liversedge and National Geographic filmed this epic
documentary that
showcases a battle between an aging lion and ayoung challenger, who
wants the older lion's wives and the water hole.
Animals and Birds
Nxai pan is well known for its huge springbok population and once the
rains have started, gemsbok, elephant and zebras migrate to the
region. At this time zebra’s come in their thousands to drop their
young at Nxai Pan. Extraordinarily large herds of giraffe’s can be
seen with up to 30 in a group. These large herds of zebras, springbok,
and wildebeest attract many predators – lion, cheetah, jackal and
both spotted and the elusive brown hyena, as well as the endangered
wild dog and the secretive leopard. There are large numbers of
bat-eared fox and raptors that prey on the rodents and reptiles. At
times, Rhino’s have also been sighted. Also to be seen
are the eland, greater kudu and red hartebeest. Once the rains have
started – the bird life is excellent.
The Camp:
Situated in the tree line – we have 8 purpose built desert tents.
The main area consists of a dining room, lounge area and a viewing
deck. We will also have a swimming pool, library and curio shop.
8 purpose built desert tents:
7 x twin tents
1 x family tent – sleep 4 guests
Total number of guests we can accommodate is 18 guests
We also have one guides tent.
Activities:
Game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles.
Historical tours to Baines Baobabs and Pandamatenga Cattle Trail
Walking
Access:
The camp can be accessed by 4x4 vehicles or you can fly.
The airstrip will be approximately 5 kms from the camp and the flight
time from Maun is approximately 25 minutes.
LEBALA
CAMP
Lebala means “wide open spaces” in Setswana and
the scenery is dominated by vast plains with scattered palms and tree
clumps backed by wooded savannas.
This wild expanse is contrasted with the casual elegance and
luxury of the camp itself. Lebala Camp is situated 30 kilometres to
the south of Lagoon Camp and fronts onto the Linyanti Wetlands.
Open grasslands scattered with Illala Palms stretch to
the south and west of Lebala. The perennial and southerly flowing
Kwando River disappears into the vast marshes before emerging as the
Linyanti river, flowing in a north easterly direction. The triangle
formed in Namibia by this direction change is home to the Mamili
National Park.
The eight spacious tents are unique and were designed
specifically for this camp. Each one is built on a raised teak deck,
laid out with maximum comfort and privacy in mind. The tents have an
entrance foyer with a reading and writing area, en-suite bathrooms
with Victorian clawfoot bathtubs, "his and hers" washbasins
and flush toilets. The bathrooms lead out to a reed enclosed open-air
shower with hot and cold running water, powered by LP gas for hot
water on demand.
Each secluded tent has its own sundeck, and is set
back among the trees. The endless vistas from the large windows and
decks across the vast plains, make Lebala one of the finest wilderness
camps in Africa.
The wetlands and flood plains around Lebala offer a wonderful variety
of wildlife with excellent sightings of elephant, hippo, lechwe,
zebra, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, kudu, tsessebe, roan, sable,
buffalo and the ever present predators; wild dog, lion, cheetah and
hyena.
After dark, spotlights are switched on and the game
drives expose guests to nocturnal sightings of rare and elusive
species such as, leopard, Selous Mongoose, small spotted genet, and
aardwolf, to name a few. Nocturnal bird species that are encountered
include Natal Nightjar, Pennantwinged Nightjar and a large variety of
owls.
Mouth-watering fare is prepared by the chefs and
served in the open-sided dining room. After dinner there is a
wonderful camp fire around which to sip a coffee or enjoy a nightcap.
As you drift off to sleep, you will often hear hippo grazing out of
water near your tent. In the warmer months, feel free to take a
refreshing swim in the Lebala pool!
Lebala has a staff complement of 22 to cater to
guests. The camp balances understated elegance with untamed Africa to
perfection.
LAGOON CAMP
Lagoon Camp lies on the shady banks of the Kwando
River among tall and ancient African Ebony and Marula trees, under the
watchful gaze of the resident hippos.
Lagoon Camp accommodates only 16 guests in 8 twin
bedded luxury safari-style tents. Each tent looks out over the water
and has private en-suite facilities, including 24 hour hot and cold
running water, open-air showers, flush toilets and modern amenities.
Over the years, many of our guests have commented that
Lagoon Camp stands out as one of the most beautiful settings of any
safari camp.
Morning and night game drives are conducted by our
specialist guides and trackers in open safari vehicles. This area is
home to huge herds of elephants and buffalo. There are few places in
Africa where such concentrated numbers of these animals exist,
especially in the dry season.
The shady, treed environment of the camp hosts a great
variety of birds and squirrels that visit daily. A family of hippo and
an elephant or three are regularly sighted from the tents. This
contributes to the relaxed calm that prevails at Lagoon.
The predators are also well represented by lion, hyena, leopard,
cheetah and wild dog.
Lagoon is famous as the best venue in Africa for wild dog viewing as
the dogs have denned near the camp every year of the camps existence.
These animals are generally very relaxed in the presence of
vehicles, meaning the sightings are usually at close range and many
guests have seen amazing action.
Among the great variety of antelope species found at
Lagoon, the endangered Sable and Roan are often seen. Seasonally,
large herds of elephant drink almost daily at the riverbank in front
of the camp, in full view of the guests. The big herds attract big
predators. The lions of Kwando are famous for their elephant, hippo
and buffalo kills. Playful spotted necked otters are commonly seen
performing in the Lagoon right in front of the tents.
Boat cruises along the Kwando River provide excellent
opportunities for birding. We also offer specialist fly-fishing and
spinner fishing for Tiger fish and Bream. Some excellent catches have
been made by Kwando guests. Lagoon's complement of staff is there to
look after you quietly and efficiently, so as to ensure a relaxing,
peaceful stay.
There is a guest pool in which to cool off during the
hot months. Freshly
prepared delicious meals are served in the thatched dining room
overlooking the tranquil waters of the lagoon.
KWARA CAMP
Kwara is located in the remote northern part of the
stunning Okavango Delta within the private Kwara concession. The camp
fronts onto a huge floodplain, adjacent to the permanent water of the
Delta and is backed by extensive bush. It is a magnificent wilderness
area in excess of 1,700 square kilometres, bordering the Moremi
Reserve. No trip to Botswana is complete without a visit to the Delta,
the shimmering and unique watery jewel in the middle of the Kalahari
Desert. Kwara encompasses a wide diversity of habitats, ranging from
the clear Delta waters with reed-lined lagoons and channels, to open
grasslands, mopane woodlands and palm-fringed islands.
The eight luxury safari-style tents are built on raised decks, within
a grove of huge and ancient African Ebony trees. Resident hippos will
generally serenade you year round from the water on the floodplain in
front of the camp. Each tent has its own viewing deck, private
en-suite facilities including hot and cold running showers, flush
toilets and modern amenities.
The forested island on which the camp sits is typical of those
encountered throughout the vast 1.6 million hectares of the Okavango
Delta. At Kwara, you will discover why the Okavango is considered one
of the ecological wonders of Africa and indeed the world. It is
mysterious, calming, unpredictable and very wild.
Hire a private vehicle and have the wilderness almost
to your selves – enhanced by your own guide and tracker who will
cater to your interests unobtrusively. The memory will live forever
Like the other Kwando camps, Kwara offers exclusive and private
traverse for all its varied activities.
Here our guests can enjoy a diverse wildlife experience all
year-round, but the focus is definitely on the water. Whether gliding
along in the special silence of a mokoro (dug out canoe) through
crystal-clear waters or visiting the famous Godikwe lagoon, where you
can stand on a boat literally eye to eye with thousands of herons,
storks and other nesting birds. Kwara is the nearest camp to this
famous spectacle in Moremi Game Reserve.
Other species you can encounter through the channels
and rivers are kingfishers, pygmy geese, fish eagles, jacanas, darters
and if you're really fortunate, the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl.
The Kwara area is also home to a variety of wild
animals including, lechwe, sitatunga, reedbuck, bushbuck, hippo,
crocodiles, elephant, buffalo, sable, roan, zebra, giraffe,
wildebeest, impala and tsessebe. Lion, hyena, wild dog, leopard and
cheetah are abundant in this part of the Delta and regularly seen.
Along with the bird watching, we're able to offer fishing (both
spinner and fly), walks with a guide on one of the many palm-fringed
islands and also spectacular night drives on top of our morning and
afternoon drives. The beauty and charm of Kwara will captivate you.
Our highly skilled chefs prepare delicious meals, to round off a
perfect day in Kwara's watery wonderland.
HOME / CHITABE
/ DUMA TAU / JAO
/ ABU / VUMBURA
/ SAN CAMP /
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SAFARI / ONLINE
ENQUIRY / EMAIL / ABOUT
US