The style and essence of Wilderness Safaris’ Adventurer Exploration safari takes you back to the long-gone days of Africa’s exploration – the ultimate safari. Our 3m x3m dome tents, complete with verandas, allow you to feel more connected and open to the Earth and nature, accentuating the feeling of the wild and untamed. Pure cotton linen bedrolls (with down duvets) on GI stretchers, teak bedside table with silver lantern and mini luggage benches add to the atmosphere. Shared separate toilet and shower ‘bathrooms’ with old-style tin bucket showers and basins and all amenities create simple serviced comfort.
DAYS 1 & 2 - San Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans
After arrival in Maun, we fly by light aircraft to San Camp, situated in a private concession on the edge of the great Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari Desert. The saltpans are among the largest in the world, part of a super-lake fossilised aeons ago.
Surprisingly for such a harsh, lunar-like environment, life abounds, and brown hyaena, oryx and springbok are just a few of the desert-adapted species that can be seen. Activities include up-close encounters with suricates (meerkats), one of the most endearing animals in the world. Experience phenomenal geology, quad biking, authentic San (bushman) cultural walks and fascinating Stone Age archaeological artefacts – or simply enjoy the wide-open spaces of this ancient lakebed.
DAYS 3 & 4 - Nxai Pan, Nxai Pan National Park
After an early breakfast, we depart overland to our pre-erected private Adventurer campsite in the Nxai Pan National Park, stopping for lunch en-route at the famous Baines Baobabs, which Thomas Baines painted on his exploratory expedition in the late 1800s.
These pans are fossilised, covered with short nutritious grasses and acacia trees, creating wildlife-rich areas surrounded by vegetated dune savannahs. Extensive game drives explore the surrounding pans, with an excellent chance of seeing spectacular dry season predator and prey action at the waterholes!
DAYS 5 & 6 - Xigera Mokoro Trails, Okavango Delta
After arrival in Maun, we fly by light aircraft to the water-filled paradise of the private Xigera area, within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is the ultimate Delta experience, with serene waters flowing through innumerable channels around remote islands and a profusion of plant and animal life.
There is no better way to experience the Okavango than to travel through it by mokoro, walking and camping out on some of its green islands – all essential elements of the Xigera Mokoro Trails experience.
Activities include mokoro and walking safaris, which enable up-close encounters with the excellent diversity of birdlife (including Pel’s Fishing Owl), frogs and a myriad game species, some specially adapted to water, such as the rare sitatunga and the familiar red lechwe.
DAY 7 - Charter flight to Maun
After an early game activity and breakfast, we fly to Maun, where the safari ends.
NOTE: THIS SAFARI IS FLEXIBLE WITH REGARD TO DATES AND ITINERARIES FOR TAILOR-MADE TRIPS FOR SMALL GROUPS
Routes: The route takes the time to explore the contrasts, extremes and continually moving wildlife of northern Botswana: from the waterless moonscape of the Makgadikgadi saltpans to the broad vistas of the savannahs of the Nxai Pans, ending in the fertile green islands of the Okavango Delta and its crystal-clear waterways.
Exclusive experience: To ensure total privacy and exclusivity, most areas in which we travel are private concessions in pristine, prime game locations. All camps are private and for the use of Adventurer Exploration guests only.
Guides: The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional guides, who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless safari experience.
Transfers: To maximise guests’ travel time, a variety of transport modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in private charters, overland transfers and exclusive combination mokoro-boat-land transfers provide both a birds-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Botswana.
