Duration: 11 Days

Code: BLA/20

A small group lodge safari from / to Victoria Falls through Botswana and Zimbabwe

Price per person sharing: @ US $ 3,590 / EUR 3,190

Single supplement:  @ US $ 950 / EUR 850

Guide supplements
German or French Guided Departures
USD 80 / EUR 70 per person

Flight Price:
Scheduled flight Khwai/Maun to Kasane @ US$ 390 / EUR 350

*Please note that all rates are subject to change due to any unforeseen circumstances including rate of exchange fluctuations.

Pre Tour:
Maun, Botswana
Thamalakane River Lodge , Babbler Chalet, BB

Post Tour:
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Ilala Lodge, Standard Room, BB

D – German guided departures / F – French guided departures / GD – Guaranteed departures

DEPARTURE:

The Botswana Lodge Explorer departs from Thamalakane River Lodge or similar.

Please note that the daily departure times are a guideline only and are subject to change due to seasonal variations, as well as unforeseen circumstances.  The final decision rests with your guide who will advise you at what time you will be departing each day.

On the evening of day one, there will be a meeting presented by your guide, at 18h00, at your lodge. It is imperative that all clients attend this meeting so as not to miss out on any critical information.

Whilst it is our every intention to adhere to the above mentioned itinerary, there may on occasion be a necessity to make alterations in order to make the tour more enjoyable or practical.  Therefore please treat the itinerary as a guide only.

TRANSPORT:

I C Africa Safaris & Tours uses fully equipped Toyota Land Cruisers, Sprinters,12-seater 4×4 safari vehicles or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, large windows for game viewing, a music and PA system and air-conditioning to be determined by the company. All luggage, besides hand luggage and photo equipment, is carried on the vehicle or trailer roof racks to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle. Some game drives may be conducted in open-sided safari vehicles. For transfers between Kasane and Victoria Falls (or vice versa), 2×4 vehicles may be utilised.

TRAVELLING TIMES AND DISTANCES:

All travelling times are affected by road conditions, border crossings, detours and weather conditions, therefore on certain days travelling times may be longer than anticipated especially where there is a lot of distance to be covered. Please keep in mind that the time it takes to travel 100 km in your home country is not equivalent to the time it takes to travel 100 km on African roads, therefore we encourage you to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery Africa has to offer. Where possible additional stops will be made to ensure your travelling comfort at all times.

ACCOMMODATION

We make use of mid-range typical African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps with en-suite bathrooms. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools, restaurants and/or bar areas.

MEALS:

Where included most breakfasts and dinners will be enjoyed in the restaurants of the various accommodation establishments, however on certain nights the guide will provide an authentic meal for the group, which will be enjoyed together in the evening, often around a camp fire.  Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.

VISAS:

The onus is on the client to organize all visas required to visit Botswana & Zimbabwe prior to departure. Please note that travellers entering Botswana will be required to present a valid international health certificate of vaccination for yellow fever should they originate from or have travelled through countries which have been declared yellow fever infected areas within the preceding 6 months.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

Please note that travel and cancellation insurance is mandatory for every guest travelling with I C Africa Safaris & Tours. All insurance is solely the responsibility of our guests. Please ensure you arrange your own insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc. Please speak to your travel agent if you require assistance.

In a nutshell

• A true African experience – wild and free!
• All inclusive trip with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife.
• Victoria Falls, Moremi Game Reserve, Savuti & Chobe National Park

Why travel with IC AFRICA SAFARIS 

We understand that there are several options available to you when choosing your African safari. We also know that you want to make the most informed decision about your safari, what you get, what’s included and what you see and experience. So these are just a few of the ICA qualities and facts:

• Small groups – by travelling with a maximum of 8 people, you are able to witness Africa and have first-hand contact with this amazing continent and its people without being a negative influence. This has been a key factor in our continued success. Our trips appeal to a wide demographic of traveler. Our clients range in age from 25 to 65+ with the average being 45. The range of travelers gives a variety of perspectives which adds to the experience of each safari.

• Guaranteed departures – departure dates on each itinerary shown as bold are guaranteed departure dates. All other departures operate with a minimum of 4 clients.

• All inclusive price – when we travel ourselves, we always feel that if we’re in a country we should find and see the best it has to offer. So when planning the ICA routes we ensure that each trip provides the best inclusions and experiences. For example, if you go to Botswana – you have to visit the national parks in an open 4WD – it is the essence of the Botswana wilderness. When booking on a ICA Safari there are no hidden costs. All of the entrance fees are included, and a wide range of activities, and most meals. We have included many highlights in our tours, so that you will see and experience the highlights without having to pay extra when you get there. So when you decide on which safari company to book with, look carefully at what you’re actually getting. You may only visit a place once, make sure you get the most out of it.

• Safety – our fleet of vehicles are custom built to ensure comfortable and safe touring. Each is constructed, by an authorised passenger vehicle builder, to the latest safety requirements, with a safety shell, and every seat has a lap belt. This gives you peace of mind when travelling with ICA Safaris on the often demanding African roads.

• Solo Travellers – going it alone won’t make your holiday more expensive; our reservations staff will match you up with another same-gender traveller to keep your holiday affordable. If however you request a single room or tent these are available, with a price supplement

• Experience – we have more than 25 years’ experience planning tours throughout Southern Africa. As such, our itineraries and routes have been perfected over many years ensuring that your tour will run smoothly. We visit the highlights of Southern Africa, but ensure that you do not follow the well-trodden tourist track. All of us at ICA Safaris have extensive travel experience in Africa, and throughout the world. Being adventure travellers ourselves, we know how to plan trips that give you a broad experience of the countries that you will visit.

• Based in Africa – probably the most important part of a ICA safari is that we are an African company with offices in South Africa. We live in Africa, we travel in Africa and it is our passion for this amazing continent that makes Sunway your best travel option.

Local Payment

• There is no local payment on this tour

Recommended reading

Before you travel you might want to read any of the following books. While not specific to the ICA tour you will join, they do provide some background understanding of the countries you will be visiting.

• #1 ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (Fictional story of life in Botswana)
• Trees of the Okavango by Veronica Roodt (A reference book with traditional uses and myths)
• Okavango: Jewel of the Kalahari by Karen Ross (A comprehensive description of the Delta ecology)
• Don’t run whatever You Do by Peter Allison (A guide’s perspective of Botswana lodge life)
• Okavango: Africa’s Last Eden by Frans Lanting (A coffee table book of photography)
• Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa by Kenneth Newman
• Sasol Birds of Southern Africa by Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey, and W.R. Tarboton
• The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates by Richard D. Estes and Daniel Otte
• Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa (Field Guides) by Braam Van Wyk, Keith Coates Palgrav, and Piet Van Wyk

Shopping

• Craft shopping for carvings, batiks, paintings and clothing is best in Victoria Falls which has a wide variety of curios. Botswana has beautiful grass weavings but these are available mostly at curio shops as there are hardly any craft markets in Botswana.

Food

• The majority of meals on this safari are provided by the lodges.

Difficulty

• Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip.
• Full itinerary with a couple of long driving days. The road conditions through the wilderness areas a very poor and our progress can at times be slow and dusty. Remember to hold on at all times and enjoy the ride!

Things you should know

• Includes park entrances, game drives and the Okavango Delta excursion.
• As this tour spends a large amount of time in wildlife areas it is essential that clients adhere to the tour leaders (and local guides) instructions regarding interaction with wildlife, camp safety and game walk/drive rules.
• Your client will need a valid passport and visas for entry into Zimbabwe and Botswana.
• Luggage, please pack to a limit of 12kgs in a soft sports tog bag. Also bring daypack for walks and keeping in the vehicle. You do not need to bring a towel as the accommodation establishments will provide towels.
• We recommend that you bring Euro or US$ for personal expenses on this trip but please note that foreign currency will need to changed into Botswana Pula as shops, restaurants and market vendors only accept BWP. Expenses in Victoria Falls can be paid in US$ and major credit cards can also be used for optional activities. Traveler’s cheques can be changed in Victoria Falls, Kasane and Maun (although in Zimbabwe travellers cheques attract a very high commission). See the ICA tour dossier for approximate costs of drinks and meals etc.

Common questions about this trip

1. Can I buy camera memory cards? Memory cards and other photographic accessories will be available several times on tour. A camera with a zoom lens from wide angle to telephoto, 35-300mm, is advisable to capture both scenic and wildlife shots. Each vehicle is fitted with a 12/220V inverter  – this can be used while the vehicle is running (but will drain the vehicle battery if left plugged in), so this should only be relied on for limited charging of camera batteries and we recommend you bring a 2^nd Remember you can also charge your camera at all the accommodation.  In Moremi at Hyena Pan, there is a communal charger in the main lounge area that can be used when the generator is running.  The camp otherwise is solar powered.
2. Is it safe? Botswana is relatively safe and your guide knows the countries intimately and will endeavor to show you the best parts while looking after you. In the wild areas your guide will brief you on the necessary precautions, follow this advice and you will be fine. Be aware of your personal belongings and you will have a great trip!
3. Do I need malaria tablets? Yes, the trip passes through malaria areas and prophylactics are recommended.
4. What do I need to bring? All details are covered in our general tour briefing (available from icafrica.co.za on home page) but the basics are: – comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, flash light, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, a small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly – a sense of adventure!