Day 1: Depart New York

En Route

Depart this evening on South African Airways' non-stop, overnight flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2: Arrive Johannesburg

Michelangelo Hotel

Arrive Johannesburg International Airport this afternoon. You are met and transferred to your hotel in the elegant suburb of Sandton, a stylish area with luxury hotels and exclusive specialty shops. Your deluxe hotel has an indoor, heated swimming pool with sundeck and a steam bath. There is also a health and fitness center in the hotel. Balance of the day and evening are at leisure to relax and rest from your journey. Dinner is on your own. Overnight: The Michelangelo Hotel

Day 3: Johannesburg/Maun/Linyanti

Selinda Camp

After breakfast you are met and transferred back to Johannesburg International Airport for your Air Botswana flight to Maun, the center of Botswana's most important safari region. Upon arrival in Maun at midday, you are met and escorted to your scheduled charter flight to Selinda Camp located in the Linyanti region, northeast of the Okavango Delta and northwest of the Savute. Selinda is situated on the Selinda Spillway where the Linyanti, Kwando and Savuti Rivers meet, in the Chobe Forest Reserve - 256 kms from Kasane. Here is a floodplain with palm islands, riverine forests and lagoons. The camp has 6 spacious tents (12 people maximum) with many screened windows for coolness and en-suite toilet and bucket shower (hot water) and basin facilities. The main building containing the dining room and bar is also tented with reed-walled lounge/reading area. Lighting is by solar power. Game viewing is taken in open safari vehicles (night and day) and on foot with a guide. The area is home to crocodile, hippo, sitatunga, lechwe, elephant, buffalo, lion and spotted hyena. This region is prolific in bird life. Daily laundry service is included; drinks are additional. Overnight: Selinda Camp (B,L,D)

Days 4-5: Linyanti

Selinda Camp

You have a two full days to enjoy Selinda Camp with morning and afternoon/evening game viewing activities arranged for you daily. Overnight: Selinda Camp (B,L,D)

Day 6: Linyanti/Okavango Delta

Kwara Camp

Today you transfer by light aircraft scheduled charter flight to Kwara Camp, situated in a private concession on the northeastern edge of the Okavango Delta. From the hippo-filled lagoon in front of the camp, to the grassy floodplain teeming with red lechwe surrounding the camp, you see a variety of bird and animal life. There are four comfortably furnished walk-in Meru tents on raised teak platforms, all with en suite facilities and private balconies. The bathrooms are open air for those wanting the African feel but there is a roll up roof cover for those who prefer some privacy. Gas geysers in each bathroom ensure piping hot water at the turn of a tap. The dining room/bar area is also on a raised teak platform and has a view over the surrounding lagoon and flood plains. Activities center mainly around game drives in the morning, afternoon and early evening in open safari vehicles, although half day trips by mokoro, walks on the nearby islands, sundowner cruises and fishing are also available. The wildlife is good in this area and includes lion, elephant, reedbuck, zebra, hippo and sometimes, wild dog. Drinks and laundry are included. Overnight: Kwara Camp (B,L,D)

Days 7-8: Okavango Delta

Kwara Camp

You have a two full days to enjoy the Okavango experience ­ seeing a wide diversity of water-adapted animals, and taking game drives in the open savannah. Along with the bigger game, there is abundant bird life. From African Fish Eagles to Pel's Fishing Owl to various species of kingfisher, bee-eater, heron, stork and warbler, this is a birder's dream. Overnight: Kwara Camp (B,L,D)

Day 9: Okavango Delta/Moremi Game Reserve

Chitabe Camp

Depart camp this morning by light aircraft scheduled charter flight to Moremi Game Reserve and your next camp. Chitabe Camp is located in an enormous private concession which is bordered on three sides by the Moremi Game Reserve. The area is surrounded by waterways and lagoons where a variety of wildlife can be seen. Guests are accommodated in eight spacious East African styled tents, built on an elevated wooden deck under a tree canopy. An interesting note about Chitabe is that a portion of the accommodation charges for each guest goes towards a Wild Dog Conservation Fund which Chitabe has established. Dr. J. W. (Tico) McNutt began the Botswana Wild Dog Research Project in 1989, and a study area of approximately 3,000 square kilometers was established. Chitabe lies within the study area, which is home to an average of 160 wild dogs in 10-12 packs. If luck is with you, you have the opportunity to see some of these rare and fascinating creatures. Overnight: Chitabe Camp (B,L,D)

Days 10-11: Moremi National Reserve

Chitabe Camp

Moremi is one of Botswana's most scenic reserves and you have two full day to enjoy it. Activities at Chitabe consist of morning, afternoon and night drives in open 4X4 vehicles. You may also take a nature walk accompanied by an experienced guide. You spend your time traversing the floodplains and open woodlands by vehicle or on foot in search of wild dog, leopard, lion and birds such as the Meyer's Parrot and Wattled Crane. Overnight: Chitabe Camp (B,L,D)

Days 12-13: Moremi/Kasane/Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Depart the bush today by scheduled air transfer to Kasane Airport. Here you are met by your driver and transferred by road to Victoria Falls. Your hotel for the next two nights is the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, just 4 kilometers from the Victoria Falls. It is situated on a plateau that forms a natural boundary to the Zambezi National Park. The lodge offers 66 twin/double bedrooms and 6 luxury suites, all with superb views from private balconies. Each room has an ensuite bathroom with bath and shower. The rooms are well appointed with all the amenities; hairdryer, telephone, safety deposit box, ceiling fan and mosquito nets. There are two swimming pools, two restaurants, a bar, curio shop and library. The lodge offers regular complimentary shuttle service to town and the Falls.
 
Victoria Falls is the largest and perhaps the most beautiful falls in the world. Here the Zambezi River is over a mile wide and plunges into a vertical abyss across its entire width. The force of the falling water sends spray clouds high into the air, giving rise to the African name of the falls, "Mosi oa Tunya", meaning the smoke that thunders. The falls, when seen by David Livingstone in 1855, were named by him for Queen Victoria, and he is said to have written in his diary that "scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in flight". There are many optional activities available to you while in Victoria Falls. You can take a whitewater rafting or canoeing trip on the Zambezi, fly over the falls by either fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter, take a hike with elephants at nearby Elephant Camp. Or, you can simply relax and enjoy your surroundings and spend some time shopping in the market or the numerous shops in town. Lunch and dinner are on your own. Overnight: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (B)

Day 14: Victoria Falls/Johannesburg/Depart

En Route

The morning is free for last minute shopping or sightseeing. In the early afternoon, you are transferred to the airport for the departure of your South African Airways to Johannesburg, connecting with your onward South African Airways flight to New York. (B,L)

Day 16: Arrive New York

En Route

Arrive New York's JFK International Airport this morning where you clear US customs formalities. Welcome Home!

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Accommodations at deluxe hotels, lodges and camps as noted, or similar.
• All airport/hotel transfers on a private basis.
• Breakfast in Johannesburg, all meals while on safari as specified by (B), (B,L), (B,L,D); B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
• Twice daily game viewing activities while on safari. Game drives are conducted in open 4X4 vehicles. You may share a vehicle with other camp guests. Note: If you prefer a private vehicle, this can be arranged at an additional cost.
• Services of professional game rangers and guides while on safari.
• National Park Fees for all game viewing.
• Laundry service at Selinda; drinks and laundry at Kwara Camp; local drinks at Chitabe.
• Scheduled charter air transfers by light aircraft within Botswana as shown in the itinerary.
• MARS ­ medical evacuation coverage in Botswana.
• Comprehensive safari preparation and planning.

SORRY, NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Airport departure taxes.
• Gratuities to drivers, guides, game rangers, trackers, and camp staff.
• All items of a personal nature such as excess baggage fees, communication fees such as telephone/fax, room service, beverages, mineral water and laundry except where noted as included; incidental expenses at hotels/lodges/camps, etc.
• Meals other than those specified.
• Any touring or other services not specified.
• Passport and visa fees.
• Travel insurance/trip cancellation.
• International airfare and regional flights on Air Botswana.