Experience a nostalgic, turn-of-the-century camping / lodge safari that recreates the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers.

At the turn of the century, explorers and adventurers made their leisurely way along the dusty paths of Africa, allowing the great continent to seep into their souls. This guided mobile safari takes time to experience and explore Botswana’s contrasts and extremes in prime areas where few guests travel. From the lushly vegetated wetlands of the Okavango Delta set in the parched Kalahari Desert to the diverse and game-productive Linyanti and Chobe River systems and then onto the mighty Victoria Falls, a cascading curtain of water on one of Africa’s largest rivers, the Zambezi.

The spacious walk-in tents create a sense of connection to the Earth and nature, enhancing the view and the feeling of the wild and untamed.

The style of accommodation in the private Discoverer camps (Khwai and Linyanti),  takes you back to the era of Africa’s exploration. Pure linen, comfortable beds, separate flushing toilets and shower areas all combine to create and atmosphere of understated elegance.  

Discoverer camping aims to bring you closer to nature, by means of a lively campfire, hurricane lanterns, wide-ranging activities and a warm atmosphere complimenting the comfort and added luxury of the lodges visited. Discoverer camps are specifically outfitted to ensure that old-style camping feel with a clear emphasis on necessary and stylishly comfortable interiors, creating a peerless wilderness experience.

Guides: The entire safari is guided and hosted by a trained professional guide, who shares his in-depth knowledge to create a seamless safari experience.

Itinerary

The Itinerary starts in Maun, Botswana

Light aircraft transfer from Maun to Jacana Camp

Jacana Camp – 3 Nights

Jacana Camp is situated in a private concession in the Okavango Delta. The Delta represents life at its most fertile: abundant water, sunlight and soil combine to form a paradise bursting with life. Jacana is a true water camp, it represents the essence of the Delta, with year-round mokoro safaris as well as island bush walks and game drives and, water level permitting, motorboat cruises.

Jacana Camp is set in one of the wetland areas most densely populated with sitatunga and red lechwe. Wildlife concentrations depend on the water flow and volume, thus changing from season to season, but all the large animals can be found in the area including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. Pel’s Fishing Owl is a favourite amongst birders as well as Greater and Lesser Jacanas.

Jacana Camp has 5 Meru-style tents. Each tent is on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains and has an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and shower. The bathroom is enclosed but roofless, allowing for showers by starlight. The camp has a plunge pool for cooling off from the midday sun. The main dining area is on an elevated wooden deck between two magnificent sycamore fig trees and surrounded by dense wild date palms. Downstairs, there is a cosy pub and lounge with an area perfect for an open fire under the stars.

Light aircraft transfer from Jacana Camp to Khwai Camp

Khwai Camp – 3 Nights

The Khwai Concession is one of the most diverse areas in northern Botswana which seldom disappoints when it comes to producing extraordinary wildlife experiences. The life source for this area is the Khwai River – the northernmost “finger” of the Okavango Delta alluvial fan, which provides vital sustenance to numerous animals.

Over time, the Khwai area has a wide range of exciting wildlife habitats – some of the most varied to be found in the entire Okavango Delta: a blend of forests, floodplain, wetland and grasslands. The narrow Khwai Channel is home to many large animals such as hippo and crocodile with buffalo and red lechwe often seen grazing along the fringe. The beautiful gallery riverine woodland found along the river provides further sanctuary to birds, primates and leopard. Elusive roan antelope often come down to drink.

Away from the river there is a wonderful mix of acacia and leadwood trees of varying sizes that abutting mopane woodland. The latter, together with the permanent presence of water, attracts large numbers of elephant to the area. Larger predators include lion, wild dog and spotted hyena, while birdlife found here is just as varied thanks to the colorful palette of habitats.

Each of the meru style tents are airy and designed to recreate the accommodation style of the early explorers, offering en-suite separate toilet and shower areas. Positioned in a shady grove of trees, your tent offers all the necessary comforts without detracting from the feeling of being in the wilderness.  Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mokoro excursions.

Light aircraft transfer to Linyanti Discoverer Camp

Linyanti Discoverer Camp – 3 Nights

The landscape of the Linyanti varies from floodplains to open dry land savannah and forest with sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. Activities include game drives in the private northern sector of the concession, exploring a range of habitats, from riverbanks to scrub and forest, which reveal a myriad of wildlife en route to slake their thirst from the river. The seldom-seen sitatunga can also be spotted in the waterways, as well as rare game such as roan and sable antelope and of course their predators, lion and leopard – with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus.

The camp is elegantly set up under African ebony and knobthorn acacia trees overlooking panoramic vistas of the Linyanti Swamps. Each of the five permanently located tents has spacious interiors with en suite facilities, hot and cold running water and flush toilets. Two single beds, bedside tables with electric lamps, standing cupboards and a writing desk provide everything you need to enjoy your stay at Linyanti Discoverer Camp. A shaded veranda with directors chairs makes for a perfect place to sit and watch the lagoon and floodplains from the comfort of your own tent.
 
Light aircraft transfer to Chobe National Park

Chobe River boat cruise, Chobe National Park

This area is famous for its vast herds of elephants in the dry season and other unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river in the hottest hours of the day. Enjoy a light lunch on the boat cruise in a catamaran-style shaded boat.

Light aircraft transfer to Toka Leya Camp

Toka Leya Camp, Zambia – 1 night

Toka Leya Camp is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in the eastern sector of the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, some 12km up from the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Accommodation consists of 12 safari-style tents, each en-suite with a view of the magnificent Zambezi River. The camp’s dining and bar area is under a canopy of trees overlooking the river and a sparkling swimming pool.

The grand finale is a guided tour of the Victoria Falls. At 1708 metres wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 metres into the sheer Batoka Gorge.

The Safari ends in Livingstone, Zambia  
(Please note this safari  does operate in both directions)