The Okavango Delta and Chobe Safari

Day 1 London - In flight Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport for a direct, scheduled South African Airways flight to Johannesburg. Day 2 Johannesburg - Livingstone A short connection in Johannesburg and we are on our way to Livingstone, and the majestic Victoria Falls. Our hotel, the AVANI Victoria Falls Resort (4T) is located on the banks of that spectacular river, just a short stroll from the falls. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the excellent amenities. Day 3 Victoria Falls In November 1855, explorer and missionary Dr David Livingstone became the first European to set eyes on the extraordinary Mosi-ao-Tunya (‘smoke that thunders’), a vast curtain of water formed as the mighty Zambezi plunges more than 100m into a churning chasm, generating an echoing roar and tremendous plumes of mist. Yet for all its power, it is a bewitching spectacle - one that Livingstone, who would name it Victoria Falls, suggested ‘must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight’. Our day of discovery begins with a talk on Livingstone by a local expert and a visit to the fascinating Livingstone Museum, entrusted with an array of memorabilia and personal effects, before we continue to admire the falls themselves from a series of vantage points. And then, what better way to conclude the day than with a sundowner Zambezi cruise, keeping a look out for crocodile and hippo? Day 4 Livingstone - Chobe This morning we cross the Zambezi into Botswana and head to the wildlife-rich Chobe region, where the riverside Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge (4T) will be our home-from-home for the next two nights. And a delightful cruise along this river will likely yield plentiful sightings of hippo and elephant, along with myriad birds of the 460 distinct species that have been recorded here. Day 5 Chobe National Park Take advantage of a day at leisure to unwind in surroundings of sublime natural splendour, or head back out on an optional game drive. Wildlife-spotting on land presents a subtly different cast to a river cruise - giraffe and buffalo, for example, monkeys and baboons, warthog and antelope, along with the rarer appearance of the fearsome predators that hunt them - lion, leopard, hyena and jackal. Day 6 Chobe - Nata Further wildlife sightings are likely in the forest reserves that dot today’s journey southeast to Nata, the perfect stop-off on journeys from Chobe to the Okavango Delta. As well as the gateway to the starkly beautiful Makgadikgadi salt flats (which we may see if favourable conditions allow), Nata Sanctuary is the breeding ground for thousands of pelicans and flamingos, which transform the Nata delta shoreline into a bewitching haze of pink. We stay at Nata Lodge (4T), ideally situated close to the entrance of the sanctuary. Day 7 Nata - Okavango Delta A morning’s drive away is Maun, another ‘gateway’, this time to the unique and wonderful Okavango Delta. This complex environment of waterscapes - the ‘river that never reaches the sea’ - comprises up to 16,000km² of lagoons, channels and islands; a freshwater oasis which attracts a mesmerising array of exotic animals, including the elusive Sitatunga antelope, and birds, from the African fish eagle to Pel’s fishing owl. We begin our waterborne exploration early afternoon and stop at an island bush camp for lunch. Then it is safari all the way as we glide serenely along the waterways of the delta, looking out for the ‘big five’ along with numerous other characterful creatures great and small. For the next two nights, we stay in the heart of the Okavango Delta, in comfortable ‘Meru’ tented camps. Day 8 Okavango Delta One of the great pleasures of a stay in the Okavango Delta region is that it offers such a variety of wildlife viewing perspectives - as well as river cruises, walking safaris reveal its natural bounty. So a selection of activities is available today, depending on the preference of our small group. Perhaps we’ll explore our island on foot, being sure to stay downwind of its more exotic inhabitants for the most thrillingly ‘up close’ encounters. Or perhaps set sail among the channels of the delta once again, for the most relaxed safari experience. The day concludes, in traditional style, with sundowners, a delicious dinner and romantic camp fire. Day 9 Mogothlo/Khwai area We continue this morning to the Mogothlo/Khwai area, located just on the outskirts of the Okavango Delta, but no less rich in wildlife. Our base for three nights is Mogothlo Safari Lodge (3T+) or Khwai camp (3T+). Day 10 Mogothlo/Khwai area We spend this morning in further exploration of this beautiful area, with more memorable encounters assured, and relax in the afternoon. Day 11 Mogothlo/Khwai area We rise bright and early today and set off for a full day’s game drive in Moremi Game Reserve. A packed lunch is included, as we spend as much time as we can in search of wildlife. Famously wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve, set aside as a sanctuary by the local BaTawana people, comprises part of the Okavango Delta and the plains to its east - nearly 5,000km² of pristine and diverse wilderness. Hyena patrol the waterways, which also play host to elephant and the elusive red lechwe antelope in dry season. On the savannah roam buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, lion and cheetah. Preferring the dense acacia forests are giraffe, leopard and African wild dogs. And, of course, there are birds galore - 500 species, from the saddle-billed storks and kingfishers of the wetlands to shy forest dwellers such as Bradfield’s hornbill and the arrow-marked babbler. Day 12 Mogothlo/Khwai area - Maun - Johannesburg - In flight We enjoy one final game drive en route to Maun, from which we fly to Johannesburg and connect with our direct, scheduled South African Airways flight to London. Day 13 London Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.