Magnificent Moremi - 10 Days

Luxury Mobile Camping through the Khwai Concession, Moremi Game Reserve (Mboma Island and Xakanaxa Area)

Day 1.2.3.4

KHWAI CONCESSION

Bordering Moremi Game Reserve

A representative of John Chase Safaris will meet you on arrival in Maun, and we have scheduled a light aircraft charter flight to Khwai. The 20 minute flight gives you the opportunity to view the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, sightings of elephant, giraffe, zebra and buffalo are common from the air. It is approximately 1 hours drive to the camp, with game-viewing en-route. The campsite is located outside the national park boundary in a private concession area known as Khwai, and there are no fences to restrict the movement of animals. Activities include bush walks and night drives – which are not allowed in Botswana’s National Parks. Here at Khwai, a long bridge constructed entirely out of Mopane poles, forms a picturesque entrance to the reserve for visitors arriving from the north. This bridge, which rattles and shakes as vehicles pass over it, is one of the most photographed structures in the northern area of Botswana. The vegetation varies from stands of Leadwood to open grasslands, and the Khwai river provides water to the resident lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, elephant, buffalo, zebra, hippo and giraffe that are all found here.

The JCS supply team travels ahead to set up camp. Activities will be scheduled as per your preferences, including game drives, nature walks, and night drives. We have an early light breakfast, and then head out on our morning activity, returning for a hearty brunch. Then there is a short siesta time to relax, and your showers are filled with warm water at your request, usually in the afternoon, as the morning breeze can be quite cold. As the midday hours are very hot, most of the animals retreat to the shade and are harder to spot during this time

After tea we embark on the afternoon game drive. As the sun sets on the African savannah, we enjoy sundowners and head back to camp for dinner. Three course meals are cooked over an open fire and dinner is served either in the marquee tent or under the stars. The evening is spent around the fire listening to the sounds of the wild, discussing the events of the day.

Day 5

MOREMI GAME RESERVE

Mboma Island

After Breakfast we enter the game reserve, and travel to the Mboma Island boat station. We are met by our boat driver, and taken to our exclusive, isolated island camp. The trip will take between 1 and 3 hours depending on which island we camp. We stop for a picnic lunch on the way, or if time is short, we picnic on the boat. Dinner is served under the stars, surrounded by the wildness of the Okavango, and the chorus of the reed frogs.

Part of the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve covers a variety of habitats including permanent swamp, seasonally swamped areas as well as dry land. The fauna and flora of the area differ immensely from the wet swampland to the dry Mopane belts. To see the Delta by boat is an amazing experience, and the bird life can be incredible. Spending the night in a private island campsite is an event not to be missed!

Day 6.7.8.9

MOREMI GAME RESERVE

Xakanaxa Area

We enjoy a light breakfast on the island and then board the boat for the return journey to the boat station where our vehicle awaits. The morning is spent game-viewing on our way to Xakanaxa, our base for the next 4 nights.

Moremi Game Reserve is completely surrounded by either company owned or community based wildlife management areas. It is accessible by both road and by air with landing strips in both Xakanaxa and Khwai. The road conditions in Moremi vary drastically; the roads can very sandy in places particularly around Xakanaxa and Third Bridge areas during the dry season and in the wet season entire sections of road may be under water. During the rains, in the Mopane John Chase Safaris – Magnificent Moremi

woodlands the water puddles in the road, making it practically inaccessible, the end result can be driving in water so deep it flows over the bonnet of a Toyota Land Cruiser!

The reserve enjoys a wide diversity of habitat and is well known for the height of the trees in the mopane tongue, which covers the central area. Birdlife is prolific and varied, ranging from water birds to shy forest dwellers. Elephants are numerous, particularly during the dry season, as well as a range of other wildlife species from buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hyaena, jackal and the full range of antelope, large and small, including the red lechwe. Wild dog, whose numbers are so rapidly dwindling elsewhere, are regularly sighted in the Moremi and have been subject to a project being run in the area since 1989 so these animals are often seen wearing collars placed on them by the researchers. It is claimed that the Moremi area contains about thirty percent of all remaining wild dog.

After a hearty breakfast in camp, we return to the airstrip, to meet your charter flight to Maun, game driving en-route if time permits.

Further Information

Mobile Camp Description
John Chase camps consist of spacious meru tents with twin beds, fitted with sheets, blankets and warm duvets. The bathroom is ensuite, with a bush bucket shower, and a “long drop” toilet. A fibre-glass base sits over a deep hole, providing a toilet seat and we supply a bucket with ashes and a scoop to maintain a clean environment.
Mboma Island boat station, is a pre-erected island camp consisting of dome tents equipped with bedrolls with linen, battery lights with external shower and toilet tents. There is one toilet and one shower which are shared between every two tents. As there is a limit on how much equipment is allowed on the island, the island night is very rustic but still comfortable.

Game Viewing
Game drives are conducted in open sided 4 x 4 vehicles ensuring maximum visibility.

Rates include:
 Meet and Greet at Maun Airport
 Air Charter Maun to Khwai Airstrip
 Vehicle transfer to the campsite
 All meals and beverages
 Accommodation for 4 nights in ensuite meru tents in the Khwai Concession
 Vehicle and boat transfer to an Island in the Okavango Delta
 Accommodation for 1 night in Dome tents, with shared toilets/showers
 Boat and vehicle transfer back to Moremi Game Reserve
 Accommodation for 4 nights in ensuite meru tents in the Moremi Game Reserve
 Charter flight from Moremi to Maun Airport
 All National Park Fees and Camping Fees in Botswana
 All meals and beverages (mineral water, soft drinks, beer, local wines and spirits)
 Daily Laundry Service when there no water restrictions

Rates exclude:
 International flights to and from Maun
 Any extra activities not mentioned on original itinerary and quote.
 Rates quoted for guests are from midday on date of arrival to after breakfast (leaving camp latest 8.30am). This is to avoid additional Park fees due to strict Park regulations. Guests wishing to arrive/depart before or after these stated times will be liable for additional Government Park and Guides fees.
 Tips and gratuities for guides and staff