June 03, 2009

Spectacular Honeymoon in Botswana

Honeymoon Safari in Spectacular Botswana
(8 nights / 9 day itinerary)

A Honeymoon in Botswana is the ultimate romantic getaway. Your days will be spent on safari exploring the wild, pristine wilderness of Africa and your evenings will be filled with romance - exclusive private candlelit dinners under the African stars, right in the heart of the African bush. Desert & Delta Safaris have intimate, small and exclusive lodges, allowing for personalized service and attention to the smallest detail. Lodge staff are passionate and committed to making your dream African honeymoon a reality that will be cherished for a lifetime.


Highlights: To celebrate your honeymoon Lathita have included a number of unique experiences to enhance your African safari:- Upgrade to Honeymoon Suite with own private plunge pool at Chobe Game Lodge - Candlelit dinner on your private deck at Savute Safari Lodge - Enjoy a romantic dinner for two on Xugana Island’s famous floating deck, under the diamond studded skies over the Okavango Delta.- A memorable tree planting ceremony where you will plant your own tree. A plaque with your names will be placed on the tree.

Honeymoon Safari in Spectacular Botswana
Botswana Safari - Honeymoon Safaris - Chobe Safaris


Day 1 to 3 - The Chobe

Upon your arrival at Livingstone or Victoria Falls Airport, you will be met and welcomed by a representative from Chobe Game Lodge. You will be transferred by road to the Lodge, where you will spend two nights. Experience this legendary lodge made famous by Richard Burton and Elisabeth Taylor who celebrated their second wedding at Chobe Game Lodge.
After settling into your luxurious Honeymoon Suite, you will have time to freshen up and relax. Enjoy a delicious lunch served on the terrace restaurant overlooking the Chobe River.Set out on your afternoon game activity - a sundowner cruise on the magnificent Chobe River or an exciting game drive exploring the Chobe area. Sunset Cruises are spectacular as you will be able to view wildlife that congregates at the water’s edge and enjoy a spectacular African sunset.The Chobe National Park is famous for its huge herds of elephant and buffalo and magnificent star-gazing. Your professional guide will be happy to show you the African skies, explaining the stars while sharing local folklore.
Chobe Game Lodge facilities include a riverside boma where traditional dancers perform, a large swimming pool, a stylish cigar bar with an outside terrace overlooking the Chobe River. Chobe Game Lodge also has wildlife reference library with lounge and terrace.
Should you wish to pamper yourself whilst on honeymoon, you can schedule an appointment with the in-house beautician.


Day 3 to 5 - The Savute

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before you transfer to Kasane Airport. Depart on your scheduled charter flight to Savute Safari Lodge, situated inside the world renowned Chobe National Park, where you will stay for two nights. Savute is known for its incredible predator activity and abundance of wildlife.A handful of small pans sustain Savute's thousands of animals with a permanent, yet fragile, water source. On your game drive, experience magnificent bull Elephants shuffling past you as you sit in your open vehicle. All drives are led by professional guides who have incredible knowledge of the Savuti area.
Savute Safari Lodge has 12 twin-bedded luxury wood, thatch and glass safari suites, well-suited to the hot and dry conditions. The suites have spacious interiors, glass sliding doors, private viewing decks and en-suite bathrooms.
Facilities at Savute Safari Lodge include a lounge, library and cocktail bar, which are situated in the exquisite thatch and timber main building. A viewing deck is ideal for watching game at the water hole. A swimming pool on a raised wooden teak deck overlooks the channel. After a day out in African bush, cool off with a dip in the plunge pool or sip a cocktail on the viewing deck.
Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner on your private deck. As the sun sets, you will watch animals drinking at the water holes situated in front of camp. Listen to the sounds of the African night as you enjoy your delicious meal.


Day 5 to 7 - The Okavango Delta

After an early morning activity and breakfast at Savute Safari Lodge, you will connect with a light aircraft for your flight to Xugana Island Lodge, where you will stay for two nights.Xugana Lagoon is in the permanent Delta, a world of crystal clear waterways winding through vast reed and papyrus beds and opening onto tranquil lagoons. Located in a private concession, Xugana is a true water -based camp.Xugana Island Lodge has only eight chalets which are raised on wooden decks. Each chalet has en-suite bathrooms and private decks which overlook the lagoon. Xugana Lagoon offers magnificent African sunsets.
The lodge has an open boma and outdoor dining area. The lounge, bar and dining areas are set back under an Ebony and African Mangosteen tree canopy. The swimming pool, in the centre of the island is a perfect place to relax.
After a delicious lunch, you depart on your afternoon game activity. Enjoy a boat cruise and even try your hand at some fishing for bream and tiger fish. Enjoy tranquil mokoro trips in eco-friendly dugout canoes, combined with adrenaline pumping walks on surrounding lagoons and islands in the concession.
A romantic dinner for two on the famous floating deck, with a magnificent sunset view, will leave you with everlasting memories of the Okavango Delta.


Day 7 to 9 - The Kalahari and Makgadikgadi


Enjoy a morning activity before departing on your scheduled charter flight to the desert location of Leroo La Tau, where you will spend two nights. Leroo La Tau is built on 15m high cliffs above the dry Boteti River which gives guests opportunities for spectacular wildlife sightings from this raised vantage point.The main reception and lounge areas sit high on the cliffs overlooking the Boteti Riverbed and the sweeping scrub and grasslands of the Makgadikgadi.
Luxury glass and thatch chalets on individual raised wooden platforms provide unsurpassed views over the dry riverbed and grassy plains.
From the pool you can watch the herds of zebra and wildebeest that congregate to drink from the waterhole. View animals on day and night game drives and perhaps see Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Brown and Spotted Hyena and maybe even the rare White Rhino.
Take part in a memorable tree planting ceremony where you will plant your own tree. A unique gesture where you will contribute to the preservation of the natural environment in Africa - for present and future generations.


Day 9 - Departure
After a morning activity and breakfast, you will be transferred from Leroo La Tau to Maun Airport for your onward arrangements. Unforgettable memories, newfound friendships and the promise of a return journey to Botswana ever close to your heart.


Botswana Safari - Honeymoon Safaris - Chobe Safaris

8 nights accommodation (2 nights Chobe Game Lodge, 2 nights Savute Safari Lodge, 2 nights Xugana Island Lodge, 2 nights Leroo La Tau)- Suite upgrade at Chobe Game lodge- Private dinner at Savute Safari Lodge- Private floating deck dinner at Xugana Island Lodge- Tree planting ceremony at Leroo La Tau - All meals as specified - Airport departure tax at Kasane Airport- Scheduled activities - All soft drinks and local brand beverages - National Park entrance fees- Laundry services - Medical evacuation insurance- Scheduled charter flights & road transfers as specified (KASANE to MAUN or MAUN to KASANE)
Excluded
- Meals other than specified- Premium brand drinks- Gratuities- Sightseeing and activities other than specified. - Visa fees- Travel insurance- Flights & airport taxes


Travel between lodges

Flying is an integral part of your Botswana safari and is a unique way to experience the area you are visiting from the air. Part of the experience of visiting Desert & Delta Safaris’ lodges, is the journey between camps.
We offer a fully integrated private air charter service, operated by our sister company Safari Air. Safari Air operates single engine Airvan’s, Cessna 206s, 207s, 210s, Cessna Caravans. We have a compliment of pilots originating from all over the world including countries such as New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and Botswana. All our pilots hold Botswana Commercial Pilots Licenses together with Commercial Pilots Licenses for their country of origin.
Unless you have booked a private air charter, your flight transfers will be booked as a "seat on plane" basis. Flight times are arranged according to each day's requirements and to fit in with activities, thus the plane may pick up and drop off other guest’s en-route to your destination. Times therefore vary from day to day and will be communicated to you the afternoon before departure. Flights to Kasane for the Chobe lodges and for Victoria Falls/Livingstone depart early to meet the scheduled road transfers. Therefore early morning activities for guests departing on these flights are curtailed.
Private charters can be arranged, in which case you will be the only guests in the plane and you may specify your departure times. We are happy to quote separately for this.

The Safari Experience

A typical safari day...
06h00 Wake up call 06h15 Early morning tea/coffee and a light breakfast. 06h30 Depart for early morning game activity; game drives, walking, boat activities. Cold drinks, coffee and tea served half way through the activity. 10h30 Return to the lodge to freshen up and relax.11h00 Buffet brunch is served after which your time is free for relaxation. Enjoy time around the pool and other facilities that the lodge offers. 15h30 High tea/coffee, cake & savoury snacks. 16h00 Afternoon game activity with sundowners in a scenic location 19h00 Return to the lodge 20h00 Pre dinner drinks with snacks in the bar followed by an a la carte or table d'hote dinner. 21h00 Drinks/coffee/ liquors around the boma/campfire.
Please note all times are approximate, depending on the game sightings and seasonality.
At the lodges our vehicles either open Toyota Land Cruisers carrying a maximum of 7 people or Land Rovers carrying a maximum of 9 people. All Land Cruisers have individual buckets seats while the Land Rover have bench seats. All vehicles have a removable canvas roof which is important for the hot African days. Smoking is not permitted in any of our safari vehicles, but is allowed in sections of the lodges.
Safari activities
Chobe Game Lodge offers game drives conducted in open four-wheel drive vehicles, normally early morning and late afternoon. There are also excursions in motorboats and sunset cruises on the Chobe River. Professional guides or a environmentalist offer star gazing on the stargazing deckSavute Safari Lodge offers daily game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles in the Savute area of the Chobe National Park, including the Savute Marsh. A visit to Gubatsa Hills and ancient San rock paintings is also available.Xugana Island Lodge offers Mokoro trips in eco-friendly dugout canoes built to the traditional design, boat safaris to lagoons and islands and wilderness walks. Bream and Tiger Fishing can be excellent at certain times of the year. Birdwatching is excellent throughout the year.Leroo La Tau offers day and night game drives in open 4 x 4 safari vehicles.
Guides and Staff
Desert & Delta Safaris were established in Botswana in 1982 and today we are fortunate to have many long-serving staff in our employ. All of our guides are local Batswana, recruited from nearby villages. As many of them have grown up in wilderness areas, they have an intimate knowledge of the wildlife and ecology of Botswana. Many of the staff have been with us from trainee level right through to fully qualified guides.John Kata of Camp Okavango is our longest serving guide – he has been with us since the company was established in 1982.