Chobe National Park | Okavango Delta
Beyond Average Birding in Botswana
Curated for a keen birder and their not-so-keen birding partner
Brought to you in partnership with
JOIN JUST 12 GUESTS ON THIS LIMITED EDITION SET-DEPARTURE
EXCEPTIONAL BIRDING & WILDLIFE VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES
AN ARRAY OF EXCITING EXPERIENCES FOR ALL TO ENJOY
TRIAL YOUR FAVOURITE SWAROVSKI OPTIKS PRODUCT FOR USE THROUGHOUT
HOSTED BY A SPECIALIST BIRDING GUIDE FROM START TO END
Daryl Dell
Growing up on a horse, cattle and sheep farm in South Africa’s Great Karoo, Daryl was always fated to become a naturalist. From a young age, he would spend entire days walking in the bush, fascinated by animal tracks, skulls, feathers and dung, he was destined to become a ranger.
With a guiding career at &BEYOND Phinda Private Game Reserve for almost 20 years, including the title of Head Ranger and now Private Guide…
See the unseen
Trial your favourite SWAROVSKI OPTIK product
What better way to enjoy a prized birding expedition than with the opportunity to use one of the world’s most sought-after pairs of binoculars? Enjoy the use of a pair of SWAROVSKI OPTIK binoculars, which will allow you to view the most intricate of details.
You will have the opportunity to choose your favourite SWAROVSKI OPTIK product, which will be sent to your home prior to departure, so that you can familiarise yourself with the equipment beforehand, trial it for the duration of your journey and have the option to purchase it on your return if you would like to keep it.
NL 10×32 BURNT ORANGE
Groundbreaking optical performance – packed into the smallest possible package: the NL Pure 32 accompanies you wherever you may go for unprecedented viewing experiences.
NL 8×32 GREEN
Keep the overview. The 8x magnification in combination with the enormous field of view lets you completely immerse yourself in nature – even during the late hours of the night.
CL 8×30 ANTHRACITE
You’ll never miss out with the new CL Companion. These elegant binoculars with impressive optics fit perfectly in your hand. They are always with you to ensure you make the most of every sighting.
Your journey at a glance
This adventure sets of in search of incredible wildlife, spectacular landscapes and, of course, the iconic birds of Botswana.
Truly not to be missed for avid birders; this 9-day, limited edition itinerary offers everything an avian enthusiast (as well as their non-birding partner) could expect from an African adventure. Hosted by &BEYOND specialist birding and safari guide, Daryl Dell, you and your partner can enjoy interpretive sightings, luxury accommodation and the opportunity to unwind amidst the awe-inspiring surrounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Okavango Delta.
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Your journey begins in Chobe National Park, Botswana’s first national park which boasts the biggest concentration of wildlife in Africa. Famous for its large concentration of elephant and buffalo, which congregate along the Chobe River, Chobe National Park offers adventures such as game drives, private river cruises and exceptional photographic opportunities. Your accommodation will be at Chobe Game Lodge situated within the park.
A veritable paradise for birdwatchers, the iconic Okavango Delta is a maze of sparkling lagoons, meandering waterways and overgrown islands teeming with wildlife. Stay at our much loved &BEYOND Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp, nestled deep in the heart of Botswana’s game-rich Okavango Delta. Be captivated by approximately 450 bird species, including the elusive Pel’s fishing owl and enjoy gliding along the Delta’s reed-lined network of channels and lagoons in a mokoro (dugout canoe) and come within a breath of resident and visiting wildlife. Experience the Delta on foot and feel at one with nature as you observe and learn from your guide who expertly interprets the signs and sounds of the bush and twice-daily game drives tracking the iconic Big Five and other wildlife.
Your epic birding adventure culminates at &BEYOND Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp boasting breathtaking views of both mature mopane woodlands and seasonally flooded grasslands. You have the priceless opportunity to discover myriad wildlife wonders of this diverse land-water Okavango location. Explore the thrilling wildlife diversity of this large private concession on exclusive morning and afternoon game drives that continue after sunset. The varied landscape also lends itself to a wealth of bird species.
An unforgettable journey awaits you here.
Keep your eyes peeled, cameras charged, and binoculars at the ready. Let’s go birding!
3 nights Chobe National Park | 5 nights Okavango Delta
*There is the option to extend this itinerary with either three nights at Victoria Falls Hotel Zimbabwe, &BEYOND Benguerra Island in Mozambique, &BEYOND Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia or &BEYOND Ngala Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.
TAILORMAKE YOUR STAY
Talk to one of our travel specialists to tailormake your stay to any of our destinations
A taste of what to expect…
Arrival in Chobe National Park
- Upon arrival at Kasane Airport, you will make your own way to the arrivals hall where you will be welcomed by a member of our &BEYOND team.
- You will be driven to Chobe Game Lodge sprawling on the Chobe National Park Riverfront, where you will begin your extraordinary safari experience in Botswana.
- Home to an impressive 450 recorded bird species, game drive and boating adventures along the river will provide the perfect foil.
- Chobe Game Lodge has introduced four electric-powered game drive vehicles for a more immersive, carbon-emission free safari.
- In the evening, get to know the rest of your group and enjoy a dinner and briefing with your host Daryl Dell (specialist &BEYOND birding guide).
For the Birders
- As you explore Chobe National Park, keep your binoculars at the ready for sightings of broad-tailed paradise whydah, orange-winged pytilia, slaty egret, three-banded courser, white-fronted bee-eater, and marabou stork.
For the Non-Birders
- Game drives are conducted by expert guides in open-sided 4×4 vehicles. The Chobe River and its floodplains provide an irresistible attraction for wildlife, which congregates there during the dry season. Vast herds of elephant abound, with between 500 and 5 000 elephant frequently seen on the floodplains. Lion, spotted hyena, red lechwe, puku, zebra, sable and roan can also be seen.
Chobe National Park
- Today, you will start your adventure together on a solar-electric powered safari boat safari on Botswana’s renowned Chobe River and then in the afternoon, the group will split where the birders and non-birders go off on different game drive adventures.
- The ‘skimmer boats’ seat up to 12 guests in comfortable, movable deck chairs on a flat and stable platform. Elephant line the water’s edge, hippo congregate in lagoons, hundreds of antelope and giraffe make their way to the water and sightings of predators along the river banks are common.
For the Birders
- This afternoon, head out in safari vehicles and enjoy potential sightings of specials such Burchell’s sandgrouse, crowned and wattled lapwings, Arnot’s chat, white-headed vulture, brown fire-finch and African quail-finch.
For the Non-Birders
- Hop in a safari vehicle and enjoy another game drive seeking out the big predators including wild dog, lion, leopard and hyena. Large herds of elephant and buffalo also roam the area. Not only will you search for these, but also a large variety of antelopes too including the Puku, not found anywhere else in Botswana.
Chobe National Park
- Today you will have the opportunity to enjoy a game drive in the morning and a special Chobe farewell sunset boat cruise in the evening.
For the Birders
- Birding enthusiasts can enjoy a dawn chorus drive keeping a look out for pennant-winged nightjar, African finfoot, rosy-throated longclaw and white-backed night heron.
For the Non-Birders
- This morning enjoy an unforgettable game drive with your new non-birder friends. Instead of stopping for every flap of wings, the focus will be on anything and everything other than only birds. We will still in the park to stretch legs and enjoy a tea/coffee mid way.
Both
- Recline in comfort on a riverboat cruise, as it gently navigates over the still water. Revel in the breathtaking scenery of a sun drenched sky brushed with myriad pink hues, whilst sipping on decadent cocktails. The cruise affords guests an opportunity to view the park’s wildlife from an unusual perspective, as they congregate around the river edge in the afternoon to quench their thirst. Marvel at the mighty elephant splashing in the shallows in the golden afternoon light.
Okavango Delta
- Wake to the Dawn chorus and stroll around the lodge surrounds looking for any birds you might have missed during your stay while your partner can enjoy a quiet start to the day with tea in bed. There will be enough time for a short morning drive.
- You will then be transferred to Kasane Airport where a member from the &BEYOND team who will assist you onto a Mack Air light aircraft flight to Xaranna Airstrip (approximately 80-minutes).
- Perfectly positioned within an exclusive wilderness concession, &BEYOND Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp boasts magnificent views out over a channel of the Okavango Delta.
For the Birders
- Enjoy a thrilling game drive and stop for delicious sundowners in the middle of the bush. Along the way you might be lucky enough to spot a Pel’s fishing owl, African green pigeon, saddle-billed stork, wattled crane, black-winged (shouldered) kite, black-chested snake eagle, southern ground hornbill and bateleur eagle.
For the Non-Birders
- Enjoy an afternoon game drive (continuing after nightfall), in the company of local guides and trackers with a deep understanding of the area. They will do their best to ensure that all your wishes are met. You will be encouraged to not only go in search of the Big Five but to also appreciate the wonderful array of flora and fauna dotted across the Okavango Delta. Meet up with the birders for delicious sundowners out in the bush.
Okavango Delta
- If you’re looking for a thrilling view-from-the-ground, this is your chance to discover a multitude of natural wonders in the company of your experienced safari guide. Tread in the tracks of the Delta wildlife on a walking safari, breathe in the scent of crushed wild grasses, and feel your senses come alive.
- Explore the Okavango Delta’s intricate network of winding channels and opaque lagoons on board a sleek, motorised boat that covers great distances, showcasing magnificent views of the watery landscape. The unique perspective from the boat offers great sightings of pods of hippos, wildlife attracted to the water’s edge and beautiful birdlife.
For the Birders
- On your walk, your expert guide will look to find red-billed and yellow-billed oxpeckers, cattle egrets, little bee-eater, Hartlaub’s babbler, red-billed spurfowl, swamp boubou, bearded woodpecker, namaqua dove, white-browed sparrow weavers and wattled starlings.
- From the boat, search African pygmy goose, long-toed lapwings, a variety of kingfishers, African and lesser jacana, squacco heron, black crake, rufous-bellied heron, goliath heron, and banded martins.
Okavango Delta
- Take to the skies in a helicopter for a birds-eye view over the Okavango Delta’s signature of blue waters against the green and brown tapestry of papyrus fringed islands and open floodplains. From these heights, even those far-flung and inaccessible corners of the Delta can be seen, fully showcasing the incredible diversity of landscapes and wildlife.
- Head to Xaranna Airstrip where a Mack Air light aircraft will be waiting to fly you to Nxabega Airstrip (approximately 10-minutes).
- &BEYOND Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is located on the edge of the Okavango Delta in an exclusive wildlife concession bordering Moremi Game Reserve.
- The best catch-and-release fishing excursions take place from Nxabega due to its proximity to the Panhandle region. In the afternoon, try your hand at catching a variety of fish, including the predatory tiger fish.
Okavango Delta
- Pastel-coloured lilies float upon verdant lily pads, butterflies captivate with their iridescent wings and tiny painted frogs cling to the reeds as you take to the tranquil waterways in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe). Keep a careful look out for the variety of fish darting through the crystal-clear water below you.
- In the afternoon, set out in search of the Delta rich wildlife, including its semi-aquatic antelopes, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga antelope. Search from the area’s predators, from lion prides to cheetah, leopard and African wild dog. Explore the open woodlands in search of roan and sable antelope or keep an eye out for graceful giraffes and frisky zebras on the floodplains.
For the Birders
- You have really made those binoculars work for you and if lucky, today is the day for spotting Pel’s fishing owl, coppery-tailed coucal, Dickinson’s kestrel, southern carmine bee-eater and violet-eared waxbill.
Okavango Delta
- Today, you will start your day with another captivating safari game drive.
- In the afternoon, explore the Okavango Delta’s intricate network of winding channels and glassy lagoons on board a sleek, motorised boat that covers great distances, showcasing magnificent views of the watery landscape. The unique perspective from the boat offers great sightings of water birds, such as herons and kingfishers. Tiny reed frogs cling to stilt-like grasses, creating colourful dots along the water’s surface.
For the Birders
- It’s your last chance to spot the rufous-bellied heron, greater swamp warbler, fulvous duck, blue-checked bee-eater, African reed-warbler, African pygmy-goose and whiskered tern.
Okavango Delta
- Enjoy a game drive to Nxabega Airstrip where a Mack Air light aircraft will be waiting to fly you to back Maun Airport.
- Savour the views of the sparkling lagoons and palm tree islands as you fly over this water wonderland for one last time (approximately 25 minutes).
- Flutter a last farewell as your sensational birding adventure comes to an end.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS TO CONSIDER WHILE IN THE AREA
- Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe (3 nights)
- &BEYOND Benguerra Island in Mozambique (3 nights)
- &BEYOND Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia (3 nights)
- &BEYOND Ngala Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park, South Africa (3 nights)
What's included
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals, drinks and laundry as specified
- Scheduled flights/Private charters as specified in the itinerary
- Private/Scheduled transfers as specified in the itinerary
- Private/Scheduled sightseeing and excursions as specified in the itinerary
- Private/Scheduled game viewing activities as specified in the itinerary
- National parks, concession and landing fees where applicable
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Domestic/international departure tax, fuel and safety levies from airports and airstrips unless otherwise stipulated
- Hosted by Daryl Dell, &BEYOND Specialist Guide
What's not included
- Meals, drinks and laundry not specified in the itinerary or as outlined in the Includes
- Premium brand drinks, champagne, cognacs, cellar wines, cigars and cigarettes
- Gratuities and any items of a personal nature
- Sightseeing and excursions not specified in the itinerary
- Flights and transfers not specified in the itinerary
- National parks and concession fees not specified in the itinerary
- Travel Insurance
- Visa fees (please be sure to check if visas are required)
Conditions
- Please contact one of our dedicated Travel Specialists to plan your adventure
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Beyond Average Birding WITH SWAROVSKI OPTIK
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