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Savute

Savute , lying in the west of Chobe National Park about 50km north of Mababe Gate, attracts dense concentrations of game during the wet season, which normally starts in late November.

The shallow Savute Channel , connecting the river to the north with the Mababe Depression , which was once a great lake, seems devoid of life. So to, Savute Marsh , situated at the junction of the Savute Channel and the Mababe Depression , dry for most of the year and best described as a treeless flatland.

Until, however , the rains break, then the game arrives , in their thousands,  taking advantage of the new rich grasses. Wildebeast , giraffe, tsesebe, and huge herds of zebra , together with elephants and buffalo making up the variety of animals to be seen.

This massive influx of game also attracts predators , in the form of lion, leopard, cheetah , wild dog and hyenas. Savute is world famous for the carnivores , especially the lion prides that are resident here.

Savute is also well known for the bull elephants that roam through this area.

Afro Trek Safari Special - Tour # 1

Prices Effective: February 1 – May 30, 2007

This was a suggested itinerary which can be modified to suit your requirements. Our safaris are fully catered, semi-participatory and accompanied by a fully qualified Professional Guide. All meals are included and soft drinks / mineral water. We meet you at Maun Airport

Day 1  Arrive at Sedia Riverside Hotel, check-in and during the afternoon meet the professional guide who will take you on the safari to discuss and brief you about the trips planned during your stay with us.

Day 2  Mokoro Day Trip, leaving the hotel after breakfast at 0730 for the drive to the mokoro poling station. Travel by 4x4 Land Cruiser along a heavy sand track into the concession area of the Okavango Kopano Community Trust, situated in the south east region of the Okavango Delta, game spotting on the way.

            At the poling station you will be introduced to your professional guide/poler who will take you in his mokoro (traditional dug-out wooden canoe) through the channels and lagoons of this part of the Delta.

A shady island will be selected for lunch after which a game walk can be enjoyed to experience more of this region. After the game walk, the guide will pole you leisurely back to the poling station where the Land Cruiser will be ready for the transfer back to Sedia Riverside Hotel.

Although the mokoro trails activity is not primarily a game viewing activity, a variety of wildlife is invariably spotted at close quarters during the day including elephant, giraffe, zebra, hippo and sometimes lion which are present in this area.

Day 3  The day is taken at the hotel, visiting Maun village and preparing for the departure to Moremi Game Reserve in the morning. A scenic flight over the Delta can be arranged for late afternoon.

Day 4  An early breakfast allows for an early departure for Moremi Game Reserve. The Moremi Game Reserve was set aside in 1963 and has been rated as Africa's most beautiful wildlife sanctuary.

After arriving at our designated camping spot, relax whilst the camp is erected, have lunch and then in the late afternoon head off on a game drive. Return to camp as the sun sets, pre-dinner beverages and enjoy an evening meal under the stars, prepared on the campfire by our bush chef.

            Hyenas normally visit the camps during the night, so we have to make sure everything is packed away before retiring for the night. Lions will probably be heard roaring in the distance and it is not unusual for these magnificent species to visit the camp during the night. There are no fences separating us from the wildlife in this reserve.

Day 5  The full day is taken exploring this area of the reserve. We rise just before sunrise to enjoy coffee or tea in camp and then head off into the reserve for game viewing, returning to camp late in the morning for brunch. Relax for a couple of hours and then experience another late afternoon game drive.

Day 6  Another full day of game viewing in Moremi Game Reserve. We visit Xaxanaxa, for a power boat trip through the river channels. The boat trip is an excellent way to fully appreciate the Okavango Delta – see some hippos, crocodiles and abundant bird life.

Day 7  Early breakfast, break camp and head for Savuti Marsh , a drive of about four hours. Well worth the drive, Savuti attracts a large concentration of wildlife and is famous for lion and other predator viewing. Aging bull elephants are to be seen around Savuti.

The afternoon is spent game viewing, before returning to camp for dinner. Again expect hyenas and possibly lion to visit your camp during the night.

Day 8  An early breakfast and lion spotting game drive, whilst camp is broken and packed away in preparation for the drive back to Maun, - arriving in Maun late afternoon. Relax around the pool and enjoy a swim before taking a buffet style dinner al fresco on the pool terrace.

End      Breakfast at Sedia Riverside Hotel and departure.

                                                                                   *****************************************

Our present rate for a fully catered safari including professional guide, bush chef and all required camping equipment, stretcher beds, safari vehicle, fuel etc.

                                     US $ 195 per person, per day (Six persons)

                                                                       or 

                                     US $ 225 per person, per day (Four persons)

Be prepared for wildlife, wilderness and wonder!

New Book - Culture and Customs of Botswana

Culture and Customs of Botswana Series: Culture and Customs of Africa Description Botswana's large deposits of diamonds have made it one of the richest African countries on a per capita basis. However, more than wealth, what has made Botswana a model country in southern Africa is its long tradition of democratic rule, respect for ethnic and racial differences, freedom of the press, and governmental programs to support its citizens. Even though Botswana has had its share of problems--including ecological disasters such as drought-- the spirit of its people and their willingness, despite cultural differences, to work together to overcome such setbacks make this country exceptional. General readers will find a wealth of up-to-date information on such topics as the legacy of Christian missionaries, especially the famous David Livingstone, society post Independence, the unique blend of Christianity and ancestral spiritual practices, the AIDS crisis, initiation rites, community rule by chiefs, polygamy, cattle raising, food and beer, betrothal customs, education, unique games, the integral music and dance, and much more. To order visit Afro Trek Safari, Botswana.

JAMES DENBOW is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin and has written frequently on Botswana.

PHENYO C. THEBE is a former a Fulbright Scholar in Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin and Senior Curator at the National Museum of Botswana. He is currently a Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Botswana.

Moremi Game Reserve Safari Journal.

From 'The Travel Net' website, "David Young blogs from a country that is unique in the African tourism industry - Botswana. See his blog Afro Trek Safari.

The proportion of people that visit Botswana is still quite small and so the country remains relatively untouched - vast tracks of uninhabited land are given over to road less savanna and viewing the wildlife is by way of four wheel drive. Here the Kalahari meets the Okavango Delta and beneath an indigo-blue African sky the wildlife roams freely within and without the game preserve boundaries. One third of the country is national parkland.

In the following post David visits Moremi Game Reserve, one of the two well known refuges of the Okavango delta the other being Chobe National Park. David’s story unfolds much as it would on any four wheel safari..."

Continue reading ‘A Four Wheel Drive Safari in Botswana - Maun to Moremi Game Reserve’

David blogs of Africa and in particular that beautiful unspolied parcel of wilderness – the Okavongo Delta. Tourists travel to the Okavongo Delta from all over the world for the amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. The elephants and hippo are especially plentiful.

The Sedia Riverside Hotel sits at the edge of the Thamalakane River and because of its location the hotel is considered a prime travel destination by travelers. In one of his posts David writes of the hippos that he saw just down river from the Sedia…

From The Travel Net - click this link for full story.

Continue reading ‘The Okavongo Delta is a Bird Lovers Paradise - Botswana’

Continue reading ‘The Okavongo Delta is a Bird Lovers Paradise - Botswana’

Upmarket Lodge Construction - Tane Mahuta

Tane Mahuta works in extreme environments.. They work with local communities and local materials. When the lodge is complete, it is respected by the local people. The helped build it and will live with it for the rest of there live.

Services include design, construction, project management, purchasing and handing over a turnkey operation. Find out what Tane Mahuta really is.

Mapula Lodge - Heart of the Okavango Delta

Thinking trip of a lifetime with old friends or special location for your honeymoon - think exotic Mapula Lodge. Go for a game drive or two day safari, how about a boat trip or some fishing. Live in the wilderness in comfort.

Does the wilderness ever call your name? If it does, think of going on safari with Afro Trek Safari, Botswana. For more information, just click on the lion picture.

Interested in reading more news about Maun? Read the Maun Blog.

For dinner out, all special events - even birthday parties for all ages, visit Sedia Riverside Hotel. Are you having a company party? Use Sedia for special events. Click on the picture for more information.

Read the Maun Blog for up-to-date news and photos about Maun