Young Explorers Combination Delta/Kalahari Itinerary

DAY 1 Maun/Okavango Delta

On arrival in Maun you will be met by a Ker & Downey representative, complete a registration card and indemnity form, then board a light aircraft transfer to the Shinde Private concession. The flight is approximately 25 minutes and you will be amazed as the desert transforms to delta before your eyes. At the airstrip you are met by your guides and transfer in a 4x4 safari vehicle to camp. Over a refreshing drink and light lunch you will be briefed on activities and safety during your stay, then it is time to settle into camp.
Later in the afternoon it is time to begin your first lesson in bush craft and some rules regarding animal behaviour and respect for all the inhabitants of the wilderness. We set out on a short walk, allowing you to become accustomed to some of the sights sounds and smells that make up the language of the African Bush.
We return to camp for a piping hot bucket shower under the stars followed by a tasty dinner. Around the campfire we discuss the lessons of the day and learn more about Botswana and the history of the country and it's people. For those that can stay awake long enough we can examine some of the stars in the African night sky before heading to bed - ready for an early start the next day.
Overnight Footsteps Camp L/D

DAYS 2 & 3 Okavango Delta

The next 2 days begin early before sunrise with coffee around the fire, and a light breakfast before heading out to see what the bush has in store for us. We will explore the area on a variety of activities. On foot we will follow the water's edge, examining tracks left by overnight visitors. We will explore the Okavango waterways in a traditional dugout canoe - mokoro, and perhaps catch some fish in the traditional (or not so traditional ) way - to release or bring back to camp to cook for dinner over an open fire. Game drives will be taken in open 4x4 vehicles and you will learn the basic principles of driving in a wildlife area, in addition to the bush mechanics basics - changing a tyre in thick sand for example! We may encounter some large species enroute including lion, elephants, buffalo, cheetah, wildebeest, and impala. There will even be an opportunity to learn about the rules and skills involved in handling a rifle safely and we learn to shoot with a pellet gun on our bush range.
Time will be spent in camp and the adults have a chance to siesta whilst the young cubs are watched over by their guides, recording observations in our Bush Journals, learning some traditional bush skills such as basket weaving and even some bush cooking over an open fire.
Overnight Footsteps Camp B/L/D

Day 4 Okavango/Kalahari

After farewells to the camp staff and your guides you transfer by light aircraft from the Delta all the way down to the desert! At the private airstrip you will be met by a representative from Edo's Camp and transfer by road through to the game ranch, approximately 20 minutes.
Edo's Camp is an 8 bedded camp situated in a private game reserve over 120 000ha in size. The camp is set around a large rocky pan that is part of an ancient river system, in the past this chain of pans and springs were important watering points on the trekking route.
You will be welcomed to camp by the hosts and shown around the camp and grounds before settling into your rooms. The luxury tents are on raised decks looking out across a large pan as does the main dining and lounge area. This afternoon you can relax in camp and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere as the game come down to drink; uninterrupted by predators the pan can be host to hundreds of kudu, impala, springbok and many more varieties of wildlife. Dinner is prepared for you and enjoyed together as a family, this evening you can test your memory from the lessons in the Delta and early to bed for an exciting day ahead.
Overnight Edo's Camp B/L/D

DAYS 5&6 Kalahari

The next 2 days are action packed and the earlier you wake, the sooner the adventure begins. You plan your days together with the guide and there are a variety of activities on offer. A very special part of your experience will be to meet with one of the world's oldest cultures - the San Bushmen. There is a village situated on one area of the reserve, where they live as bushman do today, they do not wear traditional clothing but do carry out many old traditions including gathering food from the land. The women and children go out every morning and you are welcome to join them collecting a range of medicinal and edible plant life. One of the big adventures of your stay will be to join the guides tracking rhino. The bushmen will locate some fresh tracks and you will be off on foot through the bush and scrub following the bushmen's calls and hand signals, so as not to startle the rhino. There are also numerous birding walks and game drives to be taken in the area and a variety of desert species can be seen including mongeese, meerkats, squirrels, brown hyena, aardvark and different desert antelope.
Another special aspect of your time at Edo's Camp is an opportunity to visit the local orphanage, located on the property and sponsored by the owners of Edo's Camp and their guests (including you). You are welcome to bring books or other items from home to share with the children.
There will also be time for relaxing in camp, enjoying the busy waterhole and also swimming in your very own waterhole - the swimming pool!
Overnight Edo's Camp B/L/D

Day 7

After breakfast it is time for farewells to new friends. You will be transferred back through to Maun in time for your onward connections. The drive is approximately 2 hours and time permitting we may stop to visit a Herero village (excellent photo opportunity) and enjoy refreshments along the way.
B only

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