Day 1. Depart from Pretoria by road at 6 am. Travel to Nata on the edge on the Makgadikgadi Pans. Overnight camping at Nata. D only

The Makgadikgadi Pans was once a great lake, possibly as large as Lake Victoria in East Africa. It is now dry, except for ephemeral pools after rain. Its floor is bare salt stretching to the horizon. This amazing complex of pans and beheaded dunes are divided by a thin strip of land with Ntwete in the west and Sowa (meaning "salt") in the east. Occasionally good rains in the region permit large areas of water to develop. Then, as if by magic, a vast flock of birds, including flamingos and pelicans, appears from nowhere to feed on the flourishing algae, brine-shrimp and other forms of water-borne life which have lain dormant in the salt awaiting the rains.

Day 2&3. Arrive in Maun, Botswana. Browse the streets and markets of Maun then continue into the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta. Explore the delta in a makoro ( a dug-out canoe made from one solid tree trunk). Your makoro seats two plus a poler ( the man who quietly steers the makoro through the water), who will also take you on a gamewalk on an island. Overnight camping. B/L/D both days

The Okavango River rises in the Angolan Highlands, flowing 600 miles through the sandy plains of Angola. As the flood pushes through emerald reedbeds and down ancient channels, it floods the open plains and creates thousands of islands, some little more than tiny termite mounds. Its water never reaches the sea, but empties itself into the burning Kalahari sands of northern Botswana. This forms a 9,600 square mile maze of lagoons, channels and islands, known as the Okavango Delta or the "Jewel of the Kalahari". It is one of Africa's largest and most beautiful oasis, creating a natural refuge for the larger animals of the desert. Its northern part is permanently flooded where vast papyrus beds grow and float above the sand, kept open by the passage of hippo, elephant and buffalo as they push their way from mainland to island and back. Reptiles of the delta include the Nile crocodile, leguaans (iguana family) and carnivorous water monitors. The croaks of bell frogs and bullfrogs provide lovely evening choruses. The delta is lush with floodplains, secret waterways, palm-covered islands and radiant lagoons where pale blue lilies rise above a floor of dark green pads. Here you can absorb the peace and tranquillity synonymous with this ecological wonder. The only sound you hear as your makoro glides through the water, are the sounds of the wild, the swish of the papyrus and the haunting call of the fish-eagle, supreme sovereign of the swamps.

Day 4&5. Proceed into the Moremi Wildlife Reserve. Explore the reserve in a specially designed 4 wheel drive safari vehicle, entering at South Gate. Overnight camping at Third Bridge (day 4). Gamedrive past Paradise Pool, Xakanaxa and the Hippo Pools to North Gate on the Khwai River, where we camp day 5. These campsites are unfenced. B/L/D

The 1,080 square mile Moremi Wildlife Reserve is perhaps the most beautiful and interesting of all the many natural areas of tropical Africa. It lies in the northeastern section of the Okavango Delta, occupying wide areas of permanent swamp. It offers a landscape of lagoons and winding waterways, Kalahari sand, reedbeds, mopane and knobthorn forests. These many different habitats make possible the viewing of a wider variety of animals than almost anywhere else on earth. In addition to all the larger animals, you might be lucky enough to see the shy lechwe (a semi-aquatic deer listed as an engangered species, though abundant in the Okavango wetlands)or the rare sitatunga, a swamp antelope which when frightened, submerges like a hippo into the water. The reserve was created in 1962 by the Batawana tribe on whose land it is situated and was named after their chief, Moremi III.

Day 6&7. After breakfast break down camp, cross the Khwai River and enter the Chobe National Park at Mababe gate. Overnight camping on day 6 in the Savuti and day 7 at Serondella. B/L/D

The Chobe National Park covers nearly 6,600 square miles in northern Botswana with habitats ranging from swamp and floodplain to dead lake beds, sandridges and forest. The park can be divided roughly into three areas: the Chobe river area, the Mababe depression ( a dead lake bed) including the Savuti channel and marsh, and the Ngwezumba area with its mopani forests, riparian woodland and pans. The Chobe is best known for its huge herds of up to five hundred elephants, and its buffalo which sometimes congregate in herds of a thousand. An estimated 73,000 elephants make the Chobe National Park their home.

The Savuti hosts the largest predator population in the world. Its immense herds of impala, zebras, wildebeests and buffalos attract large lion prides which are often seen resting in the shade. Elephant bulls frequently wander through this area, while hyenas are common visitors to the campsite.

At Serondella ("place of the elephant"), where hundreds of elephants gather in large herds on the banks of the Chobe River, you can watch them enjoy a mudbath while the sun sets in flaming glory over Africa, heralding a night full of excitement as the bush becomes alive in the age-old struggle for survival. An overnight at Serondella is never a quiet affair. The baboons entertain campers to an assortment of sounds, like coughs and sneezes and babies screaming...not unlike the sounds of humans!

Day 8. Gamedrive to Kasane, visiting the renowned Chobe Game Lodge en route to the main gate. After lunch in Kasane we set off on an afternoon cruise on the Chobe River Barge, enjoying a close-up view of hippos ambling onto dry land and elephants heading down for a romp in the water. Overnight camping at Kasane on the Chobe River. B/L/D

Day 9. Early morning departure for Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - a mere 48 miles away on a paved road. Visit the Falls and enjoy remainder of day at leisure. Overnight camping at the Victoria Falls rest camp. B only

Day 10&11. Days at leisure. Overnight camping at Victoria Falls rest camp. B only

Without a doubt, the Victoria Falls constitute one of the most spectacular wonders of the world, and one of the major attractions in Africa. The local people call it mosi-oa-tunya ( "the smoke that forever thunders"). When the missionary and explorer, David Livingstone, saw this majestic waterfall for the first time in the mid-nineteenth century, the experience caused him to write with awe in his journal: "Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight." The mighty Zambezi River flows, broad and placid, to the brink of a basalt lip approximately 5,100 ft.wide. It gathers speed in a brief rapid then plunges more than a hundred meters down into the frothy chasm below. The earth trembles and the cloud of spray rising hundreds of meters into the sky, may be seen 30 miles away. The thunder of an incomprehensible weight of water never ceases. This is the world's largest sheet of falling water. Although its fame has spread far and wide, the site has been tastefully preserved in order that its magic may not be spoiled. Many vantage points ensure unobstructed views.

Optional excursions available include: river rafting (which must be booked in advance), bungee-jumping, canoeing, "Flight of the Angels" (10 - 15 minute flight in a light aircraft over Victoria Falls), helicopter rides over Victoria Falls, lunch or dinner cruises on the Zambezi River or "Africa Spectacular", a show of traditional dancing to rhythmic jungle drums performed by Mikishi and Shangaan dancers.

River rafting on the Zambezi River has been called the most exhilarating in the world. During low water it is considered class IV and V. The rapids are among the world's wildest, but because of the deep water and lack of rocks mid-stream, also the safest - injuries are very rare. Everyone agrees though, that the Zambezi River demands ones respect Bungy jumping at the falls are the highest, worldwide, from a fixed structure (340 ft.).

Day 12. An early departure for Pretoria, via Francistown. B/L

The following option is available , altering the duration of this safari:

OPTION 1. Fly to Maun, join overland group on day 2 as per Botswana Overland Safari (BPP12). Fly from Victoria Falls on day 12 or later. BMV11

* B/L/D = breakfast/lunch/dinner

INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS Botswana Overland Safari BPP12

Day 1. Included: overnight camping, D only

Excluded: breakfast, dinner

Day 2&3. Included: Botswana park fees, transfer into Delta, makoro and poler, camping, B/L/D

Day 4&5. Included: park fees, camping, gamedrive, B/L/D

Day 6&7 Included: park fees, camping, gamedrive, B/L/D

Day 8. Included: Chobe River Barge, camping, B/L/D

Day 9,10&11. Included: camping, B only

Excluded: entrance to Vic Falls, optional excursions, other meals

Day 12. Included: B only

Cape Town, South Africa, Mount Nelson, Cape Town, South Africa, Mount Nelson, Cape Town, South Africa, Mount Nelson