ADVENTURE AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE ZAMBIA/BOTSWANA
LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA; CHOBE, NATA, MAUN AND PALAPYE BOTSWANA
This trip is your opportunity to visit and experience an amazing variety of Africa’s must see destinations in one trip. These range from the dramatic waterways of the world renowned Okavango Delta and its immense variety of wildlife to the huge Elephant population of the Chobe National Park in Botswana. You will have the chance to relax on the waters of the Chobe River and see one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World - Victoria Falls. This expedition also includes two days of volunteering in the town of Livingtone with the local children.
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Location: |
LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA; CHOBE, NATA, MAUN AND PALAPYE BOTSWANA |
Dates: |
1-13 February, 3-15 May, 7-19 June, 5-17 July, 2-14 August, 6-18 September, 1-13 November 2009 |
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Fees: |
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Payment: |
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance of project fee due 8 weeks before departure |
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Reference: |
AA019 |
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General Information
Your African experience will begin with two days of community volunteer work in Livingstone with some of the well established and genuinely worthwhile community volunteer programmes based in the town. The first stop off on your adventure tour will be the Chobe National Park. This was the first National Park in Botswana and is based in the north west of the country. The park has four distinct areas reflecting the four ecosystems of the park. The most popular in terms of visitors is the Chobe riverfront and consists of dense teak forests and lush plains. The wildlife of the area includes drinking buffalo and elephant as well as the bee-eater. The Savuti Marsh area makes up the western reaches of the park, it is fed by an irregular water supply that has helped create the unique environment. During the dry season the region boasts plentiful warthogs, kudus, impala, zebra, wildebeests and elephant. During the rainy season the plentiful birdlife of the area is a main attraction. Lions, hyena and cheetah inhabit the area year round. The third are of the park lies between the marsh areas and consists of the hot, dry hinterland, home to eland amongst the Nogatsaa grass woodlands. The final area of the park is the Linyanti Marsh in the north west corner of the park. This region largely consists of flood plains with riverine woodlands, open woodlands and lagoons. This area is home to huge herds of elephant, hippopotamuses, antelope, lions, leopars and African wild dog.
You will then move on to the Nata Salt Pans and the opportunity to let loose with quad bikes on the huge plains. This is immense fun and visitors return with dusty but huge grins! From here you will move on to the world’s largest inland delta which drains into and irrigates huge tracts of the Kalahari Desert. The delta is home to a huge variety of wildlife and is home to the African elephant and buffalo, the hippopotamus, the Blue Wildebeest, the Nile crocodile, the water monitor, the large predators of the region including the lion, hyena, leopard and cheetah as well as the rare African dog and birds such as the African Fish Eagle, the Crested Crane and the Sacred Ibis. Your last stop on the journey will be the Palapye tented camp where you can relax and reflect on your amazing trip.
Itinerary summary
Day
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Activities
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Location
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Accommodation
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Meals
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| 1 |
Arrive in Livingstone; Orientation and afternoon community volunteering |
Livingstone, Zambia |
Volunteer house or backpackers lodge |
D |
| 2 - 3 |
Community Volunteering |
Livingstone, Zambia |
Volunteer house or backpackers lodge |
B,L,D |
| 4 - 5 |
Boat cruise and game drives in Chobe National Park |
Chobe, Botswana |
Tented camping |
B,L,D |
| 6 |
Explore the Nata Salt Pans by quad bike |
Nata, Botswana |
Tented camping |
B,L,D |
| 7 - 10 |
Explore the Okavango Delta |
Maun, Botswana |
Tented camping |
B,L,D |
| 11 |
Travel to Palapye |
Palapye, Botswana |
Tented camping |
B,L,D |
| 12 |
Travel to Johannesburg |
Johannesburg, South Africa |
Lodge |
B,L |
| 13 |
Depart Johannesburg |
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Community Work Activities
• Rural pre-school assistance
• Rural home or school building
• Local community soccer coaching
• English teaching
• Adult literacy
Your specific community project activities will be outlined by your project manager on arrival. This is partly dependent on the status and needs of the projects at the time of your trip.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival
As your flight prepares to land, be on the lookout for the breathtaking view of ‘Mosi oa Tunya’ – The Smoke that Thunders – the local name for the dramatic mists that rises up from the thundering waters of the Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Land in Livingstone and feel the welcome of the warm, humid African air wash over you. Project staff will be on hand to meet you at the airport. Once you’ve settled into your accommodation you will have an afternoon orientation meeting.
DAYS 2 - 3: Community volunteering
You will spend the next two days participating in the established Livingstone community volunteer projects. During your stay you will have the chance to interact with children and other community members while assisting in local orphanages, schools, building/refurbishment projects and local sports development initiatives.
DAYS 4 - 5: Boat cuise and game drive
Cross over the border a short drive from Livingstone into Botswana, and you will find Chobe National Park, one of Africa’s greatest elephant sanctuaries. En Route we will cross the mighty Zambezi River at the unique meeting point of four countries (Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana). Activities include a Chobe Game Drive and River Cruise.
DAY 6: Quad biking
We continue south to Nata home to the unusual salt pans which are known to attract a huge variety of exotic birds. Optional activities include quad biking on the moonscape like environment.
DAYS 7 - 10: Explore the Okovango Delta
The Okavango Delta is the largest freshwater wetland in Africa; in Botswana's arid and unforgiving bush, it's an oasis where you'll find one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. You will travel to Maun, gateway to the world famous Okavango Delta and enjoy a two night Okavango Delta Safari. Boarding dugout canoes you will venture deep into the delta on the lookout for wildlife while navigating the many channels and sand bars of this wilderness water wonderland. At night your camp will be on one of the many islands, sleeping out under the stars.
DAY 11: Palapye
You will travel overland to Palapye. This camp in Palapye is a popular overnight stop where we can sit around the fire and exchange stories of Africa deep into the night.
DAY 12: Crossing into South Africa
Making an early start you will cross into South Africa and on to Johannesburg for your farewell dinner.
DAY 13 Depart Johannesburg
Support
Support and advice is available from your expedition staff whilst in Africa and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support
Orientation
A comprehensive information pack will be sent to you upon booking the expedition and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure. A full orientation will be provided when you arrive at the project by the local support team.
Accommodation and Meals
During your stay in Livingstone you will be accommodated either in volunteer accommodation at the project base, or at a comfortable backpackers nearby in Livingstone town, depending on availability at the time.
During the Botswana tour portion of the trip you will be staying in comfortable and organised tents with all equipment provided (except sleeping bags).
You will be provided with three meals a day.
Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals/porridge, toast, fruit, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be cooked for you by one of the trip crew.
Note: Please advise us of any specific dietary requirements before you arrive.
Getting There
Fly into Livingstone airport where you will be met by the local expedition team. You will then depart from Johannesburg International Airport.
(There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport and return home from your departure airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you
Project Fees
What is included
- Community project fee: this fee is used to provide items and supplies for the projects that are currently running and to help with the development of future projects to benefit the local community.
- Transfer from Livingstone Airport to the project accommodation and transfer to Johannesburg International Airport on completion of your trip.
- Orientation and introductions to project work upon your arrival.
- All daily transportation whilst on the tour, including to Chobe National Park and other safari areas.
- Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day
- Assistance various staff and project managers
- National Park Fees
What is excluded
- Travel insurance to cover your placement (to include cover for repatriation)
- Personal items e.g. clothes, travel goods
- Return flights to Nearest International Airport
- Use of internet and telephone, soft drinks, wines and spirits.
- Visas and any trips undertaken other than in the planned programme