DEEPKALAHARI2017

PRIVATELYGUIDEDSAFARIJUNE2017

ABOUTYOURGUIDECONRAD HENNIG ConradHennig’spassionforthegreatoutdoorsstartedearlyinsub-urbanJohannesburg,SouthAfrica,whilstfallingoutoftreehouses busy identifying Barbets and Ibises with a 3rdeditionofRoberts’ Birds of Southern Africa in hand. ConradreadaBSc.(Hons) in Zoology at the University of KwaZuluNatal, itsoonbecameapparentthathisaptitude laynot indreary scientificmethodologybutwithpeople.Hisloveforallcreaturesgreat and small saw him complete his divinginstructors’course, collect insects from all over for his“collection”stillfoundonthestudywallandeventuallyjoinWilderness Safarisin Malawi. After two years of runningsafaris in this little-knowncountry, Conrad was transferredto, and completely mesmerized by, the Okavango Delta inBotswana where he made hishomerunningsafarisforthenext5years.

He also led safaris for NGOs and Alumni throughout southern Africa as well as further affield in the wilds ofMadagascarandeasternAfrica.OverthelasteightyearsConradhasfalleninlovewiththePolarRegionsofourplanet,particularlyAntarctica andnorthernCanada.Henow leads expeditions to these last greatwildernessesof our planet, as well asparticipating as lecturer and naturalist on nuclear-powered icebreakers to theNorthPole.Overthe lastcoupleofyearsConradhasstartedhisownsafaricompany,StarryStarryNights,basedoutofJohannesburg,SouthAfrica.

SAFARIOVERVIEWBOTSWANA

Day1ArriveMaunInternationalAirport, BotswanaFlytoKalahariPlainsCampOvernightKalahariPlainsCampDay2to4OvernightKalahariPlainsCampDay5IntoTheWilderness–AWildernessExplorationFlyviaMauntoXigeraCampOvernightXigeraCampDay6&7OvernightXigeraCamp

Day9FlyfromXigeraCamptoLinyantiTentedCampOvernightLinyantiTentedCampDay9&10OvernightLinyantiTentedCampDay11ReturnflighttoMaunforinternationaldeparture

BOTSWANA

DEEPKALAHARI–AWildernessExploration

CENTRALKALAHARIGAMERESERVEBOTSWANA

TheCentralKalahariGameReserveliesinthemiddleofBotswana,coversa52,800squarekilometersexpanseoflandmakingitthe2ndlargestgamereserveintheworld,anarealargerthanSwitzerland.Originallypromulgatedin1961byAlecCampbell,thefirstheadofBotswana’sDepartmentofWildlifeandNationalParks,asabushmanconservancy,the CKGR also boasts a phenomenal wildlife area, especially during and after the rains that arrive each year inNovemberwhichtransformstheareaintoonethatrivalstheopenplainsoftheSerengetiinTanzania. ThedrawtotheCentralKalahariforbothmanandbeastistheamazingfossilizedriversthatrunformilesthroughthepark. The environment in the 2 kmwide fossil rivers is that of mineral loaded salt pans, small islands of acaciasurroundedbyshortlycroppedsweetgreennutritiousgrassesthatgrowquicklyaftertherainsandareincrediblyhighinprotein.Thesheernumberofplainsgameisb rea th ta k i ng !Springboknumbersintotheirthousandssnortingatthefirstsignofacheetah,gemsbokhavebeenseenformingawallofhornsand chasingoff lions,giraffecongregateunderthewatchfuleyeofafamilyof jackalsandsignsofbrownhyenaareeverywhere. OftenspottedareplayfulBatEaredfoxes,huntingandscamperingaroundthefossilriverbedsbuteverobservantforoneoftheirtoppredatorsintheareawhichisstrangelytheleopard.DeceptionPan,wherewecampandmadefamousbyMarkandDeliaOwen’sbooked“CryoftheKalahari”isoneofthebestplacestofindhoneybadgerswhichcanbelocatedby carefullywatching the local pale chantinggoshawk’sbehavior.Theevening thunderstormsand flushofgreengrassduringandaftertherainsturnthisdesertintoatrulyremarkableareaforbirdwatching,gameviewingandphotography.

OKAVANGODELTA

BOTSWANATheOkavangoDelta innorthernBotswana,covers20,000squarekilometresand isthe largest inlanddelta inthe

world.Flowingforapproximately300kilometresfromthepanhandleinthenorthtotheThamalakaneRiverinthe

south,thewateriscrystalclear,naturallyfilteredbythesandandaquaticvegetationthatformsthedelta’sbasin.

Thedeltaisanaturalphenomenonandisrelativelyyoungingeologicalterms.ThesourceofthisAfricanoasisisin

Angola,enteringBotswana1,600kilometreslaterastheOkavangoRiver.Herethefateoftheflowisdeterminedby

aseriesofparallelfaultlines.Asitpassesoverthefirst,itsplitsandfansintoanumberofwaterwaysandchannels

thatfromspacelooklikethefingersofagianthand.Thesecondandthirdfaultlinesactasanaturalbundguiding

theflowdowntheirlengthuntilreachingMaun.

Theviewfromtheairisoneofbreathtakingmagnificence,amazeofmeanderingchannels,papyrusreedwallsand

intermittentpalmislands-aparadiseencircledbythesandsoftheKalahari.Thisdynamicecosystem,inwhichtoday’s

channelsmaybetheislandsoftomorrow,providesapermanentandseasonalhometoprolificbirdandwildlife.

Spectacularherdsofelephantroam,buffalograze,antelopespeciescongregateunderthewatchfuleyeofpredators

such as lion, hyena, leopard and the lesscommoncheetah andwild dog. This is a truly remarkable area for bird

watching,gameviewingandphotography.

ThroughthesignaturecryofthefisheagleunderclearAfricanskies,theOkavangoDeltaextendsanopeninvitation

to indulge in itsmystery. The thrill of exploring its wild corners by game drive vehicle, the intimacy and unique

connectionoframblingonfoot,andthesheerpeaceoffloatinginamokoroamidstthelargeleavesoflilyscattered

lagoons,allexperienceswithoutparallel.

DAY1Upon arrival atMaunAirport and after clearing customs and immigration, youwill bemet and assisted by aWildernessSafarisrepresentativetoyourlightaircraftforyouronwardcircuitairtransfertoKalahariPlainsCamp.Pleasenotethattherearestopsen-routewhichmayrequirechangingaircraftandtimesfortheshuttletransferwillonlybedeterminedontheday.KalahariPlainsCampissetinaremotepartofthediverseandproductiveCentralKalahariGameReserve(CKGR)andofferssomeofthebestsummerwildlifeviewingopportunitiesinAfrica.LocatedintheKalahariDesertbiomeinthecentralpartofBotswana,thisreserveisthelargestconservationareainthecountryandoneofthelargestintheworld.ItsstarattractionsincludethelegendaryKalahariblack-manedlionaswellassomeoftheworld'sbestcheetahviewing.KalahariPlainsCampisperfectlysituatedoverlookinganimmensepanwithendlesshorizonsandbeautifulskies.Itcompriseseighten-suitecanvasunitswithasleep-outaboveeachfromwhichtoenjoymoonlitorstar-studdednights.Themainareaconsistsofaloungeanddiningareawithaswimmingpoolanddeck.Solarpowerprovidesalltheelectricityandhotwaterinthecampandinsulatedcanvaswallsandroofkeeptemperaturesinsidetheunitscomfortable.Highlights

• FascinatingculturalexperiencesallowforanauthenticinsightintotheancientBushmanclansofthearea• Diversegame includescarnivores,wildebeest, redhartebeestandspringbokaswellhoneybadgerand

mongoose• CombinewiththeDeltaforacomprehensiveBotswanaexperience

.4NightsatKalahariPlainsCampincludingprivateactivities

DAY5-7Atatimetobeadvisedbycampmanagement,youwillbetransferredtotheairstripforyourcircuit lightaircrafttransferfromKalahariPlainstoMaunAirport.UponarrivalatMaunInternationalAirport,youwillbemetbyaWildernessExplorationsguidewhowillassistyouinboardingalightaircraftforyourflighttoXigera,situatedintheheartoftheOkavangoDelta.AfterashortflightyouwillarriveatXigeraCampintimeforanafternoonsafariactivity.XigeraCamp(pronouncedKeejera)liesontheaptlynamedParadiseIsland,surroundedbydeepchannelsandlushvegetationwithinaremoteareaoftheproductiveMoremiGameReserve.Formuchoftheyearthismagnificentareaepitomises the permanently flooded section of the Okavango Delta, with palm-filled islands, riverine forests, amultitudeofclearwaterchannelsandexpansivefloodplains.There are nine raised luxury tentswith en-suite facilities, an outdoor shower – and superb views of the classicOkavangoDeltafloodplainsthatsurroundthecamp.Mealsandeveningdrinksareenjoyedinthelounge,baranddiningareaoverlookingapermanentlyflowingchannelorunderthestarsinatraditionalAfricanboma.Forthosehotdaysthereisasmallplungepoolinwhichtocooloff.Highlights

• Thistruewetlandparadiseisadelightforbirdwatchersandloversoftranquilbeauty• ThebestplaceintheDeltatoseetheelusivesitatungaantelope• LearnaboutthefascinatingformationoftheincredibleOkavangoDelta

3NightsatXigeraCamp

DAY8-10AfteramorningsafariactivityatXigera,transferby lightaircrafttransfertoLinyantiTentedCampintheLinyantiConcessionintimeforanafternoonsafariactivity.Enjoyyourtimehereexploringthewildlife-richareaonmorningandafternoon/eveninggamedrives.LinyantiTentedCamp,istheideallocationforthosewishingtoexperiencethewildlife-richLinyantiConcessioninprivacy.Unrivalledinitsremotenessandsenseofspace,thecampoverlookstheiconicmarshandfloodplainwithitsfourlarge,airyanden-suitetentsdesignedtorecreatethestyleoftheearlyexplorers.Builtonaslightlyraiseddeckwithimpressiveviews,themainareaofcampistheperfectplacefromwhichtowatchthepassingparadeofwildlifeandforconvivialrelaxation.Eveningsarespentaroundthecracklingfireunderthestarsorinthetraditionalboma.Highlights

• Privateaccommodation,activities,guideandstaff• Ahugelydiverseareathatisanimportantelephantcorridor• Predatorsincludelion,leopardwilddogandhyaena

3NightsatLinyantiTentedCamp

DAY13Afteramorningsafari,youwilldepartfromtheLinyantiAirstripandreturntoMaunEndofSafari

SAFARICOSTPerpersonsharingcostbasedon:4nightsatKalahariPlainsCamp3nightsatXigeraCamp3nightsatLinyantiTentedCampTotalperpersonsharing,basedonaminimumof4guests:FromUS $11950.00perpersonThiscost includes:

• Professionalprivateguide(ConradHennig)forthedurationofyourtrip• Accommodationonaperpersonsharingbasis,• AllmealsfromdinneronDay1totheendofthescheduledsafari,• Areasonableamountofsoftdrinks,mineralwater,fruitjuice,housewineandbeer,aswellaslocalspirits

suchasginandAmarulawhileonsafari,• NationalParkfees,• Laundry,• Roadtransfers,• Scheduledactivities• Allinternalchartersonaseatratebasis,asspecifiedintheitinerary.

Thiscostdoesnot include:

• Anythingofapersonalnature• InternationalflightsincludingflightsfromMauntoJohannesburg,andJohannesburgtoVictoria FallsTrip

cancellationandhealth insurance• Anyoptionsnotdescribedinthe itineraryVisaandpassportfees• Gratuities

Notes:Tourdirection:MauntoMaunTransfers:Alltransfersonthissafariarebylightaircraft.Internationalairconnectionontothesafari:IfarrivalintoBotswanaisplannedforthedayofthesafari’sdeparture,pleaseensurethatthisarrivaliswiththeearliestpossibleflightfromJohannesburg.Arrivalonalaterflightmaynecessitateadditionalairtransfers(asdepartureforthefirstcamp/lodgewillalreadyhavetakenplace),subjecttoextracost.Internationalairconnectionsleavingthesafari:Pleaseensurethatyourdepartureflightisbookedforafter13h00fromMaun.Forearlierinternationaldepartureflights,anadditionaltransferwillberequiredtoarriveforthisconnection,subjecttoanextracost.

Flashlights/torches:Pleaseensurethataminimum2-Dcellflashlightisbroughtonsafari,withsparebatteries.Headlampsarealsouseful.WildernessExplorationsdoesnotsupplyflashlights.Dietaryrequirementsandspecialoccasions:Duetoremotelocalityofthesecamps,pleaseensurethatfulldietaryrequirementsandspecialoccasionsareadvisedatthetimeofyourbookingconfirmation.

SAFARI TERMS AND CONDITIONS BookingsandPaymentsAllsafarisarebookedona‘first-come,first-servebasis. BookingFeeDuetotheindividualnatureofoursafaris,anon-refundablebookingdepositof30%mustbereceivedbeforeyoursafaridatescanbeconfirmed.Thisfeeisnon-refundableanditwillbedeductedfromthetotalamountpayable forthesafari. PaymentsThe final payment is due 90 days before your safari departure date.

CancellationThebookingdepositisanon-refundablebookingFrom90daystoyourdeparturedatethereisa100%cancellation feeYouritineraryandcostingissubjecttochangeintheeventofexceptionalcostincreasessuchasfuel surchargesandparkfees,orextremecurrency fluctuations. RisksandInsuranceWhileparticipatingunderStarryStarryNights,arrangementswithoursafarioperators,certainunavoidablerisksanddangersmayoccur, includingbutnot limited to: accidents, illness, travelbyair, automobile,orother conveyance,wildlifeandtheforcesof nature.Youwillbeinisolated,ruggedandwildernessterrain,oftenawayfrommedicalfacilities,andinvolvedinactivitiesthatarepotentiallydangeroussuchas: climbing,gamespotting,horseback riding, canoeing,andnaturewalks. NeitherStarryStarryNights,noroursafarioperatorsacceptresponsibilityorliabilityforanyinjury,lossordamagesufferedbyanypersonorpropertyfromanycausewhatsoever.Wedo,however,makeallourclientsmembersofamedicalairevacuationservice,whichifconditionsareright,willprovideanemergencyairambulanceevacuationtothenearest hospital.NeitherStarryStarryNightsnoritsoperatorsacceptresponsibilityforanydelaypriortoorduringthecourseofoursafarisbroughtaboutbystrikes,weatherconditionsoranyothercircumstancesbeyondourcontrol.IfStarryStarryNightsjudgeanydestinationtobeunsafeitwilloffertoreschedule,relocate,orrefundyourtrip.Iffield conditionsshouldnotbeoptimumduetoweatherconditions,operatorsreservetherighttochangetheitineraryatany time.All individuals comeon safari at their own risk andmust therefore provide their own travel, health and accidentinsurancecoverageduringthesafari.Inaddition,westronglyadvisegueststotakeoutcancellationinsurancetocoveranypossibilitiesofpersonalhealthorfamilymattersthatwouldresultintheinabilitytotravel.

“All I wanted to do now was get back to Africa. We had not left it yet, but

when I

ERNEST HEMINGWAY, GREEN HILLS OF AFRICA