In General
13 DAY ECLIPSE SAFARI SPECIAL TO INCLUDE BOTSWANA'S WILDERNESS AREAS,
AND A CHANCE TO WITNESS THE ECLIPSE OF 2001
On 21 June 2001 a total solar eclipse will take place over a strip 150 to 180 km wide across southern Africa. This eclipse will be worth while experiencing, it will take place in the dry season in southern Africa when the chances for overcast weather are very slim, furthermore the total eclipse will be at about 3 o�clock in the afternoon, when the impact of the disappearance of the sun will be at its most dramatic.
The day should be cloudless, and those in the area will experience the excitement of seeing the so-called Diamond Ring, the corona of the sun suddenly appearing, the appearance of stars in the middle of day, birds roosting and the shadow of the moon rushing across the landscape.
After a number of requests a tour package has been put together which will not only include a two night stay in Zambia which lies on the axis of this once in a lifetime event, but will also include visits to some of Botswana, Namibia and Zambia�s prime wildlife areas.
Itinerary
11 June: Transfer to Johannesburg International Airport for flight on Air Botswana to Maun. Met on arrival in Maun by Mack Air charter company for half hour charter into Moremi Game Reserve. Met on arrival at the Xaxanaka Airstrip by Moremi Safaris for two nights at Xaxanaka Camp situated in this peaceful land of wild, rugged beauty and startling contrasts in north west Botswana where lies the fabled Okavango Delta, a wilderness area of matchless splendour.
All meals, teas, snacks, drinks, activities, park fees and laundry.
13 June: Depart after an early breakfast on a game drive to Kwai River. Arrive Tsaro Elephant Lodge.
Tsaro Elephant Lodge is built on the banks of the Khwai river, the northernmost outlet of the Okavango Delta, on the edge of Moremi Wildlife Reserve.
Overnight one night on the Kwai River.
All meals, teas, coffees, soft drinks, local beers and spirits, laundry service, park entry fees and game drive activities
14 June: Intercamp charter to Savute Safari Lodge for two nights, in the heart of Botswana's Chobe National Park where lies a dynamic wilderness, a sweeping expanse of savannah brooded over by seven rocky outcrops that guard a relic marsh and the dry channel that was once its lifeline.
All meals, teas, coffees, soft drinks, local beers and spirits, laundry service, park entry fees and game drive activities
16 June: Charter to Kasane Airport. Transfer by boat to Chobe Savannah Lodge for two nights in the northern extremity of the Chobe National Park, on the Namibian side of the Chobe River, is an expanse of vast floodplains and savannah called the Puku Flats.
All meals, teas, coffees, soft drinks, local beers and spirits, laundry service, park entry fees and game drive activities
18 June: Return from Chobe Savannah Lodge to Kasane by boat. Transfer to Victoria Falls where staff of Taita Falcon will meet you and take you to their lodge in Zambia for one night.
All meals and bar, local wine, spirits and beer, Collection and drop off transfers.
Overnight Taita Falcon Lodge on full board basis.
19 June: Depart at 11 am after a leisurely breakfast to embark on an interesting expedition on the road from Livingstone to Lusaka and on to our exclusive eclipse campsite.
It will be approximately a seven hour journey in total, including stops. A three hour stretch takes us to Choma where to stop to look at particularly the weaving crafts and an notable art gallery, with colourful interesting artworks depicting amongst others, scenes from the colonial days.
We travel on for approximately one hour before stopping for a picnic lunch. On reaching Lusaka on the Kafue Road we take Cairo Road through the centre of Lusaka's colourful shopping area until we reach the Chaminuka turn off. A half hour transfer takes you to Chaminuka Nature Reserve.
Arrive Penduka's luxury tented camp. Sunset sundowner before dinner is served. Overnight in tented accommodation on the Chaminuka Nature Reserve.
20 June: Early morning game drive and return to camp for a delicious brunch. Leisure time to relax. Have a look around and select your spot for the eclipse.
In the afternoon there are a variety of options from a walk in the beautiful miombo woodland forests with guide, to boating one of the Chaminuka lakes, or horse riding for those familiar with horses, or a final sunset gamedrive. Group collect around the campfire when back from alternative excursions - each member of the group will be presented with an eclipse t-shirt to keep as a memory and a eye protection strip.
Dinner served in dining tent. Overnight in tented accommodation on the Chaminuka Nature Reserve.
21 June: The day of the eclipse - when the sun's disc will go totally black starting at eleven minutes past one for a period of 3 minutes and 28 seconds - a unique event and a memorable occasion.
An unhurried start to the day. A late breakfast will be served at 10h30 am through 11h30 am. Make your way to where you would like to watch the eclipse as the moon begins its path across the face of the sun at half past eleven. As light returns group will go back to camp to freshen up. Shuttle from Chaminuka will collect group at half past three where a celebration of the eclipse lunch will be served at the lodge.
Dancing to an african band as the afternoon proceeds. Hot snack served between 6 pm to 7 pm. Shuttle will transfer group back to campsite at 7 pm. "Help yourself" table with hot bedtime beverage around campfire. Overnight in tented accommodation on the Chaminuka Nature Reserve.
22 June: Embark after an early breakfast for our journey back to Livingstone with lunch stop en route. We should reach the Kazungula ferry at half past one and we transfer to Botswasna to Kasane Airport for flight on Air Botswana BP021 departing at15h40 to arrive in Maun at 16h35. Met on arrival at Maun Airport by Penduka staff for overnight at Sitatunga Camp.
23 June: Transfer to Maun Airport for flight on Air Botswana BP211 departing at 15h00 to arrive in Johannesburg at 16h40
(Option to charter out of Livingstone direct)
Prices
Fully inclusive price per person sharing for 13 Day Adventure safari through Botswana's wilderness areas, and into Zambia for the 2001 eclipse based on 8 passengers.
Cost: US$4995 Click here for an enquiry
Price includes:
- 7 nights in Botswana's wilderness at superb lodges on full board basis.
- 1 Night Taita Falcon Lodge on full board basis
- 3 Nights Chaminuka Nature Reserve in luxury meru tents
- All road transfers
- All charters
- Scheduled flights on Air Botswana as described in the itinerary
- Transfers to and from Maun Airport
- Overnight Sitatunga camp in luxury meru tented accommodation.
Price excludes:
- Visas and departure taxes
- Items of a personal nature and gratuities
- Laundry on camping sector
Necessities
Details and what to bring on safari:
The clothes you pack should comprise light, rugged items of the jeans/slacks variety, shorts, cool tops for the day and closed comfortable walking shoes. As your visit fall in the winter month of June, anoraks or warm sweaters are recommended, and a track suit in which to sleep, as evenings can be deceptively cold. You will need a suitable lotion for protection against sunburn, an insect repellent , cloth type hat, sunglasses, binoculars, torch with spare batteries, personal toiletries and washcloth.
Towels will be provided. For best results in wildlife photography the use of a telephoto lens (minimum 200mm) is recommended. A zoom lens can be very useful. It is wise to bring extra camera film and batteries with you . Some of the group may wish to bring a telescope.
CHECK LIST: (applies to camping section of safari)
- Valid passport, visas/re-entry visas if necessary.
- Binoculars.
- Good torch with spare set of batteries/bulb
- Your camera, spare film, spare camera batteries. If keen photographers, we advise the use of a telephoto or zoom lens
- If keen astrologers - telescope
- Personal toiletries
- Basic Medical kit (painkillers, antiseptic cream, anti-
histamine, band aids, Imodium etc). and your own personal
medication. Penduka Safaris carry with them a basic
Medical kit with a range of useful products.
- Sunglasses, bush hat and sun protection cream and your own
eye protection apparatus to view the eclipse.
- Enough clothes for a four night safari
- A sweater or Anorak is important for cold mornings and evenings.
- Comfortable good shoes for walking around the camp and going on guided walks.
ECLIPSE CARE.
It is important to protect your eyes at all times when viewing the eclipse, and stringent measures should be taken in this regard. Please consult your doctor or optician as to the
maximum protection required.
WALKING - It is important to bring strong closed shoes should you go on guided walks on Chaminuka. Chaminuka boasts a wide variety of wildlife, and is scenically very beautiful, however care must always be taken in respect of snakes when walking in the bush, although in June most snakes are dormant as they hybernate during the winter months.
MALARIA TABLETS - No international health documents are required, at the time of writing, however we recommend that you consult your doctor as to the type of malaria tablet that would suit you best. June is not within the mosquito season.
CURRENCY - US$ and Rand are widely accepted.
On leaving Zambia, you will require US$20 as departure tax in cash.
TRAVEL INSURANCE - This is important especially with
regard to injury, damage, loss, accident, delay and in the
event of cancellation and curtailment.
WAIVER AND INDEMNITY - As a standard procedure all passengers are required to sign Penduka's "Waiver and Indemnity" on arrival.
DEPOSIT - A 50% deposit is required to confirm booking
Gariep
Travel
P.O.Box 11017, 0028 Hatfield, South Africa
Tel:
27-12-9911807, Fax: 27-12-8842988,
E-mail: gariep@succulents.net
