How to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime safari in Africa: witness the incredible, often touching interactions of inspiring wildlife; relax with congenial fellow travelers in exceptional camps; swap stories with guides over the campfire; dine on memorable cuisine; sleep under canvas snuggled in fine linens; repeat.

Exclusive, low-impact, and epic all describe our custom safaris in Africa. Bush flights deliver you to remote wilderness camps. Experienced naturalist guides will introduce you to the wildlife. The game in some parts of Africa is so intense, it is not unusual to encounter elephants, lions, buffalo, zebras, and many species of antelope on your drive from airstrip to camp. Deluxe (or, if you choose, downright luxurious) camps await you at day's end, in scenic locations, featuring inventive cuisine, congenial staff, and a relaxing atmosphere – perfect for reconnecting with friends and family.

Boundless Journeys' staff has traveled extensively through the prime game regions of Africa, visiting camps and meeting guides, all to insure that your customized safari is easy to plan, and flawless and unforgettable once you are there.

Please note that as this is a private safari for you and your family or friends, it can be tailored to your preferences. The below overview is only one possible suggestion in Botswana based on our experience. We also offer custom safaris to Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, and beginning in 2012, the Republic of the Congo.

Days 1-7: Safari in the Okavango Delta and Linyanti Concession, Botswana; activities include game drives, nature walks, and mokoro canoeing, all based from some of the most luxurious permanent safari camps in Botswana.

The Okavango Delta is justifiably considered one of the most incredible wilderness sanctuaries in Africa. At nearly 6,000 square miles, the world's largest inland delta is a wonderland of water channels, lagoons, and islands in the midst of the arid Kalahari Desert. Each year, floodwaters flow from the central African highlands hundreds of miles away to create a water-world bursting at the seams with herds of gazelle, zebra, giraffe and elephant, followed by prides of lions, packs of African wild dog, and high concentrations of cheetah and leopard. This high concentration of wildlife combined with Wilderness Safaris' camps on private concessions ensure that game viewing is spectacular all year long.

Days 8-10: Victoria Falls and Livingstone, Zambia; cruise the Zambezi River at sunset, go on wildlife and birding drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, and visit the incredible Victoria Falls. Optional activities include an elephant back safari, helicopter flights over Victoria Falls, and rafting on the lower Zambezi River.

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the smoke that thunders". It is an area of great scenic beauty: from the falls themelves to the broad upstream waters of the mighty Zambezi River. Birding here is particularly good, and most safari-goers – even those who don't consider themselves birders – find themselves captivated by the wide variety of entertaining birdlife in this region, in addition, of course, to the resident African buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, impala, and even white rhino.

Boundless Journeys has partnered with Wilderness Safaris, widely recognized as the best safari outfitter in Southern Africa, to develop a collection of truly unique safaris. In addition to experienced guides, first-class vehicles, and a diverse selection of camp and lodge options, Wilderness Safaris’ conservation efforts and community-mindedness are great matches for Boundless Journeys’ core philosophy. Likewise, our East Africa partners are experienced leaders.

THE PRIVATE COLLECTION ADVANTAGE

• Independent travel at its best. With your own exclusive party of family or friends, you'll enjoy itineraries developed from our years of experience.
• Your dates, your friends. You chose your dates and traveling companions, and let us do the rest!
• Reconnect in remarkable places. What better way to celebrate important milestones than with family and friends in amazing places, with all of the details handled for you so you can simply relax and enjoy each other’s company?
• Do your own thing. Customize your journey to indulge your most amazing travel fantasies.
• Travel with Trusted Leaders in Adventure Travel. Boundless Journeys has been recognized by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine as a Top 10 "World's Best Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter".

WHAT TO EXPECT

Typical Trip Rating
Boundless Journeys’ trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Ultimate Private Safari is rated 1, easy, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous). Our primary activities require little aerobic fitness, but some agility for getting in and out of vehicles, mokoro canoes, and walking through uneven terrain. This trip can be enjoyed by anyone who is in reasonably good health. We will walk where possible but this is often determined by the local area and country regulations. NOTE: Walking is at your own risk, and can take you close to dangerous wild animals.

Preparing for this Trip
If you would like to take advantage of the optional nature walks, you may wish to engage in easy aerobic activities for 30-45 minutes a few times a week for several weeks before the trip. Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program.  

The Safari Experience
A variety of activities are included on our Ultimate Custom Safari, but the primary activity is game driving. The wildlife is typically most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon (these times also provide the best light for photography), and therefore we plan our activities accordingly. Typically, one of the camp staff will knock at your tent door early in the morning, and the group will gather for a quick, light breakfast and coffee or tea before departing camp as the sun rises. We move slowly, and even when animals are not present, the landscape and sounds of the bush are entrancing. We spend a few hours exploring and observing animals at watering holes or on the move from one region to another. As we come upon groups of animals, we allow plenty of time to simply observe and also take photographs. Our guides are experienced naturalists and will add greatly to your understanding of the animals. We keep a respectful distance – although the same cannot always be said about the animals and it is not unusual to come nose-to-car with baboons, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and elephants. By mid-late morning, we return to camp where a delicious brunch awaits.

After brunch, we enjoy a few hours of down time, enjoying the amenities of camp, resting, birdwatching, taking photos, or perhaps reading about the region you are visiting.

Later on, we gather for hors d’ouvres and drinks before heading out for the afternoon activity. Some days this will be another game drive, while other times we may board mokoros for a quiet exploration of the waterways near camp or explore the area on foot in the company of our guide and a ranger. “Sundowners” – a light snack and cocktails served in the bush, are an African safari tradition, and a great way to enjoy unforgettable sunsets. We then make our way back to camp, sometimes driving with a spotlight to look for nocturnal animals.

In the evenings, dinner is enjoyed as a group, and will vary from seated meals ordered from the daily menu, to dining in the camp “boma” with a feast of traditional African foods and entertainment by the camp staff. These are joyful performances where it is often difficult to tell who is having more fun – the staff or the camp guests!

Weather
Summer is from November to the end of March and usually brings very high temperatures. It is also the rainy season and cloud coverage and rain can cool things down, although usually for only a short period of time.
The winter season begins in May and ends in August. This is also the dry season when virtually no rainfall occurs. Winter days are invariably sunny and cool to warm; however, evening and night temperatures can drop below freezing point in some areas. Please be prepared for cold weather in the evening/night/morning and bring plenty of warm clothing, including a hat, gloves, long pants, a fleece/wool top, and a windbreaker jacket. Tents and public areas are not heated, though the public areas do have fire pits, and beds are warmed with hot water bottles on cold nights. Ponchos are available for use in the safari vehicles.
The in-between periods - April/early May and September/October - still tend to be dry, but  in April/early May the days are cooler than in summer, whereas September/October is the hottest time of year.

The following are average temperatures and rainfall amounts in the regions you’ll be visiting:
                       high     low    rainfall

January:         89°F    66°F    4.33”
March:            88°F    64°F    2.76”
May:               82°F    48°F    0.2”
July:                77°F    42°F    0”
September:     91°F    55°F    0”
December:      89°F    66°F    3.74”

You may obtain other regional weather information at www.weatherbase.com.

When to Go
There are excellent reasons to visit the regions on this trip at any time of year, each offering slightly different experiences:

December-March: Many ungulates have their babies at this time of year, when the lush landscape provides both ample nutrition for mothers, and protection from predators. In addition to all of the big game, migratory birds are present in abundance. This is an excellent time of year to consider extending your safari with a trip into the Kalahari Desert, which is at its best during the rainier summer months (ask about our Botswana: The Kalahari Desert trip extension).

April-June: The summer rainy season has drawn to a close. The tall grasses are starting to “lay down”, and some trees begin to lose their foliage, allowing for easier game viewing. At the same time, the annual flooding of the Okavango Delta is on its way in from the mountains of Angola, creating abundant waterways of incredible beauty, and attracting a wide diversity of wildlife. Animals tend to be in good condition at this time of year, as the food supplies remain plentiful. Baby ungulates born in the summer are now adolescent, and can be observed testing the skills they’ll need as adults.

July-October: The dry winter season has begun to have an impact on both the landscape and the wildlife. The landscape is more arid in appearance although the floodwaters remain high, and the animals congregate in large numbers near the remaining watering holes. Predator and prey are often in close proximity in their intense need for water, leading to some memorable encounters.

No matter when you choose to go, you will see more elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, buffalos, hippos, and lions than you can keep track of. Each departure is a little different in terms of order of areas visited, but offers the same quality of experience.

Wilderness Safaris Classic accommodation overview (scroll down for Wilderness Safaris Premier accommodations suggestions): Classic camps are generally tented camps, although a few are lodges built from permanent structures. All of these camps offer superb facilities and accommodation, the bedrooms being slightly smaller than those of our Premier camps, but still quite spacious. Many of the Classic camps' tents are raised off the ground with interconnecting walkways. All tents have en-suite bathrooms.
 
Nights 1 & 2: Xigera Camp
Xigera Concession in the Okavango Delta
Botswana

Xigera Camp (pronounced Keejera) dwells on an island in the heart of the Delta in Moremi Game Reserve, set in a wetland paradise, surrounded by deep channels and lush riverine vegetation. The camp consists of ten luxuriously furnished tented rooms with en-suite facilities as well as an outdoor shower. Raised on wooden platforms and walkways, each tent offers superb views of the seasonal floodplain and lagoon and a feel of living in the midst of a riverine forest. Meals and evening drinks are enjoyed in the lounge and dining area overlooking a permanently flowing channel or under the stars in a traditional African boma. For those hot days there is a small plunge pool in which to cool off.

Nights 3 & 4: Duba Plains Camp
Kwedi Concession in the Okavango Delta
Botswana

One of the Okavango Delta's most remote camps, Duba Plains is a small, intimate camp on a tree-filled island in a private 30,000-hectare concession known as the Kwedi Reserve. Accommodations include six roomy tents with an en-suite bathroom, an outside shower, and a veranda overlooking the floodplain. The thatch-roofed lounge, dining room and bar areas are raised on platforms along with a swimming pool, all providing beautiful views.
 
Nights 5, 6 & 7: Savuti Camp
Linyanti Concession
Botswana

This intimate camp's en-suite accommodation is in seven large walk-in tents that are raised off the ground and face onto the Savute Channel's grasslands. From the camp's thatched dining area and pub, a plunge pool and large viewing area with fire pit extend outwards on raised wooden decks towards the Channel, providing a wonderful view of the waterhole where zebra and elephant regularly come to be refreshed.

Nights 8 & 9: Toka Leya Camp
Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park
Zambia

Recipient of Condé Nast's hotel "Hot List" award.

Overlooking the mighty Zambezi River and some of its islands, Toka Leya Camp consists of 12 spacious en-suite safari-style tents. Wooden walkways snake between the units and main area, limiting our footprint on this pristine area. Tent interiors boast cool wooden flooring, tasteful, uncluttered African decor in earthy hues, climate-control for a cool summer sanctuary, and expansive wooden decks. The camp’s dining, lounge and bar areas offer ample space for relaxation and are complemented by an infinity pool, with meals served on the sundeck, the pool deck or dining room; all overlooking the Zambezi.

Wilderness Safaris Premier accommodation overview: Premier camps are the highest level of camps in the Wilderness Safaris portfolio and comprise their most elegant and stylish accommodation. These camps combine luxury, superb design and many comforts of home. Each Premier Camp has its own individual style, as well as additional features such as salas (an outdoor private porch with comfortable furnishings) for a soothing midday siesta. Each tent or bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, often with an additional outdoor shower under the stars. NOTE THAT THE PRICE FOR THIS LEVEL OF ACCOMMODATION IS FROM APPROXIMATELY $1250 PER PERSON, PER NIGHT.

Nights 1 & 2: Jao Camp
Jao Concession, Okavango Delta
Botswana

Jao Camp has nine spacious, beautiful tents, each individually handcrafted. These twin-bedded canvas and thatched rooms are situated beneath a canopy of shady trees and have en-suite facilities, as well as an outdoor shower for the more adventurous. Built on raised decks, each has a private sala for afternoon siestas and offers wonderful views of the spectacular surrounding floodplains. In addition to the lounge and dining area, there are two plunge pools and an outdoor boma for dining under the stars, complemented by wines from an excellent wine cellar. Jao Camp also has a salon where a wide range of massage therapies are offered.

Nights 3 & 4: Vumbura Plains Camp
Kwedi Concession, Okavango Delta
Botswana

Vumbura Plains consists of two separate seven-roomed camps, each with its own raised dining, lounge and bar area tucked beneath a canopy of shady trees and with a magnificent vista across the floodplains. A star-gazing deck with comfortable cushions protrudes into the floodplain, surrounding a convivial camp fire setting.

Vumbura Plains breaks the expectations of a classic safari-style camp. Each large, luxurious room is raised off the ground on wooden decks and each comprises a bedroom, lounge, shower and bathroom - with indoor and outdoor shower. The walls are simply screened on on three sides, and the billowing curtains between the various areas create the sense of being aboard a yacht floating through the floodplains. Each room also has a private plunge pool and sala – a comfortable area to relax, watching the waving grasses of the floodplain.

Nights 5, 6 & 7: Kings Pool
Linyanti Concession
Botswana

Nine well-appointed tents of canvas and thatch each have a large bedroom area, lounge, private plunge pool and sala. The spacious en-suite bathrooms are tiled with double showers and hand-basins as well as an outdoor shower for those who wish to shower close to nature! Raised walkways allow animals to wander freely through the camp to and from the water. The lounge, dining room and pub areas are on expansive raised decks and there is a pool and an open-air kgotla for dining under the stars.

Nights 8 & 9: The River Club
Livingstone
Zambia

The River Club, with its Edwardian-style house and manicured lawns on the banks of the swift-flowing Zambezi River where hippo and crocodile float, seems to straddle the continents of Africa and Europe.

Its main area is a well-appointed residence, with a comfortable lounge, large dining room, impressive library and wide veranda on which breakfasts and teas are taken. Lush gardens spread out beneath the trees and a croquet court is an ideal venue for a Pimm's-soaked croquet game. The pool seems part of the river itself, while a secluded deck with hammocks and loungers provides respite. A wellness center houses a treatment room for manicures, pedicures, facials and massages as well as a sauna, Jacuzzi and mini gym.

Ten luxury chalets are spread out on the property, all with en-suite bathrooms. One side is completely open to the river, so that there is an uninterrupted vista of the Zambezi and its far bank from both bed and bathtub. Each room looks west into glorious African sunsets best viewed from the privacy of a ball and claw bath, brim-full with bubbles. All have a concertina screen door or window across the front of the bedroom and/or bathroom.

Please note that the following is a typical safari itinerary, and actual activities may be customized to suit your interests, to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Some activites are also seasonal. As this is a private safari for you and your family or friends, it can be tailored to your preferences. The below overview is only one possible suggestion based on our experience.

DAYS 1 & 2
Into the Okavango Delta

Game drives, guided walks, and mokoro canoe excursions – easy, approximate total of 5-6 hours of activities per day. (Night drives also available with Classic Camp option).

Upon arrival in Maun, you will be met by a Boundless Journeys/Wilderness Safaris representative and fly by light aircraft over the shimmering waters of the Okavango Delta. This initial flight provides a remarkable and beautifully scenic introduction to one of the world’s most unusual ecosystems. The Delta represents life at its most fertile: abundant water, sunlight, and rich soil combine to form a paradise bursting with life and a landscape of indescribable beauty.

By early afternoon, we arrive at our home for the next two nights: a deluxe tented camp located on the western edge of the renowned Moremi Game Reserve. This region is one of the most remote in the entire Okavango Delta and offers an unparalleled sense of wilderness. All the Okavango big game can be found here –  including excellent chances of spotting predators.

Activities over the next two days will include mokoroing (think Africa’s version of the Venice gondola), guided walks, and game drives. If you choose the Premier camp option, night drives are possible as well. Lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, buffalo and elephant are all found in this area, as well as excellent concentrations of zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, and all the plains animals.
Xigera Camp or Jao Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

DAYS 3 & 4  
Okavango Delta

Game driving and nature walks – easy, approximate total of 5-6 hours of activities per day.

After a final morning game drive and brunch at our camp, a late morning bush flight brings us to the extreme northern Okavango Delta, an area of mixed open plains and vibrant wetlands that comprise a private concession managed in partnership with neighboring communities.

While here, you’ll explore this new landscape on day and night game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles, as well as on bush walks. When the Okavango’s annual flood is at its highest (normally May to late September), boating, fishing, and mokoro trips are also a possibility if you’ve opted for Premier camps. The variety of surrounding habitats ensures diverse and interesting wildlife viewing, including elephant, lion, zebra, red lechwe, giraffe, tsessebe, wildebeest, kudu, impala, leopard and bushbuck.
Duba Plains or Vumbura Plains, Northern Okavango Delta, Botswana

DAYS 5-7  
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

Game drives and nature walks – easy, approximate total of 5-6 hours of activities per day.

After breakfast, we fly north-eastwards, departing the Okavango, to the private Linyanti Concession; after a short game drive we arrive at our camp for the next three nights.

The landscape of the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve varies from floodplains to open, dry savannah and forest with sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. During our three days here, our activities will include game drives and nature walks exploring a range of habitats, from riverbanks to scrub and forest, which reveal a myriad of wildlife en route to slake their thirst at the river. In particular, large herds of elephants can be found in this region during the dry season (May-October). Impressive even in small family groups, when these animals gather together in large numbers, it becomes an awe-inspiring sight you won’t soon forget. In addition to the elephants, seldom-seen sitatunga can often be spotted in the waterways, as well as rare plains game, such as roan and sable antelope and their predators, the lion and leopard, with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus.
Savuti Camp or Kings Pool Camp, Linyanti, Botswana

DAY 8  
Into Zambia

After a short morning drive and breakfast, we depart by light aircraft to Zambia. Upon leaving Botswana, we fly over the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. As we approach Livingstone, it is often possible to see the spray of legendary Victoria Falls from miles away.

We reach our camp on the banks of the Zambezi in the late afternoon, in time to enjoy a sunset cruise on the river before dinner.
Toka Leya Camp or The River Club, Livingstone, Zambia

DAY 9  
Exploring the Zambezi

Various activities available.

Activities available from our camps include game drives within Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, river cruises, fishing excursions, and guided nature walks. Tours of Livingstone town and museum and visits to Mkuni Market and Simonga Village are all outstanding ways of learning about the people and culture of this part of Zambia. Your guide will discuss the options with you upon arrival so that you can choose what interests you most. Other activities available in the area at an additional charge include helicopter flights, micro-lighting, canoeing, jet boating, elephant-back safaris, and white-water rafting.

There is rich birdlife in this area, including several sought-after species such as African Finfoot, Half-collared Kingfisher, African Skimmer (seasonal), Schalow’s Turaco, and Rock Pratincole (seasonal). Excellent birding can be enjoyed within the camp itself, on boat cruises, and out on game drives.

The Zambezi River offers some fishing opportunities and tiger fishing is an unforgettable challenge for keen anglers, with the best months being October through December. There are several varieties of bream (tilapia) which are also a good catch.

Tonight you’ll enjoy a final dinner in celebration of an unforgettable safari in one of Africa’s greatest wilderness areas.
Toka Leya Camp or The River Club, Livingstone, Zambia

DAY 10
Victoria Falls and Departure

Walking tour of Victoria Falls – easy, about one hour.

Our grand finale is a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. At 1,708 meters wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 100 meters into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.

By mid-morning we transfer to Livingstone's Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport and bid farewell to our adventure in time for early afternoon flights homeward.

From $830 per person, per day

from $830 per person, per night. However, a budget of about $1,300 per person, per night is generally realistic for comfortable, permanent camps in good wildlife locations during peak periods. That said, we are happy to design a trip that fits your budget and provides and unforgettable experience!

• Expert naturalist guides at each camp
• Services of safari camp staff
• Accommodations in deluxe, exclusive safari camps (we work exclusively with Wilderness Safaris to support our ground operations; however, we can book camps outside of the Wilderness Safaris collection on request)
• All meals and select alcoholic beverages included
• All activities noted in the itinerary, such as daily game drives, night drives, mokoro excursions, tracking walks, and river cruises (please note all activities will be shared with other camp guests unless you reserve a private guide and vehicle)
• Bush flights while on safari

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• International/inter-Africa commercial airfare to and from your safari meeting and departure points
• Compulsory trip insurance (medical, evacuation, and repatriation insurance is required; full trip cancellation/interruption insurance is highly recommended)
• Visas and passport fees
• Pre-travel inoculations
• Pre- and post-safari hotels in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Windhoek, etc. However, we are happy to book these for you at additional expense to provide you with a seamless travel experience.