Depart from New York or Washington, DC for your flight to Johannesburg, South Africa on South African Airways.

Upon arrival at Johannesburg’s Oliver Tambo International Airport, collect your luggage and then clear Customs & Immigration. You will be met by a South African Airways Vacations representative and transferred to your hotel, The Michelangelo.

Forming an integral part of Renaissance styled Nelson Mandela Square, the 5-star Michelangelo Hotel reflects the architecture and design of the Square. A majestic dome in glass and steel tops the entrance lobby atrium rising eight stories. Scenic elevators overlook the atrium with its arches, columns, and decorative balustrades. Marble and sandstone finishes add to the elegance. Rooms and suites have all been tastefully decorated to reflect the elegant Renaissance-style that has been carried throughout the rest of the hotel. For conferencing and banqueting, The Michelangelo provides fully adaptable suites and rooms, and full business services.

Accommodation: The Michelangelo Hotel

Today you will be transferred from your hotel to Johannesburg Airport in time for your flight to Maun in Botswana. On arrival at Maun Airport you will be met by a representative who will introduce you to your pilot and show you onto your light aircraft for a departure out of Maun.

Your first stop is Nxai Pan - Nxai Pan National Park lies just north of the Maun-Nata road and adjoins Makgadikgadi Pans National Park on its northern border. The camp is situated in the tree line with 8 purpose built desert tents. All of the 8 tents have private viewing decks, inside and outside showers and fans. The main area has a swimming pool, curio shop and library. This afternoon enjoy your first game activity.

Nxai pan is well known for its huge springbok population and once the rains have started, gemsbok, elephant and zebras migrate to the region. At this time zebra's come in their thousands to drop their young at Nxai Pan. Extraordinarily large hers of giraffe's can be seen with up to 30 in a group.

These large herds of zebras, springbok, and wildebeest attract many predators - lion, cheetah, jackal and both spotted and the elusive brown hyena, as well as the endangered wild dog and the secretive leopard.

Two activities are included today, one in the early morning and one in the late afternoon. Activities you can do whilst here include a visit to Baines Baobab’s, game drive, nature walks and star gazing.

Accommodation: Kwando Nxai Pan (B, L, D)

On your morning of departure after a game activity and breakfast – you will be transferred to the airstrip to continue on your journey to Xakanaxa. This flight will be about 40 minutes.

Set in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve - accommodation is in twelve tastefully furnished tents with en-suite facilities with shower, hand basin and toilet. The tents are situated on the edge of the lagoon and from their private viewing deck, with comfortable loungers, one looks onto the reeded fringes at the waters edge.

This afternoon enjoy a game drive or walk.

The game drives in this sector of Moremi take one down winding tracks, through Mopane forests and across lush grasslands. The waterways are either forded by vehicles or crossed on rustic log bridges. The camp faces out over the Xakanaxa Lagoon on the Khwai River, where combined boat and mokoro (dug-out canoe) trips explore the sinuous channels and floodplains of the Delta, one of Africa’s greatest natural wonders. Birding in the area is excellent, especially in the spring and summer months when the migrants are breeding. To the north are the world famous heronries, which attract large numbers of breeding storks and herons. Two game activities are included today, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

On your last day – enjoy a leisurely activity followed by brunch before boarding the boat for a “water” transfer to Kwara – these waterways are legendary and it is quite a site to be able to move around the Delta so freely.

On arrival at Kwara boat station, it is a short drive to the camp - deep in the clear permanent waters of the Okavango Delta. Time at Kwara will reveal why the Delta, with all its remarkable plant, bird and animal life, is unique in the world.

You will have an afternoon game drive.

Accommodation: Kwando Kwara (B, L, D)

The water experience, either fishing, on a mekoro or exploring the channels and rivers by boat, is spectacular. Kwara also offers game drives both off road and at night in its own private traverse area.

The exclusive traverse is a feature of the Kwando Safaris experience – while Kwara camp adjoins the Moremi Game Reserve you only have to share your game experience with other Kwara guests.

Accommodation: Kwando Kwara (B, L, D)

After a morning activity and a leisurely breakfast on the day of departure from Kwara – you will board another light aircraft for your transfer to Lagoon – this will take about 40 minutes.

Set on the banks of an oxbow of the Kwando River, Lagoon is remote and beautiful. For many months of the year you’ll see elephant drinking from the water next to the camp and witness the huge herds of buffalo that keep close proximity to the Kwando River.

Accommodation: Kwando Lagoon (B, L, D)

Two game activities are included today. Wild dogs, lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena are all never far away from their food sources. Over the years, many guests have been fortunate enough to see some of the incredible interactions between predator and prey species. Sometimes, even predator against predator. These are ancient struggles that very few people in the world are privileged to witness.

Accommodation: Kwando Lagoon (B, L, D)

On the morning of departure from Lagoon, as your early morning activity you will be transferred by road to Lebala.

Lebala is hidden in the southern portion of the extensive Kwando wilderness of 573,000 acres, and the word means wide open spaces. The area is a labyrinth of waterways, reed beds, islands and floodplains, bush, scrub and trees. Excellent general game abounds the broad plains creating spectacular scenery, adorned with herds of plains game and the ever attendant predators. The Kwando concession is home to more elephant than the entire country of South Africa

Accommodation: Kwando Lebala (B, L, D)

Make the most of your last full day in Botswana to soak up the magical atmosphere and absorb each sighting on your last two game drives of this trip.

Accommodation: Kwando Lebala (B, L, D)

On the morning of departure after your morning activity and breakfast you will be transferred by light aircraft to Maun airport where you can connect for your international flight. (B)

On arrival at Johannesburg’s Oliver Tambo International Airport connect with your international South African Airways flight back home.

Arrive in New York or Washington, DC with a lifetime of memories!

PLEASE NOTE:
*Prices are per person based on double occupancy accommodations and include fuel surcharges. Government taxes, departure fees and September 11th Security Fee of USD $165 are additional and payable prior to departure.

The USD $6,354* rate is valid for Jan 7 - Apr 30, 2010.

This itinerary is also available on the following dates in 2010 at the following rates:
Jan 7 - Apr 30, 2010          $6,354*
May, 2010                          $7,854*
June, 2010                         $8,054*
July, 2010                          $9,954*
Aug 1-14, 2010                 $9,954*
Aug 15 - Oct 31, 2010       $9,354*
Nov, 2010                          $7,854*

There is a single supplement fee for this itinerary, please inquire if you are interested in a single rate.