DISCOVER YOURSELF THROUGH THE WISDOM OF THE WILD

- to feel, touch, taste, smell and hear - in the quietness of the wilderness.

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. Franz Kafka
The Three-Legged Pot, found in most homes in Africa, can only stand when all three legs are fully functional.

Bushwise Africa have chosen this pot as their logo as their safaris depend on three main components and without one of them, we feel it is impossible to have a true African wildlife experience.

The three ‘legs' of our safaris are :

We feel that this world should be shared, especially with young people. How can we expect them to care for the environment if they don't understand what it is all about? How much do their parents know - did they learn about the wonders of the wild from the back of a vehicle, or did they truly experience it themselves?

Doing a safari with Bushwise Africa opens a new world to both youngsters and their parents. Checking on occupants of the weaver's nest becomes more important than listening to the news, walking amongst the woodlands seeing who could identify the most indigenous trees becomes more fun than watching yet another murder on TV. Swapping stories around the campfire under the stars fills one with dreams of what they still like to experience and explore.

The recent drought conditions in some areas, the floods in others, make us all appreciate yet again the value of life's necessities such as rain - will there be enough food for the animals? The thought of the newly born dying due to lack of food and water should be more worrying than where was the next Coke going to come from. But it will not be unless you see for yourself what too much rain does, what too little rain does, how we are dependent on a world that is dependent on other things and if one thing is missing other important things cannot survive.

Just looking at a tree, why do the ants climb it, what do the birds use from it to make a nest, what is the 'goo' oozing from the trunk and why? Which animals eat this tree? Do any eat it? Why does that spider live on the tree and what does it eat - why does it eat it? What animals sleep in it's shade, then what do they do and why? Do people try to kill these animals for their trophies? Why and if so where do they go? Do the local people use any of the tree for medicine? Maybe they have a story about the tree, or maybe it is used in one of their customary rituals. So much to learn from one tree - and without all aspects of life on, in and around this tree, not everything will survive.

COMMUNITY SERVICE is an important part of tours with Bushwise Africa. We try to incorporate at least one day of the tour by becoming involved with a project for the benefit of a community.

CULTURE & HISTORY play an important part of understanding nature - also of how people have survived for centuries living in the wilds, and still survive to this day.

In addition to their set tours Bushwise Africa design trips for families. Tell us how many of you, ages, requirements and what you would really like to feel, touch, taste, smell and hear and we will do the rest.  

14 Days / 13 Nights
Western Kalahari and Northern Okavango Delta

Day 1-5 Met at Maun (airport or self-drive) and taken in 4 x 4 vehicles to AHA HILLS situated in the western Kalahari on the border between Botswana and Namibia. Depending on the condition of the roads this drive could take 8 - 10 hours, refreshments and lunch are provided along the way.

The drive takes you through scrub-covered sand dunes, pans and scrub-and-tree savannah onto the north west of Botswana where a great variety of plants and trees give much denser cover than that of the southern and central regions.

This vegetation provides the San with the bulk of their diet and traditional medicine. The birdlife is primarily dry-land birds and there is a good variety of antelope to be seen amongst other desert dwelling animals.

This semi-desert area is home to the !Kung Bushmen. They will introduce you to their way of life, take you on walks and share their knowledge of the area. You will also visit the relatively little known limestone Drotsky's Caverns.

Day 6 -7 Break camp and drive north-east to SEPUPA a small village situated on the edge of the OKAVANGO DELTA, from where you explore the north-western reaches of the Okavango Delta and visit the TSODILLO HILLS, famous for over 3,500 Bushman/Rock paintings and dinosaur footprints.

The road to Tsodillo crosses scrub covered sand dunes of 2 - 4 metres high, until one reaches the island of 4 magnificently wooded rock masses of different sizes rising above the surrounding flatness of the Kalahari Desert - an incredible sight!

Days 8 - 9 Cross the OKAVANGO RIVER by boat from west to east to the small village of SERONGA. Here you board a houseboat that will take you further into the Delta for 2 nights.

The Okavango River is, at this stage, a deep fast flowing river that winds through endless papyrus banks for almost 100 kms. There are far fewer islands in this area than further south and they are generally no bigger than termite mounds.

You will have the opportunity of seeing lechwe, waterbuck, hippo, otters and elephants - amongst other species. The birdlife is now mostly water-birds such as the exquisite bee-eaters and kingfishers.

The houseboat has a tender so you can explore the river and surrounding channels and banks.

Day 10 - 13 Today you go by mokoro in a south-easterly direction, being poled through channels and flood plains of this incredibly beautiful Delta. Stop to explore further on foot and camp for the night on an Island - a unique and wonderful experience!

Whilst in the Delta you can try your hand at some fishing - the tiger fish gives a good fight. Look for the uncommon and shy Sitatunga. This is a superb area for riverine forest birds.

Day 14 Return to Seronga, fly to Maun. Safari Ends.

Included:

• Accommodation is in backed-up luxury camping with walk-in tents, hot showers, full bedding etc and experienced staff whilst 'on land'
• Light camping on the Island in the Delta which means light-weight tents and camp mattresses - everything has to be taken in by mokoro.
• Accommodation on the houseboat
• All transfers between destinations
• Meals and activities
• Soft drinks and wine
• All Park fees and permits
• Profession licensed guide
• Drivers
  
  

• International flights
• Tips and gratuities
• Medical, luggage and travel insurance
• Beers and alcoholic beverages (available on request at own cost)
• Visas
• Laundry
• Items of a personal nature
• Activities not included in the safaris.
• 10% VAT

DATES: 1 - 14 April 2007 The 2006 safari was sold out and was a great success.
Private safaris of this nature can be arranged on request.

COST: US$3,080 per person sharing

Botswana Young Explorers Adventure

Day 1: Audi Camp, Maun, permanent en-suite tent
Arrive in Maun, met and transferred Audi Camp. Audi Camp is located a few kilometres out of Maun, overlooking the seasonal river and shaded by many trees and thatched lapas. Accommodation is in permanent tents raised on decks overlooking the river with spacious en-suite bathrooms attached. There is a swimming pool, friendly bar and excellent restaurant. Lunch & Dinner own account.

Day 2: Young Explorers, Okavango Delta, permanent en-suite tent
Return to Maun airport to board a light aircraft to fly to Shinde Private concession. The flight is approx 25 mins and you will be amazed as the desert transforms to delta before your eyes. On arrival met by your guides and transferred in a 4x4 safari vehicle to camp. Over a refreshing drink and light lunch you will be briefed on activities and safety during your stay.

Later in the afternoon it is time to begin your first lesson in bush craft and some rules regarding animal behaviour and respect for all the inhabitants of the wilderness. Youe set out on a short walk, allowing you to become accustomed to some of the sights sounds and smells that make up the language of the African Bush.

Return to camp for a piping hot bucket shower under the starts followed by a tasty dinner. Around the campfire you discuss the lessons of the day and learn more about Botswana and the history of the country and its people. For those that can stay awake, examine some of the stars in the African night sky before heading to bed. Full board.

Days 3 & 4: Young Explorers, Okavango Delta, permanent en-suite tent
The next 2 days begin early before sunrise with coffee around the fire, and a light breakfast before exploring the area on a variety of activities. On foot we will follow the water's edge, examining tracks left by overnight visitors; explore the Okavango waterways in a traditional dugout canoe, 'mokoro', and perhaps catch some fish in the traditional (or not so traditional) way - to release or bring back to camp to cook for dinner over an open fire. Game drives are in open 4x4 vehicles and you will learn the basic principles of driving in a wildlife area, in addition to the bush mechanics basics - changing a tyre in thick sand for example!

We may encounter some large species en route including lion, elephants, buffalo, cheetah, wildebeest, and impala. There will be an opportunity to learn about the rules and skills involved in handling a rifle safely and you learn to shoot with a pellet gun on our bush range. Time will be spent in camp and the adults have a chance to siesta whilst the younger ones are watched over by their guides, recording observations in our Bush Journals, learning some traditional bush skills such as basket weaving and even some bush cooking over an open fire. Full Board.

Night 5: Young Explorers, Kalahari Desert, permanent en-suite tent
After saying farewell, transfer by light aircraft from the delta to the desert! Met by a representative from Edo's Camp and transfer by road to the game ranch, approximately 20 minutes. Edo's Camp is an 8 bedded camp situated in a private game reserve over 120 000ha in size. The camp is set around a large rocky pan that is part of an ancient river system, in the past this chain of pans and springs were important watering points on the trekking route.

The luxury tents are on raised decks looking out across a large pan as does the main dining and lounge area. This afternoon relax in camp and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere as the game come down to drink; uninterrupted by predators the pan can be host to hundreds of kudu, impala, springbok and many more varieties of wildlife. Dinner is prepared for you and enjoyed together as a family, this evening you can test your memory from the lessons in the delta and early to bed for an exciting day ahead. Full Board.

Nights 6&7: Young Explorers, Kalahari Desert, permanent en-suite tent
The next 2 days are action packed and the earlier you wake, the sooner the adventure begins. You plan your days together with the guide and there are a variety of activities on offer. A very special part of your experience will be to meet with one of the world's oldest cultures - the San Bushmen. There is a village situated on one area of the reserve, where they live as bushman do today, they do not wear traditional clothing but do carry out many old traditions including gathering food from the land. The women and children go out every morning and you are welcome to join them collecting a range of medicinal and edible plant life.

One of the big adventures of your stay will be to join the guides tracking rhino. The bushmen will locate some fresh tracks and you will be off on foot through the bush and scrub following the bushmen's calls and hand signals, so as not to startle the rhino. There are also numerous birding walks and game drives to be taken in the area and a variety of desert species can be seen including mongooses, meerkats, squirrels, brown hyena, aardvark and different desert antelope.

Another special aspect of your time at Edo's Camp is an opportunity to visit the local orphanage, located on the property and sponsored by the owners of Edo's Camp and their guests (including you).

You are welcome to bring books or other items from home to share with the children. There will also be time for relaxing in camp, enjoying the busy waterhole and also swimming in your very own waterhole - the swimming pool! Full Board

Day 8: Fly out of Maun - end of safari
After breakfast it is time for farewells to new friends. You will be transferred back through to Maun in time for your onward connections. The drive is approximately 2 hours and time permitting you may stop to visit a Herero village (excellent photo opportunity) and enjoy refreshments along the way. B & B

Included:

• Return flights from Johannesburg to Maun with Air Botswana
• B&B accommodation & transfers at Audi Camp
• Light Aircraft transfer (Cessna 206 or similar) Maun - Delta - Edo's Camp, with a strict 12kg luggage limit per person. Excess luggage can be stored in Maun
• 3 nights at 'Footsteps' a private 6 bedded camp in the Shinde Concession, accommodation in spacious tents with en-suite bathrooms - please note this is a rustic camp and there is no electricity, lighting is by paraffin lamps
• All meals, drinks, services of a personal chef and waiter at Footsteps
• All activities at Footsteps as per the Young Explorer Package (nature walks, big game tracking in 4x4 open safari vehicles, bird and animal identification, learning bush skills, night drives, mokoro excursions and fishing)
• Young Explorer's Bush Journal and certificates for the children
• 3 nights at Edo's Camp, a private 8 bedded lodge situated in a conservancy in the Kalahari area. Accommodation is en-suite and there is electricity available in the rooms
• All meals, drinks, services of kitchen staff
• All activities at Edo's Camp as per the Young Explorer Package (guided walks tracking rhino, game drives, tour of bushman village and gathering food with the women, visit to the children's orphanage, birding walks)
  

Excluded:

• Additional flights/ taxes
• Visas if applicable (contact us for details regarding your nationality)
• Meals & drinks as specified above
• Optional Traditional Bushman song and dance group - please enquire for current rates and book in advance for this unique experience
• Items of a personal nature (e.g. camera, binoculars, clothing, toiletries) - contact us for a packing list
• Any private purchases (such as curio shopping)
• Tips and gratuities to the staff
  
  

High season (1st July to 31st October)
Family of 3 - US$4360 per adult + US$4221 per child aged 7 to 12
Family of 4 - US$3631 per adult + US$3492 per child aged 7 to 12
Family of 5/6 - US$3110 per adult + US$2971 per child aged 7 to 12  

Tailor made itineraries are available on request, designed around your own personal interests.

OPTIONAL ADD-ON TOURS
In and around Durban, Greater St Lucia Wetlands, iMfolozi/Hluhluwe National Parks, Swaziland and Kruger National Park are available on request, including cultural villages in and around Zululand  

OUR CONTACT DETAILS

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Cell: 0829092945 \ Tel / Fax : +27 (0)36 352 7209
Bushwise Africa, PO Box 1301, Howick. 3290.

******************************************************************* Nature, as it was in ancient times, continues to be our best teacher. We instinctively know this, so come with us and rekindle your understanding of our wonderful world.