In conjuction with our partner for LGBTQ+ travel (including Allies, of course), HE Travel, we have pulled out all the stops on this amazing gay safari tour! Not only are we going to be visiting some of the more exclusive and remote areas of Africa to view seldom-seen rare and exotic wildlife, but we will do it all at a level of unparalleled luxury! Botswana is without a doubt the world’s premier luxury safari destination. Join us as we explore a corner of this unique continent in a way that few get to experience. We know you will never be the same!
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Jo’Burg!
Today you land at O.R. Tambo International Airport in the amazing city of Johannesburg, “Jo’burg” is the country’s largest city and financial center with ultra-modern skyscrapers and a bustling way of life.
Tonight, relax after your long journey, as the adventures start the next morning.
Day 2: The Adventures Begins
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we are off for our adventure! Due to flight schedules, we will fly to Maun, Botswana in the late morning. In Maun, we will enjoy a relaxing afternoon and enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
Days 3 and 4: Wild luxury and Nxai Pan National Park
After breakfast, we will head to Leroo La Tau, at the Makgadikgadi Pan National Park edge. It is world-renowned for its wildlife, there are so many unusual, exciting, and interesting animals and places in Botswana, and we will explore it all while living in exquisite comfort.
Unbelievable numbers of migratory birds flock to the pans and the grasslands swarm with a living mantle of zebra and wildebeest, participants in the second biggest animal migration on the African continent.
We will spend some time mingling with the animals and enjoy a full-day excursion to Nxai Pans National Park. This is a classic desert region that entails springbok, oryx, and eland all year round. We will make our way back to the lodge around sunset.
Our lodging is built on the cliffs above the Boteti River which provides us a great vantage point for some spectacular wildlife sightings. The river was once dry for 28 years, but it is actively flowing once again! Common sightings are kudu, giraffe, elephants, zebra, and wildebeest.
These days will be mixed with a variety of game drives, night drives, and an amazing boat cruise on the Boteti River (pending water levels)! Safari, Safari, Safari!
Days 5, 6, and 7: Lions, Hyena, and Zebra…OH MY!
Today’s flight takes you to one of the world’s most distinctive regions, the Okavango Delta – the earth’s largest inland water system. Rivers with ever-changing names flow through the heart of Southern Africa ending in Botswana where prehistoric earthquakes and subsequent faults have created the magic that is now the Okavango Delta. This unique system of waterways now supports a vast array of animal and plant life that you can find nowhere else on earth.
There is a great deal of diversity of habitats here, making for a wide variety of wildlife. Our activities here will be centered around boat excursions and driving safaris. Birding is excellent as we may observe Pels Fishing Owls and Wattled Cranes. More than 600 species reside within the 7,000 square miles of islands, marshes, floodplains, and channels. We should be able to spot larger species like elephant, red lechwe, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, baboon, monkey, warthog, and buffalo…..along with predators like lion, leopard, and hyena! By land and sea and with our trusty guides, we will attempt to spot them all!
Our lodging is quite amazing with our luxury tents with private decks and an en-suite hot shower. We will spend our days on safari, and our nights relaxing around the open-air lodge with a cocktail, exchanging stories with our new best friends around a blazing campfire.
Days 8 and 9: Wild Enough?
We have saved one of the best for last, as we fly to Chobe National Park, one of the finest wildlife viewing areas in all of Africa with a vast selection of exotic wildlife. Wild dog, cheetah, and leopard are highlights, with resident species like lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, hyena, zebra, kudu, lechwe, tsessebe, and Sable and Roan antelope being plentiful. This is indeed a wilderness paradise, with great game viewing throughout the year.
Our home for the next two nights is one of the few lodges that borders the park, providing easy access for morning game drives. With our team of experienced, professional guides we will see a wide variety of wildlife during the day and come home to relax in luxury every night. Our lodge offers wholesome meals, a selection of fine wines, and an onsite spa. The only thing better than the scenery is the service!
Day 10: The Circle is complete…
We will enjoy breakfast this morning before we transfer to the Kasane airport for your scheduled flights home, or continue on to Victoria Falls for a 3-night extension.
Price Includes
Botswana Main Tour
Price includes: Airport transfers; Superior accommodations for 9 nights (1 in Johannesburg, 1 in Maun, and 7 at Botswana safari lodges) including all applicable hotel and lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling; Flight from Johannesburg to Maun and to all Botswana camps and lodges; Park entry fees and sightseeing as specified; All breakfasts are included, 4 Lunches and 8 Dinners; Wildlife viewing by 4X4 open vehicles, driven by professional driver/guides; All local beverages during the safaris in Botswana except for Champagne and imported spirits; Complimentary bottled water in vehicles throughout; Services of an HE Travel Host (pending minimum participation). HE Travel provides complimentary Medical & Evacuation Insurance for every US Resident on our group tours who does not have other coverage.
Not included: Airfare to Johannesburg, South Africa and from Kasane, Botswana; 5 Lunches and 1 Dinner; International departure taxes; Gratuities for National and local guides and HE Travel host; Excess baggage charges levied by airlines; Personal items including alcoholic beverages, snacks, laundry service, and telephone calls.
Post Tour – Victoria Falls
Price includes: Airport transfers; three hotel nights, including all applicable hotel and lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling; All breakfasts and 2 Dinners; Complimentary bottled water in vehicles throughout; Services of an HE Travel Host (pending minimum participation). HE Travel provides complimentary Medical & Evacuation Insurance for every US Resident on our group tours who does not have other coverage.
Not included: Airfare departing from Victoria Falls; International departure taxes; 2 Lunches and 1 Dinner; Gratuities for guides and HE Travel host; Excess baggage charges levied by airlines; Personal items including alcoholic beverages, snacks, laundry, and telephone calls.
Optional Tour Choices:
$1898 Shared Room per person cost
$2598 Private Room (for solo travelers who wish to enjoy a private bedroom and bathroom)
We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance to protect your vacation investment in case of unforeseen circumstances such as flight delay, illness, or injury. Click Here to learn more about our Insurance partner.
Extensions
Post-tour Victoria Falls: May 22 to 25, 2022
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Days 10, 11, and 12: Victoria Falls
We will make our way to Zimbabwe for our final stop at Victoria Falls! Enjoy three nights here in our stylish colonial lodge with the best restaurant in the country. We will help you decide on which optional guided tours you would like to enjoy, including a tour along the edge of Victoria Falls and a variety of optional excursions for the remainder of your stay. Enjoy bungee jumping, a helicopter ride over the falls, ziplining, or many other exhilarating activities.
Days 13: Depart
Today we will say our goodbyes with a transfer to the Victoria Falls Airport.
Prices
Shared Room: $10,398 per person
Private Room: $12,798 per person
Deposit Price: $1000 per person