Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Emerald Season Special

Example holiday

Emerald Season Special

We hope that this example holiday will give you give some inspiration to help you begin to plan your own dream holiday to Africa.

The next couple of pages show a summary of the itinerary, followed by a detailed page on each destination.

Important travel information for visitors to Botswana is included at the back of this document.

All the holidays we offer to our clients are tailor-made so we can adjust this trip to fit in with your travel dates, interests, preferred accommodation...and of course your budget.

All our travel consultants have extensive knowledge of travel throughout Southern and East Africa, and our strong relationships with suppliers mean that our rates to you will always be competitive.

Let us take the hard work out of planning your trip: you can get in touch either by giving us a call on +44 (0) 1483 266725, completing the Enquiry Form on our website or emailing us at info@travelbutlers.com.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Travel Butlers Team

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Emerald Season Special

Example Itinerary

TB-1826-1 / 31174

Example Cost

Holiday Title: Emerald Season Special

Holiday Destination: Holiday to Botswana for 6 nights

Passengers: 2 Adults

Example Cost for 2 Adults: * per person sharing.

*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.

All monies paid by UK customers for the air package holiday shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 10245.

When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.

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About Us

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Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Summary Of The Itinerary

Printable Version

Holiday Title: Emerald Season Special

Passengers: 2 Adults

Day 1

Upon arrival into Maun Airport, you will be met and assisted with your check in for your Moremi Air flight to Nxai Pan.

Moremi Air Seat in Plane Rate (Light Aircraft): Fly from Maun (MUB) to Nxai Pan Camp - arrival and departure times to be confirmed

You will be met at the airstrip and transferred to Nxai Pan Camp. Nxai Pan Camp faces east over the open grasslands of the pans. Day trips to Baines' Baobabs are highly popular, and include a picnic lunch at the site. These age-old trees were immortalised in paintings by the artist and adventurer Thomas Baines in 1862. If you were to compare Baines' paintings to the scene today, you would find that after 150 years, the trees are nearly identical - testament to the age of these magnificent giants. Another classic activity at Nxai Pan is a walk with one of the San bushmen trackers, an informative walk that takes place within the camp's footprint. Learn about how the San used to live nomadically - how they used to hunt, gather food, water sources, and which plants were used for medicinal purposes. Their wealth of true bush knowledge is unparalled.


Day 3

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airstrip, where you will board your flight to the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to an impressive array of animals and birdlife. Thousands of elephant and buffalo roam the area, often in large herds, while several thousands hippos navigate their way through the existing channels, or create new ones. As you fly over the Delta you can see the intricate twisting and turning of the waterways and the ever-changing colours where dry land meets the waters of the Delta.

Moremi Air Seat in Plane Rate (Light Aircraft): Fly from Nxai Pan Camp to Splash Camp - arrival and departure times to be confirmed

You will be met at the airstrip and transferred to your safari camp. Splash Camp is situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta, within the private Kwara Reserve. The camp offers a very relaxed, friendly and authentic atmosphere. The Kwara Reserve shares a 30 km water boundary with the famous Moremi Game Reserve and its unique location boasts both permanent water and seasonal flood plains as well as extensive dry bush wilderness.


Day 5

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airstrip, where you will board your flight north to the private Kwando Concession.

Moremi Air Seat in Plane Rate (Light Aircraft): Fly from Splash Camp to Lebala Camp - arrival and departure times to be confirmed

You will be met at the airstrip and transferred to the safari camp. Lebala is situated in the south of the Kwando concession, adjacent to the head waters of the Linyanti marshes that form the boundary between Botswana and Namibia. This special ecosystem is home to a wide variety of Africa's plains game such as zebra, wildebeest, impala, giraffe and tsessebe as well as lechwe, waterbuck and the shy sitatunga. Lebala is also known for frequent sightings of wild dog, which have denned near to the camp in recent years.

Kwando Concession

2 nights at Lebala Camp

continues on next page...
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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...continued from previous page.

Day 7

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip, where you will board your flight back to Maun.

Moremi Air Seat in Plane Rate (Light Aircraft): Fly from Lebala Camp to Maun (MUB) - arrival and departure times to be confirmed

You will be met at Maun Airport and assisted with the check in for your onward international flight.
 
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Nxai Pan Camp

Makgadikgadi Pan: 2 Nights

Nxai Pan Camp is located on the western edge of the fossil pan from which the camp takes its name, and is the only permanent camp in the Nxai Pan National Park. The camp faces east over the open grasslands of the pans and accommodates a maximum of 18 guests in thatched units.

The biggest draw to the Park are the zebras that migrate by the thousands to the area, (usually) from mid-February to late April to give birth – which is the second largest land animal migration in Southern Africa, during the summer after the rains have fallen. The pan is also known for its huge springbok population, wildebeest, elephants and large groups of giraffe. During the rainy season, birdlife here is prolific, many species being different to what one would see in the Delta – it is definitely a birders paradise.

Activities offered at Nxai Pan are game drives, as well as day trips to the famous Baines' Baobabs. These age-old trees were immortalised in paintings by the artist and adventurer Thomas Baines in 1862. If you were to compare Baines’ paintings to the scene today, you would find that after 150 years, the trees are nearly identical – testament to the age of these magnificent giants. Another classic activity is a walk with one of the San bushmen trackers, an informative walk that takes place within the camp’s footprint. Learn about how the San used to live nomadically, gather food, find water sources, hunt and identify which plants were used for medicinal purposes. Their wealth of true bush knowledge is unparalleled.

The 9 en-suite chalets at Nxai Pan Camp (including a 2 bedroomed family chalet close to the main area) are linked to the main area by low raised walkways. Inside, the chalets are wide, airy and spacious. All have a relaxing lounge area and sliding doors that open onto a viewing deck, which faces a permanent waterhole where elephant are frequent visitors.

The main area of the camp includes an expansive open-air lounge, dining area, bar, plunge pool and curio shop. The wide, wooden viewing deck leads out to an open firepit area where guests often enjoy pre and post dinner drinks, and breakfast is usually served here too. Off to one side of the deck is a small plunge pool, with sun loungers offering front row seats to the action at the waterhole.

This lodge is a perfect contrast to the Okavango Delta and Northern Botswana regions, and is a great way to start or round off any trip.

Example Details For Nxai Pan Camp

Nights: 2 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Chalet
Includes: All meals; beverages including premier brands (alcoholic and non-alcoholic); all game viewing activities; daily laundry service; and emergency medical evacuation cover are included.

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

Location

Nxai Pan Camp Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Nxai Pan Camp

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Splash Camp

Okavango Delta: 2 Nights

Splash Camp is situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta, within the private Kwara Reserve, and offers a very relaxed, friendly and authentic atmosphere.

The concession shares a 30 km water boundary with the famous Moremi Game Reserve and its unique location boasts both permanent water and seasonal flood plains as well as extensive dry bush wilderness. Characterised by labyrinths of permanent water channels and secret islands, this area offers the perfect Delta experience, and is considered to be amongst the best area in Botswana for game viewing and activities.

The camp has a variety of activities available including game drives, walking safaris during the green season, mokoro excursions and night drives. Fishing is also offered for 10 months of the year (prohibited in January and February as this is peak breeding season). Basic equipment is supplied but avid fly fishers are advised to bring their own equipment.

Boat cruises are one of the best ways to to see the Delta and all of its inhabitant, and from August to December visits to the nearby heronries currently located in Godikwe and Gcobega Lagoons can be arranged. The number of birds fluctuates from year to year, depending on the conditions, and is a very worthwhile experience for birders.

The 10 en-suite tents are situated on a deck overlooking a pan which attracts game year round. Each tent also has a private veranda with outdoor lounge chairs, the perfect place to relax and take in the magnificent views and soak up the atmosphere. There are also 2 family tents with an extra bedroom and a shared bathroom.

The main area has a plunge pool, bar, and lounge as well as an orientation center and a curio shop. Just in front, towards the pan is the fire pit where a light breakfast is served each day before heading off on activities, and stories are told after supper in the evenings.

Splash Enclave (accommodating groups of 6-10 guests looking for a more intimate experience) is still part of the main camp but the rooms can be booked on an exclusive basis. This area has a separate plunge pool, dining area, lounge and bar and with no age restrictions for an exclusive booking, this is the perfect location for families.

Example Details For Splash Camp

Nights: 2 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Chalet
Includes: All meals; scheduled game activities; local branded drinks; a laundry service; and Park fees are included.

Please note that the minimum age for both mokoro and walking activities is 12 years.

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

Location

Splash Camp Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Splash Camp

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Lebala Camp

Kwando Concession: 2 Nights

Lebala (meaning 'wide open spaces' in the local language of Setswana) is located in 2,320 square kilometres of private unfenced wilderness in the Kwando concession. The surrounding scenery is dominated by vast plains with scattered palms and trees backed by wooded savannas.

The wetlands and flood plains around Lebala offer a wonderful variety of wildlife with excellent sightings of elephant, hippo, lechwe, zebra, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, kudu, tsessebe, roan, sable, buffalo and the ever present predators - wild dog, lion, cheetah, hyena and leopard.

After dark, spotlights are switched on and the game drives expose guests to nocturnal sightings of rare and elusive species such as leopard, small spotted genet and aardwolf, to name a few. Nocturnal bird species that are encountered include the Natal nightjar and a large variety of owls.

Depending on the season, it is also possible to do guided walks in the area, although the distance and location for walks may vary seasonally.

The 8 spacious tents are built on a raised teak deck, laid out with maximum comfort and privacy in mind, and are set back among the trees. The endless vistas from the large windows and decks across the vast plains make Lebala one of the finest wilderness camps in Africa.

Each tent has a reading and writing area, an en-suite bathroom with Victorian clawfoot bathtubs, and "his and hers" washbasins. The bathrooms lead out to a reed enclosed open-air shower with hot and cold running water. The tents are kept cool with a combination of ceiling fans and the mosquito net walls. There is also one family tent which consists of an additional twin bedroom within the tent itself, ensuring that parents and young children sleep in the same tent for their peace of mind.

The main areas of the camp include a small swimming pool, a communal fire place and dining room, a curio shop, bar and lounge area including a small library. Mouth-watering food is prepared by the chefs and served in the open-sided dining room. After dinner there is a wonderful camp fire around which to sip a coffee or enjoy a nightcap. Outdoor private dinners can also be organised by the poolside or by the fireplace for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and honeymoons.

Example Details For Lebala Camp

Nights: 2 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Luxury Tent
Includes: All meals; beverages including premier brands (alcoholic and non-alcoholic); all game viewing activities; a daily laundry service; and emergency medical evacuation cover (to a regional medical facility) are included.

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

Location

Lebala Camp Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Lebala Camp

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Important Travel Information For Botswana

Passport, Visa and Entry Requirements

Latest Travel Updates

For up-to-date travel information from the UK government, please check:

UK Government Advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/botswana

 

Normally, holders of the following passports do not require a visa to enter Botswana when travelling as a tourist for stays up to 90 days:

United Kingdom; United States of America; Canada; Australia; New Zealand; Ireland; Belgium; Netherlands; Italy; France; Germany; Norway; Spain; South Africa.

If you are a passport holder from another country,  you can check to see if you require a visa and apply for an eVisa here: https://evisa.gov.bw/#/home.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Botswana and have sufficient blank pages for the Botswana entry/exit stamps (at least 2).

TRAVELLING TO/FROM BOTSWANA WITH CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 18 YEARS OF AGE AT DATE OF TRAVEL: The following requirements apply regardless of nationality.

Parents travelling with children must produce an unabridged birth certificate for the child, showing full details of the child's parents. If the birth certificate is in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by a sworn translation issued by a competent authority in the country concerned.

If the child is adopted, the adoption certificate must be produced.

If only one parent is travelling, said parent must also show consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent named on the birth certificate authorising the child to travel (the affidavit must be no more than 6 months old from the date of travel), or a court order granting full parental responsibilities to the travelling parent, or (where applicable) a death certificate for the deceased parent. Legally separated parents should also provide a court order when the other parent does not give consent.

Where a person is travelling with a child who is not their biological child, he/she must produce an unabridged birth certificate for the child supplemented by affidavits from the child's parents/legal guardian giving consent for the child to travel and copies of the identity documents or passport of the parents/legal guardian PLUS their contact details.

There are also additional rules for unaccompanied minors - available on request.

PLEASE NOTE: All documents must be original - PHOTOCOPIES ARE NOT ACCEPTED. In the case of foreign countries that do not issue unabridged birth certificates, a letter to this effect issued by the competent authority of the foreign country should be produced.

For more information, please contact your local Botswana High Commission.

IMPORTANT:  Plastic bags are banned in Botswana. This ban is primarily aimed to reduce plastic in commercial use (as opposed to tourists bringing in plastic bags to carry personal property), however, we would strongly recommend guests avoid bringing plastic bags into the country if possible.

PLEASE NOTE: Countries can change their entry requirements at any time. Travel Butlers try to ensure that the information displayed here is correct, but the onus remains with the traveller to verify the information with the relevant High Commission or Embassy and ensure that they can comply with the applicable entry requirements.

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Important Travel Information For Botswana

Continued

Medical

You are advised to contact your doctor or clinic around 4-8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations and to get their professional medical advice regarding travel to Botswana.

To help prevent diarrhoea, avoid tap water – drink only bottled water and use bottled water for tooth brushing, and avoid ice made with tap water – and only eat fruit or vegetables that are cooked or can be peeled.

To help avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of bottled water/fluids, and keep out of the midday sun.

There is a risk of malaria in the northern half of Botswana, including Chobe and the Okavango Delta, particularly during the months of November to June - check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets. Try to avoid mosquito bites wherever possible - wear loose long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and use a repellent on clothing and exposed skin.

There is no risk of yellow fever in Botswana, so a yellow fever vaccination is NOT required for travellers whose sole destination is Botswana. However, in accordance with International Health Regulations, Botswana requires all travellers over one year of age arriving from a yellow fever risk country, or having been in transit longer than 12 hours at the airport of such a country, to have a yellow fever certificate. These countries include Kenya and Uganda but it is up to the traveller to check the full list here https://nathnacyfzone.org.uk/factsheet/60/yellow-fever-maps

Languages And Culture

English is the official language of Botswana and widely spoken with all guides and general staff in camps and lodges having a good command. In the broader population, however, not everyone will speak English fluently as many have grown up speaking different tribal languages. 

We would ask that all travellers are respectful of the local culture as follows:

Although homosexuality is no longer prohibited by law in Botswana, public attitudes are less tolerant and public displays of affection may attract negative attention. Whilst everyone is of course entitled to their own sexual preferences and gender identity, we would advise all clients of the LGBT+ community to refrain from public displays of affection (including kissing and holding hands) and to be as discrete as possible about their relationship.

You should always ask permission before taking anyone’s photograph. Taking photographs of military and government buildings is prohibited.

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Book With Confidence

Travel Butlers have 20 years experience of booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for clients from all around the world.  In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.

Flexibility and peace of mind before you travel

Our team are specialists in travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean, and we are constantly monitoring the changing situation regarding travel to the region. If your trip cannot go ahead due to specific travel restrictions related to Covid-19 then we will get in touch to offer you the choice of the following:

The specific Covid-19 travel restrictions are defined as follows:

We would not normally be able to confirm that your trip cannot proceed due to travel restrictions until a couple of weeks before the start of your trip, however should you want to look at postponing or altering your trip before then we would aim to be as flexible as possible.

If we confirm that your trip is unable to proceed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, then we will not charge you an amendment fee if you choose to postpone your trip or move it to another destination. We may need to adjust the cost of your trip to reflect the new dates, particularly if those coincide with a more expensive season of travel or higher grade of accommodation. Equally, if the cost of your postponed trip is less, we will reduce the cost accordingly.

You should still take out travel insurance that includes Covid-19  to cover you in the event that your trip can go ahead but you are unable to travel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances. If there are no travel restrictions in place that mean your trip could not go ahead but you need to cancel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances then our normal terms and conditions would apply. You should ensure that your travel insurance provides adequate cover for cancelling due to illness, including Covid-19, and you may be able to make a claim against your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.

Support whilst you are away

We offer 24/7 telephone assistance to all our clients whilst they are away, and also have partners in each country that are able to assist with any PCR tests or other issues that might arise during your trip.

If you fall ill whilst you are away, or if your trip is disrupted due to Covid-19 whilst you are travelling, then our experienced team will be on hand to assist you in whatever way you need.  You would need to pay any additional costs incurred due to illness or travel disruption whilst you are away, however you may be able reclaim these expenses on your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.  Travel Butlers will be able to assist by providing supporting documentation for your claim.

Financial protection for your Travel Butlers holiday

All of the holidays we sell are 100% financially protected through our ATOL and ABTOT bonding so your money is in safe hands when you book a Travel Butlers holiday. Furthermore, our business is well positioned to navigate through the challenges which the travel industry is currently facing.

Please read our Terms and Conditions for more information.

Finding suitable travel insurance that covers Covid-19

You can now get insurance that offers cover for disruption related to Covid-19, and these policies could include cover for:

Not all policies offer this kind of cover, not necessarily even all policies from the same provider, so you should ensure you check the policy details carefully before buying your insurance. 

You can read more about choosing suitable travel insurance in the FCDO guide to travel insurance.