This epic and renowned safari is a real bucket list adventure. Canoe/walk your way along the Selinda Spillway for three nights in the heart of this huge 320,000-acre nature reserve. Made up of vast floodplains, sprawling forests and habitat where only wildlife treads, this part of Botswana is a true wilderness. Explore by day and then cozy up under canvas by night on this magical canoeing and camping safari.
Small Group Adventure 4 days
'From Price' is the average price per person for ground arrangements for two people sharing.
Flights are typically an additional £1,150 per person economy class from London
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The Selinda Adventure Trail leads travellers along a meandering course into the beautiful and remote woodlands of the vast Selinda Reserve of northern Botswana. There is superb wildlife to be seen in and around these secluded waterways, from hippos and spectacular birdlife to antelope, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs and plentiful herds of elephant and buffalo. Each trail lasts five days, with four nights spent fly-camping along the Selinda Spillway at no pre-arranged site. The trail begins at the Selinda airstrip where guests are transferred by helicopter to the starting point of their journey, a short 20-minute flight away.
Variations in water availability mean that two distinct adventures are offered; either a mixed canoeing and walking experience, or a walking-only experience for times when water levels limit or prevent canoeing. Given the level of activity and distances involved, the trail is available to anyone aged 14 or over, with children and young people necessarily remaining under the constant supervision of parents in this truly wild location. Groups of two to eight guests can participate at any one time and trips take place in either late May or late September each year.
Accommodation isn’t luxurious, but is entirely in keeping with the back to nature spirit of this canoeing and camping safari. You camp along the banks of the Selinda Spillway wherever you find yourselves at the end of the day. Everything is carried on the canoes, which places natural limitations on the facilities available. You’ll be staying in dome-tents that come with comfy bedrolls and good-quality linen. And you can get clean with hot bucket showers, but you’ll have to brave short-drop toilets. In terms of food, it’s all provided but as meals will be rustled up on the camp fire, expect tasty rather than elaborate food.
Day 1: The trail begins at the Motswiri airfield at approximately 1pm. Once the guide has briefed the group, the trail starts with a short walk to the canoe station where the real adventure begins. As there is no set distance to be covered on the first day and also due to the fact that all the equipment is carried with the group, you’ll paddle until you’re ready to stop, just before sunset at a suitable site on the banks of the Spillway. The dome-tented camp will be erected and you’ll enjoy well-deserved sundowners around the campfire before dinner, followed by a good night's sleep.
Day 2: After an early wake-up call, enjoy tea or coffee and a light breakfast, while the camp is being dismantled. Then it’s back in the canoes for a full-day of paddling, with lunch en route. Depending on time and the route, there may also be the chance to stretch your legs with a walk. The evening will be spent camping at a suitable site along the Spillway.
Day 3: Enjoy an early breakfast while the camp is taken down, and then it’s back in the canoe to continue along the river for another full-day excursion. In the evening, set up camp for the last night of this trail.
Day 4: Today’s the last day, and you should be finished around 11am, so that you can be met by car and transferred to the Selinda airstrip.
Guide price is based on recommended accommodations. Alternative accommodations and upgrades are available. Please get in touch for alternatives and upgrade options.
The best route from the UK to Botswana is to fly from London to Johannesburg and then catch a connecting flight with Air Botswana. To get to the start of the trip, you'll need to fly in by light aircraft, which we will arrange for you.
Accommodation, food, canoes and equipment.
This safari is for advunterers and seasoned safari goers. You will be right in the thick of nature, paddling along peaceful waterways and hiking with hardly a sign of other humans for three nights. You’ll be canoeing and walking during the day, and camping at night. You’ll have to be ok with camping and short-drop toilets, but let’s face it, they’re a small price to pay for a great adventure safari in Botswana. Children above the age of 12 are welcome on this trip, guests over the age of 65 are most welcome, but are asked to provide a recent certified medical certificate. It is recommended that you stay at Motswiri Camp the night prior to departure. This means that you can have an early start on your first day. Contact us for details.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
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