Discoverer Exploration Safaris
Deluxe fully serviced safaris with Meru tents and private ensuite bathroom facilities
| Botswana | Namibia | Zambia | Malawi |
Discoverer Explorations are a deluxe range of mobile safaris that have the advantage of superb locations, taking our guests on a select, spectacular journey through the most remote wilderness areas to enjoy outstanding wildlife viewing in Africa. Our itineraries provide exciting encounters with the most diverse, renowned and scenic areas in each country.
These safaris combine Wilderness Safaris' fixed camps with exclusive trails camps. Such camps are always located in private concessions, ensuring not only private accommodation but also meeting other Wilderness Safaris guests.
We have developed an innovative Meru-style canvas tent for the Discoverer trails camps. This design, with its hexagonal shape, walk-in structure and en-suite separate toilet and shower areas, allows for a sense of space, matchless views and privacy. The interiors of the tents have been redesigned to create a sense of stepping back in time, with flowing linen of pure cottons and essential "old style" finishes.
Paraffin hurricane lanterns and a crackling campfire set the evening camp ambience. Fresh, sumptuous meals are usually prepared around a fire by safari staff, and the dining area is under stars (although a canopy dining tent is always erected), creating that matchless 'camping wilderness' experience. A small reference library is also provided.
Discoverer camps are designed to bring the guest closer to nature; they are specially outfitted to ensure the camping feel with a clear emphasis on necessary and stylish comfortable interiors. This warm, inviting atmosphere, with its lantern-lit meals and cheerful campfire, is complemented by the comfort and added luxury of the permanent lodges visited.
Departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 8 guests, or tailor-made for private groups. There are two types of Explorations: Discoverer and Adventurer.
Botswana Discoverer Safaris
THE GREAT WILDERNESS JOURNEY IN BOTSWANA ... details andday to day itinerary
This Journey takes the time to explore Botswana's contrasts and extremes in prime areas where few guests travel: from the lushly vegetated wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the game-rich Linyanti and Chobe River systems and the Victoria Falls, largest curtain of water in the world.
(Please note that this trip will operate only in the Maun-to-Livingstone direction.)
Brief Itinerary
Days 1, 2 & 3: Fly to Jacana Camp, Okavango Delta
Days 4, 5 & 6: Transfer by air to Motswiri Camp, Selinda Spillway
Days 7, 8 & 9: Fly to Linyanti Discoverer Camp, Linyanti/Chobe
Day 10: Fly to Kasane for Chobe River boat cruise; then "Flight of Angels" transfer over Victoria Falls to Toka Leya, Livingstone
Day 11: Guided walk around Victoria Falls, transfer to airport
THE WILD KALAHARI ... details and day to day itinerary
(Recommended add-on to Migration Routes)
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, one of the largest protected areas on the planet, and its evocatively named Deception Valley, produces typical Kalahari Desert scenes of shimmering mirages, springbok herds, stately gemsbok and regal black-maned lion.
BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1: Depart by road from Maun to Deception Valley Lodge.
Days 2 & 3: Game transfer to Kalahari Plains Camp, Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
Day 4: Return by road to Maun.
Please note: This short exciting Kalahari Exploration is also recommended as a contrasting add-on either to Migration Routes or a lodge-based itinerary through the Okavango and Linyanti.
THE SAFARI FOR ALL SEASONS ... details and day to day itinerary
This package takes in an awe-inspiring range of habitat types: the ancient river valley in the Central Kalahari Desert, the fertile green islands of the Okavango Delta and its crystal-clear waterways, the Kwando wetland system and adjacent savannah woodland, and finally to the luxuriant riverine forest along the banks of the Zambezi River.
The Safari for all Seasons lives up to its name - a year-round experience that takes in three countries and a variety of ecosystems with their attendant wildlife and scenery.
Brief Itinerary
Days 1, 2 & 3: Kalahari Plains Camp, Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Days 4 & 5: Jacana, Xigera or Seba Camp, Okavango Delta
Days 6 & 7: Lianshulu Camp, Kwando River, Mudumu National Park, Namibia
Day 8: Toka Leya Camp or The River Club, Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, Livingstone, Zambia
Namibia Discoverer Safaris
THE GREAT NAMIBIAN JOURNEY ... details and day to day itinerary
Namibia is a land of stunning landscapes, endless skies, barren deserts, rugged mountains and spectacular wildlife - and the Great Namibian Journey encompasses it all. This cross-section explores the dunes of Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert, the stark beauty of the Skeleton Coast, amazing marine life just off Swakopmund, the volcanic rock-strewn landscape of Damaraland and the game-filled savannah of Etosha.
Brief Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: From Windhoek drive to Sossusvlei (Kulala Wilderness Camp, Kulala Desert Lodge or Little Kulala)
Days 3 & 4: Drive to Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund
Day 5: Transfer by road to Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
Days 6 & 7: Drive to Desert Rhino Camp, Damaraland
Days 8 & 9: Road transfer to Ongava Tented Camp, Etosha
Days 10, 11 & 12: Fly to Skeleton Coast Research Camp, Skeleton Coast National Park
Day 13: Fly to Windhoek
SPIRIT OF THE NAMIB ... details and day to day itinerary
This Exploration reveals the elusive wildlife of the desert, the life-rich rugged Atlantic Coast and the immense moving dune fields of the Namib Desert. Surprisingly, the seemingly barren desert comes to life with an amazing plethora of plants and animals that have ingeniously adapted to their harsh surroundings - and in fact thrive.
Brief Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Andersson's Camp, Etosha Region
Day 3: Drive to Palmwag Lodge, Palmwag
Days 4 & 5: Drive to Hoanib Camp, Kaokoland
Day 6: Transfer via Twyfelfontein to Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
Day 7: Drive via Cape Cross seal colony to The Stiltz Lodge, Swakopmund
Days 8 & 9: Drive to Walvis Bay for sea kayaking and then to Sossusvlei (Kulala Wilderness Camp, Kulala Desert Lodge or Little Kulala)
Day 10: Drive to Windhoek
DESERT RHINO EXPEDITION ... details and day to day itinerary
An original and exciting Exploration, guests join the "ships of the desert" on a great adventure: an eight-day walk deep into the heart of the Namib Desert, where a camel train and a team of Save the Rhino trackers go in search of the rare and endangered desert-adapted black rhino.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and overnight at Palmwag Lodge
Day 2: Early morning drive north to Mbakondja Camel Camp to meet the Save the Rhino Camel Team (SRCT), then ride south to and overnight near the Aub River
Day 3: Ride out west towards the Barab River
Day 4: Ride west again towards Okomutati and Kudu Springs.
Day 5: Travel to Hunkab Spring and overnight in Adventure Camp
Day 6: Bid farewell to camels and SRCT trackers and transfer by vehicle to Hoanib Camp
Day 7: Hoanib Camp, Kaokoland
Day 8: Fly back to Palmwag Lodge in time for lunch.
BEST OF NAMIBIA WING SAFARI ... details and day to day itinerary
This safari explores four distinct regions: the sands and red dunes of Sossusvlei; the icy, life-filled coasts at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay; the stark plains of Damaraland, with their desert-adapted elephants; and the amazing wildlife abundance on the savannah of Etosha.
Brief Itinerary - Departures operate every Sunday all year-round.
Days 1 & 2: Fly to Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp, Namib Desert
Days 3 & 4: Travel by air to Walvis Bay for dolphin boat cruise and Swakopmund touring, then on to Damaraland Camp
Days 5 & 6: Fly to Ongava Game Reserve and Etosha National Park
Day 7: Transfer back to Windhoek
BEST OF NAMIBIA CIRCUIT ... details and suggested itinerary
Create your own Namibia safari: experience the enormous red dunes of Sossusvlei, the nutrient-filled coasts of Swakopmund, the starkly beautiful plains and river valleys of Damaraland and the bushveld of Etosha National Park.
Zambia Discoverer Safari
KAFUE RIVERS AND PLAINS ... details and day to day itinerary
The spectacular Busanga Plains in the north of the Kafue is a vast flat expanse, one of Zambia's most significant wetland resources. This enormous wilderness is cut through by three rivers: The Kafue, Lufupa and Lunga. The mix of habitats from the open grassy plains of Busanga to the lush vegetation fringing the rivers allows for different impressions and highlights, creating fascinating ever-changing safari..
Brief Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Air charter from Lusaka to Lufupa Tented Camp, central Kafue National Park
Days 3 & 4: Drive to Musanza Tented Camp, Busanga Plains, north-western Kafue
Day 5 & 6: Drive to Busanga Bush Camp, in the heart of the Busanga Plains, north-eastern Kafue
Day 7: Return by road to Lufupa Tented Camp
Day 8: Air charter to Lusaka
Malawi Discoverer Safari
THE GREAT MALAWI JOURNEY ... details and day to day itinerary
From the imposing mountains of Mulanje to the crystal-clear tranquillity of Lake Malawi; from the cultural and historical highlights of the one-time capital at Zomba to the prolific wildlife of Mvuu, this Exploration displays the essence of the "warm heart of Africa."
Brief Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Transfer to Zomba Forest Lodge/ ku Chawe Inn, Zomba Mountain
Days 3 & 4: Drive to Lujeri Lodge, Mulanje Mountain: One of the great "drives of Malawi" through the tea fields of Thyolo-scenery, culture birding. Option to visit Blantyre en route.
Days 5 - 7: Transfer to Mvuu Lodge, Liwonde National Park
Days 8 & 9: Drive to Mumbo Island, Cape Maclear
Day 10: Road transfer to Lilongwe Airport