Charmingly rustic Mapula Lodge is situated in Botswana’s central northern Okavango Delta, a region featuring expanses of savannah interspersed by lagoons and tributaries. Set under a canopy of African hardwoods, Mapula’s main area welcomes guests with delightful simplicity offering panoramic floodplain views. Guests are accommodated in 9 simply but tastefully furnished thatched chalets, each including a traditional zinc bathtub, outdoor shower and a veranda with lagoon views. Game wanders freely around the area so eyes and ears tuned in as you never know what will be walking, flying or swimming by!
Day 01 Maun – Okavango Delta
Today, board your flight at Maun Airport in Botswana which will transfer you to Mapula Lodge in the Okavango Delta. Mapula will be your home base for the next (2) nights on a fully inclusive basis. This afternoon, enjoy one of Mapula’s game viewing activities – a game drive, a guided walk or a mokoro (canoe) excursion.
Day 02 Hot Air Ballooning in the Okavango Delta at Mapula Lodge
Enjoy an early game drive en route to the balloon launch site where you will have tea, coffee and snacks while you watch the ground crew inflating the balloon. After a safety briefing, the balloon will take off 10 minutes before sunrise when the air is at its calmest. The incredible birds-eye perspective of the Okavango Delta unfolding beneath you is mesmerising – an intriguing pattern of swamps, lakes and lagoons dotted with islands and an intricate network of wildlife paths forming water channels resembles the veins of a leaf.
The balloon will drift with the air currents for approximately 45 minutes giving you the opportunity to spot as much wildlife as you can. Keeping with tradition, the flight will be celebrated with champagne and orange juice and snacks and the pilot will present a commemorative flight certificate in recognition of your ‘bravery’!
On the game drive back to camp, reminisce on your spellbinding morning suspended over the Okavango Delta. The entire experience will take approximately 4 hours. The remainder of the day is yours to relax in camp and partake in an afternoon game viewing activity.
Day 03 Okavango Delta – Maun
Today, enjoy the views of the amazing Okavango Delta on your light aircraft transfer back to Maun Airport.
Safari Price
U$ 2635 per person sharing (Jun - Jul & Sep - 14 Oct 2018)
U$ 2790 per person sharing (Aug 2018)
U$ 2370 per person sharing (Apr - 14 Jun 2019)
U$ 2950 per person sharing (15 Jun - Jul & Sep - 15 Oct 2019)
U$ 3140 per person sharing (Aug 2019)
* Single Room supplement on request
* Balloon Packages in Botswana only operate Apr - Oct each year
Price Includes
2 Nights accommodation on a fully inclusive basis
Accommodation
All meals
Teas / coffees & snacks
Local beers, wines and soft drinks
Twice daily game viewing activities (on Day 02 the Balloon Safari will replace the standard morning game viewing activity)
One hot air Balloon Safari flight (Day 02)
The services of professional ranger and camp staff
All government taxes and levies
Laundry
All light aircraft transfers as per itinerary
Price Excludes
Personal items and gratuities
Premium imports from the bar
Travel Insurance
Visas if required
Airport taxes