On this 3 Day Okavango Safari, one of the highlights is a hot air ballooning experience over the islands and waterways of the this vast wilderness in northern Botswana. The safari is a fly in / fly out package that starts and ends at Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. You are based at the small Mapalu Lodge located in the north-central part of the delta. It is a charming camp nestled in a grove of big trees overlooking the water and distant tree line of neighbouring islands.
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, or enjoy the simply beautiful surrounds of this Okavango camp.
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$ 3465 per person sharing - (1 - 15 Sep 2021)
U$ 2705 per person sharing - (15 - 30 Apr 2022)
U$ 2810 per person sharing - (May 2022)
U$ 3415 per person sharing - (Jun & Aug - 15 Sep 2022)
U$ 3715 per person sharing - (Jul 2022)
* Single Room supplement on request
** Helicopter transfers to and from the launch site are excluded, and necessary if vehicle access is prevented due to annual flood
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
Return Helicopter transfers to the balloon launch site (if necessary - U$ 338 pp min. 2 pax)
Travel Insurance
Visas if required
Airport taxes