BIRDING BOTSWANA
In various combinations of 4x4 vehicles, motor-boats, mekoro (canoes), on foot, depending on the localities.
Birding Botswana can offer the following birding options.
1)
A birding tour lodge to lodge with a specialist bird guide. This will generally involve flying in light aircraft from one locality to another. Once at the lodges or private camps birding is done in 4x4 vehicles, in boats or on foot, or by combinations of these. This package includes accommodation; meals; transport (flights) between lodges/private camps and to your departure point (usually Maun or Kasane which are served by international airports); all park entry fees; the services of your birding guide; ¹vehicles and boats used for bird watching.
A birding tour lodge to lodge with a specialist bird guide. This will generally involve flying in light aircraft from one locality to another. Once at the lodges or private camps birding is done in 4x4 vehicles, in boats or on foot, or by combinations of these. This package includes accommodation; meals; transport (flights) between lodges/private camps and to your departure point (usually Maun or Kasane which are served by international airports); all park entry fees; the services of your birding guide; ¹vehicles and boats used for bird watching. ¹If you want exclusive use of a vehicle or boat for birding there will usually be a surcharge for this, unless your party is of sufficient size to warrant its own vehicle or boat (around 6+ people). In the busy season (usually July to October) most safari establishments will combine birders with non-birders on game viewing trips (during which time a good number of birds can nevertheless be seen, especially if a specialist bird guide accompanies you, though the birding will be less emphasised than if you have a vehicle or boat exclusively for birding purposes).
2)A birding tour led by a specialist bird guide driving in 4x4 vehicles to and between lodges/private camps. These privately-run lodges and camps are of a high standard. This option obviously entails more cross-country time on the road than option 1). This package includes accommodation; meals; transport in 4x4s between lodges/private camps and to your departure point (usually Maun or Kasane which are served by international airports); all park entry fees; the services of your birding guide; vehicles and boats used for bird watching in the private lodges and camps. Where you want exclusive use of these vehicles or boats, you may have to pay a surcharge, unless your party is of a sufficient size to warrant its own vehicle or boat (around 6+ people).
A birding tour led by a specialist bird guide driving in 4x4 vehicles to and between lodges/private camps. These privately-run lodges and camps are of a high standard. This option obviously entails more cross-country time on the road than option 1). This package includes accommodation; meals; transport in 4x4s between lodges/private camps and to your departure point (usually Maun or Kasane which are served by international airports); all park entry fees; the services of your birding guide; vehicles and boats used for bird watching in the private lodges and camps. Where you want exclusive use of these vehicles or boats, you may have to pay a surcharge, unless your party is of a sufficient size to warrant its own vehicle or boat (around 6+ people).3)A Mobile birding tour, where participants camp in simple campsites, whether Government ones (usually the case) or undeveloped private ones. This can involve camping deep in the bush where the facilities are basic. Transport to and between the camps is by 4x4 vehicle. Unlike option 2) there are no pre-erected tents at these camps. All that is needed for a life in the bush will be brought by vehicle, either, (depending on the number of participants) in an accompanying supply truck or in the 4x4 vehicle you will be travelling in. This package includes camping equipment; meals; 4x4 transport between campsites and to your departure point (usually Maun or Kasane which are served by international airports); all park entry and camping fees; the services of your birding guide; vehicles for bird watching. Depending on your destinations, river trips – highly recommended – may be booked as an optional extra.
A Mobile birding tour, where participants camp in simple campsites, whether Government ones (usually the case) or undeveloped private ones. This can involve camping deep in the bush where the facilities are basic. Transport to and between the camps is by 4x4 vehicle. Unlike option 2) there are no pre-erected tents at these camps. All that is needed for a life in the bush will be brought by vehicle, either, (depending on the number of participants) in an accompanying supply truck or in the 4x4 vehicle you will be travelling in. This package includes camping equipment; meals; 4x4 transport between campsites and to your departure point (usually Maun or Kasane which are served by international airports); all park entry and camping fees; the services of your birding guide; vehicles for bird watching. Depending on your destinations, river trips – highly recommended – may be booked as an optional extra. 4)Accommodated private lodge/camp safaris where you will go on safari with a professional guide who is not a specialist birder, and where you will be with other people who are not necessarily birders. The emphasis on game drives and boat trips will be on general game viewing as well as birding, and birders will have to do a certain amount of bird identifying themselves. If you want your own vehicle or boat for purely birding purposes, a surcharge will apply as indicated above.
Accommodated private lodge/camp safaris where you will go on safari with a professional guide who is not a specialist birder, and where you will be with other people who are not necessarily birders. The emphasis on game drives and boat trips will be on general game viewing as well as birding, and birders will have to do a certain amount of bird identifying themselves. If you want your own vehicle or boat for purely birding purposes, a surcharge will apply as indicated above.How is the birding done?
How is the birding done?
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