Platinum River Escape

• Accommodations, Meals and activities as indicated 
• Road transfers as indicated
• Shuttle charter flights as indicated 
• National Park Fees where necessary 
•  Emergency  Medical Evacuation 
• Digital  travel document 

• International Flights 
• Visa Applications
• Anything of personal nature 
• Gratuities
• Additional Activites not indicated
• Any Government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increase beyond our control
• Any errors & omission

Game Drives
Move through the Delta’s living landscapes on dawn, dusk, or guest-desired game drives. Follow dusty paths across floodplains and woodlands, where elephants wade through channels, lion prides rest in golden light, and the elusive leopard moves like shadow through the trees. With Xigera’s expert guides, each drive becomes a deeper encounter, with wildlife, with land, and the stories they hold.

Guided Walking Safaris
Tread with nature on guided bush walks, attuning to every sound, scent, and track under the experienced care of our guides. Walking slowly unwraps the linked pace of the wild, where wisdom is written into every track and leaf.

Mokoro Excursions
Drift through the Delta’s waterways on traditional mokoros, guided by the steady hand of your poler, each push moving you silently, deeper into the bountiful landscape. Our polers grew up navigating these waters and are expert at spotting and identifying aquatic birds, fish and wildlife along the channels.

Boating Excursions
Explore winding papyrus-fringed channels aboard our double-decker motorboats, where the water’s surface mirrors the sky. These excursions also allow for exploration of the deeper rivers and lagoons that are home to crocodile and large pods of hippo. Please note that boating is seasonal, water levels permitting.

Birding
From the Coppery-tailed Coucal to the Western-banded Snake Eagle, Wattled Crane to Lesser Jacana, walking safaris are an ideal opportunity for enthusiastic bird-watchers to admire the over 500 species recorded in the Okavango Delta. Xigera’s exceptional location on the fringes of the Moremi Game Reserve delivers some of the best birding Botswana has to offer – including the much sought-after Pel's Fishing Owl.

Optional

Catch-and-Release Fishing
Catch-and-release fishing offers a serene but exciting encounter with the Delta’s waters. Tigerfish, African Pike, and Bream await, but sustainably, mindfully and unforgettable. Please note that catch-and-release fishing is season-dependent.

Game Viewing
Staying on board the Zambezi Queen is like being on a permanent game viewing vehicle, but with a much higher comfort factor. Situated in the heart of the Chobe region with access to river frontage of the Chobe National Park, we also offer water-based game drives by tender boat, allowing you to experience the enormous diversity and concentration of wildlife up even closer.Game viewing on the Chobe River is at its most exceptional from March to November when the weather is drier and the animals are more mobile as they search for food and water. Summer and spring also offer unique opportunities though, as you watch the landscape burst into life after the first rains of the season. Catch sight of huge herds of elephant as they swim across the water, as well as buffalo, lion, crocodile, lechwe, puku, giraffe, zebra, sable, kudu and the occasional leopard as they gather to quench their thirst at watering holes. Besides animal life, you’ll also see a huge variety of birdlife and plant life as you listen to the sounds of a hippo grunting and breathe in the sweet smell of African grass.

Fishing
No trip to the Chobe is complete without trying your hand at a fishing safari where if you’re lucky, you may even catch a tiger fish. One of the greatest fighting fish in the world, the tiger fish is the most sought after prize of these waters and is known for its ferocious spirit. It's not all about tiger fish though. You may also hook one of the many bream species, African pike, tilapia, catfish or upper Zambezi yellowfish as you explore over 100 kms of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, as well as the winding Kasai Channel and thrilling Chobe and Mambova rapids.We offer both conventional equipment as well as flyfishing equipment for our fishing safaris, because we know that the area is renowned worldwide for its flyfishing. We supply rods, flies, lures, lines, leaders and reels and all equipment is included in our rate. Because of our unique location, we offer excellent fishing safaris all year round – from the annual floods starting in March to the feeding frenzies in the winter months. Our highly knowledgeable guides, the tackle and bait we supply as well as well stocked cooler boxes make fishing in Africa an experience to remember. Land an eight pounder or more and earn bragging rights for years to come, as you enjoy a fishing trip that's second to none.

Birding
With over 450 species, a mix of terrains and a dramatic African backdrop, the Chobe River is the perfect setting for a highly rewarding birdwatching safari. Birding season starts in September, when the first migrants arrive, boosting the bird population sometimes by 20% compared to the winter months. From December through to March birdlife on the Chobe is extremely busy and the colourful breeding plumage on display is an extraordinary sight.Experienced birders and even eager amateurs will delight in spotting distinct birds such as African skimmers, rock pratincoles and the African finfoot, either through their binoculars or with the naked eye. Having access to your own knowledgeable guide and tender boat lets you spend many hours on your birding safari also viewing cattle egrets, fish eagles, open-billed storks, lesser-striped swallows, pied kingfishers and the striking carmine bee-eater. The slow drift of the tender boat means that you won’t disturb the peaceful silence and can also get up close to the birds and observe their fascinating behaviour.

Photographic Safari
Uninterrupted access to wild animals. Absolute silence. Golden light. The Chobe River is an unforgettable photographic safari destination, and one of the wildlife photographers’ hotspots in Africa. To help you capture that perfect moment, our custom-designed photographic safari boats are available on request and cater for 6 clients in individual photographic seats. The boat contains custom-designed swivel chairs that give you greater stability and 360-degree views for a wider range of subject matter. Every seat is equipped with a mounting for resting SLR cameras of all types and you’ll get your own experienced safari guide who’ll help you find that perfect shot.Bring your own photographic equipment as we don’t supply this – the optimal lens to bring is an 80 – 400mm zoom. Because this is a water-based safari, you'll be able to take unique shots in a safe environment, being able to view the animals in the Chobe National Park surrounded by that magical golden light Africa is renowned for.

Cultural Tour
One of the best ways to learn more about a country is to experience its culture. A village tour while on board the Zambezi Queen will take you by tender boat to a local Namibian village called Ijambwe, situated on the floodplains of the East Caprivi. Meet village elders and locals and gain a greater understanding of how the inhabitants of this 100-year old village live, including their daily challenges and traditions.

Optional

Bar, Lounge and Dining
Dining RoomOur dining room offers a peaceful corner to share an intimate dinner, or gather to share tales over culinary dishes. Enjoy three hearty meals a day, starting with a continental or cooked breakfast. Indulge in a buffet lunch and end the day with a four-course plated dinner, complemented by drinks and light snacks in between. BarGolden hour and beyond, settle in as the sun dips beneath the Chobes’ horizon. Enjoy a selection of Southern Africa’s finest wines, a delicious cocktail mixed with precision and flare, or an ice-cold lager served with the friendliest smile and snacks. LoungeFor the best views, join us on the upper deck. Find a spot to relax in the lounge, on the bow or stern – each area offers a spectacular view of the Chobe River and unobstructed views of the unique African landscape, through the large floor to ceiling glass sliding doors. Special dietary requirements can be catered for, but we ask that you specify this when you book – our remote location means that we need a bit of time to source ingredients that may be out of the ordinary.

Optional

Shearwater Sunset Cruise
The sunset cruise on the Zambezi River is a definite must on any trip to Victoria Falls. Relax with a sundowner and snacks as you gaze out onto the banks of the river. Have your camera ready to capture one of the most amazing sunsets in Africa.

You'll be sure to spot wildlife animals as they come down to the river for a drink after a hot day in the Zambezi National Park (Zimbabwe) and the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Zambia). Sightings of elephant, giraffe and other resident game are common. There's always an abundance of hippos and crocodiles. Bird-life is superb and the Fish Eagles will usually fill the scene with their calls.

Shearwater Victoria Falls Safari Game Walk
Embark on an exhilarating game walk, an active and interactive adventure that offers a unique perspective on wildlife. Delve into the heart of nature as you track animals, observe their behaviours up close, and marvel at the diverse flora that blankets the landscape. Guided by expert rangers, this experience allows you to engage all your senses, offering a rare opportunity to connect intimately with Africa’s rich biodiversity. Wear neutral colours and comfortable walking shoes, with long pants recommended for bush walks. Mornings can be cool, so bring warm clothing, but if you forget there is a fleece poncho provided for cooler weather in the early mornings. Enjoy a light breakfast, tea, coffee, and water for morning activities.

Shearwater Victoria Falls Guided Tour of the Falls
A knowledgeable guide will take guests on an unforgettable experience through the Victoria Falls rain forest, a journey that not only affords a view of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World but provides a great deal of interesting facts about the geology, wildlife and history of Africa’s most famous landmark. Visitors will listen to magical tales of local legend while they enjoy the constant spray from the “The Smoke that Thunders”. The Shearwater guide will also help ensure the best photographic opportunities of this breathtaking World Heritage Site. At the end of the tour, guests can enjoy something to eat at Shearwater’s Rainforest Cafe, which provides an ideal place to stop and refuel before their next adventure.