Botswana 2010Botswana Friends

Tour 1: April 10 - 23
Tour 2: October 9 - 22
Tour 3: April 24 - May 7, WOMEN ONLY
Tour 4: October 2 - 15, WOMEN ONLY

Sponsored by Trillium Tours, LLC and Jomfru Reiser

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Relax and let time come to you

Warm smiles and courtesy are a part of Botswana’s culture. People here are open and hospitable and if you are of a similar nature and enjoy becoming involved and interested in what they have to offer, you are guaranteed to have an experience of a lifetime. In the village of Rakops, which lies by the Kalahari Desert and is strategically located on the way to Victoria Falls, a group of enterprising women await us. They are participating in a training project to become economically independent. The road to their goal is through tourism and "Trade-not-Aid" is their foundation to achieve their goal. The women will show us their village and invite us to take part in traditional activities, including initiating us into the art of letting time just pass, simply by being like them. In this place, stress is an unknown phenomenon!

Come along on an extraordinary trip

The travel destination of Rakops has been developed by Jomfrureiser in conjunction with Henriette Paus Grova, who lived in the village for almost 3 years (1988-1991). It was impossible for her to forget this village and its people and for many years she dreamed of developing tourism in Rakops. The training program she stands behind contributes to cultural sharing in addition to combating economic poverty. For us, this means we get to experience a rare, one-of-a-kind tour. We are welcomed as friends and are given the unique opportunity of sharing in the every day lives of the women of Rakops. Our local tour guide from Botswana has a wealth of knowledge.  We are also welcomed by the chief of the village! Jomfrureiser has been in Botswana 2 times in 2008 and 4 times in 2009 and our participants have been wonderfully satisfied. Now we want to wish you a hearty welcome!

Exciting experiences await us!

The country of Botswana is still quite new to tourism but is incredibly beautiful and exciting!

Summary of travel itinerary:

The trip starts in Gaborone, the capitol, where we will experience a pulsing, modern, colorful, but at the same time, a peaceful city. We move on to the city of Serowe before we arrive "home" in Rakops on the edge of the Kalahari. Here we are welcomed by the chief. We are introduced to new friends with whom we will share their daily lives. Besides that, we will be able to count the stars in the incredible African night sky. On the way to this paradise-like area in the northern part of Botswana, we will overnight at the most innovative lodge in the entire country, Planet Baobab. Here we will actively participating in safaris and spectacular game drives. We will also visit Victoria Falls, one of the world’s 7 wonders, before we turn around and set our course home to the US via the city of Kasane.

DAILY ITINERARY

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1 - Saturday, April 10

Depart the US for Johannesburg. Continue immediately on to Gaborone.  Here you will connect with the group from Norway.

Day 2 - Sunday, April 11 - B, L, D

Gaborone Sun HotelArrive in Gaborone before lunch. We will stay at one of the capitol's most traditional hotels, the Gaborone Sun. We will be picked up by the hotel's shuttle bus at the Gaborone Airport. We leave our baggage at the hotel to be checked in later. Then we have time for lunch and our first meal in Botswana at the luxuriant Sanitas Garden Restaurant. When the sun goes down we refresh ourselves with a night-cap by the pool and receive some lessons in the customs of Botswana.

Dinner at Savuti, Gaborone Sun.

Excerpt from Henriette’s letter home in October 2008:

"Walking around Gaborone. Has something happened to the way I walk? I walk slowly down the main street, the Mall, after having had lunch with Mma Mbonini and other members of Parliament, all of them from the Rakops district. I look at the street vendors’ stalls. I hear rhythmic music. Feel the warmth. Walk more slowly. I am a part of the whole. Mma Mbonini understood what I was talking about when I shared my reflections on speed with her. The way we walk. She had been at some airport out of the country one time and her reflections on the experience were: What was it all these people in this foreign country were running from all the time?"

Day 3 - Monday, April 12 - B

Trip around Gaborone in the footsteps of the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" and a visit to the University and the Parliament. We take some time to walk down the Mall, the main street in Gaborone. The afternoon is free. Maybe some will have lunch at The President (where the main character of the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency," Mma Ramotswe, liked to drink her tea)? Maybe some will take a trip to the River Walk, one of the city’s modern shopping centers? Maybe someone will have lunch at the Botswana Craft before we take an afternoon trip to David Livingstone’s World? Our eminent guide, Tim Race, offers us a unique trip to Livingstone’s home where two of Livingstone’s children are buried and where there is much proud Botswana history to learn. The afternoon is free, so you get to choose.

We gather in the evening for a night-cap by the pool. Dinner is not included tonight, so you can choose what you would like to do. We might eat together and suggest dinner at the Gaborone Sun’s finest restaurant, Mahogany’s.

Day 4 - Tuesday, April 13 - B, L, D

The journey to the center of the country begins. On our trip we will use many different methods of transportation and today we start with what might be the most amusing – the local bus! We are going to the historical and culture place of Serowe, the city where the country’s first president came from. The trip takes approximately 3 hours. The bus is good quality without being too modern. Don’t expect air conditioning today. We arrive at the comfortable Serowe Hotel and check in and eat lunch.

Why has Botswana has never had a civil war? How do they solve conflicts in this country? The museum curator, Scoby, shows us the Serowe Museum and gives us fascinating insights in to Botswana’s cultural history. Filled with new knowledge, we enjoy the day’s night-cap in the hotel’s garden. Some traditional entertainment is planned for the evening. Dinner is included tonight.

Day 5 - Wednesday, April 14 - B

Botswana RhinoThe journey continues towards the center of the country. An early departure lets us experience a game drive (in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary), our first on this trip – there will be more! Early morning is the best time to see rhinos, zebras, gnu, giraffes, antelope, kudu, leopards, African wild cats, brown hyenas and many other animals.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a fantastic park that was started in the early 90’s to save and develop the Rhino stock in Botswana.

We are nearing the village of Rakops. We check in to Xere Motel, which waits for us with 11 "rondaveler" (round cabins) where we will stay while we are in the village. Before the sun goes down over the wide open Kalahari landscape we enjoy a night-cap. Welcome to the People-Meet-People village, one of the main reasons for our Botswana trip.

Day 6 - Thursday, April 15 - B, L, D

We greet the chief of the village, Rakops, and learn a little about the governing of the village in the past and present. Afterwards there are different activities to choose from, which will include meeting places and insights into daily life and ways of living for both women and men. You will learn about clothing, animal butchering and carrying methods among other things. What can we learn from one another in order to increase understanding? Remember that we are focusing on “Trade-not-Aid.” Here we will learn from their traditions.

A good example from Henriette’s visit to Rakops in October, 2008:

"This time I have several items with me that I know the village has use of. I bring out some pencils and a notebook. Would Boitumelo consider selling pencils? Mother and daughter become excited.  They know immediately what price they will ask for them. Just under the store price.  They write up in the notebook the number of pencils they receive. They promise to make a list of what they sell, which they will show me when I come back. They get the pencils on credit and the next time I come they will pay for them. They are in agreement and seem excited.” “Then I take out five flash lights about the size of cell phones. They are special, battery-free lights that can be charged by pumping them by hand. They had already each received a flash light in July. I ask if they wish to sell them. Then they sit up straight and are more than eager. It turns out that several neighbors have already asked to buy their flash lights. What price do you think they can get for them? It turns out that it is more than double what I bought them for. Intently they write up the deal in the book. They will sell and I will be reimbursed when I return. A sense for business is more than awakened."

Before it gets dark we (just us!) take a trip out to the Kalahari in order to experience the white man’s Africa with Black Pot (a large black frying pan traditionally used in the bush to fry meat in) and camping equipment. We fry up tenderloin from the wonderful Botswana cattle under the stars and enjoy wonderful South African wine that we have brought with us. After looking at the endless starry sky, we return to the Xere Motel.

Day 7 - Friday, April 16 - B, DBotswana

Visit a Cattle Post, free time in Rakops – there are many possibilities for different activities. Remember that we are traveling slowly and here you need the time. Choose from different activities that will give you insights into daily life and ways of living for both women and men. You might want to visit a school? A hospital? Be part of making food? Learn  basket weaving? Learn children’s games? Dancing? Other options? Our local hostesses will guide you.

Day 8 - Saturday, April 17 - B, D

Relaxed morning before we start off for the village of Xere to a San (Bushmen) village, about half-an-hour outside Rakops. Here you will experience how the original settlers of the Kalahari Desert have lived and survived in the dry desert landscape. We will also gain some insight into their proud traditions and fantastic dances. Maybe it’s something we can learn and take home with us?

For our last evening in Rakops we have a party at the Xere Motel together with some of our new friends.

Day 9 and 10 - Sunday, April 18 - Monday, April 19 - B, L, D

Botswana Baobab TreesAfter breakfast we start northward. Our next stop is Planet Baobab along the Gweta. We arrive at one of the most innovative motels in all of Botswana and one of the best swimming pools. Amid giant Baobab trees, the owners have built a hotel that respectfully combines local building traditions and nature with modern comfort and innovation. Enjoy!

Our activities will be determined by the weather and accessibility.

Baobab bushwalk, night-caps and/or Pan trip (Pan is a dried up inland salt sea).

We will either overnight on the Pan or do a day trip depending on the weather and travel conditions. If it’s wet we won’t be able to overnight there, so it’s a little difficult to describe exactly what the program will be at this point. We will definitely take a trip to the large salt pan called Makgadikgadi and drive out on the salty, moon-like landscape. We will take 4-wheel bikes – very fun. But everything will be dependent on the weather. If we don’t make it out to the salt plain, we will arrange a day trip with other interesting activities.

On the way, we will visit a place where meerkats live (they are called suricats). If you want to learn more go to http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat.

We take time to enjoy the African quiet and listen to the grass grow. The Baobab tree is the most unique tree in Africa, described by Dr. Livingstone and other adventurers and missionaries. They are a good place to camp by.

Day 11 - Tuesday, April 20 - B

We move on to the paradise-like land by the Chobe River and take the bus to Maun in order to take a plane to Kasane. Maun is the gateway to the most fairytale-like nature parks and animal experiences Botswana has to offer. A busy airport, tourist bureaus, safari vehicles, hotels and restaurants, modern stores and street vendors, traditional earth homes and overloaded 4-wheel drive vehicles are found here. Grizzled hunters, women from the Herero people, cattle traders, donkeys, goats and tourists all mingle together in this pulsing and lively city.  We are back in Africa’s daily life and take time to wander around a bit before the airplane takes off in the afternoon.

Botswana Garden LodgeWe fly north to Kasane and the kingdom of the elephants. In the afternoon there is a boat cruise on the Chobe River where you are almost guaranteed a sighting of large herds of elephants during their afternoon visit to the water’s edge. You can also expect to see flocks of buffalo, water bucks, eland (the world’s largest antelope), sable antelope, and giraffes and if you are lucky, the seldom seen puku antelope. In the river you will be able to see hippos and crocodiles. We will stay at the Garden Lodge for 3 nights. This is Botswana’s most exclusive lodge – something to look forward to!

Day 12 - Wednesday, April 21 - B

Short bus ride to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and time for sight-seeing.

Victoria Falls is a unique attraction. Do you think Dr. Livingstone will come? The waterfall is called Mosi-oa-Tunya in the local language and means “the smoke that thunders.” The tallest water fall is 108 meters (354 ft) long. The water fall is at its largest at the end of the rainy season in March/April. A unique and wonderful experience and a “must see” on our Botswana trip. If you would like, you can take a helicopter flight over the falls – an impressive sight. This may be ordered at the time we are there. Afterwards we return to Kasane for an early evening.

Day 13 - Thursday, April 22 - B, D

After breakfast: Game drive in Chobe National Park. Here you will find one of the richest collections of animal life in Africa (relative to park size).  The park, which is almost 4080 sSquaare miles, stretches along the river, Chobe. Great experiences await us. The program for the afternoon and evening is currently open and has room for your own unique experiences. We will arrange for a group farewell dinner.

Day 14 - Friday, April 23 - BBotswana Bus

Last day!

Possibility for a boat tour on the river before our departure in the middle of the day. We fly from Kasane direct to Johannesburg where we say goodbye to our Norwegian fellow travelers and fly to the US.

Day 15 - Saturday, April 24

Arrive in the US.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

TRIP DETAILS
SMALL GROUP OF MAXIMUM 12 PERSONS

Price: $ 3500 plus airfare TBD
Single Room: TBD Not always available
Limited number of participants: 12 (order soon!)

Botswana - Meriam with a travel brochure from Jomfrureiser

Meriam with a travel brochure from Jomfrureiser

While traveling in Africa, flexibility and a sporting attitude are key. You will have a unique, adventuress and thoroughly planned trip. Among other things, we have quite a unique bus that is comfortable and roomy and allows passengers to walk around or just sit if they like. You can have air conditioning by opening a window. See the picture! We searched a long time to find this unique vehicle.

Botswana - Training and planning for our visit

Training and planning for our visit

We also take precautions regarding program changes. We know that changes can and will happen, but we do everything we can to follow through with our plans and we have great ambitions. Feedback from previous participants has been very good and we look forward to showing you “our” Botswana!!!





INCLUDED IN PRICE:

  • 1. Flight from Gaborone to all internal destinations and back to Johannesburg

  • 2. All transportation

  • 3. Excursions and cost of admissions

  • 4. 12 nights in double rooms

  • 5. Daily breakfasts

  • 6. 12 meals

  • 7. Local English-speaking guides, along with local tour guide who travels with the
    group for the entire trip

  • 8. Henriette Paus Grova is present during our entire stay at Rakops

  • 9. Unique experiences and contacts in the homes of our friends in Africa

    Airfare to Gaborone and from Johannesburg will be added.

    Not Included:

  • 1. Visa fee to Zimbabwe (purchase there) (Approximately $40)

  • 2. Some meals

  • 3. Drinks at all meals

    We take precautions regarding changes in the program.

    Check the CDC website for needed medical information and make sure you get all the required immunizations and other medical requirements taken care of. www.cdc.gov/travel

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    Request a registration form or download from our website.

    View Terms and Conditions

    Please contact:

    Ingeborg D. Sorensen at Trillium Tours LLC.
    Phone: 612-532-6618    E-mail: info@trilliumtoursllc.com
    1235 Yale Place # 1305, Minneapolis, MN 55403

    Trillium Tours LLC     is owned and operated by Ingeborg D. Sorensen. A Norwegian with 30+ years in the United States, she travels to Norway several times per year for business and pleasure.

    Jomfru Reiser is owned and operated by Charlotte Ehde-Eliassen. She has worked in the tour industry in Norway for many years, arranging trips all over the world. Check out her website at www.jomfrureiser.no.