Hyena Pan is situated in the stunning 500,000 acre Khwai Private Reserve in the north-eastern part of the Okavango Delta. This private concession borders both the Moremi Game Reserve to the south and Chobe National Park to the east. The camp itself is set in a grove of tall “cathedral” Mopane trees overlooking a permanent waterhole called Hyena Pan, which rises and falls through the wet and dry seasons. The pan is at its most full in the summer rainy season coming right up to the main area but in the dry winter season it is pumped from a nearby borehole so remains a magnet for the animals who need to drink daily.
Maun Airport (MUB)
The usual morning and afternoon game drives are offered along with bush walks but there are no water activities. The wildlife in this area is good with excellent populations of elephant. The immediate area around the camp is thick Mopane forest which can be tough for viewing the animals, but it is not far to the more productive areas. The game viewing is excellent at the waterhole right in front of the camp and there is a nearby underground hide which can offer astonishingly close eye-level elephant viewing and is quite an incredible experience.
Hyena Pan is comprised of 8 tented rooms on raised wooden decks to take advantage of the stunning view across the waterhole. Each tent comprises en-suite facilities with indoor showers and a small veranda with a couple of chairs for whiling away the afternoons watching the animals coming down to drink (and swim if there is enough water) The main area comprises a deck area and a covered lounge and a small open air fire pit. There is also a small pool with sun loungers all facing the hippo-filled lagoon. This camp is very much a simple, rustic, authentic safari camp and offers very good value when compared to some of the uber-luxurious camps on offer in the Okavango Delta.
We’ll meet at 4 p.m. at our hotel in Luzern (Lucerne) for a “Welcome to Switzerland” meeting. Then we’ll take a meandering evening walk through Switzerland’s most charming lakeside town, and get acquainted with one another over dinner together. Sleep in Luzern (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.
Enjoy an orientation walk of Zurich’s OLD TOWN, Switzerland’s center of banking and commerce. Then, leave Zurich and start your Swiss adventure. You’ll quickly discover that Switzerland isn’t just home to the Alps, but also to some of the most beautiful lakes. First, stop at the foot of the Jura Mountains in the picturesque town of Biel, known as Bienne by French-speaking Swiss, famous for watch-making, and explore the historical center. Next, enjoy a scenic drive to lakeside Neuchâtel, dominated by the medieval cathedral and castle. Time to stroll along the lake promenade before continuing to stunning Geneva, the second-largest city in Switzerland, with its fantastic lakeside location and breathtaking panoramas of the Alps.
Our morning drive takes us from Swiss lakes to Swiss Army. At the once-secret Swiss army bunker at Fortress Fürigen, we’ll see part of the massive defense system designed to keep Switzerland strong and neutral. Afterward, a short drive into the countryside brings us to the charming Alpine village of Engelberg, our picturesque home for the next two days. We’ll settle into our lodge then head out for an orientation walk. Our stroll through the village will end at the Engelberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery with its own cheese-making operation. You’ll have free time to wander back before dinner together. Sleep in Engelberg (2 nights). Bus: 1 hr. Walking: light.
An unforgettable trip to the high Alpine wonderland of ice and snow is the true highlight of a visit to Switzerland. Globus Local Favorite At an amazing 11,332 feet, the JUNGFRAUJOCH is Europe’s highest railway station. Jungfrau’s 13,642-foot summit was first ascended in 1811 and in 1912 the rack railway was opened. There are lots of things to do here: enjoy the ALPINE SENSATION, THE PANORAMA 360° EXPERIENCE, and the ICE PALACE. Also receive your JUNGFRAU PASSPORT as a souvenir to take home with you. The round trip to the “Top of Europe” by MOUNTAIN TRAIN will take most of the day.
