A chance to see 5 different Eco-systems in southern Africa – habitat for the African “Big 5” and countless other animals. In each area you will find a variety of animal life and vegetation, and meet gracious and friendly residents.  At all your stops you will be surprised at how close you can get to view the African animals. You will return with extraordinary photographs of your encounters.  Your guides are very informative. Your lodges are comfortable and cater to all your needs from delicious food to comfortable  accommodations.

The route gives you a variety of environments and game viewing experiences. First to the game rich areas of the Okavango Delta and the Linyanti Region of Botswana; then to the breathtaking Impalila Island in Namibia, hop onto your very own luxury houseboat cruising down the serene Chobe River; then off to the Tuli Block in Botswana, a dry area known for its leopard and elephant; with a final stop at the Big 5 area of the Greater Kruger National Park. 

 

This safari is priced at $12,999.00 per person sharing.

Price includes your seat in a Cessna Grand Caravan, all accommodations; all meals, except only Bed and Breakfast where noted; local drinks except premium drinks at lodges unless noted, all road transfers from airports or airstrips; National Park entrance fees, where applicable,

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Not included: airfare to South Africa and return, curios, tips and laundry unless stated, items of a personal nature, and conservation or tourist levy fees charged at some of the lodges (about $1- $5 per person).

 

August 16: Arrive Johannesburg International Airport.  You will be met at the airport and transferred to the HERTFORD HOTEL on the outskirts of Johannesburg for 1 night (Bed & breakfast, transfer). Meet your hosts for an introductory briefing. www.hertford.co.za; 

​August 17 & 18: KWARA CAMP OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA

All meals, local drinks and laundry, activities, transfers.

Your first flight out is to the heart of the Okavango Delta. We will meet you at the Hotel and take you to Lanseria airport where you will meet your pilot, stow your bags and begin your flying safari. You will land at one of the Delta’s exclusive camps. The Delta is created by a fast flowing river that gets much of its water from the rains in Angola. The river branches, slows down, and spreads over tens-of-thousands of square miles bringing life to the desert. Then it evaporates. It’s a river with no mouth. Your camp offers both a water and a land experience. Game drives in open land rovers ensure the safe sighting of predators at a discrete distance, while a game walk with a Ranger makes one feel close to the African bush. Unique to a Delta experience is being polled slowly through reeds so close as to scrape the sides of a mokoro (dug outcanoe), following a path made by a grazing hippo. The water isn't deep but it's alive with creatures of all sizes. Some benign, some not. Another push of the pole and you glide into an open pool -- floating on a carpet of pastel lilies, bathed in sunshine, and silent, except for the ensemble of birds. The water is pure enough to drink. Situated on a forested island, and shaded by large trees overlooking floodplains and a seasonal lagoon, Kwara Camp is a  traditional safari camp. Accommodation is in large safari tents with all the amenities of a first class hotel suite. www.kwando.com

​August 19 & 20: LAGOON BUSH CAMP, LINYANTI PLAINS BOTSWANA

All meals, local drinks and laundry, activities, transfers.

You will take a short flight north of the Okavango Delta to the Linyanti Plains, an area known for large elephant and buffalo herds as well as lots of plains game and the carnivores - lions, cheetah, wild dog and leopard. Here you are rewarded with one of the most serene settings imaginable – and game of all sorts that move across your view. Accommodation is in large safari tents with ensuite facilities are shaded by trees on the banks of the Kwando River, where a band of lush riverine forest is interspersed with open plains. The wildlife around camp is particularly noted for the wild dogs that have habitually denned within the reserve since 1997. www.kwando.com 

​August 21 & 22: VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL, VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

Bed & Breakfast, Transfers

Now you fly east to Victoria Falls to visit and overfly the famous Victoria Falls. You will be staying at the historic, grand Victoria Falls Hotel. The Hotel, popularly known as “the grand old lady of the Falls”, is situated in the Victoria Falls National Park, a world heritage site. The Edwardian-style hotel, built in 1904, was recently refurbished and is set in lush tropical gardens with lily ponds, palm trees and semi-tropical shrubs. The Falls are just a ten-minute walk away using the hotel’s private pathway. Its opulent Livingstone Room is known for fine dining and dancing and the Stanley Terrace, with its clear view of the Victoria Falls Bridge, connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia, is renowned for its cocktails and afternoon teas. All rooms are decorated in the gracious Edwardian style of Zimbabwe’s colonial era. Activities at Victoria Falls are a sunset cruise above the fall, shopping at the craft market, white water rafting, or other energetic activities.  www.victoriafallshotel.com. 

​August 23 & 24: CHOBE PRINCESS, CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA

All meals and local drinks, activities, transfers.

For something completely different you will have two nights on a comfortable house boat and drift down the Chobe River. The houseboat has smaller "tender" boats for use on daily excursions that take your fancy. Whatever you choose to do, your day trips will be personal and flexible because you’ll be sharing the tender boats with a small number of guests. Alternatively, simply laze on a deck chair with an ice-cold drink in hand as you soak up the tranquility that surrounds you. Each cabin on board the Chobe Princesses is tastefully decorated in a contemporary style, and each has its own private view onto the ever-changing landscapes beyond. As you lie on your king-sized bed, spot an elephant grazing on the riverbank nearby, or see a fish eagle diving for its prey. On the upper entertainment deck, a spacious lounge and bar area encourages you to take time out while there’s also a plunge pool that's perfect for a refreshing dip. After a day spent doing as you please, fall asleep with the calls of hyena or even a lion drifting through the open doors of your cabin www.zqcollection.com/chobe-princesses

August 25 & 26: MASHATU GAME RESERVE - TULI BLOCK, BOTSWANA 

All meals and local drinks, activities, transfers.

You fly south back into Botswana to the Tuli Block -- an 18,000-acre private game reserve. Desolate to the casual glance, the burned sand and scrub is the domain of elephant, lion, leopard, hyena, eland, and other antelope. Mashatu means "Amongst the Giants - the elephant and baobab tree". The camp is a 40-minute drive in an open land rover north from the airfield.  Along the way you’ll spot antelope, cross dry streams, and gaze out to the distant horizon. During your visit an experienced guide and tracker team will seek out elephants, lions, and the elusive leopard!  Dine at set tables around a warm fire in the boma. As the night progresses – you may be treated to singing and dancing by the staff.  Retire to your thatched chalet for a comfortable night's sleep.  Additional activities which do cost extra are horse riding or cycling (fantastic experience), photography workshops or a special program on elephants, lion or cultural tour presented by specialist guides. www.mashatu.com

​August 27 & 28: NGALA- GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA 

Private airstrip, 2 nights - all meals and local drinks,  activities, transfers

Now you fly to the game-rich Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. You’ll fly over the Drakensburg Mountains and descend the Escarpment into the famous Kruger National Park area. The region’s rolling woodland bush and grassland savanna ensure that the variety of game is extraordinary. They're all here: leopard, cheetah, lion, rhino, hippo, elephant, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, warthog, spotted hyena, impala, and more. Any of the below camps is excellent. All have good game rangers and service. Your day begins at dawn with an early morning game drive in an open landrover. Midday is spent on bush walks or lazing by the pool. Londolozi Lodge is set along the lush banks of the Sand River, Londolozi is comprised of three exclusive camps where the splendor of the bush melds with luxury living. Your accommodation is an air-conditioned chalet, with a private deck and a plunge pool, as well as indoor and outdoor showers. Each lodge has a lounge and dining area, leisure deck, bar, swimming pool and boma for outdoor meals. www.andbeyond.com

​August 29: SOUTHERN SUN, FOURWAYS, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

Bed & Breakfast, Dinner,transfer.      

We will meet you at the airport, organize a transfer to your hotel and meet you for dinner to discuss your trip. Call home and to tell them that you are back in civilization! www.tsogosun.com/southern-sun-montecasino