AFRICAN ADVENTURE IN REMOTE BOTSWANA AND ZAMBIA
A Traditional Safari: Walking, Canoeing and Game Drives
2007
Day 1
DEPART
Depart the USA to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Day 2
JOHANNESBURG
Upon arrival in Johannesburg in the early afternoon you are met and transferred to your hotel in Johannesburg (35 minutes from the Johannesburg Airport), situated in the leafy, cosmopolitan suburb of Rosebank. Characterized by a unique blend of elegance, modernity and inspiring, regional works of art, your hotel provides you with a luxurious haven where you can rest and recover from your flight.
BOTSWANA
Day 3-5
CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast transfer back to the airport to board your flight to Livingstone, Zambia. Upon arrival you are met and driven to the Kazungula border (border of Zambia & Botswana).
Here you meet your speed boat which takes you to the Botswana side (5 minute boat ride across the Zambezi River!) where you are transferred by vehicle to your luxury mobile camp in the Chobe National Park. The camp has been set up just for you in a private location and each of the "Hemingway style" safari tents have two beds with linens and an attached bathroom with long drop toilet and bucket shower (hot water on request). All meals are taken in casual safari style near the campfire or in the shade of the large trees that surround camp.
Chobe National Park remains one of Africa's prime game-viewing areas. This is elephant country, home to the largest population of elephants in the world. The Park forms part of Botswana's northern-most border and is a contrast of desert aridity and flood plains. Buffalo, sable, lion, leopard, hippo, hyena, and thousands of antelope all find safety in this huge national park. The spectacle of large flocks of waterfowl winging their way toward the sunset is just one indicator that this is one of Africa's most pristine ecosystems and greatest wildlife refuges.
Each morning and evening you take a 3-4 hour game drive in an open vehicle to come face to face with the numerous large herds of elephant or buffalo that gather on the banks of the Chobe River. You also have the option of taking a spectacular boat cruise where you are sure to experience one of the most memorable sunsets in Africa, watching herds of elephant along the banks as you sip your chardonnay.
ZAMBIA
Day 6-7
VICTORIA FALLS AREA
On the morning of Day 6 transfer back to the Botswana border for your boat ride to Zambia and then onwards to Livingstone and your luxury lodge awaiting you.
The lodge lies on the banks of the great Zambezi River just 15 minutes upstream from Victoria Falls. The luxurious tree-houses are extremely large and airy. Each unit has floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows, interiors that feature Kubu cloth, white muslin and elegant teak, and a sitting area with tea and coffee-making facilities and private deck.
NOTE: During your stay in the Livingstone/Victoria Falls area, the following optional activities are available - some at additional cost:
- A must is to view the magnificent Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is where the Zambezi River opens out into an extravaganza of roaring, spray-tumbled water, known to the locals as "mosi oa tunya" (the smoke that thunders). Few sights are as awe-inspiring and the ground shakes and rumbles with the force of the water
- Take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi watching for wildlife along the banks
- Spectacular bird watching
- Game viewing through Mosi oa Tunya National Park (see Zambia's last remaining rhino)
- Visit historic Livingstone - the craft market and the Livingstone Museum noted for its artifacts that belonged to David Livingstone
(At additional cost)
- Guided canoeing down the Zambezi River
- Horseback riding along the Zambezi River
- Helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls
- Microlight flight over the Victoria Falls
- Grade 5 white water rafting
- World's tallest bungee jumping
- Visit Zambia's first "Elephant Camp" which offers a once in a lifetime insight into these gentle giants. Ride Madinda, Marula, Lewa, Danny or Bop on an exclusive Zambian Elephant Safari through riverine vegetation and beautiful scenery in the Mosi oa Tunya National Park.
Day 8-10
SOUTH LUANGWA VALLEY
After breakfast on Day 8, transfer to the Livingstone Airport to board your flight to Lusaka where you change planes and continue on to the Mfuwe Airport. Here you are met and driven to your bush camp, situated in the South Luangwa National Park.
The South Luangwa National Park, located in the eastern part of the country, is renowned for its unspoiled beauty and its varied habitats which support one of Africa's richest concentrations of game and birdlife. Over 50 species of large mammal and some 400 species of bird thrive in this last haven of wild Africa. During your stay in the Luangwa Valley you are bound to see the large elephant herds of up to 50 individuals, an abundant number of buffalo, fourteen antelope species and Thornicroft's giraffe, unique to the Valley. This area is also known for its healthy population of leopard and lion.
The meandering Luangwa River with its many ox-bow lagoons and shady ebony groves forms the eastern boundary of the Park while the western horizon is dominated by the spectacular Muchinga escarpment, rising almost a kilometer from the valley floor. You spend three nights in this beautiful area, and during the days you may take game walks in the park or game drives in four-wheel drive vehicles.
Accommodation is in spacious and comfortable chalets with attached private bathrooms featuring hot & cold running water, showers, a hand basin and flush toilet.
Day 11-13
LOWER ZAMBEZI
Very early in the morning of Day 11 transfer back to the Mfuwe Airport to board your flight to the Lower Zambezi (via Lusaka) and your luxury camp.
The camp is situated on the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers (opposite Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park). Under a complete canopy of huge Winterthorn Acacias (Albidas), it is such an unrivalled site that David Livingstone used it twice on his travels of the north bank of the Zambezi.
The chalets are large, well appointed Mulati tents under thatch, with a luxury open air bathroom en suite. Situated under a canopy of Albida thorns and surrounded by cool lawns, they command fabulous views over the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers. The bathrooms are an experience of their own! Shower under the stars or the early morning sunshine.
There are many options during your stay here. Motor boat or canoeing safaris are available from the camp anytime, and are manned by expert guides who steer you as you explore the numerous interesting channels and islands in search of the many photographic opportunities that invariably arise. Fishing for the world-renowned "Tiger fish" is also available. You also have the option to take game drives in the Lower Zambezi National Park which is remote and unspoiled with a diverse range of eco-systems, offering stunning scenery and varied wildlife viewing.
The Park is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo and lion are common. Regular plains game sightings include kudu, zebra, impala, warthog, bushbuck and baboons. There are large pods of hippo in the river directly in front of the lodge, as well as crocodile. Wild-dog and leopard do occur in the Lower Zambezi National Park, but are not commonly sighted. The diversity of birdlife is impressive.
Day 14-16
LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast on Day 14, you depart your camp by canoe for your journey to another luxury lodge. The trip is a full day canoe excursion with a picnic lunch on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River (you may also transfer by vehicle if you prefer).
You immediately notice the quiet surge of this huge river as you paddle downstream with the current. The air is filled with hundreds of birdcalls and the snort and grunts of hippos as you quietly drift past them. Crocodiles slither silently off the banks into the protection of the depths as you glide by. Herds of elephant are often at the waters edge or crossing the river and the silence of your canoe creates an opportunity to meet these magnificent creatures close-up without threatening them.
Each spacious tent sits on a teak platform overlooking the river with twin beds and large attached bathrooms. The central dining area is on a raised platform under thatch with an open balcony overlooking the river. The surrounding winterthorn pods entice elephant and buffalo into the camp and the inevitable lion, so after dark you are escorted back to your tent by a guard.
Day 17
DEPART
This morning transfer to the Jeki Airstrip to board your charter flight to Lusaka where you transfer to your international flight homeward.
Day 17
ARRIVE HOME
NOTE: This is just one example of many custom itineraries we can do for you in this diverse country.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Cost of Safari in 2007:
$8,495.00 per person based on double occupancy
Tour Includes:
All ground and air charter transportation upon landing in Africa;
accommodation, breakfast in Johannesburg; all meals (except dinner in Johannesburg); and
most beverages and alcohol laundry; guides and vehicle throughout; park fees; and activities in
itinerary.
Tour Excludes:
U.S. domestic and international airfare; all commercial internal Africa air
(Johannesburg to Livingstone; Lusaka to Johannesburg); medical immunizations; passport fees;
visa fee for Zambia ($40.00 pp); accident/baggage/medevac & cancellation insurance; individual transfers; excursions deviating from the scheduled tour; excess baggage charges; medical expenses; airport departure fees and taxes ($5.00 US pp when departing airports within Zambia such as Lusaka, Livingstone, Mfuwe); $20.00 airport departure fee when departing Lusaka for Johannesburg at the end of the trip; telephone or fax charges; room service; gratuities to guides and staff; and other items of a purely personal nature.
Other Trips:
Adventure to Zambia - 16 Day Trip
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