The Victoria Falls need no introduction. The collection of spectacular statistics and superlatives do no justice to this Natural Wonder of the World which can only be truly appreciated by being there. The Falls form the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and can be viewed from both sides – each affording its own spectacular views. The mighty Zambezi River runs between the two towns of Victoria Falls ( Zimbabwe ) and Livingstone ( Zambia ).
The Victoria Falls National Park contains the rain forest surrounding the falls and the Zambezi National Park is one of the most beautiful of all Zimbabwe’s parks and is situated immediately upstream from the centre of town. This area which boasts great ecological diversity is fantastic for walking safari opportunities and some of the most beautiful and exciting canoeing routes in the world.
An oasis of human activity in the midst of the vast African bush hosts an excellent range of activities from white-water rafting to the tranquil ride on an African elephant, a bungi jump of 111m to a relaxing canoe trip on the Zambezi.
For almost 100 years, visiting members of Royal families, international and local statesmen, and celebrities worldwide, have preferred to stay at The Victoria Falls Hotel, where they are assured of privacy and care. An atmosphere steeped in history, combining the charm of the old with the comfort and convenience of today.
For almost 100 years, visiting members of Royal families, international and local statesmen, and celebrities worldwide, have preferred to stay at The Victoria Falls Hotel, where they are assured of privacy and care. It is one hotel that can truly claim to be unique. Established in 1904, The Victoria Falls Hotel is set in the Victoria Falls National Park with a private path to the Victoria Falls. The elegant lounges offer serenity and seclusion. Corridors reflect all the past glories of the Empire and suites and rooms are superbly furnished in Edwardian-style. The Courtyard entrance overlooks lily ponds, lush flowering shrubs and palm trees.
Traditional high tea is served every afternoon on the Terrace, with spectacular views of the Victoria Falls bridge down the Batoka Gorge with the spray rising from The Falls. Later, enjoy one of the hotel’s famous Livingstone cocktails or a gin and tonic whilst listening to the mighty roar of the Falls.
Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Day 12-15
Kwara is located in the remote northern part of the stunning Okavango Delta within the private Kwara concession. The camp fronts onto a huge floodplain, adjacent to the permanent water of the Delta and is backed by extensive bush. It is a magnificent wilderness area in excess of 1,700 square kilometres, bordering the Moremi Reserve.
No trip to Botswana is complete without a visit to the Delta, the shimmering and unique watery jewel in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Kwara encompasses a wide diversity of habitats, ranging from the clear Delta waters with reed-lined lagoons and channels, to open grasslands, mopane woodlands and palm-fringed islands.
The eight luxury safari-style tents are built on raised decks, within a grove of huge and ancient African Ebony trees. Resident hippos will generally serenade you year round from the water on the floodplain in front of the camp. Each tent has its own viewing deck, private en-suite facilities including hot and cold running showers, flush toilets and modern amenities. The forested island on which the camp sits is typical of those encountered throughout the vast 1.6 million hectares of the Okavango Delta. At Kwara, you will discover why the Okavango is considered one of the ecological wonders of Africa and indeed the world. It is mysterious, calming, unpredictable and very wild.
Here our guests can enjoy a diverse wildlife experience all year-round, but the focus is definitely on the water. Whether gliding along in the special silence of a mekoro dug out canoe through crystal-clear waters or visiting the famous Godikwe lagoon, where you can stand on a boat literally eye to eye with thousands of herons, storks and other nesting birds. Kwara is the nearest camp to this famous spectacle in Moremi Game Reserve.
Other species you can encounter through the channels and rivers are kingfishers, pygmy geese, fish eagles, jacanas, darters and if you’re really fortunate, the elusive Pels Fishing Owl.
Along with the bird watching, we’re able to offer fishing (both spinner and fly), walks with a guide on one of the many palm-fringed islands and also spectacular night drives on top of our morning and afternoon drives. The beauty and charm of Kwara will captivate you.
The Kwara area is also home to a variety of wild animals including, lechwe, sitatunga, reedbuck, bushbuck, hippo, crocodiles, elephant, buffalo, sable, roan, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala and tsessebe. Lion, hyena, wild dog, leopard and cheetah are abundant in this part of the Delta and regularly seen.
Highly skilled chefs prepares delicious meals, to round off a perfect day in Kwara’s watery wonderland.
Meal Planner: Full Board
Chamonix Guest House, Johannesburg, South Africa Day 8
Umlani Bushcamp works together with other landowners and lodges in the Timbavati Game Reserve in a mutually beneficial way. This co-operation results in a huge area of more than 10,000 ha of unspoilt wilderness for traversing and walking.
Umlani Bushcamp is a classic African safari camp located in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. This authentic camp is the ultimate experience of true wilderness and seclusion, accommodating only 16 guests in traditional African reed and thatch huts. Umlani’s philosophy of simplistic luxury and ‘getting back to nature’ is enhanced by the romance of operating without electricity. Enjoy the warm atmosphere of candlelight and oil lamps as well as open-air bush showers fuelled by wood fires. The accommodation offers you all the privacy and superior comfort you need for uninterrupted relaxation. Umlani’s award winning cuisine will take you on a gastronomic tour of African styled food.
Umlani Bushcamp offers an authentic wildlife experience in BIG Five territory. View lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, in over 10 000 hectares (24 000 acres) of traversing area, also home to over 40 mammal species and 350 bird species.
Experience the thrill of game drives in open Land Rovers, guided bush walks, and tracking game on foot with highly experienced rangers and trackers. You are guaranteed an adventure of a lifetime in one of Africa ’s world-renowned unspoilt wilderness reserves.
Umlani’s traditional African reed and thatch huts will not only provide you with all the comforts you need, but will also provide you with an authentic experience of local tribal (Shangaan) architecture and style, which blends in naturally with the environment.
Meal Planner: Full Board
Umlani Eco Camp, Timbavati Reserve, Kruger, South Africa Day 5-7
On arrival at Cape Town Airport you will be transferred to the Cape Grace.
The city of Cape Town has become one of the most popular long haul holiday destinations in the world. This is not surprising considering it is situated at the base of Table Mountain, one of the most recognisable mountains in the world. Add to that the gorgeous beaches, incredible and unique cuisine, world class wines, vibrant night-life, warm African hospitality, intriguing culture and history, exceptional bio-diversity, whale-watching, ocean kayaking, scuba diving, sailing, kaleidoscopic wild flower blooms, mind-blasting walking & rock climbing opportunities and the fact that a National Park runs right through the city and you may wonder why you aren’t there right now.
Cape Town also offers a variety of tours around the city and further a field, to the Cape Winelands, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Township Tours.
With a classically inspired exterior and gracefully elegant within, Cape Grace is set on its own private quay on Cape Town’s vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Cape Grace’s charm lies in its intimate atmosphere, stylish décor and unique personalised hospitality, where you will find staff warm and flexible, with a spirit of unrivalled generosity.
When Charles Brand, his wife Beth and parents Chippy and Cynthia opened the doors of Cape Grace to the world in December 1996, their vision was a hotel that felt more like a good friend’s home. In an understated way the décor and environment needed to reflect its 5-star aspirations. But, more importantly, staff needed to relate to guests as personal hosts, with warmth and a sense of comfort in their own individuality.
At every level there is complete trust in the idea that if everyone is the best they can individually be, all else will follow.
Meal Planner: Breakfast
Hwange to Victoria Falls Day 7
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe ’s best known park covering an area over 14,000 square km.
Its fame is due to its tremendous diversity and large numbers of wildlife and birdlife. It is situated only about 120km south from Victoria Falls and is an excellent game viewing area. It has vast herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra and has the largest concentration of giraffe in Africa. Hwange also is home to the predators, lion, leopard and cheetah.
This area is one of the few remaining in southern Africa that is still home to the Big Five.
It became the royal hunting grounds to the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19 th Century and was set aside as a National Park in 1929. Hwange boasts a tremendous selection of wildlife with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species recorded. The elephants of Hwange are world famous and the Park’s elephant population is one of the largest in the world.
Zimbabwe is unique amongst southern African countries in allowing walking safaris, guided by highly skilled guides, in its national parks. Hwange is one of the best destinations in Africa which to participate in a walking safari. These are conducted in a dedicated 400km square walking area that is also an intensively protected Rhino sanctuary.
To really explore Hwange a tented camping safari is ideal. The tented camps are erected at specified points in the bush which means you experience a true wildlife and wilderness experience.
From the bush camp the safari will take on its identity either by foot or by game vehicle, depending on game movement.
Victoria Falls Day 1
Breakfast will be at the hotel and you will then be taken to the Rainforest for a guided tour of the Falls and then afterwards to the Craft Village for a display of the Traditional way of living in Zimbabwe.
Lunch will be on your own account
You will spend the afternoon at leisure – an opportunity to take part in the optional tours.
In the evening you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport where you will be assisted with luggage and check-in for their departure flight to Harare for dinner and overnight. Bed and breakfast.
Day 9
After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to Dar es Salaam to connect to your departure flight back home.
KENYA SAFARI PRICES 
