Best of Zambia and Botswana SOUTH AFRICA ZAMBIA BOTSWANA 10 Days | January 21 – 30, 2015 Johannesburg, South Africa | Lower Zambezi, Zambia | Livingstone, Zambia | Okavango, Botswana | Johannesburg, South Africa Best of Zambia and Botswana SOUTH AFRICA • ZAMBIA • BOTSWANA 10 DAYS • JANUARY 21 – 30, 2015 Itinerary 21-Jan Wednesday Johannesburg South Africa 54 On Bath 22-Jan Thursday Lower Zambezi Zambia Chiawa Camp 23-Jan Friday Lower Zambezi Zambia Chiawa Camp 24-Jan Saturday Lower Zambezi Zambia Chiawa Camp 25-Jan Sunday Livingstone Zambia Tongabezi Lodge 26-Jan Monday Livingstone Zambia Tongabezi Lodge 27-Jan Tuesday Okavango Botswana Little Kwara 28-Jan Wednesday Okavango Botswana Little Kwara 29-Jan Thursday Okavango Botswana Little Kwara 30-Jan Friday Johannesburg South Africa Depart $8,736 Per Person This is a sample itinerary and the price is an estimate, used for rough planning purposes only and is subject to change. Actual prices and availability must be finalized by one of our trip planners who will contact and confirm pricing with all accommodations and operators. 21 JAN 2015 – Johannesburg operators. 21 JAN 2015 – Johannesburg Start safari O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg, South Africa (Arrival Location) Johannesburg, South Africa Sofiatown. Joburg. Gold Reef City. This is the commercial capital of one of Africa's strongest economic engines, South Africa. Johannesburg was built on a gold mining town established in the 1800's, and you can still see the slag heaps within the city limits. If you are focused on a wildlife safari, your time should be kept to a minimum in Johannesburg. But if you have time to explore the city, it’s definitely worth a stay. Feel the vibe of Soweto, for example (an acronym for South West Township), then we can organize a fun bike ride that takes you through the streets of Soweto and gives you a flavor for this colorful and energetic township. 54 On Bath Discover a contemporary and fashionable haven on Bath Avenue right in the heart of Rosebank, Johannesburg’s trendy suburb. Classic and sophisticated, the accent is on understated elegance and the focus is to provide an exceptional guest experience. Newly opened in July 2012, is for the discerning traveler seeking intimacy and refinement but always with stylish flair. From the moment of arrival into the elegant lobby with its delightful lounge to the luxury and comfort of your room, you will enjoy attentive and friendly service. Everything has been designed around your comfort and the stylish interiors reflect a calm tranquility with the use of harmonious colors, sophisticated design and strong graphic motifs. The 75 rooms at 54 on Bath are elegantly styled with views over the garden or over the abundantly green city skyline. Comfortable and spacious, they exude the warmth of fine living. Block out curtains, fluffy duvets, crisp white linens and feather-top beds ensure an unrivalled sleep experience in Rosebank. Each guest room has everything, and perhaps more, that you would expect to find in a hotel of international standard, including an executive desk, technological connectivity, a sleek and luxurious bathroom with separate bath and shower and the finest amenities. Suites offer a beautiful, private lounge with en-suite bedroom and bathroom. It’s the simple things in life that make the difference, and at Level Four Restaurant you’ll enjoy distinctive classical cuisine with contemporary influences. Classic and elegant, Level Four offers a superb a la carte breakfast, while luncheon is a casual, light affair, and dinner is the perfect opportunity to choose from the excellent a la carte menu. It’s dining at its best. Sophisticated and unique, the bar offers an array of champagne, cocktails and wines accompanied by sumptuous bar snacks. Overlooking the terrace garden the champagne bar is the perfect meeting spot for business get-togethers, predinner drinks and evening sundowners. The hotel features a fitness club and outdoor pool available to all hotel guests. Ideally situated, guests can enjoy the best that this vibrant suburb has to offer. Linked from the 2nd floor to a stylish, retail shopping mall, with its designer shops, boutiques and entertainment complex. Within walking distance to the Rosebank Gautrain Station, and just minutes’ away from the Sandton, Hyde Park and the Johannesburg city center. Included: Accommodation, breakfast, 750mb per day of complimentary high-speed internet, 3 items of clothing pressed per day of stay, shuttle service to a local spa, complimentary use of hotel iPads, VAT Available at an Additional Cost: Laundry, restaurant dining, Champagne bar, mini bar, daily afternoon tea on the roof garden terrace, room service, Pretoria City tour, Soweto Township tour, Apartheid Museum, DeWildt Cheetah Centre, Sterkfontein Caves, Maropeng Cradle of Humankind, Origins Centre, Elephant Educational at Harbeespoort Dam Amenities: Air Conditioning, Cell Phone Coverage, Ensuite Bathrooms, Hairdryer, Pool, Recharge Facilities, Wi-Fi, Workout Room 22 JAN 2015 - 24 JAN 2015 – Lower Zambezi Johannesburg Lusaka Commercial Flight (2 hours, 5 minutes) Lusaka Lower Zambezi Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (1 hour, 5 minutes) Lower Zambezi, Zambia The Lower Zambezi National Park lies opposite Mana Pools on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River. The beauty of this park is in its state of absolute wildness. Exploring this park can be done by canoe, on foot, vehicle and power boat. When you are at water level on a boat or in a canoe, the animals are less likely to run off in a hurry. The park covers three different habitats: the river is overhung with a thick riverine fringe, while further inland is a floodplain fringed with mopane forest and interspersed with winterthorn trees, all of this with the Zambezi escarpment forming a beautiful backdrop. Chiawa Camp The Lower Zambezi Valley is a huge rift in the earth's crust, through which the Zambezi River flows, nurturing lush vegetation, providing attraction for wildlife. The landscape is beautiful: tall leadwoods, ebonies, acacias and figs stand on a carpet of rich grassland. But the main attraction is the area's game, including leopards, lions, elephants, hippos and other wildlife, which congregates near the river during the dry season. Family owned and operated, Chiawa Camp is the Lower Zambezi National Park's premier luxury safari camp. The camp is comprised of nine Meru-style tents with raised timber floors, platforms and verandas, providing excellent views of the surrounding national park and Zambezi River. These “tents” set a new standard for Zambia in bushluxury, while still retaining a rustic and unpretentious feel. All incorporate bedroom, bathroom and changing area with ample comforts, conveniences and unexpected luxuries such as 24/7 lighting and charging facilities (220v UK plugs), hot and cold running water, king-size beds with Egyptian cotton linens, his and hers washbasins, indoor and outdoor showers, and ball and claw baths. A stunning thatched lounge/bar area with upstairs viewing deck provides one of the best views of the Zambezi. After enjoying Chiawa’s renowned cuisine, one can relax by the open fire with a cocktail in hand to reminisce of the day's adventures before retiring to the tents. At Chiawa Camp, an impressive variety of safari activities are available, including game drives, walking, canoeing, boating and angling, led by an award winning team of Africa-born guides with a fleet of vehicles, boats and canoes at their disposal. Guests are able to enjoy their choice of activity where the duration is determined by the rhythm of the bush and enthusiasm of the guests, rather than by the clock. All of the guides at Chiawa are passionate about the environment and wildlife. It is their goal to provide you with the very best experience in the Lower Zambezi National Park. Included: Accommodation, meals, beverages, professionally-guided game viewing drives (day & night), offroad game viewing, canoe trips (walks and canoe trips restricted to 12+ years), bush walks, photo hides, boat trips, angling, daily laundry, transfers between Chiawa Camp/Old Mondoro & Jeki/Royal airstrips, park fees Available at an Additional Cost: Park angling permits, private guiding Amenities: Ensuite Bathrooms, Hairdryer, Laundry Included, Local Drinks Included, Pool, Recharge Facilities, Wi-Fi 25 JAN 2015 - 26 JAN 2015 – Livingstone Lower Zambezi Lusaka Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (1 hour, 5 minutes) Lusaka Livingstone Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (1 hour, 10 minutes) Livingstone, Zambia While David Livingstone named the falls on his visit, he didn’t realize it already had a more fitting name – Mosai-Oa-Tunya, The Smoke That Thunders. The mighty Zambezi River drops off in spectacular fashion, creating a powerful spectacle that is the most notable of the seven natural wonders of the world. Above the falls, the Zambezi has a hypnotic power. It's full of crocs and hippos, and it is a wonderful place to enjoy a traditional African sundowner at sunset on the river. Tongabezi Lodge Livingstone, Zambia is renowned for the impressive Victoria Falls. Over one mile wide, Victoria Falls is the most expansive curtain of water in the world and drops more than 328 feet into the sheer Zambezi Gorge. Located in the southwest corner of Zambia, these falls and the Zambezi River are the central points in an area of spectacular scenic beauty. Tongabezi is a luxury lodge located on the banks of the Zambezi River, near Victoria Falls. Privately owned and operated, Tongabezi combines romance and exclusivity with warm and attentive service. The experienced staff maintains a smart, exclusive and distinctly Zambian feel throughout the lodge. Meals are first-class, served beside the river or on your private veranda. Additional common areas include a thatched riverside bar, spacious lounge area and a rock swimming pool under a tumbling waterfall. With a total of 11 en-suite guest accommodations, all travelers’ needs are met. Each house and cottage has its own valet who takes care of guests throughout their stay and act as a private concierge. Tasteful furnishings with an elegant ensuite bathroom, as well as a private veranda, complete the accommodation. There is no set pattern to days at Tongabezi. Guests can do as much or as little as they wish, with game drives, bush walks, canoeing, village visits and boating trips all included with the accommodation. Additional activities are available at a supplemental cost. Please see information regarding Victoria Falls activities at the end of your descriptive itinerary. Included: Accommodation, all meals, drinks, house wine (excluding premium wines, champagne, sparkling wines and liqueurs), serviceactivities available on normal rates: sunrise and sunset boat trip on the Zambezi, guided canoeing excursion depending on water levels and hippo activity, lunch on local island with guided walk, fishing (equipment provided), visit to the Victoria Falls on the Zambian Side (Falls entrance fees are extra), game drive in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National park (Park fees are extra), walk in the gorge below the Falls, cultural visit to the museum (Museum entrance is not included and subject to change), local village visit, mountain bike trail to local village, shopping trip on the Zambian side of the Falls, outdoor dining, laundry, park fees Available at an Additional Cost: Premium wines, champagne, sparkling wines and liqueurs, Guided Tour of the Falls, Livingstone Island Morning Breezer, Royal Livingstone Express Dinner Train, Sundowner Cruise on the Zambezi, Elephant Back Safari, Canoeing on the Upper Zambezi, Horseback Riding, Fishing the Zambezi, Helicopter Flight over the Falls, Helicopter Flight over the Falls/Gorge/Game Park, Microlight Flight, David Livingstone Museum, Mukuni Village, Maramba Market, Railway Museum and Tour of Livingstone Town, Mists of Time Private Tour of Victoria Falls, Ebenezer Orphanage Visit, Zambezi River Boat Safari, Half Day Game Drive in Mosi-O-Tunya Park, Whitewater Rafting, Quad Biking, Segway Tour, Golf at Elephant Hills Golf Course In Zimbabwe Amenities: Air Conditioning, Cell Phone Coverage, Ensuite Bathrooms, Laundry Included, Local Drinks Included, Pool, Wi-Fi 27 JAN 2015 - 29 JAN 2015 – Okavango Livingstone Chobe Private Road Transfer (2 hours, 45 minutes) Chobe Okavango Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (1 hour, 20 minutes) Okavango, Botswana The Okavango Delta is a safari icon, and in 2014, it was named to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list for its unique habitat and remarkable wildlife densities. Its landscapes are awe-inspiring: yellow grasslands, pristine papyrus filtered rivers, ivory palm trees standing tall above the savannahs, red sunset skies punctuated by fish eagle cries…and great game viewing. It is a resilient system where drainage basins in Angola capture rain water in the African summer (December to March). But because Botswana is so flat, it takes months for that water to make it down the Okavango River and flood into the Kalahari Desert. The timing is perfect - it brings water to the Kalahari during the dry season (May through October) and becomes a key attraction for wildlife at this time of year. Little Kwara Little Kwara is located within the game rich Kwara concession, which borders the Moremi Game Reserve on the northern edge of the Okavango Delta. This is an intimate camp, accommodating no more than ten guests, and is consistent with Kwando Safaris promise to provide intimate camps with personal service. Little Kwara offers all the activities one expects in an exclusive concession in the Okavango Delta - day and night drives, game walks, power boating, mokoro trips and fishing (spinning equipment is provided but fly fishermen need to bring their own equipment). The daily safari routine usually involves an early morning wake up call, and a gathering around the fireside for piping hot tea and coffee, a bowl of sumptuous porridge and freshly baked muffins. As well as offering fresh, early-morning air and a dazzling sunrise, an early departure greatly increases the chances of unusual sightings, as the majority of mammals are active at the beginning and end of the day when temperatures are lower. Game drives are undertaken in custom-designed Toyota game viewing vehicles seating no more than six guests at a time in two rows of three. The use of only two rows ensures that guests are never so far from the front of the vehicle that they are unable to hear the guide or tracker's interpretation, even while driving. Guests are guided by a two-person team of a professional guide and a tracker - a special feature of the Kwando Safaris wildlife experience. This team enables the guide to communicate points of interest and the complex interrelations that exist throughout the natural world, while the tracker ensures no sightings or tracks are missed. The evening/night drives are a Kwando Safaris specialty. The drive starts in the late afternoon as the sun’s rays are dipping to the west and the day’s heat is declining. After a leisurely pause for the traditional sundowner, the African day is transformed into a soft colorful evening canvas and the night drive begins. The mystery unfolds as the creatures of the night, especially the predators, are revealed by spotlight, often unexpectedly. Included: Accommodation with all meals and beverages, including premier brands, all game viewing activities: game drives, night drives, off-road game viewing, nature walks, fishing, power boating and mokoro trips, outdoor dining, daily laundry, emergency medical evacuation coverage (all guests must have their own travel and health insurance), meet & greet in and out of Maun airport in the private guests lounge if being transferred with Moremi Air Available at an Additional Cost: Private vehicles, private guides, scenic helicopter tours, curio shop items Amenities: Ensuite Bathrooms, Laundry Included, Local Drinks Included, Pool, Recharge Facilities 30 JAN 2015 – Johannesburg Okavango Maun Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (45 minutes) Maun Johannesburg Commercial Flight (1 hour, 45 minutes) Johannesburg, South Africa (Departure Location) End Safari O.R. Tambo International Airport
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