15 Day Waterfalls and Wildlife 2020

Day 1 – Johannesburg to Kalahari Gateway Leaving behind the city of Johannesburg, we travel through the North-West Province to the Botswana border. After completing border formalities we continue on the Trans-Kalahari highway to our overnight stop. Accommodation: Kang Ultra Stop - Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom Route: Johannesburg to Kang Meals: Lunch, Dinner Border Post: Botswana Pioneer Gate Tel: +267 533 3992, Open: 06h00 – 24h00 South Africa Skilpadshek Tel: +27 0800 00 7277, Open: 06h00 – 24h00 Day 2 – Kalahari Gateway to Ghanzi After breakfast we venture deeper into the Central Kalahari and our camp in the Ghanzi district, here we will spend time getting to know the fascinating San people. This afternoon we will join our San guides for a guided walk that will introduce us to the many secrets of their survival in the Kalahari Desert. The nomadic San are hunter-gatherers that have passed down a rich knowledge of the plants and animals that play such an important part in their lifestyle. This evening we will get a first-hand experience of the San culture, well known for its rich traditions of song, dance and story-telling. Accommodation: Ghanzi Trail Blazers - Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom Route: Kang to Ghanzi Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: San Guided Walk (late afternoon) / San Evening Dance Performance Day 3 - Maun This morning we bid farewell to the San and make our way to Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta. There will be time this afternoon for those who wish to enjoy an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. Your guides will brief you this evening on what you will need for the upcoming Delta excursions. Accommodation: Sedia Riverside Lodge or similar - Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom Optional Activity: Scenic Flight over Okavango Delta (for those guests who have not purchased the Moremi game drive) Route: Nata to Maun Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 4 – Okavango Delta The most rewarding and enjoyable way to explore and experience the beauty and serenity of this intricate system of lily covered channels and lagoons, is by mokoro. Heading out early, we will be transferred by safari vehicle to the poling station (approximately 1 hour transfer) where we will meet the polers who will be escorting us into the Delta. The polers will steer us through the serene area of narrow, reed lined channels which open out onto beautiful lagoons. Reaching one of the many islands, a nature walk may be taken with your poler. After the walk, we return by mokoro through the channels back to the mooring station. While the mokoro trail is not primarily a game viewing activity, a variety of game may be encountered in this pristine wilderness area including elephant, giraffe, kudu, impala and zebra. Those guests who have pre-purchased the 2-night package – will be flown into the Delta this morning and will re-join the group on the morning of day 6. Please speak to your consultant for a copy of the programme for your Okavango Delta Excursion. Accommodation: Sedia Riverside Lodge or similar - Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom Route: Maun – Okavango Delta – Maun Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: Okavango Delta Full Day Excursion Optional Activity: 2-Night Okavango Delta Excursion Day 5 – Maun (Moremi Game Reserve) You will be collected from the hotel before first light and we will drive to the South gate to enter Moremi Game Reserve. As the lagoons and channels form a vital section of the Okavango Delta eco-system, sightings of bird and animal populations become more frequent as the day progresses. The game viewing routes chosen on the day by the professional guide may vary especially when high floods are experienced as certain roads may be closed or impassable. Those guests who have purchased the 2-Night Okavango Delta excursion will not participate in the Moremi Game Reserve game drive. Accommodation: Sedia Riverside Lodge or similar - Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: Moremi Game Reserve full day excursion Optional Activity: Scenic Flight over the Okavango Delta Day 6 – Nata Leaving Maun behind us this morning we make our way towards the town of Nata. We will spend most of the day in our truck as we journey across the northern reaches of the Makgadikgadi Pans. On arrival at our destination in Nata, you have the opportunity to enjoy an optional afternoon guided game drive to the Makgadikgadi Pans, which forms the breeding ground for a host of water birds including pelicans and flamingo in their thousands. Accommodation: Nata Lodge - Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom Route: Maun to Nata Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Optional Activity: Makgadikgadi Salt Pans (Nata Sanctuary) Day 7 – Chobe National Park We rise early this morning as we continue north to our camp on the banks of the Chobe River. This afternoon is set aside for exploring the Chobe National Park. We begin our exploration with an optional game drive in 4x4 vehicles and our afternoon ends with a leisurely boat cruise which allows us an up close and personal experience with the many elephants that frequent the river in the afternoons. Accommodation: Thebe River Safaris - Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom Route: Nata to Kasane Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: Chobe National Park Boat Cruise Optional Activity: Chobe National Park Game Drive Day 8 – Kasane – Victoria Falls With the memories of our wildlife encounters firmly etched in our minds, we cross the border to Zimbabwe this morning and travel the short distance to Victoria Falls. The bustling adventure town of Victoria Falls offers a range of optional activities for those wanting a dose of adrenaline and upon arrival you will have the chance to book these various activities. For the more relaxed traveller there are craft markets to explore and a delicious high tea is on offer at the Victoria Falls Hotel. Accommodation: Shearwater Explorers Village - Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom Route: Kasane to Victoria Falls Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Optional Activity: Visit to the Victoria Falls, Bungee Jump, Gorge Swing, Sunset Cruise, Helicopter Flights, Boma Dinner Experience Border Post: Zimbabwe: Kazangula Road, Open: 06h00-20h00 Botswana: Kazangula Road, Tel: +267 62 50330, Open: 06h00-20h00 Day 9 – Victoria Falls With the many activities on offer in Victoria Falls, today is the perfect day for the adventure that most suits your style. Whether rafting the mighty Zambezi River or enjoying a scenic flight over the falls below, this is your day to enjoy the many attractions on offer in Victoria Falls. Accommodation: Shearwater Explorers Village - Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Optional Activity: Visit to the Victoria Falls, Bungee Jump, Gorge Swing, Sunset Cruise, Helicopter Flights, Boma Dinner Experience Day 10 - Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park This morning we leave the rumble and adventure of Victoria Falls behind us as we make the journey south to Hwange National Park. Hwange is the largest of Zimbabwe’s national parks and offers excellent opportunities for viewing the diversity of wildlife that calls the park home. Accommodation: Hwange Main Camp - Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom Route: Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Optional Activity: Victoria Falls National Park Entry, Hwange Sundowner Drive Day 11 – Hwange National Park Home to the big-5, Hwange National Park also offers a wide variety of plains game and birdlife. We will spend the day game driving (in open 4x4 vehicles) through Hwange in search of the animals. Accommodation: Hwange Main Camp - Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom Route: Hwange National Park Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: Full day Hwange National Park game drive Day 12 – Matopos National Park After breakfast we continue south towards Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe. Our afternoon will be spent exploring the Matopos National Park with a local guide. The park received recognition as a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site in 2003 and includes an intensive protection zone that is home to both Black and White Rhinoceros. Named after the Ndebele word “Matobo “, whose meaning “bald heads” refers to the rounded granite hills that surround it. We return to Bulawayo and our overnight stop for the night. Accommodation: Travellers Guest House - Two per Room with Shared Ablutions Route: Hwange National Park to Bulawayo to Matopos National Park Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Highlight: Afternoon game drive in Matopos National Park Day 13 – Great Zimbabwe Ruins Our journey today takes us to Masvingo and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. This afternoon we will enjoy a guided walking tour of this historic site. Dating back to the Late Iron Age, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. We take time this afternoon to marvel at the intricate stone work and experience the heritage of this monument to early Zimbabwean civilisation. Accommodation: Norma Jeans Lake View Resort - Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom Route: (Bulawayo) Matopos National Park to Great Zimbabwe Ruins (Masvingo) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Included Highlight: Visit to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins Day 14 - Tshipise Leaving the sites of Zimbabwe behind we cross the Limpopo River and enter South Africa this afternoon. Our overnight stop allows us an opportunity to end the day with a swim in the hot springs of Tshipise. Accommodation: Forever Tshipise Resort - Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom Route: Great Zimbabwe Ruins (Masvingo) to Tshipise Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Included Highlight: Tshipise Hot Springs Border Post: Beitbridge Border Post +263 862 2303 / 2366 +27 (015) 530-0066 / 71 website: http://www.zimra.co.zw Day 15 - Johannesburg This morning we take the highway south to Johannesburg, we arrive at Belvedere Estate in the late afternoon and all travellers are invited to join us for a traditional meal tonight. This can be booked with your guide on the day before arrival. Many great tales are shared and tonight is for celebrating the many wonders of African travel. Accommodation: Own Arrangements Route: Tshipise to Johannesburg Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Optional Activity: Traditional meal at Belvedere Estate