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This trip combines exceptional game-viewing at Greater Kruger National Park with majestic Victoria Falls and the wilderness experience of Chobe National Park.
Kruger National Park and the adjoining private reserves of Greater Kruger National Park form one of Africa’s finest wildlife areas, offering superb viewing opportunities all year round. In one of the first national parks to be established in Africa, the custodians of Kruger faced tragedy, triumph and hardship, as they have strived to protect a pristine wilderness region that is sanctuary to over 700 species of mammals, reptiles and birds. We spend three nights in a private game lodge in Timbavati Game Reserve, part of Greater Kruger National Park, which boasts a similar range of animals to those found in the park proper. These include the 'Big Five', but the private reserves offer more opportunities for varied and close-up encounters. With open 4WD vehicles and a maximum of nine people in each, there is ample space to observe the many different species as they interact with each other and their environment. Keen photographers also have the chance to take those special shots of unexpected and sometimes dramatic wildlife interactions, as well as of peaceful bushveld scenes. The tour spends one night in Hazyview, a base from where we explore the impressive Blyde River Canyon and visit Bourke's Luck Potholes, as well as enjoy views of the Three Rondavels and the vista from God's Window. We also visit a local Shangaan village, where we gain an insight into their unique way of life.
Victoria Falls is certainly Zimbabwe's most celebrated spectacle. Measuring some 1.7 kilometres in width and with a drop of around 105 metres, an immense volume of water passes over the cataract at the height of the inundation with a flow rate of about 550,000 cubic metres per minute. This massive rush of water sends a huge plume of spray into the sky, visible for miles in the early months of the year and providing a stunning spectacle, as we walk on paths that border the ravine. Chobe National Park is one of Botswana's largest and its northern section that abuts on to the Chobe River is wonderfully picturesque.
The area around the river is home to a fabulous range of birdlife and you don't have to be a birder to be enthralled by it all. Wallowing in the river are large numbers of hippos and crocodiles. These same waters also attract abundant land dwellers, foremost of which are elephants that, during the dry season, are probably the largest herds left anywhere in Africa. They often congregate close to the permanent water of the river and to see these animals drink at sunset, or even swim out across the river to some of the islands, is an experience that can only be described as magical. This all takes place in a scenically beautiful setting that provides truly memorable sunsets across the river.
Important Information
The flight from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls is not included and must be booked for the morning of Day 7. Please note your local tour leader will leave you in South Africa on Day 6. In Victoria Falls you will be met by a representative and escorted to your included activities. A local guide will join you at Victoria Falls National Park and local specialist wildlife guides will escort you on your game drives in Chobe National Park.
Visas and Permits
Botswana
Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders do not currently require a visa for Botswana. For other nationalities that do require a visa to enter into Botswana, this is no longer able to be purchased upon arrival. Visa will need to be pre-arranged - please contact your travel agent for assistance.
South Africa
Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders do not currently require a visa for South Africa. Upon arrival you will be given a free three-month multi-entry visa stamp. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. Please note that you require six blank pages and your passport needs to have a minimum of six months validity to enter South Africa. Also note that to enter South Africa you may be required to show proof of onward travel plans and a valid yellow fever certificate (especially if entering or re-entering from East African countries).
Zimbabwe
Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders currently require a visa for Zimbabwe. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. For trips to Zimbabwe you may require either a single or double entry visa. Both single and double entry visas are obtainable on arrival currently costing between US$30 and US$60 (depending on nationality). If you choose to travel to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls your Zimbabwe visa will not expire as long as you do not spend the night out of Zimbabwe.
(Driving time: approx 6 hours) We are met by our guide between 7.00am and 7.30am and are soon off on our journey. Upon reaching Timbavati Game Reserve, which is part of Greater Kruger National Park, we are served a late lunch at the delightful bush camp. After settling into our accommodation we depart on a late afternoon/early evening game drive for our first chance to glimpse the resident wildlife. Upon our return to camp, a pre-dinner drink is served around a blazing fire under the stars, in an open-air boma. Following this, a sumptuous South African dinner awaits us in the intimate dining area of the camp. This is a private camp and our overnight accommodation is in comfortable chalets, complete with ensuite facilities.
(Driving time: two safaris per day - times variable) Two full days in the reserve allows for morning and afternoon wildlife activities, with time for relaxing back at camp during the middle hours of the day. In addition to game drives, walking safaris are offered. Accompanied by a highly experienced, armed guide; this is a fascinating and very different way of experiencing the African bush. We depart with our local resident guides on morning and afternoon drives in open 4WD vehicles, searching for zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and a variety of antelope. We may also see elephant, buffalo and, hopefully, some of the predators. There is a good chance of seeing all of the 'Big Five', including the endangered rhinoceros. On the afternoon game drive, a sundowner drink is usually served before our return to camp. On the drive back to camp we use spotlights, which may enable sightings of some of the many nocturnal animals of the bush that are seldom sighted during the day. A very special feature of this camp is the treehouse, which is set approximately two kilometres away from the main camp and overlooks a dam. The camp staff can set up bedding for you in the tree house so that you can spend a night sleeping there (please note there are no bathroom facilities). You are dropped off at the tree house after dinner and collected in the morning, before the game drive. A two-way radio is provided so that you may contact the camp staff at any time should you wish to return to the main camp. A spotlight is also provided to allow you to watch for any animals coming to drink at the waterhole during the night. This tree house experience is offered at no extra cost, but needs to be booked in advance. It is also dependent on weather and is therefore not guaranteed.
(Driving time: approx 8 hours including sightseeing excursions) This morning we leave Timbavati behind and travel to the nearby Blyde River Canyon area. This canyon is the largest green canyon in the world and our drive around this region offers us spectacular views of this breathtaking gorge from different angles. We stop at the Three Rondavels viewpoint, explore Bourke's Luck Potholes and peer out through God's Window, before checking into our cosy private guesthouse near Hazyview where we relax and enjoy dinner that evening while watching the sunset.
(Driving time: approx 4½ hours) After checking out of our guesthouse we make our way to Johannesburg. We will stop for lunch along the way (own expense) and expect to arrive at the Metcourt Laurel Hotel Johannesburg by mid-afternoon. The Metcourt Laurel hotel is located within the Emperor's Palace complex which houses a selection of restaurants. Please note your local tour leader will not be continuing on with you to Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park. In Vic Falls you will be met by a representative and escorted to your included activities. A local guide will join you at Vic Falls National Park and local specialist wildlife guides will escort you on your game drives in Chobe National Park.
This morning you take the courtesy airport shuttle from your hotel to Johannesburg International Airport, for your flight to Victoria Falls. The shuttle service departs from the hotel at 20 minute intervals. (flight not included). On arrival at Victoria Falls you are met and transferred to your guesthouse (please note it is important that we are provided with details of your flight from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls before you start your tour). The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to wander around town and to book any optional tours or activities through local agents. Tonight we are transferred from our guesthouse to experience an incredible meal and musical performance at the Boma Restaurant, also known as The Place Of Eating. Here we are welcomed with a taste of the local beer, Chibuku, which starts off our culinary adventure. Soups, freshly baked breads and salads are the first courses. Then the main meal arrives - a buffet style array of local meats, which may include warthog, buffalo, crocodile, impala and many more, and are cooked before your eyes on a flamed grill. A range of locally inspired, tasty dishes complements the meats. To complete the feast a number of delicious desserts are on offer. Throughout the meal we are entertained with local song and dance, whilst traditional storytellers may stop by with a colourful story or two. After dinner every guest is given an African drum so that we can join in the entertainers. After we are taught how to hold the beat, all restaurant guests and musicians combine together to create some great African music, whilst the dancers continue to amaze us with their athletic ability. Please note that if you do not wish to join in with the drumming you may wish to choose an earlier session for dinner. A further suggestion for this evening is to be transferred earlier to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, where it is possible to enjoy a sundowner at their outdoor bar that overlooks a waterhole. From here we are transferred the very short distance to the Boma for dinner.
Today your time in Victoria Falls is your own to use as you choose. In addition to visiting the falls, there are many various activities that you can partake in. These include canoeing and inflatable kayaking along the upper Zambezi (well above the falls!), whitewater rafting beneath the falls (along the lower section of the river) and morning or afternoon game drives or walks in Zambezi National Park. During your stay you may also wish to enjoy a spectacular helicopter flight over the falls and the Zambezi Gorges - a truly stunning way of viewing the area and provides a totally different perspective to the views obtained from ground level. Alternatively, an excellent range of curio and craft shops provide a pleasant distraction for those seeking a more sedate kind of day. Details of optional activities are set out in these notes (below) and can be booked through our local operator.
(Driving time: approx 2 hours not including time at border; game drive times variable) This morning we are taken on a guided tour of Victoria Falls. You need to pay US$30 entry fee to the falls at the national park gate and this must be paid for in US dollars cash. (These are Zimbabwean Government Regulations. Please try to ensure you have the correct money and that the notes are not issued prior to the year 2000.) Once inside the park your guide takes you through the falls area, stop at the different viewpoints and explain about the history of the falls and its surroundings. After returning from the tour, we check out of the guesthouse and are collected by our Botswana operators at 10.30am and transferred west along the Zambezi Valley road to Kazangula - a travelling time of about 50 minutes on a sealed road. Here we complete border formalities (please bring your passport and sufficient US dollars to purchase a new Zimbabwe visa, if necessary, when returning!) and cross into Botswana. It is then just a short drive to Chobe Safari Lodge, which is situated on the riverfront a little way out of the park. After settling in and having lunch, there is time to relax until the mid-afternoon when we take a game drive into the park. We will almost certainly see elephants drinking at the waters' edge and the area also often boasts large herds of buffaloes. The sunsets viewed from the river can be breathtakingly spectacular. We return to your lodge soon after dusk for dinner. Chobe Safari Lodge is a delightful lodge comprising various styles of accommodation. We usually use the rondavels - comfortable individual circular thatched units with private facilities and balconies. The lodge is situated on the southern bank of the mighty Chobe River, bordering the national park. Its bar is a great place to enjoy a drink at the end of the day and dinner is often served outside with a lovely smorgasbord of choices. The pool is a great place to relax during the hotter part of the day.
(Game drive times variable) A full day is planned with an early morning game drive followed by relaxation during the heat of the day and a mid-afternoon boat trip out on the river. The bird life on the water is often spectacular and we are sure to be enthralled by sightings of saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles, goliath herons and beautiful bee-eaters, to name but a few. There are good numbers of hippopotamuses in the river and, from time to time, you may see a crocodile on the banks - although they are surprisingly shy - or a large monitor lizard seeking to make a meal of crocodile eggs. 0
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