Great Safaris Trip Itinerary for Website - Southern Africa

VIP Meet & Greet - South Africa

Your exciting adventure begins today, as you touch down in South Africa. On arrival you will receive a VIP meet and greet at the door of your aircraft with your name on a paging board. Should your aircraft be directed to the apron and not the terminal building, you will be transported to the terminal by bus where you meet and greet will be waiting for you as you step off the bus. You will then be assisted through immigration, baggage collection and customs and on to your next service.

Johannesburg

The city is affectionately known as "Jo'burg" or "Jozi" by South Africans.

Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng Province, the wealthiest province in South Africa, and the site of the South African Constitutional Court. The city is one of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the world, and one of Africa's global cities (classified as a gamma world city). Johannesburg is the site of a large-scale gold and diamond trade due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand hills. Johannesburg is also served by O.R. Tambo International Airport, one of the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of southern Africa.

*** Internal flight from Johannesburg to Kruger is not included in the land price

Internal flight from OR Tambo International Airport to Skukuza Airport

Private transfer to the lodge

Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve

Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adjacent to South Africa's flagship Kruger National Park, offers a safari experience found nowhere else in the world. Game viewing possibilities are simply unparalleled, including the much sought after 'Big Five'. Add a fantastic range of luxury lodges suiting all tastes and an African dream safari is born. There are no fences between Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands Game Reserve, so wildlife roams freely throughout this pristine part of the ancient African continent. The diverse habitat is home to spectacular wildlife including the Big 5 - lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant - as well as cheetah, wild dog and some 200 other animal species indigenous to the area.

Game Drives in Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Game drives are conducted in open 4 x 4 game viewing vehicles with professional driver - guides. Two game drives are offered per day, a morning game drive and an afternoon game drive. After sundowners guests will get to experience a night drive on the way back to the lodge. The night drives allow guests the opportunity to see the nocturnal animals not encountered during the day.

The Sabi Sands is in particular well known for its amazing leopard sightings. The most elusive animal of the Big 5 is frequently spotted when going on a game drive in the reserve. As such, Sabi Sands offers the ultimate photographic safari one can think of. You can be certain to return home with some absolutely stunning pictures and memories. Besides the Big 5, other game species occur in great numbers, among which are over 300 bird species.

Most guides and trackers have grown up in the Kruger area and have an instinctive understanding of nature. Combine this passion with extensive training and planning, delivers exceptional safari experiences that place your safety first and leave you feeling richer in knowledge and humbled by nature.

Guided walking safari

For those looking for an active thrill beyond the excitement of Big Five sightings on a game drive vehicle, a guided bush walk offers an opportunity to connect with the African bush, learning about its fascinating fauna and flora. Embark on an adventure where your feet tread in the tracks of Africa’s wild inhabitants, your nostrils fill with the scent of crushed wild grasses as you push through the bush and all six senses reawaken as Africa touches you and you touch Africa. At one with nature, discover a range of natural wonders in the company of your experienced, walking safari guide. Learn how to track, seeing how close you can come to smaller game like impala or nyala antelope without them being aware of your presence. Smell and taste wild herbs, learning their traditional uses, and explore the smaller marvels of the bush, from the magnificent tapestry of a spider’s web to the microscopic world of the dung beetle.

*** Internal flight from Kruger to Victoria Falls is not included in the land price

Private transfer to the Airport

Internal flight Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to Victoria Falls

Private transfer to the hotel

Sunset cruise on the Zambezi Explorer

The Zambezi Explorer Vessel is a custom-designed five-star cruise vessel that takes guests on a luxury trip along the Zambezi River. The Zambezi Explorer has three decks to choose from. Some people prefer to be high and have a wider vista from the uppermost deck, others prefer to be closer to the water, to get a closer look at the wildlife and birds on the river banks.

The two lower decks provide a luxury service where guests can choose from an exciting range of beverages and cocktails as well as a selection of delicious snacks. The 'Signature Deck' is the uppermost level and it is pure extravagance with gourmet hors d'oeuvres and premium beverages served from a private bar. VIP guests can relax in the comfort of the deep-set couches and enjoy the pleasure of luxury service.

Cruise around the islands of the upper section of the Zambezi river. Such a large body of water understandably attracts a whole host of wildlife which comes from the often dry interior to quench their thirst. The river is home to great pods of hippo, which are now accustomed to these cruises which can get close to them without any danger. The more sinister-looking crocodiles are regularly seen basking on the banks or gliding through the water. Elephants, giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck, kudu, impala, baboons and monkeys, along with a plethora of exotic birds are regular sightings.

Tour of Victoria Falls

After breakfast, depart on a guided tour of Victoria Falls through the Rainforest. The guide will give a brief history of the Falls themselves as well as detailing the flora, fauna, bird, wildlife and other points of interest as you walk along the ravine. Guides are also happy to assist clients with photographs whilst visiting this most spectacular of waterfalls. Raincoats are provided when needed, though it is recommended to take a small poncho with you.

The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk.

It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic meters of water plummet over the edge every minute. Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria Falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860's. The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialization.

The Lookout Café Victoria Falls

The Lookout Café is an iconic restaurant in Victoria Falls where casual dining is a decadent affair. Menus range from cocktails and canapes to diverse meal options for seated dinners.
Imported wine from South African vineyards and flavors foraged from nature make the ‘place on a plate’ sentiment a reality. Delicious food, staggering views and exceptional service make the Lookout Café a must-try place to eat out in Victoria Falls. The Cafe’s simplistic design creates a flow through, connecting indoor and outdoor dining space, offering diners a unique experience with breathtaking views. If you are looking for a fresh, vibrant menu with traditional as well as new flavors like local game meats and crocodile, situated in a great location then the Lookout Café is the place for you.

Victoria Falls scenic helicopter flight

Nothing compares to observing and experiencing the impressive Victoria Falls from the air. As Dr. David Livingstone eloquently jotted down in his diary in 1855: '...scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by Angels in their flight '. The helicopter ride provide outstanding photographic opportunities to capture the full breadth of Falls, the islands and neighboring rainforests. It is absolutely amazing to witness how spray blasts out of the chasm as the full volume of the Zambezi crashes down into the canyon. You will be collected from your hotel, arriving in time for a safety talk at the helipad, before climbing aboard for your flight. This unforgettable Flight of Angels whisks you over the majestic Victoria Falls. Heading back you fly over the upper Zambezi River and Zambezi National Park, home to a wide variety of wildlife species.

*** Internal flight from Kasane to Chobe National Park is included in the land price

Land transfer to Kasane Airport

Internal flight from Kasane Airport to Savuti Airstrip

Chobe National Park

Famed for some of the world's largest herds of massive elephants, Chobe National Park in Botswana's far northeastern corner is one of the great wildlife destinations of Africa. In addition to the mighty pachyderms, a full suite of predators and more than 440 recorded bird species are present; watch for roan antelope and the rare oribi antelope.

Chobe was first set aside as a wildlife reserve in the 1930s and became Botswana’s first national park in 1968. It encompasses three iconic wildlife areas that all carry a whiff of safari legend: Chobe Riverfront, which supports the park's largest wildlife concentration; the newly accessible and Okavango-like Linyanti Marshes; and the remote and soulful Savuti, with wildlife to rival anywhere.

Game drives in Savute - Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is a dynamic wilderness with sweeping expanse of savannah dotted by rocky outcrops, semi-surrounding by a marshland and the Savute Channel. Unpredictable wet and dry cycles shape the landscape and wildlife. The Savute Channel began to flow after nearly 30 years of lying dormant, but has since dried up again. The channel can change without warning, becoming one of Northern Botswana’s greatest mysteries.

During your morning and afternoon game drives, you can expect to see elephants - there are 130,000 elephants in Botswana. Guests are still amazed when they see a dust cloud appear on the horizon that eventually turns into a thundering herd. The range of animals and birds is outstanding, including the famous Savute lion pride, the only pride in the world that has mastered the skill to hunt elephants. Close to the lodge is a Hyena den, and if in luck you might just see the pups.

The Gubatsa Hills shelter leopard and klipspringer, with rare rock paintings drawn by San Bushmen depicting early man's animal encounters. Enjoy a sunset drink behind giant baobab trees, also known as the upside-down tree.

*** Internal flight from Chobe National Park to Okavango is included in the land price

Internal flight from Chobe to Okavango Delta

Okavango Delta

This delta in north-west Botswana comprises permanent marshlands and seasonally flooded plains. It is one of the very few major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is almost intact. One of the unique characteristics of the site is that the annual flooding from the River Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronized their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods. It is an exceptional example of the interaction between climatic, hydrological and biological processes.

The wildlife of the Okavango Delta is varied and plentiful thanks to the rich ecosystems and protection. The Okavango Delta supports large concentrations of animals on both a permanent and seasonal basis. Through careful wildlife management it has become perhaps one of the best places to see wildlife in Africa. There is a dynamic seasonal shift of animals between the arid region that surrounds the delta and the Okavango Delta itself. During the wet season most large animals move away from the delta to take advantage of the lush grazing that surrounds it. As this grazing begins to die in the winter animals move back to the delta.

Wildlife of the Okavango Delta includes a myriad of species including African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Lechwe, Topi, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Nile crocodile, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Brown Hyena, Spotted Hyena, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Plains Zebra, Warthog and Chacma Baboon. Notably the endangered African Wild Dog still survives within the Okavango Delta and exhibits one of the richest pack densities in Africa. In addition to the large animals the wildlife of the Okavango Delta includes over 500 species of birds and 85 recorded species of fish including Tigerfish, Tilapia and Catfish.

Guided Walk and Mokoro ride on the Okavango Delta

Go on a guided walking safari through the delta where you are totally enveloped in nature. This enables you to see amazing insects, animal tracks, game droppings, and learn the secrets from the bush. These small, unexpected aspects of life often make the biggest impression. If a game drive is like reading a book: a walking safari is actually becoming a character in that book.

Tranquility is best experience on a mokoro ride, floating soundlessly on the waterways. A mokoro, or traditional dugout canoe, takes you over shallow waters to areas inaccessible by regular boat. Luminous dragonflies hover with whirring wings. Game such as red lechwe antelope, reed bucks and giraffes come to drink. For many it is the birds that truly dazzle - egrets, storks and even fishing eagles swoop overhead. This activity is water level dependent.

Guided walking safari

For those looking for an active thrill beyond the excitement of Big Five sightings on a game drive vehicle, a guided bush walk offers an opportunity to connect with the African bush, learning about its fascinating fauna and flora. Embark on an adventure where your feet tread in the tracks of Africa’s wild inhabitants, your nostrils fill with the scent of crushed wild grasses as you push through the bush and all six senses reawaken as Africa touches you and you touch Africa. At one with nature, discover a range of natural wonders in the company of your experienced, walking safari guide. Learn how to track, seeing how close you can come to smaller game like impala or nyala antelope without them being aware of your presence. Smell and taste wild herbs, learning their traditional uses, and explore the smaller marvels of the bush, from the magnificent tapestry of a spider’s web to the microscopic world of the dung beetle.

*** Internal flight from Okavango to Maun is included in the land price
*** Internal flight from Maun to Johannesburg not included in the land price

Internal flight from Okavango Delta to Maun Airport

Internal flight from Maun to Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport

Departure Flight from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport

Bid farewell to Africa, for now until your next Safari !