Page Text Content
22 dAYs
Botswana & Zimbabwe Adventure
This three-week safari offers a feast of wildlife interactions in some of southern Africas premier reserves. Walk with lions, get up close to rhinos, enjoy game drives through Kruger National Park and cruise the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta.
n KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY n OKAVANGO DELTA n CHOBE NATIONAL PARK n LIVINGSTONE n VICTORIA FALLS n HWANGE NATIONAL PARK n ANTELOPE PARK n WALK WITH LIONS n GREAT ZIMBABWE RUINS n KRUGER NATIONAL PARK n BLYDE RIVER CANYON
Day 1/Pretoria/Johannesburg Our trip starts today at our lodge in a remote area between Pretoria and Johannesburg. No activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time. Days 2-3/Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Maun Driving north we enter Botswana for an overnight stop at Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This reserve is dedicated to preserving and breeding Botswanas last remaining rhino population. Our stopover here helps to support the community trust in paying for the maintenance of this unique project, whilst also enabling you to get close to these remarkable animals. The following afternoon we continue our journey to Maun. Days 4-6/Okavango Delta - Maun From Maun we embark on our two-night/three-day Okavango Delta excursion. Leaving our vehicle we venture into the Kalahari sands and then the spectacular delta region. Travelling by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) we glide through the channels in this astounding network of waterways. Our base is a makeshift campsite, established on one of the many islands in the delta. This is a basic camp with no running water, showers or flush toilets a true wilderness experience! We enjoy game walks and mokoro cruises before returning to Maun, where there is a chance to take an optional scenic flight over the delta. Days 7-8/Chobe National Park Our next stop is the world famous Chobe National Park. Chobe and Hwange National Parks form an interconnected stomping ground for large numbers of wildlife, including, most prominently, several thousand elephants. At Chobe we take a morning game drive and an afternoon sunset cruise on the Chobe River to experience this beautiful national park from all angles.
Great Zimbabwe Ruins
Days 9-10/Livingstone (Victoria Falls) Entering Zambia we reach the old frontier town of Livingstone, where David Livingstone first set eyes upon majestic Victoria Falls. The local Kololo people were already well aware of these falls and referred to them as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders). From our camp on the banks of the Upper Zambezi River, a few kilometres upstream of the falls, we have the option to explore Mosi-oa-Tunya or take part in some of the many optional adventure activities on offer here. Days 11-13/Victoria Falls - Hwange National Park We cross over the Zambezi River and enter Zimbabwe, where we spend one night at Victoria Falls. Here you can see the falls from the Zimbabwean side, as well as take in the bustling craft markets and shops of the town. We then continue to Hwange National Park for more great game viewing. While at Hwange, we can also spend time with the children of a local school. Days 14-15/Antelope Park We spend two full days at one of the most amazing places on the African continent. After all, where else can you walk in the African bush accompanied by lion cubs (and survive to tell the tale!)? At Antelope Park we ensure you get out with the lions, but there are also many other options to explore at this magical private reserve. Day 16/Great Zimbabwe Ruins The incredible stone enclosures of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins were built by the Shona people a feat that many travellers find improbable when seen in contrast to the simple mud and thatch huts that are the traditional dwellings throughout Africa. We spend a night camping just outside these colossal structures and explore them with our local guide, who will regale us with tales of their fascinating past. Day 17/Tshipse Hot Springs Returning to South Africa we stop at the Tshipse Hot Springs, near Messina. The natural sulphur hot springs have been channelled into two large outdoor pools, designed for complete relaxation. What better way to wash off the dust than soaking in a hot spring under a starlit African sky? Days 18-19/Kruger National Park You cannot visit South Africa without setting foot in Kruger National Park. We ensure you get your Kruger fix with two days exploring this immense game reserve in search of some of its many species of wildlife. Days 20-22/Blyde River Canyon - Pilgrims Rest - Pretoria/ Johannesburg From Kruger National Park we travel through the aptly named Panorama region and stay overnight at a stunning campsite near Graskop. We have time to explore the viewpoints in beautiful Blyde River Canyon as well as visit the historic town of Pilgrims Rest, before continuing to our camp near Pretoria for the final night of our safari.
ZAMBIA
Livingstone ZIMBABWE Kasane Victoria Falls Chobe Hwange Okavango Delta Antelope Park NAMIBIA Maun Great Zimbabwe Nata Ruins
BOTSWANA
Khama Rhino Sanctuary Pretoria/ Johannesburg
Kruger Blyde River Canyon SWAZILAND
SOUTH AFRICA
Botswana & Zimbabwe Adventure
Trip info
Group size: Maximum 24. Grade: Moderate. Transport: 4WD vehicle, boat, custom-built safari vehicle, ferry, mokoro, on foot. Accommodation: 20 nights camping, 1 night lodge. Meals: 20 breakfasts, 18 lunches, 19 dinners. Other: An experienced driver, guide and a camp cook accompany us on this safari. Local guides join us in the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Hwange National Park and at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. It is recommended that you pre-book an arrival transfer as our lodge is in a remote area between Pretoria and Johannesburg. Parks: This trip includes 1 day in Chobe National Park, 2 days in Hwange National Park and Kruger National Park, 3 days in the Okavango Delta and 2 days at a private animal reserve. Local payment: Your tour leader will collect a US$400 local payment in Pretoria on Day 1. Want more? Link this trip with another Geckos adventure: Kruger Breakaway, East Africa Safari. Tour Code: GABZ. Prices: See inside cover Further Info & Trip Notes: www.geckosadventures.co.uk/trips/gabz
Start Sun 2007 25-Nov 23-Dec Finish Sun 16-Dec 13-Jan 2008 20-Jan 24-Feb 23-Mar 27-Apr 25-May 29-Jun 27-Jul 31-Aug 28-Sep 02-Nov 30-Nov 20-Jul 17-Aug 21-Sep 19-Oct 23-Nov 21-Dec 2009 04-Jan 01-Feb 08-Mar 05-Apr
10-Feb 16-Mar 13-Apr 18-May 15-Jun
25-Jan 22-Feb 29-Mar 26-Apr
Walking with lions
www.geckosadventures.co.uk
97
|
inbro