ULTIMATE AFRICA SAFARIS
Zimbabwe / Botswana Visit: Mana Pools, Hwange, Victoria Falls, Chobe, Savute / Linyanti, Okavango Delta, Moremi Highlights: all inclusive, Africa's most exclusive tented camps and lodges, transfers by air, day and night wildlife viewing from open sided 4x4 vehicles, professionally guided walks, canoeing on the Lower Zambezi River at Mana Pools, boating / mountain biking / village visit at Chobe, canoeing through the Okavango Delta in traditional dug out canoes, excellent wildlife and birding, guided tour of Victoria Falls, optional river rafting and optional elephant back safari Wildlife and adventure! Designed for active travelers who want the best wildlife viewing opportunities, guests on this twenty-one day Premier / Platinum level safari visits southern Africa's leading wildlife / wilderness destinations. This all inclusive safari utilizes light aircraft to transfer guests directly between the lodges and camps. Starting in the world renowned Mana Pools National Park guests will enjoy a three night Zambezi River canoe safari which includes professionally guided walks. From Mana Pools guests will travel to Hwange National Park where days will be spent deep within the park on a private concession on wildlife viewing drives and walks. At night you may opt to sleep out in the underground wildlife viewing hide (Professional guide Garth Thompson recently counted over 1,200 animals at the hide in just over 24 hours!). From Hwange travel to Victoria Falls for two nights. Here guests will have a tour the world's largest waterfall and may opt to spend a day river rafting or on an elephant back safari. From the Falls you will travel to Botswana's Chobe National Park, home to over 60,000 elephant! Here you may mountain bike to the local village / school and view wildlife on a full day Chobe River boat cruise. From Chobe you will travel to the Linyanti / Savute region, a remote wilderness area with abundant wildlife. From here guests travel to Duba Plains in the Okavango Delta - reputed to have the highest density of lion in Africa! From Duba your safari ends with three nights at Mombo Camp - to many, Africa's leading wildlife viewing camp...this safari combines classic camping along the shores of the Zambezi River, with the comfort of southern Africa's leading tented camps and lodges...this is Africa at its best! Full itinerary and trip details below: DAY 1 MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK Upon arrival at the Victoria Falls Airport you will be met and transferred by light aircraft (included) to Mana Pools and Ruckomechi Camp. Ruckomechi Camp is situated on the western side of Mana Pools National Park (a world heritage sight) overlooking the Zambezi River and shaded by a grove of massive acacia trees. Guests are accommodated in 10 luxury thatched chalets with en suite facilities. Ruckomechi has no fence, so wildlife wanders freely through the camp. The camp is well known for its outstanding variety of game, and its unique bath and loo with a view. Ruckomechi won "Best Safari Camp" in Zimbabwe for four consecutive years. Activities including professionally guided wildlife viewing walks, wildlife viewing drives in open 4x4 vehicles, canoe trips on the Zambezi River, boat trips and fishing. MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK, Ruckomechi Camp, all inclusive DAY 2 MANA
POOLS NATIONAL PARK Today you will start your canoe safari.This is one of only two canoe safaris that includes
guided walks within Mana Pools! DAY 3 MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK You will awake this morning and enjoy a bushwalk within the national park. You will then return to camp for breakfast and spend the rest of the morning leisurely canoeing. Lunch will be enjoyed on an island in the river and you will rest through the heat of the day. The afternoon is spent canoeing to your next camp with occasional stops (or walks). MANA POOLS, Canoe Camp, all inclusive DAY 4 MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK This morning you may enjoy a walk before canoeing. In the afternoon you will reach your next camp. MANA POOLS, Canoe Camp, all inclusive DAYS 5, 6, 7 HWANGE NATIONAL PARK Your canoe safari ends the morning of day 5.You will be transferred by light aircraft (included) to Hwange National Park and Makalolo Plains Tented Camp. Situated within the private Linkwasha concession, this luxury tented camp caters to 18 guests in 9 tastefully appointed walk in tents with en suite facilities. There is also a plunge pool with magnificent views across savanna plains frequented by numerous wildlife species. Makalolo Plains has no fence, so wildlife wanders freely through the camp. Once the royal hunting grounds of King Lobengula you will follow in Livingstone’s footsteps as you explore Zimbabwe's largest National Park. Enormous herds of buffalo and elephant (over 30,000) roam the plains along with lion, leopard, wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and over 400 species of birds. Activities include professionally guide wildlife viewing walks and day and night wildlife viewing drives in open 4x4 vehicles. Adventurous guests may overnight in the hide affectionately known as the "bunker" - Professional guide Garth Thompson observed 1,255 animals from 17 species during 31 hours at the bunker! This is Africa at its best! Guests may choose to spend these three nights at Little Makalolo, Linkwasha or Little Linkwasha at the same cost. HWANGE NATIONAL PARK, Makalolo Plains Tented Camp, all inclusive DAYS 8, 9 VICTORIA FALLS On day 8 you will be transferred by light aircraft (included) to Victoria Falls and by road to the River Club. Overlooking the Zambezi River upstream from Victoria Falls in Zambia, this small luxury lodge exudes colonial elegance as it takes guests back to a forgotten time. Each of the 10 airy open fronted chalet enjoys en suite facilities and fantastic sunset views over the Zambezi River and Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe. The main lodge building with its colonial style tin roof, house the elegant dining room, lounge, drawing room, and library. There is also a lovely swimming pool. Activities include visits to the Mosi oa Tunya National Park (home to white rhino), the historical town of Livingstone and the Railway Museum, the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls, village / school visits and sundowner boat trips on the river. In the evening guests may enjoy croquet on the expansive lawns while hippo snort in the background. VICTORIA FALLS, The River Club, bed and breakfast DAYS 10, 11 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK Chobe National Park is Botswana's premier wildlife preserve. The park is home to Africa's largest elephant herds (over 50,000 strong), enormous buffalo herds, prides of lion, giraffe, numerous antelope species and along the river you may see puku, lechwe and of course hippo! On day 10 you will be transferred by road into Botswana to Muchenje Lodge. Bordering the renowned Chobe National Park, the lodge is set on an escarpment edge and has been designed to take full advantage of breathtaking views over the Caprivi Strip. Guests are accommodated in 10 twin-bedded thatched chalets, all with en-suite facilities. Each is sited on the escarpment edge affording unique views from their private balconies. The thatched main lounge and dining area overlook a waterhole. The lodge's swimming pool, built amongst natural rock formations, takes full advantage of the African vista and provides a tranquil setting for you to relax during the heat of the day. Muchenje Lodge offers the most diverse range of safari activities in the entire Chobe region. Activities include day and night wildlife viewing drives in open 4x4 vehicles, professionally guided walks, mountain biking, village / school visits (great experience), and boat cruises on the Chobe River (great experience - a must for all guests)! The lodge has a fantastic swimming pool. CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, Muchenje Lodge, all inclusive DAYS 12, 13, 14 LINYANTI / SAVUTI On day 12 you will be transferred by road to Kasane and by light aircraft (included) to Duma Tau Tented Camp. Near the confluence of the Linyanti River and Savuti Channel on a private 125 hectare concession, this small luxury tented camp is composed of 10 large walk in tents under thatch each with en suite facilities, ceiling fans, and an outdoor shower on the verandah. The main dining area and lounge overlook a plunge pool and beyond - an enormous lagoon. Wildlife abounds with large herds of elephant, zebra, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, sable, roan, eland, giraffe. In addition you are likely to see crocodile, hippo, buffalo. And then there are the predators - lion (the lions in this area have been documented in National Geographic's films), leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena. Birding is also fantastic. Activities include day and night wildlife viewing drives from open 4x4 vehicles, along with boating (when water levels allow it) and nature walks. Sundowner drinks may be enjoyed from the pontoon boat as hippos snort nearby at this beautiful camp. LINYANTI / SAVUTI, Duma Tau Tented Camp, all inclusive DAYS 15, 16, 17 OKAVANGO DELTA On day 15 you will be transferred by light aircraft (included) to Duba Plains Tented Camp. Duba Plains is one of the Okavango's most remote camps and has the distinction of having the highest density of lion of any area in Africa! The camp has been built on a tree shaded island surrounded by expansive plains which flood each year from about May to early October. Duba Plains accommodates 12 guests in six tented rooms with ceiling fans and en suite facilities, and private outdoor shower. Wildlife in the area includes large herds of buffalo (in the thousands), lion, hippo, elephant, lechwe, sable and numerous other plain's game species in addition to a tremendous variety of birds. Unlike many camps Duba Plains offers incredible wildlife year round - with peak wildlife viewing during the low water months October though April each year! As the camp is situated on a private concession professional guides are able to offer guests day and night wildlife viewing drives in open 4x4 vehicles, walks, and mokoro trips when water levels allow it (mekoro excursions are best between May and September). OKAVANGO DELTA, Duba Plains Tented Camp, all inclusive DAYS 18, 19, 20 MOREMI RESERVE On day 18 you will be transferred by light aircraft (included) to Mombo Camp. Situated on the northern tip of Chief's Island within the Moremi Reserve in the central Okavango, Mombo provides one of the highest quality wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa - if the not the best. Many travelers argue that a trip to southern Africa is not complete without visiting Mombo. Large concentrations of wildlife, including all of the large predators and white rhino, occur in this remote and isolated wilderness region. Birdlife is prolific as well. Numerous award winning wildlife documentaries have been filmed at Mombo (National Geographic, BBC and others have filmed here) making this Botswana's top wildlife documentary location. Guests at Mombo are accommodated 9 luxury tented rooms each with en suite facilities and an outdoor shower on the deck. There is a small plunge pool. Guests may also choose to stay at Little Mombo at the same cost. Little Mombo accommodates 6 guests in 3 tented rooms each with en suite facilities and an outdoor shower on the deck. There is a small pool here as well. Activities include daytime wildlife viewing drives in open 4x4 vehicles. Unlike many camps and lodges Mombo provides spectacular wildlife viewing throughout the year - a an exclusive wildlife destination (especially for predators - leopard in particular) Mombo has a record unequalled in Africa. Adventurous guests may enjoy sleeping out on the private sala attached to each room. MOREMI RESERVE, Mombo Camp, all inclusive DAY 21 EN ROUTE Today you will be transferred by light aircraft (included) to the Maun Airport in time to board your onward flight.
Trip name: The Ultimate Africa Adventure Safari Type of safari: Premier / Platinum Collection - High quality all inclusive lodge and tented camp safari with light aircraft transfers which departs upon request on any dates. NOTE: If you are interested in private light aircraft flights and / or activities please inquire about the extra cost of doing so. This is not a group safari and accommodations, activities, and total number of days can be altered to suit your needs. Trip length: 21 days Trip cost: US $9,495 per person May through June 2004. US $11,495 per person July through October 2004. US $3,450 single supplement if traveling with others during low season. US $3,550 single supplement if traveling with others during high season. Price excludes international airfare, includes internal flights. Air tickets: Click here to view airfares to Africa. Extensions:
When to travel: Wildlife viewing is best during the period April through October each year. Departures: This safari departs upon request for one or more travelers. This is not a group safari and accommodations, activities, and total number of days can be altered to suit your needs. Accommodations: The accommodations on this trip are all first class and very comfortable. All of the rooms have proper beds with mattresses and duvets, en suite toilets, basins and showers with hot and cold running water (except while canoeing where guests sleep on cots with duvets and there is a shared toilet / shower for the canoe group).Other amenities include mosquito netting, lamps, purified water in carafes, insect repellent, flashlights, wardrobes, and ethnic furnishings. Guides: You will enjoy wildlife viewing drives and walks in the company of professionally licensed guides. Botswanan and Zimbabwean guides have had to endure many years of intense training, both academic and in the field. Your safety and comfort are their highest concerns. They are also trained and prepared to respond to medical emergencies. Luggage: As small aircraft are used for several of the transfers between lodges and camps baggage is strictly limited to 12 kilograms (26 pounds) packed in one soft sided bag per person. Suitcases will not be permitted. Trip price includes: all airport meet and greets and transfers to and from camps, lodges, hotels and airports (including light aircraft transfers from Victoria Falls to Mana Pools, from Mana Pools to Makalolo Plains, from Makalolo Plains to Victoria Falls, from Kasane to Duma Tau, from Duma Tau to Duba Plains, from Duba Plains to Mombo and from Mombo to Maun), all inclusive stays at Ruckomechi Camp, while canoeing, at Makalolo Plains, the River Club, Muchenje, Duma Tau, Duba Plains and Mombo, guided wildlife viewing (in open vehicles, from canoe, by boat, and on foot), tour of Victoria Falls, mountain biking / village visit / school visit / Chobe River boat cruise at Muchenje, Park's fees, most drinks, MARS (Medical Air Rescue) coverage in Botswana and Zimbabwe, 10% Botswana VAT, current Zambian taxes and 2% Zimbabwe government levy. Trip price excludes: international and domestic flights (unless stated), airport taxes, entry visas, and all items of a personal nature i.e. extra activities at the Falls, trip insurance, tips and gratuities, some drinks, telephone calls. Visas: American passport holders traveling as tourists DO NOT require an entry visa for Botswana. However an entry visa IS REQUIRED for Zimbabwe. This may be purchased at any port of entry for US $30 cash per person. An entry visa is also required for Zambia. This will be paid by the River Club. Reservations: Phone toll free 1 800 461 0682 within the United States and speak with one of our safari consultants or send us an email including the trip name, your full name, the number of people traveling, and proposed travel dates. Questions: If you would like to ask any questions send us an email or phone toll free within the United States on 1 800 461 0682 and speak with one of our safari consultants. Return to Ultimate Africa's Multi-Country Safari Collection Links to other pages: ULTIMATE AFRICA
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