Monday, January 23, 2012

Horse Safari combined with Namibia and Victoria Falls

Day One – Day Four ` Namibia

Fly Johannesburg to Windhoek International.
Transfer to Eros airport for your charter flight to Sossusvlei Desert Camp, Soussusvlei. Suggestion, spend 4 nights on fully inclusive basis.

Sossusvlei Desert Reserve is set in the far northern part of the NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia, a vast area of over 180 000 hectares (444 800 acres) that lies between the endless dune fields of the Namib Desert and the jagged mountains of the escarpment. Offering an experience that encompasses both sandy dunes and rocky outcrops, guests to the NamibRand are guaranteed to view a variety of desert habitats.


The Lodge is surrounded by rocky outcrops that form the foothills of the Nubib Mountains, which are visible to the east. A variety of different rock types occur in the area, creating spectacular formations with different textures and colours as far as the eye can see. Vast plains and valley floors extend to the south of the Lodge, where caves and petrified dunes created from sandstone can be viewed. Further south lie vast stretches of distinctive red sand dunes, extending for thousands of square kilometres into the heart of the Namib. Whether rocky hillside, sandy plain, dry river bed or sand dune, each of the habitats found around the Lodge form a home for characteristic plants and animals.

Day Five & Day Six Kalahari Desert

Charter back to Windhoek for your commercial flight to Maun. At Maun you will board a scheduled charter flight to Deception Valley Lodge.

Suggestion, spend 2 nights on fully inclusive basis.
Day Seven – Day Eleven Okavango Delta Horse Riding Safari

Charter from Deception Valley Lodge to Macatoo Camp, Okavango Delta. Suggestion, spend 5 nights here on a fully inclusive basis.

Day one: Met at airstrip. Game drive into camp which overlooks a seasonal flood plain lagoon. After lunch under the trees, there is time for a rest before the evening ride where you can get to know your horse. Return, as every evening, to a candle-lit dinner.

Day two: Awoken by a cup of tea or coffee in bed, followed by a light breakfast then ride westwards following elephant trails from one palm island to another through seas of grass into the backcountry. After lunch, enjoy relaxing by the pool on the sun deck. After tea, ride out into the plains, later enjoying a drink while the sun goes down.

Day three: Leave camp early to investigate fresh game tracks, joining semi-aquatic Red Lechwe as they thunder through the water meadows. A champagne breakfast is waiting for you under a large baobab tree. The evening ride is spent exploring the lower flood plains where elephant often gather at a pool. As dusk closes in, have drinks around the fire.

Day four: Ride through different country, making your way through clouds of bushman hair grass to plains with fig trees. You might encounter giraffe or shyer antelope while passing through Mopane woodlands. Your pace increases as you break out onto the flood plains, often disturbing troops of baboons. Returning to the camp for an afternoon spent at leisure and later a night drive by spotlight.

Day five: For your last full day you ride through the shallow flood plains admiring the deeper pools of lilies. Here the buffalo gather in numbers and we have to creep up to them using islands for cover. The evening offers a last quiet ride with memorable smells of sage as the sun goes down.
Day six: For your final ride you will go along some of the high palm islands which offer great vistas. You will maybe take a final exhilarating gallop and run with the game before returning to camp to prepare for your onward journey.

Please note this Horseback Safari is exciting but not strenuous. This itinerary only serves as a guide; all scenarios are dependent on the season and levels of the Okavango flood. At times it may not be possible to go on fly camps and during cooler months one longer ride may replace the normal morning and evening rides. AHBS reserves the right to alter the itinerary in any way and leaves this to the discretion of the guides. Local weather conditions may also affect game movements.


Day Twelve & Thirteen Victoria Falls

Charter from Macatoo Camp to Kasane. On arrival at Kasane you will either be transferred by road to the Zambia or Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls.

Choice of accommodation:

Zambia: Royal Livingstone Or Tongabezi Lodge
Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls Hotel

End the day with a sunset cruise down the Zambezi River

Awake the next morning to explore the Falls with various other activities available:

15mins Helicopter Flip over the Falls
Up-close encounters with Elephants, riding elephants
Safari in the Victoria Falls Reserve
White Water Rafting

Day Fourteen

Transfer to airport for your flight back to South Africa and your onward flight home.

-End of Services-

Go in the Shoulder or Off Season

Most people have a misguided view of the Secret Season (December to end March) or “Rainy Season”. In the itinerary below the rainfall in these areas is typically in the form of quick thunderstorms, which usually occur in the late afternoon and last about an hour or so. The other misconception is that game or wildlife viewing is poor at this time, and difficult to see – these camps and lodges are situated within prime game viewing locations and the expert rangers and trackers go to great lengths to maximise sightings. In the summer months the vegetation is a sea of green, wild flowers can be seen everywhere and all mammals and birds have their young. The bush is alive - Africa is at its most productive.

 
 
BOTSWANA AND VICTORIA FALLS


Day One, 20 February 2012 Arrive Victoria Falls

Arrive at Livingstone Airport. On arrival you will be met by a Finest Africa representative who will assist with luggage and transfer you to Stanley Lodge www.stanleysafaris.com You will spend the next 2 nights on a fully inclusive basis

A wonderful end to the day is to go on a sunset cruise down the Zambezi River, upstream from the magnificent Falls. Crocodiles, abundant hippo and new friends are the staple of these legendary exhilarating cruises.

Return to your lodge for a 3 course meal. All meals and local drinks are included (soft, beer, house wine, Gin & Tonic)

Day Two, 21 February 2012 Victoria Falls

Your day can be planned as you choose. Please see various activity options below. Prices to follow which will include your transfers.

• White River Rafting"Flight of Angels" Helicopter flight over Victoria Falls

• Jet-Boat Extreme
• Zambezi River cruises
• Elephant Back Safari
• Rhino Walk
• Upper Zambezi canoeing
• Guided tour of the falls
• Livingstone Island Picnic – Devils Pool
• Cultural Village tour

After a potential full day of activities and visiting the Victoria Falls return to your lodge for dinner.
Day Three, 22 February 2012 Kwando Concession, Lebala

After breakfast you will be transferred by road to Kasane, the border post and airport into Botswana. Check-in for your light aircraft flight to Kwando Lebala. Your safari guide will be waiting for you next to the airstrip in your open LandRover at Kwando Lebala, to transfer you into camp.

You will spend the next 2 nights at Kwando Lebala on a fully inclusive basis.
- Accommodation in a tented camp
- Three meals per day
- 2 Game activities per day
- All beverages
- Laundry



Lebala Camp is sited on a peninsula of land jutting into the Linyanti marshes that surround the camp. The Kwando River disperses into the marshes which is a permanent patchwork of reed beds, wetlands, palm covered islands and open plains.

Game viewing from the comfort of the camp itself has often proved a rewarding experience as the elephant herds move past the camp to their feeding and drinking places. The combination of the Linyanti marshes, seasonal flood plains, savannah and wooded Mopane scrub makes an ideal assortment of eco-systems for excellent game viewing. Species such as Lechwe, impala, kudu, zebra, blue wildebeest, hippo, giraffe, tsessebe, roan, sable, buffalo and elephant are regularly sighted. These species in turn attract ever-attendant predators including the endangered wild dog

Game drives are in open vehicles that drive off road. Nighttime sightings of mammal behaviour are a highlight at Lebala with its high visibility plains. The nocturnal birds witness many of the dramas played out under cover of darkness in scenes straight from the script of a wildlife video. This is the reason that many wildlife filmmakers and photographers have spent time at Kwando. For those guests searching for a true wilderness experience the intimate design of the camp, combined with the private concession, personal service and a flexible approach Lebala is a must

Freshen up before high tea is served and your evening game drive departs. After an eventful game drive return to camp for dinner under the African stars.

Day Four, 23 February 2012 Kwando Concession, Lebala

You will receive an early morning wake-up call. Enjoy some coffee and biscuits before heading out for your morning game drive.

You will stop while out on safari, usually next to a watering hole, for some snacks and coffee.

Return to camp for a hearty breakfast. Spend the rest of the day relaxing before high tea is served in the afternoon in preparation for your evening game drive.

Day Five & Day Six , 24 & 25 February 2012             Kwando Concession, Lagoon Lodge

As part of your morning game drive you will be transferred to Kwando Lagoon. You will spend two nights here on a fully inclusive basis.

Kwando concession is fronted by more than 80 km of the Kwando River, which divides north-western Botswana from the Caprivi Strip. Lagoon Camp lies on the shady banks of a permanent lagoon formed by the meandering Kwando River among tall and ancient Africa Ebony and Marula Trees.

Activities concentrate on open vehicle game drives and boat cruises on the river. Walks are on offer but at the guide’s discretion due to the concentrations of elephant. Lagoon Camp offers off road and night drives so essential for the real African experience. The purpose built camp boat floats noiselessly in the current of the Kwando River while you can spot game from the upper deck. Stop for a spot of fishing in the river or its numerous lagoons and catch the fighting tiger fish, bream, catfish and pike. The Kwando concession offers exclusive access to one of the most remote and unexplored wildlife strongholds left in Botswana.

The area incorporates part of the Linyanti wetlands, huge tracts of Mopane forest and vast open plains. This variety of natural habitat makes Kwando unique, drawing wildlife and bird life in abundance as herds of elephant and buffalo roam the plains adjoining the Kwando River, whilst lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and sable are frequently sighted. For the sixth consecutive year wild dogs have denned near Lagoon camp thus providing guests with excellent sightings

Day Seven & Day Eight, 26 & 27 February 2012 Okavango Delta, Xakanaxa

After your morning game activity and breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Xakanaxa Lodge.



On arrival your safari guide will collect you off your flight and transfer you to your lodge. Here you will spend the next 2 nights on a fully inclusive basis.

Big lagoons and big game, a land and water experience in the Okavango Delta.

Xakanaxa Camp is located in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, which rates as one of Africa’s most beautiful game reserves, offering sanctuary to abundant herds of elephant, sable, giraffe, tsessebe, lechwe, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck and large herds of buffalo. Lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena complete the picture.

Situated on the Xakanaxa Lagoon, where boat and mokoro (dug-out canoe) trips explore the sinuous channels and floodplains of the Delta, one of Africa’s greatest natural wonders. Towering riverine forests, open savannah, seasonal floodplains, permanent lagoons, rivers and the intricate channels of the Okavango Delta surround the camp and make for a varied habitat that ensures the safari traveller the opportunity to experience year – round boating and mokoro trips as well as extensive game drives. Birding is quite spectacular, as huge numbers of breeding storks and herons are attracted to the world-famous heronries which lie to the north of the lodge.
Xakanaxa Camp accommodates 24 guests in twelve classic safari tents on raised platforms on the water’s edge, each with a private viewing deck overlooking the Xakanaxa Lagoon. Each tent is tastefully furnished with twin or double beds, en-suite facilities with hot shower, hand basin and w.c, fans, battery charged reading lights, safes, plug points, dressing table and comfortable deck chairs. With its eclectic mix of furnishings from all over Africa, the camp has a dining room, lounge/bar area, fire deck and plunge pool all slightly raised on wooden platforms with spectacular views over the lagoon. At night the camp looks stunning as it is lit by dozens of paraffin lamps and candles.

What makes Xakanaxa Camp special to its many return guests is its long history as a family run business, its traditional and authentic tented safari lodge feel, the attention to detail, great wholesome food, its personalised and consistent service of staff who have been at the lodge for up to 2 decades, its views over the Delta and its reputation as one of the first lodges in the Okavango Delta- one of the world’s most pristine wildlife areas.

Daily camp activities follow a rhythmic pattern in harmony with nature. Generally guests enjoy a light breakfast of coffee, tea, fruit juices, cereals, muffins and fresh fruit just before dawn and then set off on extensive safari drives, boat or mokoro outings.

Upon returning to camp three or four hours later, it’s time for a scrumptious brunch, including a selection of breakfast and lunch dishes.

A siesta is followed by high tea before guests set off again on a safari activity that returns to camp approximately half an hour after sunset. A chance to freshen up is followed by pre-dinner cocktails and snacks, dinner and coffee and liqueurs on the fire-deck.

Activities Include:

• Game drives in open Land Rovers. (Four 10 seater Land Rovers are available. However only 6/8 guests are accommodated per vehicle)
• Water game viewing in mokoros in conjunction with powerboat exploration of the Okavango. This activity is of a 30-minute duration and is done in conjunction with a powerboat exploration of the Okavango. (Four mokoro each seating two guests)
• Power boating available year round (Three x 8-seater boats)
The Moremi Game Reserve regulations do not currently permit any of the following activities:

• Offroad driving
• Night drives
• Walking safaris
• Fishing

Day Nine, 28 February 2012 Journey to Cape Town via Maun and Johannesburg

After your morning game activity and breakfast, you will be transferred by your ranger to the airstrip for your small aircraft flight to Maun.

On arrival at Maun you will check-in for your Air Botswana flight to Johannesburg.

- End of Botswana and Victoria Falls Service -

TOTAL PACKAGE PER PERSON SHARING: US $ 4020-00

Part One: Victoria Falls, Zambia
Includes                                                              Excludes

Airport Transfers                                                 Extra activities mentioned
Accommodation, Meals and drinks specified        Flight into Livingstone Airport

Part Two: Botswana
Includes                                                            
• 3 Charter Flights: Kasane – Kwando Lebala/Lagoon – Xakanaxa - Maun Flight from Maun to Johannesburg
• Transfer between Lebala and Lagoon
• Accommodation
• All meals
• All drinks
• Laundry
• 2x Game Activities per day