Depart Australia today to begin your South African safari!

On arrival at Johannesburg Airport, proceed to the collection point (approximately 40 meters from the exit of the airport) for your transfer to your 5 star hotel, D’Orealle Grande  for your overnight stay in Johannesburg. The hotel provides a complimentary return airport shuttle service. Relax and unwind from your flight.

Accommodation and meals: D’ Orealle Grande (B)

After breakfast, the hotel’s airport shuttle service will provide you the transfer to the airport for your connecting flight to Victoria Falls – please book the departure time at the hotel reception. On arrival into Victoria Falls Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available in Victoria Falls. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of your group at the lodge at 18h00 for your pre-departure meeting.

Accommodation: Shearwater Explorers Village or similar

After breakfast your guide will take you on a tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya – “the smoke that thunders”. We then travel to Kasane in Botswana, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephant found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in optional activities or to relax by the pool.

Accommodation and meals: Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (B)

Start your morning with a spectacular game drive in Chobe National Park. You will return to the lodge for a late breakfast and relaxation until our boat cruise on the Chobe River starts around 3pm. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds, making for excellent up close photo opportunities.

Accommodation and meals: Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (B)

This morning we make our way across the border into Zimbabwe and to our lodge situated in a private concession near Hwange National Park. Over the following two days, we will have plenty of time to explore this vast wilderness on game drives. Hwange National Park is one of Africa’s finest havens for wildlife and is home to great herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife.

If time allows, you can partake in an optional game drive on the concession in the afternoon. The whole of the next day is spent exploring this magnificent area on a full day game drive in Hwange National Park.

Accommodation and meals: Nantwich Lodge or similar (B,L,D)

Today we head off to the Mlibizi area on Lake Kariba, where we will board a luxury houseboat for a relaxing two-night trip. Nested in mountains, Lake Kariba is a man-made inland sea guarded by enormous reserves of game and made beautiful and savage by sun and storm, earth and water.  Our voyage takes us to the between Milibizi. and Msuna River for a sunset cruise with game viewing along the way, followed by drinks and dinner on board.

In the morning we set out early for some leisurely fishing, guided walks or game viewing depending on your preference. When we return, brunch will be served whilst cruising along the lake. We will then moor at one of the islands with a sandy beach. Watch the sunset over lake, relaxing around a camp fire and enjoying a beach barbecue under the starry sky.

Accommodation: Sovereign Houseboat or similar (B, L, D)

After disembarking, we depart for an early morning transfer from Msuna to Matapos to the majectic Matobo Hills, an area of exquisite beauty, steeped in tribal history, ancient mystery and dramatic rock landscapes. The national park has been given UNESCO World Heritage status and is home to both white and black rhinoceros and sable antelope. Birdlife is prolific and includes the highest concentration of black eagles in the world. Once the home of the San (Bushman), this area contains the richest source of the rock art found anywhere. Not only is it here that the Ndebele people buried their great king, Mzilikazi, but Cecil John Rhodes was also laid to rest on the “Hill of the Benevolent Spirit” or “World’s View” as named by him.

We spend the next day in the national park, starting our morning with tracking rhino spoor by vehicle and foot. In the afternoon we further explore the scenery and wildlife of the park on game drives, ending with a visit to Rhodes’ grave.

Accommodation and meals: Shashani Matobo Hills (or similar) (B, L, D)

We leave Matobo Hills and drive through the savannas of southern Matebeleland en-route to Botswana. In the afternoon we visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary, where we will have the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view over the Sowa pan which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans. (Please note a visit to the pans is subject to the road conditions and water levels as well as time constraints.) We arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon.

Accommodation and meals: Nata Lodge (or similar) (B, L, D)

A very early morning departure leads us to Planet Baobab near Gweta, from where we embark on an expedition to Ntwetwe Pan to encounter some of Botswana’s distinctive landscapes and extraordinary creatures. The Ntwetwe Pan is one of the 2 major pans that make up the Makgadikgadi Pans, and is amongst the largest salt pand in the world. We explore the area, in search of uniquely adapted desert species such as bat eared foxes, springboks and some of the Kalaharis most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats.

After lunch, we have the opportunity to explore a nearby village to experience modern African Village cultures.

Accommodation and Meals: Planet Baobab or similar (B, L, D)

Today we travel to Maun, a bustling safari town which serves as the gateway to the Okavango Delta. The name Maun is derived from the San word “maung”, which means “the place of short reeds”. The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, either relaxing next to the pool at the lodge or if you are keen for some excitement, why not book an optional scenic flight over the delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and truly glorious oasis.

Accommodation and meals: Thamalakane River Lodge or similar (B)

After breakfast we take a drive to the mokoro station. From here, we will float in dug-out canoes through the thick vegetation of the Okavango Delta discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without ever reaching the coast. After this spectacular excursion and lunch, we make our way to our camp, which is situated in a private concession in the Greater Moremi area. After settling into our camp, we will enjoy dinner and embark on a night game drive in the concession – a fantastic opportunity to spot some nocturnal animals that are more difficult to encounter during the day.

The next day we head into the famous Moremic Game Reserve known as the most beautiful and varied game reserves in Africa with unprecedented concentration of wild life. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Reserve

Accommodation: Mankwe Tented Retreat or similar (B ,L, D)

Today we head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve.

Accommodation: Bedouin Bush Camp or similar (B, L,D)

Our Safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Maun Airport in time for your departure flight to Johannesburg. On arrival at OR Tambo Airport, make your way to the collection point for the transfer to the hotel for the overnight stay in Johannesburg. The collection point is approximately 150 meters from the exit of the arrival terminal.

Accommodation: D’Orealle Grande (B)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Johannesburg Airport for your homeward flight to Australia. The hotel provides a complimentary airport shuttle service and please book a time at reception for the transfer to the airport.

Accommodation: D’ORealle Grande (B)