This morning you will be met and transferred to Kasane in Botswana where you will board your flight into the Okavango Delta, one of the most sought after wilderness destinations in the world. The Okavango Delta gives entrance to the spectacle of wild Africa such as dreams are made of – the heart-stopping excitement of big game viewing, the supreme tranquility and serenity of an untouched delta, and evocative scenes of extraordinary natural beauty.
Enjoy the scheduled morning and afternoon game viewing activities offered by the camp. Morning and afternoon game drives are offered in specially adapted open safari vehicles, as well as mokoro excursions (the definitive Okavango Delta experience) and power boat cruises which explore the Delta’s channels, lagoons and floodplains. (BLD)
Day 3 - Chobe River
This morning you will fly back to Kasane from where you transfer to your houseboat on the Chobe River. At the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers lies Impalila Island, which is also the meeting place of four African countries: Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This phenomenon is the only one of its kind in the world and it is within this unique geographic area that the Chobe Princess operates.
Accommodation: 2 nights on Chobe Princess Houseboat.
The Chobe Princess provides a luxury cruising safari on the Chobe River. Small and intimate, this houseboat provides guests with the opportunity to stay overnight within the Chobe National Park at prime docking sites along the river. There is something incredibly relaxing about cursing on the Chobe River, along the banks of the Chobe National Park, watching the outstanding wildlife and birdlife from the houseboat. The accommodation deck is comprised of five spacious bedrooms with en-suite facilities and sliding windows opening onto the water, spanned by transparent mosquito screens. (BLD)
Day 4 - Chobe River
Game viewing by boat into the Chobe National Park is a remarkable experience – where huge herds of elephants come down to drink together with an extensive array of other game such as buffalo, giraffe, leopard, lion, kudu, waterbuck, puku, lechwe, impala, baboons and the endemic Chobe bush buck. The evening boat trip provides guests with the unforgettable experience of witnessing a true African sunset, while being surrounded by herds of elephant and sipping on a cold sundowner. Other activities include fly-fishing, bird watching, mokoro excursions, and bush walks on Impalila Island. (BLD)
Day 5 - South Luangwa National Park
This morning you return to Kasane and fly north through Lusaka and on into the South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia. Experts have dubbed South Luangwa to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River, and its oxbow lagoons, is among the most intense in Africa.
Accommodation: 2 nights at Nsefu Camp.
Nsefu Camp is located on a wide bend of the Luangwa River in the remote and game-rich Nsefu sector of the South Luangwa National Park. It is both laid back and intimate, with some of the best guiding we have come across in the South Luangwa. (BLD)
Day 6 - South Luangwa National Park
Enjoy the game viewing activities offered by the camp. The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9059 square km park. The park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The now famous ‘walking safari’ originated in the South Luangwa and is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness first-hand. The changing seasons add to the area’s richness, ranging from; dry, bare bushveld in the winter, to a lush, green wonderland in the summer months. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park. (BLD)
Day 7 - Lake Malawi
Today you fly south to Likoma Island, set in the crystal clear waters of Lake Malawi. Likoma Island is found towards the north eastern part of the lake, within the territorial waters of Mozambique but part of Malawi and linked to the rest of the country by a steamer service. The island is quite hilly in places, mostly dry and sandy, and baobabs are a common feature of the landscape although big trees are generally scarce. The population is over 5,000 people, scattered in little villages throughout the island.
Accommodation: 2 nights at Kaya Mawa.
Kaya Mawa is set on a rocky promontory on the southern tip of Likoma Island. The name means “maybe tomorrow” and is the perfect phrase for this wonderful retreat. The contemporary lounge and dining area is the perfect location for beach dinners or a relaxing lunch where you can listen to the water lap the shore whilst enjoying a G&T. There are 11 rooms in total, each individually designed and built in sympathy with the rocks on the island and often built around the boulders themselves. (BLD)
Day 8 - Lake Malawi
Kaya Mawa has been voted among the “Top 10 Most Romantic Places in the World” by Conde Nast, among the “Top 101 Hotels in the World” by Tatler, and most recently voted the “3rd Best Beach Property in Africa” by the Good Safari Awards. This uniquely stunning lodge has a feeling of contemporary rustic whilst being ultimately chic. Activities include snorkelling, sailing, kayaking, mountain biking, and walks on the island. At extra cost you can also do windsurfing, water skiing, wake boarding, fishing, scuba diving, and quad biking. A visit to Kaya Mawa would not be complete without a walk to explore the island and visit the local cathedral, the market, the textile workshop, and several of the community projects on the island. (BLD)
Day 9 - Ruaha National Park
Depart Likoma Island and fly north along the shores of Lake Malawi before crossing into Tanzania and flying into Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest National Park at 20,226 square kilometres. At the centre of the park is the Ruaha River which flows into the Rufiji River in the Selous, and on to the Indian Ocean.
Accommodation: 2 nights at Kigelia Camp.
Kigelia Camp has an amazing location in the best game area of Ruaha National Park so it is the perfect spot from which to explore the park. The camp focuses on the essence of safari with only six tents in old safari style which ensures an intimate and private experience. The tents are well furnished with locally crafted pale wood furniture and there’s a hot safari-style bucket shower under the stars. The camp kitchen whips up some tasty feasts – simple but satisfying meals served in the intimate dining tent or better still, under the stars. Like all bush camps, there’s a camp-fire where the essential sundowner can be enjoyed as the hot day gives way to cool night. (BLD)
Day 10 - Ruaha National Park
Enjoy the game viewing activities offered by the camp. No other National Park in Tanzania has the diversity of Ruaha. Elephant in huge numbers are a common site, large herds of Giraffe, zebra and impala among the other herbivores. Both greater and lesser kudu, the magnificent eland, sable and roan antelope can all be spotted in Ruaha. The Ruaha River provides an ecosystem on its own with its huge Nile crocodiles, pods of hippo and many smaller mammals and reptiles. Ruaha has an abundance of predators, and particularly a very healthy lion population – it’s not uncommon to see a pride with twenty or more. Leopard, cheetah and the African hunting dog are also resident in the Park and often seen on game drives. (BLD)
Day 11 - Selous Game Reserve
This morning you will fly northeast to the Selous Game Reserve. Located in southern Tanzania, the Selous is Africa’s largest game reserve and is without doubt one of our favorite wildlife viewing areas in Africa. Few areas in the world offer such freedom and variety as the Selous, where the rivers and lakes are the lifeblood of a park that hosts some fabulous wildlife. The Selous offers an amazing introduction to unspoilt Africa, with the wilderness offering some of the most untouched places in Africa.
Accommodation: 3 nights at Sand Rivers Selous.
With eight rooms all designed for maximum comfort, Sand River Selous offers the perfect place to stay while exploring the Selous – wonderful beds, plenty of space and panoramic views out over the Rufiji river make this camp something truly special. Sit around the bar at the end of the day, the drinks are cold and there is always good stories to be told. The main mess is spacious, open-fronted and cool. There’s a chill-out area near the library and then acres of dining spots – around the main pool, privately tucked away in a quiet corner of the mess or on the social managers table. For activities enjoy either game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles, game viewing by boat on the Rufiji River or get some exercise with a game walk with experienced guides. (BLD)
Day 12 to Day 13 - Selous Game Reserve
Enjoy the game viewing activities offered by the camp. With walking, game drives and boating excursions, the Selous has the greatest diversity of safari activities of all the Tanzanian parks. The wildlife in the Selous is particularly interesting as it attracts both east and southern African species of wildlife, both resident and migratory, and over 440 known species of birds. Lion are particularly strong here and there are large numbers of leopard. The park is home to over 50% of the remaining endangered African wild dog, and also hosts very good populations of buffalo, giraffe, eland, hyena, sable, hippo, crocodile, kudu, baboon, wildebeest, zebra, impala, hartebeest, colobus and vervet monkeys. (BLD)
Day 14 - End of Ultimate Africa Air Safari
After breakfast you will fly to Dar es Salaam for your departure. (B)