Safari Zambia - Botswana Safari and Travel

Day 1

Your own private aircraft awaits you at Lanseria airport. The pilot will whisk you through immigration and on board for the 3-hour flight to Livingstone. Clouds permitting, you will see en route the Limpopo River, the rural town of Francistown in Botswana, and a good stretch of Zimbabwe. On a clear day, the vast Makgadikgadi Pan can be spotted in the west. Depending on the water level, you might make out from afar the grand waterfall’s distinctive plume of water vapour, long ago christened ‘the smoke that thunders’ by local tribesmen.

Your own, special treat: Scenic flight over the Victoria Falls before landing. (Subject to permission from Air Traffic Control). Afternoon activity: Tour of the Victoria Falls

Stanley Safari Lodge distinguishes itself by its stunning view. Eight exclusive chalets are situated on the crest of a hill, overlooking the Zambezi River, Livingstone, the town of Victoria Falls, and far beyond…

Stanley's Safari Lodge is located about 5km from the Zambian town of Livingstone. The open-sided design affords a unique view across the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park to the mighty Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls. When the river is in full flood it is possible to see the spray generated by the falls in the distance. Each of the seven luxury cottages is individually designed and decorated with local materials. Accommodation ranges from double rooms, to the honeymoon suite - with both its own fireplace and plunge pool. All of the cottages have their own private garden and dining area. The main house provides the setting for the main dining area that serves French style cuisine. Alternatively you can dine under the stars on the lawn or in the privacy of your own cottage, whilst enjoying the personal service of the Zambian staff, all with an in-depth knowledge of Livingstone and its nvirons. Overnight: Stanley Safari Lodge

Day 2

The entire day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Choose from a wide variety of activities:
Boating / White water rafting / bungee jumping / elephant back safari / Zimbabwe side of the Falls / museum / craft market / village tour / horse trail / golf. Overnight: Stanley Safari Lodge

Day 3

As the crow flies, not far to Chitabe, but alas, immigration formalities require a stop at Kasane. En route you will be treated to an unique view – the only place in the world where 4 countries meet – Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The flight to Chitabe’s bush airstrip takes about 1h15. The drive to camp can be as short as 25 minutes, and as long as an hour – it all depends what is out there to see. Chitabe is a luxurious 8-roomed, tented camp situated in a private concession that is bordered on three sides by the Moremi Game Reserve. The camp is located in a diverse area incorporating mopane woodlands, acacia, floodplains and the perennial delta, all of which provide a variety of wildlife.

Accommodation consists of eight spacious East African style tents that are built on elevated wooden decks beneath the lush tree canopy. Each tented room has en-suite facilities with flush toilets, and a shower and basin with hot and cold running water. The thatched dining area, lounge and pub are also raised on decks overlooking the surrounding flood plains. A pool allows guests to cool off in the heat of the day. Activities consist of day and night game drives in open 4x4 vehicles accompanied by an experienced guide. Shorter nature walks are sometimes offered. Wildlife viewing is good, and includes Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Reedbuck, Lechwe, Impala, Zebra and Hippo. Wild dogs occur in the area. Night drives can be very rewarding with good sightings of the rarer nocturnal animals. Overnight: Chitabe

Day 4

Expect a very early wake-up call, for game viewing is often at its best this time of day! A light breakfast, coffee, cereal and rusks precedes the early morning game drive. Return for a sumptuous brunch and spend the afternoon resting or catching a tan at the plunge pool. The direction of the afternoon game drive will be discussed at High Tea; it will depend on movements observed in the area during the morning drive and the conclusions drawn there from by the guides. There’s much friendly rivalry as to who will spot the lions first…. Overnight: Chitabe

Day 5

Your next lodge, Little Vumbura, is not far, but this being the Okavango, the intervening channels, waterways, lagoons, islands, reed banks and immense floating papyrus beds are best traversed by aircraft.
A ranger awaits you at Little Vumbura’s bush airstrip for the transfer to camp. Little Vumbura is situated at the northern end of the Delta, tucked away in a jungle-like setting on a typical Okavango ‘island’. These islands must be envisaged a little differently – they are indeed surrounded by water, but this may be very shallow and hardly visible in places, being hidden behind reeds or under extensive mats of papyrus. Also, the water level fluctuates significantly with the seasons.

However, this particular island is normally just that, accessed only via a 120m long wooden walkway, just a few centimetres above the clear waters dotted with water lilies and inhabited by frogs and probably a crocodile or two. The tents are spacious, airy, well appointed with comfortable beds and easy chairs. The bathroom is en suite – it is rather comforting not to have to step outside at night in an area where predators abound. The camp takes 10 – 12 guests only, making it ideal for a private safari like yours. Overnight: Little Vumbura

Day 6

You have all day to enjoy both water- and landscapes. The shallow waterways and floodplains are ideal for mokoro outings. A motorboat cruise through papyrus-lined channels to the nearby deeper waters of the Monachira stream gives you an excellent idea of how the Delta came about and how it revitalizes itself every year. A game drive may yield sightings not yet experienced, and a walk bring understanding for the smaller creatures and plant life. Choose from game drives in open vehicles, by motorboat or canoe, or take a stroll under the watchful eyes of an armed ranger. Overnight: Little Vumbura

Day 7

Enjoy on last game drive en route to the airfield. A 45-minute flight takes you to Maun, while offering aerial appreciation of the Okavango Delta. While on the ground at Maun for immigration formalities, you may take advantage of the wares in several shops and galleries just across from he airport. A 3-hour flight takes you back across the Kalahari to Johannesburg.