12-DAY LEGENDS OF ZIMBABWE SAFARI

Transcription

1 12-DAY LEGENDS OF ZIMBABWE SAFARI Flying Safari to Mana Pools/Hwange/Victoria Falls FEATURES OF YOUR SAFARI Program highlights:- This flying safari is an introduction to the parks of Zimbabwe that offer game drives in open vehicles, game viewing by canoe, morning walks and boating. You may have the chance to see the Big 5. Accommodations are a combination package of luxury, classic and moderate levels of permanent tented camps. For the more adventurous, there is an option to stay in mobile tented camps in Mana Pools. The Zimbabwe professional guides in each camp have some of the highest guide qualifications on the continent. Spend two nights in Victoria Falls where you will have time to visit one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Experience unprecedented savings at Little Vundu, Vundu Camp and Wilderness Safaris portfolio of camps East Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite 600 Fort Lauderdale, Florida U.S.A Tel: Tel: Fax: safari@africanadventure.com

2 Day Destination Accommodation Fly USA Johannesburg Southern Sun O. R. Tambo International Airport Hotel 03 Fly Johannesburg Harare Mana Pools Little Vundu or John s Camp or Zambezi Expeditions or Vundu Camp or Ruckomechi Camp 04 Mana Pools Little Vundu or John s Camp or Zambezi Expeditions or Vundu Camp or Ruckomechi Camp 05 Mana Pools Little Vundu or John s Camp or Zambezi Expeditions or Vundu Camp or Ruckomechi Camp 06 Fly Mana Pools Hwange Davison s Camp or Somalisa Expeditions or Little Makalolo or Somalisa Camp or Linkwasha Camp 07 Hwange Davison s Camp or Somalisa Expeditions or Little Makalolo or Somalisa Camp or Linkwasha Camp 08 Hwange Davison s Camp or Somalisa Expeditions or Little Makalolo or Somalisa Camp or Linkwasha Camp 09 Fly Hwange Victoria Falls Victoria Falls Hotel or Victoria Falls River Lodge or Victoria Falls Island Lodge Treehouse 10 Day at Leisure Victoria Falls Victoria Falls Hotel or Victoria Falls River Lodge or Victoria Falls Island Lodge Treehouse 11 Fly Victoria Falls JNB USA 12 USA

3 ITINERARY DAY 01 USA/JOHANNESBURG Depart today on your overnight flight to Johannesburg. DAY 02 JOHANNESBURG On arrival you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel. The Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport Hotel is a mere 600 yards from South Africa s busiest airport. The hotel s elegant surroundings greet you and 366 rooms are spacious and offer every modern comfort. The Bernoullis Restaurant tempts diners with an extensive selection of international dishes from both the buffet and a la carte menu, while The Bernoullis Wine bar is the perfect setting for a pre- or post- dinner drink as it is open 24 hours a day. Accommodation: Southern Sun O. R. Tambo International Airport Hotel (B) DAY 03 JOHANNESBURG/HARARE/MANA POOLS This morning take the hotel shuttle back to the airport for your scheduled inter-africa flight to Harare. Continue by a scheduled charter flight to Mana Pools. You will be met on the airstrip by your guide and taken on a game drive to your camp arriving in time for an afternoon activity. *PLEASE NOTE* There is a luggage limit of 44lbs (20kg) per person on the charter flight so please prepack your luggage accordingly in a soft-sided bag. Scheduled Charter flights times are estimates and may include multiple stops. Mana Pool National Park covers a section of the Middle Zambezi Valley, extending from the Zambezi River in the north to the escarpment in the south. The Zambezi Valley is a western extension of the Great Rift Valley. The pools of Mana are lakes that mark former courses of the Zambezi. They are refilled by the swollen river during the rains and are home to populations of hippo, crocodiles and birds. During the winter months, shortages of food and water force the animals back towards the Zambezi River. This is prime time to game view.

4 Wildlife is excellent in the area. Predators including lion, wild dog, leopard, and cheetah, are often sighted, and large concentrations of buffalo can be found along the river's edges. Bird watching tends to be very good, with the river attracting large numbers of waterbirds. Kudu, zebra, impala and waterbuck can be seen on the surrounding plains, and elephant take advantage of the plentiful Albida (Ana) trees in the area. There is diverse game activities offered, including wildlife-viewing drives in 4x4 vehicles, boats, canoes, and fishing. Daily nature walks are available with a professional guide. Destination Moderate Option Classic Option Luxury Option Mana Pools Little Vundu or John s Camp or Zambezi Expeditions Vundu Camp Ruckomechi Camp Moderate Option ~ Little Vundu is a traditional luxury tented camp is situated in the heart of Mana Pools National Park. The intimate camp offers a personalized service for the discerning adventurer who wants a real bush experience. The five en suite tents are nestled in a grove of sausage trees and tall ebony trees and overlook an inlet of the Zambezi River. The bathrooms are open-air with flush toilets and bucket showers. The dining room is across a picturesque channel linked by a foot bridge, it is shaded by the acacia trees that Mana Pools is famous for. The activities are varied, walks, drives, canoeing and fishing. The activities are planned to fit you and what action is going on in the bush at the time, so you get to experience the best out of what is happening in Mana Pools. Accommodation: Little Vundu (Full Board) OR John s Camp is located on the banks of the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park. Nestled among the mahogany trees, the camp features five Meru style tents each with en suite bathroom, flush toilet, safaristyle bucket shower and running water basin. The dining area is positioned between the tents and is the ideal place to gather for a cocktail or sit by the nightly campfire.

5 Activities are diverse and include morning and afternoon game drives, guided walking safaris, bush lunches, fishing and village tour. There is also an opportunity to sleep out under the stars on a raised platform and under a mozzi dome tent. (Please note canoeing is not offered). Accommodation: John s Camp (Full Board) OR Zambezi Expeditions is an exclusive camp located on the banks of the Zambezi River. The mobile camp is one the best ways to experience Mana Pools. Six canvas tents are erected prior to your arrival and feature en suite bathrooms with traditional bucket showers and flush toilets. The main mess tent features a dining room, bar and seating area. Activities include morning and afternoon game drives, guided walks, fishing and canoeing down the river. Accommodation: Zambezi Expeditions (Full Board) Classic Option ~ Vundu Tented Camp is located within the park and has eight large tents (including one 2-bedroom/2-bath tent) with open-air en suite shower and toilet. The main lodge area is set in a canopy of the riverine trees on the bank of the Zambezi River. Raised 10 feet off the ground, it is the ideal place to enjoy a cocktail and watch the elephants feed on the bushes below you or the monkeys in the nearby trees. The thatched roof provides shade from the mid-day sun. From your camp you will take leisurely canoeing safaris, game drives and walks to explore and appreciate the rich floodplain and river channels of Mana Pools National Park. During the canoe safaris (all day, or morning or afternoon) as there is a back-up vehicle, game drives are taken, along with daily walks to explore and appreciate the rich floodplain and river channels of Mana Pools. Finding the wild dogs, tracking lion or walking within ten feet of an elephant is incredibly exciting! Accommodation: Vundu Tented Camp (Full Board) Luxury Option ~ Ruckomechi Camp is positioned on the banks of the Zambezi River at the western end of Mana Pools. The central dining, bar and lounge areas face the escarpment, and there is a separate pool deck and fire pit for evenings under the African skies.

6 Ten tents, including two family suites, feature en suite bathroom and overlook the river. A romantic star-bed situated nearby overlooking a productive waterhole completes the Ruckomechi experience. Here you will be able to walk and take game drives, canoe or boat from the camp. Wildlife you may see is lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, hippos, kudu, waterbuck, eland and maybe the shy nyala. Accommodation: Ruckomechi Camp (Full Board) DAY MANA POOLS Morning and afternoon game activities. Accommodation: Little Vundu or John s Camp or Zambezi Expeditions or Vundu Tented Camp or Ruckomechi Camp (Full Board) DAY 06 MANA POOLS/HWANGE Depart on an onward scheduled charter flight to Hwange National Park. On arrival you will be met by a driver and transferred to your camp. Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest national park and is famous for its large herds of elephant. Predominant species also include rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, lion, wild dog and bat-eared fox. This is one of the best parks on the continent to see sable antelope.

7 The park ranges from semi-desert in the south to a plateau in the north. The northern part of Hwange is mudstone and basalt, and the southern part is Kalahari sand veld. The park has an average altitude of 3,300 feet. Winter nights can be cold, and summer days can be over 90 F, while average temperatures range from 65 to 83 F. The wilderness area of Makalolo/Linkwasha in the southeastern part of the park is excellent for seeing a great variety of game. There are no rivers and only a few streams in the north of the park, but waterholes (fed by wells) provide sources of water year-round for wildlife. During the dry season, these permanent water holes (pans) provide an excellent stage for guests to view wildlife performing day-to-day scenes of survival. Destination Moderate Option Classic Option Luxury Option Hwange Davison s Camp or Somalisa Expeditions Little Makalolo or Somalisa Camp Linkwasha Camp Moderate Option ~ Davison s Camp is located on a private concession in the south-eastern section of Hwange National Park. The camp features nine luxury tents, including one honeymoon tent, each with en suite facilities and a private verandah that offers a great view. The main lounge area includes a dining room, bar and plunge pool that overlook a waterhole. There is a small curio shop (please note that items purchased must be paid for in cash, there are no credit card facilities in the camp). Activities include morning and night game drives and walking safaris. Accommodation: Davison s Camp (Full Board) OR Somalisa Expeditions is an authentic tented camp located in Hwange National Park, built along the Kennedy vlei line within a private game concession. The camp overlooks an elephant pool and features six canvas tents with flush toilets and on-demand showers. A well serviced dining tent and lounge area forms part of the camp. A generator provides power with battery charging capabilities in the main tent. Activities include game drives, walking safaris, bird watching and game viewing from hides. Accommodation: Somalisa Expeditions (Full Board)

8 OR Classic Options ~ Little Makalolo Camp is located in a private concession area of Hwange National Park. The camp has six classic tents with en suite bathrooms, including a flush toilet, and shower with hot and cold running water - as well as an outdoor shower under the stars. The main living area is under canvas and houses the dining room, lounge and pub, and a small plunge pool. The camp overlooks a small waterhole and guests can enjoy game viewing during the "siesta" hours in a wood-pile hide. Day and night game drives and walks are offered. Due to the private game concession, few other vehicles will ever been seen. Accommodation: Little Makalolo Camp (Full Board) OR Somalisa Camp is set in the heart of Hwange National Park, known as the land of the giants for its big elephant herds. Its stunning location tucked away on an acacia island along the edge of an ancient seasonal flood plain gives it breath taking views of the savannah plains of the famous Kennedy Vlei line. Somalisa is classic safari camp blending old African charm and elegance together with an exclusive experience. Seven elegant tents feature en suite bathrooms with flush toilet, indoor-outdoor shower and a decadent copper bathtub. A private veranda has comfortable chairs and a hammock to relax in between game drives. The main lounge and dining area is tucked under a canopy of trees. The main area and plunge pool overlooks the natural waterhole where herds of game congregate. Activities include guided walks, morning and night game drives and game viewing from hides. You will have the opportunity to observe elephant, kudu and sable antelope, zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, the rare and endangered roan antelope, buffalo, giraffe, white rhino, lion, leopard, hyena, and many other wildlife species. Accommodation: Somalisa Camp (Full Board) OR Luxury Option ~ Linkwasha Camp is ideally located in the game-rich Hwange National Park. The camp offers seven en suite luxury tents and one family tent, accommodating a total of 18 guests. All rooms include coffee- and tea-making facilities, mini-bar fridges, ceiling fans and outdoor showers. Enjoy sitting on the expansive deck and watch the wildlife in the Makalolo Pan located right in front of camp.

9 Other activities available include visits to the Ngamo community, fresh out of the oven pizzas and sundowners in the bush, and a night spent under the stars at a nearby sleep-out deck. Game viewing activities include morning and night game drives and walking safaris. Accommodation: Linkwasha Camp (Full Board) DAY HWANGE NATIONAL PARK Enjoy two full days of game viewing in remote regions of the park. Accommodation: Davison s Camp /Somalisa Expeditions / Little Makalolo / Somalisa Camp / Linkwasha Camp (Full Board) DAY 09 HWANGE/VICTORIA FALLS Onward scheduled charter flight to Victoria Falls where you will be transferred by road to your hotel. The world-famous Victoria Falls were discovered in 1855 by Scottish explorer, David Livingstone. As news of the falls spread it attracted traders and a small settlement, originally called Old Drift was established on the Zambian side of the falls. A bridge was built over the Zambezi Gorge as part of the Cape-to-Cairo railway in 1902 making it possible for people to visit the village of Victoria Falls. In 1906 the iconic Victoria Falls Hotel was built and put the thriving village on the map. It officially became a town in Today it is the jumping off or finishing point for many safaris and offers a variety of exciting activities such as world-class white water rafting and elephant interactions. The afternoon is a good time to view the falls (park entry fee US$30 per person). Fortunately the area immediately around the falls has not been commercialized, and there are unobstructed views from many vantage points connected by paved paths. Be prepared to get wet as you walk through a luxuriant rain forest surrounding the falls, a result of the continuous spray. A path called the Chain Walk descends from near Livingstone's statue into the gorge of the Devil's Cataract, providing an excellent vantage point. Destination Classic or Moderate Option Luxury Option Victoria Falls Victoria Falls Hotel Victoria Falls River Lodge or Victoria Falls Island Lodge Treehouse

10 Classic Option ~ The Victoria Falls Hotel has maintained much of its colonial elegance with its graceful architecture, spacious terraces and colorful gardens. The hotel has 161 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, swimming pool and tennis courts and is only a ten-minute walk from the falls. You may enjoy dinner in the elegant Livingstone dining room or the Jungle Junction restaurant that offers a unique cultural dancing and ethnic eating experience. Accommodation: Victoria Falls Hotel (B) Stable Wing Deluxe Room Luxury Options ~ Victoria Falls River Lodge is located within the Zambezi National Park directly on the Zambezi River. The lodge features 13 luxurious tents with indoor-outdoor showers, en suite bathroom, air conditioning and private decks to enjoy the view of the spray from the falls in the distance. Eight of the tents have their own plunge pools. Enjoy two complimentary activities each day such as a game drive in the Zambezi National Park or a river cruise. Walking safaris with an armed guide and canoeing on the Zambezi River are also available for an additional fee. Daily roundtrip transfers to Victoria Falls town are offered. Accommodation: Victoria Falls River Lodge (Full Board) Luxury Tent OR Victoria Falls Island Lodge is located on the private Kandahar Island, on the banks of the Zambezi River. Three sumptuous Treehouse Suites are built on raised decks with spacious sitting areas, private verandahs, plunge pools and personal butler service. Enjoy two complimentary activities each day such as a game drive in the Zambezi National Park or a river cruise. Walking safaris with an armed guide and canoeing on the Zambezi River are also available for an additional fee. Daily roundtrip transfers to Victoria Falls town are offered. Accommodation: Victoria Falls Island Lodge (Full Board) Treehouse Suite

11 DAY 10 Enjoy the day at leisure. VICTORIA FALLS Optional activities you may book for an extra charge include: 1) Tour of the falls and Market Visit (includes park entry fee $30.00) 2) A sunset cruise upstream on the Zambezi River 3) Flight of the Angels by helicopter 4) Day of white-water rafting (5th class) (park entry fee US$10.00 payable direct) 5) Bungee jump off Victoria Falls Bridge (not Monday) 6) Half day High Wire (includes Gorge Swing, Foofie Slide and Flying Fox) 7) Livingstone Island Lunch (Zambia visa fee applicable) (Subject to water levels) 8) Morning Breezers and swimming on the edge of the falls (Zambia visa fee applicable) (Subject water levels) 9) Elephant interaction with a family herd at the Elephant Sanctuary & Orphanage 10) Rhino game drive at Stanley & Livingstone Private Game Reserve 11) Full day game viewing excursion to Chobe National Park (includes lunch) 12) Half day canoeing trip (above Victoria Falls) 13) Fishing on the Upper Zambezi above Victoria Falls 14) Experience the African life of a local school at Monde and rural village of Mpisi, Ncube or Ngwenya. (half-day) 15) Visit one of the schools that we sponsor in the area Jabulani, Chamabonda and Chinotimba. 16) Visit Rose of Charity Orphanage in Victoria Falls. 17) Evening African Spectacular Dancing and dinner at Boma Restaurant or dinner at Jungle Junction 18) Lunar Rainbow Tour view Victoria Falls during a full moon to see a rainbow at night 19) Overnight rafting trip down the Zambezi River (an extra night and park fees required) Accommodation: Victoria Falls Hotel (B) Stable Wing Deluxe Room or Victoria Falls River Lodge (Full Board) Luxury Tent or Victoria Falls Island Lodge (Full Board) Treehouse Suite DAY 11 VICTORIA FALLS/JOHANNESBURG/USA Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight to Johannesburg. Depart on an overnight flight. DAY 12 USA

12 2018 LAND ARRANGEMENTS: Rates reflect special savings for the customized packages Moderate and Classic Options Based on Victoria Falls Hotel Luxury Option Based on Victoria Falls River Lodge or Victoria Falls Island Lodge Treehouse Suite Recommended Packages ~ May Jun Jul-Oct Nov Moderate Options: Little Vundu + Davison s $5, $5, $5, $5, John s Camp + Davison s $5, $6, $6, $5, Zambezi Expeditions + Somalisa Expeditions $4, $4, $5, $4, Classic Options: Vundu Camp + Little Makalolo $5, $6, $6,650-$7,095 $5, Vundu Camp + Somalisa Camp $6, $6, $6,995-$7,395 $6, Luxury Option: Ruckomechi + Linkwasha $6, $8, $8, $6, Upgrade to Island Lodge Treehouse Suite + $ $ $ $ * Pricing is quoted per person sharing a room * Zambezi/Somalisa Expeditions and Ruckomechi/Linkwasha options are available in April (same rate as May) Single Supplement Optional Private Vehicle Upgrades*: Davison s and John s Camp Little Makalolo Linkwasha Somalisa Ruckomechi Vundu Please Request Not available $ per day $ per day from $ $ per day $ per day $ per day * All private vehicles subject to availability at the time of booking AIR ARRANGEMENTS (subject to change until ticketed): Please note the following sample airfares. Lower promotional airfares are offered throughout the year so please take a moment to contact our in house air department for even better pricing options! INTERNATIONAL: Economy Class: From $1, $2, per person (low-high season) Business Class: From $5, per person (via Europe or on SAA) (low season) New York/Johannesburg/New York - Please call for add-on fares from your departure city. INTER-AFRICA: From $ per person (approx) Johannesburg/Harare - Victoria Falls/Johannesburg

13 LAND COSTS INCLUDE: - Accommodations - Scheduled air charter transfers Harare/Mana Pools/Hwange/Victoria Falls - All meals and safari activities (Full Board) - Airport, road transfers within Zimbabwe - Park and guiding fees - Meals as stated: breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D) - Local drinks and laundry in camps NOT INCLUDED: - Tips to staff and guides - Departure and Airport taxes (payable directly) - Other personal expenditure - Scheduled air fares to/from Zimbabwe - Fishing at Ruckomechi ($27.00 per hour payable directly at the lodge) - Optional tours and park fees in Victoria Falls - Other drinks and laundry - Travel insurance - Zimbabwe visa NOTES 1. Please note that Mana Pools is closed from Jan-Mar/Dec. Ruckomechi is open April-Nov 15, Vundu open May 1-Nov 30 and Zambezi Expeditions is open Apr-Nov. 2. Please ask for Stay 7-Pay 6 special at Vundu Tented Camp. 3. There is an exciting option of a 3 night/4 day canoe trip down the Zambezi River with your expert guide (from Vundu Camp). Each evening you will stay in deluxe mobile tents set up along the river. Enjoy sundowners and drinks around the campfire before a restful night sleep. Please inquire with your Safari Consultant for details. 4. For a single traveler alone, the single supplement may be higher due to charter flight supplements 5) There is an opportunity to visit Mpindo and Ziga schools, located outside the boundary of Hwange National Park. The Africa Adventure Company supports these schools through Wilderness Safaris CITW Zim Feeding Program which ensures the children have a healthy meal each day. It is a fullday excursion with a private vehicle and guide. Enjoy an extended game drive and picnic lunch enroute to the school. Cost for the day from $ (up to a party of 6 people). 6) We can book any hotel in Victoria Falls so please ask as there are many nice choices! 7) You may want to consider adding extra time and visit Malilangwe and stay at Singita Pamushana in the southern area of the country. Big 5 luxury property that is the size of Sabi Sands in South Africa and only one lodge. 8) The Professional Safari Guides in Zimbabwe are the finest on the continent of Africa. Consider upgrading your adventure with the services of a Specialist Guide. Their education and experience is second to none. These Specialist Guides include Nic Polenakis, Dave Carson and Nick Murray. Please request rates from your Safari Consultant.

14 Tour code: ZIM12DAYFLY Trip Reports: The combination of the camps at Hwange and Mana Pools was perfect. We had two very different experiences. We did all game drives at Hwange, which were wonderful. In contrast we were able to do a couple of walking safaris and a canoe trip at Mana Pools which provided a completely different experience. Both were amazing in terms of the wildlife and scenery. We found the people in Zimbabwe to be extremely friendly and hospitable and will carry fond memories of many of the people we met. Thank you again for all you did to make our trip perfect. Sincerely, Wendy Norris, Sep 2017 In Mana Pools we spent 2 afternoons canoeing on the Zambezi with Nick Murray and crew. Wow, it was very exciting. We observed hippo pods (which Nick expertly paddled around), crocs slipping into the water, elephants in the tall grass of the river islands and even a pride of lions on the hunt on the island. The birdlife was exceptional, 4 kinds of storks within 1 kilometer, carmine bee eaters coming out to the bank and the most exceptionally small kingfisher. Seeing everything from a canoe was a very unique experience and the sundowner on the bank of the river capped off a great day. One unique aspect of Mana Pools is the ability for walking game drives. Nick brought us out to see Bosley the bull elephant get up on his hind legs to break off an acacia tree branch and share it with 3 other bulls. We ventured out to within 50 feet of a pride of lions sleeping in the grass on the floodplain. A growl from a lion when you are walking is pretty intimidating, but clearly Nick knows his animals. Little Vundu Camp is a unique camp. Situated right on the Zambezi, hippo sounds were a regular feature, elephants frequently munched on acacia pods right by our dining tent. The sunsets were lovely, the orange sun setting behind the Zambezi escarpment and the reflections on the river were breathtaking. This was a more rustic camp which we heartily embraced. The tents were not on platforms, the camp generator only ran in the evening. We had unique wood fired hot water heaters at each tent so the showers were always hot. The food was great - Great fresh vegetables and nicely grilled meats and plenty of drink made for great meals. Michael Gorski, Sep 2017 Overall the trip was fantastic. All guides were excellent. Not surprisingly, Nick Murray was a standout. Not only is he a very skilled guide, but he has a great down to earth personality (as did most of the staff at Vundu Camp). Nick also had very good things to say about Mark and the Africa Adventure Company David, our guide in Somalisa Camp was very knowledgeable and was also a joy to spend time with. For our final destination, Cynthia was a perfect choice for our guide of Victoria Falls. Matt Bays and Val McCarthy, Jul 2017