Zimbabwe's Hwange and Mana Pools Safari

Transcription

1 Zimbabwe's Hwange and Mana Pools Safari SOUTH AFRICA ZIMBABWE 10 Days May 8 17, 2018 Johannesburg, South Africa Hwange, Zimbabwe Mana Pools, Zimbabwe Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Johannesburg, South Africa

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3 Zimbabwe's Hwange and Mana Pools Safari SOUTH AFRICA ZIMBABWE 10 DAYS MAY 8 17, 2018 Itinerary 8-May Tuesday Johannesburg South Africa 54 On Bath 9-May Wednesday Hwange Zimbabwe Little Makalolo 10-May Thursday Hwange Zimbabwe Little Makalolo 11-May Friday Hwange Zimbabwe Little Makalolo 12-May Saturday Mana Pools Zimbabwe Ruckomechi Camp 13-May Sunday Mana Pools Zimbabwe Ruckomechi Camp 14-May Monday Mana Pools Zimbabwe Ruckomechi Camp 15-May Tuesday Victoria Falls Zimbabwe The Victoria Falls Hotel 16-May Wednesday Victoria Falls Zimbabwe The Victoria Falls Hotel 17-May Thursday Johannesburg South Africa Depart $7,659 Per Person This is a sample itinerary and the price is an estimate, used for rough planning purposes only and is subject to change. Actual prices and availability must be finalized by one of our trip planners who will contact and confirm pricing with all accommodations and operators.

4 8 MAY 2018 Johannesburg Start Safari: O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg, South Africa (Arrival Location) Johannesburg, South Africa Sofiatown. Joburg. Gold Reef City. This is the commercial capital of one of Africa's strongest economic engines, South Africa. Johannesburg was built on a gold mining town established in the 1800's, and you can still see the slag heaps within the city limits. If you are focused on a wildlife safari, your time should be kept to a minimum in Johannesburg. But if you have time to explore the city, it s definitely worth a stay. Feel the vibe of Soweto, for example (an acronym for South West Township), then we can organize a fun bike ride that takes you through the streets of Soweto and gives you a flavor for this colorful and energetic township. 54 On Bath Discover a contemporary and fashionable haven on Bath Avenue right in the heart of Rosebank, Johannesburg s trendy suburb. Classic and sophisticated, the accent is on understated elegance and the focus is to provide an exceptional guest experience. Newly opened in July 2012, is for the discerning traveler seeking intimacy and refinement but always with stylish flair. From the moment of arrival into the elegant lobby with its delightful lounge to the luxury and comfort of your room, you will enjoy attentive and friendly service. Everything has been designed around your comfort and the stylish interiors reflect a calm tranquility with the use of harmonious colors, sophisticated design and strong graphic motifs. The 75 rooms at 54 on Bath are elegantly styled with views over the garden or over the abundantly green city skyline. Comfortable and spacious, they exude the warmth of fine living. Block out curtains, fluffy duvets, crisp white linens and feathertop beds ensure an unrivalled sleep experience in Rosebank. Each guest room has everything, and perhaps more, that you would expect to find in a hotel of international standard, including an executive desk, technological connectivity, a sleek and luxurious bathroom with separate bath and shower and the finest amenities. Suites offer a beautiful, private lounge with en-suite bedroom and bathroom. It s the simple things in life that make the difference, and at Level Four Restaurant you ll enjoy distinctive classical cuisine with contemporary influences. Classic and elegant, Level Four offers a superb a la carte breakfast, while luncheon is a casual, light affair, and dinner is the perfect opportunity to choose from the excellent a la carte menu. It s dining at its best. Sophisticated and unique, the bar offers an array of champagne, cocktails and wines accompanied by sumptuous bar snacks. Overlooking the terrace garden the champagne bar is the perfect meeting spot for business get-togethers, pre-dinner drinks and evening sundowners. The hotel features a fitness club and outdoor pool available to all hotel guests. Ideally situated, guests can enjoy the best that this vibrant suburb has to offer. Linked from the 2nd floor to a stylish, retail shopping mall, with its designer shops, boutiques and entertainment complex. Within walking distance to the Rosebank Gautrain Station, and just minutes away from the Sandton, Hyde Park and the Johannesburg city center. Included

5 Accommodation, breakfast, 750mb per day of complimentary high-speed internet, 3 items of clothing pressed per day of stay, shuttle service to a local spa, complimentary use of hotel ipads, VAT Amenities Air Conditioning, Cell Phone Coverage, Ensuite Bathrooms, Hairdryer, Pool, Recharge Facilities, Wi-Fi, Workout Room Available at an Additional Cost Laundry, restaurant dining, Champagne bar, mini bar, daily afternoon tea on the roof garden terrace, room service, Pretoria City tour, Soweto Township tour, Apartheid Museum, DeWildt Cheetah Centre, Sterkfontein Caves, Maropeng? Cradle of Humankind, Origins Centre, Elephant Educational at Hartbeespoort Dam 9 MAY MAY 2018 Hwange Johannesburg Victoria Falls Commercial Flight (1 hour, 50 minutes) Victoria Falls Hwange Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (1 hour) Hwange, Zimbabwe Hwange offers classic wildlife landscapes full of tall grasses and mopane woodlands, pans and waterholes. It has wonderful herds of elephant, with big tusker bulls, and is excellent habitat for one of the most majestic antelope - the sable. There are plenty of giraffe, as well as the big cats such as lion, cheetah, and leopard. In short, Hwange has some great game viewing, can be visited all year round, is not crowded, and has some excellent lodges located right inside the national park. Little Makalolo Little Makalolo Camp lies in the heart of Hwange National Park, in one of its best game viewing areas, overlooking a vibrant waterhole. Hwange National Park is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe at 5,600 square miles with varied habitats and vegetation types. The park is predominately Kalahari sandveld (land characterized by dry, sandy soil) supporting teak and mopane woodlands, dry Acacia scrub and is interspersed with saltpans and grasslands that support enormous species diversity and provide a true wilderness experience. The camp's six rooms have en-suite facilities, with both indoor and outdoor showers. Solar power is used for electricity ensuring a lighter environmental footprint. The living areas include a dining room, lounge, plunge pool and an open fire area for those convivial evening fireside tales. There is a log pile hide overlooking the waterhole in front of camp where guests can enjoy wildlife viewing during the siesta hours. Activities at Little

6 Makalolo Camp center on open 4x4 Land Rover game drives and guided nature walks throughout the Makalolo concession. The area's large number of waterholes attracts game in both quantity and variety, especially in the winter months when Hwange is home to a Noah's Ark parade of animals as they come down to quench their thirst. There is a platform available for guests to have the opportunity to sleep under the stars. The platform is equipped with bed rolls, mosquito nets and a long drop toilet and can accommodate a maximum of 4 guests at one time; the guide will be in a tent not far from the platform. Guests are typically transferred to the platform after dinner and returned to camp early the next morning before breakfast. For greater flexibility with timing, guests can hire a private vehicle. Sleep outs are weather dependent and are operated t the discretion of the camp manager. Makalolo is one of the best areas for seeing impressive herds of buffalo and elephants as well as apex predators such as lions, leopards, wild dogs and cheetahs. Other general game is very abundant in the park. Included Accommodation, all meals, twice daily scheduled camp activities: game drives in open Land Rovers, morning walking safaris, evening drives with spotlight, game viewing hides, outdoor dining, laundry, house drinks (premium exported brands excluded), park fees Amenities Ensuite Bathrooms, Laundry Included, Local Drinks Included Available at an Additional Cost Premium exported brand drinks and Champagne, visit Ngamo school near Hwange that caters for a number of children from surrounding villages 12 MAY MAY 2018 Mana Pools Hwange Mana Pools Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (2 hours, 20 minutes) Mana Pools, Zimbabwe If you ask a Zimbabwean about her favorite national park, she will often say Mana. Mana means four in Shona and refers to the four large pools formed by the winding river. It is very scenic. The back drop is the blue Zambezi escarpment which lies to the north. In the foreground is the Zambezi River which is a mile wide in places and full of hippos and crocs. Along the banks of the river are beautiful acacia albida trees under which big bull elephants hang out with herds of buffalo and impala. You can game drive here, but the best is walking through the riverine forests with your professional Zimbabwean guide and seeing big game on foot. You can take boat trips and canoe safaris on the Zambezi and capture water-level photos of elephant antics. This is also excellent leopard country.

7 Ruckomechi Camp On the middle reaches of the Zambezi River, 62 miles below Lake Kariba is the Mana Pools National Park situated in the heart of the Zambezi Valley. Ruckomechi Camp lies on the banks of the Zambezi, shaded by a large grove of acacia and mahogany trees and with a superb view of the mountains of Africa's Great Rift Valley across the river in Zambia. Ruckomechi Camp accommodates guests in ten spacious en-suite tented units, including a honeymoon suite, all of which overlook the Zambezi River. Each tent has both indoor and outdoor showers, and the camp boasts a favorite among guests: its outdoor 'bath-with-a-view' in a secluded, scenic spot. The central dining, bar, library and lounge areas face the escarpment and are connected to the rest of the camp by low-level walkways that minimize our environmental impact. There is a separate deck with infinity pool for swimming and sun bathing, and an inviting, cushion-strewn star gazing deck. Ruckomechi Camp has aimed to be as environmentally friendly as possible - hot water and lighting for each unit is provided by solar power. The camp vegetation is dominated by broad-canopied albida trees, much loved by elephants for their rich nutritious pods; these animals often join visitors in camp for a light meal. The area is renowned for large numbers of elephants, buffalo, hippo and eland, especially in the winter when they concentrate along the river. Predators such as lions, leopards and wild dogs are all found in the area. Birdlife is superb, particularly for both mopane woodland and riverine species with numerous local specials like collared palm-thrush, racket-tailed roller, purple-banded sunbird and black-throated wattle-eyes. Activities at Ruckomechi Camp include wildlife viewing in open 4x4 vehicles, on motorized pontoon boats, on foot and in canoes. Included Accommodation, all meals, twice daily scheduled camp activities: game drives, river cruises, nature walks, canoeing, catch and release fishing, birding, stargazing, game viewing hide, laundry, house drinks (premium exported brands excluded), park fees Amenities Ensuite Bathrooms, Laundry Included, Local Drinks Included, Pool, Recharge Facilities Available at an Additional Cost Premium brand drinks and Champagne 15 MAY MAY 2018 Victoria Falls Mana Pools Victoria Falls Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (2 hours, 30 minutes) Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe While David Livingstone named the falls on his visit, he didn t realize it already had a more fitting name Mosai-Oa-Tunya, The Smoke That Thunders. The mighty Zambezi River drops off in spectacular fashion, creating a powerful spectacle that is the most notable of the seven natural wonders of the world. If you want to take part in any of the hundreds of activities that the Victoria Falls area offers (from river cruises to bungee jumping), you ll need more than one day. We can also lay on a wonderful historical tour that highlights the life of Dr. David Livingstone.

8 The Victoria Falls Hotel The Victoria Falls Hotel is situated in Victoria Falls National Park, a world heritage site. The Edwardian-style, five-star hotel, built in 1904, was recently redecorated and refurbished and now combines the charm of the old with the convenience of the new. Set in lush tropical gardens with lily ponds, palm trees and semi-tropical shrubs, it provides the tranquility and seclusion that many guests seek. The famous Victoria Falls are just a tenminute walk away using the hotel s private pathway, and the smoke that thunders, or Mosi-O-Tunya in the local dialect, is clearly audible and visible from this luxurious landmark. World-class service and food and beverage choice and preparation second to none make the hotel a magnet for international visitors and locals alike. The opulent Livingstone Room for fine dining and dancing, the Jungle Junction with its famous breakfast and dinner buffets and ethnic entertainment in the evenings offer variety and wide choice. Stanley s Terrace, with its clear view of the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia, is renowned for its cocktails and afternoon teas. Echoing its glorious past, the Victoria Falls Hotel s traditional rooms and suites are truly a five-star experience. Style and sophistication are trademarks of the hotel s executive suites, which are luxuriously appointed with décor being warm, inviting and rich with tradition. All 161 rooms are air conditioned with every modern amenity including digital satellite television and a personal safe. The oldfashioned bath tubs of the stable wing turn the bathroom into a haven of relaxation. A large swimming pool, two tennis courts, a library, reading rooms and chapel are part of the complex. Golfers can enjoy 18 holes on the championship course of the nearby sister hotel, Elephant Hills Resort. For guests who wish to take in some game viewing, a three-mile drive (or walk) brings them to the national park and, guided by professional rangers, they will seek out Zimbabwe s big five elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo and be able to capture their encounters forever on camera! A sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, just upstream from the magnificent falls, is another must for the visitor and will be arranged by hotel staff. Included Accommodation, breakfast, wireless internet, VAT, tourism levy Amenities Air Conditioning, Cell Phone Coverage, Ensuite Bathrooms, Hairdryer, Pool, Wi-Fi Available at an Additional Cost Restaurant dining, all drinks, room service, hair salon, same day laundry, curio shop items, packed breakfasts and lunches on request, Guided Tour of the Falls, Sundowner Cruise on the Zambezi, Village Visit, Canoeing, Fishing the Zambezi, Horseback Riding, Helicopter Flight over the Falls, Helicopter Flight over the Falls/Gorge/Game Park, Half Day Game Drive in Victoria Falls National Park, Canoeing on the Upper Zambezi, Zambezi River Boat Safari, Whitewater Rafting, Golf at Elephant Hills Golf Course 17 MAY 2018 Johannesburg

9 Victoria Falls Johannesburg Commercial Flight (1 hour, 40 minutes) Johannesburg, South Africa (Departure Location) End Safari O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg, South Africa Sofiatown. Joburg. Gold Reef City. This is the commercial capital of one of Africa's strongest economic engines, South Africa. Johannesburg was built on a gold mining town established in the 1800's, and you can still see the slag heaps within the city limits. If you are focused on a wildlife safari, your time should be kept to a minimum in Johannesburg. But if you have time to explore the city, it s definitely worth a stay. Feel the vibe of Soweto, for example (an acronym for South West Township), then we can organize a fun bike ride that takes you through the streets of Soweto and gives you a flavor for this colorful and energetic township.