Waters, Wildlife & Wilderness Swagman Escorted

Transcription

1 P a g e 1 Waters, Wildlife & Wilderness Swagman Escorted Durban - Johannesburg - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Chobe River Front - Moremi Game Reserve 17 Days / 16 Nights 09 February February 2019 Click here to view your Digital Itinerary

2 P a g e 2 Introduction Accommodation Destination Arr. Dep. Nig hts Basis Overnight Travel 9 Feb 10 Feb 1 Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Durban 10 Feb 11 Feb 1 B&B MSC Musica Cruise 11 Feb 15 Feb 4 FB+ Peermont D Oreale Grande Hotel at Emperors Palace Johannesburg 15 Feb 16 Feb 1 B&B Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 16 Feb 18 Feb 2 B&B Chobe Bakwena Lodge Chobe River Front 18 Feb 20 Feb 2 FI Moremi Crossing Rra Dinare Moremi Game Reserve Moremi Game Reserve 20 Feb 22 Feb 2 FI 22 Feb 24 Feb 2 FI Overnight Travel 24 Feb 25 Feb 1 Key B&B: Bed and breakfast FB+: Dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch and activities daily FI: Fully inclusive Airfare and Tax ex Melbourne with South African Airways Accommodation and meals listed 4 nights Cruise on MSC Musica Inside Cabin (upgrades are available on a request basis) Sightseeing as per itinerary Transfers and Air Charter flights listed Excluded Zimbabwe Visa (US$30) Travel Insurance Items of a personal nature Any sightseeing or meals not listed Gratuities

3 P a g e 3 Day 1: Overnight Travel (Sat, 9 February) When checking in at the Melbourne Airport please check your luggage all the way through to Durban. You will complete Customs and Immigration at Perth Airport. Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time 09 Feb VA691 Virgin Melbourne [MEL] 17:35 Perth International Airport [PER] 18:55 09 Feb SA281 South African Airways Perth International Airport [PER] 23:45 OR Tambo [JNB] 04:35 (10 Feb) Day 2: Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, Durban (Sun, 10 February) Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time 10 Feb SA2047 Mango OR Tambo International Airport [JNB] 07:05 King Shaka International Airport [DUR] 08:15 (10 Feb) Upon arrival into Durban you will be met and depart for a Valley of 1000 Hills tour. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the Hotel for check in and the remainder of your day will be at leisure. With its beautiful beaches, lively wining and dining scene, and rich cultural heritage, Durban is South Africa s third largest city and KwaZulu Natal s tourist hub. The swimming and surfing is rated the best of any major city across the world and because of the sub-tropical climate the water is warm all year round. Known as the Golden Mile, this stretch of beaches and amusement parks is Durban s major attraction with the recently developed UShaka Marine

4 P a g e 4 World at the southern end providing a world-class aquarium and other entertainments. Visitors can look forward to an array of wonderful activities including: strolling along the beachfront promenade, visiting the Durban Botanical Gardens and exploring the many Asian/Indian markets. Half Day Valley of 1000 Hills Depart from Durban and travel to PHEZULU SAFARI PARK whis is an exciting venue, situated in Botha s Hill, only 35 km s from central Durban. This picturesque park has magnificent views of the world-famous Valley of a 1000 Hills. At Phezulu village, the world famous Gasa clan have over the last 30 years, allowed visitors to Phezulu the opportunity to savour the taste and feel the rhythm of Africa. Visitors are taken into traditional beehive shaped thatched huts, where the various artefacts, beliefs and rituals are explained, giving foreigners an insight into the fascinating Zulu culture. The Zulu dancing show is impressive with the dancers in their traditional garb, showing off their skills with grace, agility and humour- a truly unforgettable experience! Phezulu also offers a Crocodile and Snake Park where knowledgeable guides will take our guests on a tour. They will learn interesting facts about crocodiles and snakes, as well as meet Junior our 102 year old Nile crocodile and have a hands-on experience with Cleo our 3.2m long Burmese python that weighs in at 42 kilograms Situated in the middle of the Valley of a1000 Hills,with outstanding. Views, Phezulu boasts one of the best Curio shops in Kwa-Zulu Natal as well as a Swazi Candle shop with beautifully sculptured hand made candles. Overnight: Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani All spacious en-suite rooms are beautifully furnished in a modern style, and are equipped with amenities such as airconditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, electronic safe, 24-hour room service, porter service, wakeup facility and complimentary WiFi. With a huge variety of restaurants, bars, and relaxation areas, you may well find many reasons to relax and unwind amidst the inviting atmosphere of the hotel. Bed & Breakfast

5 P a g e 5 Day 3-6: MSC Cruise (Mon, 11 February to Thu, 14 February) After breakfast and a morning of leisure you will be met and transferred to the Durban Cruise Terminal to board MSC Musica for a 4 night Cruise visiting Mozambique.

6 P a g e 6 All meals Day 7: Peermont D'oreale Grande Hotel at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg (Fri, 15 February) Upon arrival at Durban Cruise Terminal you will be met and transferred to the Airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time 15 Feb SA2040 Mango King Shaka [DUR] 13:15 OR Tambo [JNB] 14:20 You will be met on arrival and transferred to the Hotel for check in. The remainder of your afternoon here will be at leisure. Johannesburg is one of Africa s biggest and most vibrant cities. It is the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. Although not as famous as other South African destinations, there is plenty to do in Johannesburg and nearby Pretoria. The old city is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi ranks and ultra modern skyscrapers. There are excellent museums, art galleries and organised tours of historical and political interest. The shopping is Southern Africa s best and the many restaurants cater for all tastes. The nearby township of Soweto is Johannesburg s most popular tourist attraction. Overnight: Peermont D'oreale Grande Hotel at Emperors Palace Discover untold luxury and regal comfort... the 5-star Peermont D'oreale Grande hotel at Emperors Palace is conveniently located next to O.R. Tambo in Johannesburg. The hotel features beautifully designed and impeccably appointed rooms and suites that are fitted with plush, state-of-the-art indulgences. Dine in the newly-styled Aurelia s restaurant, indulge your senses at Octavia s Sensorium Day Spa or sip a cocktail while watching the African sunset at Neptune s Pool Bar at the spectacular pool terrace with its Roman water fountain cascading into clear waters.

7 P a g e 7 Breakfst Day 8: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (Sat, 16 February) After breakfast transfer back to the Johannesburg Airport arriving in time to check in for your flight to Victoria Falls. Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time 16 Feb SA40 South African Airways OR Tambo [JNB] 10:50 Victoria Falls [VFA] 12:25 Upon arrival into Victoria Falls you will need to purchase your Zimbabwe Visa for US$30. You will be met and transferred to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and check in for 2 nights. Your afternoon will be at leisure until approx 3.30pm when you will be met and transferred to your Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River. Resting on the southern banks of the Zambezi River at the western end of the eponymous falls, this popular tourist town is compact enough to walk around and makes an ideal base for travellers exploring the seventh wonder of the world, the unfathomably vast Victoria Falls. About two thirds of the falls can be viewed from the Zimbabwean side and, while the falls are undoubtedly the star attraction, the area provides both adventure seekers and sightseers with plenty of opportunities to warrant a longer stay. Popular activities include scenic flights over the falls in helicopters or micro lights, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, white-water rafting (seasonal), and day trips to Chobe National Park. The town itself offers some excellent accommodation and restaurant options as well as an eclectic variety of African curios and authentic art sold by friendly Zimbabwean locals who are wonderfully welcoming and eager to help you enjoy your stay.

8 P a g e 8 Sunset Cruise The sunset cruise on the Zambezi River is a definite must on any trip to Victoria Falls. Relax with a sundowner and snacks as you gaze out onto the banks of the river. Have your camera ready to capture one of the most amazing sunsets in Africa. You'll be sure to spot wildlife animals as they come down to the river for a drink after a hot day in the Zambezi National Park (Zimbabwe) and the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Zambia). Sightings of elephant, giraffe and other resident game are common. There's always an abundance of hippos and crocodiles. Birdlife is superb and the Fisheagles will usually fill the scene with their calls. Overnight: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Built on a plateau overlooking the Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is just 4km from the majestic Victoria Falls and offers a unique wildlife experience. We re proud to have been voted Best Safari Lodge/ Resort Hotel in Zimbabwe for 21 consecutive years and look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful destination. Built of thatch and timber, the lodge rises several levels, giving the impression of a vast open-plan tree house. Our rooms all have private balconies, most of which overlook a central waterhole, offering the opportunity to observe herds of buffalo, elephant and kudu, as the sun goes down, and hyenas later in the evening. Dining options include the a la carte MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant, the more casual Buffalo Bar and The Boma Dinner & Drum Show. The Boma Café, set in a tranquil garden setting and located close to the Lokuthula Lodges, offers breakfast and light meals until 4.30pm. Breakfast

9 P a g e 9 Day 9: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (Sun, 17 February) This morning you will depart for a morning Tour of the Falls. Your afternoon will be at leisure before your Traditional Boma Dinner. Guided Tour of the Falls A knowledgeable guide will take guests on an unforgettable experience through the Victoria Falls rain forest, a journey that not only affords a view of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World but provides a great deal of interesting facts about the geology, wildlife and history of Africa s most famous landmark. Visitors will listen to magical tales of local legend while they enjoy the constant spray from the The Smoke that Thunders. The Shearwater guide will also help ensure the best photographic opportunities of this breathtaking World Heritage Site. At the end of the tour, guests can enjoy something to eat at Shearwater s Rainforest Cafe, which provides an ideal place to stop and refuel before their next adventure. The Boma Restaurant The Boma Dinner & Drum Show is a must do Victoria Falls dining and entertainment experience, specializing in traditional African food, drumming and dancing. The food is cooked and served in the style and quantity of a lavish feast, including irresistible desserts. On arrival, you are dressed in a chitenge (traditional sarong) and welcomed into a vibrant atmosphere in which the tantalizing aromas of local dishes and game meat on the braai (barbecue) fill the restaurant, which is partially open to the star-filled African sky. Your meal begins with a mouth-watering platter of starters whilst the buffet includes soup from the campfire, a range of salads, game meat cooked on a braai (barbecue), followed by desserts. Vegetarian options are also available, as well as local dishes such as peanut butter spinach. You can also look forward to outstanding performances by traditional singers and dancers, and enjoy an energizing interactive drumming show. A face painter, storyteller, hair braider and fortune teller also form part of this festive evening.

10 P a g e 10 Breakfast and Dinner Day 10-11: Chobe Bakwena Lodge, Chobe River Front (Mon, 18 February to Tue, 19 February) After breakfast transfer via road to your Chobe accommodation to check in for 3 nights. Here you will enjoy 2 x daily scheduled game activities. Choose from game drives, boat cruise, mekoro trip, village tour or birding walks. The Chobe River forms the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park, renowned for its diverse and abundant game viewing opportunities. This section of the park is best known for its dense concentration of wildlife including elephant and hippo populations, but the waters attract all manner of game including large herds of buffalo and the lions that prey on them. A visit to this area guarantees close encounters with an array of African wildlife. Visitors can look forward to some exciting activities such as: driving along the game-dotted river banks in a 4WD; cruising along the river in a motorboat, spotting rare birdlife and for a unique, luxury safari experience, hire a houseboat.

11 P a g e 11 Chobe National Park Overnight: Chobe Bakwena Lodge Bakwena Lodge is an intimate, privately owned eco-lodge on the banks of the Chobe River. Bakwena has a total of 15 chalets designed and decorated in a manner befitting our environment which offer a cool and comfortable escape. They offer an inclusive safari option in an area with some of the finest game viewing to be had. Chobe is well known for its predators and has the home of most of Botswana s estimated elephants. Activities are naturally focused on the land and water based safaris, all based in-house, a host of other activities are also on offer from fishing trips to guided bicycle tours or a sundowner cruise to the meeting place of four countries, (the only one in the world). Bakwenas excellent guides will endeavour to make your stay in Chobe a highlight of any safari. The lodges eco-credentials include the natural swimming pool filtered entirely by plants, their employment policies, food choices, building methods and a host of otherwise unseen ways in which any negatives to the lodges surroundings or environment are addressed. All meals

12 P a g e 12 Day 12-13: Moremi Crossing, Moremi Game Reserve (Wed, 20 February to Thu, 21 February) After the morning game activity and breakfast you will be transferred via light aircraft to your Okavango Delta Camp - Moremi Crossing to check in for 2 nights. Here you will enjoy 2 x daily scheduled game activities. Situated in the east of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve ranks as one of the most beautiful reserves in Africa. It covers more than 4871 square kilometres of pristine wilderness, and the varied terrain includes savannah, winding waterways, and dense forest. This diverse ecosystem supports an incredibly wide spectrum of wildlife, ranging from large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra, to the rare sitatunga and lechwe antelope, lion, cheetah and packs of wild dog in the open grasslands. The birdlife is prolific and includes most of the 550 bird species recorded on Botswana s national bird list. A range of luxury lodges in the reserve offers visitors the perfect base to experience this corner of paradise. Okavango Delta Date Flight Departure Airport Arrival Airport 20 Feb Charter Kasane Airport [BBK] Moremi Crossing

13 P a g e 13 Overnight: Moremi Crossing Moremi Crossing is a 16 tented camp built on a palm fringed island surrounded by the Moremi's game-rich seasonal floodplains and overlooking Chief's Island. Moremi Crossing will be a new style safari camp combining luxury with simplicity. This is a 100% eco-friendly development featuring the latest in solar and waste disposal technology. Accommodation consists of en suite and spacious tents on raised decks, each with their own veranda. All meals Day 14-15: Rra Dinare, Moremi Game Reserve (Fri, 22 February to Sat, 23 February) Transfer to Rra Dinare to check in for 2 nights. Here you will enjoy 2 x daily scheduled game activities.

14 P a g e 14 Moremi Game Reserve Date Flight Departure Airport Arrival Airport 22 Feb Charter Moremi Crossing Rra Dinare Overnight: Rra Dinare Adjacent to Moremi Game reserve on south eastern side of the Delta, overlooking the Gomoti River and its flood plains, the camp is located in a private concession of 272 km2 and have been designed to embrace the natural surroundings of the riverine forest. The airstrip which will be servicing the camp is approximately 20min. by chartered flight from Maun and 1h20min from Kasane. The camp is situated 45min game drive from the airstrip. All meals Day 16: Overnight Travel (Sun, 24 February) Light aircraft transfer to Maun Airport to check in for your departure flight to home via Johannesburg and Perth.

15 P a g e 15 Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time 24 Feb Charter Rra Dinare Maun Airport [MUB] 24 Feb SA8301 SA Airlink Maun Airport [MUB] 14:00 OR Tambo [JNB] 15:40 24 Feb SA280 South African Airways OR Tambo [JNB] 21:05 Perth International Airport [PER] 12:20 (25 Feb) Day 17: End of Itinerary (Mon, 25 February) Arrive Perth and connect through to Melbourne Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time 25 Feb VA694 Virgin Perth International Airport [PER] 17:25 Melbourne [MEL] 23:00 Urgent Contact Numbers Company Name Telephone Address Contact Person Swagman Africa alyson@swagmantours.com.au Alyson Ellis