SPLENDOURS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA A luxurious escorted Safari discovering Southern Africa s natural wonders 30th January to 12th February 2016 Noble Caledonia
In spite of all her regional difficulties, Africa still captures the imagination, like no other continent. Its varied cultures and peoples, its extraordinary wildlife and perhaps most of all, the majesty of its landscapes cast a life long spell on all who visit. For those wishing to explore the wildlife and natural world wonders of Southern Africa we have devised this luxury escorted safari which visits South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana staying in a range of beautiful accommodation including two nights aboard the elegant Pride of Africa private train and two nights at the superb Victoria Falls Hotel in addition to some boutique hotels and luxury lodges. After an overnight stay in Durban, our adventure begins with our journey from Durban to Pretoria aboard our private train during which there will be opportunities for game drive and an excursion to Spionkop Battlefields where British forces Kasane CHOBE NATIONAL PARK BOTSWANA HWANGE NATIONAL PARK ZIMBABWE fought during the Second Boer War in 1900. From Pretoria we fly to Zimbabwe where our true safari begins in the Hwange National Park where populations of all of Zimbabwe s endangered species are protected. Our three nights spent in Hwange can be as relaxing or active as you like with the opportunity for multiple game drives and walks each day in a truly stunning setting. Botswana s national parks are of course a true haven for wildlife and in addition to our journeys between the lodges which are a game drive in themselves through the timeless African landscape, we will enjoy numerous game drives within the parks in addition to time to relax, cool off in the lodge s swimming pools and also enjoy some safaris on the water. We will also make calls at small villages and uncover some truly unique communities, unchanged for thousands of years. Our second safari lodge is the Chobe Water Villas. There can be few natural wonders as synonymous with Africa s raw wilderness as the great Chobe River. These waters divide Namibia s Caprivi Strip from Botswana s Chobe National Park, and its exotic banks boast one of the densest populations of wildlife on the African continent. Teeming with life, this National Park sprawls across some 11 000 kilometres of lush African bush, and is home to elephants, prides of leopard and lion, huge groups of buffalo, waterbuck, roan, eland, sable and giraffe. In the river itself watch out for hippo and crocodile, and keep your binoculars at the ready for spotting a rich selection of bird life. As an interlude between our two lodges, we will spend two nights at the Victoria Falls Hotel, one of Africa s most famous hotels which will be our base to explore the wonder of the Falls which with a width of 1708 is the largest curtain of water in the world. N A M I B I A Zambezi Q Chobe Victoria Falls Pretoria Johannesburg SWAZILAND SOUTH AFRICA Ladysmith Elandslaagte Lions River Station LESOTHO Durban Q Elephants at a waterhole, Hwange National Park
Drakensburg Mountains Zebras and eland on the plains of Hwange National Park Young male lion, Hwange National Park Victoria Falls The Itinerary Day 1 London to Durban, South Africa. Fly by scheduled indirect flight. Day 2 Durban. On arrival in Durban you will be met and transferred to the luxurious Oyster Box Hotel. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. This evening we will meet for our Welcome Dinner at the hotel. (D) Day 3 Pride of Africa. After breakfast we transfer to Durban Railway Station and embark our luxurious Private Train, the Pride of Africa. Once settled onboard, our journey will take us through the Valley of a thousand hills. Lunch will be served en-route to Lions River Station from where we will visit the famous Ardmore Ceramics Gallery and enjoy an equestrian display and tea. We return to the train and dinner will be served as the train climbs the escarpment en-route to Ladysmith. (B, L, D including drinks) Day 4 Pride of Africa. After an early breakfast, you have the choice this morning of an escorted tour to the Spionkop Battlefields or a game drive in the Spionkop Game Reserve. Return to the train for lunch as the train continues her journey to Elandslaagte. This afternoon we enjoy a game drive in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve followed by our final dinner onboard as we continue our journey north. (B, L, D including drinks) Day 5 Pride of Africa/Pretoria. Enjoy a morning relaxing onboard the train as we traverse the gold mining areas of the Gauteng and pass the Drakensburg Mountains. We will arrive into Pretoria in the early afternoon and transfer to the Centurion Lake Hotel for an overnight stay. Dinner at the hotel this evening. (B, L, D including drinks whilst onboard the train) buffalo are frequently seen here and you have a good chance of spotting leopard and rhino in addition to cheetah and spotted hyena. The wild and woolly brown hyena also occurs here and is something of a rarity. There is no typical day at The Hide as it really depends on how much or little you would like to do. Meal-times are a good chance to catch up with everyone and plan the rest of the day or the following morning. As a general rule, we will go out-and-about at the same time as the animals - usually mornings and late afternoons or evenings. However, the scope and scale of Hwange s wildlife is such that there is generally always something to see. There is no limit on the number of activities you can do, so if you are feeling active you may opt for an early morning walk followed by a morning drive after breakfast. In the afternoon you could head out again, stopping off for a sundowner and a night-drive back to camp. (B, L, D including drinks) Day 9 Victoria Falls. Leaving Hwange today we make our way to mighty Victoria Falls which is famous for being the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Falls straddle the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, and both countries share its World Heritage Site status. The Falls, with a drop of more than 100 metres into the sheer Zambezi Gorge and the Zambezi River are the central point in an area of spectacular scenic beauty: from the Falls themselves to the broad, picturesque course of the Zambezi River upstream, the rainforest adjacent and the stark jagged gorge downstream, the power and timelessness of nature s forces are evident throughout. We will transfer to the Victoria Falls Hotel where we have the afternoon to relax before we enjoy dinner at the hotel. (B, D) Days 6 to 8 Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. After breakfast we transfer to Johannesburg airport for our flight to Victoria Falls. On arrival we transfer to Hwange National Park and our base for the next three nights, The Hide Safari Camp. Hwange is Zimbabwe s largest national park, accounting for an area of 14,651 km 2. Formerly occupied by the San Bushmen, the Nhanzwa, and latterly the royal hunting ground for Matabele King, Mzilikazi, the area was finally gazetted for wildlife conservation in 1928. The wildlife did not escape the attentions of hunters who also had their opportunity to bag a few trophies in the late 1800s and early 1900s before the park came into being. Hwange is quite different now. A haven for over 100 mammal and 400 bird species, the park protects populations of all of Zimbabwe s endangered species with elephants numbering in excess of 20,000 (up from around 4000 when the park was proclaimed), and what is thought to be one of the largest populations of African wild dog left in the world. Large prides of lion and www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Impala, Chobe National Park Crowned Cranes
Giraffe in Chobe National Park Day 10 Victoria Falls. After breakfast enjoy a guided walk through Victoria Falls National Park. Here we will come into close contact with the most expansive curtain of water in the world. There will be time for those who want to try out any of the optional activities on offer here such as helicopter rides over the Falls. In the late afternoon there will be a private sunset cruise on the leisurely and majestic Zambezi River. This evening we transfer to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge for a traditional Boma dinner. (B, D) Days 11 & 12 Kasane, Chobe National Park, Botswana. The drive east from Victoria Falls to the border of Botswana is a 70 kilometre game drive. We head north to the place where four countries meet: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe and a border crossing in Africa is always interesting so a bit of patience does help. Kasane town lies on the south bank of the Chobe River which forms the border with the extreme tip of Namibia s Caprivi Strip. The Namibian island of Impalila lies opposite the town on the north bank of the river. Kasane is at the north-eastern boundary of Chobe National Park, which is the third largest park of the country and its most diverse with one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa. Our accommodation for two nights, the Chobe Water Villas, are set apart from the traditional tourist strip. Each luxury villa offers uninterrupted views of Sedudu Island which is home to a variety of buffalo, elephant, lechwe, puku and many more species. Cruises are unique too as they drift along several unchartered waterways. Routes include the full length of the Chobe River and the Kasai Channel up into the Zambezi River. Your days can be spent sitting on your private balcony over-looking Sedudu Island or participating in the many activities on offer from game viewing to fishing. (B, L, D including drinks) Day 13 Kasane to London. Today we bid Botswana farewell as our tour comes to an end. After breakfast our tour will end with an airport transfer to Kasane Airport for our onward indirect scheduled flight to London. Day 14 London. Arrival in London. Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River Prices per person based on double occupancy Twin 6495 Single 7295 Elephant bathing in the Chobe River Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, 11 nights accommodation (overnight at the Oyster Box, Durban in a Classic Sea Facing Room, two nights aboard the Pride of Africa in a Deluxe compartment, overnight at the Centurion Lake Hotel, Pretoria in a Standard Room, three nights at the Hide Safari Camp, Hwange in a Standard Room, two nights at the Victoria Falls Hotel in a Standard Room, two nights at the Chobe Water Villas, Kasane in a Luxury Villa) meals and drinks as listed (B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner), excursions and game drives as described in the itinerary, transfers, airport taxes, services of a tour manager and local guides. Not Included: Travel Insurance, optional excursions, visas, gratuities. NB. Itinerary subject to change. +44 (0)20-7752 0000
YOUR ACCOMMODATION We have combined the luxury of the Oyster Box Hotel in Durban, the Pride of Africa, the award winning Hide Safari Camp, the Victoria Falls Hotel, known as the Grand Old Lady of the Falls, and new for 2015, Chobe Water Villas to bring you the ultimate luxury safari in Southern Africa. Classic sea-facing room The Lighthouse bar Oyster Box Hotel Durban From the moment the Oyster Box opened its doors in 1947 the hotel rapidly became one of Africa s best loved and most distinguished hotels. The combination of colonial charm, impeccable service, lush tropical gardens and breath-taking seaside setting swiftly gained it a reputation that was legendary the world over. This iconic landmark has been lovingly refurbished to offer guests a vibrantly contemporary experience. The Oyster Box is set in lush, sub-tropical surroundings with indigenous gardens framing one side of the property and the magnificent, warm Indian Ocean, the other. A total of 86 individually-appointed rooms, villas and suites carefully refurbished, each room is designed to provide the utmost comfort and style. The Oyster Box Hotel is a fitting stop prior to boarding our Private Train, it is small enough to feel like a boutique hotel and yet does not compromise on quality. The rooms are beautifully decorated with luxurious fabrics and the sea view is incredible. With the iconic lighthouse as a feature you can relax with your balcony doors open and hear the crashing waves. Allow plenty of time for breakfast; oysters, champagne and a terrace table will make a wonderful start to your day. Hotel and the lake Guest room Centurion Lake Hotel Pretoria Due to its excellent location, tranquil setting, commitment to personal service and spectacular views of the peaceful lake below, the Centurion Lake Hotel has, for years, been a favourite destination. Enjoy fabulous dining Pool area at the restaurant, you can savour a buffet breakfast or make a selection from an extensive a la carte menu. Unwind with a sundowner at the cocktail bar or watch as the sun fades away on the pool terrace. Centurion Lake Hotel offers 160 rooms that are bright and spacious and have a pleasant view of the lake and surrounding countryside. Rooms feature a mini bar, complimentary wireless Internet access, satellite programming, private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include direct-dial phones, as well as laptop-compatible safes and desks. Lounge Breakfast visitor Hide Safari Camp Hwange Voted the Best Tented Safari Camp in Zimbabwe on thirteen occasions, you know you are getting only the best at The Hide Safari Camp. Each of the ten tented rooms has been styled individually and you can choose between twin beds or a double. All tents have en-suite bathrooms, some with outdoor showers or huge baths and all tents are mosquito proofed and have fans for your comfort in the warm months. The Hide s luxury tented suites are uniquely styled along classic lines with a contemporary twist, all are spacious and bathed in natural light. Life in the bush is not just about searching for big game. It is just as much about waking to the chorus of robins and hornbills as the rosy dawn light creeps across the bedspread. It is about sitting quietly on the veranda to watch the comings and goings of kudu, giraffe, elephant and many more at the waterhole. And, of course, at the end of a full day, there s that long soak in a hot bath under the stars and the warm bed where you can relax and listen to the sounds of the African night. Guest room Chobe Water Villas Kasane Opening in 2015, the Chobe Water Villas development is an exclusive and intimate boutique lodge located on the Chobe River at the eastern end of the famous Caprivi Strip (now officially known as the Zambezi Region.) The lodge is built on stilts right on the banks of the Chobe River, opposite the renowned Chobe National Park and close to the safari town of Kasane, in Botswana. The nearby confluence of two legendary rivers, the Chobe and mighty Zambezi, is where the borders of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe also come together. The 16 luxurious spacious water villas overlook the renowned Sedudu Island and the Chobe National Park, an area that supports the greatest density of wildlife of any river system in the world. The only access to Chobe Water Villas is by a 15-minute leisurely Safari-Boat transfer from Kasane in Botswana, cruising across the Chobe River amongst Hippo and Crocodile. Hotel exterior Victoria Falls Hotel Victoria Falls Popularly known as the grand old lady of the falls the historic Victoria Falls Hotel overlooks the Victoria Falls Bridge and the gorges below. Situated in acres of private garden, the charm and tranquil atmosphere of this five star hotel has earned international acclaim. The elegant decor and the old world charm of this gracious hotel is reflected in the wide colonial verandahs. The hotel s 180 rooms are decorated in a manner that recaptures the comfortable charm of a bygone age, with colonial prints, four poster and canopied beds, antique furniture and wellchosen artifacts. Modern facilities and amenities mingle well with the old-fashioned ambience, including such 21st century travellers necessities as personal safes, minibars, bathrobes, digital satellite television and umbrellas for the convenience of guests visiting the Rain Forest surrounding the Falls. The main lounge with its old-fashioned traditional elegance and decor has a warm welcoming style, providing a perfect backdrop for relaxing with friends. The Bulawayo Room offers surroundings of exceptional comfort and luxury, going back to the turn of the century.
ROVOS RAIL PRIVATE TRAIN Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world class travel experiences. Step aboard the wood panelled coaches and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era, when privileged travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion. The train carries a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites. The sleeper coaches contain the most spacious train suites in the world, offering every modern convenience and comfort. The en-suite bathrooms feature a hot shower and hair-dyer and room service is available 24 hours a day. The highlight of the train is its Observation Car with enlarged windows and an open-air balcony from where you can observe the amazing scenery. Meals are served in two 42-seat Dining Cars which offer plenty of room for all passengers. Breakfast is a combination of buffet and table service for cooked dishes, while lunch and dinner are set menus. Deluxe Double Suite The elegant Dining Car Observation Car Balcony The Lounge Car Friendly service Light salad lunch Gracious dining 2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 info@noble-caledonia.co.uk www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Itinerary and accommodation subject to change. Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Cover image: Leopard high up in a tree 08764 NC_230115_T