 (Malawi), Zambia, (Zimbabwe), Botswana, Namibia, South Africa
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Important note: We are encouraging clients on certain months to fly in 5 days earlier to now commence the Southern Explorer Safari in Lilongwe, Malawi if at all possible enabling you to safari in the beautiful South Luangwa National Park for evening game drives where we often get to see leopard. South Luangwa is also famous for its enormous population of elephant. If flying into Lilongwe Kenya Airways is the best carrier to consider. Alternatively when Luangwa is out of season travel with us for a couple of nights relaxing by the shores of Lake Malawi at Senga Bay. Contact us for further information if you are interested in joining us earlier.
Otherwise for this safari join us the day prior to the main departure date at our camp in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.
Heading from Lusaka on day one we travel to Lake Kariba for two nights cruising on a luxury houseboat and game viewing in Chete Island or Matusodona National Park if we enter Zimbabwe. Get to know your fellow travellers as you view game by the water's edge and hippo and crocodile, relax on the deck of the boat or in the splash pool and enjoy the colours as the sun sets over this magical man-made lake.
The boats are complete with bedrooms and kitchen area and a chef is provided for our stay on the boat. There is also a tender boat to get up close to elephant, water buck and other game by the water's edge and for those who enjoy fishing the chance to encounter the Zambezi fighting tiger fish at the 'end of a rod'.
From here we journey to Livingstone for three to four days by the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, second only to Niagara Falls in size. It is surrounded by a national park and the walk to view the Falls through the rainforest allows you to get drenched by the spray coming off the Falls as the Zambezi plummets 100 metres over the Gorge.
Victoria Falls is also reknowned for a range of exciting adventure activities both on the Zambezi which has up to 19 rapids - white water rafting, canoeing, jet boating and the sunset cruise, and over the Gorge - gorge swinging, abseiling and bunji jumping as well as the 'Flights of the Angels' in a microlight, ultralight, tiger moth or a helicopter. Lion walks are really popular. Enjoy a fun night out in a local restaurant during this time and there are interactive drumming sessions, township tours, quad biking, horse and elephant rides. For those who like to shop the extensive markets and curio stalls offer loads of choice. For those who enjoy a round of golf the local golf links are always popular.
Entering Botswana, we arrive at Chobe National Park, a park blessed with abundant game and particularly large herds of elephants. Here we can take a river cruise as well as game drives deep into the park. Apart from the elephant population the park has also lion, leopard and cheetah, zebra, buffalo and many different antelope species.
And then travelling to Maun we head out to explore the lush wilderness of the vast flood plain of the Okavango Delta. There is nothing to compare with gliding silently in a dug out canoe on the the tranquil waters of the Delta at sunset through reed beds, lily ponds and papyrus swamps. We also take guided game walks here and camp under the African stars.
Heading into the vast expanse of the Kalahari we take time to visit a traditional Bushmen group for a guided walk to find out a little of traditional hunting techniques. Alternatively we visit the Himba, semi-nomadic pastoralists who live in the sparsely populated Kaokoveld in northern Namibia. Continually on the move with their cattle and goats their beehive hut settlements are often found deserted. A visit with this traditional group is a very special time.
During this section we also take time to visit an animal sanctuary and particularly to get up close and personal with the magnificent cheetah, Namibia having the largest remaining free ranging cheetah population in the world of approximately 3,000. We also visit the Hoba Meteorite, the largest in the world. Indicatons are that it fell to earth about 80,000 years ago.
Our next stop is Etosha National Park where we camp for three nights. Etosha is one of the largest game reserves in Africa and home to all the large mammals for which Africa is famous and including many endangered species such as black rhino, cheetah and black faced impala.
Etosha's vast and often bleak clay pan of white mud shimmers with mirages in the sun. It can make for an eerie backdrop for the vast herds of game found dwelling here. The surrounding water holes offer unparalleled game viewing. At night each of the campsites spotlight the accompanying water hole and we wait quietly from sunset to savor the experience as a multitude of species including elephant, black rhino, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and different antelope species arrive on mass.....Etosha has a large lion population and sightings of cheetah are frequently reported. Etosha's elephants are reputedly the largest in Africa and giraffe are plentiful.
We now head south taking time to view ancient Bushmen engravings on our drive through some of the most extraordinary scenery on route in Damaraland. We then arrive at The Cape Cross Seal Colony, home to an estimate of between 80,000 to 100,000 seals.
Swakopmund is where the action is......sand boarding, paragliding, dune buggies and quad biking on the dunes are all on offer. It is also the prime drop zone for sky diving in Namibia.
A popular tourist resort, right on the coast, German colonial-style buildings still dominate the town and give it a distinctly German atmosphere. Enjoy the cafes and shopping. Wash down a fun day with a cold German beer in one of the popular local bars or restaurants. Whilst staying in Swakopmund you can also take time to do a township tour for a good insight into daily life in a local community. Open sea fishing is also popular as is the dolphin tour.
Rising early before the day heats up ensures our best chance of scaling the monumental star-shaped dunes of up to 325 metres, as well as to take some spectacular photos of the red golds of sunrise at Sossusvlei. We also take a guided walk here which reveals the fascinating world of survival of the flora and fauna dwelling in this harsh arid environment.
Then on to Fish River Canyon created by the rushing waters of the Fish River, before a leisurely canoe in the wilds on the Orange River as we cross into South Africa. We are now into Namaqualand, famous for its spectacular flower season, best seen between mid August and mid September. Through the wine region of Stellenbosch we arrange a wine tour before arriving into Cape Town, our final destination, finishing at Ashanti Lodge.
Dominated by the spectacular Table Mountain Cape Town is a fascinating city to finish your safari. Catch the cable car to the top for gorgeous views over the city, relax on the white beaches, visit notorious Robben Island where Mandela was held and the powerful District Six Museum. Picnic in the Company Gardens and visit the museums in quiet tree-lined Government Avenue with its colonial charm. Enjoy the buzzing markets and Victoria and Alberts Waterfront. Ashanti Lodge can assist with any onward travel arrangements you have from here as well if you want to head further afield in South Africa. We enjoy our last meal together in this laid back and fascinating city.
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