Wetlands and Wilderness

Day one – South African Airways – London to Johannesburg, connecting to Livingstone  
One night in flight

Day two – Waterberry Lodge, near Victoria Falls, Zambia
Two nights – full board

Morning arrival into Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport, where you remain in transit and connect with your onward morning South African Airways flight north to Livingstone, Zambia. On arrival into Livingstone, you will need to purchase entry visas before you are met and transferred west along the course of the Zambezi River to the lovely Waterberry Lodge arriving in time for a late lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to relax after your journey, possibly taking an evening boat cruise on the Zambezi River. Two nights are spent at Waterberry in a double/twin tent.

Your full day will include a morning guided visit of Victoria Falls.

Waterberry Lodge is situated about 28 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls, with 750 metres of Zambezi River frontage. Accommodation, for a maximum of 19 adults, is in five thatched lodges, each containing between one and three bedrooms. Extra beds can be added to certain rooms for young children. All rooms are comfortably furnished and have plumbed en suite facilities. The central areas comprise of a double-storey thatch house with a lounge, bar and library upstairs (with wonderful views of the river) and a dining area and terrace downstairs, leading out to lawns and a swimming pool (which has shallow areas for children).

During your stay, one or two local activities a day can usually be included (depending on which package you are booked). The choice includes a visit to the famous Victoria Falls, as well as a selection from the following – sunset or daytime river cruises, fishing, local guided nature/bird-watching walks and village visits, and tours of Livingstone Museum, Maramba Market or the town itself. For a list of additional activities that are also available at extra cost in the Victoria Falls and Livingstone area, please see our specific Victoria Falls information.

Day four – Muchenje Safari Lodge, Chobe National Park
Two nights – full board

After breakfast you will be transferred west to Kazangula, where you cross the mighty Zambezi River to arrive into Kasane, Botswana (you will need to clear exit and entry customs). In Kasane, you will be met and transferred westwards to the lovely Muchenje Safari Lodge, arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy an afternoon game drive. Return to the lodge at sunset for hot showers, drinks and dinner. Two nights are spent at Muchenje Safari Lodge in a double/twin chalet.

Game-viewing activities are undertaken daily.

Muchenje is situated within the Chobe Forest Reserve on the Chobe River escarpment overlooking the vast Chobe floodplain and Namibia’s Caprivi Strip. The 11 well-appointed, thatched twin-bed lodges have en suite facilities consisting of a toilet, single vanity and a shower, and a small furnished veranda with commanding views of the Chobe floodplain below. Sitting and watching the floodlit waterhole below the main lodge is a great way to unwind, especially in the early evenings before dinner. The main reception areas are open-plan under thatch and consist of a number of sitting areas, the bar, dining area (with communal dining), and an upstairs deck with wonderful views. A number of other decks offer the chance to be more private. The lodge swimming pool takes full advantage of the fantastic views and provides a tranquil setting for relaxation during the heat of the day.

Situated outside of the National Park, Muchenje can offer a number of different safari activities which would otherwise not be available. Besides the usual game drives and boat cruises, Muchenje offer walking safaris and night drives which should be taken advantage of, as both can be very productive. Animals such as wild cat, water mongoose, hyaena, bushbabies and the occasional leopard are among the nocturnal species seen. Game drives access the Chobe National Park (a 10-minute drive from the lodge) on a daily basis through the western Ngoma Gate. This is a less congested section of the park, where you can view game without being hassled by too many other vehicles. Boat excursions are usually taken as part of a full-day trip, with lunch taken on board.

Day six  – Okuti Camp, Moremi Game Reserve  
Three nights – full board

Early morning at leisure before you are transferred to Kasane Airport, where you connect with a scheduled shared air transfer service southwest across the vast Chobe National Park to the Moremi Game Reserve. Arrive and transfer to Okuti Camp where you spend three nights in a double/twin chalet.

Game-viewing activities are undertaken daily.

Okuti was completely rebuilt in 2008 and offers unique accommodation in chalets loosely designed on traditional bushmen shelters. The spacious, dome-shaped rooms have high ceilings with bamboo-matted interior walls, solid clay bathrooms and canvas and mosquito gauze fronts, leading to a deck overlooking the waterway. There are five twin/double chalets and two family chalets which consist of a double bedroom and separate twin bedroom, sharing a lounge area and the bathroom. The central areas comprise of a swimming pool, sun deck, dining and lounge area, all overlooking the waterways of the delta. Activities include game drives by day and boat cruises. Walking is not permitted in the Moremi Game Reserve and the local ‘deep’ waterways are not suitable for mekoro excursions.

Day nine – Kanana Camp, southwest Okavango Delta
Three nights – full board

Morning at leisure before you are transferred to the airstrip to connect with the scheduled light aircraft flight to the southwest Okavango Delta. Arrive at the bush airstrip servicing Kanana where you will be met and transferred to Kanana Camp for three nights in a double/twin tent.

Game-viewing activities are undertaken daily.

Kanana is located on a private concession area in the southwestern Okavango on the edge of the Xudum River. The luxury tented camp caters for a maximum of 18 guests in seven twin-bed (double conversions) tents and one family tent, all of which are built onto low wooden decking. The family tent consists of two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Each tent is comfortably furnished, has en suite facilities consisting of a shower, toilet and vanity, and a private furnished veranda with views out across the lagoon. The central dining area (with communal dining), bar and lounge is built open-plan under canvas and raised onto a wooden deck. To the front, steps lead down to a small jetty from which boat and mekoro excursions depart, and a ‘beach’ on which the evening fire is made. There is a small pool around which to spend the heat of the day. The main area does have a laptop for guests use. However, please note bush internet is very slow and unreliable.

Activities include mekoro excursions, boat cruises, day and night game drives by open 4×4 vehicles, and nature walks. Fishing is also available from March to December. There is also a new sleep-out platform (located about 20 minutes from camp overlooking a seasonal waterhole/ floodplain) which is available (at no extra charge) for guests staying three or more nights in camp. The platform has an upper level with a bed ‘under the stars’ and a lower level with basic bathroom facilities. Your armed guide sleeps in a tent a short distance away. Currently this experience can only be arranged in camp, but from May 2015 it may be possible to pre-book.

Day 12 – South African Airways – Johannesburg to London
One night

Morning at leisure for game viewing. Around lunchtime you will be transferred to the local airstrip in order to connect with an early afternoon shared air transfer south to Maun, where you arrive in time to connect with the afternoon South African Airlink scheduled flight south to Johannesburg. In Johannesburg, you will connect with the evening South African Airways scheduled flight to London. Depart Johannesburg, overnight spent in flight.

Day 13 – South African Airways flight to London
Early morning arrival into London Heathrow Terminal 2.