Itinerary

Day 1 Johannesburg
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa.
Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1.
You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If your flight arrives too late, we recommend that you consider arriving a day early and book a night's accommodation prior to the trip so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your kitty, insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader.
Johannesburg is a sprawling city of remarkable contrasts. In the townships, mansions stand alongside tin shacks and there are as many green parks on the outskirts of the city as there are conglomerations of concrete in the centre. This is a good place to spend a couple of days to get an insight into South Africa's history, and it's a great base for exploring the rest of the country.

Accommodation
Hotel (1 nt)

Day 2 Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Leaving South Africa behind, cross the border into Botswana and travel toward the Khama Rhino Sanctuary (600 km, approx 8-10 hrs).
Situated on the edge of the vast Kalahari Desert, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a result of local efforts to convert a former hunting area into a conservation project. Built to protect Botswana's only remaining populations of both black and white rhinos, the sanctuary is also home to other wildlife including zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches and wildebeest, which have all moved in and can be seen around the many natural waterholes. Visiting this project benefits local communities, as well as contributing to the protection of the highly endangered white rhinoceros.
Head out on a dusk game drive to see the rhinos when they are at their most active before returning to camp.

Included Activities
Evening game drive
Meals Included
1 Breakfast
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Day 3 Maun
Our destination today is Maun (520 km, approx 7-8 hrs).
Maun is the gateway to one of the world's most renowned and complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta.
Formed by the Okavango River as it flows from the highlands of Angola down to a basin on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango Delta is unlike anything else in the world. The river has no outlet from the desert and spreads out into thousands of small streams to form a wilderness that is totally unspoilt. The 16,000 sq km maze of wetlands is a wonderland of clear meandering waterways, green islands, lush plains and prolific wildlife. The delta is filled with a diversity of flora and fauna that includes hippos, crocodiles, elephants and the big cats. However, it's not for the game that we come as it can't always be found. The delta is about exploring one of the world's most fascinating ecosystems.
Camp on the outskirts of town at a simple campsite with shared facilities.

Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Days 4-5 Okavango Delta
Traverse the waterways by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe navigated by friendly local 'polers'. With luck, you might spot some of the delta's unusual wildlife and prolific birdlife. Spend time exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot, led by experienced and knowledgeable guides.
Camp on a remote island in the heart of the wilderness. Dig a bush toilet and go without a shower, it's all part of the Okavango experience. At night, the sounds of the African bush are the only things you will hear - a true wilderness experience!
Wake up early the following morning and venture out on a sunrise walk hoping to catch a glimpse of some elephants and Cape buffalo. Returning to camp for breakfast, take the rest of the day to relax, take a swim or test your poling skills before heading out for an afternoon walk or perhaps another mokoro trip - the choice is yours.

Included Activities
Mokoro trips & bushwalks
Meals Included
2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nts)

Day 6 Maun
After taking down our camp, take the mokoro back to the poling station before transferring back to Maun (60 km, approx 2-3 hrs).
Visit a local rural village for an insight into life in the Okavango Delta.
For those wanting more adventure, there's an opportunity to fly over the delta in a small plane for a bird's-eye view - a great way to appreciate the immensity of this watery world.
Camp on the outskirts of town at a simple campsite with shared facilities.

Included Activities
Local village visit
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Day 7 Elephant Sands
Head north to Elephant Sands, a private conservancy in northern Botswana (390 km, approx 6-7 hrs).
Elephant Sands is not only home to elephants, but also lots of antelope species, lions, giraffes, zebras and hundreds of different bird species.
Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive hoping to spot some of this area's amazing animals.
Camp in the conservancy at a basic camp with shared facilities.

Included Activities
Afternoon game drive
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Days 8-9 Victoria Falls
Travel on to Victoria Falls (330 km, approx 5-6 hrs). Cross the border into Zimbabwe in time to have lunch on the banks of the Zambezi.
Visit the magnificent Victoria Falls.
The Victoria Falls are an enormous curtain of water, about a mile wide, falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise up an incredible 400 m and the falls are an impressive raging torrent. The spray from the falls can sometimes be seen from kilometres away. It's no wonder that the local name Mosi oa Tunya means the 'smoke that thunders'. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and it's possible to see little islets in the river below.
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary, meet your new fellow travellers, and collect the next part of your kitty.

Included Activities
Visit Victoria Falls
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

Day 10 Chobe National Park
Travel to Chobe National Park in Botswana (100 km, approx 3 hrs).
Botswana's first national park, Chobe, is perhaps best known for its high concentration of elephants, which can often be seen swimming in the Chobe River. The river also attracts wallowing hippos, a variety of birdlife, crocodiles sunning themselves by the water's edge, and cheetahs and lions which come down to drink.
Enjoy a cruise on the Chobe River, a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
Camp on the outskirts of the park at a basic campsite with shared facilities.

Included Activities
Chobe River cruise
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Day 11 Palapye
There's time for an optional dawn game drive for those who would like to further explore this beautiful park.
Hit the road bound for Palapye - a typical Botswanan town (660 km, approx 7-8 hrs).

Included Activities
Village walk
Meals Included
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Days 12-13 Kruger National Park
Leave Botswana and head towards South Africa and Kruger National Park (600 km, approx 8-9 hrs).
One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog.
Our wildlife experience begins as soon as we enter the park. We head straight into prime game viewing areas where we hope to catch a glimpse of some of the amazing animals found here.
Rise early and have a light breakfast of coffee and rusks before embarking on a morning game drive. Most of the day will be spent game viewing, bird watching and stopping at various waterholes and viewpoints.
Take an additional night drive with the park guide to spot nocturnal animals and perhaps even a night-time predator or two.
Our campground within the park has shared facilities and hot and cold water.

Included Activities
Game drives
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

Days 14-15 Greater Kruger/Johannesburg
Take in a final game drive on our way out of the park.
Camp at the Southern African Wildlife College and spend some time with the trainees to gain an insight into what it takes to become a wildlife guide.
You'll have the option to take some evening game drives with a wildlife guide or just relax around our campsite.
Transfer back to Johannesburg (600 km, approx 8-9 hrs). There's plenty of time to stop and explore along the way. Take in amazing views at the viewpoint over the awesome Blyde River Canyon.
Johannesburg is a sprawling city of remarkable contrasts. In the townships, mansions stand alongside tin shacks and there are as many green parks on the outskirts of the city as there are conglomerations of concrete in the centre. This is a good place to spend a couple of days to get an insight into South Africa's history, and it's a great base for exploring the rest of the country.
On arrival in Jo'burg you can be dropped at the airport or at our finishing point hotel. No accommodation is provided for tonight, but we are able to book you additional accommodation in Johannesburg. Please ask at time of booking.
Please don't book any international flights until after 10pm this evening.

Included Activities
Southern African Wildlife College
Blyde River Canyon viewpoint
Meals Included
1 Breakfast
Accommodation
Permanent tented camp (1 nt)

Included

Accommodation: Participatory camping (12 nts), tribal hut (1 nt)

Max Group Size: No more than 16 passengers

Included activities as per itinerary

Excluded

Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg - ZAR75.00
Art gallery, Johannesburg - ZAR50.00
Gold Reef City and Heritage mine tour, Johannesburg - ZAR300.00
Museum Africa, Johannesburg - ZAR25.00

Abseiling, Victoria Falls - USD55.00
Bungee jumping, Victoria Falls - USD120.00
Canoe trail, Victoria Falls - USD115.00
Elephant Back Safari, Victoria Falls - USD120.00
Flying fox, Victoria Falls - USD30.00
Gorge swing, Victoria Falls - USD70.00
Helicopter flight (15 mins), Victoria Falls - USD130.00
Helicopter flight (25 mins), Victoria Falls - USD260.00
Horseback safari, Victoria Falls - USD75.00
Jet boat, Victoria Falls - USD95.00
Microlight (15 mins), Victoria Falls - USD120.00
Microlight (25 mins), Victoria Falls - USD240.00

Scenic flight, Okavango Delta - USD385.00

Dawn game drive, Chobe National Park - BWP205.00

Night game drive, Kruger National Park - ZAR180.00

Departures

Starts: Johannesburg - Finishes: Johannesburg
Sat 07 Jan 2012 - Sat 21 Jan 2012
Sat 14 Jan 2012 - Sat 28 Jan 2012
Sat 28 Jan 2012 - Sat 11 Feb 2012
Sat 25 Feb 2012 - Sat 10 Mar 2012
Sat 10 Mar 2012 - Sat 24 Mar 2012
Sat 24 Mar 2012 - Sat 07 Apr 2012
Sat 14 Apr 2012 - Sat 28 Apr 2012
Sat 28 Apr 2012 - Sat 12 May 2012
Sat 12 May 2012 - Sat 26 May 2012
Sat 19 May 2012 - Sat 02 Jun 2012
Sat 26 May 2012 - Sat 09 Jun 2012
Sat 02 Jun 2012 - Sat 16 Jun 2012
Sat 09 Jun 2012 - Sat 23 Jun 2012
Sat 23 Jun 2012 - Sat 07 Jul 2012
Sat 30 Jun 2012 - Sat 14 Jul 2012
Sat 07 Jul 2012 - Sat 21 Jul 2012
Sat 14 Jul 2012 - Sat 28 Jul 2012
Sat 21 Jul 2012 - Sat 04 Aug 2012
Sat 28 Jul 2012 - Sat 11 Aug 2012
Sat 04 Aug 2012 - Sat 18 Aug 2012

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