Wild Journeys 14 KOCV

Welcome to South Africa. A country teaming with Africa's wildlife, a land with friendly and diverse cultures. A contrast between traditional homesteads and vibrant modern cities. On arrival at Johannesburg International Airport you are transferred to your hotel.

After breakfast you are transferred to the airport and fly to Kruger Mpumalanga (flight priced separately). On arrival at the airport you are met and transferred to your lodge.

Our journey takes us through some of the spectacular scenery of the Mpumalanga province. We enter Kruger National Park in search of the famous ‘Big Five’ (Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhino). Arriving at the lodge in the afternoon.

The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa. It is roughly the same size as Israel or Wales, and covers some 20,000 square kilometers. It extends approximately 350 kilometers from north to south and approximately 60 kilometers from east to west.

The Park is justly rated as one of the world's finest game reserves. Kruger is home to more species of wildlife than any other game sanctuary on the African continent. Well over a thousand lions, and large populations of leopard roam freely here, along with substantial numbers of elephant, zebra, rhino, giraffe, hippopotamus, impala, and kudu. Kruger is also home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. There is more than enough wildlife to satisfy even the most shutter-happy photographer.

Kruger is an outstanding destination for birdwatchers, offering more than 500 species of birds. Many of these are migratory birds like the African Hoopoe. This is also the home of the Giant Eagle Owl, the Largest of all the Owls. Birds to spot include Kingfishers, Storks, Shrikes, Weavers, Herons, Eagles, Vultures, Kites and many more. With such a variety of species of birds this truly is a bird watching haven.

Your days are spent on early morning and afternoon game drives in open vehicles in search of all the amazing game that inhabits Kruger National Park. Spend some time between game drives relaxing on the spacious wooden decks of the lodge overlooking the African bush.

Imagine taking in a magnificent sunset whilst you capture the moment of a pride of lions stalking their prey or possibly watching a buffalo or elephant strolling to a water hole. The rhino, with its extraordinary horns and bad temper or the leopard with its remarkable speed and skill to hunt.

Late in the day, when the sun has left orange and purple streaks on the horizon, enjoy traditional cuisine around a splattering boma fire under the flickering stars.

Choose between two wonderful lodges (Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge or Imbali Safari Lodge) located in the world-renowned Kruger National Park. This legendary wildlife reserve has the deserved reputation for showcasing some of the finest game-viewing on the continent.

An earthy, traditional Tsonga styled lodge, one of the lodges offers luxury in six beautifully furnished thatched suites. The combination of the bush, traditional cuisine, the warmth of the accommodation together with the opportunity to witness the lifestyle and culture of the Shangaan people, ensure an unforgettable safari experience.

They say Africa is still home to hidden treasures, this lodge is one of them. According to early Portuguese accounts, the Tsonga people lived in the central and southern areas of Mozambique during the early 16th century. During most of the 19th century, they settled in the Mpumalanga Province near the present-day Kruger National Park and made a living hunting and fishing. At the end of the 19th century, however, in order to establish the Kruger National Park, conservationists closed down most of the area that was home to the Tsonga people and hunting and fishing became illegal.

Fortunately not all was lost, as today one of the largest groups of Tsonga people still live in the Kruger National Park, offering an interactive cultural experience, at the lodge, steeped in modern day opulence and luxury. The result is a breathtaking blend of ethnic luxury, encompassing both warmth and style, never seen before. Located on an ancient elephant route on the Mluwati River, this unique camp is built in traditional tribal design and accommodates 12 people.

Managed by the ‘hosi’ or Tsonga Chief, guests are immediately introduced to the Tsonga ways upon their arrival. Traditionally, a typical Tsonga homestead unit or ‘muti’ was circular and cylindrical in structure with earth coloured walls and a tapering thatched reed roof. So too is the design of the lodge as six luxury, air conditioned suites, boasting king size beds, en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers and private game viewing decks welcome guests to a unique safari experience. All fabrics, décor and objet d’art are sourced from the local Tsonga community and stand tribal proud.

This safari lodge offers a once-in-a-lifetime, interactive cultural African experience combined with outstanding safari or game viewing.

Capture the spirit of a classical African safari at the other lodge, set in its own 10 000 hectare private concession area of the world famous Kruger National Park. This lodge has been carefully designed and built in keeping with eco-sensitive policies, to ensure that there is little impact on the natural environment, as guests will bear witness to artefacts discovered during the building programme.

Accommodating 24 guests in luxury individual suites, each with their own private Jacuzzi, it features large expanses of glass and magnificent wooden decks for better game-viewing. Five star suites enjoy either king-size beds or twin rooms with only the finest furniture and imported linen, en-suite bathrooms with antique baths, air conditioning and spacious decks offer stunning views over the river bed and onto the plains beyond.

· 12 chalets, sleeps 24 people
· Large Double Rooms

GENERAL INFORMATION ON ALL ROOMS
· All Rooms have large king beds
· Each luxury suite has a romantic antique-styled bath en-suite with built in showers
· Each suite has a private veranda
· Timber walkways
· Private Spa Bath
· Silver service
· Personalized cuisine
· Swimming pool overlooking the Waterhole
· Open Lounge with large fireplace
· Telephones in rooms
· Mosquito nets
· Air conditioner

FACILITIES
- Butler Service
- Daily scheduled flights with Federal Air
- Internet facilities
- Land lines are available
- No Cell phone reception
- Please advise if you have any dietary requirements
- Private jaccuzzi’s on the private decks of each of the rooms
- Swimming Pool
- The water is safe to drink, however bottled water is also provided in all rooms courtesy of the lodge
- Transfers can be arranged from Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit or KMI Airport outside Nelspruit
- Welcome drinks upon arrival

ACTIVITIES
- Nomadic Spa experience
- Game drives in 4 x 4 vehicles
- Bird Watching

Accommodation: Your choice between two Safari Lodges, Kruger National Park

After an early morning game drive and breakfast, We ascend the Drakensburg Mountains with stunning views. We stop to enjoy stunning view of the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, and the largest green canyon. We explore the Three Rondavels, Bourkes Luck Potholes, God's Window and some of the spectacular waterfalls found in the region. Arriving at your guesthouse late in the afternoon.

Guests are treated to a sumptuous dinner and healthy breakfast and enjoy privacy in elegant surroundings. This includes a central living room, a swimming pool and a shaded garden patio overlooking breathtaking 270 degree panoramic views of indigenous forest & mountains.

The location is also home to an exceptional variety of indigenous and migrating birds as well as small mammals.

After breakfast you are transferred to the airport from where you fly to Maun Botswana. On arrival in Maun you take a charter flight to the Okavango.

The Okavango is a vast river that never meets the sea. Instead, its clear waters spread across the Kalahari Desert, forming Africa's largest wetland. The Delta is an oasis amidst the vast plains and pans of the desert that covers most of Southern Africa. Its waterways are a collection of meandering channels, creating a haven for Africa's most notable wildlife.

The Camp is located on a Island in a private concession situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta and on the head waters of the Xudum river system. The area lies on the western boundary of the Moremi Game Reserve and offers superb Okavango scenery and a true Okavango wilderness experience.

The main building is attractively designed and constructed of thatch and canvas and comprises lounge, dining, bar and pool areas, as well as a gift shop and the boma area. The swimming pool is situated close to the main lodge and the bar, making a perfect location to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the heat of the day.

Accommodation consists of nine luxury safari tents in true traditional safari style, all with full en-suite semi open ablution facilities. Eight en-suite safari tents with overlooking views of the lagoon. The tents are uniquely positioned under the shade of the surrounding trees.

One family safari tent that can accommodate four with en-suite facilities and close proximity to the main lodge.

The camps in the Okavango Delta that is able to offer game drives within our private concession area. Morning and evening game drives in the company of our qualified guides will give you the opportunity to view all the big game and night life of this environment.

A mokoro trip is a fantastic way to experience the wonders of the Okavango Delta. In the company of a professional poler with vast experience of the Delta, you will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of this unique habitat and learn about the waterways and wildlife.
Fishing is also possible, and our guides will be happy to take you to their secret spots to try for Pike and a variety of Bream species.

There is no better way to truly experience the African bush than a guided walk, and this will also offer you the opportunity to learn more about the ecology of the area from our professional guides.

The Camp is a new 16 tented camp built on a palm fringed island surrounded by the Moremi's game-rich seasonal floodplains and overlooking Chief's Island. This is a 100% eco-friendly development featuring the latest in solar and waste disposal technology.

Accommodation consists of 16 en suite and spacious tents on raised decks, each with their own veranda. The camp has both a Family Tent and a Honeymoon Tent.

The main building consists of a large open plan deck that has a spectacular view over the Boro River onto Chief's Island. This crescent-shaped area is built on different levels to give you the feeling of space.

The dining room, bar and lounge are covered by a large thatched roof that hugs the tree line. Various small private lounge areas have been created for comfort, privacy and spaciousness. Within the tree line you will find a nice shaded decked area that leads to the pool. Moremi also has a Curio Shop where you may pick up some mementos which will remind you of your stay.

The camp offers a personalized wildlife experience through the provision of high quality guiding services and new custom made boats. Activities on offer are half or full day Mokoro Trips with Game Walks, Island Camping and Sunset Motorboat Cruises.

On Botswana’s far northern border the lie the Kwando, Linyanti and the River systems, which form a mosaic of lakes, islands, channels, and floodplains. Part of this system is the the National Park, renowned for its vast herds of elephant and buffalo. It has the largest concentration of elephants on earth, some estimates count over 120,000 elephants. Your game drive and boat cruise offer you the opportunity to witness these amazing beasts. Due to the physical location of the lodge, there is also a wide variety of other activities, including Namibian village visit, fishing for the legendary Tigerfish and several species of Bream, birding and boat safaris.

Exploring the National Park with a morning game drives and a sunset river cruise (3 activities)

This afternoon you partake in a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. Sunset cruises arrive back after sunset. From the boats, sightings or elephant, giraffe and even rhino coming down to the river to drink are common. There are also abundant hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. The thunder of the falling water and towering column of spray, Victoria Falls offers an inescapable closeness to the natural elements and it is this true grandeur that lends a backdrop to the regal Safari Lodge and Spa.
These great and famous falls, named by a doctor for his queen, Victoria, in November 1855, were well known to the indigenous peoples of Southern Africa by many names, perhaps the most meaningful being Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders).

The Safari Lodge and Spa consists of 77 rooms, all en-suite, of which 5 are suites and 2 rooms accommodate the disabled comfortably. Most rooms look out over the Mighty Zambezi and a leisurely sun downer can be enjoyed from your private balcony. The rooms Room features include:

Colour, remote control televisions with access to satellite channels
Radio, alarm clocks and hairdryers
24 hour room service, wake-up calls and a laundry service are provided
Mini bar and Coffee / Tea station
Telephones, Internet & Email and Air Conditioning
Separate bath and shower

This morning you partake in a tour of the Zambian side of the famous Victoria Falls. A natural phenomenon and one of the seven natural Wonders of the World, the Victoria Falls is an immense curtain of water cascading over 100m. Around 550 million litres over the lip every minute, at peak flow this increases to 750 million litres. Around the Falls is rainforest sustained by the spray of the Falls with some plant species rarely found elsewhere in Zambia or Zimbabwe.

During peak flow (January to June) the Zambian side of the Falls is the most spectacular and there are walkways to look out points and across the swaying Knife Edge bridge.

Partake in many of the optional activities while you are in Victoria Falls (optional extra):

The morning is at leisure, after which you are transferred to the Airport for your flight to Johannesburg from where you fly home (flights priced separately). Tour Ends.

14 DAY - KRUGER, OKAVANGO DELTA, the & VICTORIA FALLS (Book Now)