Date: November 11 - 23, 2011
Price: from $6,795 plus air
Travel Partner: Classic Escapes
Trip Status: Taking Reservations
Description
Considered by many to be Africa’s ultimate safari destination, Botswana is revered for its breathtaking landscapes, spectacular wildlife and exclusive accommodations. Discover the best Botswana has to offer, including the fertile Okavango Delta. Experience some...
[read more] Date: November 11 - 23, 2011
Price: from $6,795 plus air
Travel Partner: Classic Escapes
Trip Status: Taking Reservations
Description
Considered by many to be Africa’s ultimate safari destination, Botswana is revered for its breathtaking landscapes, spectacular wildlife and exclusive accommodations. Discover the best Botswana has to offer, including the fertile Okavango Delta. Experience some of the most remote and unspoiled wilderness on the continent. By day, venture out in open 4X4 vehicles and mokoros in search of iconic African wildlife— elephant, buffalo, leopard and the exceedingly rare African wild dog... In the evening, watch for lions passing right under your camp’s walkway and elephants splashing in the river while you dine. Travel to Zambia, and see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls. Enjoy a guided tour of the world’s largest waterfall – five separate cascades plunging more than 300 feet with a thunderous roar; watch the sun set over the Zambezi River on a private cruise; and visit a traditional local village. Along the way, luxurious lodges and tented camps offer incredible access to the surrounding wildlife without sacrificing an ounce of comfort.
An optional extension offers even more of southern Africa’s legendary beauty: Continue your journey with a delightful retreat in Cape Town, a cornucopia of natural beauty, wildlife, political history and culture. Enjoy superb shopping, delightful cuisine and oceanfront accommodations. Tour the brilliant Kirstebosch Botanical Gardens and spend a day in the Boland Valley.
DAYS 1/2~FRIDAY/SATURDAY~NOVEMBER 11/12
SAN FRANCISCO/EN ROUTE/JOHANNESBURG
Your journey begins as you board an overnight South African Airways flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, you will be met and escorted to your hotel. Relax in the comfort of the lounge, take a dip in the pool or head to the many shops nearby.
THE SOUTHERN SUN HOTEL O.R. TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HOTEL (Meals Aloft)
DAYS 3/4/5~SUNDAY/MONDAY/TUESDAY~NOVEMBER 13/14/15
MAUN/OKAVANGO DELTA /CHITABE CAMP, BOTSWANA
Fly to Maun, Botswana, and travel to one of the world’s most distinctive regions, the Okavango Delta – earth’s largest inland water system. Discover a wonderful abundance of wildlife, including elephant, leopard, enormous herds of buffalo and the highly endangered African painted wolf (wild dog). Join Dr. Tico McNutt, an alumnus of Cal Davis, to discuss his work with the Bostwana Wild Dog Project and possibly go on a wildlife run to find his study subjects. On night drives, enjoy a rare opportunity to view animals such as civet, serval, genet, pangolin, and aardwolf. Nestled under a lush canopy of indigenous trees on a private concession, your camp is comprised of eight luxurious tents built on elevated teak decks with comfortable beds, en-suite facilities and private balconies.
CHITABE CAMP (All Meals Daily)
DAYS 6/7~WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY~NOVEMBER 16/17
OKAVANGO DELTA / MOREMI RESERVE / XIGERA CAMP
Your light aircraft now takes you to Xigera Camp, situated in the heart of the Okavango on Paradise Island, within the Moremi Reserve. Glide through the quiet channels in mokoros (small, dugout canoes) in search of the elusive sitatunga antelope. Meals are taken in the dining room overlooking the main river or you can take a beautifully prepared picnic onto one of the nearby islands for a more secluded and intimate experience. Drives are also offered if the water level permits. Birding here is excellent. Many species of birds are regularly sighted including Pels Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane. In the morning, check your camp’s unique footpath to see what predators crossed in the night. The camp comprises ten splendidly furnished raised tents, a dining area overlooking the river and a bar and lounge for relaxing after an adventurous day.
XIGERA CAMP (All Meals Daily)
DAYS 8/9~FRIDAY/SATURDAY~NOVEMBER 18/19
CAPRIVI STRIP/MUDUMU NATIONAL PARK/LIANSHULU LODGE, NAMIBIA
Next, fly to the Caprivi Strip, Namibia. The deep Kalahari sands and tropical waterways are home to an interesting array of wildlife. Visit the Mudumu National Park located on the east side of the Caprivi Strip. Dry mixed woodlands stand in complete contrast to the beautiful Kwando wetland ecosystem. Take morning or sunset boat cruises, nature drives in the Park and visit the Lizauli Traditional Village, where members of the community give fascinating insights on life in a remote corner of Namibia. Stay at Lianshulu Lodge, one of the first private lodges built inside of a Namibian National Park. See hippos, crocodiles and fish such as bream, tigerfish and catfish from the lodge deck.
LIANSHULU LODGE (All Meals Daily)
DAYS 10/11~SUNDAY/MONDAY~NOVEMBER 20/21
LIVINGSTONE/VICTORIA FALLS, ZAMBIA
Take a boat transfer to Livingstone, Zambia, and feel the power of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This incredible spectacle, “The Smoke That Thunders” as it is known to locals, is the world’s largest waterfall, with five cascades plummeting more than 300 feet. Feel the mist on your face and hear the thunderous roar on a guided tour of the Falls. Enjoy a private cruise along the Zambezi River at sunset, watching hippos sip from the water’s edge, monkeys frolic in the trees and birds fly overhead as the sky is painted stunning shades of red, gold and purple. Visit the rural Simonga village to witness the age-old traditions of the ancient Leya people. Your riverside camp is an idyllic retreat nestled under a shady canopy of trees.
TOKA LEYA CAMP (B, L, D Daily)
DAYS 12/13~TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY~NOVEMBER 22/23
VICTORIA FALLS/JOHANNESBURG/EN ROUTE/SAN FRANCISCO
Last chance to photograph the incredible Falls, visit the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park which also features rhino, or shop at Livingstone, before transferring to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Here, connect with your overnight flight back to San Francisco on South African Airways.
(B, Meals Aloft)
6-DAY POST-EXTENSION TO CAPE TOWN
Continue your journey with a delightful retreat in Cape Town, one of the loveliest cities in the world. Enjoy superb shopping, delightful cuisine and oceanfront accommodations at Winchester Mansions on Platinum Mile. Ascend Table Mountain and take the coastal route to the Cape of Good Hope to discover charming seaside towns, spectacular wildlife and watch the comical penguins at Boulders Beach. Tour the brilliant Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and spend a day in the famed Boland Valley wine region. Visit the settlement of Khayelitsha with a township guide and get an eye-opening historical tour of Robben Island.
Aggie Adventures
530-752-4502
