Deluxe Botswana & South Africa Lodge Safari (15 Days)

Day One
Arrive in Johannesburg. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, located in a plush residential suburb of the city. Relax in the environs of the hotel, and perhaps get some gift shopping out of the way at the nearby mall.

Johannesburg was founded in 1886 when a prospector stumbled onto the richest gold-bearing reef in the world. Today, the city has a population of some 3 million people, and is a city of astonishing contrasts, a metropolis where opulent wealth and desperate poverty live side by side. Wildspace has selected two lovely properties in beautiful suburban settings, close to superb restaurants and good shopping areas. Johannesburg is the intriguing, dynamic heart of the new South Africa, and is the perfect base from which to explore the region's wildlife areas.

Days Two and Three
Today you will transfer by taxi to Johannesburg airport in time for your midday flight to the small town of Maun, located near to the world famous Okavango Swamps. A representative from our Botswana operator will meet you on arrival at Maun Airport, and will assist you with boarding your light aircraft and transfer to Nxabega Okavango Safari Camp, located in an exclusive 7000-hectare private wildlife concession. Your safari guide will meet you at Nxabega where you will be accommodated for the next two nights in elevated East African style safari tents with en suite facilities.

The Okavango Delta The Okavango River rises in the highlands of Angola & flows southeast into the Kalahari. Here it spreads out into a delta formation covering over 15,000 square kilometers with a lush water wilderness of papyrus swamps, shallow reed-beds and floodplains, dotted with islands & laced with a network of channels. This is a completely unique environment, and it is one of the world's finest locations in which to view wildlife.

A unique experience in the Okavango Delta is to take a ride in a dugout canoe, or makoro, in search of wildlife. Enjoy the stillness of this spectacular wilderness as you silently glide through the papyrus-fringed channels that separate the islands on which the wildlife lives. The insight and knowledge of your guide will add immeasurably to your enjoyment and understanding of this unique wilderness area, rich in flora and fauna, and world renowned as a paradise for birdwatchers.

Days Four and Five
After breakfast, depart by light aircraft to Khwai River Lodge, situated on the edge of the Khwai River floodplain near the North Gate of Moremi Wildlife Reserve. Here you will be accommodated for two nights in luxurious thatched safari tents with en suite facilities. Relax at the Lodge's sparkling swimming pool before departing on an afternoon game-drive to explore the northern sector of Moremi.

Moremi Wildlife Reserve, hunted by the Bushman as long as 10 000 years ago, is situated on Tribal Land and covers some 4871 square kilometres. The area was officially designated as a game reserve in April 1965 and in 1976 was extended to include Chiefs Island. A further extension was added in 1992 and now the reserve contains within its boundaries approximately twenty percent of the Okavango Delta, rich in a diversity of wildlife.

Days Six and Seven
Continue along the sandy tracks of the Magwihkwe Sand Ridge into the Chobe National Park, crossing the pre-historic lakebed of the Mababe Depression to Savute, world renowned for its large concentrations of game and its strong, stable population of predators. You will stay two nights at Savute Elephant Camp, a deluxe 24-bedded lodge overlooking the dry Savute Channel, in luxurious twin-bedded tents with private timber decks and spacious, en suite facilities. Extensive game-drives are sure to provide you with excellent wildlife sightings and photographic opportunities. Relax at the camp's specially constructed "elephant proof" swimming pool, or visit various San (Bushman) rock paintings in the Gubatsa Hills a short distance from the camp. Savute is known for its exciting year-round game viewing and excellent birding.

Savute Game Reserve is often described as one of the best wildlife-viewing areas in Africa, and it boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife left on the African continent. Animals are present during all seasons, and at certain times of the year their numbers can be staggering. A few days n the region almost guarantees you sightings of all the major species, including giraffe, elephant, zebra, impala, tsessebe, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, and eland. However the park is particularly well-known for its predators including lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, cheetah and wild dog.

Chobe National Park is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square kilometres. A major feature of Chobe National Park is its elephant population, of which there are an estimated 35,000 animals. The elephants in this area have the distinction of being the largest in body size of all living elephants, however their ivory is brittle and you will not see many large tuskers.

Day Eight
Depart for Northern Chobe National Park and spend an overnight at Chobe Chilwero in an en suite, twin-bedded room overlooking the floodplain. Relax at the main recreational area featuring a sparkling swimming pool and elegant lounge. With over 35 000 elephants, the Park boasts the largest herds still to be found in Africa. Spend time watching and photographing the animals on the banks of the Chobe River, and enjoy an evening sundowner cruise.

Day Nine
After an early morning game-drive and breakfast, you will leave Chobe and cross into Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls. Accommodation is at the Victoria Falls Hotel, known for its Edwardian charm and beautiful grounds. Spend the day at leisure pursuing the various optional excursions available at Victoria Falls, including the Flight of Angels, Traditional Dancing, and visits to the Craft's Village and Crocodile Farm.

The Victoria Falls, known locally as "Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means "the smoke that thunders", form a natural border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and are one of Africa's best-known natural wonders. The cascade is formed as the Zambezi River plunges into the gorge below. At their highest, the Victoria Falls drop 108m (345 feet), almost twice as far as the Niagara Falls.

Day Ten
After breakfast, you will transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival in Johannesburg, transfer via taxi to your hotel.

Days Eleven to Thirteen
Today you will transfer by taxi to Johannesburg airport in time for your midday flight to the small airport, located close to the famous Kruger National Park. Upon arrival, you will be met by staff from the private lodge where you will spend the next three nights. The lodge is set in the heart of the Timbavati game reserve, adjacent to the famous Kruger National Park.

Day Fourteen
Today you will return to Johannesburg. Overnight at your hotel.

Day Fifteen
Take a taxi to your hotel in time for your international flight home.

Inclusions

• In Botswana, seven nights of lodge accommodation (all meals included [from dinner on day two to breakfast on day ten]; non-premium drinks are also included).
• Ground transport in Botswana in a specially modified 4x4 safari vehicle - for a maximum of seven guests - accompanied by an expert safari guide throughout.
• Short flights from Maun to Nxabega Okavango Safari Camp, and from to Nxabega Okavango Safari Camp to Khwai River Lodge.
• One night accommodation at hotel in Victoria Falls (meals only included)
• One entrance fee to Victoria Falls National Park.
• Transfer from hotel to Victoria Falls airport.
• Three nights accommodation at Private Game Lodge in South Africa, all meals and game activities included.
• Return transfers from the airport to the private game lodge in South Africa.
• Three transfers (on Days 1, 10 and 14) from Johannesburg airport directly to the hotel.
• Three nights accommodation at hotel in Johannesburg (B&B basis).
• Access to a 24-hours-a-day helpline and the full logistical support of Wildspace.

Exclusions

• International and Internal airfares other than those listed above (internal flights can very easily be incorporated into the routing of your international ticket according to your final itinerary).
• Meals not mentioned in the "Inclusions" section above.
• Tips, laundry, alcohol, mineral water, soft drinks and any items of a personal nature.
• Anything not expressly included in the "Inclusions" section above.