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Best Of Zimbabwe And Zambia Tour

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Overview This safari seamlessly blends three of southern Africas most fruitful game areas - Hwange National Park and Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, with the vast Kafue National Park in the west of . .
Country: Zimbabwe
City: Mana Pools National Park
Duration: 11 Day(s) - 10 Night(s)
Tour Category: Adventure Tours
Departure Date: Thu 01 Jan '99
Package Itinerary

Overview

This safari seamlessly blends three of southern Africa’s most fruitful game areas - Hwange National Park and Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, with the vast Kafue National Park in the west of Zambia. Located within the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe, our concession in Hwange National Park is ecologically diverse resulting in large numbers of animals all year round, including a multitude of elephants.

Mana Pools National Park is in the heart of the Zambezi Valley and with a variety of habitats ranging from woodland to floodplains to the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment, abundant wildlife, and bird sightings are consistently enjoyed. The seasonally inundated grasslands with tree islands on the Busanga Plains offer concentrations of plains game as well as rarer antelope (including roan and oribi) and a high density of lion. Last but not least, a visit to the mighty Victoria Falls - one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – is a fitting end.

Trip Highlights

Hwange National - Game drives in National Park plus walking safari & optional night drive in the Makalolo Concession.

Mana Pools - Nature walks on the edge of the Zambezi Rift Valley.

Kafue National Park - Magnificent hot air balloon rides (August through October at an additional discounted cost) provide a very different perspective of the Plains.

The Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park morning or evening boat cruises on the Zambezi River.

Victoria Falls - Viewed from the Zambian side of Zambezi.

Important Information

Operating June through November, subject to camp opening. Departure Days: Wednesday and Sunday

This fantastic safari includes a free night at Busanga Bush Camp.

Standard Itinerary

Days 1, 2, and 3: Fly from Victoria Falls Airport to Little Makalolo Camp, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.

Upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe, depart with Wilderness Air for Little Makalolo Camp, in Hwange National Park. Located on the border with Botswana, Hwange was proclaimed some 75 years ago and has served as a haven for one of the densest concentrations of game in Africa. Hwange further has some of the highest mammal diversity in the world, with over 100 recorded species. This is greatly due to the varied habitats and vegetation types.

Area and Location: Little Makalolo Camp is located in the southeastern corner of the Park – an exclusive concession area of about 500 km2. The Makalolo Concession, in which this camp is found, is ecologically diverse, with large flat grasslands, vast palm-spotted plains, acacia woodlands, and teak forests. This lends itself well to the vast number of plains game that move in the area together with attendant predators.

Activities: Morning, afternoon-into-evening game drives together with guided walks through the concession maximize wildlife-viewing opportunities here.

The Camp: Little Makalolo has six well-appointed units, including one honeymoon suite and a family unit, all with indoor and outdoor showers. This camp ensures maximum privacy with an intimate main area, dining room, and plunge pool. A log pile hides overlooking the waterhole in front of the camp affords guests a unique game-viewing experience.

Overnight Comfortable Camp Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Days 4, 5, and 6: Fly to Ruckomechi Camp, Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe.

Wilderness Air flight from Little Makalolo to Mana West Airstrip. Upon arrival, a short road transfer to Ruckomechi Camp. This camp is idyllically located, overlooking the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park and the imposing Great African Rift Valley. Comprising 14,600 km2 (5,600 sq. miles) this park is located in the heart of the Zambezi Valley and is famed for its rich and varied mammal life.

Area and Location: Ruckomechi Camp is situated in an exclusive concession of Mana Pools, nestled amongst a large grove of acacia and ebony trees. This wondrous setting in allows for exploration of the National Park in total seclusion. Ruckomechi Camp accommodates up to 22 guests in ten spacious en-suite tented units, including a honeymoon suite and family room.

All of these units maximize views of the Zambezi River and the escarpment beyond. Each tent has both indoor and outdoor showers, and the camp boasts an outdoor ‘bath-with-a-view’ in a secluded, scenic spot. A central dining, bar, library, and main area complete the camp offerings. There is a separate deck with an infinity pool for swimming and sunbathing, and an inviting, cushion-strewn sundowner and star-gazing deck.

Wildlife: An intoxicating blend of wildlife and bird species abound. The dry season sees large herds of elephants and buffalo together with hippos, waterbuck, kudu, nyala, and eland all seeking to slake their thirst along the banks of this mighty river. Predators follow with lions frequenting the floodplains and adjacent woodland, while leopards stalk the thickets, and cheetahs and endangered wild dogs are also often seen.

The area is equally famous for its superb birdlife offering over 350 species including the Collared Palm-Thrush, African Skimmer, Racket-tailed Roller, Purple-banded Sunbird, and Western Banded Snake-eagle.

Activities: Early morning walks with an experienced guide, morning and afternoon game drives, night drives, canoeing, and catch-and-release fishing.

Overnight Comfortable Camp Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Days 7, 8, and 9: Fly via Lusaka to Busanga Bush Camp, Kafue National Park, Zambia.

Boat transfer to Chirundu, followed by road transfer to Lusaka Airport to connect with flight onto the Busanga Plains in northern Kafue National Park.

At 22,500 km2 (8 600 sq. miles), Kafue National Park is one of the largest protected expanses in Africa. The Busanga Plains is one of Zambia’s most important wetland and grassland resources and is untouched by development and human activity – the jewel in the Kafue crown. The landscape here is in complete contrast to that of Mana Pools, thereby providing a complementary experience.

Area and Location: The amazing landscapes of the Busanga Plains comprise a web of estuaries, grassy plains, and island thickets. Comprising 750km² (290 sq. Miles) of untouched Africa, our massive private concession is centrally located on the Plains – ensuring seclusion and optimal wildlife viewing in a truly remote setting.

Wildlife: Owing to the diverse ecology, this area of the Kafue offers fantastic opportunities to see plains game, predators, and water-loving animals. This camp is perfectly situated to see large numbers of puku and red lechwe as well as herds of buffalo and wildebeest.

The most notable predators in the area are lions, with up to four prides moving around the Busanga area. Their tree-climbing antics are quite unique and allow for amazing photographic opportunities. Cheetahs and side-striped jackals also roam the grassy areas as do the rare roan antelope which are locally common. For birders, Busanga boasts over 400 species, including over half the world’s Wattled Crane population. Other notable species are the Black-backed Barbet, Rosy-throated Longclaw, and Red-throated Twinspot.

Activities: Morning and afternoon-into-evening game drives as well as early season (June and July) boat trips. Magnificent hot air balloon rides (August through October at an additional discounted cost) provide a very different perspective of the Plains. The giant 8-person balloon floats for approximately an hour above this unique landscape with uninterrupted views of the floodplains and its game.

The Camp: Busanga Bush Camp lies hidden in an island thicket. This camp accommodates eight guests in four comfortable tents. The main and bar area of the camp is under a large canopy canvas and has a sweeping view out over the plains and the dramatic sunrises.

The dining area is further shaded under the leafy branches of a sycamore-fig tree from which a unique lantern chandelier hangs, romantically lighting up dinner. An optional upgrade to Kapinga or Shumba is available at an additional cost.

Overnight Comfortable Camp Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Day 10: Fly to Toka Leya Camp, Livingstone, Zambia.

After an early morning drive and breakfast, fly to Livingstone Airport, then transfer by road to Toka Leya Camp.

The last camp, Toka Leya, is located on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River in the secluded Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, and on the outskirts of Livingstone. This historical town was founded by the first European explorers to ‘discover the impressive Victoria Falls and is today the tourism capital of Zambia.

Area and Location: Mosi-Oa-Tunya is directly translated as ‘the smoke that thunders’, the local name for Victoria Falls which is found 12km (7.5 miles) from camp and forms one of the main activities. This small but very important national park of the same name is 63 km2 (24 sq. miles) and is host to a wonderful variety of habitat types from mopane woodland to a rich riverine fringe.

Wildlife: The Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park is home to a variety of herbivores such as impala, giraffe, white rhino, and buffalo. In the drier season, herds of elephants come down through the camp to drink from the river and even swim across to the other side.

The camp dawn chorus includes the comical ‘laughter’ of hippos which is often seen from the various camp vantages during the day. The bird life along the Zambezi is just wonderful – African Finfoot, Half-collared Kingfisher, and Schalow’s Turaco are some special finds.

Activities: Guided tours of Victoria Falls, cultural, museum, and market tours, morning or evening game drives in Mosi-Oa-Tunya, and morning or evening boat cruises on the Zambezi River. Livingstone is rated as one of the world’s top destinations for adrenaline and river activities. The most popular of these include (at an additional cost): seasonal white water rafting, bungee jumping, gorge swing, micro lighting over the Victoria Falls, brunch and breakfast canoe trips on the Zambezi, and falls-edge dining.

The Camp: This contemporary but warm camp consists of 12 climate-controlled units on elevated wooden decks. Each unit has inside and outside showers as well as sweeping views of the Zambezi River from a comfortable balcony. Extending out onto the Zambezi River is the main area with a novel pizza oven, bar infinity pool, and spa area. The camp also has a well-stocked curio shop selling arts and crafts made by local villagers.

Day 11: Road transfer to Livingstone International Airport.

After a relaxing start to the day (or morning activity), transfer by road to Livingstone Airport for an outbound flight or continuing arrangements.

Adventurer Exploration Includes:

Accommodation on a per person sharing basis, all meals from dinner on Day 1 to the end of the scheduled safari, a reasonable amount of soft drinks, mineral water, fruit juice, house wine, and beer, as well as local spirits such as gin and Amarula while on safari, National Park fees, scheduled activities, guided tour of The Victoria Falls and all internal charters on a seat-rate basis.

Adventurer Exploration Excludes:

Flights (other than specified in the detailed safari itinerary), visas, compulsory comprehensive insurance, all relevant entry and departure Government taxes, all personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls, etc.), gratuities, laundry, optional extra activities, pre and post safari tours, all other travel arrangements pre and post the safari and any new Government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control.

Notes:

1. Please note that various policies apply to each safari in terms of age limits, the number of guests required/accommodated, arrival/departure times, luggage allowance, additional overnights required, etc. Please ensure that you are aware of these when booking a safari or contact us for further details.

2. If a single guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. However, if there is no suitable match, the single supplement surcharge will apply.

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