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Day 1-3 Little Makalolo Camp, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe – 3nights fully inclusive
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, with over 100 recorded species. This is greatly due to the varied habitats and vegetation types. Big game such as elephant, buffalo, sable, roan, southern giraffe, zebra and blue wildebeest are the most common mammals. The Park’s waterholes and seasonal pans attracts game in both quantity and variety – notably in the dry season. The high occurrence of plains game also results in some first-class predator
sightings such as lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah, spotted hyaena, along with the smaller African wildcat, serval, honey badger, bat-eared fox and civet. The park is also home to a varied bird community of over 420 recorded species. Kalahari-type birds include Red-billed Spurfowl, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Kalahari Scrub-Robin, Cut-throat Finch, Red-eyed Bulbul and Southern Pied Babbler. In the summer months, migratory species like Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Abdims Stork and various cuckoo species arrive.
Little Makalolois located in the south-eastern corner of the Park – an exclusive concession area of about 500km2. 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 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 hide overlooking the waterhole in front of camp afford guests a very unique game viewing experience. Morning, afternoon-into-evening game drives together with guided walks through the concession maximize wildlife-viewing opportunities here
*In the event that Little Makalolo is at full confirmed occupancy, guests will be accommodated at Davison’s Camp as an alternative on this discounted package rate.
Day 4-6 Ruckomechi Camp, Mana Pools, Zimbabwe – 3nights fully inclusive
Fly from Little Makalolo to Mana West Airstrip and transfer onto Ruckomechi Camp, this camp is idyllically located, overlooking the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park and the imposing Great African Rift Valley. Comprising 14,6002 km (5,600 sq. miles) this park is located in the heart of the Zambezi Valley and is famed for the rich and varied mammal life.
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 maximise 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 completes the camp offerings. There is a separate deck with infinity pool for swimming and sun bathing, and an inviting, cushion-strewn sundowner and star gazing deck. Activities include early morning walks with an experienced guide, morning and afternoon game drives, night drives, canoeing and catch-and-release fishing. The camp vegetation is dominated by broad canopied albida trees, much loved by elephants for their rich nutritious pods; these animals often join visitors in camp for a light meal! The area is renowned for large numbers of elephant, buffalo, hippo and eland, especially in the winter when they concentrate along the river. Predators such as lion, leopard and wild dog are all found in the area. Birdlife is superb, particularly for both mopane woodland and riverine species with numerous local specials like Collared Palm-Thrush, Racket-tailed Roller, Purple-banded Sunbird and Black-throated Wattle-Eyes.
Days 7-9 Busanga Bush Camp, Busanga Plains, Northern Kafue – 3nights fully inclusive
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 22,500km2 (8 600 sq. miles), Kafue National Park is one of the largest protected expanses in all Africa. The Busanga Plains is one of Zambia’s most important wetland and grassland resources and is untouched by development and human activity – the wildlife and wilderness jewel in the Kafue crown The Plains are home to hundreds of red lechwe, ubiquitous puku, stately roan and the diminutive oribi. Lichtenstein's hartebeest, herds of wildebeest, zebra and buffalo make for a full set of antelope. This wealth of game on the plains is also a big attraction for predators, including wild dog, cheetah and prides of lion. For those interested in birding, the park boasts 491 species, including endemics such as Chaplin's Barbet. Even for non bird fanatics, large flocks of pelicans, circling flocks of the large black open-billed stork, crowned cranes and wattled crane in the plains at certain times of the year are sure to impress and provide a spectacle well worthy of fond memories.
Busanga Bush Camplies in the north-western section of the Busanga and is about as 'wild' as you can get in today's world: an unfenced mosaic of expansive grassy seasonal floodplains and "dambos" (open grassy areas that sometimes will fill up with rainwater). This camp is perfectly situated for some of the best lion viewing in Africa. It caters for 8 guests in 4 well-appointed rooms built of reed and canvas with wall-to-wall views of the spectacular wildlife that frequents the plain in front of the camp. Activities include morning and afternoon into evening drives, led by qualified guides. Optional activiites include hot air ballooning (August to October)
Day 10 Toka Leya Camp, Livingstone, Zambia – 1night fully inclusive
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
Overlooking the mighty Zambezi River and some of its islands is Toka Leya Camp, consisting of 12 spacious en-suite safari-style tents. Wooden walkways snake between the units and main area, limiting our footprint on this pristine area. Tent interiors have cool wooden flooring, tasteful, uncluttered African décor in earthy hues, climate-control for a cool summer sanctuary, expansive wooden deck from which to soak up the views of the Zambezi River, often to the sights and sounds of birds, elephant and grunting pods of hippo.The islands in front of camp are intriguing and form part of the braided channel of the Zambezi River with several rapids, a main channel and dense vegetation. The eastern side and main area of camp is under a shady canopy of jackalberry, knobthorn and waterberry trees. The western side is in a more open setting - an ancient baobab tree is the focal point and panoramic Zambezi vistas. Family units are positioned to offer quiet seclusion. The camp's dining, lounge and bar areas offer ample space for relaxation and are complemented by an infinity pool, with meals served on the sundeck, the pool deck and dining room all overlooking the Zambezi. The novel pizza oven is a great hit with our younger visitors! A curio shop exhibits a fine selection of local crafts.
Activities (on fully inclusive rate) at Toka Leya Camp include a tour of the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side, game drives within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, river cruises, fishing excursions and guided nature walks. Tours of Livingstone town and museum and visits to Mkuni Market and a local village are all outstanding ways of learning about the people and culture of this part of Zambia. Other activities on offer in the area at an additional charge include sunset cruises, helicopter flights, micro-lighting, canoeing, jet boating, and white water rafting.
Game drives into the Mosi-oa-Tunya Park offer sightings of general game species such as buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and impala. White rhino have been reintroduced into the park and the occasional predator is also seen. There is rich birdlife here too, including several sought-after species such as African Finfoot, Half-collared Kingfisher, African Skimmer (seasonal), Schalow's Turaco and Rock Pratincole (seasonal). Good birding can be enjoyed within the confines of Toka Leya Camp itself, on boat cruises and out on game drives.
The Zambezi River offers some fishing opportunities and tiger fishing is an unforgettable challenge for keen fishermen, particularly during the warmer months (October - December). There are several varieties of bream (Tilapia) which are a good catch
Please Note: Toka Leya Camp can be substituted with The River Club at no additional cost.
Safari Tip: Due to the range and variety of activities, we recommend additional nights at this camp.
Day 11 Departure
After a relaxing start to the day (or morning activity), transfer by road to Livingstone Airport for onward connection
2012 Rates (Valid June to 30 November 2012)
8Day Safari price per person based on 2 people/twin share US$7470
Single supplement US$1575
Child rate US$5445
Trips run June - November 2012
Departure days Thursday, Friday & Sunday
This safari can start or end with 2 nights in Livingstone, depending on client’s preference.
Price includes departs Victoria Falls Airport and ends at Livingstone International Airport, featuring 3 nights at Little Makalolo in Hwange, 3 nights at Ruckomechi in Mana Pools, 3 nights at Busanga Bush in the Kafue and 1 night at Toka Leya in Livingstone.transfers between camps; vat; tourism levy; fully inclusive basis – includes meals, standard drinks; standard activities and accommodation; vat;
Price excludes:personal travel insurance; additional flights flights; tips/gratuities; premium drinks; laundry; items of a personal nature; curios; telephone calls; medication; flight departure taxes - currently US$25 per person payable on departure for international flights and US$8 per person payable on departure for internal flights; visa fees; optional extra activities and pre/post safari accommodation/tours etc |