Family Safari of Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe

ITINERARY

• DAY 1

  Welcome to South Luangwa National Park in Zambia

  Connect with a Pro flight that will fly you through to South Luangwa National Park. Very few places in Africa can offer the unique combination of South Luangwa National Park's open, grassy plains and mature, mesmerizing woodlands, crowned with the pristine, impressive Luangwa River. This area's reputation for abundant wildlife and unspoiled vegetation is well earned, so whether driving around or walking through, the intense beauty calls to you from every corner. South Luangwa National Park is the highlight of eastern Zambia. Known to locals as simply 'the South Park,' Founded as the Luangwa Game Park in 1904, and converted to one of three game reserves in 1938. The impressive park covers an area of about 9050 square kilometers of the Luangwa Valley floor and lies anywhere from 500 meters (1640ft) to 800 meters (2630 ft.) above sea level. With its western and northwestern edge bounded by the Muchinga Escarpment and the southern borderline with the meandering Luangwa River, there's no shortage of dramatic and fascinating topography in this stunning game-rich park.

  What's included?

  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 2

  South Luangwa - Enjoy Games Drives

  Game Drives: The game-viewing potential at your lodge and the surrounding area is second-to-none. Game Drives allow guests to explore as much of this prolific region of the Luangwa Valley as possible. Drives are led by our experienced team of guides, setting out at first light, and then again in the late afternoon when the wildlife is at its most active. After sundowners, spotlights are used to pick out a new cast of nocturnal creatures. 2 vehicles will be allocated to the family. 6 people per vehicle so the family will do their drives together.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 3

  South Luangwa - Continue the Game Drive

  The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this national park. The Park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds, and vegetation. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park.
  Renowned as one of Africa’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries, South Luangwa is home to an abundance of game, which frequents the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons, and is also the birthplace of the walking safari.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 4

  Okavango Delta - Welcome to Botswana’s biggest attraction

  Transfer to Mfuwe Airport to depart Head to Livingstone with a quick stop in Lusaka. Arrive Livingstone where our team on the ground will meet you and transfer you to Kasane Airport in Botswana. On the arrival at Kasane Airport, check-in for your private charter through to the Okavango Delta.
  
  Okavango Delta: By far Botswana’s biggest attraction. Approximately 965 kilometers (600 miles) away in the neighboring highlands of Angola, lies the source of the Okavango River. The first rains fall in mid-November and continue until around March when it gets drier with less rain. Streams and rivers follow a south-easterly route through the Caprivi Strip and enter Botswana at the village of Mohembo. Although searching for the sea, ultimately the river fails to reach the ocean as it dries out in the sands of the Kalahari Desert. But during this “migration” the world’s largest inland delta is created making it a “must-see” destination. Activities in the Delta include mokoro (dugout canoe), motorized boat game safaris, day and night vehicle game drives, bird watching, fishing, and nature walks.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 5

  Okavango Delta

  Splash Camp operates game drives using a guide and tracker, this adds to the experience on two levels. You have two sets of eyes searching out the action, looking for tracks –this ensures a good chance of sightings, especially predators. In addition, having the tracker out front, concentrating on tracking, means that the guide is more able to talk to clients, keep them informed and answer all their questions, it leads to a more relaxed, convivial game drive atmosphere. As Splash is in a private concession we have the opportunity to drive off-road in search of sightings and also it means we can drive at night with spotlights. 30% of fascinating mammals are mainly active at night, so this gives us more opportunities to find them. The mokoro trip is the quintessential delta experience.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 6

  Okavango Delta - Guided walking tour

  There is nothing more relaxing than poling along the lagoon and channels with your guide, soaking up the atmosphere, and seeing things from a different perspective.
  
  It is also possible to do guided walks year-round. An area is chosen at the guide's discretion and in keeping with safe distances from large herds of elephants and buffalo. The distance and area for each walk may vary seasonally at the guides’ discretion.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 7

  Okavango Delta - Fishing and Boating

  Fishing is also offered at Splash for 10 months of the year but is prohibited in January and February as this is peak breeding season. Basic equipment is supplied, but avid fly-fishers are advised to bring their equipment. There are double-deck boats available at Splash which is the perfect way to travel along the waterways and have a great view of what is going on at the water’s edge and beyond.
  
  From August/September to January/February, we also offer visits to the nearby heronries currently located in Godikwe and Gcobega lagoons along the main boating channel. The period in which the heronry is active is dependent on the birds' breeding behavior.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Cruise/Boat
• DAY 8

  Nxai Pan National Park - Final activity in Okavango Delta

  Final morning activity before chartering through to your next camp in the Nxai Pan National Park.
  
  Nxai Pan was originally state land and an area of 1676 sq. km was declared a game reserve in 1970. In 1992 the boundaries were extended to include Baines’ Baobabs, and National Park status was granted. The pans were once part of the super lake that covered much of central Botswana, including Lake Ngami and the Okavango Delta. The landscape is largely covered by grassland and dotted with clusters of umbrella acacia trees and mopane woodland to the north. During the rains, from November to late March, the landscape changes to lush green, the pans become covered in succulent grasses which attract large herds of antelope. Birdlife during this period is prolific, many species being different from what one would see in the Delta –it is a birders paradise.
  
  The area is well known for large numbers of springbok and elephants and during the rainy season, zebra migrate to the region. Giraffe and oryx are also often seen in the area in large herds with up to 30 in a group. These large herds attract many predators –lion, cheetah, jackal, spotted and brown hyena, and sometimes the endangered wild dog and the secretive leopard. The desert properties make a perfect contrast to the Okavango Delta and Northern Botswana regions, a great way to start or round off any trip.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 9

  Nxai Pans National Park - Game Drives using a guide and tracker

  Nxai Pans operate game drives using a guide and tracker, this adds to the experience on two levels. You have two sets of eyes searching out the action, looking for tracks – this ensures a good chance of sightings, especially predators. In addition, having the tracker concentrating on tracking means that the guide is more able to talk to clients, keep them informed and answer all their questions, it leads to a more relaxed, convivial game drive atmosphere.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 10

  Baines' Baobabs

  As well as game drives, we offer a day trip to see the famous Baines' Baobabs –they are truly majestic, sentinels standing tall on the edge of the salt pan. As Nxai Pan is within a national park we have to follow their regulations. The area is ecologically sensitive and as such we are not permitted to drive at night or off-road. We do offer nature walks and star gazing here, in addition to the game drives. The nature walks are led by one of the Bushmen trackers. It is a fascinating experience where we take a step towards learning and understanding how it is possible to survive in such a hostile environment –we get a glimpse into the way of life and beliefs of the original inhabitants of the Kalahari desert.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 11

  Chobe National Park

  Final game activity this morning at Nxai Pans before chartering back to Kasane Airport.
  
  On arrival at Kasane, Game lodge will be there to meet you and transfer you through to their lodge.
  
  The Game Lodge is designed as a haven of peace and privacy –where relaxation is effortless and you can enjoy your own space. With six comfortably furnished viewing decks, a riverside boma, two bars, six different lounges, and four dining locations, a comfy chair or lounger is never far away, each with a different perspective on the wilderness that surrounds the lodge. A large swimming pool provides welcome relief during hot afternoons and there is always a waiter on hand to bring you refreshments from the bar. Guests wishing to pamper themselves are welcome to book one of the delightful treatments from our in-house beautician (for which there is an extra charge) or hit the gym for some exercise between the usual lodge activities.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 12

  Chobe National Park - Land or water-based activities and game experience

  Game Lodge offers a choice of land or water-based activities and the most complete game experience in the Chobe National Park. Early-morning and late-afternoon game drives are conducted by our expert guides in open-sided 4×4 vehicles to ensure maximum visibility of Chobe National Park’s spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. Meanwhile, riverside game viewing may be done from small and highly maneuverable boats, perfect for morning or sunset cruises.
  
  Chobe’s diverse wildlife roams in abundance – it is, for instance, home to the largest concentration of elephants in Africa. During the dry season these large herds, as well as vast herds of buffalo, congregate on the fertile flood plains along the Chobe River to drink, bathe and play. There are frequent sightings of lions, African wild dogs, puku, red lechwe, sable, giraffes, and roan antelope.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 13

  Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

  Final morning activity at Game Lodge. After breakfast transfer through to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and check into your final lodge. The perfect location from which to explore Africa’s adventure capital.
  
  Accommodating lodge is a family-run hotel that offers luxury and comfort in the heart of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Nestled in attractive gardens, the well-appointed hotel is a mere eight-minute walk from Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This lodge is ideally located and it is very easy for guests to access all the historical sites, restaurants, and activities available in Victoria Falls. The friendly and attentive staff of this welcoming hotel makes sure that your visit is perfect in every way.
  
  Dinner this evening at the award-winning restaurant. While dining, you can see the spray and hear the sounds of Victoria Falls, locally known as the ‘Smoke That Thunders’, while they enjoy the Al-fresco dining under the starry African skies that the Palm Restaurant offers. Wild animals, such as warthog and impala, often graze on the hotel lawns and entertain guests during mealtime.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 14

  Victoria Falls - Admire one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World

  Morning Schedules Tour of the Falls Zimbabwean Side: No surprise why Victoria Falls is one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. You'll understand it instantly as we tour the Zimbabwean side, for there are numerous spectacular vantage points along the width of the Falls, and the sight of this astounding gift of nature simply takes your breath away. Walkthrough the permanent, beautifully misty rain forest which flanks the Falls, stopping to marvel at the principal sites as it cascades to the depths below the Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls, the Boiling Pot, Cataract Island, and Livingstone Island. We'll stand and watch, feel and listen to the spray and thunderous noise, as millions of liters of water tumble over the falls into a series of narrow gorges below. Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 15

  Victoria Falls - A day at leisure

  After a busy itinerary, a day at leisure. It is nice to sit back and relax at the poolside!

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
• DAY 16

  Departure for the Victoria Falls Airport

  Transfer today through to Victoria Falls International Airport in time to check in for your flight home.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer