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26 November 2006 On arrival at Cape Town Airport you proceed through passport control to the luggage collection area and then through Customs to the Arrivals Hall. Look out for our representative. They will be holding a name-board with your surname on it.
They will then transfer you from the airport to your hotel (private transfer). This will take approx. 30 minutes depending on traffic. Camps Bay Retreat is set in one of the most beautiful bays in the world, nestled between the mountainous ranges of Lions Head, Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles, overlooking the endless vistas of the mighty Atlantic Ocean.It is within walking distance to Glen beach, Camps Bay beach and Clifton. Your selection of accommodation includes the historical 1929 Earl's Dyke Manor or our more contemporary Deck House.
28 November 2006 Today you are collected by your guide for a private transfer to Cape Town Airport. This transfer will take approx 30 minutes depending on traffic. Late afternoon transfers could take up to 45 minutes and this will be factored into your collection time. Flight to Johannesburg. You guide will inform you of the time that he will collect you.
Remember to store your luggage . Instructions sent already. Flight to Botswana Air Botswana to Maun You are met and transferred by light charter flight from Maun Airport to your Delta lodge. (Luggage allowance is strictly 12kg per person in soft bags.) Camp Moremi is shaded by giant ebony trees and overlooks the Xakanaxa Lagoon, in the heart of what is reputedly Africa's most beautiful reserve - the Moremi. The camp offers a diversity of habitat and animal life, which is unrivalled in Botswana. Here where the Okavango meets up with the vast Kalahari, ancient Mopane forests, open grassland and seasonal floodplains have formed. Trained resident naturalist guides will share their knowledge and deep love of the wilderness with you on game drives where sightings of wild dog, cheetah, leopard, lion, elephants and buffalo are possible. The famous elevated Moremi Tree Lodge is the stunning focal point of this camp and houses the luxurious main lounge, a wildlife reference library, dining room and cocktail bar, all cooled overhead by punkah-punkah fans. The Moremi Wildlife ReserveThe Moremi is protected tribal land, which forms the eastern boundary of the Okavango Delta. It is often described as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Africa. It combines mopane woodland and acacia forests, floodplains and lagoons and this great diversity of plant life attracts the abundance of animal life for which Moremi is so well known. It's particularly is famous for its predators, both of the mammal and feathered variety. Please note that night drives and armed game walks are not permitted here (given it is a National Park) but the superb quality of the game-viewing more than makes up for this. Game activities will be mostly land-based in the Moremi. The area was officially designated as a game reserve in 1965 and now it contains approximately twenty percent of the Okavango Delta within its boundaries. Chief's Island, the largest island in the delta, is located within the Moremi, stretching from the southern Okavango to the permanent waters near Mombo. It is an extension of the mainland and, because it is slightly higher than the general level of the Delta, it never floods. It is home to a vast number of animals who benefit from the Kalahari sandveld habitat with its close proximity to water. The arid interior of the island is covered by mopane woodlands and acacia thorn-scrub interspersed with clay pans. This is where the large resident buffalo herds of the Okavango are often to be found as they prefer to drink from the rain-filled pans and give preference to the sweeter grasses of the sandy areas rather than the coarser grasses of the floodplains. 3
0 November 2006 You are transferred by light charter flight*********you will be informed of this flight time at the lodge….you may or may not receive a voucher for the flight, do not worry if you do not…… from your game lodge in the Okavango Delta to your game lodge in the Savute/Linyanti region. (Luggage allowance is strictly 12kg per person in soft bags.)
On arrival at Lagoon Camp, you are transferred by 4x4 back to the lodge.
Lagoon Camp prides itself on having one of the most beautiful settings in Botswana, on the shady banks of the Kwando River among tall and ancient African Ebony and Marula trees. Each tent looks out over the water and has private en-suite facilities, including open-air showers and flush toilets. There is a pool in which to cool off during the hot months. Morning and night game drives are conducted by our specialist guides and trackers in open safari vehicles. This area is home to huge herds of elephants and buffalo, especially in the dry season. Then large herds of elephant drink almost daily at the river bank in front of the camp, in full view of the guests. The big herds attract big predators - lion, hyena, leopard, cheetah and wild dog. These animals are generally very relaxed in the presence of vehicles, meaning the sightings are usually at close range. Among the great variety of antelope species found at Lagoon Camp, the endangered Sable and Roan are often seen. Playful spotted necked otters are commonly seen performing in the Lagoon right in front of the tents. Boat cruises along the Kwando River provide excellent opportunities for birding and specialist fly fishing and spinner fishing for Tiger fish and Bream is also on offer. Some excellent catches have been made by Kwando guests. Linyanti SwampsThe Linyanti Swamps lie to the west of Chobe National Park, wilder than Chobe and also known for the large elephant herds. Huge African ebony and marula trees, favourite food for elephant, shade the rivers. This is big game country, with predators such as lion, cheetah, wild dog and hyena regularly sighted, as well as herds of impala, lechwe, kudu, zebra, giraffe, sable, roan, waterbuck and buffalo. The landscape is characterized by grassland vistas dotted with palm forest islands - all very picturesque and open. The three good private concessions here - Kwando, Selinda and Linyanti - offer a seasonal home to game migrating from the grasslands to the south, with the permanent water of the Linyanti/Kwando River drawing the animals during the dry season. 02 December 2006
You are transferred by light charter flight from your Linyanti game lodge to Kasane airport. (Luggage allowance is strictly 12kg per person in soft bags.) On arrival at Kasane, you are met by the lodge staff for the short transfer back to the lodge.
Chobe Game Lodge is an established luxury game lodge of attractive Moorish architecture. It has a superb location - the only permanent lodge within the Chobe National Park. The lodge and attractive pool surrounded by gardens overlooks the perennial Chobe river and Caprivi floodplain.
The 46 twin en suite rooms and four suites, with private plunge pools and sun decks, are supremely comfortable and cooled by overhead fans and air-conditioning. A complimentary minibar is provided for your comfort. Other facilities at the lodge include a well-stocked library, discrete business center for guests who need to keep in touch, a stylish bar and restaurant with terrace overlooking the Chobe River. Unsurpassed wildlife opportunities are offers with guided game-viewing either by vehicle, boat or on foot. Game-viewing on the river is by small shallow and highly maneuverable boats piloted by expert boatmen. You can also enjoy canoeing and sunset riverboat cruises.
On arrival at Chobe Game Lodge you usually have time for lunch and relaxation in the heat of the day prior to your first afternoon game drive into the superb Chobe Game Reserve. The pattern for safaris is to take game drives with your ranger in the late afternoon and early morning. This is the time when animals are most likely to be seen.
Your afternoon drive is followed by dinner back at the lodge. During your stay, the evening meal is often enjoyed in an open enclosure or 'boma', around an open fire, which many guests feel is a particularly evocative treat. The following morning you explore Chobe National Park on early morning and afternoon game drives, in search of the large populations of elephants and other wildlife. The mornings start early as this is the best time to spot the night-time animals looking for sustenance. You are guided by a qualified ranger whose sound bush knowledge, practical skills and love of nature promises you some informative, exciting and rewarding wildlife encounters.
The two to three hour drive finishes in time for a late breakfast which will be keenly appreciated after your early morning activity. The middle of the day is similar to the first day with lunch and relaxation around the lodge followed by a late afternoon game drive. You also have the opportunity to go on a sundowner river cruises along the Chobe River. This is very much another form of game viewing as you may see herds of elephant and other game coming down to drink at the river. Game-viewing by motor boat and fishing excursions are also on offer. Clothing and equipment on open vehicle game vehiclesCasual bush clothes are the order of the day at the private game reserves and you are not expected to dress for dinner. Please ensure that you have a lightweight shirt and trousers to cover yourself in summer evenings when there are mosquitoes about. Neutral colours are most suitable. A hat with a brim and sunblock is also essential in Summer. In Winter and Spring, it can be very chilly in the early morning and late evening, no matter how warm it has been during the day - please believe us! Bring a warm jacket for the early starts! It is best to dress in layers of clothing so that you can peel off as the sun comes up. By 9am it could be quite hot again!Binoculars are necessary to really appreciate the animals and good mammal and bird books will aid in identification and will boost your own enjoyment and recollection of your safari. Photography on Safari - For close-up photographs of animals, it is essential to have a 300mm or telephoto lens. However much of our bushveld is characterised by wide open spaces, so a 28mm wide angle lens could also be invaluable, especially if you want to emphasize something in the foreground.
- 100-200 ASA film will be appropriate for most conditions, but some 400 ASA film can be useful for the light conditions at dusk or if you are lucky enough to come across a cheetah in a high speed chase. Make sure you bring some spare batteries, as these may not be readily available and an ultra-violet filter is also useful for reducing glare. A lens hood will prevent light from diffusing an image if you have to shoot towards the sun.
- If you are not a regular photographer, the following tips may be useful:
- The bright sunlight in South Africa means that early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times for photography.
- Avoid static pictures of animals - a giraffe drinking is a much better photo than one just calmly looking at you.
- Think about your background - if you are at a water hole you can select a spot to wait, which gives you a good background and the right light.
- If you don't have a good tele-photo lens, don't be tempted into taking numerous shots of animals in the medium ground. You will end up with lots of photos of green or brown bush! Instead concentrate on taking landscape or scene shots, for example, zebras playing or animals congregated at a water hole.
Chobe National ParkChobe National Park lies in the northeast of Botswana, teeming with animals, in particular with huge herds of elephant and buffalo. The elephant population, estimated to number in excess of 35,000 is the largest single concentration surviving in Africa. Vast endless landscapes, open plains, baobab trees and ancient woodland dominate the panorama. Chobe's animal migrations follow an ancient pattern, only partly understood by man. However, broadly speaking, the game is drawn to the Chobe River during the dry winter season and spreads out to the open grasslands of the Savute marsh and interior pans of the Mababe depression during the wetter summer months. The National Park takes its name from the Chobe River, which forms its northern boundary, and since the first Europeans arrive in the 1850's, it was been a Mecca for the trophy hunters - so its proclamation as a National Park in 1968 was none too late. However now, the Chobe and Linyanti river system is known for some of the best elephant viewing in Africa in the winter months (May to October), with huge herds of up to 500 or more congregating at the end of the dry season. Lion are common, and almost expected, with buffalo, cheetah and an amazing variety of antelope often sighted. The river is alive with crocodile and hippo and marvelous birdlife, including kingfishers and bee-eaters. The mornings start early, as this is the best time to spot the night-time animals looking for sustenance. The two to three hour drive finishes in time for a late breakfast that sets you up for the day. The pattern for the middle of the day is similar to the first day with lunch and relaxation around the lodge followed by a late afternoon game drive. You also have the opportunity to go on sunset river cruises along the Chobe River. This is very much another form of game viewing as you may see game coming down to drink at the river. 03 De
cember 2006 On your final morning in the Chobe area, you enjoy an early morning game drive and a hearty breakfast after which you are transferred back to Kasane in time for your onward arrangements. Our representative, UTC Tours, will collect you at Kasane Airport and transfer you across the Zimbabwean border to the Kingdom Hotel for an overnight stay. Visa charge about $48 pp try to have correct amount on hand. Sundowner Cruise Transfer to the jetty for a cruise along the Upper Zambezi in the late afternoon. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Zambezi River in relaxation, with local wines, beers, soft drinks and snacks served during the trip. This trip often offers a magnificent chance to witness a spectacular African sunset. Cruise back to the jetty for transfer back to the hotel after sunset.
Victoria FallsThe Victoria Falls is a dramatic scenic contrast and a change of pace from the private game reserves. It is a sight not to be missed - the clouds of spray generated by this thunderous descent have resulted in a lush rain forest full of stunning wild flowers. A host of activities are centred on three separate delights: the Falls, the magnificent Zambezi River and the surrounding Zambezi National Park. To gain an overall impression of the Falls, the helicopter 'Flight of Angels' is essential. A microlight ride and bungee jumping are available for the truly daring. The Zambezi River has two characters - the wide gentle river above the Falls is the perfect place for languorous sunset boat cruises or gentle canoeing, whilst below the Falls, the more adventurous can enjoy serious white-water rafting or jet-boating. Game drives and horse riding are offered in the Zambezi National Park to view elephant and buffalo. Visitors can also sample elephant back safaris and take part in their grooming and feeding activities at the Elephant Camp. 04 December 2006 Our representative, will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your onward travel connections. Fly on to Johannesburg, then to the Kruger Mpumalanga Airport On arrival at the Kruger Mpumalanga Airport, you collect your Group C rental car (Nissan Almera 1.8 or similar, with air-conditioning, power-steering, automatic transmission and CD player/radio) and have your own arrangements. 09 Dece
mber 2006 Return to the Kruger Mpumalanga airport and drop your rental car in time for your onward flight arrangements. Flight from Kruger Mpumalanga to Johannesburg Airport. On arrival at Johannesburg Airport you proceed through passport control to the luggage collection area and to the Arrivals Hall. Look out for our representative, Wilro Tours. They will be holding a name-board with your surname on it. They will transfer you from the airport to your hotel. The Sandton Hilton. Dinner has been booked at Moyo’s Restaurant at Melrose Arch for 1930( dinner at your own expense) . Transfers included. Johannesburg'E'Goli', as it is called by the locals - the City of Gold. Johannesburg is the pulsating heart of South Africa's industrial and commercial life where, more than a mile below the bustling city traffic, miners still dig for the world's most precious metal. Ever since a fateful day in 1886 when George Harrison, a humble prospector, stumbled upon an outcrop of gold-bearing rock, the region's economy and life have been driven by the rhythm of the mining industry. The effects are inescapable. Walk down the avenues of downtown Johannesburg and you find streets, building and museums that evoke vivid memories of the days of 'gold fever' and the 'Randlords'. Harrison's discovery sparked off a gold rush never experienced before. Prospectors and fortune-seekers descended on the area in search of instant wealth. Makeshift shelters and tents were pitched all over the once tranquil veld. A massive, sprawling, rough and raucous shantytown sprang up overnight. Within three years Johannesburg was the largest town in South Africa. A rudimentary stock exchange was established. Hotels and canteens, brothels and music halls were erected everywhere to satisfy the needs of the boisterous community. Soon, however, mining began to get more costly as they had to dig deeper. The major mining corporations moved in to take control of the industry and swallow up many of the small individual claims. The Randlords emerged on the scene, and soon dominated it. Men like Cecil John Rhodes, Barney Barnato, JB Robinson, Alfred Beit and Julius Wehrner quickly accumulated fortunes and imposed some order on the unruly mining town. Less than five minutes drive from the bustling downtown lie the quiet, elegant suburbs of Houghton and Parktown where they built their opulent mansions. The city is not known for its natural beauty but there is certainly enough here to interest the visitor for a couple of days from its botanical gardens and lakes, its museums, theatres and art galleries and the numerous excursions to Soweto, Lesedi, Pretoria or the Cradle of Humanity at Sterkfontein. Johannesburg is also known for its world-class design in gold and diamond jewellery, ethnic fashion, and arts and crafts. Security in JohannesburgThe downtown city centre is not for casual sight-seeing. If you do want to visit central Johannesburg, we recommend that you take an organised tour or a private guide. This is also the case with Soweto, which is badly signposted and confusing to the casual visitor. Museums, sights and galleries in the Northern Suburbs- Superb examples of African tribal art is on display downstairs at the Gertrude Posel Gallery at the University of the Witwatersrand and includes valuable examples of vanishing African art forms such as masks, headdresses and beadwork. Campus level, Senate House, Wits University, Jorissen Street. Open Tuesday to Friday 1000 to 1600. Contact them on (011) 716 3632.
- The Museum of South African Rock Art (situated within Johannesburg Zoo) is an open-air exhibition of rock engravings, featuring reproductions of some of South Africa's best rock art paintings created by San people (Bushmen) and other nomadic tribes and which date back several centuries. Also within the Zoo grounds is the South African Military Museum. The Zoo and its museums are open daily 0830 to 1700.
· Sir Herbert Baker was the architect of many of the Randlord's mansions and we recommend a walk or drive through the lofty heights of Parktown perched high on Braamfontein ridge. The English-born architect began in Cape Town and moved to Johannesburg developing a characteristic style seen in the steeply pitched tiled roofs, high brick chimneys, stone walls and small paned windows. Many excellent examples of his work have been restored to their prime. Shopping in JohannesburgWe are often asked about shopping in Johannesburg and indeed there are many excellent shops for African Art, jewellery and African artefacts. Much of the Northern Suburbs' shopping is done at large shopping malls, the three main ones being the exclusive Hyde Park, Sandton City and its close neighbour, Sandton Square. A pleasant alternative to the shopping mall is Rosebank suburb that, in addition to its own mall, has many sidewalk cafes for alfresco dining aside craft stalls selling wirework, ceramic pots, soapstone sculptures and jewellery. Usual hours of trading are 0830 to 1700 Monday to Saturday, and 1000 to 1400 or longer on Sunday in the shopping malls. 10 December 2006 You have time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning. Our representative from Wilro Tours will collect you at 1100 for a full day tour, including the Cradle of Humankind and Lesedi.
A tour will include a walkabout through two of the four homesteads, some traditional song and dance followed by some traditional African dishes before you return to Johannesburg Airport in time for your onward flight.
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