This is a superb13-day flying safari where one small group of guests travels through the very prime habitats of southern Africa staying in the best camps. One private aircraft departs from Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg and guests have the plane with them all the way through this safari, eliminating the delays and wasted time associated with trying to tie in with scheduled airlines and their timetables. Guests experience the very best camps and areas of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Mana Pools, before returning to Johannesburg. A great pilot / guide will be on board to host guests on their safari – backed up by great local guides at each camp.

Days 1 & 2: Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp

The safari departs early morning from Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg for Keetmanshoop in Namibia (to clear customs and refuel). From there it is a one hour twenty minute flight up to Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp where we spend 2 nights.

Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp is situated 20 km’s from Sesriem, the Park’s entrance to the Sossusvlei dunes. Towering dunes rise dramatically, more than 1000 ft above the surrounding plains. The camp’s location provides access to Sossusvlei, yet also offers privacy and exclusivity. It has been built just below the top of a mountain, using rock, brick, timber and thatch to provide a cool refuge from the desert. There are nine guest units, ensuring personal service and attention. Each unit is superbly appointed and has a panoramic view overlooking the plains below, its own plunge pool as well as an en suite bathroom with hot and cold running water, shower and flush toilet. The main living area (comprising dining room, bar and lounge) is under thatch. Activities centre round early morning excursions in 4x4 vehicles to the magnificent Sossusvlei dunes and the "vlei" itself. Afternoon activities are enjoyed on the property where guests can spend time taking in the desert scenery with its unique fauna and flora.

Days 3 & 4: Ongava Lodge

The morning flight takes guests over the dunes of the Namib and over Sossusvlei itself for an alternative view from the air and then due westwards to Meob Bay on the shores of the southern Skeleton Coast. From here up there is spectacular desert and Skeleton Coast scenery, where the dunes and the desert meet the Atlantic Ocean. The flight up the coast takes guests over the site of the Eduard Bolen shipwreck, past Conception Bay , the wreck of the Shaunee and around Sandwich Harbour and its famous lagoon. We land at Swakopmund airport. The group is then transferred to Walvis Bay harbor by road for a boat trip (weather permitting) which will allow guests the opportunity to view seals, schools of dolphins swimming alongside the boat and sometimes even penguins. Guests may also see turtles, sunfish, as well as a wonderful quantity and variety of birdlife. Following a delicious seafood lunch, the group returns to Walvis Bay Harbour before transferring by road to Swakopmund to enjoy a tour of this charming town. In the afternoon the group departs from Swakopmund for a scenic flight further up the Skeleton Coast, past the Cape Cross Seal Colony, before turning east to fly up the Huab to Ongava Lodge for two nights’ stay. Ongava Game Lodge is situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve. Ongava is the ideal lodge from which to base for the Etosha experience. Accommodation comprises 10 air-conditioned rock and thatch chalets, each with en-suite facilities. Meals are served in the main dining area under thatch with a view over the camp’s water hole. Activities include game drives in semi-open 4x4 vehicles into the Okaukuejo area of Etosha where Lion, Elephant, Cheetah, Gemsbok, Springbok, and Hartebeest can be seen at many of the water holes in the park. In addition, night drives, game-viewing hides and walks with armed guides are enjoyed on the private reserve. Ongava has resident White and Black Rhino, giving guests staying at Ongava the opportunity to see both species. A highlight is the tracking of black or white rhino on foot.

Days 5 & 6: Jao Camp

We depart Ongava for the Okavango, flying the direct rout via Grootfontein and Maun to clear customs and immigration. From Maun the group flies onto the heart of the Okavango and will enjoy the complete contrast from the Namib Desert. Jao Camp is a 16 bedded luxury tented camp situated in a private reserve to the west of the Moremi Game Reserve, within the northern reaches of the Okavango Delta. The camp is located in a remote area on a large island. Across the waterway in front of camp, guests have access to open flood plains and savannah country for a wonderful all round Okavango experience. Each room is under a beautiful canopy of shady trees in superb, twin bedded canvas walled rooms under thatch, with en-suite bathrooms, with an additional outside shower under the stars. The rooms are raised off the ground and offer wonderful views of the surrounding flood plains. A raised walkway connects the rooms to the dining room and lounge area. The activities at Jao include mekoros, boats, day and night game drives and guided walks

Days 7 & 8: Mombo Camp

From Jao, we fly to Mombo for the game viewing highlight of the safari. Mombo Camp is situated on Mombo Island, adjoining the northern tip of Chief’s Island, and are within the Moremi Game Reserve in northern Botswana. The camp offers true exclusivity and privacy in the central Okavango, coupled with abundant big game, arguably the best in Botswana. The highlight here is the concentrations of plains game and all the predators – including the big cats! Leopard sightings are particularly good. Mombo’s new camp is built under the shade of large shady trees and overlooks a wonderful floodplain that teems with game. The camp accommodates 18 guests in nine wonderful and very spacious tented rooms.

The whole camp is raised off the ground. The guest’s rooms and the walkways that connect the rooms to the living areas, are up to 2m off the ground, allowing game to wander freely through the camp – but at the same time allowing for guest safety. The rooms are superbly furnished. All rooms have en-suite facilities under canvas and an additional outdoor shower for those who enjoy a shower under the stars. The dining room, pub and living area overlook the open plain in front of the camp which is usually filled with game. There is a plunge pool for relaxing in the heat of the day. Activities at Mombo include morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 Land Rovers. The game viewing in the area is excellent, and guests could see Lion, Leopard, large herds of Buffalo, Cheetah, Wild Dog, Elephant, Hyena, Giraffe, Wildebeest and Zebra as well as all the plains game. Short midday foot trails may be undertaken if you would like to experience nature in close proximity.

Days 9 & 10: River Club

After a last mornings game drive, the group departs Mombo for Kasane and then onto Livingstone, the small town on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. We overnight at The River Club. The River Club has one of the finest settings for any camp anywhere. It is situated high on the banks of the Zambezi River, 18 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls. The camp has a distinct Victorian flavour, and guests here enjoy the sights and sounds of Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River in a peaceful and tranquil setting away from the crowds. Ten luxury, thatched chalets accommodate a maximum of 20 people. The rooms overlook the Zambezi River, and have en-suite facilities including a bath, shower, toilet and basin. The main dining room, lounge, and pub area also has an interesting library. The Victoria Falls is one of the 7 Wonders of the World and is arguably the greatest waterfall in the world. Daily trips to the Falls are a highlight. Boating to the Zambezi River’s islands provide relaxed afternoon activities, and fishing and sundowner trips are offered. We visit some of the local villagers for a good cultural experience too. The Zambezi National Park is located just across the river, and lion calls can often be heard at night. A rich bird life is found in the area. Hippo are regularly sighted (and heard) along the river’s edge.

Days 11 & 12: Chikwenya

Guests drive across the famous bridge across the Zambezi with great views on to the Victoria Falls themselves. We view the Falls from Zimbabwe side and then visit the craft village before flying onto Mana Pools and possibly the most scenic of all the parks on this safari. Chikwenya Camp is a beautiful 16 bedded camp on the eastern boundary of the Mana Pools National Park. Accommodation is in nine comfortable tented rooms with en-suite facilities. Each room also has an outdoor shower "under the stars" as well as the indoor showers. There is a separate lounge and dining area, and a plunge pool. The focal point at Chikwenya is the magical Zambezi River, its backwaters, and the surrounding flood plains and forests. Chikwenya Island just off-shore, harbours wonderfully diverse wildlife. The area is a photographer’s paradise, as tall albida trees dot the open flood plains, with the mountains of the Rift Valley providing the backdrop. The area is renown for its large numbers of Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo, Crocodile, Leopard, Lion and Eland that concentrate along the river when the inland waterholes dry up. Game viewing is enjoyed in open 4x4 vehicles, on motorised canoes, on foot, in hides, and in canoes.

Day 13: The Safari Ends

After our last game activity in the Mana Pools area, we fly to back to Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg where we land in the afternoon, giving guests enough time to connect onto their international flights – or travel onto places like Cape Town.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
All air transfers between camps within Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia as specified; all accommodation on a shared basis; all meals; daily game and nature activities at safari lodges and camps; all excursions and transfers by vehicle, mokoro and boat as shown; services of our pilot or pilot/guide throughout the itinerary, as well as the lodge guides and staff; park fees; Botswana accommodation taxes and the current Zimbabwe Tourism Levy. All drinks except premium wines and champagnes plus premium spirits and liqueurs.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

All scheduled flights and their departure taxes; all items of a personal nature; all travel insurance; visa and their respective fees; all other drinks; any new Botswana, Zimbabwe or Namibian Government taxes; gratuities to staff; any meals, activities and excursions which are not specified; the Zimbabwe or the Zambian Airport Departure tax of US$20 per person which must be paid in US$ cash on departure. Accommodation and transfers in Johannesburg.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Baggage on air transfers is restricted to 12kg per person in a soft bag (including camera equipment and carry on baggage).
• Laundry can be done at most of the camps.
• It is compulsory for all guests to have comprehensive cancellation, default and baggage insurance
• Our cancellation policy will apply should you fail to join or start your safari due to airline delays or missed connections. Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance for this purpose.