Premium Southern Africa in Depth

Welcome to South Africa! Your trip begins in Johannesburg, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Please ensure that you organise the details of your arrival transfer well in advance. You'll meet the rest of your group and leader for a welcome meeting at 6pm, but if you do happen to arrive early, the day is yours to spend at leisure. After your meeting, join your leader and fellow travellers for dinner at your hotel. South Africa enjoys a diverse food scene flavoured by its multicultural influences. This evening you may like to try some boerewors, a spiced South African sausage, or perhaps some springbok carpaccio.

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Set off early for a drive to Kruger National Park, arriving just in time for lunch at Mdluli Safari Lodge, your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights. Developed in partnership with the local Mdluli community, the lodge is in perfect harmony with its wild surroundings. Luxury tents feature first-class amenities, with private en suites, indoor and outdoor showers, air-conditioning and a gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the Kruger bush. Sit back and relax in the cozy lounge of the main lodge and take in spectacular views. In the afternoon, you'll enjoy your first open 4WD safari. Experience close encounters with wild animals in their own habitat, and if you’re lucky, you may see lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards. Retire to your lodge in the evening.

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Rise early and make the journey into the heart of Kruger National Park. Upon entry, you'll find yourself in the perfect position to catch a glimpse of one, or hopefully all, of Africa's iconic animals. Stop at a picnic spot to enjoy your packed breakfast, then proceed with a full-day wildlife safari, stopping off at waterholes and various other points to observe animals in their natural habitats. One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is home to not only members of the Big Five but also 500 bird species, 100 reptile species, and 150 mammal species. The endangered African wild dog, herbivores like hippo, zebra, giraffe and numerous different types of antelope also enjoy the park’s rich mosaic of habitats, including savanna, mixed acacia woodland, rocky hills and mopane woodland. Today's game drive will finish in time for sunset and drinks, served on a kopje at your Feature Stay. Pronounced 'kopee' these large ancient rock formations provide scenic contrasts across Africa's vast landscapes. Take a moment to sit back and take in the sounds and sights of the bush as day turns to night.

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Rise early and depart for Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, where you will say goodbye to South Africa and board a mid-morning flight to Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe. Continue to your lodge accommodation, which serves up stunning views of uninterrupted wilderness and a waterhole frequented by elephant, buffalo, kudu and more. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or spotting wildlife from any of the multiple viewing decks around the lodge. This evening head above the falls onto the Zambezi River and embark on a small and intimate dinner cruise. The specially designed jet-propelled boats allow you to reach the shallow water among the islands directly above Victoria Falls. Two private chefs will prepare dinner with locally sourced fresh ingredients and serve drinks while the captain navigates the islands above the thundering Victoria Falls. Sit back in your comfortable lounge chair as you enjoy a four-course meal while looking out for crocodiles lazing on the banks or elephants and hippos submerging themselves in the river – this is truly an experience to remember.

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Victoria Falls is one of the world's most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world. Plunging over 100 meters into a deep gorge, its raw power and beauty are simply breathtaking. With an expert guide, explore the rich flora, fauna, birdlife, and fascinating history of this World Heritage Site, while capturing incredible photos of "The Smoke that Thunders" along the way. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or take part in the many optional activities available in Victoria Falls.

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Enjoy a leisurely morning before you depart Zimbabwe and make the journey to Chobe National Park in Botswana, crossing the Kazangula border. The afternoon is free to walk in Kasane town (watch out for wandering warthogs!), sit poolside on the edge of the Chobe River and watch the sunset, or perhaps opt for an optional afternoon game drive in Chobe National Park.

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Start the day with a game drive through Chobe National Park, the first designated national park in Botswana. Chobe is known for its huge population of elephants and buffalo and you may well see them drinking at the local watering hole during the drive. Then head back to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards embark on a cruise along the picturesque Chobe River, an ideal location for spotting bird life such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles and beautiful bee-eaters as well as hippos, crocodiles and large families of elephants often seen crossing the river between the boats. You will be joined by other travellers on the boat cruise which has a toilet and small bar to purchase drinks. Enjoy a drink on board and watch the sun set over the river.

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Today you are free to do as you please. Perhaps take the opportunity to wake up early and enjoy an optional dawn 4WD in Chobe National Park, where you may see elephants drinking at the waters' edge, large herds of cape buffaloes and many impalas within the park. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. The second section of your Premium Adventure officially begins tonight with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you'll get to meet your new leader and travel companions. After your meeting, join your group and leader for dinner at the lodge. Enjoy a celebration of indigenous food and the rich flavours of Africa as you dine alongside the scenic Chobe River.

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Rise early for a morning game drive in Chobe National Park. You might see elephants drinking at the water's edge, large herds of cape buffaloes and many impalas within the park. Head back to the lodge for breakfast, then journey to the Ngoma Border Post before continuing to the Namibian side of the Zambezi River. Here you will find your Feature Stay accommodation, the fabulous Zambezi Mubala Lodge. Newly-built, modern, innovative and stylish, Zambezi Mubala is a secret river hideaway where you can find hippo, vervet monkeys and over 450 species of birds. Arrive in time for a hearty lunch at the lodge, then enjoy some downtime to relax by the pool, spot wildlife from the bar or soak up the wild surroundings on the banks of the Zambezi River. Speak to your leader about some fabulous optional activities for the afternoon, including a canoe trip, guided walking trail or a birding drive.

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Today, enjoy a restful morning at leisure to get some extra rest or enjoy your beautiful feature stay. This afternoon, take a cruise down the Zambezi River. The privileged position of your camp allows you to access a part of the river that most visitors don’t get to see, which means you’ll have the special opportunity to view abundant wildlife without the crowds. This region offers a wildlife spotting experience like no other – with a bit of luck, you will see large herds of elephants, buffalo and antelope. Afterward, head back to the lodge to enjoy dinner and refreshments as you watch the changing colours of the spectacular landscape at sunset.

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Heading south, cross the Ngoma border back into Botswana and continue your journey to the vast salt flats and grassy plains of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Located in the north-east of Botswana, the Makgadikgadi Pans are situated in the middle of a dry savanna and are all that remain of the former Lake Makgadikgadi. This afternoon, get to know your surroundings during a 4x4 excursion. The immense, sprawling salt flat will unfold in front of you as you look out for birds and animals, some that are seasonal visitors and some who call the area home year-round. Savour the landscape as you sit out on the pans and enjoy drinks and snacks as the sun sets. Return to the lodge for dinner and relive the highlights of an exciting day.

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Travel to the edge of the Ntwetwe Salt Pans, home to a resident family of meerkats. With the aid of trackers, you'll observe their morning rituals – watch the meerkats bask in the morning sun before heading out for their daily foraging. When you’ve had your fill of watching these magnificent creatures, you’ll stop at a neighbouring lodge for lunch, then continue to Maun – the gateway to the Okavango Delta, one of the world's most complex ecosystems.

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Today, you'll take a traditional mokoro – a dugout canoe steered by friendly local 'polers' – for an Okavango waterways experience. With some luck, you could spot some of the delta's unusual wildlife and exotic birdlife. Spend some time today exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams by mokoro before exploring on foot with a local guide. View plants, trees and animals from a different perspective and observe close-up details often missed on game drives. Your guide will provide expert knowledge and help you gain a deeper understanding of the environment. Lunch will be served on one of the many secluded islands created by the Delta waterways.

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The trip concludes today after breakfast, but this doesn’t mean the adventure has to end. If you’d like to spend more time here, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). Please speak to your booking agent ahead of time. For those interested, there is the opportunity to fly over the delta in a helicopter for a bird's-eye view. This is a great way to appreciate the vast scale of this waterscape. Your leader can give you more information on this activity and how to reserve a place.

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