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South Africa |
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South Africa |
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Visit South Africa
Visit Southern Africa is a cooperative program between South African Airways, Lion World Tours, and African Travel, Inc. With each company individually having extensive experience in the African Travel business, we have come together to form one of the strongest alliances in the industry. Our collective experience in travel to Southern Africa creates a level of comfort among our clients that is unique. Our clients feel that their trip is booked through an organization that enhances their experience through knowledge, amazingly low rates, and best of all, our signature customer service. Countries Overview BOTSWANA has dedicated a large proportion of its land to wildlife parks and reserves, making the country an essential destination for the safari enthusiast. Four diverse ecosystems allow the safari-goer to maximize the wildlife experience and ensure sightings of the Big Five. Chobe, the Moremi Reserve, the Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi Pan are the prime safari areas offering day and night game drives, boating and walking activities. With over 1,550 miles of coastline that stretches along the Indian Ocean from South Africa all the way up to Tanzania, MOZAMBIQUE is the new up-and-coming beach destination, offering both deep-sea and salt-water fly fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and other aquatic adventures. Mozambique has also become very popular for honeymooners who want to combine a safari experience with a beach destination. Mozambique's romantic charm is the ideal destination to end a safari and refresh one's spirits before returning home. NAMIBIA lies on the southwest African seaboard and has over 1,000 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline. In addition to the legendary towering sand dunes at Sossusvlei, the game viewing in Etosha National Park allows you the chance to glimpse numerous species simultaneously clustered around the waterholes. The remains of shipwrecks scattered along the Skeleton Coast bear witness to many ships that have come to grief along these desolate shores. SOUTH AFRICA provides a wealth of unforgettable experiences from white-sand beaches stretching to the horizon, mountain ranges, national parks, an incredible variety of wildlife, lush green golf courses, historic sites, heart-pounding fusion and beat music in top night clubs, and culinary delights with award-winning wines from South Africa's world-renowned wine country region. Each of the country's nine provinces is an adventure in itself. Taking its name from the Zambezi River, ZAMBIA is often referred to as the "gem of Africa." It is a destination for the more active wildlife aficionado, with unique activities centering around walking and canoeing, in addition to traditional game drives. The expansive wildlife reserves and parks are teeming with animals, and visitors are often left with the feeling of having the whole country to themselves. Sample Itineraries A Taste of Southern Africa12 days, from $5,699; 9B, 4L, 2D
On Day 5, a scenic drive takes you to the winelands area of Franschhoek and a stay at the elegant Le Quartier Francais. Dine in fine style on a melange of French, Malay and traditional South African dishes, and spend the night in a room with a spectacular view. Perhaps the grandest highlight of the trip is Day 6 at Nederburg Wine Estate in Paarl for an "Incredible Journey of Tastes." Lunch is a three-course meal hosted by Katinka Van Niekerk, advisor to many of South Africa's most celebrated chefs. The relaxed, informal presentation uses the technique of show-and-taste. The menu matches up six wines with a selection of dishes. Guests decide on the spot what works, what doesn't and why, in a fascinating deconstruction of flavors. For "dessert" there's a stop at Huguenot Fine Chocolates to watch delicious handcrafted Belgian chocolates being made and be invited to sample the goods. Rounding out the itinerary is a two-night stay at the elegant, malaria-free Mateya Safari Lodge with excellent game viewing in the Madikwe Private Game Reserve. Botswana Platinum Tour12 days, from $7,199; 9B, 8L, 8D
Following an overnight at the majestic Michelangelo Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, you'll fly to Botswana's acclaimed Mombo Camp, situated within the Moremi Game Reserve. The camp offers, arguably, the best wildlife viewing in Botswana year round. (Lion sightings are particularly good there.) Its spacious and well appointed tents are truly luxurious. Imagine a suite in a five-star hotel with canvas instead of brick walls. Everything is set up to six feet off the ground, allowing animals to wander freely through and under the camp while allowing for guest safety. (Alternatively, Vumbura Plains Camp is a great camp with excellent game viewing and comparable accommodations situated in a private concession bordering Moremi.) Next, it's two days at Kings Pool Camp for game drives and guided walks in a private reserve. Most noted for the hippos in the river right outside the camp, there are also regular sightings of impala, lechwe, kudu, zebra, giraffe, sable, waterbuck and buffalo, as well as major predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. Then it's on to Chobe Chilwero bordering Chobe National Park. Guests stay in five-star luxury thatched cottages, each with en-suite bathroom and a private outdoor shower. Activities revolve around game drives with professional guides in open 4x4 vehicles in the Chobe National Park, as well as boat trips on the Chobe River. Elephants and hippos are plentiful in this area. Round out your trip with a stay at the Stanley & Livingstone
Hotel, situated on a 6,000-acre private estate just 10 minutes from
Victoria Falls. There is a transfer service for guests who want to visit
the Falls and the hotel offers game drives on the private estate. Experience Zambia on Foot11 days, from $4,799; 8B, 5L, 5D For anyone who has already enjoyed an African drive safari experience and is looking for something new and more exciting, this is the ultimate adventure. This itinerary is designed to appeal to anyone who fancies themself as a rugged individualist who wants to get up close and personal with nature. As the name implies, "Experience Zambia on Foot" is a walking safari, so you must be physically fit to participate. After a night in Johannesburg, it's off to Zambia for a guided walking tour of the African Tribal Village and Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world, 420 feet deep and more than a mile across. Then you can rest your feet as you enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi while observing elephants and other resident game. You will then spend a few days at Mfuwe Lodge to encounter the freedom and spirit of the real Africa. The Lodge allows the visitor a special glimpse of Africa's untouched, unspoiled and unforgettable vistas. You can view the rich wildlife from your own wide deck. Game activity at the lagoon continues day and night as breeding herds in abundance come to quench their thirst. Next, you will be transferred to and stay for three nights at one or two Bushcamps, inside South Luangwa National Park where you will do walking safaris. Accommodations are generally rustic but very comfortable, and all
have en-suite bathroom facilities. Big game action happens on your
doorstep. It is a wonderful walking area and activities are tailored to
the client's needs. The Magic of Mozambique13 days, from $5,999; 10B, 6L, 6D
A safari at Sabi Sabi is a truly unique African experience. Guided by an experienced game ranger and skilled, accredited Shaman tracker, you'll spot a myriad of wild animals including, but not limited to, the Big 5: leopard, lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo. For the more adventurous, your own armed and knowledgeable ranger and tracker will take you into the bush on foot. Highlighting the second half of the trip are two nights each at Matemo Island Resort and Medjumbe Island Resort in the pristine Quirimbas Island Archipelago. Matemo offers a full range of water sports and island activities including diving, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving and sunset cruises. It is also an ideal vantage point from which to explore the rich cultural history and diversity of nearby islands. Medjumbe offers private beaches and countless coves to be discovered.
In addition to serving as an ideal honeymoon location, game fishing in
the waters surrounding Medjumbe Island may yield kingfish, barracuda,
dorado, queenfish, serra, wahoo, yellowfin tuna and sailfish. Classic Southern Africa12 days, from $4,195; 7B, 1L, 3D
This segment begins with a delightful stay at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, a deluxe accommodation with a distinctly African ambience, followed by a sunset cruise (with cash bar) on the Zambezi River. Dr. Livingstone first wrote about this "Crimson Heart of Africa bleeding over the Kandahar Rapids," and sunset on the Zambezi has captivated travelers since. The next day you will visit the Victoria Falls Craft Village, which depicts scenes of traditional African life and is a curio hunter's paradise (feel free to negotiate prices, it is expected). Then your guide will lead you through the rain forest to vantage points from which best to appreciate the five main cataracts that comprise the Falls. The day concludes with a culinary journey at "The Boma," a unique cultural experience that bombards the senses with the tastes, sights, sounds and smells of Africa, complemented by the warm hospitality of the people of Zimbabwe. After dinner, the restaurant's very own sangoma, a traditional storyteller, talks about his country's folklore, culture and heritage. The next three nights will be spent at Zimbabwe's Somalisa Camp in the heart of Hwange National Park. Somalisa is an authentic bush camp, a blend of old African charm and elegance together with an exclusive safari experience and breathtaking views of the savannah plains. Two full days are devoted to game viewing at Hwange, one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife; teeming with vast herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra, as well as a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species, along with a very large and diverse population of birdlife. For your last three nights you'll stay at Cape Town's classic Mount
Nelson Hotel, an experience in itself, steeped in history and tradition.
First opened around the turn of the last century, the hotel is an
integral part of South Africa's heritage, and has been restored to its
original elegance and magnificence.
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