Africa Explorer: Kruger, Chobe and Okavango

Travel from your hotel to Soweto, which was once the hub of anti-apartheid political campaigns! Located to the southwest of Johannesburg, this sprawling cluster of townships is the biggest urban settlement of indigenous people in Africa. Savor the panoramic view of Soweto from the footbridge of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the largest in the country. You will also learn more about the student uprising of 1976 at the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Orlando West that commemorates the efforts of students and school children. Explore Mandela House Museum, the erstwhile residence of Nelson Mandela, and soak in its incredible historical significance. With its four interconnecting rooms, the museum houses an eclectic collection of photographs, paintings, and memorabilia of the Mandela family. Look over the collection of honorary degrees and doctorates bestowed on the famous leader by universities and institutions across the globe. Catch a glimpse of the mansion that belonged to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as well as the residences of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Walter Sisulu. Later, wrap up your tour and return to your hotel in time for lunch. (Half Day; Time of Day: Morning and Afternoon; Recommended as Morning Activity as the Museum closes at 5 pm; Duration: 4 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness Level: Easy)

Get up close with the wildlife at Mjejane Game Reserve and sprawling Kruger National Park with a choice of game drives. Set off early in the morning with an experienced guide for thrilling encounters of the wild kind! Enjoy breakfast in the bush with the sights and sounds of the wild making for a unique ambiance. Or, you could get off to a slightly late start and explore Mjejane Concession. Listen to your guide’s insights into animal behavior as you drive to vantage viewpoints. Keep an eye out for elephant herds sauntering along while shy antelopes scurry past your vehicle. Look out for glimpses of lions, cheetahs, hippos, and giraffes before you return to the lodge for breakfast. You also have the option of going on afternoon game drives across Mjejane Concession, returning to the lodge in time for dinner. (Shared Activity; Time of Day: Morning/Afternoon; Duration: 2-3 hrs; Fitness level: Easy to Moderate.)

Immerse yourself in the South African wilderness on game drives and bush walks. Morning game drives start around dawn. Fuel up with a cup of coffee and some rusks before heading out with your experienced guide in your open 4×4 vehicle. Explore the bush looking for leopards, elephants, lions, rhinos, and buffalo, which make up Africa’s Big Five. Along the way stop for another cup of coffee in a scenic, open area. Return to the lodge for breakfast. You can go out exploring again in the late afternoon. On the way back from your evening safari drive, stop for a sundowner. For a more intimate experience, sign up for the morning bush walk that takes place after breakfast. Your expert guide will show you the little details that are easy to miss on a game drive, and leave you with a better understanding of the landscape. (Duration: half day; Time of day: morning and afternoon; Shared activity; Fitness level; easy; Please bring sunscreen, hats, binoculars and a camera)

Enjoy a glittering sunset followed by a four-course meal on this Zambezi river cruise. You will be picked up from your hotel in the early evening and transferred to the jetty to board your boat, named ‘The Malachite’. Once on board, you will be welcomed with a refreshing towel and a flute of sparkling wine. Make your way to the top floor for the best views during the sunset portion of the cruise. Settle into plush, cushioned furniture as you help yourself to amuse bouche and snacks. Pair your food with one of the many cocktails on offer while keeping an eye out for resident wildlife such as hippos and elephants. Once the sun has disappeared behind the horizon, sit down to a sumptuous meal prepared by two chefs using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Catch a glimpse of the moon and stars in the clear night sky as you dine. After your meal, return to shore and from there to your hotel. (Duration: half day; Time: 1630 hrs (May – Aug), 1700 hrs (Sept to April); Shared activity & private transfers; Meals: dinner, Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Please bring polarized sunglasses, binoculars, and warm clothing in winter)

Head out and discover the Smoke that Thunders! This tour will take you to all the highlights surrounding Victoria Falls. Stand at the ideal vantage point overlooking the heart of the mighty waters as they gush and roar. Pack your waterproofs because the closer you get, the more likely you are to experience the spray! (Time: Early morning or late afternoon; Duration: 2-3 hrs; Private Activity with private transfers ; Fitness level: Easy)

Savor a delicious lunch at the The Lookout Café, while enjoying a spectacular, panoramic view of the thundering Victoria Falls. Meet your local guide at your hotel before driving down to the town’s iconic eatery. The restaurant and bar is also accessible to differently abled guests. Settle down in the alfresco dining area at the outdoor terrace facing the mighty waterfall and relish the local African and global cuisines served here. Try a freshly grilled Zambezi bream in white wine sauce, served with salad and French fries, or a duet of roast zucchini and mushrooms with halloumi in a puff pastry shell. Finish off with a delectable fresh fruit kebab, drizzled with cinnamon and honey. (Duration: 2-3 hrs, anytime between 1000-1600 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Meals included: Lunch; For special dietary needs, please inform us ahead of tour; Fitness level: Easy; Please dress comfortably).

Get to know Africa’s gentle giants at the Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary, nestled by the Masuwe River near Victoria Falls. Meet your local guide at your Victoria Falls hotel before driving down to the elephant sanctuary. Settle down in a thatched boma, and learn all about the sanctuary and its various activities, including the conservation efforts. Walk out into the bush with elephant guides, picking up insightful information about these majestic creatures. Experience the magic of encountering elephants in their natural habitat. Later, enjoy the refreshments back at the boma, before the drive back to your hotel. (Duration: 2-3 hrs; Shared Activity & Private Transfers; Meals included: Beverages and snacks; Fitness level: Easy; Please wear sunblock, sunhat, sunglasses and comfortable walking shoes).

Experience exciting game drives at the Chobe National Park and relaxed river cruises along the Chobe River during your stay at the Chobe Safari Lodges. Your stay will include two game drives and two boat cruises. The Chobe National Park is part of the mythic Okavango Delta sprawled across northern Botswana. The Park is extremely rich in game and bird species. Expect to spot huge herds of elephants and Cape buffalo, lions, hippos, antelopes and migrating zebras on thrilling game drives! Marvel at the wild beauty of the majestic Chobe River on leisurely boat safaris. Watch large elephant herds bathing, drinking, and cavorting by the riverbank, as you peacefully glide over the tranquil waters. Expect to see huge buffalo herds drinking by the river as well as groups of hippos and crocs. The Chobe River is a paradise for bird lovers too, with the opportunity to spot numerous exotic species. (Duration: 3 hrs, Time of Day: Early Morning and Afternoon for Game Drives, Afternoon for Boat Cruise; Fitness Level: Easy; Please bring sunglasses, hats, binoculars and don’t forget your cameras).

Experience exciting game drives, get a glimpse of African every day life and feel awed by the beauty of Africa on wonderful boat safaris on the majestic Chobe River. Marvel at the beautiful afternoon light and the reflection of the sun as you peacefully glide over the river while enjoying your favorite drink and observing hundreds of elephants along the shores of the river – bathing, drinking, playing and cajoling. This is one of the most memorable safari experiences you will ever have!

Enjoy an incredibly diverse safari experience! Explore the Okavango Delta on exciting game drives in the early morning when the animals are very active and in the late afternoon when the sun paints incredible colors on the horizon. You can also enjoy wonderful bush walks with an experienced guide to stretch your legs and discover the small wonders of nature. A mokoro excursion will take you along the channels and lagoons of the Delta to view game from another perspective and to experience this tranquil mode of transport.

Karangoma’s location overlapping both the floodplains of the Okavango Delta, as well as the woodlands of the sandveld to the north means a full range of game viewing and other activities are possible. The mainstay is game drives in open 4×4 vehicles that allow us watch Africa’s charismatic large mammals such as elephant and lion from close proximity both safely and comfortably whether during the day or after dark. Equally we love being on foot, following animal tracks, or simply exploring the area and taking opportunistic cooling dips in the water of the Okavango. Those same waters (depending on the time of year) also allow us to boat or to silently traverse shallower water in mekoros (traditional ‘canoes’) in search of species like red lechwe or wetland birds like the malachite kingfisher.