11 days – 10 nights

Day 1 - Arrival Johannesburg

On arrival & after retrieving your luggage from the baggage claim, proceed to clear South African Immigration & Customs procedures, you will be met by a representative of Sundance Spirit & transferred to the Caesars Emperor Hotel & Casino complex, no more than six minutes down the freeway in Kempton Park.

You are reserved for one night here on a B&B basis at the Emperor Hotel.

Caesars complex has the two different hotels, separated by an interior walkway through the casino lounges & gaming rooms. There are two ´features´ within the complex that we would draw your attention to as well worth visiting.

Firstly, an eerie but very historic room that heralds South Africa’s indigenous peoples struggle for racial equality & exposes the often violent methods that were instilled in progressive white governments’ security forces to enforce the oppressive policies of ´apartheid´. Called ´Ubunye´- which in Zulu means Unity, the exhibition leads viewers down the fascinating trails from fledgling beginnings, to the historic multi-party talks that lead to South Africa’s first ever free democratic elections

Just ask any of the Caesars staff to direct you to this amazing museum exhibit hall.

A hour spent here is a trip down through South Africa’s turbulent racial history & indeed, a sobering & thought provoking reminder of the all too often displays of mans inhumanity towards fellow man.

Secondly, now let’s turn to dining out.

We cannot go without recommending you eat tonight at ´Tribes´ which is located in the food court just off the main casino slot machine lounge.

Tribes restaurant is renowned for beautifully prepared flame grilled or ´braai´ prepared meats, wide choices of fish platters & accompanied by mouth- watering deserts of mammoth proportions.

Dining at ´Tribes´ is a recommendation we do not hesitate to make as we personally have never found the quality of food, the ambiance or the graceful service staff wanting, in any way. You may need to make a reservation in which case, ask for Michael (he’s the owner who is always on station) & we are certain once he knows you are international visitors a table in the forecourt or inside if you prefer, will be found swiftly.

This evening we suggest you separate the luggage you are taking onto Zambia, Victoria Falls & Botswana from that which you will leave here at the Senator (in a secure luggage storage area administered by Concierge at the hotel) which will save time in the morning.

Remember on the light aircraft flights that you will be taking between safari lodges & camps in the coming ten days, you are each restricted to 12kgs of checked luggage to be packed in a soft sports bag & additionally, strictly one only carry on bag.

12kgs in a soft bag is certainly alot, especially when considering the relaxed casual atmosphere & dress code of the safari locations you are heading to.

Day 2 - Johannesburg – Lusaka & Royal Zambezi Lodge

You are going to need to have a wake up call & relatively early breakfast this Christmas morning, as you are required to be at JNB International Airport for check-in to South African Airways flight SA064, which departs at 1130hrs non-stop for Lusaka in Zambia.

Just arrange with the hotel concierge to assemble your luggage & co-ordinate a courtesy shuttle transfer to the International terminal at the airport so you are there by 0945hrs, certainly no latter than 1000hrs.

It is a 2hr.05min flight into another totally different world, & once having cleared Zambian Immigration & Customs you will be met & transferred by light-aircraft to Royal Zambezi Lodge which is located some 0.35min flying time southeast of Lusaka on the banks of the mighty Lower Zambezi River.

Royal Zambezi is a tented lodge situated under a shady canopy of indigenous trees with a maximum capacity of eight twin or double bedded tented units – so 16 guests in all.

Being totally without fencing of any kind, it is unusual not to have animals of all sizes in & around camp. Elephant are frequent visitors, seeking out one of their favourite foods, the succulent pods of the Winterthorn
(Acacia Albida) & Tamarind trees.

Sumptuous meals are served three times a day with hot & cold beverages, refreshments & snacks with bottled waters supplemented while guests are out
on morning or afternoon game drive or water based safari activities. Special picnics, island setting dinners, bush location lunches & other such treats can & are easily catered.

Looking out over the river early morning & again late evening offers some of the most stunning sunrise & sunsets from a truly awesome setting on offer in Africa. It is not uncommon to be serenaded by herds of hippos grunting as neighbouring herds encroach on what they consider is their private space; elephants belly deep munching on reeds & river grasses, or the never ending comings & goings of the waterfowl & African skimmers as they dive in for insects & a drink on the wing.

Set apart & distanced from other tents each guests accommodation unit has large roll up, bug-screen covered window panels, ample storage & wardrobe capacity, a vanity unit, either twin or double beds & a private en-suite bathroom with basin, shower & flush toilet.

Main lodge consists of a thatched dining room with open dining areas for special nights under the stars & a central library gazebo with comfy furnishings ideal for stretching out in , or taking a nap after lunch.

But the pride of place is reserved for the Kigelia bar, a wooden deck that is anchored to the huge girth of a Kigelia Africana tree (commonly referred to as a sausage tree for the long sausage like seed pods it sprouts) on the rivers edge. This makes an ideal spot to take a pair of binoculars, grab a cooling drink & scan the river & horizon for the kaleidoscope of wildlife that is lured here.

Days 3 & 4 - Royal Zambezi Lodge safari activities

The next two full days are for you to undertake the widely varied safari activities that the Lower Zambezi River & National Park have to offer.

The choice is yours to make & along with your appointed professional Ranger, you will design the day activities according to your desires. You may head out in customized 4x4´s into the Lower Zambezi National Park for land based game & bird watching ; opt to go with your Ranger on a guided game walking safari.

Then there are guided canoe trips where you are assured of getting up close to hippo & likely, elephant at river level. Guided walking & canoeing activities offer perspectives & encounters that are adrenalin boosting & make for treasured lifetime memories.

Also at Royal Zambezi the opportunity to try your luck Tiger fishing. The Tiger fish is to Africa, what fresh water Golden Dorado are to Argentina, or Pike are to the rivers & estuaries of the North America.

These are prime condition fierce fighting fish that display extreme courage & voracity once hooked, with leaps out of & dives to the depths of their environment in a bid for freedom.

Landed, a look at the scissor like mouthful of needle-sharp teeth confirms why hooking a Tiger fish is an accomplishment hardened anglers come the world over to the Zambezi to experience. So, it is up to you to take the opportunity & spend an hour or two with your Ranger at Chongwe Falls in an attempt to hook & successfully land a Tiger as to do so is satisfaction personified.

Day 5 - Royal Zambezi – Mwambashi River Lodge

Leaving the Royal Zambezi after breakfast initially in a 4 x 4 on a short game drive, to day’s real fun excursion is by way of your canoeing down the tranquil Zambezi River to Mwambashi River Lodge, accompanied under the care of an expert official guide.

The river here is slow & meanders along giving you the opportunity to take in amazing scenery & most likely, observe animals & birds from a relatively close but safe proximity.

Lunch will be provided en-route & beverages are available (water & soft drinks) to take with you in your canoe. This is an ´easy´ journey on the river & one that can be undertaken after a brief orientation session, by complete novices in the art of canoeing.

On arrival at Mwambashi River Lodge you will be welcomed by the Management, provided a briefing on the Lodge & its surroundings & then shown to your accommodation.

Days 6, 7 & 8 - Mwambashi River Lodge

Mwambashi River Lodge is located deep within the relatively unexplored Lower Zambezi National Park directly opposite Chikwenya Island & on the eastern boundary of Mana Pools. You have four nights here & three full days to explore & soak up this amazing region.

Mwambashi accommodates 16 guests in large comfortable East African style safari tents built on raised wooden platforms. Each unit has an en-suite shower, toilet & hand basin. Accommodation units are tastefully appointed using vibrant ethnic colours & fabrics and yellow wood furnishings. All have private balconies offering superb private views over the Zambezi River.
It is renowned for fine cuisine & excellent service.

Guests enjoy meals including full three-course dinners in a central thatched dining area which leads into a comfortable lounge with a well stocked reference library. All meals are served with choices of beverages: bottled water, soft drinks, local beers & a selection of local wines being included & available on request.

Overlooking the river & adjacent to the main complex is a raised balcony which is ideal for enjoying sundowners or simply relaxing & reading during the heat of the day.

The Lower Zambezi National Park is home to large herds of elephant & buffalo. Prides of lion are common here & plains game which form the major part of the predators diet, is abundant. Both early morning & late afternoon Ranger guided game drives in customized 4 x 4 safari vehicles enable guests to take fullest advantage of these opportunities.

The Lodge also conducts night drives when leopard, hyena, civet & genet are often sighted.

The impressive diversity & Mwambashi's unique location makes it the ultimate safari destination. Mwambashi certainly offers guests the greatest of wildlife viewing opportunities.

As can be expected, the River itself forms a focal point of many of Mwambashi's game activities.

Comfortable pontoons take clients on ´sundowners´ cruises & game viewing trips whilst short canoe safaris are available for the more adventuresome.
Serious naturalists & conservation-minded guests will be interested in the scientific project to study African Wild Dog currently underway at Mwambashi. Although recognised as an endangered species, the area boasts a healthy population of these unique pack predators.

Day 9 - Mwambashi River Lodge – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Departing Royal Zambezi Lodge after the morning safari activities & breakfast, you will first take a light aircraft flight to Lusaka, followed by a commercial flight of approx. 1 hour duration to Livingstone, Zambia’s one time capital city.

On arrival you will be met & from here by road from Livingstone, to the Zambian Victoria Falls National Park for a guided walking tour.

Now you are likely to get wet not quite drowned, but certainly to the point of dripping as the spray which blasts upward & swirls in the vortex of the winds created by the sheer power & plunge of the Zambezi River as it hurls itself 90m into the chasm & Z-shaped canyon that is the Victoria Falls gorge, is legendry.

Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya - (´Smoke that Thunders´) - it is not uncommon for the spray from Victoria Falls to be seen from an approaching aircraft, 20km away

After the guided walking excursion & towelling off, you will pass through Zambian Emigration & proceed to Zimbabwe Immigration & Customs at a border crossing just before the huge rail & road-bridge that spans the Zambezi River & marks the International border.

Once these procedures have been accomplished (& please be prepared to be patient as you are likely to be subject to ´Africa time syndrome – nobody hurries for any reason, besides which it is too hot to hurry anyway) it is a short fifteen minute drive to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.

You are confirmed here for two nights on a B&B basis,

Days 10 - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

This morning we have scheduled a guided walking excursion into the Zimbabwe Victoria Falls National Park. To access the National Park, your guide will arrange to meet you at the hotel & roundtrip transfers by road are provided.

It is a very different perspective to witness the power of Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe walking trails that run close to the precipitous edge of the chasm, than it is from the Zambian side. From the end of the Zimbabwe side, spray permitting, you can look the length of the canyon & watch the main flow of the Zambezi as it plunges through the narrowest of openings.

Here also, with the angle & direction of the sun being different, likely optical illusions & phenomenal rainbows are present, as the spray droplets glisten diamond-like as they hover & swirl in the blustery breezes the force of the water flowing over the falls creates.

Again as with the walk on the Zambian side, you are going to get wet & really the only suggestion we would make that applies here, is wear stout & if possible, waterproof hiking type boots as the tracks are muddy & generally the underfoot conditions, slippery.

There is one golden rule that is to be strictly adhered to & your guide should reiterate:

Under no circumstances leave the walking trails to take a closer look at the edge of the chasm, as it is courting suicide to contemplate doing so.

(a) The upper edges of the chasm are not stable & underfoot conditions are extremely slippery, so to venture off the pathways has the potential to be fatal.

Your guide is an experienced professional & will lead the way taking careful note to check the trail before proceeding. It is your responsibility to adhere to the instructions as they are given for your safety, security & enjoyment of Victoria Falls – truly ranked as one of the eight natural wonders of this world.

There are many & varied adventure activities to be found in & around Victoria Falls & one of the leading adventure companies here is Shearwater. Choices range from elephant-back excursions, bungy-jumping, micro-light & helicopter flights above the Falls – but the ultimate experience has to be white water rafting on what is considered the singularly most exhilarating & challenging stretch of white water in the world where in a short run, 22 grade 4 or better rapids await the enthusiast.

White-water rafting on the Zambezi at Victoria Falls is definitely not an activity for novices as it is most likely that rafters will be tossed from the raft or the raft flip over on more than one occasion on it´s hell-bent rush down the foaming Zambezi. But for those with proven white water rafting experience & the nerve to undertake this daunting stretch of river, rafting here is considered amongst the finest experiences to be found anywhere.

For those with more sedate ideas of a day well spent, consider strolling around the local art & craft markets, located in the centre of the township. Here, glorious examples of exquisite wooden & rock carved figures, animals & birds, plates, bowls & serving dishes can be purchased for a fraction of the prices you´d pay elsewhere. Be prepared to bargain aggressively & barter is an accepted practice with vendors often suggesting that a tee-shirt, shoes or other items of personal apparel could be included as your payment for their artefacts.

Day 11 - Victoria Falls - Johannesburg

Check out of the hotel after breakfast & you will be transferred to Victoria Falls International Airport for your flight to Johannesburg. It is here your services with Sundance Spirit come to a conclusion, unless you would like to include other adventures within South Africa or beyond.

Featured Inclusions :