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OVERVIEW

ACCOMMODATIONS

ITINERARY

NOTES

This morning we board our flight in Johannesburg bound for Victoria Falls. On arrival in the Falls we will transfer to our light aircraft for the flight through to Hwange National Park. Flying time is approximately one hour south-east.

The Makalolo concession area's large number of waterholes attracts game in both quantity and variety; particularly in the winter months when Hwange is literally home to a Noah's Ark parade of animals as they come down to quench their thirst. Makalolo is one of the best areas for seeing impressive herds of buffalo and elephant as well as apex predators such as lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah. Other general game is very abundant in the Park. Bird life in the area is prolific (400+) and varied, with species frequenting teak woodlands as well as those more typical of the drier Kalahari being present.

On arrival at Hwange we will be met and transferred by vehicle to Little Makalolo Camp. We spend two nights at Little Makalolo acclimatising to local conditions in preparation for your Mana experience.  After settling into camp we will embark on our first game-viewing activity. Our time in Hwange will provide us with a traditional safari experience and the opportunity to experience all the big game. For the most part, activities will be vehicle borne although we will devote some time to rehearsals for the upcoming trek.

Overnights – 2 nights – Little Makalolo Camp – Full board basis including meals, activities, laundry and beverages

After a morning activity and brunch, we depart Hwange by light aircraft for the flight through to Chikwenya on the eastern border of the Mana Pools National Park. Upon landing we will snake out into walking order and commence our trek with approximately an 8 km walk into our first night’s camp.

During the 4 day walking component of the program we will cover approximately 80 kilometres. For the first three nights we will be accommodated in our own private fly camp (a lightweight mobile unit). Our walk route will track inland from the river (see attached). Good numbers of game will be experienced en-route as animals come down to the river for water. It is likely that we will encounter elephant, buffalo and good general game in addition to the possibility of predators.

Our days will commence before first light with breakfast prior to departure. We will set off at dawn and try to cover the bulk of the days distance before the noon heat. Ordinarily, we will walk continuously for the first three hours or so to take advantage of the cool conditions. Thereafter we will walk in shorter bounds. The duration of these bounds will be dictated by the climatic conditions and the group dynamic. On some days, we may continue to walk throughout the morning enabling an arrival in camp in the early afternoon. On others, we will rest during the early afternoon hours and complete the walk once the heat of the day has passed. Again the make up of each day will depend upon the conditions.

Overnights – 3 nights – Fly-Camping – Full board basis including meals, activities and beverages

Tonight will be spent in the wonderful confines of Ruckomechi Camp with the opportunity to relax and recuperate from our walking adventure.

On the middle reaches of the Zambezi River, a hundred kilometres below Lake Kariba is the Mana Pools National Park situated in the heart of the Zambezi Valley. The area is renowned for large numbers of elephant, buffalo, hippo and eland, especially in the winter when they concentrate along the river. Predators such as lion, leopard and wild dog are all found in the area. Birdlife is superb, particularly for both mopane woodland and riverine species with numerous local specials like Collared Palm-Thrush, Racket-tailed Roller, Purple-banded Sunbird and Black-throated Wattle-Eyes.

The camp vegetation is dominated by broad canopied albida trees, much loved by elephants for their rich nutritious pods; these animals often join visitors in camp for a light meal. Activities include wildlife viewing in open 4x4 vehicles, on motorised pontoon boats, on foot, in hides and in canoes.

Overnight – 1 night – Ruckomechi Camp – Full board basis including meals, activities, laundry and beverages

This morning we commence the canoeing component of our adventure. Over the next two days we will meander our way back downstream toward our starting point at Chikwenya.

We will cover just over 30 kilomteres per day. By way of comparison, a normal canoeing adventure in Mana is undertaken over 3 nights and 4 days. We will therefore certainly not be letting the ‘grass grow under our feet’. Canoeing the Zambezi is certainly an adventurous undertaking with numerous encounters in store with ‘mega fauna’. The river is very wide at this point and the view across its vast expanse to the back drop of the Zambezi escarpment on the Zambian side will take your breath away.

Our eighth night of the trip will be spent at our last fly camp celebrating and reflecting on our achievement.

Overnights – 2 nights – Fly-Camping – Full board basis including meals, activities and beverages

This mornng we fly by light air upstream to one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the magnificent Victoria Falls.

David Livingstone was the first European to visit the Falls, and named it after Queen Victoria. To the locals, it is known as “Mosi oa Tunya” – The Smoke that Thunders – an accurate description of what happens when the waters of the Zambezi River plunge over the 1,700 metre wide and 100 metre deep chasm, creating a shower of spray and a deafening noise.

The Zambezi River is the fourth largest in Africa after the Nile, Zaire and Niger respectively. From the source in North Western Zambia, it flows approximately 2,800 km to the mouth in Mozambique and into the warm Indian Ocean. It is a wide, attractive river dotted with islands and sandbanks. The stretch of river preceding the Falls is bordered on the Zimbabwean side by the Zambezi National Park.

On arrival at the Falls we will be transferred by vehicle across the border to the Zambian side and onto Toka Leya Camp.

There are a plethora of activities available at the Falls which are included in the tariff:

•  A walking tour of the Falls
•  A visit to a local village to get an insight into intricacies of African life
•  A shopping excursion into Livingstone itself. The Zambians are great carvers of wood and there will be some incredible carvings on display.

The programme of activities in the Falls has been kept very flexible so that you can pick and choose to suit. For the adrenalin ‘junkies’ one can’t go past a bungey jump on the historic bridge that spans the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, a half or full days rafting is definitely recommended. The Zambezi is famed for its world-class rapids with several class 5 to be negotiated.

Also recommended is a 30 minute “Flight of Angels” via helicopter over the Falls. This is a spectacular flight offering a ‘birds eye’ aerial view of the Zambezi River, the Victoria Falls and the Gorges.

You enjoy 2 nights at the Falls.

Overnights – Toka Leya – 2 nights – Full board basis including meals, activities, laundry and beverages

Today we depart Toka Leya and connect with our flight through to Johannesburg.

END OF ARRANGEMENTS