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DAY 1: ARRIVE CAPE TOWN Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation for a four-night stay. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Cape Town has a wide range of restaurants featuring the best of the region's wine and cuisine. DAY 2: CAPE TOWN TOUR Today, head into Cape Town for a tour of this bustling city, spectacularly situated at the foot of Table Mountain. Cape Town occupied a key location on the trade routes between Europe and Asia; as a result, a wide range of cultures has influenced the culture, architecture, and cuisine of the city. A trip to the top of Table Mountain is a splendid highlight on a clear day: the mountain is part of a nature reserve, and boasts a wide range of plants and animals unique to the surrounding area. After Table Mountain, tour Cape Town's museums, browse at Green Market Square, and stroll past the curio sellers that line the pavements with their wares. Make sure to visit the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where you can explore the many shops, cafés, markets, and bars or take a short cruise on one of the boats waiting at the quays. For those wishing to simply relax, Cape Town's beaches offer the perfect opportunity. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. (B) DAY 3: CAPE WINELANDS TOUR Depart after breakfast for a full day exploration of the charming Winelands area and the towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The region is increasingly popular among visitors and locals alike, who are drawn to the superb Colonial architecture and lovely scenery. The wine routes are clearly marked and attractive wine estates, set in rolling vineyards, are open for cellar tours and tastings. The area is also increasingly known for its fine restaurants, which attract Cape Town's finest for Sunday lunch and evenings of fine food and wine. Franschhoek is also known for its late Victorian architecture and has earned a reputation as the culinary capital of the region. (B) DAY 4: CAPE POINT TOUR This morning, head out on a tour of Cape Point, a scenic trip with many charming villages en route. Head to the sea and follow the coastal road through Muizenberg (with its long stretch of sandy beach), through Simon's Town and on to Boulders Beach, home to the Jackass penguins. Keep your eyes peeled for baboons on or beside the road until you reach the Cape Peninsula National Park! Cape Point lies within the park and is traditionally considered the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. This wild and scenic area is spectacular, boasting a unique array of over 2000 plants that flourish nowhere else in the world. Ostriches, antelopes, and tortoises live in the nature preserve. Cape Point is also known as the Cape of Storms -- many ships have met their end in the tumultuous waters and crashing waves. Before heading home, make a stop at Hout Bay Harbour and take a quick boat trip out to Seal Island. Return to your hotel later this afternoon. (B) DAY 5: CAPE TOWN - MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARK Transfer to the airport for your flight to Maun, Botswana, via Johannesburg and Gaborone. Upon arrival in Maun you will travel to Jack's Camp, situated amid golden grasslands overlooking the Makgadikgadi National Park in the Kalahari Desert. The pans were once a vast lake. The area is superb for wildlife viewing: in the wet season, the camp offers a superb opportunity to witness Southern Africa's last migration of zebra. In the dry season, rare desert species can be seen. An afternoon game drive introduces you to the unique geology and history of the area. Spend three nights here. (B,L,D) DAY 6: MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARK A full day will be spent exploring the park. Your guide will tell you about the evolution of mammals, predator and prey relationships, species interaction, and the origins of hunting and water sourcing. (B,L,D) DAY 7: MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARK People have inhabited this harsh environment for thousands of years and today you will learn about the human history of the region. Your guide will teach you about the identification and making of stone tools, and how these tools were used in daily survival and ambush hunting. Crystal clear skies offer some of the best stargazing in the world. This evening, learn about navigation by the stars, astronomy, and learn to identify major southern constellations. (B,L,D) DAY 8: MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARK - OKAVANGO DELTA Fly back to Maun, where you will connect with your flight to the Okavanga Delta, a world away from the arid expanse of the Pans. Papyrus and palms flourish amid the lagoons that weave along before petering out in the stark Kalahari. You have a wide choice of accommodation for your three nights here. All of our preferred lodges are beautifully situated for wildlife viewing from the comfort of your temporary home. At Sandibe, you can experience the ever-changing miracle of the Okavango Delta on your doorstep. Sandibe Safari Lodge is set within a 270 square kilometer private concession bordering Moremi Game Reserve in one of the most beautiful parts of the Delta. Located near the Santantadibe Channel, the lodge nestles between permanent water and grass-swept plains, where herds of elephant, buffalo, and topi (tsessebe) wander amid vigilant predators. You may also choose to stay at Gubanare, Rann's Camp or Nxabega. (B,L,D) DAY 9 & 10: OKAVANGO DELTA Spend these days leisurely exploring the Delta. Your guide will point out to you the many unique plant, animal, and bird species of this rich terrain. Drifting through the water in a mokoro (a traditional dug-out canoe) offers the chance to experience the teeming Delta up close. You may also wish to arrange an interpretive walk, where the local guides will share their impressive knowledge as you explore the region on foot. (B,L,D) DAY 11: OKAVANGO DELTA - CHOBE NATIONAL PARK After breakfast, travel to Chobe National Park for a two night stay. Transfer to your lodge for a two-night stay. Chobe is a raw land that teems with game. The most popular regions of the park are the riverfront and the Mababe Depression, popularly known as Savuti. The river attracts staggering numbers of wildlife during the dry season -- the sight of hundreds of elephants frolicking along the riverbank is an unforgettable highlight of a visit to Botswana. (B,L,D) DAY 12: CHOBE NATIONAL PARK Spend a full day enjoying the various activities available at the park. The river's flood plains are covered with a wide range of vegetation: classic bush, open grassland, and riverine forest. It is this diversity that makes the park ideal for game viewing: waterbuck, antelopes, eland, rhino, giraffe, kudu, and more can be seen. Birdlife includes herons, storks, jacanas and carmine bee-eaters. The endangered red lechwe is also found in Chobe. (B,L,D) DAY 13: CHOBE NATIONAL PARK - VICTORIA FALLS This morning, enjoy a visit to the Falls. Originally known to locals as Mosa oa Tunya ("The Smoke that Thunders"), Victoria Falls is one of the most magnificent sights in the world and has become the heart of adventure travel in Africa. You may wish to arrange canoeing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, horseback safaris, or bungee jumping. Whether you choose to take advantage of these adventure opportunities or just wish to absorb the natural beauty, a visit to the Falls is a highlight of travel in southern Africa. In the late afternoon, enjoy a delightful riverboat cruise on the Zambezi with cocktails and canapés. (B) DAY 14: VICTORIA FALLS Spend the day continuing your exploration of the Victoria Falls area. Spend your leisure time browsing the craft markets, relaxing at your hotel beside the pool, or just enjoying the view of the falls. (B) DAY 15: DEPART Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B) |