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We would like to share our wonderful
trip to Southern Africa. It was the trip of a lifetime with many
wonderful experiences and sights. We started out at Victoria Falls,
Zimbabwe. We then drove into Botswana and flew by small plane
to a tented camp in the Okavango Delta. In Botswana we stayed
in two tented camps and a lodge. We began in a very remote location
and slowly made our way back to civilization with each new destination.
We will try to give you a taste of what it was like at each location.
Logistically,
we didn't have any trouble. We had no problem with vouchers, scheduled
pick-ups and drop offs, etc. That all went very smoothly. In Zimbabwe,
the Kingdom Hotel is very nice. We all enjoyed the atmosphere
of the hotel. The setting and location are also great! The best
feature is being able to walk to the Victoria Falls Park. The
African spectacular and the sunset cruise were also both very
nice additions to our time in Vic. Falls. The only thing I recommend
is that you make it very clear to travelers that money is scarce
in Zimbabwe. It is very important for them to know that they need
to bring a lot of dollars or South African rand in SMALL denominations
when traveling there. We were able to do a lot with credit card,
but it is always nice to have small change for incidentals. The
transfer to Botswana was very smooth and the flight to Kwara,
although not exactly smooth (lots of turbulence), :-) was great.
Kwara
is an amazing, fabulous place. We all really loved this place.
The facilities are very nice and comfortable. The way the camp
blends into the environment is beautiful. Everything was very
clean and kept up very well. Kwara has a very intensive safari
experience with very early excursions as well as very late ones.
The game runs are long (up to 5 hours) but they are truly incredible.
The night game drives are one of the things that really make this
place fabulous, as well as it being the only place that went off-road
and actually tracked animals with expert trackers. We really enjoyed
seeing the animals after dark. The daily schedule is molded to
fit the safari schedule. Breakfast was at 10:30 a.m. or so, lunch
was at 4 p.m. and dinner at 10 p.m. That was the only difficult
part for the kids. Otherwise the kids loved it as much as we did.
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The
staff at Kwara are exceptional. The trackers and drivers are human
encyclopedias as well as being very pleasant people to spend a
lot of time with. The staff at the camp were also all very nice
and did a very good job whatever their responsibility was. The
food in Kwara is very good. With advanced notice, they are willing
to accommodate any special diet. We all highly recommend this
location to anyone who wants to go on a truly "wild"
safari. The sundowner boat excursion and the mekoro canoe excursions
at Kwara were also over the top.
Xakanaxa
is also a very lovely camp. It is a lot more relaxed than Kwara
with a later wake up and earlier dinner. We really enjoyed the
atmosphere and location here. Again, the facilities were top notch.
The tents were very nice and the plunge pool, common area and
dining room all had beautiful views of the river. They also offer
motorized river excursions which we really enjoyed. Again, we
saw a wide variety of animals and were very pleased with our experience
at Xakanaxa.
The
transfer from Xakanaxa to Chobe Game Lodge was very nice. We were
on a larger plane (14 or 16 seater). Chobe Game lodge is great.
It is so nice to actually be located within the game reserve.
Most of the other lodges in this area are located outside of the
reserve. It is a very luxurious and enjoyable place to visit.
The "Family Room" was wonderful. Chobe Game lodge also
had the best gift shop in all of the places we visited. The food
in Chobe was very good. Our guide was knowledgeable and the staff
very friendly. The lodge offered several opportunities each day
for game drives and/or boat excursions. Both were very enjoyable
and we saw a wide variety of animals. Of course, the elephants
in Chobe Game reserve are abundant and amazing. We were very satisfied
and pleased with our experience at Chobe Game Lodge. By the way,
the president of Botswana was at the Chobe Game Lodge the entire
time we were. We sat at the table next to him and his family during
each meal! He even wished Emily a happy birthday on her birthday,
and she swam with the President's daughter for about a half hour.
And that wasn't even on the itinerary you sent us!!
We
absolutely loved this trip and are all eager to go back. Thank
you so much for putting together an amazing itinerary. Your choice
of locations was great! We liked the process of starting out very
remote and then slowly working our way back to "civilization." |
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For
detailed information & pictures, please visit their website
ITINERARY:
21 DEC 03 Arrive in Victroria Falls on SA 044
& SA 040 and transfer to the Kingdom. This afternoon enjoy
a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. Overnight at the Kingdom
for 2 nights in 2 family rooms on a bed and breakfast basis
22 DEC 03 This evening watch a performance of local tribal
dancing “The African Spectacular”.
23 DEC 03 Schedule road transfer from the Kingdom
to Kasane Airport. Transfer from Kasane to Kwara Camp by light
aircraft. Overnight at Kwara camp for 3 nights in 4 twin tents
on a full board basis including laundry, activities and alcoholic
and non-alcoholic bevereages.
26 DEC 03 Transfer from Kwara Camp to Xakanaxa
by boat. Overnight at Xakanaxa for 2 nights in 4 twin tents on
a full board basis including laundry, activities, park fees soft
drinks, wine, beer and local brand spirits.
28 DEC 03 Transfer from Xakanaxa Camp to Kasane
by light aircraft. On arrival clients will be met by a representative
from Chobe Game Lodge and transferred to the Lodge. Overnight
at Chobe Game Lodge for 3 nights in 1 family and 2 twin inter-leading
rooms on a full board basis including laundry, activities, park
fees, soft drinks and local beer and wine with meals and whilst
on activities.
31 DEC 03 Transfer from Chobe Game Lodge to the
Victoria Falls Airport for flight SA 041. |
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