Animal Kingdom – venturing further NorthEast to the prime of Zimbabwe
Package Overview
South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe’s Best
If you can afford the time, we recommend that you make a three-night stop at one of the destinations on your itinerary. Clients who have done so comment that the extra night at camp allowed them a respite from flying considerations, which otherwise can seem relentless. Every day, they’ve commented, you are either flying or planning for a flight the following day. In this itinerary we give you a 3 day stay in Johannesburg, but you must arrive in the early morning of Day 1 so that in the afternoon you can start your flight preparations. If you arrive a day earlier you can have one day to rest from the long haul flight, perhaps to recover from jet lag. There are many things to do in the Johannesburg area from visiting the Cradle of Humankind to learn about our earliest ancestors to touring SOWETO to hear about South Africa’s struggle through apartheid. All worthwhile tours.
Price for two people sharing is approximately $25,000 per person assuming 1 pilot and 1 non-pilot sharing an aircraft.
Exact quote will be given when booking is placed with us subject to Rand/Dollar exchange rate and lodges chosen.
Price includes: see below under Included
Not included: See below under Excluded
Package Itinerary
Arrive in the AM at Johannesburg International Airport where you will be transferred to the Pivot Hotel next door to the Monte Casino Centre, Fourways, on the outskirts of Johannesburg for 3 nights while completing your pilot validations. We will meet you after your arrival and will commence briefing as soon as you have settled in. We are flexible, however have a lot of work to cover, therefore the sooner we get started, the better. Non pilots can go to all the briefings if they wish.
Check in is at 14H00 only, so if you are arriving early in the morning, and wish to go directly to a room advise us and we will book an extra night for you.
Throughout your time in Johannesburg, optional tours for non-pilots can be arranged with the Hotel concierge Desk to do various activities such as visit the Lesedi Cultural Village, Origins Center, Sterkfontein Caves, Cradle of Humankind, Lion Park, and Botanical Garden.
(Bed & breakfast, transfer)
Instructor’s briefing and handling check ride. You’ll geta chance to focus on some of the differences of flying in Africa. Professionals do all the briefings. You’ll get the lay of the land and a taste of how ATC works (and sounds) in Africa’s busiest airspace.
Completion of Validation exercises if not done, time on your own and a final afternoon briefing. Arrange to settle your hotel bill that evening and for an early breakfast.
Transport yourselves to the departure airport via Uber where we’ll meet you to assist in our Self-Fly Safari departure. Sign out the aircraft, load it, check the fuel, top off the tanks, and take care of all the last-minute details. We can store any excess luggage at our offices as required. Soft duffle type bags are recommended for your safari. Soon, we are on our way!
MALAMALA MAIN CAMP, Sabi Sands, Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa
(Northeast 207nm- direct flight) – Private airstrip, 2 nights, all meals and local drinks, game drives, airstrip transfers.
Your first destination is MalaMala, located in the prime game area of Sabi Sands, South Africa. You’ll fly over the Drakensburg Mountains and descend the Escarpment into the famous Kruger National Park area of rolling woodland bush and grassland savanna. The variety of game is extraordinary. They’re all here: leopard, cheetah, lion, rhino, hippo, elephant, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, warthog, spotted hyena, impala, and more. MalaMala, located along the Sand River, is in South Africa’s prime game viewing area. Rooms are large, thatched chalets. The food is delicious and the service outstanding. The guides who will drive you throughout their traversing area are well informed and you will have extraordinary animal viewing experiences. Game drives take place in the early morning and late afternoon into the evening. During the middle of the day, you can sit by a waterhole, relax by their pool or rest in their lounge area.
MASHATU LODGE, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana
(231nm Northwest then North with 1 fuel and immigration stop) – Limpopo Valley airstrip, 2 nights, all meals, game drives, special airstrip transfers. (Drinks and laundry charges are extra)
Mashatu is situated on the eastern fringes of the Kalahari Desert and water is its most precious resource. Mashatu camp is near water in thickets of vegetation, which locates the visitor in an enclave populated by birds and animals. Mashatu Lodge is an oasis among the undulating and seemingly endless plains of the wild. 14 luxury suites lie along the camp’s perimeter and are designed to allow absolute privacy and a communion with the bush and its inhabitants. Watch elephants splashing at the waterhole, listen to the lyrical melody of the Woodland’s Kingfisher on a branch overhead, smell the grassy scent of the bushveld, touch the bark of an ancient tree, and inhale a breath of air so pure, it’s intoxicating. Meals are a sumptuous celebration of traditional African Cuisine – flavorsome but lacking in ostentation. Fresh fruits, vegetables, home-made breads and pies, succulent meat dishes and delicious desserts will appeal to a guest who appreciates home cooking at its best.
SHINDE – Shinde Lagoon, northern Okavango Delta, Botswana
(383nm Northwest and 1 fuel stop) – Private airstrip, 2 nights, all meals and local drinks, laundry, activities, airstrip transfers.
Nestled on a lush palm island in the heart of the northern Okavango Delta, Shinde is an iconic camp, one of the first in Botswana and loved by many. The new Shinde is built in a way that pays homage to its former self. Located on the edge of the Shinde Lagoon, the area simply teems with animals and birdlife. The camp’s unique main area is built in a “treehouse style” comprising of lounges, dining areas (indoor and outdoor) and a fire deck all with beautiful views over a permanent lagoon and under the shade of Ebony and Mangosteen trees. The new tents and main area provide a luxury experience with a touch of historical charm. Each tent comprises of a large bedroom, en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower. Every possible comfort has been catered for – from full solar electricity, standing and ceiling fans through to yoga mats and hair dryers! Courtesy of its location Shinde can offer both water and land activities year-round. Motorboats or Mokoros provide a chance to experience the incredible bird, plant and reptile species found in the aquatic habitat of the Okavango Delta. Game drives are conducted by a personal guide in comfortable, specially designed game drive vehicles. This blend of environments provides the habitat for a consistently wide variety of wildlife, including the elusive Sitatunga antelope and a healthy population of leopards.
KWANDO LEBALA, Linyanti , just North of Okavango Delta, Botswana.
(405 nm Northwest – with 1 fuel) Private airfield, 2 nights, all meals and local drinks, laundry, activities, transfers.
The Kwando concession is the largest in northern Botswana covering 232,000 ha of unfenced wilderness areas. Day and night game drives. Lebala Camp is surrounded by the Linyanti marshes. The camp itself is comprised of nine custom designed tents, with unique mosquito net walls, allowing an unobstructed flow of cooling breezes and stunning views. Each spacious tent has its own viewing deck, bathroom and luxurious double outside showers. The area surrounding Lagoon and Lebala is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo as well as many antelope species. Predators including lions, leopard cheetah and wild dog are in this area.
https://www.kwando.co.bw/lebala
CHOBE PRINCESS HOUSEBOAT, Chobe River, Namibia
(100 nm east) – Kasane International Airport, 2 nights, all meals, activities, transfers.
A 1 hour flight will take you to Kasane where you will park your aircraft. Catch a taxi transfer to the Chobe River station where you will be collected to be taken to the Namibian Customs and Immigration station on the Caprivi Strip of Namibia to complete formalities for checking into Namibia. Thereafter you will be transferred to the Chobe Princess Houseboat. While drifting down the Chobe River and spotting some incredible wildlife scenes, you’ll be able to completely relax in an intimate river safari experience. Each houseboat have smaller “tender” boats for use on daily excursions that take your fancy. Whatever you choose to do, your day trips will be personal and flexible because you’ll be sharing the tender boats with a small number of guests. Alternatively, simply laze on a deck chair with an ice-cold drink in hand as you soak up the tranquility that surrounds you. Each cabin on board the Chobe Princesses is tastefully decorated in a contemporary style, and each has its own private view onto the ever-changing landscapes beyond. As you lie on your comfortable bed, spot an elephant grazing on the riverbank nearby, or see a fish eagle diving for its prey. On the upper entertainment deck, a spacious lounge and bar area encourages you to take time out. There is also a plunge pool that’s perfect for a refreshing dip. After a day spent doing as you please, fall asleep with the calls of hyena or even a lion drifting through the open doors of your cabin.
VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
(42-75 nm east with 1 fuel & customs stop) – Victoria Falls Airport, 2 nights, Bed & Breakfast, airport transfers.
Now you fly to Victoria Falls to visit and overfly the famous Victoria Falls. You will be staying at the historic, grand Victoria Falls Hotel. The Hotel, popularly known as “the grand old lady of the Falls”, is situated in the Victoria Falls National Park, a world heritage site. The Edwardian-style hotel, built in 1904, was recently refurbished and is set in lush tropical gardens with lily ponds, palm trees and semi-tropical shrubs. The Falls are just a ten-minute walk away. Its opulent Livingstone Room is known for fine dining and dancing. The Stanley Terrace, with its clear view of the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia, is renowned for its cocktails and afternoon teas. All rooms are decorated in the gracious Edwardian style of Zimbabwe’s colonial era.
NOTE: Many extra activities are available at Victoria Falls, such as a sunset cruise, bungee jumping, and canopy tour. See the full list of activities below:
https://www.wildhorizons.co.za/wildhorizons/see-and-do/victoria-falls/
LITTLE MAKALOLO, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
(102nm Southeast) – Private airstrip, 2 nights, all meals and local drinks, laundry, game drives, airstrip transfers.
Your final destination is in Zimbabwe’s massive Hwange National Park. You will land in the south-eastern section of the Hwange Park in the Linkwasha Vlei. It’s a fantasy of airborne Africa: flying low over golden, flat, savanna grasslands, easing down until your wheels touch, and rolling to a gentle stop. This is an area of large herds of elephant and buffalo, spotted hyena, giraffe, sable antelope, lion, and leopard. You will have day and night game drives, a guided walk in the morning (if you wish) and the luxury of game viewing from your tent’s veranda as animals come to drink from a well-situated water hole. Accommodation is in large walk-in tents with ensuite bathrooms.
https://wilderness-safaris.com/our-camps/camps/little-makalolo
Return to Grand Central / Lanseria (Johannesburg)
(approx.500nm Southeast then South Southeast then South Southwest with 2 refueling & immigration stops)
1 Night Bed & Breakfast & airport transfer.
An early start for a long flying day as there will be 2 immigration and refueling stops. On your arrival back in Johannesburg we will assist you with refueling the aircraft, direct you to parking bays, help to off-load the planes and check nothing is left behind. You will be transferred to the Tsogo Sun in Fourways. Call home and tell them you are back in civilization! We will join you for dinner and once completed you can return to your room for a good night’s sleep.
(Bed & breakfast, transfer)
A chance to do last minute shopping and repack your bags. Transfer to OR Tambo International airport for your flight home. Let the stories be told!
Include
All accommodation and meals, except where only Bed and Breakfast is noted. Drinks as noted.
Lodge standard activities and any extra activities as noted.
All road transfers to and from airports/airstrips.
National Park entrance fees, where applicable.
Rental of a Cessna 172 / Cessna 182 or similar for 24 hours on a dry basis (min 2 hours/day).
All aircraft landing, passenger, and approach fees while in Johannesburg.
Excess insurance (hull deductible).
Licence validation fees, Instructor briefings and dual flight time for your validation for 1 Pilot.
A subscription to EasyCockpit flight planning software and with preprogrammed flight legs.
Detailed Flight Itinerary, and Comprehensive TripKit in Pdf and printed form (your bible for your safari).
All flight clearances
Pre-completed Customs and Immigration documentation.
Pre-completed flight plans for your flights (pre-filed where possible).
Flight following using a Satellite Tracker
Ground support for the entire duration of the Safari from our offices in Johannesburg
All Safari briefings
An escort aircraft from African Aero Adventures to assist with flight briefing and formalities en-route.
Exclude
Airfare to South Africa and return
Personal Medical and Travel insurance
Visa and entry/exit fees.
Avgas, oil and aircraft charges and fees en-route (outside Johannesburg).
Curios, tips, laundry, and drinks unless otherwise noted.
Items of a personal nature
Conservation or tourist levy fees charged at some of the lodges (about $3 – $10 per person).
Transportation in and around Johannesburg. We suggest using Uber while you are in Johannesburg.