19 Day Ultimate African Safari

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, make your way to the airport shuttle bay located just outside the terminal behind the Intercontinental Hotel to take the free shuttle bus to your hotel where after check-in, the rest of the day is at leisure.

This morning you will be met at the hotel and transferred by road to your lodge. Journey time will be approximately 4 ½ hours.

Maqueda Lodge is a small family owned boutique lodge on the outskirts of the park – so close to the world-famous Kruger National Park that guests frequently hear lions and other animals calling. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the African bush, it is not unusual to see giraffe and zebra roaming about the grounds and it is possible to walk unaccompanied to the Kruger fence line where you may see a variety of animals within Kruger come down to the Crocodile River.

In the afternoon, before the sun sets in the African bushveld, your afternoon safari will depart from your lodge into the Kruger National Park. Hopefully you will get to see the great predators like the leopard, cheetah, wild dogs and of course, the mighty lion.

Tonight, enjoy dinner back at your eco lodge.

This morning enjoy a sumptuous breakfast before we head out for a full day game drive through Kruger National Park. Visiting waterholes, and with local guides equipped with all the knowledge and experience of travelling the park, you will enjoy another stunning day in one of the best national parks in the country.

Transfer from your safari lodge to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in time to board your flight to Maun.

On arrival into Maun International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your lodge. Thamalakane River Lodge is located on the banks of the Thamalakane River outside of Maun en route to the famous Okavango Delta. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available at the Lodge.

Tonight at 6pm, meet your fellow travellers and guide in the hotel lobby for a tour briefing and what to expect over the next two weeks.

This morning after breakfast we head to Etsha 13, on the western border of the Okavango Delta. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast, which makes it unique.

After checking into our safari camp, we enjoy an included dinner before a day of adventure tomorrow.

Today is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. We have the opportunity to stop at a secluded island to take an hour guided walk hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck or other animals living in this water filled paradise.

Return to safari camp for another included dinner to reflect on a great day of safari.

After breakfast we head south travelling via Maun to our camp which is situated in a private concession in the Greater Moremi area. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year you may see different species in different areas.

Our accommodation for the next three days to experience Botswana’s finest game viewing areas is an unfenced, mobile bush camp closely located to Moremi Game Reserve. Twelve safari tents under Acacia trees, alongside a homely communal dining area is the perfect way to experience the surrounding wildlife.

Today, another full day on game drives await. On an open 4x4 vehicle we will explore the Greater Moremi area on both morning and afternoon game drives, including a night drive after dinner in which we hopefully see some rare nocturnal animals.

Today we head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve.

Today we travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, leaving the bush behind us. Once a large river fed lake which has now become saline and empty. This area incorporates a multitude of salt pans and vast grass plains dotted by palm islands and forms the Great Makgadikgadi which comprises the largest area of salt pans in the world, covering some 37,000 square km overall. We arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

This morning, we visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary, which offers us the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view over the Sowa pan, which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans. After breakfast, we continue our journey north to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephants found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in optional activities or to relax by the pool.

First up this morning, we enter Chobe National Park itself for a spectacular game drive. After returning to the lodge for a late breakfast, we enjoy a boat cruise on the Chobe River mid afternoon. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds, making for excellent up close photo opportunities.

After breakfast, we depart Botswana and make our way across the border into Zimbabwe and onto our lodge located in a private concession near Hwange National Park, where we will spend the next three nights in this wildlife-rich area. This afternoon you can partake in an optional game drive if time allows.

Over the following two days, we will have plenty of time to explore this vast wilderness on game drives. Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to massive herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffes. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife.

Today we enjoy another day of game drives in Hwange National Park. We will also visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre to witness the work that is done to protect these endangered species. During your stay, you can engage with the anti-poaching unit. Guests will learn what motivates these conservation warriors and can ask them any burning questions.

After breakfast we head back towards Victoria Falls. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available in Victoria Falls.

After breakfast today, you can explore Victoria Falls at leisure, including the town itself which hosts a range of activities from adventure to cultural experiences. This afternoon, we enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight to Johannesburg. After arriving, take the free shuttle bus to your hotel. Your evening will be at leisure.

After breakfast, take the free airport transfer to the airport in time for your flight home.