Activities Included

The majority of international arrivals to OR Tambo are late in the evening, so upon arrival you will be greeted by your driver and transported to our accommodation at Lesedi Cultural Village so you have the evening to relax and prepare for our exciting expedition. Accommodation: Traditional Tribal Rooms

Activities Included

Lesedi Cultural Village is a World Heritage Site in the heart of the African bushveld and the Cradle of Humankind. Following lunch, at 14:00, Carla of Blue Sky Trust, will hold a welcome briefing before heading out to visit five traditional homesteads of the Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele tribes. We’ll discover the fascinating culture, tribal folklore, and traditions of their ancestors in the Lesedi village, and enjoy traditional singing and dancing in the Boma as the sun sets. Accommodation: Traditional Tribal Rooms

Activities Included

We head out early after a hearty breakfast, heading north-east to Hoedspruit in the Limpopo Province. We’ll stay at the Elephants Alive (EA) research facility for 3 nights, where we’ll be collaring elephants and meeting the ‘Black Mambas’ – an all-female anti-poaching team. Accommodation: Camping at Elephants Alive Research Facility or Pafuri Camp

Activities Included

Elephants Alive is one of Blue Sky Society’s beneficiaries, started by Dr. Michelle Henley in 2003. Their research contributes towards the long-term survival of the African elephant. Elephant’s Alive researchers work towards achieving a greater understanding of the complex relationships that elephants have with each other and their surroundings, including the humans with whom they share their world. Accommodation: Camping at Elephants Alive Research Facility or Pafuri Camp

Activities Included

The Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit is the first majority female anti-poaching unit in South Africa. Founded in 2013 by Transfrontier Africa NPC, to protect the Olifants West Region of Balule Nature Reserve. Within the first year of operation the Black Mambas were invited to expand into other regions and now protect all boundaries of the 52,000ha Balule Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Our teams work to the concept of the "Broken Window" philosophy, striving to make our area of influence the most undesirable, most difficult and least profitable place to poach any species. With a passion for wildlife and rhino conservation, these women are the voice in the community through their conservation work. The objectives of the Black Mamba project are not only the protection of rhinos through boots on the ground but also through being a role model in their communities. These 32 young women and 2 men want their communities to understand that the benefits are greater through rhino conservation rather than poaching, addressing the social and moral decay that is a product of the rhino poaching within their communities. They are concerned for their children's sake as the false economy has brought loose morals and narcotics into their communities. Accommodation: Camping at Elephants Alive Research Facility or Pafuri Camp

Activities Included

Today is our first border crossing, as we head to Tuli Wilderness, situated on an exclusive concession in the vast Northern Tuli Game Reserve in eastern Botswana for a 3-night stay and authentic wilderness experience! Accommodation: Serolo Safari Camp and Mohave Bush Camp

Activities Included

Tuli Wilderness’ private and exclusive 24,000 acre concession is home to lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, spotted and brown hyena, eland, zebra, wildebeest and more. Night drives often provide sightings of the more elusive nocturnal creatures. Accommodation: Serolo Safari Camp and Mohave Bush Camp

Activities Included

Serolo Safari Camp is located along the shady floodplain of the Limpopo River, 600m from the river itself, and Mohave Bush Camp is a small and private bush camp on the banks of the Mohave River. Accommodation: Serolo Safari Camp and Mohave Bush Camp

Activities Included

We have an early start and head west towards Serowe, where we will be staying at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Covering ± 8,585 hectares of Kalahari Sandveld, the sanctuary provides prime habitat for white and black rhino, as well as over 30 other animal species and more than 230 species of birds. We will be sleeping in the rooftop tents of our fully-kitted safari vehicles. Accommodation: Rooftop camping in Avis Safari vehicles at Khama Rhino Sanctuary

The Khama Rhino Sanctuary (KRS) is a community-based wildlife project, established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhinoceros, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state, and provide economic benefits to the local Botswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. Accommodation: Rooftop camping in Avis Safari vehicles at Khama Rhino Sanctuary

After breakfast, we head north-east to Elephant Sands, a bush lodge and campsite where you can view elephants at their natural waterhole right in front of the lodge, as well as plenty of wildlife roaming freely around the unfenced conservancy. After a long day’s drive, you can relax and watch the elephants whilst they drink just a few meters away from you – a unique experience! Accommodation: Elephant Sands Lodge chalets

Activities Included

After breakfast, we head north towards Pandamatenga Border Post where we’ll cross into Zimbabwe. Once we're over the border we will drive through Matetsi Safari Area to our accommodation which is based just outside Hwange National Park. Tonight we will go tracking for elephants on a moonlight drive. Discover porcupines, civet cats, genet, leopard and other nocturnal animals as part of this amazing experience. Knowledgeable guides also navigate you through the crowded African sky, sharing stories of ancient myths, romance and culture. Accommodation: Gwango Heritage Bush chalets

As the sun rising we will be in on a game drive into Gwango Wildlife Park where we will see animals roaming freely in this non-fenced area. Later in the day, will head to Hwange National Park. Hwange National Park – possibly the best place in all of Africa to experience elephants and other wildlife is an ideal location to venture in and photograph the variety of wildlife. Accommodation: Gwango Heritage Bush chalets

Today we have a long drive and an early start, but our end destination is worth the wait! We will be traveling on dirt roads to Gache Gache Lodge, which is situated in the eastern basin of Lake Kariba on the banks of the Gache Gache River. The Kariba Dam is a double curvature concrete arch dam in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi river basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The dam stands 128 metres (420 ft) tall and 579 metres (1,900 ft) long. The dam forms Lake Kariba which extends for 280 kilometres (170 mi) and holds 185 cubic kilometres (150,000,000 acre·ft) of water. The Dam was built between 1955 and 1959. The Natural Wilderness Area features the Big 4, amazing birdlife, fantastic fishing, hippos, and crocodiles galore. And we’ll arrive in time for an afternoon sundowner! Accommodation: Gache Gache chalets

Activities Included

Today you can just relax, or go fishing. All 9 chalets, and 2 tented rooms accommodate guests in a private, intimate setting near the tranquil river. The main lodge houses the dining room, lounge and bar area, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking views. Accommodation: Gache Gache chalets

Activities Included

After a relaxing time at Kariba, we head east to Mana Pools National Park, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. Activities in Mana Pools are diverse and unique, ranging from game drives, exciting walking safaris, canoeing safaris, and interactions with relatively relaxed wildlife in Mana Pools. Accommodation: Private campsite in dome tents set up by Tailormade Safaris

In Mana Pools, the Zambezi River meanders through a wide valley, splaying out into islands, channels and sandbanks, with escarpments rising dramatically on either side. Along the old banks of the river are the Four Pools, which give Mana its name – depressions filled with water in abandoned river channels. Accommodation: Private campsite in dome tents set up by Tailormade Safaris

The idea of the Tailormade Tented Adventures and Trekking adventures is to go back in time and enjoy the wild and remote areas of Africa the way it was done in a bygone era, with only basic comfort and in an effort to come close to Nature herself. Lead by an experienced professional guide they create a platform for tailor-made, exclusive, memorable journeys by combining great, adventurous yet safe guiding, unique flexibility to guest interests and requests with a comfortable bed, good food in a camp with vantage location. Accommodation: Private campsite in dome tents set up by Tailormade Safaris

After a relaxing time in Mana Pools, we head towards our 4th country on our amazing journey: Zambia! Situated in a secluded location deep within the game-rich Chiawa area, next to the Zambezi National Park in Zambia. Indigenous bush surrounds the lodge, wildlife roam freely through the camp, and the unspoilt river offers phenomenal game fishing – trophy, catch and release Tiger fish being their specialty. The magnificent Zambezi River is undoubtedly a ‘bucket list’ destination! Accommodation: Rooftop camping in Avis Safari vehicles at Mvuu Lodge

The beautiful Zambezi river is the fourth longest river in Africa and is home to a plethora of intriguing flora and fauna. And situated right on its banks is the stunning Mvuu Lodge. It is especially humbling to watch the large herds of elephant wander to the waters edge and either just drink or immerse themselves in the water and cavort and frolick amongst themselves… A truly special experience. The birdlife too is amazing, truly a birdlovers paradise with the carmine bee eater being a popular attraction. This is the perfect way to end your day by doing a river sunset cruise. Accommodation: Rooftop camping in Avis Safari vehicles at Mvuu Lodge

After packing up our campsite on the banks of the mighty Zambezi, we head for our final destination, Livingstone. Today is another long drive, but we reach the lodge in time for a sundowner. The Victoria Falls Waterfront is the perfect place to stay in Livingstone, centrally located in between Livingstone town and the Victoria Falls. The lodge boasts fantastic facilities catering to a traveller’s every need, including a riverside restaurant and bar with stunning views over the Zambezi River. A varied mix of accommodation includes en-suite chalets, permanent tents, and a campsite. Accommodation: Zambezi Waterfront Lodge

This afternoon, we will be cruising the Zambezi on a sunset cruise. There are plenty of other activities to do in Livingstone, from River Rafting, to Helicopter or Microlight flight. Or you can walk to the Victoria Falls to experience the “Smoke that Thunders”. Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa- Tunya (Tokaleya Tonga: The Smoke That Thunders), is a waterfall in southern Africa on the Zambezi River at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It has been described by CNN as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world. You are welcome to book an extra night if you want to stay longer in Livingstone. Otherwise sadly our trip will come to an end on 22nd April 2018. Accommodation: Zambezi Waterfront Lodge