Featured Places
Avani Victoria Falls Resort
Victoria Falls - Zambia
Days 1 - 2: Victoria Falls - Zambia
Only a short 2 hour flight from Jo'burg, a trip to Victoria Falls is certainly memorable. One of the 7 Wonders of the World, the sheer noise of the Falls as they cascade over the edge into the deep gorge is deafening, and the misty clouds of spray, occasionally broken by rainbows, are visible from over 40 km away - giving rise to the local name that translates as 'the Smoke that Thunders'.
Ever since the 19th century English explorer David Livingston became the first Westerner to see the Falls, they have held a magical draw for visitors to Africa, and they remain an iconic travel destination that many dream of but few get the chance to visit.
The Falls can be viewed from either the Zambian or the Zimbabwean side, and both offer superb views of the Falls from many viewing points.
A truly spectacular way to view and appreciate the full extent of the Falls is by taking a 'Flight of Angels' helicopter ride over the Falls. Sunset cruises on the Zambezi River are also very popular.
Adrenelin seekers can enjoy bungee jumping, white water rafting and body boarding.
Avani Victoria Falls Resort (formerly the Zambezi Sun) is situated on the fringes of the Zambezi River in the 46 hectare Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Wildlife Park, overlooking the magnificent Victoria Falls. The resort’s biggest draw is its impressive location, just a 5 minute stroll from the Falls, with all guests enjoying free unlimited access to this famous attraction – ranked as one of the Seven Natural Wonders and the world’s largest waterfall.
The hotel stands apart for its natural beauty and vibrant local style. The 46 hectare grounds attract zebras, giraffes, impalas and monkeys. Guests can stroll around the gardens for a wild nature walk, go bird watching, investigate the herb and vegetable garden, or see the worm farm and compost project in action. Familes are most welcome and there are activities especially designed to keep children entertained, including the Happy Hippo Club.
The 212 room hotel features adobe-style architecture, bright mosaics and is characterised by ethnic wall stencils, timber and plaster ceilings. It is constructed in a series of 8 buildings, consisting of the guest rooms, a central pavilion of restaurants and a fabulous convention centre.
The huge free-form swimming pool meanders round a pavilion restaurant and an outdoor bandstand and dance floor. The pool deck is also the scene of more formal occasions such as cocktail receptions and alfresco dining. The restaurant atmosphere is relaxed and casual and provides an extremely enjoyable buffet experience.
Example Details For Avani Victoria Falls Resort
Nights: | 2 Nights | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 2 |
Room: | 1 x Double and 1 x Twin Garden Room (adjacent rooms) | ||
Includes: | Breakfast is included. |
Avani Victoria Falls Resort Location.
Check In / Check Out
Rooms may be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival and must please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.
General Information For Guests
Children of any age are welcome.
All rooms have air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, complementary Wi-Fi, safe, hairdryer, telephone, satellite TV, insect repellent and a fridge.
In addition, the superior rooms and suites have a stocked mini bar, evening turndown and exclusive access to the resort gym.
The resort has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, gym, internet access, disability services, and an activity/travel desk.
There is a spa which offers a range of essential beauty and health treatments (additional cost).
Foreign exchange, ATM and credit card services are also available.
The resort is a 5 minute walk to Victoria Falls.
Activities on site and nearby include game drives, river cruises, horse riding, bird watching, child friendly activities and cultural/historical tours (additional cost).
Adrenaline activities available include bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, the gorge swing, highwire, fishing and helicopter rides (additional cost).
A laundry service is available (additional cost).
Babysitting services can be arranged (additional cost).
Chongwe River Camp
Lower Zambezi National Park
Days 3 - 4: Lower Zambezi National Park
Chongwe Camp is a tented camp, which is situated on the river bank where the Chongwe and Zambezi rivers meet. Across the Chongwe River is the Lower Zambezi National Park, which offers a pristine wilderness with a wide variety of terrain,and is one of Southern Africa's premier destinations for game viewing.
The Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4,092 square kilometers, and the floodplains, grasslands and tall forests support fantastic game densities. Enormous herds of elephant, some up to 100 strong, are often seen at the river's edge, and pods of hippo rest in the water. 'Island hopping' buffalo and waterbuck are common. Impala are everywhere and kudu, eland, zebra and wildebeest are frequently seen.
The sandy river banks are home to iridescent carmine bee-eater colonies while kingfishers and African skimmers flit above the waters. Predators include leopard, large prides of lion and packs of wild dog.
Chongwe’s impressive variety of safari activities provides the ultimate exploration of this magnificent African paradise. By land, enjoy game drives and walking safaris, or take to the rivers and explore with boat cruises, canoeing safaris and tiger-fishing. Back in camp, the wildlife hide is great for photography, especially rare nocturnal creatures.
Chongwe River Camp has 8 tented rooms, each with en-suite facilities and a private verandah overlooking the river. Sit outside your tent in comfortable lounge chairs and watch the abundant wildlife visiting the banks to drink and graze on the lush grasses.
There is also the Aldiba Suite, which is made up of 2 deluxe en-suite rooms with a lounge/dining area and pool shared between the 2 rooms, making this ideal for families or small groups who want more privacy. In addition, the Cassia Suite is a private luxury tented suite consisting of a canopied lounge and dining area with private plunge pool and fire pit and huge octagonal bedroom - perfect for honeymooners or romantic couples.
The main camp has a rustic bar and meals are served outside either on the banks of the Chongwe River, or in the bush overlooking the Zambezi River.
Example Details For Chongwe River Camp
Nights: | 2 Nights | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 2 |
Room: | 1 x Albida Suite (2 Bedrooms) | ||
Includes: | Park fees; Conservation Levy; all meals; all game viewing activities; local drinks and house wines; and a laundry service are included. Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on walking safaris. Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari. |
Chongwe River Camp Location.
Check In / Check Out
Rooms may normally be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival and must normally please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.
General Information For Guests
Children aged 7 years and above are welcome. Only children over the age of 12 may participate in bush walks and Zambezi canoe safaris at the guide's discretion.
The Standard Tents have a large outdoor bathroom with hot and cold running water, open air shower, toilet, vanity unit and dressing area with a wardrobe and full-length mirror, a private verandah with river views, room safe and overhead fan.
The Albida suite is a luxurious self-contained colonial-style tented suite which sleeps 4 guests in 2 spacious, en-suite octagonal bedrooms set on either side of a private dining room and lounge area with its own bar fridge, plunge pool and fire pit. It is ideal for families or friends travelling together.
The one bedroom Cassia Suite is ideal for guests wanting exclusivity and privacy and is the quintessential romantic setting for honeymoon couples.
Guests staying in the Albida or Cassia Suites have the option of dining privately or are more than welcome to join other guests for meals at the main camp.
The main lodge consists of the dining area, a lounge, bar and a swimming pool.
Activities include day and night game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, fishing, cultural village visits and boat cruises. Guests staying at the Albida Suite have the option of private activities.
There is limited Wi-Fi and no phone signal.
Credit cards are accepted.
The camp is open from 01 April until 15 November.
The camp is a 20 minute game drive from Royal Airstrip.
Bush Walks / Walking Safaris
Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on walking safaris. The final decision on whether a guest can join a walking safari remains with the guide and camp manager.
Flatdogs Camp
South Luangwa National Park
Days 5 - 6: South Luangwa National Park
Flatdogs Camp is situated in the South Luangwa National Park, one of the last great wildlife wonders of the world. The Park is just over 9,000 square kilometers of pristine wilderness, and has been visited by wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world since its creation as a National Park in 1972.
Game drives are taken with a fully-qualified guide in 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers. Most of the vehicles can carry 9 guests but the camp prefers to limit numbers to 6 per vehicle unless larger groups or families prefer to go out together. Between 1st June and 31st October each year (and for a few weeks either side, depending on rainfall) the camp is also able to offer walking safaris. Walks usually last for 3 to 4 hours and are commonly taken in the morning when it's cooler.
Flatdogs is also heavily involved with the local life of Mfuwe village, and guests can take an informal trip into the village to get a taste of local life and to see some of the community projects that the camp work on.
The 6 regular chalet rooms are situated in 3 separate buildings. Each chalet building has a downstairs double room with en-suite bathroom and an upstairs twin/triple room with their own bathroom, just downstairs from the bedroom. The 2 rooms in each building are completely separate with their own facilities, but can be joined through the small kitchen area if a family or groups of friends want to book both rooms.
On the banks of the Luangwa, with the best views in camp, are the 7 luxury en-suite safari tents, and there are an additional 3 standard en-suite safari tents nearby (one overlooking the lagoon and 2 looking out onto the river).
The 2 bedroomed Jackalberry Treehouse is completely separate and private, and built around 3 live African ebony trees with unspoilt views out across a waterhole which is regularly visited by elephant and giraffe. The treehouse is available only during the dry season, from 5th April to 15th November each year. If 4 people stay in the Treehouse, a private vehicle and guide is also included.
The tented 2 bedroom Croc Nest has been set on a deck looking onto the banks of the Luangwa River. Guests staying here will also have a private guide and their own safari vehicle so they can plan their activities depending on their particular interests.
Example Details For Flatdogs Camp
Nights: | 2 Nights | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 2 |
Room: | 1 x Jackalberry Tree House | ||
Includes: | All meals; daily private game viewing activities (based on 4 people in the treehouse); and transfers to/from Mfuwe Airport are included. Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on guided walks. Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari. |
Flatdogs Camp Location.
Check In / Check Out
Rooms may normally be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival and must normally please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.
General Information For Guests
Children of any age are welcome.
The safari tents are spacious enough for full-sized beds, dressing area and writing desk with plenty of charging points and mains electricity. A door leads into a shaded open-air bathroom with hot shower, flush toilet and basin. The tents also have mosquito nets and electric fans as well as fully gauzed windows. Thre is also a family tent which has a double bed and two single beds, and one large en-suite bathroom, comfortably sleeping a family of four.
The chalet rooms are made of stone and thatch and are designed to keep you cool. They are found in 3 separate buildings - each of these buildings has a downstairs double room with en-suite bathroom and an upstairs twin/triple room with their own bathroom, just downstairs from the bedroom. All bathrooms are fully enclosed in the chalets. Each building has mains electricity, a kitchen area with complimentary tea and coffee tray as well as fridge and electric fans.
The Jackalberry Treehouse is entirely open at the front so guests here can soak up the wildlife all day every day whether on a game drive or from the comfort of the sofa. The main decks are eight feet off the ground with a wooden stairway to reach the spacious sitting area and open-plan bedrooms. The house offers two en-suite bedrooms with open bathrooms (showers with views), sitting space, private dining option, Wi-Fi, bar fridge, complimentary tea & coffee tray, safe and mains electricity. If there are 4 of you, you will also have a private safari vehicle and guide for your whole stay. The minimum age to stay here is 6 years.
The Crocodile Nest is a large tented 'house' with views onto the Luangwa River and a private swimming pool and also comes with your own private guide and vehicle. The house offers three en-suite bedrooms with semi-open bathrooms, sitting room, private dining room, Wi-Fi, bar fridge, complimentary tea/coffee tray, safe and mains electricity. The minimum age to stay here is 6 years.
The main area consists of a bar, restaurant and a swimming pool. There are no set meals or meal times - guests can order what they would like to eat, when they would like to eat it. Guests are welcome to sit inside under the thatch, at the tables in the courtyard or in the garden area looking out towards the river.
Activities that are available include game drives (day and night), game walks, bird watching, child friendly activities and cultural tours.
There is mobile connectivity and credit cards are accepted.
A babysitting service is also available.
Bush Walks / Walking Safaris
Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on guided walks. A guided walk can last a couple of hours and involve walking over uneven terrain that may contain dangerous wildlife in potentially high temperatures. Guests may need to move quickly and for a sustained period through rough bush terrain if instructed to do so by their guide.
Regardless of age, the final decision on whether a guest can join a guided walk remains with the guide and camp manager.
Blue Zebra Island Lodge
Lake Malawi
Days 7 - 10: Lake Malawi
Less than 2 hours from Lilongwe you will find yourself on an unspoilt island paradise, surrounded by nature and luxury.
Tucked away on Nankoma Island, a part of the Marelli Island archipelago, is the Blue Zebra Island Lodge. Under the protection of the Lake Malawi National Park, the Marelli Island archipelago offers a unique opportunity to see rare species of Malawi's colourful cichlid fish that have earned this site its UNESCO World Heritage Site accreditation. The area is also renowned for a dazzling array of birdlife - Malawi boasts over 650 different species of birds, 10% of which are native species non-existent anywhere else on the globe.
Various activities include kayaking - a great way to get out and explore the coves and coastal wildlife up close; boat trips to explore the stunning, natural archipelago, enjoy a spot of fishing, or simply experience the pleasure of cruising across the calm and clear waters of Lake Malawi; sunset boat trips - enabling you to experience an awe inspiring Lake Malawi sunset and witness an unforgettable event as the sun gently dips below the low lying Nkhotakota hills in the distance; snorkelling - literally just a few meters off the shore, you will experience Malawi’s renowned cichlids in all their natural splendour; and scuba diving - from experienced divers to beginners there is a dive that is suitable, or for the complete novice, why not spend some time with the dive instructor in the pool to familiarise yourself with the equipment and procedures before you head out into the deep blue.
The lodge offers a range of accommodation options.
There are Lake Safari Tents, Executive Tented Chalets (with private lake-facing balconies), Executive Family Tented Chalets (each with 2 bedrooms, a lounge, a bathroom and a private lake-facing balcony) and a Superior Family Cottage (the only non-tented structure, this is a large open plan cottage with a lounge, dining area, a lake facing balcony and two en-suite bedrooms).
Example Details For Blue Zebra Island Lodge
Nights: | 4 Nights | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 2 |
Room: | 1 x Family Executive Chalet | ||
Includes: | Full Board Basis: accommodation, all meals, coffee and tea, boat transfers from/to our boat collection point at scheduled times, non motorized activities (snorkelling from the lodge, kayak, nature trail, volley ball, pool), Tourism Levy, Surtax, Park fees, local soft drinks, mineral water, local spirits and local beer. |
Blue Zebra Island Lodge Location.
Check In / Check Out
Rooms may normally be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival, and must normally please be vacated by 11:00 on the day of departure for the convenience of arriving guests.
General Information For Guests
Children of any age are welcome.
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