13-Day Cape Town, Sabi Sands Safari, Vic Falls & Chobe

There is an early morning game drive and a late afternoon / evening game drive over an area of approximately 24700 acres (10 000 hectares).

Guests can expect to see some, if not all of the Big 5, as well as many other species of game and some of the over 300 species of birds.

Animals are usually seen from very close quarters, the sighting is professionally handled and controlled. Drives are normally 3 to 4 hours long, with a stop along the way for tea, coffee or sundowners. Idube is particularly well known for the frequent and excellent sightings of leopards - a photographer's dream come true.

After breakfast, a morning walk with a professional guide is offered. As well as viewing some of our usual game, this is a great opportunity to view smaller creatures close-up as well as many beautiful African birds. Otherwise guests can relax around the pool or on their decks.

Idube is a birder’s paradise, both at the lodge itself and on safaris and bush walks. There are over 400 species of birds for guests to discover and photograph throughout the reserve.

During your stay, you might be lucky enough to see ostriches or the endangered ground hornbill. Our visitors are also fascinated by our many species of raptors including vultures and eagles.

Idube Game Reserve is home to the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo, with thrilling leopard sightings often being the highlight of our visitor’s stays.

An extensive array of wildlife can seen throughout Idube’s traversable area and these include giraffe, impalas, zebras, wildebeest, hyaenas and jackals, to name but a few. Both crocodiles and hippos move long distances to find new dams or to move to a river, so it’s always a nice surprise when they are spotted.

We have an extensive array of experiences for our guests to enjoy, including romantic dinners for couples, unique group events, fine dining which is highly reviewed on TripAdvisor, a swing bridge leading to a hide where you can view animals, pools for you to cool off in, a gym, spa, a lovely bar with an extensive South African and International wine list, lounges and gazebo to relax in, as well as a firepit to gather around, and curio shop. Our website at idube.com will give you even more information.

Explore the bush with twice daily scheduled game drives in an open game vehicle in the early morning and late afternoon/evenings. Well known for frequent leopard sightings, Sabi Sand Game Reserve is also home to all the Big 5. Excitement is added by the presence of wild dogs and cheetahs. Idube has many different types of antelope and a large variety of smaller animals. Crocodiles travel for long distances to find new dams or move to the river, so it is always a surprise where they will be spotted. And, of course, Idube Game Reserve is a bird lover’s paradise.

Guests at Idube can go for a short guided walk after breakfast, this gives them a chance to see some of the smaller animals, or, on occasions, enjoy the thrill of coming across big game on foot – a very different experience. There is a wonderful sense of excitement in being able to leave the lodge and stride out with your armed guide to see what you can find in the bush beyond.

BUT PLEASE NOTE: To go on a walking safari you must be at least 16 years old. If you are older then 65, you will need a doctor’s certificate stating that you are in good health and fit. You could walk up to 5km in each day over uneven terrain.

Situated in the heart of the Chobe region with access to river frontage of the Chobe National Park, we also offer water-based game drives by tender boat, allowing you to experience the enormous diversity and concentration of wildlife up even closer.

Game viewing on the Chobe River is at its most exceptional from March to November when the weather is drier and the animals are more mobile as they search for food and water. Summer and spring also offer unique opportunities though, as you watch the landscape burst into life after the first rains of the season. Catch sight of huge herds of elephant as they swim across the water, as well as buffalo, lion, crocodile, lechwe, puku, giraffe, zebra, sable, kudu and the occasional leopard as they gather to quench their thirst at watering holes. Besides animal life, you’ll also see a huge variety of birdlife and plant life as you listen to the sounds of a hippo grunting and breathe in the sweet smell of African grass.

The Chobe is known as a photographer's paradise and for good reason. The soft early morning light and the sunsets at dusk, combined with striking animal behaviour, make for dramatic and unusual photo opportunities. Before your game viewing excursion, remember to apply sunscreen and wear a hat, as temperatures can reach over 40 degrees centigrade. You should also bring along a jacket for the chillier temperatures in the early mornings and evenings.

Enjoy the ultimate in game viewing safari decadence as you sip on a drink and cruise along the river in one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.

No trip to the Chobe is complete without trying your hand at a fishing safari where if you’re lucky, you may even catch a tiger fish. One of the greatest fighting fish in the world, the tiger fish is the most sought after prize of these waters and is known for its ferocious spirit. It's not all about tiger fish though. You may also hook one of the many bream species, African pike, tilapia, catfish or upper Zambezi yellowfish as you explore over 100 kms of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, as well as the winding Kasai Channel and thrilling Chobe and Mambova rapids.

We offer both conventional equipment as well as flyfishing equipment for our fishing safaris, because we know that the area is renowned worldwide for its flyfishing. We supply rods, flies, lures, lines, leaders and reels and all equipment is included in our rate.

Because of our unique location, we offer excellent fishing safaris all year round – from the annual floods starting in March to the feeding frenzies in the winter months. Our highly knowledgeable guides, the tackle and bait we supply as well as well stocked cooler boxes make fishing in Africa an experience to remember. Land an eight pounder or more and earn bragging rights for years to come, as you enjoy a fishing trip that's second to none.

With over 450 species, a mix of terrains and a dramatic African backdrop, the Chobe River is the perfect setting for a highly rewarding birdwatching safari. Birding season starts in September, when the first migrants arrive, boosting the bird population sometimes by 20% compared to the winter months. From December through to March birdlife on the Chobe is extremely busy and the colourful breeding plumage on display is an extraordinary sight.

Experienced birders and even eager amateurs will delight in spotting distinct birds such as African skimmers, rock pratincoles and the African finfoot, either through their binoculars or with the naked eye. Having access to your own knowledgeable guide and tender boat lets you spend many hours on your birding safari also viewing cattle egrets, fish eagles, open-billed storks, lesser-striped swallows, pied kingfishers and the striking carmine bee-eater. The slow drift of the tender boat means that you won’t disturb the peaceful silence and can also get up close to the birds and observe their fascinating behaviour.

Sit patiently and absorb the beauty around you and soon you’ll be rewarded with a unique sighting that you’ll want to photograph. Because you’ll have access to the Chobe National Park and the Caprivi wetlands, you’ll get exposure to a wide variety of species you may have never seen before. The distinct sounds of the call of an African fish eagle mingling with the grunt of hippos will stay with you long after your Chobe River birdwatching safari is over.

Uninterrupted access to wild animals. Absolute silence. Golden light. The Chobe River is an unforgettable photographic safari destination, and one of the wildlife photographers’ hotspots in Africa. To help you capture that perfect moment, our custom-designed photographic safari boats are available on request and cater for 6 clients in individual photographic seats. The boat contains custom-designed swivel chairs that give you greater stability and 360-degree views for a wider range of subject matter. Every seat is equipped with a mounting for resting SLR cameras of all types and you’ll get your own experienced safari guide who’ll help you find that perfect shot.

Bring your own photographic equipment as we don’t supply this - the optimal lens to bring is an 80 - 400mm zoom. Because this is a water-based safari, you'll be able to take unique shots in a safe environment, being able to view the animals in the Chobe National Park surrounded by that magical golden light Africa is renowned for. Tea and coffee will be offered in the morning during the winter months and soft drinks, local beers and wines will be served in the afternoon. Light snacks are also served during your excursion, providing you with a photographic experience that's also about pure comfort.

Departure times are early morning and late afternoon and the safari takes three hours. Please let us know at the time of booking your holiday if you’d like to use our customised photographic safari boat. Capture your stay with breathtaking photos of the unique African landscape and the wild animals that surround you.

One of the best ways to learn more about a country is to experience its culture. A village tour will take you by tender boat to a local Namibian village called Ijambwe, situated on the floodplains of the East Caprivi. Meet village elders and locals and gain a greater understanding of how the inhabitants of this 100-year old village live, including their daily challenges and traditions.

Wear a large sun hat and apply sun lotion, bring a bottle of water with you and wear comfortable shoes. You’ll start by taking a slow, non-strenuous but sandy stroll through the village as you snap a few photographs and meet the Headman of the village as well as his children. The men of the village either fish to provide meals for their families, while the women and younger children perform the chores and produce handmade crafts. Pick up a woven basket, beaded jewellery or a carved wooden animal as a memento from your trip – sales of these crafts empower village inhabitants by helping them earn a living. If you want to give the children of the village gifts, bring along school stationery, books or clothing – all will be highly appreciated. Finally, enjoy a display of traditional dancing and singing at the end and join in the fun!

Guests can also go on a walking tour to a 2000-year-old baobab tree where you'll learn more about the medicinal and spiritual value of Impalila Island’s flora. For our more adventurous guests, if you have the inclination to climb the tree, you’ll be rewarded with a bird’s-eye view of the meeting place of two rivers and four countries.

Discover one of Africa’s most ancient Baobab trees, otherwise known as the “Tree of Life”. Take a 6km walk through the scenic Impalila Island trails or by vehicle upon request. This remarkable Baobab dates 2000 years old, and if you dare, you can climb to the top where you are able to see the junction of four countries – Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.