Royal Amazing Africa Safari 23 Days

On arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by a representative of Amazing Africa Safaris and transferred to Arusha Coffee Lodge. Check-in, relax and settle in before enjoying dinner at the lodge.

Visitors are also welcome to enjoy convenient gift shopping at the Traders Walk Boutiques, located on site. Browse through a collection of five boutiques offering arts and crafts, jewellery, clothing, gourmet coffee and cakes and traditional Swahili food.

After a wonderful breakfast you will be collected by your tour guide and transferred to nearby Arusha Airport for your domestic flight to The Serengeti National Park. The flight departs at 8AM, and will arrive at 10AM.

Upon arrival, you will be met by your ranger and from here you will proceed on a game drive en route to the Sanctuary Kusini Camp. 

The only permanent camp in the Serengeti's remote south, Sanctuary Kusini has the privilege of overlooking predator-populated plains where game viewing is in high-definition throughout the calendar. The main lodge is set around a cluster of spectacular rocky outcrops so from the lodge you don't just have front-row seats for when the Great Migration passes through at full throttle, but you can view game congregating on these grassy plains year-round.

Enjoy another full day in the Serengeti National Park.

The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and scientific value, it has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa.

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania was established in 1952. It is home to the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth - the great migration of wildebeest and zebra. The resident population of lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, and birds is also impressive. During the months of June to October you will see the annual wildebeest migration which has over two million plains game led by wildebeests trekking to the Masai Mara.

Your personal tent attendant will let you know it's time to wake up while offering a fresh cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate - just the way you like it!

A full English and continental breakfast are served in the main area before departing for your morning game viewing activity.

A fresh plated three course lunch can be served back in camp or alternatively if you prefer to spend more time in the bush, we could arrange a special bush picnic basket packed with a choice of delicious cold meals. Your guide will be able to find the best possible shady spot where you will be able to get out of the vehicle and enjoy a private lunch in the middle of the bush.

Once back at the camp you are encouraged to climb to the top of the main kopje just behind the main area to view the breathtaking scenery. The views from the kopje are simply sensational - the perfect spot for cocktails and snacks. This is definitely one of the camp's more special moments as you take a moment to enjoy and appreciate an African sunset. 

If you are celebrating a special occasion, we could arrange special private sundowners and special dinners upon request.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the lodge airstrip for your scheduled flight to Lake Manyara. The flight departs at 11:00AM and is approximately 40 minutes long.

Upon arrival, you will be met by your Amazing Africa Safaris representative and transferred to Ngorongoro Crater Camp where you will arrive in time for lunch.

The Ngorongoro Crater and surrounding highlands together form one of Africa's most beautiful regions. Volcanic craters form stunning backdrops to some of the most fertile and richest grazing grounds in Africa.  The most famous such crater is without question Ngorongoro, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and home to the highest density of big game in Africa, including all the big five and plenty of predators. Ngorongoro is justifiably one of the continent's most famous safari destinations.

On arrival, check in and settle in.

You will enjoy a picnic lunch after you have departed on your afternoon half-day crater tour and game drive.

For a more intimate experience you can choose to dine on individual tables set in special spots around the camp, overlooking the action below.

After breakfast, check out for your transfer back to Lake Manyara Airstrip. 

From here, board your first scheduled flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. This flight departs at 11:50AM, and arrives at 13:15PM.

Upon arrival in Kilimanjaro you will connect to your second scheduled flight to Wilson Airport, Nairobi. This flight departs at 14:25PM, and arrives at 15:20PM.

Lunch will be enjoyed as a packed picnic en route.

Upon arrival at Wilson Airport, you will immediately board your last charter flight to Masai Mara National Park. You will arrive in the Masai Mara at 16:15PM.

Upon arrival at the Kichwa Tembo Airstrip you will be met by your ranger who will transfer you to the lodge. The transfer is 15 minutes long. On arrival, check in, relax and settle in.

You will be staying here for 2 nights.

Wake up early for your morning hot air balloon safari at 5AM.

Your balloon is inflated against the first rays of sunrise and once aloft floats gently over the plains and the plethora of game. The balloon lands around one hour after taking off with breakfast being prepared nearby.

The smells of bacon, sausages and eggs drift on the breeze as you begin breakfast with platefuls of exotic Kenyan fruits and homemade pastries and, of course, glasses of bubbly to toast your flight.

After your balloon safari, you can enjoy any of the following activities:

Game Drives

At Sanctuary Olonana, game viewing starts from the camp. A pod of hippos lives permanently in the river just below camp and many other species come to drink there. Sanctuary's experienced guides take you to all the hidden spots and our customised open safari vehicles offer all-round views, allowing for excellent photography opportunities. The Mara's rich eco-system includes acacia-studded savannah, riparian forest and woodland which attract more than 300 bird species and a stunning variety of animal life all year round.

Nature Walk

Walk with our naturalist and learn about plants, trees and insects and their use in the daily lives of the Maasai tribe. Visit our award-winning wetlands which cleanses wastewater naturally before returning it to the environment. There is an opportunity to plant a tree, leaving a positive mark in Africa. Our naturalist shares his intimate knowledge of the surrounding environment and how many of the trees and plants are used for medicinal purposes. Watch the hippos, learn to identify the birds from their song, stop and learn about insects and even the fascinating system ants have to build and maintain their ant-hills. Your guide will also point out animal signs which are everywhere, but not that easily noticed.

Afternoon Cultural visit to Masai Village

After lunch, at 3PM, visit a nearby Masai Village.

Get an insight into the vibrant and still traditional way of life of the Masai. Learn about the medicinal plants that grow here, the importance of cattle and the stages of life through which all Maasai pass, from young boy or girl to respected elder. Accompanied by an experienced Masai guide you are invited to visit the village which is built along traditional lines; complete with cattle enclosure, outer palisade and mud and cow dung huts. Meet the elders, their wives and families and learn about the social structure of the homestead, the role of women in their society and many more aspects of their daily life. Interaction and discussion is encouraged, so whether the ladies are building a hut, the warriors are dancing or making fire with stones and sticks, guests are free to join in.

After your last morning game drive in the Maasai Mara and breakfast you will be transported to the local airstrip for your flight to Nairobi. The flight departs at 11:15AM, and arrives at 1PM.

Enjoy lunch at the world-famous Carnivore Restaurant and thereafter you will be transferred to Hilton Garden Hotel near the airport, where you will be staying for 1 night.

Leave your cares behind and bask in the calmness of our Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport hotel. With a convenient location next to the airport on Mombasa Road, this bright and modern hotel makes your Nairobi adventure easy and fun. Resident guests can take advantage of our complimentary shuttle, available for pick up and drop off at Nairobi Airport. Shuttle is available every half hour upon request

In the afternoon, you will make your way to a local school to meet the children and distribute gifts.

After breakfast, check out and make your way by charter flight to Victoria Falls.

Upon arrival in Kasane, you will be met by Amazing Africa Safari's ground-handlers, - Shearwaters for a short private transfer to Zambia and the Royal Livingstone Hotel.

The Royal Livingstone Hotel is by far the most beautiful and best located hotel at Victoria Falls. On the banks of the Zambezi River, Royal Livingstone Hotel is named after the legendary explorer who named Zambia’s iconic waterfall in honour of his queen. Paying tribute to this glorious era, the hotel evokes Victorian elegance and colonial traditions in impeccable style, and offers unforgettable adventures.

The sights and sounds of river life can be soaked up as you laze in a hammock, enjoy a massage in a waterfront gazebo, or cool off in the pool. Sip refreshments in a lounge that displays the paintings of Sir David Livingstone. Partake in charming high tea rituals, and later sundowners on a deck overlooking Victoria Falls.

The Royal Livingstone Express Dinner

At 4pm you will be collected from the Royal Livingstone Hotel for an unforgettable afternoon and evening on-board the Royal Livingstone Express Steam Train. Please note the dress code of smart-casual wear. Please bring your passport along for identification purposes. 

On arrival at the station the train will be stationed with the locomotive 'in Steam' thus giving a photographic opportunity to anyone who wishes. Board the train where drinks and snacks will be offered.

The train will travel to the Victoria Falls Bridge and stop on the bridge where guests will have a chance to disembark. From here the train will travel into The Victoria Falls World Heritage Site where wildlife such as elephant and antelope are often seen.

Flawless service completes your iconic journey reminiscent of times past.

A five-course set dinner will be served before heading back to the station from where you will be transferred back to your hotel.

You will return to your hotel at around 9PM.

After breakfast, you will be collected at 08:30AM for your helicopter flight.

You get to see the falls from a totally different perspective - from the air by Helicopter.

This 25-minute helicopter flight will take you directly to the magnificent Victoria Falls and will then continue downstream to the breathtaking Batoka Gorge. After taking in the beautiful sights, you will make your way upstream past the Victoria Falls all along the mighty Zambezi River towards the Zambezi National Park. You will have the opportunity to see wildlife over the Zambezi National Park before returning to land.

Return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

A complimentary sunset boat cruise on the on the Zambezi River is the perfect way to end the day.  Pick-up time is 16:00 PM. The cruise lasts for 2 hours.

Offering the fabulous combination of the mighty Zambezi River and the elegance of the African Queen Cruise Company, a cruise on the African Queen or the African Princess is an unforgettable experience.

Full bars on both upper and lower decks serve a selection of cocktails and iced drinks, while the onboard galley presents freshly prepared hot and cold snacks and meals.

After breakfast, you will be met by our experienced ground crew and transferred by private transfer across the border into Botswana and onward to Chobe National Park.

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero is a luxurious riverside retreat in the heart of the bush on the edge of Chobe National Park, home to the world's largest remaining population of elephants.

Check in, relax and unwind and enjoy a late lunch.

Later in the afternoon you can either enjoy an afternoon game drive or sundowner cruise.

Daily activities include morning and afternoon game drives and sundowner cruises on the Chobe River.

Our morning safari starts with a cup of tea or coffee and a freshly baked muffin on the veranda with the mist rising over the river in the background. Bird-calls echo around the gardens to herald the dawn.

We drive along the river looking out for fresh tracks – there is always evidence of predator activity in the early mornings and your experienced guides are able to interpret the bush signs and track the animals that left them. The thrill of finding spoor and tracking wildlife must be experienced to be appreciated and being the first observers at a special sighting is very exciting.

Elephant encounters are common and huge herds of buffalo abound. The ever-present impala and the majestic giraffe are everywhere. The peace and tranquillity of game viewing in the early morning is a perfect way to start the day.

On return from the safari and after a hearty breakfast, you can watch the animals begin to come down to the river, or spot wildlife across the floodplains.

After lunch and a rest, there is a choice of an afternoon safari or sunset safari cruises on the river. Game viewing reaches its peak as the heat of the afternoon draws the elephant and other wildlife to the river. Don’t miss the safari cruise for the most spectacular sunsets on earth!

After breakfast you will be privately transferred to the nearby Kasane Airport for your charter flight to Sanctuary Stanley's Camp, situated in the Okavango Delta.

The Okavango Delta comprises permanent marshlands and seasonally flooded plains. It is one of the very few major interior delta systems in the world that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is almost intact. One of the unique characteristics of the site is that the annual flooding from the River Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronised their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods. The Okavango Delta is home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large mammal, such as the cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion.

Check into the lodge before your first safari activity after which you will return to camp. Freshen up before dinner is served. Activities on offer include game drives, walking safaris and mokoro excursions (water level dependent).

Your daily itinerary includes:

Game drives

Game drives in this region are unique, as water crossings are part of the adventure, and watching zebra standing belly-deep in water, grazing, is a sight to see. Even giraffe will cross water up to their hocks. During higher water levels, game drives will be combined with motorised boating excursions and traditional dugout canoes called Mokoros. Sanctuary Stanley's Camp is set in a private concession which means we can also venture out at night on exciting game drives to see the many nocturnal animals that live here. The evening drive starts after sundowner cocktails, using a spotlight to identify nocturnal creatures including the ones that are easier to catch a glimpse of in the dark, like hyena and leopard. Tiny fireball eyes that seem to levitate through the air and reappear again in different trees are bush babies, just one of several different creatures to be found.

Walking safaris

Our professional guides will show you the bush on foot. This is a chance to see the Delta from a different perspective, one that is up close and personal with the surrounding environment. Walks allow you to read the news of the night in the smooth sand of the road. Lion, leopard, elephants, genets and even millipedes are all part of the signs, each with their story to tell. A walking safari is about seeing the small five and the various flora in the area.

Mokoro excursions

The Okavango Delta is of course flooded for much of the year and when it is, guests can experience serene silence at the gentle pace of a poled mokoro excursion along the narrow channels. Sit back and relax as you glide through lily ponds on local dugout canoes while seeing eye to eye with a buffalo as it laps water from the river, watch crocodiles sunbathe on the banks or cruise past a pod of hippos as they lie in a pool. Fish eagles, frogs and fabulous lilies form much of this experience, but more frequently it is the quietness and gentle pace that makes its impression.

LIVING WITH ELEPHANTS - scheduled for today

Living with Elephants Foundation is devoted to providing rescued African elephants with a second chance and safe home in the wilderness of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Currently under care are Jabu and Morula, two rescued elephants, saved from culling operations in which they were orphaned. Doug and Sandi Groves have dedicated nearly 30 years to providing world-class care and refuge to these orphans. The elephants thrive in a loving supportive environment and are provided with specialized care. Jabu and Morula live in expansive natural elephant habitat, which offers freedom for exploration, natural behaviour and wildlife interactions. Jabu and Morula cannot yet be released fully to the wild due to their traumatic starts in life and chronic injuries.

Low volumes of visitors to Sanctuary Retreats are given the rare opportunity to visit Jabu and Morula in the heart of the Okavango Delta. During their walk with the elephants, guests witness private moments as they forage, mud wallow and amble through the bush. This is an intimate and highly educational bush walk where you will learn about the status of the African Elephant, their role in the ecosystem and conservation in general. Doug and Sandi are renowned specialists in elephant biology, ecosystems and natural history. Having lived intimately with their herd in Botswana for three decades, they are your perfect guides for a “day in the life of the African Elephant” and help you connect to elephants and their environment.

After breakfast, you will be privately transferred to Maun Airport.

From here you will fly to Cape Town International Airport where your Amazing Africa Safaris tour guide will meet you.

From the airport you will make your way to your hotel.

You will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner at one of the various excellent restaurants the V&A Waterfront has to offer.

Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast and depart on a tour of the Cape Peninsula.

This morning after Breakfast you head out to explore the Magnificent Cape Peninsular guided by your English Speaking Driver Guide.

The full day Peninsula Tour will take you around the entire Cape peninsula and show you the wonders of Cape Town – from the pristine beaches, to the spectacular sight of Cape Point where, by tradition, the oceans meet. Cape Point and the spectacular nature reserve that lies in this area is one of the most famous landmarks in Cape Town, and for good reason. Situated on the very tip of the peninsula, with the Indian Ocean on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, the area spans across landscapes such as rugged cliffs, lush fynbos and vast open spaces – no Cape Town tour is complete without a visit to Cape Point.

Other highlights include Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak Drive, one way trip on the Flying Dutchman Funicular, Simon's Town and the Boulders penguin colony, the quaint suburb of Kalk Bay and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Option includes: Toll Fee for Chapmans Peak Drive, entrance to Cape Point Nature Reserve, one way trip on the Flying Dutchman, entrance to Boulders penguin colony and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Please Note: Lunch will be for guests own account as well as other expenses not specifically mentioned above

This full day guided tour takes you to the three most popular wine areas of Cape Town – Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl.

The Stellenbosch winelands, only 20 minutes away from the city of Cape Town, offer a superb scenery, completely different to the landscape of the Cape peninsula. The town of Stellenbosch is a small but very vibrant town with a very famous university and numerous activities such a wine cellar tours and tastings. You will have the opportunity to purchase wines to bring back home to enjoy the region's wonderful vintages after your visit.

Franschhoek ("the French corner") is an old Huguenot village. With its numerous streets and estates with French names, the town will make you feel completely disoriented, feeling like you were in France in another era. You will be completely enchanted by the town's charm and its very peaceful environment. You will get the chance to taste the region's delicacies, cheeses and its best wines.

The town of Paarl offers a great window into the Afrikaans culture and tradition. The district is particularly well known for its Pearl Mountain or "Paarl Rock". This huge granite rock is formed by three rounded outcrops that make up Paarl Mountain and has been compared in majesty to Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) in Australia. You will also be able to visit the town's vineyards where you will taste the region's finest wines.

Option includes: X3 Wine Tastings and X1 Cellar Tour

Please Note: Lunch will be for guests own account as well as other expenses not specifically mentioned above

This morning after Breakfast you head out to explore the Robben Island including a City Tour with your English Speaking Driver Guide.

The tour commences with a ferry trip across the bay to Robben Island (weather permitting). From the 17th to the 20th centuries, Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment. Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum, a poignant reminder of the price paid for freedom. The excursion includes your return ferry transfer to the island, a bus tour of the island and of the prison itself. Upon return to the mainland, enjoy a drive through Bo-Kaap to discover how the Malay slaves influenced the culture, food and aesthetics of this beautiful city and its people. In the heart of the city enjoy a short walk through the Company Gardens. Interact with friendly squirrels, enjoy the aviaries and fishponds and take in the variety of plant life, it’s a happy place to soak up some ‘Cape Town vibes’. On the Wale Street end of the garden you'll find an architectural, Arch-like monument which was created to pay tribute to the values of the South African Constitution by commemorating the life and work of Desmond Tutu – lovingly referred to by South Africans as “The Arch”. "Arch for Arch" was installed beside historic St. George's Cathedral, aka the “People’s Cathedral” for its role in the resistance against apartheid. Step inside the Slave Lodge which explores the history of these unwilling immigrants and how they've contributed to the richness and diversity of South African history. As you drive through the city you'll get a feel for the cultural melting pot that it is. Continue to Table Mountain where you'll reach the top by cable car (weather permitting; cable car fee not included) Enjoy the panoramic views over the city with Robben Island lying sleepily in Table Bay, and get a bird’s eye view over the Atlantic Seaboard. Return to your hotel in the early evening.

Option includes: Robben Island return transfer and Slave Lodge entrance

Option excludes: Lunch & Cable car ticket

This morning after Breakfast you head out to explore the sea side town of Hermanus and its whales (seasonal) with your English Speaking Driver Guide.

With an early morning pick up (08:30) you drive via Elgin to Hermanus - Stop at the Old Harbor Museum which provided a rocky but safe shelter for the small fishing boats whose owners were drawn to Hermanus by the abundance and variety of fish. Visit The Old Harbor museum which is situated along the coastline, in the heart of Hermanus. The town originally developed around this harbor during the middle of the nineteenth century when plentiful fish and fresh water was found in the area. You then continue onto the Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Valley and enjoy a wine tasting at one of the estates in the region that boast unique terroir driven wines. The Wine Route, along the R320, boasts more than just its vast array of wine farms., it is also famous for its uninterrupted views of the valley and is therefore the perfect escape from the bustle of city life. Take a scenic drive, en-route home to the town of Kleinmond for a visit to the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens. The garden is renowned for its waterfalls and amber pools. The high twisting coastal road leading from Cape Hangklip to Gordon's Bay is one of the most spectacular anywhere.

August to November is usually the best time to see the Southern Right Whale in our waters. Hermanus’ Walker Bay is an ideal place for whale watching. These mammals, which often come as close to 50 meters from the shore, are given to displays of breaching, lob tailing, spy hopping and courtship rituals.

Option includes: Entrance to the Old Harbor Museum, the Harold Porter Botanical gardens, and a wine tasting

Option excludes: Lunch

After breakfast, depart for the airport.

Excitement awaits as you depart Cape Town International Airport and fly to Skukuza airport inside the Kruger National Park.

Here, your ranger from Kirkman’s Camp will receive you and transport you with open 4x4 safari vehicle to the lodge where you will spend the next 2 nights.

The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s premium safari reserves offering the ultimate safari experience in the Greater Kruger National Park. With no fences between the reserve and the Kruger National Park, all species of wildlife, including the Big 5 move through here freely. Your stay here will include luxury 5-star accommodation, high levels of service and hospitality and the best wildlife sightings in Kruger! This area is especially renowned for its incredible leopard sightings.

On arrival at Kirkman’s Camp, you have time to check in and freshen before lunch is served and after lunch you will go on your first afternoon safari drive.

The early morning and afternoon game drives, led by expert rangers and trackers are the perfect way to view the wildlife in comfort. You can also enjoy interesting guided bush walks which are a great way to learn about the fascinating flora and fauna in the region.

A typical day might look something like this:
Early morning
An early start means an equally early wake-up call. Tea and biscuits are served at about 6am and at sunrise you head off on your early-morning game-drive. This is generally the best time to spot the wildlife, as the temperature is cool and the animals are still very active, including the big cats, which will be returning from a night of hunting.

Late morning
After a few hours, you will either return to your camp for a hearty breakfast, or have a bush breakfast out on the plains and then return just before the heat of the day.

Lunch and afternoon
You usually have lunch in the camp and spend the main part of the day either relaxing or using the amenities, such as an outdoor pool. Your ranger is always on standby for and educational bush walk. You might have something to eat and drink at around 3pm before heading out for another safari drive.

Evening
As with early morning, the evening game drive is often the best time to see the wildlife. The predatory animals begin to stir from their heat-of-the-day slumber, and similarly, their prey become ever more active and alert as darkness falls. Vehicles usually return just before dark in time for a shower, pre-dinner drinks and then dinner. The evenings are often rounded off with a few drinks around the campfire, warming toes and swapping safari stories.

Up early for coffee and embark on your last, but amazing safari in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

After breakfast, your ranger will transfer you to Skukuza Airport for your charter flight to Ngala Safari Lodge in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve. The flight departs at 12:00PM (noon). 

You will stay here for the next 2 nights.

The exclusive Timbavati Private Game Reserve lies in the western region of the Kruger National Park, north of the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. The large tracts of land that make up the Timbavati Game Reserve remain largely unspoiled and wild. This reserve is renowned for the population of white lions that roam this area. Here you can also hope to see elephant, cheetah, lion, buffalo, rhino, over 360 bird species, 79 reptiles and over 80 species of tree.

Ngala Private Game Reserve occupies a scenic spot on the border of the Kruger Park, a 15 000-hectare range of some of the most amazing wildlife spotting opportunities anywhere in Africa. As one of the first concessions to be officially incorporated into the exclusive greater Kruger National Park, it enjoys otherwise unheard-of traversing rights to this spectacular area. With first class luxury facilities, a minimum impact-contribution, and a genuine sense of the adventure native to the Kruger, Ngala is a stunning safari getaway that is second to none.

Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch. There is enough time to relax after lunch, before high tea is served and then off to your first safari in the Timbavati.

The routine at Ngala follows that of Kirkman’s Camp.