On arrival proceed thru customs and immigration. Proceed into the arrivals hall where you will be met and transferred to your overnight hotel.
A full day of adventure to explore the highlights of Dubai, from the Bahj Khalifa to shopping to the River canals and culture centers. Take a desert tour experiencing falconry, camel rides and an oasis of entertainment.
This morning depart for the airport for the flight to the islands of the Indian Ocean.
On arrival at Seycelles International Airport will be met by our local representative f for a transfer to the port for embarkation
The Garden of Eden Cruise onboard the M/Y Pegasos embarks from the Inter Island Quay, located in Victoria port. Embarkation is between the hours 15:00hrs (3:00 pm) -16:00hrs (4:00pm) and the vessel departs shortly after 16:30hrs (4:30pm)
Enjoy a welcome cocktail as you settle into your stateroom. This will be followed by a safety drill.
The Pegasus
The twin-hulled Pegasos, built in 1990, completely refitted in 1997 and renovated in 2016, accommodates up to 44 guests in 21 cabins, in a relaxed and congenial atmosphere. On board you will enjoy magnificent sea views as you stroll our 2,550 square feet / 240 m2 of open deck. You can relax with friends in the handsomely appointed lounge, browse in the well-stocked library or enjoy ocean view dining in the convivial and spacious restaurant area. A platform on Pegasos stern enables you to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit. We have also added for your relaxation a zen mini spa located on the Lower Deck.
The Pegasos departs Port Victoria and sails to nearby St Anne for a refreshing swim stop off the ship. This evening we anchor near St Anne and enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
Early this morning depart St Anne Island in order to reach Curieuse an uninhabited island once a leper colony and home to giant Tortoises. Take a walking excursion with a park guide to the farm along mangrove forests. Later return to the beach for a BBQ under the trees. This afternoon enjoy beach and sea activities.
Activities: Overnight aboard ship docked near Curieuse Island.
Curieuse Curieuse is one of the Inner Islands Group of the Seychelles Islands. It is 2.86 square kilometres in area and is located north-west of Praslin Island, which is the second largest island in the Seychelles. Curieuse is a bio-reserve that is managed by the Marine Parks Authority of the Seychelles Centre for Marine Technology.
In the morning sail for Cousin Island where your excursion will take to to the Bird Sanctuary which is in the care of Bird Life International. A quarter million birds breed on cousin which also has several nesting beaches for turtles.
Later in the afternoon sail for Anse Lazio, Praslin, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Spend your time here with watersports, snorkeling and optional diving. Anchor here this evening.
Depart this morning for Aride. Our excursion will take us to the top of the island for an amazing view of the island home to the Wright’s gardenia found nowhere else on earth. Bird species such as Audubon’s shearwater, the Seychelles warbler are also present.
At noon sail for St Pierre Island reaching it in time for lunch. This afternoon enjoy a stop for snorkeling, relaxing and swimming. At sunset we leave St Pierres for Baie St Anne Prasilin where we’ll overnight at the dock. Enjoy a Creole night this evening.
An optional tour to Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve is available this morning. In the heart of the small island of Praslin, the reserve has the vestiges of a natural palm forest preserved in almost its original state. The famous coco de mer, from a palm-tree once believed to grow in the depths of the sea, is the largest seed in the plant kingdom.
This afternoon sail for Felicite or Grand Soeur for snorkeling or an optional diving excursion.
Continue on to La Digue this evening and anchor in front of the port. Overnight in La Digue.
An optional half-day tour of La Digue is available this morning. This is the most photographed and quaint community on the Seychelles and will take us by bus to the Veuve Nature Reserve and through Union Plantation to L’Anse Source d’Argent beach. On arrival at L’Union Estate enjoy a tour of the copra kiln, traditional coconut oil mill and the colonial plantation house.
There is time at Anse Source D’Argent’s to marvel at some of the Seychelles most impressive and unique rock formations on one of the most magnificent beaches in the world. Enjoy refreshment. There is also time for hunting souvenirs at La Passe, the islands main village, before returning to the ship.
Late afternoon sail to Moyenne Island, opposite Mahe where we will anchor overnight.
Take a short guided tour around the Island and enjoy a beach BBQ on the island. This is the last opportunity for snorkeling and swimming. Depart Moyenne for Mahe’s Victoria port this afternoon. By late afternoon we reach the inter-island Quay-Mahe.
Tonight is the Captains farewell dinner with live music and dancing. Overnight in Mahe.
This morning following breakfast, embark from the ship.
Disembarkation takes place at the Inter Island quay after breakfast at 09:00 am
Meet your guide for transfer to the hotel this morning for your overnight stay. Afternoon take a stroll thru Victoria or enjoy more beach time.
This morning make your way to the Victoria Airport (transfer under own arrangement), for your flight to Johannesburg. Enjoy inflight cuisine and entertainment as you wing your way across the Indian Ocean.
Afternoon arrival at ORTambo International airport, proceed thru customs and immigration formalities and into the arrivals hall where you will be met by our local representative, who will assist you to the hotel overnight.
After breakfast return to the airport time allotted to store your extra bag at the airport storage area. Then check in for your international flight to Maun, Botswana.
South African # 8300 Departs Johanensburg 11:45AM – Arrives Maun, Botswana 1:15P
*flight is operated by SA Airlink
On arrival proceed thru immigration and customs formalities where you will meet your pilot for the lite aircraft flight into the Delta and Vumbura Concession for three nights at Vumbura North or South Camp
Vumbura Plains - North or South Camp
Vumbura Plains is a luxury camp situated in a private concession in the extreme north of the Delta. The concession, which is leased from the neighboring community, includes a wide variety of habitats, diverse wildlife and an enormous traversing area of 60 000 hectares (130 000 acres). The camp comprises two separate seven-roomed satellite camps, each with its own raised dining, lounge and bar area tucked beneath a canopy of cool, shady, indigenous trees and with a magnificent vista across the floodplains. A star-gazing deck with comfortable cushions protrudes into the floodplain, a place to gaze upwards, or a convivial camp fire setting. Each large, luxurious room is raised off the ground on wooden decks and each comprises a bedroom, lounge, shower and bathroom - with indoor and outdoor shower of course. It is open on three sides, and the billowing curtains between the various areas create the sense of a yacht floating through the floodplains. Each room also has a plunge pool and 'sala' - a comfortable area to lie and relax, watching the waving grasses of the floodplain.
Here it is possible to encounter hippo, crocodile, lechwe antelope, and, if you are lucky, the shy sitatunga antelope. Birdlife is astounding, with the possibility of sighting some endangered species, such as the stately Wattled Crane, Slaty Egret, White-backed Night Heron and the wonderfully adapted Pel's Fishing-Owl. Lion, leopard and hyaena, can all be found throughout the Vumbura Plains concession area. Occasionally, small packs of wild dog also hunt through the area.
Vumbura Plains offers both land and water activities, principally nature viewing in varied habitats in open 4x4 vehicles, nature walks, mokoro trips and boat excursions. Whilst exploring the spectacular ecology of this area, one can enjoy close-up viewing of lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah and buffalo along with all the plains game. Birding is fabulous here with immense species diversity and mind-boggling numbers. The Vumbura area is possibly the only area in the Okavango where one can see red lechwe (an animal that inhabits the fringes of the waterways) and sable antelope (an animal that prefers the dry countryside) on the same game drive.
Enjoy three nights exploring the extensive wildlife in this area with a multitude of activities available.
Enjoy a morning activity and brunch before departure to the airstrip for your lite aircraft flight to Selinda for the next three nights.
Selinda Camp overlooks the Selinda Spillway, a unique seasonal waterway which links the Okavango Delta with the game-rich floodplains of the Linyanti Swamps. Selinda's 9 spacious, luxury tents are erected under cool thatch canopies, with all units having exceptional views across palm-studded floodplains.
Selinda Camp
The main area comprises a series of expansive decks that invite soaking up the spectacular views and wildlife that are a visual constant of the camp. The design of the main area is such that there is never a barrier to these views: whether guests are relaxing in the lounge, having brunch under the cool shade of the uniquely designed thatched roof, or sampling the fine cuisine of a three-course dinner on the open "star deck". Set apart from the main area is the photo/art gallery built above a temperature-controlled wine cellar and curio shop. Guests can also enjoy a small plunge pool and the traditional campfire. Each tent has en-suite facilities, a stone bath being the highlight. The bathroom is uniquely "open air" with lots of natural light, yet is screened and virtually insect-proof. The tents are spacious and beautifully appointed with furniture and features that have been collected from around Africa. Four-poster mosquito nets and overhead fans are standard.
The Selinda is characterized by its game-rich floodplains which are host to a variety of bird life (300+), antelope, zebra, cheetah, wild dog, lion and dry season elephant concentrations. Nocturnal species could include serval, porcupine, springhare and possibly leopard.
Daily activities revolve around morning, afternoon and night game drives with experienced, professional guides in custom-built 4x4 Land Cruisers. Short walks from camp accompanied by a guide are encouraged to get to know some of the Selinda's smaller creatures.
Enjoy a morning activity and breakfast before boarding your lite aircraft flight to Kasane where you will on to Victoria Falls. Proceed thru customs and immigration formalities (Visas are required and can be purchased on arrival). Meet your driver for transfer to town and the hotel.
The Victoria Falls Hotel
The Victoria Falls Hotel is situated on a natural heritage site overlooking the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, only a 10-minute walk to the Falls. The Victoria Falls is one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. The hotel has a distinctly colonial design, with Edwardian-style furniture and grand elegance. It is set in lush tropical gardens, with the views and roaring sounds of the Falls as its most distinct feature.
All of the 180 en suite rooms at the Victoria Falls Hotel have 4-poster or canopied beds and antique furniture. The traditional Edwardian style and colonial prints mix with the modern facilities and amenities including mini-bars, satellite TV and air-conditioning. These rooms within the hotel have beautiful views of the gorge and Victoria Falls Bridge. There are also newer rooms separate to the main hotel which are just as luxurious and more spacious, but with garden views. The Victoria Falls Hotel offers a choice of 3 different restaurants. Livingstone Room - for an evening of elegant dining and dancing; Jungle Junction Summerhouse – for a more casual dining experience (buffet meals with ethnic evening entertainment); and Stanley's Terrace - provides you with perfect sunset views.
The hotel's activities are varied and numerous. For the sporty, tennis courts and swimming pools are available, as well as water sports on the river. For a tranquil and luxurious experience, you can relax in the African sun and allow yourself to be pampered by massage and beauty therapists. NB. The tour is approximately 1 ½ - 2 hour. Includes transfers to and from your hotel.
Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi
This afternoon you will be collected from your hotel and taken on a Sunset Cruise along the mighty Zambezi River. The Zambezi River is the 4th largest in Africa after the Nile, Zaire and Niger respectively. Its source is in North Western Zambia and flows approximately 2800km to its mouth in Mozambique into the warm Indian Ocean. It is a wide, attractive River dotted with islands and sandbanks and the stretch of River preceding the Falls is bordered on the Zimbabwean side by the Zambezi National Park.
Your ship, The Ra-Ikane, named after the guide who led David Livingstone to the Victoria Falls, was hand-built to resemble a turn-of-the century riverboat, and is luxuriously finished with teak superstructure, brass fittings, a carpeted deck and club chairs and tables giving guests a taste of Victorian splendour in the heart of Africa. On arrival, you are welcomed with a cocktail and served tea and cakes whilst given a safety talk and a brief history of the river. The cruise takes you through a scenically beautiful area of the Zambezi. Large animals such as elephant, hippo and crocodiles are frequently seen, as well as a wide diversity of other game and bird life. Being a mono hull, the boat has a low profile in the water and you are comfortably seated closer to the water line than on the conventional pontoon cruise boats. The boat is staffed with a captain, guide, hostess and waiter to ensure that all your needs are met. A flat deck allows for plenty of room to get up and move around during the cruise and maximise the experience.
NB. Drinks from a fully stocked bar as well as a range of snacks are included.
Return to the hotel for dinner (on own) and overnight.
In the morning there is a full day for optional activities. Take a guided walking tour of the Falls.
Private Tour of Victoria Falls – Zimbabwean Side Highlights
- Explore the rainforests of the Victoria Falls with its abundance of birdlife.
- Learn about the geographical formation of the Falls.
- Amble along the scenic pathway, stopping at spectacular vantage points along the way.
The Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. David Livingstone was the first European to visit the Falls, and named it after Queen Victoria. To the locals, it is known as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” – The Smoke that Thunders – an accurate description of what happens when the waters of the Zambezi River plunge over the 1700 metre wide and 100-metre deep chasm, creating a shower of spray and a deafening noise. From February to May each year, the Victoria Falls are in full flood and 500 million litres of water tumble over the edge into a series of gorges each minute! After a briefing and explanation of the Falls, your guide accompanies you along the 1.7 kilometre scenic pathways of the rainforest, stopping at numerous viewpoints to gaze at the Falls.
NB. The tour is approximately 1 ½ - 2 hour. Includes transfers to and from your hotel.
This afternoon optional activities are available such as an Elephant Back Safari or Flight of Angels Helicopter Excursion.
Flight of the Angels – 13 Minute Helicopter Excursion Highlights
- Experience a bird’s-eye view of the spectacular Victoria Falls by light aircraft or Bell Helicopter. Remove light aircraft description the same as the previous one on first page
- View the Zambezi River as it launches itself over the precipice into the gorge.
- Enjoy the spectacular scenery surrounding the river.
This ideal bird’s-eye aerial view of the Zambezi River, the Victoria Falls and the gorges can be viewed by light aircraft (fixed wing) or Bell helicopter (Jet Ranger – 4 passengers, Long Ranger – 6 passengers). View the Zambezi from the air in all its beauty as it flows to the Falls, where it throws up a cloud of spray that sometimes reaches 300 metres high. The excursion also gives you a better understanding of the zigzag gorge system and how it developed – it also ideally complements a ground tour of the Falls and its surrounding rainforest.
NB. Helicopter flights are weather-permitting. No age restriction is and no specific weight or health requirements apply. Please note that each helicopter has a middle seat and there is no guarantee of a window seat - it is on a first come, first serve basis. A fee of US$12.00 per person is excluded and must be paid directly to the operator.
Dinner on own at one of the many restaurants in the area or at the hotel.
Enjoy and breakfast before transfer across the bridge to Livingstone, Zambia for your flight to Nelpruit’s Kruger Mpumalanga Int’l Airport
On arrival you are met for transfer to the hotel in White River for dinner and overnight.
HIGHGROVE HOUSE COUNTRY HOTEL, WHITE RIVER
Highgrove House, situated on a 64 hectare (158 acres) farm, 20 minutes away from Kruger National Park, combines distinctive accommodation in Mpumalanga along with gourmet cuisine and a hideaway pastoral setting offering sweeping views over the Mpumalanga Lowveld valley.
The original Colonial Farmstead was constructed sometime around the turn of the 18th century and was renovated and revamped in 1988, when the exquisite accommodation suites were constructed. In 1991 Highgrove House opened its door as a five star country hotel. The renovations have retained the character of the era whilst ensuring that today’s guests luxuriate in modern comforts, with total privacy and personal service.
Aged Jacaranda trees provide an enchanting entrance avenue. Fine collection of antiques and Persian carpets adorns the reception rooms, warmed by crackling wood fires when winters chill sets in.
Luxury suites each with private entrance and views over the orchards and gardens offer King beds, wood fire place in a private sitting room. Two executive suites are also available. The Royal at Highgrove House is a award winning fine dining restaurant for several years and serving globally inspired culinary cuisine. Locally produced ingredients are used ensuring socially and environmentally conscious menu. The produce from the Highgrove Farm are also used extensively in the menu, such produce includes avocados, macadamia nuts, raw honey and a variety of herbs and vegetables from our organic gardens.
Dinner is included at the hotel tonight.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before departing for the Panorama scenic tour enroute to the Sabi Sands.
This area is steeped in history of pioneers, hunters and fortune seekers where fascinating gold rush towns abound. The natural beauty of Gods Window provides a boundless view of eternity stretching across miles of thickly forested mountains, lush fertile Lowveld. Stop for a walk to see the magnificent Blyde River Canyon, South Africa’s smaller replica of the Grand Canyon.
Enjoy exploring this area with its stunning scenery with stops along the way before continuing on to the Sabi Sands Wildtuin Private Reserves boarding the Kruger National Park.
Hidden in the Sabi Sand lies a reserve offering a spectacular African safari experience with superb volume of game and quality of sightings. The Sand and the Sabi Rivers supply much-needed water to the region, creating an incredibly bio-diverse wildlife population. The reserve is also situated on a doleritic dyke, which ensures that the resulting soils are high in nutrition, producing one of the best grazing and browsing habitats in southern Africa.
Lion Sands River Lodge
River Lodge is the soul of Lion Sands and has been built on the banks of the Sabie River, positioned on a site with trees dating back 800 years. Facing due east, the lodge catches the sun as it rises over the Kruger National Park. Hosted by a family of staff that make it feel like home away from home, the lodge is about spirit, warmth and nature.
Here you are invited to relax and experience African hospitality at its finest The rooms at River Lodge offer respite and protection from the Lowveld heat. There are 18 luxurious thatched bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, outdoor & inside shower & wooden viewing deck.
Lion Sands is a world class luxury safari experience with a complete commitment to ensuring a pure balance between the preservation of this pristine "bushveld" (wilderness area), allowing access for guests to observe some of Africa's greatest mammals in their natural habitat while ensuring the benefits are shared with local communities. It is the only reserve in the Sabi Sand which employs a full time ecologist, who is responsible for ensuring the preservation of the land for another four generations to come. Come to Lion Sands, spend a little time with us, man and animal, and you will experience a feeling of belonging and at the same time a sense of freedom that comes from those who believe in s
After you settle in your accommodations, set out on an open landrover safari with your personal ranger who will share a wealth of knowledge over the next three days as you are introduced to the game reserve's diverse wildlife, prolific bird species and unique vegetation & habitats
For the next two days, awaken at dawn, accompanied by the early morning sounds and smells of the African bushveld, is an experience unique to early risers. This is often the best time for game viewing. Keep your camera ready! This reserve has the big five and wonderful birdlife just waiting to be photographed.
Walks through the veld with an experienced tracker and day and night-time drives through the veld in an open landrover are all included. In the evening, the fire roars, and laughter fills the air. But no more than a little walk away, the wind blows over the river. Suddenly the air is split by an elephant’s trumpeting. A primordial warped note of oldest Africa.
Experience a night drive that brings you closer to the magic of the nocturnal wildlife, thriving under the clear, star studded sky while spotlights provide the opportunity to view the nocturnal wildlife. Back at the lodge enjoy the comforts of a log fire and sissling sosaties as tales of Old White Hunters and African myths are told.
Enjoy a last morning activity in the bush then return to the lodge for breakfast and transfer to the airstrip at Skukuza continue onto connecting flight via Johannesburg.
