WILD CHILD SAFARIS - A Family Safari (Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe)

Expert tips:

Built on raised decking overlooking the Linyanti Marsh, this intimate tented camp offers stunning views and many exhilarating ways to explore the area. Linyanti Ebony is a family-friendly safari camp where children of all ages are welcome. The camp includes a 2 bedroom family tent and child specialist guides who tailor their safari activities for families. The spacious two-bedroom family tent has a self-contained lounge area and private deck looking out over the wetlands plus, a spacious en-suite bathroom that features a shower and roll-top bath. The main area encompasses an expansive lounge and dining area, sparkling plunge pool, cosy fire circle and boma; the perfect place to strengthen family ties on your Chobe safari.

The Linyanti Channel is fast becoming Botswana’s most sought-after wildlife haven. Nestled between the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, Linyanti is a rich yet diverse ecosystem that is fed by permanent river flow. The area is home to a wide range of wildlife including a healthy population of predators, huge herds of elephant and buffalo and several more elusive species, as well as spectacular birding.

Game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, helicopter safaris and bush walks are all activities that are on offer to provide you the opportunity to enjoy this unique landscape of water and bush. Larger family groups or parties of friends travelling together can reserve Linyanti Ebony exclusively with a minimum of eight people.

UNIQUE POINTS

• Located in a private concession on the border of Chobe National Park

• Intimate family-friendly camp

• Ngwana Club offering nature walks, arts and crafts, cooking lessons

  and other fun activities.

Expert tips:

On the southern banks of the Linyanti River, forming a natural border between Nambia and Botswana, is the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. This private concession boasts splendid scenery of untouched grasslands, riverine forest and meandering lagoons. In comparison to its neighbors in the East, Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta in the South, Linyanti remains wonderfully underused with a high concentration of game. Due to its remote location each corner of this 1,250 sq km protected sanctuary is bursting with game which is simply mesmerising in both the wet and dry seasons. Avid bird enthusiasts will be in awe as thousands of exotic birds migrate to this region during the green season. Carmine bee-eaters can often be seen nesting on the banks of the Linyanti river.

This magnificent area offers unparalleled wildlife encounters with large herds of buffalo in the dry season and sightings of rare and unique wildlife species such as aardvark. Large herds of elephants can be viewed at the rivers and waterholes, and thousands of zebra congregate in the winter before heading south. Other wildlife seen includes lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, giraffe, eland, sable, hippo, hyena and various other nocturnal species.

January is traditionally the rainy season in the Linyanti area, but this should not be seen as a negative as the rains bring life to the wilderness. Migrant birds are in full breeding plumage, there are lots of baby animals around and the vegetation is bright and green making it ideal for photographers. The larger herds of elephants and buffalo have moved further into the Mopane woodlands, but the older bulls remain in the area where there is good food and lots of water. In general this is a great time for birders and photographers.

Expert tips:

Thorntree River lodge is set in Zambia’s Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, just 20 minutes from the famousVictoria Falls.The lodge has drawn inspiration from local customs and cultures to create a modern and contemporary design with tented roof structures to maintain the feel of Authentic Africa.

There are eight standard tented suites and two family suites that are situated along the edge of the mighty Zambezi River. Each unit has its own indoor and outdoor bathroom as well as a luxurious private plunge pool, deck and direct river view.

The main lodge consists of a lounge with an open dining area, where the fine dining experience of African cuisine will come to life. The communal deck is set on the edge of the stunning riverside and is home to a sunken boma area and infinity pool. Wooden decking floats on the edge of the river and moves with the water levels to create an illusion off sailing a boat.

Take advantage of a combination of wildlife, culture and adrenalin activities on offer in the area. From our lodge in, we offer daily excursions to the Zambian side (and Zimbabwean side – in the dry season) side of The Victoria Falls, private river cruises, cultural visits, fishing expeditions, canoeing, rhino tracking and game drives, all included in your stay. Additionally, we can book external activities such as guided rainforest walks, bungee jumping and helicopter flips over ‘The Smoke thatThunders’ on your behalf.

UNIQUE POINTS

• Located on the banks of the Zambezi River

• Rhino tracking on foot in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

• Visit the mightyVictoria Falls

• Variety of activities available including river cruises,

  cultural visits and game activities.

Expert tips:

Victoria Falls is a famed must-see on any visit to Southern Africa. A waterfall of truly epic proportions, also known as “the smoke that thunders” – to this day Victoria Falls remains one of the most spectacular natural seven wonders of the world.

Whatever time of year you see the Falls, there’s no doubt you will be awe-struck, but visit between February and June in particular and you’ll witness first-hand how the Zambezi River fills from the rains in Northern Zambia and Angola, causing an enormous and powerful volume of water to flow over the Falls.

Victoria Falls Town is an amazing place base yourself while you explore the area, offering travellers an incredible experience. From the breath-taking falls to the historical buildings and local food it is a truly immersive and rememberable experience. Victoria Falls is an adventure lovers dream, during the dryer months take a dip in Devil’s Pool right on the edge of the falls – not for the faint-hearted – or enjoy the year-round opportunities for bungee jumping, helicopter flights and white-water rafting.

Not only is Victoria Falls rich in culture, the area offers you numerous exciting activities. From spectacular scenic helicopter trips over the mighty Victoria Falls and sunset cruises to bungee jumping and white water rafting, there is something for every type of traveller.

January is the summertime, with warm daytime temperatures around 30°C. The afternoon summer rains bring a freshness to the season and landscapes, replenishing the plants, waterholes and rivers. Summertime in Mosi-oa-Tunya brings dramatic late-afternoon thunderstorms, which are an exhilarating show of the power of Mother Nature. At the Falls, the summer rains are yet to fully filter down from the highlands, so the water level is medium to high, depending on how much rain has fallen over the previous months.

Expert tips:

Somalisa Acacia is the perfect Hwange safari experience for families with younger children or smaller private groups of safari-goers. Set on a private concession in the heart of Hwange National Park, this family camp located to the west of sister camp Somalisa, is built under the dappled canopy of a grove of Acacias and provides guests with a breathtaking view of the golden savannah plains of Hwange.

The camp comprises of a lounge, dining room, boma, swimming pool and its own elephant drinking pool with up-close encounters and incredible photographic opportunities with elephants. There are 2 family tents with inter-leading walkways between the parents and children’s rooms which are both en-suite as well as 2 standard sail tents. Each tent includes gauze sling doors which give 180-degree views of the surrounding bush.

The core focus of this camp is to provide families with an outstanding safari experience. Our child specialist guides offer practical and educational activities for the kids and an adventure that will delight every generation. From nature walks around camp and storytelling to cultural arts and crafts and cooking classes, the children focused Ngwana Club creates a fun and educational environment for children on safari.

A family safari adventure at Somalisa Acacia is the trip of a lifetime that allows you to enjoy a hassle-free holiday in Africa that is as indulgent and relaxing for parents as it is exciting, educational and fun for children.

UNIQUE POINTS

• Family friendly camp with family tents

• All year-round destination

• 45 minutes flight fromVictoria Falls

• Ngwana Club

Expert tips:

Hwange National Park is the largest in Zimbabwe, covering an impressive 14,650 sq km, with the main entrance located a two-hour drive or 30-minute flight south of Victoria Falls. The park is named after a local Nhanzwa chief, and was once the royal hunting ground for the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi, before being classified as a protected National Park in 1929.

As you’d expect from a park of this size, the breadth of wildlife species is astounding. Over 100 species of mammals reside here, whilst almost 400 species of birds decorate the skies. Perhaps most exciting is the 40,000-strong population of tusker elephants, whose presence is world-renowned and a joy to watch day after day.

The dry season (from July to October) is the best time to visit Hwange, as large concentrations of wildlife– particularly the wonderful elephant herds – descend upon the area to drink from the waterholes in order to survive in this hot and unforgiving environment. Yet, whilst the rains from December to March will see the wildlife dispersing across the park, thus making them harder to spot, the summer showers also bring forth stunning vegetation. This ensures mesmeric bird-watching opportunities as the local population finds itself bolstered by the migrants coming down from the Northern Hemisphere. Hwange National Park truly is a year-round wonderland.

Teeming with wildlife, Hwange is home to the worlds largest population of elephant, along with buffalo, sable, roan antelope, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, gemsbok, hyena, wild dog and over 400 bird species including the racket-tailed roller, carmine bee-eater, and southern ground hornbill to name a few.

January in Hwange is a very green affair. As the rains hit the desert sands, the vegetation comes to life turning the landscape into a photographers dream. Generally, the rainy season consists of dramatic afternoon thunderstorms with large billowing clouds. The rains can continue into the night, cooling things down from the usual hot temperatures during the day. January is a great time of the year for birders as the migrants are in full breeding plumage to attract mates for the season. There are lots of baby impala and other animals around that are a month or two old. Larger family herds of elephant and the younger bulls have moved off into the deeper Mopane woodlands. Older bulls and some family herds remain and will still frequent the waterhole. With less competition at the waterholes, now that the larger herds of elephants have moved off, it gives the smaller animals a chance to come out and be seen. Animals like African wild cats, bat eared foxes, steenbok other shyer animals are seen more often at this time of the year. Lion, leopard, and cheetah are resident and so remain in the area, but may still be tricky to see as they patrol their territories which can extend past the concession boundaries. Wild dogs are seen occasionally as they move large distances each day in search of prey. January is a great time for photographers with green vegetation and often very dramatic cloud formations and clear air. Walking safaris may not always be possible as the vegetation can be too thick, which can be dangerous. Birders will also love this time of the year with the extra numbers of species due to the migrants in the area. With the mixed habitats of Hwange, the bird numbers are quite high. Daytime temperatures can go into the high 30°C but with the rains, this can drop down making it quite cool and so a light jacket or fleece is advisable.

Expert tips:

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, perched on a hill overlooking Lake Kariba and the game-rich shoreline, boasts one of Africa’s most spectacular vistas. Taking centre stage is the beautiful infinity pool that seems to blend endlessly into the lake horizon. The lodge interiors have been beautifully finished in a fusion of contemporary western and African styles, giving Bumi Hills the feel of a secret African riviera.

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is situated on an extensive private wildlife conservation area that is home to lion, leopard, big herds of elephant and buffalo as well as a multitude of different plains game. Guests can indulge in a wide range of activities including game drives, walking safaris, boating safaris, lake cruises and fishing. Bumi Hills Safari lodge is the perfect place to unwind and re-energize in the wilds of Zimbabwe.

All ten suites are replete with air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, battery charging points, mini-bar and a private viewing deck extending spectacular views of the lake and its surrounds. The Baobab Villa, Bumi Hills’ 2-bedroomed private villa, complete with its own living room, bar and indoor and outdoor dining decks is ideal for families. Offering a personalised experience, the villa comes with the services of a private butler, safari guide and a dedicated safari vehicle.

UNIQUE POINTS

• Good variety of land and water activities

• Located on a private concession

• Ngwana Club Activities for children of all ages

• Luxury property with a gym and Spa

Expert tips:

Situated on the sparkling shores of Lake Kariba, the beautiful Matusadona National Park was proclaimed a non-hunting area in 1958 and as such is wonderfully rich in wildlife and vegetation.

With a ready supply of regenerative grasses as a source of food and an abundance of water from the lake, buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, and impala have thrived. With this so have the predators, so you can expect incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. The lake itself is teeming with huge Nile crocodiles and the lake shored offers fantastic herds of elephants and the Big Five. Meanwhile, birdlife thrives here, so keep an eye out for the population of fish-eagles, amongst many others.

With 2,000 km of shoreline, Lake Kariba is the 4th largest man-made lake in the world and the 2nd largest in Africa – so it’s a truly impressive place to explore, especially by boat.

Around the lake, there is a healthy population of hippos, crocodiles, along with an abundant number of water birds including the giant kingfisher, fish eagles, and cormorants. Further inland, expect to see elephants, buffalo, antelope, leopards and lions within the protected sanctuary.