COVID-19: ACTIVITIES & SERVICES
Welcome to Africa! Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel.
Today you will enjoy a private, half-day Cape Town City Tour.
The tour commences with a hike up Table Mountain (weather permitting; cable car fee not included). Enjoy panoramic views over the Mother City and the Atlantic Seaboard with Robben Island in the distance lying sleepily in Table Bay Harbor. In the heart of the city enjoy a short walk through the Company Gardens. From squirrels to a variety of plant life, it’s a happy place to soak up some ‘Cape Town vibes’ and enjoy the aviaries and fishponds. On the Wale Street end of the garden you will find a monument which was created to commemorate the life and work of Desmond Tutu – lovingly referred to by South Africans as “The Arch” and a tribute to the values of the South African Constitution. Arch for Arch was installed beside historic St. George's Cathedral aka “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 have contributed to the richness and diversity of South African history. As you drive through the city you will get a feel for the cultural melting pot that it is. End the tour with a stop at Truth Café a ‘steampunk inspired’ artisan coffee shop serving all hand-roasted coffees in a vintage cast-iron drum (any meals for own account). Return to your hotel upon completion of the tour.
International flights
Your day will begin with an exciting helicopter tour of the Cape Peninsula.
After your heli tour, you will continue onward with a land tour of the peninsula.
Take in the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, before crossing over to Hout Bay, where you may choose to join an optional boat cruise to Seal Island. From here you drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve via Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal drives, where you will board a funicular (optional and on your own account) to get to the top of the Peninsula to witness the symbolic meeting of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and enjoy spectacular views over False Bay.
After a private tasting menu lunch, stop at the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Gardens before arriving at your hotel for overnight.
This morning you will head to Simon’s Town to find your own rogue penguins on a local beach. Kayak and stand-up paddle in sheltered coves, getting a unique perspective of the penguins (weather permitting).
You will continue onward to the Cape Winelands. Today, you'll uncover the natural beauty of the Winelands, an area known for its rows of vineyards and stunning estates dominated by forests, gardens and historic architecture.
Cycle through Franschhoek on an e-bike, admiring the quaint buildings which date back to French Huguenot origins, and pass the bohemian galleries and designer boutiques for which this charming town is renowned. Enjoy sensational vistas over hidden gems, wine tastings at signature estates and an introduction to winemaking.
This evening you will enjoy a private chef's table dinner. After, you will be transferred to your overnight accommodation.
Today you will be transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your scheduled flight to Windhoek, Namibia. Upon arrival, you will connect with your private charter flight to Sossusvlei.
You will be met on arrival and enjoy a spectacular private sunset drive in the desert.
Arrive at your next camp for dinner and overnight.
Private charter flight: Windhoek to Sossusvlei Airstrip
Scheduled flight: Cape Town to Windhoek
Rise early for a magical excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park (Sossusvlei), entering the park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes while the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world, including the tallest dune "Big Daddy", which you have the opportunity to climb if you are feeling up to it.
Sossusvlei: This most frequently visited section of the massive park has become known as Sossusvlei, famous for its towering apricot-colored sand dunes which can be reached by following the Tsauchab River Valley. Sossusvlei itself is actually a clay pan set amidst these star shaped dunes which stand up to 300 meters above the surrounding plains, ranking them among the tallest dunes on earth. The deathly white clay pan contrasts against the orange sands and forms the endpoint of the ephemeral Tsauchab River, within the interior of the Great Sand Sea. The river course rises south of the Naukluft Mountains in the Great Escarpment. It penetrates the sand sea for some 55 km before it finally peters out at Sossusvlei, about the same distance from the Atlantic Ocean. Until the encroaching dunes blocked its course around 60,000 years ago, the Tsauchab River once reached the sea; as ephemeral rivers still do in the northern half of the Namib. Sand-locked pans to the west show where the river previously flowed to before dunes shifted its endpoint to where it currently gathers at Sossusvlei. Roughly once a decade rainfall over the catchment area is sufficient to bring the river down in flood and fill the pan. On such occasions the mirror images of dunes and camelthorn trees around the pan are reflected in the water.
Sossusvlei is the biggest of four pans in the vicinity. Another, famous for its gnarled and ghostly camel thorn trees, is Deadvlei which can be reached on foot over 1 km of sand. Deadvlei’s striking camel thorn trees, dead for want of water, still stand erect as they once grew. They survived until about 900 years ago when the sand sea finally blocked the river from occasionally flooding the pan.
Sesriem Canyon: Sesriem Canyon has evolved through centuries of erosion by the Tsauchab River which has incised a narrow gorge about 1.5 km long and 30 meters deep into the surrounding conglomerates, exposing the varying layers of sedimentation deposited over millions of years. The shaded cool depths of the canyon allow pools of water to gather during the rain season and remain for much of the year round. These pools were a vital source of water for early settlers who drew water for their livestock by knotting six (SES) lengths of rawhide thongs (riems) together, hence the canyon and surrounding area became known as Sesriem.
Enjoy a lovely breakfast before you are transferred back to the airstrip to board your private charter to Serra Cafema before making a fuel stopover in Swakopmund on an scenic route (fog permitting). This scenic flight heads along the Diamond Coast where, fog permitting, you will travel over shipwrecks, seal colonies, abandoned diamond camps and the sand sea.
A highlight is the flight over the Eduard Bohlen, a German cargo ship that ran aground in 1909 while it was on its way to Table Bay from Swakopmund. It is believed that thick fog caused the ship to founder close to Conception Bay. Years after the ship ran aground, the desert began to encroach on the ocean and the ship that was once stranded in the ocean slowly became stranded in the desert. The wreck currently sits about 500 meters from the ocean, ensuring that it’s the best-preserved shipwreck along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast and making it a must see for photographers
On arrival at the Hartmann Valley airstrip you will be met by a vehicle and guide and transferred on a scenic drive (approx. 1 ½ hours) through stunning scenery to the Serra Cafema Camp where you will stay for the next 2 nights. You arrive at the camp in the late afternoon and the time can be spent on activities of your choice exploring this very special area - scenic game drives or guided quad bike excursions in the stunning desert scenery of the Hartmann Valley, river cruises on the Kunene, nature drives and walks, as well as visits to the local Himba community as required.
Private charter flight: Sossusvlei to Kunene region
Set under verdant trees on the banks of the Kunene River, Serra Cafema is one of the most remote camps in southern Africa. Guests can truly disconnect, unwind and relax to the sound of rushing water, and explore one of the driest deserts in the world. Respectful interaction with the semi-nomadic Himba community, fascinating nature walks, boating (water levels permitting), and low-impact guided quad-bike excursions complete the experience.
The eight chalets are set on elevated decks and crafted in wood, canvas and thatch to create a unique camp that is at one with its surroundings and the main area affords spectacular views over the Kunene River. The luxury canvas en suite tents are each set on a raised deck, with elevated wooden walkways overlooking the dunes or the river valley. Each tent comprises en-suite facilities, indoor and outdoor shower, mosquito net, electronic safe and tea and coffee making facilities. There is no air-conditioning, but each room has one pedestal fan and three ceiling fans to ensure good movement of the air. The Kunene River is the only permanent source of water in this region, creating an oasis along its banks. Game viewing in the area is limited to small herds of gemsbok, springbok and mountain zebra, but the Kunene River has a large population of Nile crocodiles and Burchell's courser and Benguela long-billed lark are among the characteristic bird species to be found in this area.
This morning you may join a morning visit to the nomad Himba people that reside in this area. Or, have the entire day at your disposal to take part in the activities included at Serra Cafema
Activities Included:
• Nature drives in Hartmann’s Valley
• Guided quad biking (subject to availability)
• Guided nature walks (weather permitting).
• Boating on the Kunene River (water levels permitting)
• Engaging with the Himba people - a group of semi-nomadic pastoralists who live in the Kaokoveld area
• Stargazing with a laser pointer.
• Camp chats about the area and its geology, the Children in the Wilderness program, the Kunene people and their conservancy
The Himba, Tjimba and other Herero people who inhabit Namibia’s remote north-western Kunene Region are loosely referred to as the Kaokovelders. Basically Herero in terms of origin, language and culture, they are semi-nomadic pastoralists who travel from one watering place to another. For many centuries they have lived a relatively isolated existence and were not involved to any noteworthy extent in the long struggle for pasturelands between the Nama and the Herero. The largest group of Kaokovelders is the Himba, semi-nomads who live in scattered settlements throughout the Kunene Region. They are a tall, slender and statuesque people, characterized especially by their proud yet friendly bearing. The women especially are noted for their unusual sculptural beauty, enhanced by intricate hairstyles and traditional adornments
Today you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your private charter flight to Maun, Botswana. From here, you will connect with your onward private charter flight to Kanana in the Okavango Delta.
Birding is spectacular with Kanana hosting a seasonal heronry that is one of the largest in Southern Africa, a highlight that converts all visitors to avid ‘twitchers’.
A maze of sparkling lagoons, meandering channels and overgrown islands teeming with wildlife, Botswana’s Okavango Delta lies like a sparkling jewel at the heart of the Kalahari Desert. Known as the river that never finds the sea, the Delta’s crystal-clear channels spread over the thirstlands of the Kalahari with their papyrus-fringed banks and fertile floating islands. Adapted for a life in and out of water, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga are found in this watery wilderness. Lion, cheetah, leopard and African wild dog share the floodplains with large herds of elephant and buffalo.
A typical day on safari brings different experiences but generally, your safari day includes two major activities/game drives per day. One beginning early in the morning and the second starting mid to late afternoon. There may be times when you stay out all day and a picnic lunch is then provided.
Your day usually starts with an early wake-up, normally before sunrise. You’ll have a light breakfast then a morning game drive to catch the animals in action before the heat of the day sets in. While out, you may stop and have some tea/coffee and snacks before returning to your camp/lodge for brunch or lunch and a siesta. Most morning activities are over by late morning (around 10/11: 00 am).
In the late afternoon (usually between 3:30-4: 30 pm), you’ll head back out for another game drive where often you will end with a ‘sundowner’ (drinks and snacks in the bush). You will then return to the camp/lodge in time for dinner and drinks. Most safari vehicles are partially if not entirely open to ensure that everyone has a great view.
On transfer days where you move between camps the itinerary may be slightly different depending on your schedule. Your guide and camp managers will discuss and plan your days with you.
Private charter flight: Kunene region to Maun to Okavango Delta
This morning, you will explore the crystal-clear waterways by mokoro, and enjoy the magnificent variety of birds, plant and reptile species found in the area.
After your morning mokoro ride, you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your private charter flight to Sandibe Safari Lodge. You will be met upon arrival and enjoy an afternoon of safari activities provided by camp.
Set in a cool forest canopy of wild palms and gnarled fig trees, &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge looks out over spectacular Delta views. Situated on a private concession, Sandibe has exclusive traversing rights over 55,600 acres of wildlife land adjacent to the Moremi Game Reserve. Behind the lodge, golden grassed floodplains stretch into the distance, framed by lush palm islands and the spires of giant termite mounds.
Private charter flight: Kanana to andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge
Enjoy a full day of game drives and nature walks in the Okavango Delta.
In the heart of the Delta, on the edge of a waterway, you’ll find Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge. Situated on a diverse, wildlife-rich, private concession, Sandibe has exclusive traversing rights over 55,600 acres of wildlife land bordering the Moremi Game Reserve.
The inspired organic design of the lodge melts into the surrounding forest canopy of wild palms and gnarled fig trees. Trees will shade you as you approach the lodge; an intriguing curl and sweep of shingled wood comes into view, resembling a giant scaled pangolin at rest. Stairs open onto the high ceilings of the copper-toned and glassless guest area overlooking the Delta. From this central dining area, the wooden deck stretches beyond the roof, while the upstairs bar and lounge extend along an elevated walkway to a viewing platform.
A series of decks descend to the forest floor culminating in a log boma, with a small gym and private massage area close by. Interior finishes throughout showcase the craftsmanship of Botswana’s artisans, and feature intricate basketware, sculpted wooden tables and unique feature pieces. While the main guest area is set within the forest, the twelve guest suites peep out from beneath its canopy. Raised above the papyrus-lined banks like golden weaver nests, each is a cocoon of privacy, with breathtaking views, a private plunge pool and cozy fireplace.
Today you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your private charter flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your next accommodation.
This afternoon, you will board a sunset cruise and unwind.
This cruise is a superb way to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Zambezi River, with the opportunity of seeing a variety of game; including hippo, crocodile, elephant and many different bird species. The sunset cruise is very popular and includes finger snacks, beer, wine, local spirits and soft drinks. There are great photo opportunities against spectacular African sunsets.
Private charter flight: Okavango Delta to Victoria Falls
After breakfast, you will be taken on a two hour tour of the Victoria Falls.
The Victoria Falls, now in its 150 millionth fantastic year, reaches its zenith in about May each year. It’s a truly awe-inspiring experience – the sight, the sound, the smell; the humbling feeling that here indeed is nature’s supreme masterpiece. No photograph can begin to depict the reality…and nothing prepares you for your first sight. This tour is conducted in the morning and afternoon. En-route, clients may be taken past the ‘Big Tree’ where they may stop and take photos. Clients will be accompanied through the rainforest by a qualified guide who will give a brief history of the Falls themselves as well as detailing the flora, fauna and other points of interest.
Enjoy lunch at Lookout Cafe overlooking the mighty Victoria Falls.
After lunch, you will have the special opportunity to view Victoria Falls from the sky on a helicopter tour.
After your tour you will be transferred to Victoria Falls International Airport for your scheduled flight to Nairobi, Kenya. You will be met on arrival and be transferred to the world-famous, Giraffe Manor.
Often referred to as one of the most Instagrammed properties in the world, Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. Giraffe Manor is one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings. The historic manor house has extraordinary appeal, that harks back to the 1930s when visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris. With its stately facade, elegant interior, verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards, guests often remark that it’s like walking into the film Out of Africa: indeed, one of its twelve rooms is named after the author Karen Blixen.
Scheduled flight: Victoria Falls to Nairobi
Waking up to breakfast with a giraffe must be one of the most incredible and unique experiences anyone can have. This activity is reserved exclusively for overnight guests of Giraffe Manor and is one not to be missed. Loping across the manor lawns and peering in through the large windows with their elegant necks, encountering endangered Rothschild’s giraffes at such close quarters gives a real appreciation of just how beautiful and soulful these creatures are. Watch out for their inquisitive tongues, which can grow up to twenty inches long, as they investigate what’s on offer; luckily, it’s nutritious dried grass pellets that they’re after, not your pancakes!
After breakfast you will be transferred to Wilson Airport for your private charter flight to the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. You will be met on arrival and enjoy an afternoon filled with safari activities provided by camp.
The Mara Naboisho Conservancy in southwest Kenya is a dream for wildlife enthusiasts. As well as cheetahs, elephants and giraffes, the area has one of the highest concentrations of lions in the world.
There are nine spacious tents at Naboisho Camp. And because it’s based in a private conservancy adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve, Naboisho is one of the best camps for your safari in the Mara, known for its amazing guiding. A safari here goes beyond the usual game drives. Explore the Mara on foot, keep your eyes peeled during a night drive or spend an unforgettable night camping in the bush for a real safari adventure. With 266 species of birds to spot, there are also ample bird-watching opportunities.
Private charter flight: Nairobi To Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Enjoy a full day of game drives and nature walks in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, located just north of Masai Mara National Reserve.
Because the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is private, it is not governed by the same rules and regulations as national parks and reserves. At Naboisho, guests can go on walking safaris to study the savannah up close, drive off-road in search of a lioness and her cubs, take night drives to spot wildlife that only appears after dark and picnic in the wilderness. It’s a great spot for those who have done a traditional safari and are craving something more adventurous.
Today you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your private charter flight back to Wilson Airport in Nairobi. From here, you will continue onward with your private charter flight to Lake Manyara Airstrip with a stopover in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania en route.
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your next accommodation located on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Upon arrival at your lodge, you will have the opportunity to visit a local Maasai boma (village) to see how local people in this region of Tanzania live.
Private charter flights: Mara to Nairobi to Kilimanjaro to Lake Manyara
After breakfast, descend the dramatic 2,000 ft walls by vehicle for game viewing on the Ngorongoro Crater floor. Spend the day wildlife viewing and enjoy a picnic lunch in the largest intact volcanic caldera. Over 20,000 mammals call the crater home, including some of the only remaining black rhinos in the world.
After your morning safari, depart for Serengeti National Park with a packed lunch and a visit to Olduvai Gorge en route. At certain times of year, the road between Ngorongoro and Serengeti can be quite bumpy and dusty, making for long driving times (approximately 4-5 hours). It will, however, be one of the most fascinating drives on your trip. You will pass through the rolling countryside of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, dotted with traditional Maasai bomas, and you will marvel at how the landscape changes upon entering Serengeti National Park with its wide, sweeping plains and abundance of wildlife.
You will arrive at Serengeti Safari Camp in time for dinner and overnight. This will be your most adventurous, close-to-nature experience on the tour.
A million and a half wildebeest and zebra can’t be wrong, and this camp never settles for less. This canvas home-from-home and its indomitable crew are on the move year-in, year-out from one Serengeti site to another, guided by the mass movements of the wildebeest migration and their quest for ever greener grass. Along with it comes their highly trained naturalist guides and all the trimmings of a classic safari.
Today you will rise early and enjoy a magical hot air balloon safari over Serengeti National Park, followed by a Champagne brunch.
After your morning balloon ride, you will enjoy a full day of safari activities in search for the great migration herds.
Game drives in search of the migration
Today you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your private charter flight to Kigali, Rwanda.
You will be met on arrival and head out with your private guide and vehicle for a city tour of Kigali, including a visit to the Genocide Memorial and craft centers. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant then continue on the scenic drive (2-3 hours) toward Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga Mountains. Arrive at your lodge late afternoon in time for dinner.
Private charter flight: Serengeti to Kigali
Gorilla Trekking Day!
After an early breakfast, drive to park headquarters where you’ll be allocated a gorilla family. You will be briefed by your trackers then drive to the trailhead. Your trek through the mountainous forest can take from 1 to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. The terrain is rough, and at times muddy. Although the trek can be physically demanding, the beauty of the forest makes it worthwhile. Once located, you’ll spend one hour observing the gorilla family before returning to your lodge for lunch. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure or plan an activity with your guide.
Gorilla Tracking and Permits - Only a limited number of daily permits are available and not confirmed until paid in full. Trekkers must be 15 years of age or older. Only 1 hour is allowed with the gorillas, and trekkers must stay at a distance of at least 50 feet. To protect the gorillas from disease, any guest with an obvious cold or other communicable illness will not be allowed to participate in the treks. Trekkers must be fit, as tracking occurs in dense, misty forests on steep-sided mountains of up to 9,800 feet. Porters can be hired to carry equipment and we encourage guests to hire one or more of them to assist with climbing and to support local youth.
After breakfast, you will hike to the grave of Dian Fossey inside Volcanoes National Park. The trail brings you to her former research camp and tomb. It takes an hour and a half to get there, and you can see all kinds of animals on the way. The campsite is at an altitude of about 10,000 ft and was abandoned during the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s. Though it is a bit ruined, they have reconstructed it for tourism.
After your morning hike, you will board a private helicopter flight back to Kigali. From here you will connect with your departing international flights.
END OF SERVICES.
Private helicopter flight: Volcanoes National Park to Kigali
International flights
