KV15 | 6-nights | Plains Camp (home of Rhino Walking Safaris) | Kruger National Park and Chundu Island | Victoria Falls

Travelling

Many of our guests fly into Skukuza Airport and make use of a 25 - 40-minute road transfer to Rhino Post Safari Lodge or fly into Nelspruit (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport) from where the transfer time to the lodge is approximately 2 ½ - 3 hours. 

For those who wish to undertake the approximately six-hour self-drive from Johannesburg, we recommend you leave at around 07h00 to allow for a rest-stop or photographic opportunities along the way.

Should your journey begin at Rhino Walking Safaris, please ensure that you reach Rhino Post Safari Lodge by 13h00 for your transfer at 14h00 in an open 4x4 game vehicle to Plains Camp, home of Rhino Walking Safaris.  

Upon arrival 

Upon arrival at Rhino Post Safari Lodge, you will be greeted by our friendly front-of-house team and welcomed with a chilled home-brewed iced tea or drink from the bar on our main deck overlooking the dry river bed whilst waiting for your transfer to Plains Camp, home of Rhino Walking Safaris

Travelling

At 14h00 you will be transferred by 4x4 to Plains Camp (home of Rhino Walking Safaris), a trip which takes about 30 minutes and is a mini-game drive in itself.

On arrival

After settling into your 19th century explorer-style luxury tent and being shown around the camp, high tea is served followed by a briefing by your guide on the ‘do’s & don’ts’ of bush walking by your guide. 

Rhino Walking Safari guides meet the stringent requirements of the South African National Parks (SANParks) and our senior staff are amongst the best available. All walks are led by two armed guides.

After the guides have been through the safety precautions, you will set off on a short introductory walk which is always an exhilarating experience.

You will later return to the vehicle in time for sundowners and enjoy a short night drive before returning to camp. 

All walking trails are enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat, with the average duration of the morning walk being between 3 and 4 hours. 

During the morning walk there is a stop for a rest and light snack.

The length of the evening walk depends on the time of the year, but usually lasts not more than an hour and is typically combined with a short game drive. Some guests prefer to opt out of the walk and go on a game drive instead, but this can only be done if all the guests at the camp agree. 

On each walking safari our guides will share their wealth of “bush culture’’ - not only identifying flora and fauna but also explaining the medicinal uses of plants, local folk lore and interpreting wildlife tracks in the sand.

Walking through the bush heightens all the senses and offers visitors unrivalled opportunities to become immersed in the rhythms of nature. The alarm calls of Red-billed oxpeckers may alert your guide to an old buffalo feeding in the reeds along a riverbed, a porcupine quill reveals that Africa’s largest rodent foraged along a trail during the night and the fresh tracks of a pride of lions means that the vultures may soon be in business. 

Although game drives offer the opportunity to get very close to wild animals this is not the case when people are walking in the bush; animals scent or see humans on foot very quickly. While this means that it is more difficult to get close to animals, being on foot is considered by many people to be more rewarding because the walker encounters animals on their own terms, just as would have happened before vehicles existed. The tracking of animals and immersion of senses in the sounds and smell of the bush, and even the feel of leaves or tree bark, creates a true sense of being part of the environment.

A hearty brunch is served after getting back from the morning walk.  Choose to take the opportunity to cool off in in the plunge pool or simply relax on the deck while doing some more game-watching over the Timbetene Plain.

High tea is followed by an afternoon walk and short evening game drive. 

Drinks around the fire, followed by dinner complete the day.

All walking trails are enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat, with the average duration of the morning walk being between 3 and 4 hours. 

During the morning walk there is a stop for a rest and light snack.

The length of the evening walk depends on the time of the year, but usually lasts not more than an hour and is typically combined with a short game drive. Some guests prefer to opt out of the walk and go on a game drive instead, but this can only be done if all the guests at the camp agree. 

On each walking safari our guides will share their wealth of “bush culture’’ - not only identifying flora and fauna but also explaining the medicinal uses of plants, local folk lore and interpreting wildlife tracks in the sand.

Walking through the bush heightens all the senses and offers visitors unrivalled opportunities to become immersed in the rhythms of nature. The alarm calls of Red-billed oxpeckers may alert your guide to an old buffalo feeding in the reeds along a riverbed, a porcupine quill reveals that Africa’s largest rodent foraged along a trail during the night and the fresh tracks of a pride of lions means that the vultures may soon be in business. 

Although game drives offer the opportunity to get very close to wild animals this is not the case when people are walking in the bush; animals scent or see humans on foot very quickly. While this means that it is more difficult to get close to animals, being on foot is considered by many people to be more rewarding because the walker encounters animals on their own terms, just as would have happened before vehicles existed. The tracking of animals and immersion of senses in the sounds and smell of the bush, and even the feel of leaves or tree bark, creates a true sense of being part of the environment.

A hearty brunch is served after getting back from the morning walk.  Choose to take the opportunity to cool off in in the plunge pool or simply relax on the deck while doing some more game-watching over the Timbetene Plain.

High tea is followed by an afternoon walk and short evening game drive. 

Drinks around the fire, followed by dinner complete the day.

After a light snack and tea or coffee you’ll be taken on another safari walk. After the walk there will be the chance to freshen up and brunch will be served. You’ll then be transferred Rhino Post Safari Lodge for check out. 

Depending on your travel arrangements, you may need to forego the morning activity at Plains Camp  (home of Rhino Walking Safaris). 

Travelling

There are many travel options to get from Kruger National Park to Victoria Falls.

1. Fly directly from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) to Livingstone.
2. Fly directly from Skukuza to Johannesburg, overnight in Johannesburg and fly from there to Livingstone or Victoria Falls.
3. Fly directly to Cape Town from Skukuza – spend a few nights in Cape Town, and then fly directly from Cape Town to Victoria Falls or Livingstone.
4. Self drive back to Johannesburg, and then fly to Victoria Falls the following day.
5.  You may also choose to overnight at another destination before continuing your journey with us.

It is worth noting that should you be flying directly from Mpumalanga International Airport to Livingstone, or directly from Skukuza to Cape Town, you will have to forgo your morning activity, and we would need to ensure an early morning transfer is pre booked.

Your itinerary will be tailor-made for your individual travel arrangements and exact timings will depend on the travelling arrangements.

Travelling

There are two ways to reach Chundu Island from Victoria Falls, but neither is a boring commute. You could opt to take the 1 hour 30-minute road transfer which is in effect, a game drive through the Zambezi National Park. On arrival at the pick-up point on the banks of the Zambezi, you will take a five-minute barge ride to the island. 

For a more adventurous transfer, take a 40-minute boat transfer up the Zambezi River and twist and turn your way over the water passing hippos and crocodiles along the way, not to mention the occasional elephant along the banks. Here and there, the brilliant blue flash of a tiny Malachite kingfisher flying just above the water or the call of the Fish Eagle will whet your appetite for what lies ahead at Chundu Island.

The island is home to magnificent riverine trees, a wide variety of birdlife, bushbuck, Vervet monkeys and other wildlife.
 

On arrival

As always, our friendly staff will be there to greet you. While enjoying a welcome drink, they will explain what awaits you during your stay.

To fully enjoy the remote island lifestyle and varied attractions at Chundu, we recommend that our guests stay for three to five nights. 

We offer a wide variety of activities and each evening our guides discuss the options available for the next morning with guests. There is also an activities board in the reception where you may check times and activities.

Two activities per day are included in the rate.

Choices include:

Game drives in open 4x4 vehicles in the Zambezi National Park

Taking a guided walk in the Zambezi National Park. All guides are armed

Paddling on the river in stable inflatable canoes

Going on a guided walk around the island (a must for birders!)

Taking a slow boat trip down the river, and, for those who enjoy angling, casting a line in the water in the hope of catching a ferocious Tiger fish (and we support catch-and-release with all species)

For the serious angler we can arrange professionally guided fishing charters

And of course, there is the choice of no activity at all and simply having a massage (to be pre-booked the previous afternoon) or relaxing at the swimming pool with what we consider the best view in Africa.

Depending on your time of arrival, you may choose to undertake an activity suggested by our staff or simply relax.

Sunset cruises on the river are offered every day and dinner is served thereafter from 19h30 until 21h00.

After dinner you will be escorted to your room by a guard who keeps an eye out for any hippo or elephant who may have decided to pay the lodge a visit, something they do from time to time.

Depending on your plans for the day, you can request a wake-up call from your guide the evening before, or hang the “Please Do Not Disturb” sign on your door for a languid lie in.  Those participating in early morning activities will enjoy a light continental breakfast before departing followed by a full breakfast on return or a brunch can also be arranged, depending on the timing and duration of your chosen activity.

Lunch is served from 12h30 until 14h00 which leaves more than enough time for an afternoon siesta or your choice of activity.

Depending on your plans for the day, you can request a wake-up call from your guide the evening before, or hang the “Please Do Not Disturb” sign on your door for a languid lie in.  Those participating in early morning activities will enjoy a light continental breakfast before departing followed by a full breakfast on return or a brunch can also be arranged, depending on the timing and duration of your chosen activity.

Lunch is served from 12h30 until 14h00 which leaves more than enough time for an afternoon siesta or your choice of activity.

Breakfast will be served between 07h30 and 08h30 before you travel from Chundu Island through the Zambezi National Park. You will arrive at the drop off point at Zambezi House at 09h45 and from there you will be transferred to Victoria Falls or Livingstone Airports.

The chef at Chundu Island will pack a light meal for those who miss breakfast because of particularly early transfers.

PLEASE NOTE: The order of accommodation may change from that described above as it is dependent upon availability and the day of arrival. All activities are weather and access dependent.