This 9-day safari offers an itinerary that concentrates on Southern Africa’s must-see destinations and activities. This includes staying in a wildlife-rich, “Big Five” private game reserve in Greater Kruger, visiting the majestic Victoria Falls, cruising the Zambezi River at sunset, a rewarding rhino walking safari in Zambia, and quality wildlife viewing in Chobe National Park.
This safari is a private journey and not a group tour. It can be further customised to suit the number of days you wish to travel, and can also include other destinations.
There are daily flights to Hoedspruit direct from Cape Town or Johannesburg-OR Tambo.
Children under 12 receive a discount.
The cost excludes regional flights during this safari but we can book these for you.
COST INCLUDES:
COST EXCLUDES:
ACTIVITIES
The Greater Kruger game drives and bush walks may be shared with fellow lodge guests. The Chobe game drives and boat safaris are private.
The Greater Kruger bush walk is subject to guide availability and the age/fitness of the participant, who should be able to comfortably walk at least 5km/3mi over uneven terrain. A game drive will always be provided should a bush walk not be possible.
TRANSPORT
WHEN TO VISIT
In Southern Africa the seasons are generally the same as in other southern hemisphere countries, with spring/summer from October to April and winter/autumn from May to September.
In the Kruger-Zambezi-Chobe safari regions, spring/summer is characterised by hot humid days and afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures can get very high followed by cooler, comfortable nights. Vegetation is at its highest and thickest during these months which can make wildlife-spotting difficult although the region’s birdlife is at its most prolific. Travelling in this same area during the autumn/winter brings clear and warm days with cool to chilly evenings. Known as the “dry season”, this is possibly the best period for wildlife viewing as the permanent waterholes attract many animals, and the thinning vegetation offers unobstructed views.
Within the dry season, we recommend coming in May or June as there can still be some greenery in the landscape but there is no risk of rain plus fewer visitors compared to the peak visitor months from July to September. It is worth noting that the month of October can be especially hot and humid, as the rains have usually not arrived but the cool winter weather has ended.
For your visit to the Victoria Falls it is worth noting that the dry season is when the Zambezi River is at its lowest and the falls can subsequently be better described as a trickle, especially on the Zambian side. Conversely, the months of February to May can see the river at its highest level and the popular Livingstone Island/Devil’s Pool tour can be closed due to safety reasons.
VISAS
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your time in Southern Africa, and it is a good idea to bring a few photocopies in case you lose the original. In addition to a passport, children under 18 years of age entering Botswana with only one parent or with parents who have a different surname are required to produce additional documentation upon arrival. See here for further information about travelling with children.
Although most visitors are not required to obtain a visa before entering South Africa and Botswana, this is not applicable to all nationalities. For travel in Zambia and Zimbabwe, travellers of most nationalities are required to pay for a visa which is issued upon arrival. Compass Odyssey does not issue visas nor can we complete visa applications for our travellers. While we will obviously assist our travellers with the documentation required for any visa applications, it is the responsibility of our travellers to investigate the visa requirements for their journey and to complete any necessary applications.
An immigration form sometimes needs to be completed when entering and departing these Southern African countries. This form requests information such as passport and birth particulars, as well as the address of your accommodation. Prior to your safari, we provide you with a personal Safari Dossier that includes a swathe of information including the booking references, transport timings and contact numbers specific to your journey.
TRAVELLER’S HEALTH
Yellow Fever and malaria are the two major health considerations for travellers coming to Southern Africa.
Yellow Fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, and approximately 200,000 cases occur each year with the vast majority of these occurring in parts of Africa and Central/South America. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is not required for entering Southern Africa unless you are coming from – or you are in airport transit for more than 12 hours within – a country deemed to be infected with Yellow Fever. The World Health Organisation lists the southern African countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe as being free from Yellow Fever. For further clarification on Yellow Fever, refer to tables 4-23, 4-24 and 4-27 on this page of the website for the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Malaria is present in most of Southern Africa’s safari regions. See here for further information. A number of other tropical diseases are present in Southern Africa but generally the biggest health risk you will face on your safari is usually an upset tummy (often caused by dehydration) or a cold. For complete peace of mind we recommend you visit your local GP or Travel Health Clinic.
Your morning flight from either Cape Town or Johannesburg arrives in South Africa’s wildlife-rich Lowveld, from where you enter the Associated Private Nature Reserves – better known as the Greater Kruger – and immediately embark on your first game drive on the way to your camp in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. One of the most undeveloped and pristine wilderness areas of the Greater Kruger, animals migrate freely between Klaserie and Kruger National Park, creating an incredible biosphere and one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. This afternoon and over the next two days, you can anticipate quality wildlife viewing within this “Big Five” reserve adjoining Kruger National Park.
Accommodation: Senalala Safari Lodge
Mid-range 4-star lodge located in the Greater Kruger
Meals:
Lunch & dinner
Located in a remote and private location within Klaserie Private Nature Reserve and managed by James and Corlia Steyn, Senalala Luxury Safari Camp offers a truly authentic bush safari experience. Set on the banks of the seasonal Ntsiri River, guests can expect an abundance of quality wildlife viewing while at Senalala, with the camp itself overlooking a watering hole that draws a constant flow of wildlife. Every morning and evening, experienced ranger James and his team of guides lead a game viewing outing in search of sightings that will provide that unforgettable experience guests to this wild area are hoping for. The “Big Five” is regularly spotted plus the birding is superb. Guests can choose a game drive or bush walk – the latter is a specialty of Senalala where guests experience the smaller intricacies of nature that aren’t always noticeable from a vehicle.
Accommodation:Senalala Safari Lodge
Mid-range 4-star lodge located in the Greater Kruger
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
This morning you travel to Kruger-Mpumalanga Nelspruit Airport and fly to Livingstone, Zambia where our local guide, Mortimer provides your private transfer to your tranquil camp on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Later this afternoon you embark on a complimentary sunset cruise on this famous river.
Accommodation: Camp Nkwazi
Mid-range 3-star tented camp located on the Zambezi River
Meals:
Breakfast & dinner
You arise early this morning and travel to the nearby Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park for a memorable encounter on foot with the park’s white rhino – the only surviving population in all Zambia. You are then transferred across the bridge/border to Zimbabwe and the town of Victoria Falls, visiting the Zambian side of the falls en-route. Your accommodation is located in the leafy residential area of town, still within earshot of the roar coming from Mosi-oa-Tunya – “The Smoke that Thunders”. Upon checking-in, Mortimer is available to discuss your stay in Victoria Falls and make any arrangements you may require.
Accommodation: Batonka Guest Lodge
Mid-range 4-star lodge located in Victoria Falls
Meals:
Breakfast
We are pleased to offer you a complimentary guided visit to the Victoria Falls during your stay (Zambian & Zimbabwean sides; includes entrance fees). The plethora of other activities on offer includes white-water rafting or canoeing, elephant interactions and horse-back safaris, helicopter and microlight scenic flights, African township and village tours, adrenaline activities like bungee jumping and zip sliding, and much more. We especially recommend “Tour the Township” with our local guide, Mortimer who introduces you to his home turf and often invites our travellers to lunch with his wife and family. Dining options include African-style feasts with accompanying tribal entertainment at The Boma or Jungle Junction restaurants, as well as an afternoon High Tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel. We will send you our separate “Victoria Falls Activities” booklet, and we can pre-book any of these for you or they can be organized by our local guide upon your arrival.
Accommodation: Batonka Guest Lodge
Mid-range 4-star lodge located in Victoria Falls
Meals:
Breakfast
Today you travel to Botswana and Garden Lodge, located in the small safari town of Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River. The private road transfer from Victoria Falls passes through bushveld that is home to wildlife such as elephant and giraffe, sightings of which often occur during the drive. You are again accompanied by our local guide who will assist with the cross-border formalities. This afternoon you embark on a private boat safari along the Chobe River. The accompanying sunset on the river often provides a truly memorable moment of your African safari. From your riverside accommodation, you are usually ‘serenaded’ to sleep tonight by the grunts coming from nearby pods of hippo as they venture out of the water to graze on the lodge’s lush lawn.
Accommodation: Garden Lodge
Mid-range 3-star lodge located on the Chobe River in Kasane
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Your day revolves around morning and afternoon private game drives within the Chobe National Park. You’ll also enjoy delicious home-style meals and have time for some quality lazing by the pool and perhaps even a midday siesta.
Note: You have the option today of a full day private game drive that ventures further into the park and takes along a picnic lunch. To make your safari extra special, Compass Odyssey travellers are provided with a private vehicle and boat during your stay in Chobe – other companies offer game drives with up to 10 passengers and boat safaris with 50+ travellers on board.
During your game drives, be on the lookout for predators such as lion and hyena, and iconic herbivores such as buffalo, zebra, giraffe, warthog and wildebeest. On your boat safaris along the Chobe River, you will encounter all manner of wildlife, including Nile crocodile and the Chobe’s great herds of elephant as they come to the river’s edge to drink and frolic in the fresh water.
Accommodation: Garden Lodge
Mid-range 3-star lodge located on the Chobe River in Kasane
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
This morning’s private boat safari on the Chobe River offers a serene and tranquil end to your safari. After a hearty brunch, we then say tsamaya sentle (“goodbye and go well” in the local Setswana language) as you are transferred the short distance to Kasane Airport for your onward travel arrangements. There is a daily flight from Kasane to Johannesburg-OR Tambo.
During your stay in Southern Africa you will experience our natural beauty, diverse cultures, renowned hospitality and of course our iconic wildlife. We look forward to welcoming you and thanks for choosing to visit us on this Compass Odyssey safari. Sizobonana msinya (“See you soon”).
Meals:
Breakfast