Best Value for money Vic Falls and Botswana


The Package

Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, and Maun to Johannesburg – from US Dollars 399 per person
Day 1

Upon your arrival at Victoria Falls Airport you will be met by a representative and assisted onto your short road transfer to The Kingdom Hotel. This property is in walking distance to the Falls.

2 x Night at The Kingdom in a twin room with private en-suite facilities. Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis only.

The Kingdom at Victoria Falls

The Kingdom at Victoria Falls is only a ten-minute walk along a private path to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, which makes it the closest hotel to the actual Falls. Previously known as The Makasa Sun the Kingdom at Victoria Falls has been rebuilt in a distinctive design based on the Great Zimbabwe monument. The design of the hotel has taken into account the needs of families, groups, conferences and holiday makers wanting a fun, resort style hotel from where they can enjoy the many optional activities Victoria Falls has to offer. The hotel has 294 rooms in separate two and three storey units. Each room has an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, overhead fan, tea/coffee making facilities, satellite TV, radio and telephone. There is a 370-seater restaurant, a Spur Steak Ranch, Panarotti’s Pizza/Pasta Restaurant and a fast food area. Other facilities include an action bar with televised sports, music videos and live music. The pool area consists of two swimming pools, pool terrace and bar area. A supervised cr�che and children�s play area will cater for the needs of young children. With its 170 slot machines, black jack and roulette tables the attractive casino will be a hive of activity in the evening.
Day 3

Today you will be transferred to Elephant Valley Lodge. This transfer takes approximately 2 hours and involves Zimbabwe and Botswana customs and immigration en-route. On arrival you will be welcomed by the management who will show you to your room, give a brief overview of the lodge and area and will then discuss which activities you would like to do during your stay. Enjoy a lovely lunch and afternoon relaxing before your pm activity. You then return to the lodge in time to freshen up before a delicious dinner accompanies by the sounds of the African bush.

2 x Nights at Elephant Valley Lodge in a twin tent with private en-suite facilities. Accommodation includes all meals, scheduled activities, park fees, local drinks on activities and snacks on activities.
Elephant Valley Lodge

The Chobe region is home to the largest population of wild elephant in the world. This is estimated to be approximately 120,000 individuals. Their sometimes daily passage takes them from Zimbabwe through the Chobe and on into Namibia before returning. Elephant Valley Lodge lies along one of these routes and is situated in the Kasane Forest, which is adjacent to the Chobe National Park.Open guest areas, a secluded hide, refreshing swimming pool and 20 �meru styled� tents complete the lodge which lies beneath a forest of sturdy knob thorns. It is within these tree tops that the largest colony of white back vultures occurs. The lodge is unique for several reasons and amongst these is the fact that it is situated within a game rich reserve affording the guests wonderful sightings between our open Landrover safaris into the Chobe and boat cruises along the Chobe River.

The camp perimeter is fenced to keep the elephant from moving through the camp, instead now they move around the camp boundary, along their well worn paths to and from the Chobe River. Your tent also ensures that you are able to hear the multitude of night sounds as you drift away with vivid thoughts of the experiences of your day on safari. Each of the tents features twin beds, en suite shower and toilet, mini safe and fan.

At Elephant Valley we have found that a morning cruise along the Chobe River provides a couple of distinct advantages they include the following; during the morning the river is distinctly less busy with fewer boats. This also permits a longer experience, assuming that sightings kept us busy, and we do not have to cut the trip short to get back before sunset. It does also permit a greater length of the river to be explored.

In the afternoons we have found that the Chobe National Park is conversely less busy and we are able to enjoy a sun downer along the river to capture the sunset on camera. It is also during the late afternoon that game becomes most active. Today you will be collected from the hotel and transferred to Kasane Airport. This transfer takes approximately 1.5 hours and involves Zimbabwe and Botswana customs and immigration en-route.

Day 5

Today you will be transferred to Kasane Airport where you will be met by your pilot and assisted onto your charter flight to Oddballs Camp.

**MOKORO TRAILS ARE SUBJECT TO WATER LEVELS SPECIALLY BETWEEN NOVEMBER � MAY**

On arrival at the Oddballs airstrip you will be met by the Guide who will be looking after you during your stay at Oddballs. At Oddballs you will be accommodated in a 2mx2m domed tent set on a wooden platform with mattresses and pillows, please bring your own sleeping bags (although these can be hired from Oddballs at US$15 per day WHICH MUST BE PRE-ARRANGED) and towels. After lunch – (at Oddballs ALL your meals are included in your Tour; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as well as all your teas and coffees, but you will be required to pay for additional drinks), you will go out with your Guide for a mokoro excursion. After your activity return to the camp in time to freshen up before a delicious dinner accompanied by the sounds of the African bush.

Mapula Lodge

You will collect all your camping equipment and a hamper of food from the store (all included in your Tour) and accompanied by your Guide will go out on Mokoro Trial, your Guide will find a suitable camping spot and assist you to set camp, an d build a fire. Whilst on Mokoro Trail your food is provided, but you will be responsible for its preparation. From your base camp your Guide will take you out on Walking Safaris – truly the only way to go out on safari, enabling you to be ‘at one’ with the environment, and obtain stunning views of both the wildlife and birdlife of the Okavango Delta. Your Guide will be happy to track and stalk particular animals that you are interested in seeing.

Day 7:

An early morning wake-up, and after some coffee an early morning walk in the Moremi Game Reserve, returning after three hours or so for a hearty breakfast. During the heat of the day you can relax, and then after lunch another excursion by mokoro into the Moremi Game Reserve. Dining by the light of the camp fire under the canopy of the ‘African Sky’ completes your day. If you are particularly energetic you can go out on a longer walking safari taking a picnic breakfast or lunch with you.

Day 8:

Another early morning safari, then return to Oddballs for lunch, and a rest before going out again for a mokoro excursion. You may also be interested in visiting the nearby village. Your Guide will be proud to show you his home and introduce you to his Family, a unique experience, especially if this is your first visit to Africa.

Day 9:

After breakfast and an early morning activity (time permitting) you will be transferred by light aircraft to Maun Airport in time for your departure flight.

Oddball�s Camp

Allegedly named after Oddball; a man who lived up to his name! Oddball’s is a legend amongst travellers to Africa. One of the original camping sites in the Okavango Delta, Oddball’s has 2m x 2m domed tents erected on raised wooden platforms, overlooking the floodplains and bush.

There are a number of shower and toilet units scattered around the camp close to the tents – although perhaps not close enough at 3.00am with a Camp full of lion!! The only way to get to Oddball’s is by light aircraft, so being limited to 12Kg of baggage means that Oddballs supply all your camping equipment for you both at Oddballs itself and for your Mokoro Trails. Whilst at Oddballs your meals are taken in the central dining area, directly overlooking the Boro River, and providing excellent game viewing whilst eating! There is a comfortable lounge area and a raised viewing platform right on the banks of the river. Hammocks are everywhere, and enable you to relax during the heat of the day whilst ‘cramming up’ on the wildlife and bird population from Oddball’s extensive library.

What sets Oddball’s apart from other safari lodges is the setting, the informality and above all the legendary ‘skull bar’, where you will be regaled with adventure stories which are surely amongst the ‘tallest’ in Africa! Oddball’s overlooks the Boro, one of the primary watercourses of the Okavango. Excursions, by foot and mokoro – the traditional dug-out canoe – are conducted in the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, with your own professional game-guide, a man of the swamps, completely at one with his environment. The Okavango Delta is a shifting web of crystal-clear channels, lagoons, sweeping floodplains and palm-studded Falcons. Home to over 450 bird and 1,000 plant species, crocodile, hippo, elephant, buffalo – in fact the full spectrum of African big-game and several species of antelope that are amongst the world’s rarest – the Okavango has earned its reputation as one of the world’s premier wilderness areas. During your stay at Oddball’s, you will have the opportunity to go out on Mokoro Trail.

The first and last nights will be spent at Oddballs, and for the middle nights you take your guide and mokoro into the Okavango to camp out wherever you find yourselves – a wilderness experience par excellence. ‘Molly’s’, the provisions store at Oddball’s will provide you with camping equipment, food and all the ‘little necessities’ of bush camping! Your Guide will find a suitable campsite on the banks of the river and build the fire for you. Whilst on Mokoro Trail your food will be provided but you will be responsible for its preparation. The combination of Oddballs and a Mokoro Trail provides the best overall ‘Okavango Experience’ for those who don’t mind roughing-it a little. More than a place to stay, more than a base from which to explore the Delta, Oddball’s is Africa’s ultimate state of mind.

What is included in the itinerary:

  • Road transfer Victoria Falls Airport to The Kingdom
  • 2 x Nights at The Kingdom in a twin room with private en-suite facilities. Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis only.
  • Road transfer The Kingdom to Elephant Valley Lodge
  • 2 x Nights at Elephant Valley Lodge in a twin tent with private en-suite facilities. Accommodation includes all meals, scheduled activities, park fees, local drinks on activities and snacks on activities.
  • Road transfer Elephant Valley Lodge – Kasane Airport
  • Charter Kasane Airport � Mapula Lodge
  • Road transfer airstrip � Oddballs Camp
  • 4 night�s accommodation at Oddballs, with the 2nd & 3rd nights on Mokoro Trail.
  • All meals
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner – on a ‘self preparation’ basis whilst on Mokoro Trail
  • Teas and Coffees
  • All excursions into the Moremi Game Reserve by both mokoro and walking safaris accompanied by your personal Guide (one Guide for two persons)
  • Moremi Game Reserve Park entrance Fees
  • All camping equipment whilst on Mokoro Trail; tent, mattresses, pillows, cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, BBQ grid and cooler box
  • Charter Mapula � Maun Airport
  • All charter flight taxes in Botswana
  • VAT in Botswana

What is excluded in the itinerary:

  • All items of a personal nature
  • Gratuities
  • Curios shop purchases
  • Visas
  • Beverages
  • Laundry
  • Optional Activites
  • Oddballs: Sleeping bags, Towels.

Note

: When you are camping in the bush you can camp inside or just outside the Moremi National Park. If you would like to camp within the park, there is a US Dollar 40 per person per night additional camping fee payable directly to the lodge. This is a new fee that has just been introduced by the Botswana Government. International flights

The Kingdom: everything other than accommodation, breakfast and transfers will be an additional cost

International flights