Description
An impressive journey awaits you in which safari (bush) and beach are perfectly combined. Discover the untouched nature of Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique in in a 14-day tour full of activities. From walking Safaris through the ancient landscape of our beautiful Central Tuli Game reserve and bush diners along the Limpopo river at Koro River Camp or Koro Island Camp to the Big 5 at Kruger National Park. Enjoy festive braais at Lengau Lodge under the stars and ultimate relaxation days at the beautiful beaches of Machangulo Beach Villa. Where exclusivity and remoteness are number 1. BOTSWANA Considered by many to be the safari capital of Africa, Botswana is vast, diverse and alluring land. Located between South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Botswana is a safari travelers delight and consists of some of the wildest and uncharted game reserves left in Africa today. Game viewing locations are superb. Botswana is considered to be one of Africa’s major success stories and is politically stable, prosperous and a world leader in wildlife conservation. A large country and with one of the lowest population densities in the world, the sense of space and remoteness is amazing. TULI GAME RESERVE The beautiful ruggedness and wild bushland of the Tuli is unique in Botswana. The private reserve is unfenced, extends from the Zimbabwe border for some 350 kms along the legendary Limpopo River. Game viewing here is rich and varied with a unique take on specially adapted inhabitants such as bat-eared fox and perhaps the most endangered carnivore in Botswana, the elusive brown hyena.
DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG TO KORO RIVER CAMP On arrival in Johannesburg you will be met and privately transferred to Koro River Camp in the Tuli Botswana. The drive is approximately 6 hours and you will stop en route for lunch and to stretch out a bit on the journey. It is a wonderful way to see the “real” South Africa, driving through the cities and villages gives you a ground level perspective on life in this part of the world. On arrival at Koro River Camp you will be met with a cooling beverage and the magnificence of this unique and highly original camp along the banks of the Limpopo River. Each of the seven master suite tents is nestled perfectly into the banks of the Limpopo River. The suites all have a private and very inviting plunge pool; perhaps it is from here that the best and certainly coolest views can be taken in! A deck with sun loungers for some lazy siestas and the possibility of private meals served to your tent; makes Koro the ideal hide away. The tents are luxuriously decorated and the large interior with the flow of breeze through the tent is highly inviting. The bathroom tents are separate and are fabulously placed five meters away while still retaining the safety of one deck. There is an open air shower for starlit showers. A tented bar and indoor lounge is the service hub, alongside a shady dining deck and sunken sitting area. Meals can be prepared in our open air boma and campfire, also an ideal venue for after dinner tales and glass of wine, to be sure. A smaller secluded tented chill-out lounge is an inviting space to read or relax, and an open air massage pavilion on the riverbank offers rejuvenating massages and facials. Meals are whole heartedly a part of the overall experience and ‘Kgomotso’s Kitchen
DAYS 2,3,4: KORO RIVER CAMP Game driving is unlimited and we have extensive ground to use. The roads are often weathered taking us off the beaten track into some really remote country. Game walks are highly recommended to take in the atmosphere of tracking on foot. Secluded springs in the area may be highly productive for elephants. Early morning game drives or walks are recommended, it is refreshing to view the bush from ground level and it opens up a whole new world. The open 4×4 game viewer is the perfect platform from which to relax and take in the game but also the landscape and all it has to offer. At Koro Camps we offer considerable flexibility to locate and watch game. Return to Koro for meals and down-times. The Tuli is home for the largest elephant population on private land in the world, and leopard, hyena, lions, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala, kudu and eland complete the Koro cast of characters who may be encountered. Local birdlife is prolific, with semi-arid specials such as chestnut-vented tit-babbler and swallowtailed bee-eater. Pels fishing owls are often encountered in the Limpopo riverine.
DAY 5 : LENGAU LODGE SOUTH AFRICA After a morning activity and breakfast, you will be collected and transferred to Lengau Lodge in the Balule Nature Reserve which is part of the Greater Kruger National Park. The trip is approximately six hours with a few stops en route and a fabulous, worthy welcome at the end! A small and intimate lodge with a maximum of six guests, Lengau aims to offer authentic service with great attention to guest delights. A superb viewing deck gives you a vista across the bush-veld with uninterrupted views of the waterhole nearby The Hippo Restaurant serves meals both inside and outside weather depending and offers a scrumptious array of meals.
The infinity pool provides the perfect spot to not only cool down and refresh but to view the comings and goings of the game. A lapa, a very South African word for covered, shady area under which to relax between swims, is connected to the pool area and you will be well taken care of by the friendly Lengau staff. The intimate accommodation offers comfort, style and a place to immerse in the world famous Kruger National Park over the next four nights
DAY 6, 7, 8 : LENGAU LODGE Activities at Lengau include morning and afternoon game drives, time in between to swim, read and simply enjoy the bush and the special surrounds. The lodge has traversing over a very large section of this reserve and it includes over nine thousand hectares. During your time at Lenagu there will be an opportunity to spend the entire day in the public section of the Kruger National Park; this is always a super experience especially in an open vehicle and whilst the area that Lengau traverse is part of the Greater Kruger national Park, it is still a unique experience to enter the public gate and observe the workings of this renown reserve. Add to this a super day out on a boat safari on the Olifants River, this very well hidden gem provides super variety to an already excited itinerary. During a slow and gentle meander along the Olifants, one can expect to see great game including hippo, crocodile, waterbuck, elephant to name but a few. The riverine areas provide abundant browse and shade for gathering game. Return for a festive braai under the stars back at camp. Four nights at Lengau Lodge
DAY 9 : MACHANGULO BEACH VILLA Depart early for the transfer to Maputo in Mozambique, stopping in Nelspruit for a chance to freshen up and stretch your legs. The trip to the border is really quite extraordinary and within no time at all you will be experiencing the hustle and bustle of the border post. The transfer company is very familiar with the process and they will ensure it goes smoothly and as quickly as possible. Upon arrival at the harbor you will get a charter across the bay to the Machangulo peninsula. Time depending you will either have lunch before the charter or on arrival at the peninsula. After a short, exciting transfer over the dunes you will arrive at Machangulo Beach Villa, a private and exclusive villa for your sole use over the next five nights. The Villa consists of three suites, an open plan kitchen and dining room, a separate TV lounge with DSTV, a swimming pool and sun loungers and plenty of relaxing spots dotted around the Villa. The staff will take care of your every need and the dedicated chef will whip up an array of fresh seafood dishes as well as a variety of inspired meals.
DAY 10,11,12,13: MACHANGULO BEACH VILLA Four full days to relax and really unwind in the sea air. With the Indian Ocean on one side and the Maputo Special Elephant Reserve an accessible and exciting 4 x 4 venture to the South, you are truly in nature at its most powerful and beautiful. Meals are served in various places including on the beach and as you have exclusive use of this Villa you can decide the day’s times, activities or even lack thereof! DAY 14 : Johannesburg Today brings this trip to an end, after a final dip in the ocean a breakfast on the deck it’s time to cross the dunes and the bay and return to Johannesburg either via transfer or flight from Maputo to Oliver Tambo International
NB: this itinerary can also be done in self-drive or fly-in option, enquire when you are interested!