19 Day Ultimate African Safari

Welcome to Johannesburg and the start of your African adventure. After collecting your luggage, make your way to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Special Information The standard check in is 2pm. Should you be arriving earlier in the day, the hotel can hold your luggage until your room is ready. Airport transfers are included in your booking using the complimentary hotel shuttle. To access it, proceed to the shuttle bay located just outside the terminal, behind the Intercontinental Hotel.

This morning at 7am you will be met at the hotel by a local representative and transferred by road to your lodge. On arrival, you will be greeted by a lodge representative, checked into your room and be given a briefing of your safari program for the next two days. Maqueda Lodge is a small family owned boutique lodge on the outskirts of the park – so close to the world-famous Kruger National Park that guests frequently hear lions and other animals calling. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the African bush, it is not unusual to see giraffe and zebra roaming about the grounds and it is possible to walk unaccompanied to the Kruger fence line where you may see a variety of animals within Kruger come down to the Crocodile River. In the afternoon, before the sun sets in the African bushveld, you will meet your expert safari guide in the lodge lobby before heading out into the Kruger National Park. Hopefully you will get to see the great predators like the leopard, cheetah, wild dogs and of course, the mighty lion. Tonight, enjoy dinner back at your eco lodge. Inspiring Highlights Kruger National Park Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

This morning, we begin our full-day game drive through Kruger National Park with an early start, accompanied by a sumptuous breakfast served during the safari. You'll visit waterholes and, under the guidance of local experts with extensive knowledge of the park, enjoy another remarkable day in one of the country's premier national parks. Inspiring Highlights Kruger National Park

Transfer from your safari lodge to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in time to board your flight to Maun. On arrival at Maun International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your lodge. Thamalakane River Lodge is located on the banks of the Thamalakane River outside of Maun en route to the famous Okavango Delta. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure, enjoying one of the many activities available at the Lodge. Tonight at 6 pm, meet your fellow travellers and guide in the hotel lobby to commence the group touring portion of your trip. Your guide will provide a detailed tour briefing and what to expect over the next two weeks. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours, depending on flight connections. Your flight will be unescorted. For your comfort and safety during the land tour, luggage is strictly limited to a soft-shell suitcase, maximum 15 kg per person. This allows for optimal space and balance within the safari vehicle.

This morning, after breakfast, we head to Etsha 13, on the western border of the Okavango Delta. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast, which makes it unique. After checking into our safari camp, we enjoy an included dinner before a day of adventure tomorrow. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 7.5 hours.

Today is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. We have the opportunity to stop at a secluded island to take an hour guided walk, hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck, or other animals living in this water-filled paradise. Return to the safari camp for another included dinner to reflect on a great day of safari. Inspiring Highlights Traditional mokoro excursion

After breakfast, we head south, travelling via Maun to our camp, which is situated in a private concession in the Greater Moremi area. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals, and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year, you may see different species in different areas. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

Today, we have the opportunity to spend the day on game drives. In our open 4x4 vehicle we will explore the Greater Moremi area on morning and afternoon game drives hopefully spotting a variety of game that frequent this region. After dinner your guide will take you on a night drive, and you will hopefully be able to spot some rare nocturnal animals. Inspiring Highlights Game drive of the Moremi Game Reserve

Today, another full day of game drives awaits as we head back into the famous Moremi Game Reserve, known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa, with an incredible concentration of wildlife. We'll spend the day exploring Moremi's unspoiled landscapes and watching for its abundant wildlife. Inspiring Highlights Game drive of the Moremi Game Reserve

Today we travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, leaving the bush behind us. Once a large river-fed lake, it has now become saline and empty. This area incorporates a multitude of salt pans and vast grass plains dotted by palm islands and forms the Great Makgadikgadi, which comprises the largest area of salt pans in the world, covering some 37,000 square km overall. We arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

This morning we head to the Sowa pan where we can visit Nata Bird Sanctuary, with magnificent views of the pan, which is part of the Great Makgadikgadi Pans. We continue our journey north to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephants found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in optional activities or to relax by the pool. Inspiring Highlights Nata Bird Sanctuary Special Information Access to the pans is dependent on road conditions, and during the dry season, lower water levels may limit bird activity in the area. Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

First up this morning, we enter Chobe National Park itself for a spectacular game drive. After returning to the lodge for a late breakfast, we enjoy a boat cruise on the Chobe River mid-afternoon. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds, making for excellent up-close photo opportunities. Inspiring Highlights Game drive in the Chobe National Park Sunset game cruise on the Chobe River

After breakfast, we depart Botswana and make our way across the border into Zimbabwe and onto our lodge located in a private concession near Hwange National Park, where we will spend the next three nights in this wildlife-rich area. This afternoon, you can partake in an optional game drive if time allows. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.Entrance into Zimbabwe is via the Kazungula border crossing.

Over the following two days, we will have plenty of time to explore this vast wilderness on game drives. Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to massive herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra, and has a very large concentration of giraffes. It is also home to many predators and endangered species, plus varied birdlife. Inspiring Highlights Game drives in the Hwange National Park

Today we enjoy a morning game drive in Hwange National Park. Continue exploring this vast park and its varied topography. Seek out more sightings of your favourite species or perhaps see something new! The bush is always full of surprises.In the afternoon you can enjoy leisure time at the lodge or opt for additional activities that the lodge offers (own expense). Inspiring Highlights Morning game drive in the Hwange National Park

After breakfast, we head back towards Victoria Falls. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure, enjoying one of the many activities available in Victoria Falls. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

After breakfast today, your guide will take you on a tour of the mighty Victoria Falls. You will also have the opportunity to explore Victoria Falls at leisure, including the town itself, which hosts a range of activities from adventure to cultural experiences. This afternoon, we enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Inspiring Highlights Victoria Falls Zambezi River cruise

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your included flight to Johannesburg. On arrival, please make your own way to your hotel, using the free shuttle bus. Special Information Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 20kg (44 lbs), and one 8kg (17 lbs) carry-on. Your flight will be unescorted. Flight time will be approximately 2 hours

Depending on your flight details you have some time at leisure before it is time to head to the airport for your flight back home. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Check out: Check-out time is generally between 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Airport transfers are included in your booking. A complimentary hotel shuttle is available every 15 minutes, providing convenient transport between the hotel and the airport for your onward journey.