SOUTH AFRICA & BOTSWANA: DELUXE SAFARI

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is a superlative wilderness covering the centre of Botswana full of wildlife, stars and a safari lover’s dreams. With vast stretches of unmodified landscapes and plant groups ranging from a mosaic of enormous clay pans and fossil river basins to undulating, vegetated sand dunes and woods, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is a place of outstanding natural phenomena and is of exceptional natural beauty.

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is home to some of southern Africa's most distinctive wildlife, including several densely populated threatened animal species like the Brown Hyena and a variety of raptors. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is home to the largest variety of the lion species in Africa, the "black maned lion," one variation of the panthera leo.

One of the best illustrations of how people and nature can coexist, especially in dry environments, is the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. It is a location where the Basarwa (San) people have lived beside what is thought to be a difficult environment for a long time. They have survived by hunting animals responsibly using poisoned arrows made from only the best of nature's creations.

7 spacious safari tents with twin or double beds feature en-suite bathrooms. The luxurious tents are complete with indoor and outdoor showers, hot and cold running water and flush toilets. Well-spaced away from each other and raised up on wooden decks offers guests a wonderful view from the comfort of the suite over a permanent water hole.

The camp also features a beautiful dining and lounge area, swimming pool and sleep out deck, where guests may have the opportunity to sleep under the magical African night sky.

ACTIVITIES

Guests enjoy thrilling morning and afternoon safari drives in open safari vehicles. The afternoon safari drives usually continue into the evening. Travelers may also get more up close and personal with nature during the adventurous guided bush walks.Featuring water holes all year round result in fantastic photographic opportunities either from the safari vehicle, on foot or from one of several hides.

As the camp is located alongside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the main activities involve exploring the Kalahari experience by 4x4 safari vehicles, with a maximum of four guests per vehicle.Wildlife encountered here includes giraffe, antelope, as well as small mammals like the honey badger, bat-eared fox and porcupine to predators including the Kalahari lion, cheetah, leopard and brown hyena.

Walking safaris and night game drives are also available!

Bird watching enthusiasts are in for a special treat! This area is home to over 200 different bird species including the Kori Bustard and Crimson Breasted Shrike and a high concentration of Pale Chanting Goshawks.

*Morning scheduled charter flight to the Central Kalahari Game reserve!Airstrip meet & greet with road transfer to camp. Arrive for lunch, enjoy an afternoon siesta and get ready for the afternoon game viewing! *Please see your safari itinerary for transfer logistics

Botswana’s magnificent Okavango Delta is where the wild things are: an immense, water logged oasis alive with elephants and birdlife, adrift in the middle of Kalahari sands. The real magic of the Delta lies in its water, trickling through from far away highlands, and spreading across the channels and floodplains.

A maze of lagoons, lakes and hidden channels covering an area of over 16,000 sq km in flood and shrinking to less than 9,000 sq km in the dry season. It is a lush water-wilderness of papyrus swamps, shallow reed-beds and floodplains, dotted with islands and laced with a network of channels.

Trapped in the parched Kalahari sands the fresh water oasis attracts wildlife that depends on the permanent waters of this unique wilderness. The fragile ecosystem remain one of the world’s unspoilt and beautiful wildernesses where a vast diversity of animals and birds can be seen.

When the rains arrive, they transform the floodplains into a Noah’s Ark of African wildlife. As the water brings life to the delta, its local residents shape and recreate it. Termites slowly build mounds into islands, germinated with palm trees by passing elephants. Waterways open and close on the whim of wide-bottomed hippos, carving out channels where they crash through reeds, and leaving room behind them for exploration by mokoro.Over 400 species of birds, nearly 200 species of mammals, and over 150 species of reptiles!

For those looking to get a little closer to nature, guided bush walks are conducted on a number of the nearby islands, offering an opportunity to track some of the larger land-based species that inhabit this water wilderness. Bird- watching opportunities are outstanding, and fishing for bream and tiger fish is also offered as an activity. This activity is based on the water levels at the time.

Kanana Camp is set in the south western delta amongst grass covered islands formed by fertile eroded termite hills dotted with fig, palm and jackal berry trees. The area encompasses a necklace of islands on the Xudum River, northeast of Pom Pom lagoon and is incredibly picturesque with winding waterways meandering through open lagoons.The waterways are lined with reeds and dotted with papyrus and tree islands in this picturesque and tranquil part of the delta. As water levels vary throughout the year so does the focus of activities.

This traditional camp has an intimate and personal atmosphere, built among spectacular shady trees of ebony, acacia and sausage tree. It offers eight large safari style tents and a family unit equipped with tasteful furnishings and private en-suite bathrooms. The main lodge area is on raised decking encircling the trees and offers a dining and sitting area, a cocktail bar and a refreshing plunge pool. On a three night or longer stay, guests can pre-book the sleep out deck, affording a chance to spend a memorable night out under the superb African skies (weather permitting).

A wide variety of game frequent the islands around camp including impala, lechwe, leopard, lion and elephant and you may be lucky to see sitatunga whilst boating.Birding all year round is exceptional with regular sightings of Pels Fishing Owl amongst many others. The Camp is one of the few camps in the Delta to have access to a private heronry where many migratory water birds come to nest from July onwards. Birds you will encounter at the heronry include marabou, yellow-bill and open-bill storks. The sight of thousands of nesting birds is mesmerizing and an experience you will not forget.

ACTIVITIES
Activities include day and night game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles, game viewing on mokoro excursions, guided walks, fishing, motor boating and sunset cruises.

*Morning transfer to local airstrip for your scheduled chartered flight into the heart of the Okavango Delta. Airstrip meet & greet with road transfer to camp. Arrive for lunch, enjoy an afternoon siesta and get ready for the afternoon game viewing!

*Please see your safari itinerary for transfer logistics

The beautiful little town of Stellenbosch, roughly an hour from Cape Town, lies surrounded by the Stellenbosch Mountains in one of the most picturesque settings in the Cape. The name ‘Stellenbosch’ is almost synonymous with the wine industry. Not only does it have the oldest wine route in the country, and arguably the most famous, but the town has one of the most modern experimental wineries in the world, and the only viticulturally and oenological department in the country at its university.

The second oldest town in South Africa has fondly been called ‘Eikestad’ or city of oaks and its streets are lined with some of the most beautiful surviving examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture in the Cape. Dorp Street is a national monument and taking the time to walk around this cosy old part of Stellenbosch, with its secluded lanes, water furrows, cosmopolitan restaurants and coffee bistros, with superb views of mountain, vineyards and orchards, is an idyllic morning venture.Surrounded by wine farms, the town is abuzz with hotels, wine shops, cafés, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and museums. It’s quite small, so park your car and wander around on foot.

• ACTIVITIES
  Explore the wine lands– you are guaranteed to fall in love!
  Stellenbosch, host South Africa’s oldest music school, the famous Stellenbosch Conservatoire – view a collection of galleries and museums housing national and international art collections worth viewing.
• For the nature lover there are a number of excellent hikes in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. The full-day Vineyard Hiking Trail, a fairly new 16 milelong trail, starts on the slopes of the Papegaaiberg and winds its way through vineyards, forests, olive groves and coastal renosterveld.
• Nestled between the majestic mountain ranges of the Winelands, the town is also home to the Rupert Museum, modern street art and century old wine farms - the perfect fusion of heritage and contemporary trends.
• Explore the characteristic oak lined streets to experience the works of famous sculptures, neoDutch, Georgian and modern-Victorian architecture and quaint restaurants and shops!

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Explore the captivating allure of Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands, where rolling vineyard-covered hills intersect with historic charm, inviting you to embark on a sensory journey of wine tasting at world-renowned estates, indulge in gourmet dining that harmonizes with the local flavors.  Stroll through oak-lined streets adorned with Cape Dutch architecture.

Surrounded yourself with  a serene and breathtaking landscape, that seamlessly marries the old-world elegance with the vibrancy of South African wine culture.

Visit various wineries in and around the stunning Stellenbosch area. Enjoy wine tasting and lunch on the way. This is the Cape wine lands!

*Please see your safari itinerary for transfer logistics

Welcome toStellenbosch! Synonymous with wine, history & culture, Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second-oldest town. Despite it's wealth of wold-class wineries, there’s so much more to the City of Oaks. Rich in history and culture, and surrounded by majestic mountains and nature reserves, it offers must-try experiences whatever your interests or age.

a Wine Estate steeped in history dating back to 1692! The 326 year old Wine Estate is synonymous with old-world charm and rich Cape heritage, boasting dramatic mountain ranges, endless rows of lush vineyards and hectares of gardens shaded by giant Oak trees. Set in the heart of a 162 hectre working wine estate, on the outskirts of picturesque Stellenbosch, the historic Hotel and Spa is the perfect base from which to explore SA’s most famous wine-lands. This Country Estate exudes an air of intimacy and provides the ultimate in personalized service.

The hotel boasts four restaurants – all day dining at the Deli, classical dishes re imagined at the Manor Kitchen, gourmet pub style plates at the "Taphuis", and tapas in the Craven Lounge. Treatments at the Spa take place against a stunning backdrop of mountains and vineyards. Come and experience true South African heritage!

Experience the finest hospitality the Cape Wine lands has to offer, indulging guests with warm and passionate service, the finest wine and cuisine and exquisitely styled rooms and suites. Complete relaxation amid welcoming interiors which blend both period grandeur and contemporary style.

Transfer to Stellenbosch. *Please see your safari itinerary for transfer logistics