Wild Waters of South Africa Private Safari

Check off the three places everyone should visit when traveling to South Africa: Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, and the Okavango Delta with Nalah Africa Bespoke Safaris.

8 Days / 7 Nights from only $5,300 per person (based on double occupancy) including all local flights and transfers

The Itinerary
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Visit: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – Chobe National Park – Okavango Delta
Availability: Through December 10, 2019

DAYS 1-2: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Resting on the southern banks of the Zambezi River at the western end of the eponymous falls, this popular tourist town is compact enough to walk around and makes an ideal base for travellers exploring the seventh wonder of the world, the unfathomably vast Victoria Falls. About two-thirds of the falls can be viewed from the Zimbabwean side and, while the falls are undoubtedly the star attraction, the area provides both adventure seekers and sightseers with plenty of opportunities to warrant a longer stay. Popular activities include scenic flights over the falls in helicopters or microlights, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, white-water rafting (seasonal), and day trips to Chobe National Park. The town itself offers some excellent accommodation and restaurant options as well as an eclectic variety of African curios and authentic art sold by friendly Zimbabwean locals who are wonderfully welcoming and eager to help you enjoy your stay.

Aerial View of Victoria Falls

Activities
Ra-Ikane Sunset Cruise
There simply is not a better way to enjoy the dazzling African sunset than from the comfort of a Ra-Ikane boat on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Our ever-popular sunset cruise offers a unique way to explore the channels of the river and to get an up-close view of the pristine wilderness and African game along its banks. Enjoy an array of canapés, a full bar and a charming crew who can impart a bit of interesting Victoria Falls history with you on board the Ra-Ikane.

Ilala Lodge Sunset Cruise

OPTIONAL: Ra-Ikane Bird Watching Cruise
You know what they say about the early bird? If you are a passionate birdwatcher, don’t miss out on this river cruise! Keen bird lovers will delight in marking off their sightings in the birding booklet provided on board while enjoying a delicious continental breakfast including fruit platters, fresh pastries and a variety of cheeses and biscuits. Rare birds such as the African Pitta and the Narina Trogon have been sighted here, as well as hundreds of other bird species. The knowledgeable and experienced guides conduct these early morning river cruises.

Masked Weaver building a nest

OPTIONAL: Ra-Ikane Breakfast Cruise
Enjoy freshly brewed coffee and a continental breakfast as you cruise up the Zambezi River towards Kandahar Island while enjoying the sounds of the diverse birdlife and the African bush come to life in the early morning. Breakfast includes freshly baked pieces of bread and pastries, fresh fruit platters, jams, yoghurts and cheeses as well as an assortment of teas and coffee.

Ilala Lodge Wildlife

OPTIONAL: The Palm Restaurant
The Palm Restaurant at Ilala Lodge Hotel is one of the finest restaurants in Victoria Falls and offers guests a delicious á la carte menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The accommodating and friendly staff at this top-rated restaurant will ensure your dining experience is perfect. Guests at The Palm Restaurant can choose from an extensive and top-quality list of South Africa’s finest wines and artisan gins; they can also enjoy a tasty cocktail by the pool at our Poolside Bar.

The ideal location of The Palm Restaurant has made it a favorite among all visitors to Victoria Falls. Guests can enjoy gourmet al-fresco dining under the starry African skies while listening to the roar of the Falls. The ambience of the restaurant and the superb cuisine make for a memorable meal. Some of our most popular dishes include the Crocodile Frikadelle, the Blesbok Shank and for dessert, the scrumptious Chocolate Delice. With its world-class service and fare, the Palm Restaurant is a great place to celebrate a special occasion or just to relax and enjoy your stay. Join us for a delicious brunch held on the last Sunday of each month. We look forward to welcoming you to this elegant Victoria Falls restaurant.

The Palm Restaurant

Accommodations: Ilala Lodge Hotel
Ilala Lodge Hotel is ideally located only 8 minutes away from the spectacular Victoria Falls. A family run hotel, Ilala Lodge has 73 stylish, well-appointed spacious rooms, that offer the ultimate in comfort and luxury. As we are the closest hotel to the beautiful Victoria Falls, the spray makes for a perfect backdrop during your stay.

Experience a culinary journey at the award-winning Palm Restaurant at Ilala Lodge Hotel. Centrally located only minutes away from the Victoria Falls, The Palm Restaurant offers a magnificent à la carte menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can choose from an extensive list of South Africa’s finest wines, cocktails and artisan gins. We offer an unrivalled al-fresco dining experience under the starlit African sky, with the sound of the Falls in the background. The Palm Restaurant is an adventure for the appetite that is not to be missed.

Relive the historical journey embarked by David Livingstone exploring the mighty Zambezi River aboard the Ra-Ikane fleet. Named after his instrumental guide, the boats represent the grace of a bygone era honouring the rich history of Victoria Falls and its explorers, adventurers and heroes. The Ra-Ikane offers a variety of cruises, including breakfast, lunch and sunset, as well as private charters.

Ilala Lodge Aerial

DAYS 3-4: Chobe National Park

Renowned for its impressive, shifting migratory population of more than 50 000 elephants, Chobe National Park is situated in the far northeast of Botswana, bordered to the north by the mighty Chobe River. It is the second largest national park in Botswana featuring four distinct ecosystems: the Savuti Channel in the west; the Linyanti Swamps in the northwest; the arid hinterland in between and Serondela in the extreme northeast with fertile plains and thick forests. This diversity of habitats provides a sanctuary to an astonishing array of African wildlife. In addition to spotting Chobe’s great pachyderm herds, you are likely to spot lion, leopard, hyena, wild dog, impala, waterbuck, kudu, zebra, wildebeest giraffe, and warthog. The park is also famous for its wonderful riverboat safaris, making Chobe an essential destination for any avid safari enthusiast.

Activites
Game Drives
Renowned as one of the top wildlife reserves in the world, morning and afternoon game drives explore the game rich landscape of Chobe National Park. &Beyond’s professionally trained guides will ask you about your favourite wildlife and will do their best to ensure that your preferences are met, whether it is tracking a particular species or spending more time enjoying each sighting and getting to know the habits of the animals. They will also tell you about the vegetation of the region and will explain the behaviour of the animals that you come across. In some cases, the guides will be able to identify individual animals and let you know about their history and habits.

Male greater kudus, Chobe National Park, Botswana

Photographic Safari on the Chobe River
Capture the magnificent wildlife and scenic landscapes of the Chobe National Park on an unforgettable photographic safari. Accompanied by professional photographers, you will set out in a custom-built boat from where you will receive expert tips and recommendations on how to capture the most breathtaking images. Every seat on the boat is fitted with a top-of-the-range camera that is fitted to a customised mount, so you needn’t bring your own equipment.

Chobi Photography

Accommodations: andBeyond Chobe Under Canvas
Among the great game reserves of the world, Chobe National Park is home to one of the largest concentrations of elephant on the African continent. Surrounded by wildlife management areas and reserves that allow game to roam freely, the 11 700km² (4 500 square mile) reserve is located in the far north of Botswana, bordering on the Chobe River. Chobe is particularly well known for its large herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as the two antelope that cannot be encountered anywhere else in Botswana, the puku and Chobe bushbuck. In addition to the vast floodplains that occur along the river, Chobe offers tracks of dry savannah. Dense teak woodland provides thick cover in the north-eastern parts of the reserve. Watching the elephant families drink and bathe in the river is an unforgettable sight, all the more impressive when herds of buffalo, rafts of hippo and gigantic Nile crocodiles are part of the scene. Lion and spotted hyena are frequently seen on the floodplains, where red lechwe, puku, zebra, sable and roan come out to graze.

Well-used animal trails meander between five ensuite safari tents at andBeyond Chobe Under Canvas, positioned at exclusive campsites in the northern reaches of the park, within driving distance of the Chobe River. Booked on a nightly basis, each canvas tent boasts a comfortable double bed, as well as an ensuite bathroom with flush w.c and steaming hot bucket shower, with water delivered on request. The guest areas comprise spacious tents for dining, pre-dinner drinks or simply whiling away the time between game drives with a good book and frosted beer or glass of wine. Delicious meals cooked over the coals are shared around a blazing fire.

Elephant crossing a river in Chobe National Park

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DAYS 5-7: Okavango Delta

Situated in the northwestern corner of Botswana, the Okavango Delta is a World Heritage Site as it is the largest inland delta in the world. The magnificent Okavango River sprawls out over the dry sands of the Kalahari Desert forming this flourishing waterlogged oasis featuring countless meandering waterways and crystal clear lagoons studded with water lilies, as well as fertile floodplains and reeded islands inhabited with abundant wildlife. The Okavango Delta stretches over 15000 square kilometres. Visitors can enjoy a number of wonderful activities such as game viewing, fishing, bird watching or taking an authentic guided Mokoro excursion through this wetland paradise in a traditional dugout canoe. Commonly spotted animals include: lion, rhino, leopard, giraffe, hippos, elephants, crocodiles and countless species of bird.

Activites
Game Drives
Game viewing in the Okavango Delta is remote and secluded, with very few vehicles sharing the private concession. Sensitive off-road driving practices allow our guests to get up close to the area’s exceptional wildlife. Afternoon drives continue after night, allowing for an opportunity to see the many animals that are more active at night, including leopard and serval. Lion frequently hunt at night and there is always a chance of coming upon them feeding on a kill. &Beyond’s professionally trained guides will ask you about your favourite wildlife and will do their best to ensure that your preferences are met, whether it is tracking a particular species or spending more time enjoying each sighting, getting to know the habits of the animals. They will also tell you about the vegetation of the region and will explain the behaviour of the animals that you come across. In some cases, the guides will be able to identify individual animals and let you know about their history and habits.

Seasonal mokoro trips (Dependent on water levels)
The Delta is probably best known for its Mokoro rides. These are boating trips through the maze like channels and shallow lagoons of the Delta. They are conducted in traditional boats which are called Mokoros. These sturdy boats used to be hand crafted out of large Delta trees. Today most of the boats used in the Delta are fiber glass replicas, to prevent the cutting down and depletion of the Delta’s magnificent trees.

Mokoros are a great way to go game viewing. As they are not motorized, they allow you to glide silently through the channels. This allows you to approach the wildlife silently and you will see more, as they are not scared off by a motor. You will see many animals that feed on the grass and reeds on the palm islands such as lechwe, sitatunga, elephant, hippo and crocodile.

Seasonal motorized boat excursions (Dependent on water levels)
Game viewing is also offered in motorized boats. These trips allow you to cover more ground, and should allow you to see more of the landscape, although some of the wildlife may be scared off by the motor.

Private Vehicle Game Drive
With a dedicated game ranger and tracker, as well as a private game drive vehicle, guests have the luxury of tailor-making their own safari experience; choosing their own game drive times and spending as much time as they want at sightings.

WILDchild program
andBeyond’s WILDchild programme, designed especially for children visiting our safari lodges and camps in Africa, is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Deeply rooted in the love for the African bush, it not only creates a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family but forges strong bonds between our young guests, our planet and its people

OPTIONAL: Scenic Helicopter Flight
Thrill to an aerial view of the Okavango Delta as you soar above a vast maze of both permanent and fleeting waterways. Fly over rivers and pools dotted with lily pads, as well as a variety of wild animals that inhabit this unique habitat.
Additional costs apply.

OPTIONAL: Quiet Mind Journey Massage
You are required to create a personal affirmation to reclaim an unconditional acceptance and love for yourself and reconnect with your soul to release all negative energy from deep within. A unique blend of
aromatherapy and plant oils chosen specifically by you, combining deep tissue massage techniques to bring relaxation to tired, aching muscles allowing the body and soul to return to perfect equilibrium. Choose from a blend of aromatherapy oils to either destress, hydrate, relax or detox. (Full body: 90 min, Back and Neck only: 45 min and 30 min)

Accommodations: andBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp
A maze of sparkling lagoons, meandering channels and overgrown islands teeming with wildlife, Botswana’s Okavango Delta lies like a sparkling jewel at the heart of the Kalahari Desert. Known as the river that never finds the sea, the Delta’s crystal-clear channels spread over the thirstlands of the Kalahari with their papyrus-fringed banks and fertile floating islands. Adapted for a life in and out of water, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga are found in this watery wilderness. Lion, cheetah, leopard and African wild dog share the floodplains with large herds of elephant and buffalo. Hippo inhabit the deeper channels and lagoons, while honeybadgers can be seen in broad daylight. Tall termite mounds are homes for families of dwarf and banded mongoose. Traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) rides explore the delicate details of the glistening waterways, where iridescent dragonflies, frogs of every colour and jewel-like kingfishers live in the papyrus-lined banks.

andBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is located in a 25 00 hectare (61 775 acre) exclusive wildlife concession on the edge of the Okavango Delta, bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Ideally positioned to explore the magnificence of the Okavango, the camp is known for its elegant tented accommodation, which boasts breath-taking views of the ever-changing Delta. Blending skilfully with the environment, nine exclusive tented suites set on raised wooden platforms are tucked beneath a canopy of ebony trees. Each spacious tent features ensuite bathrooms and private verandas with romantic salas overlooking the reeded floodplain. The heart of Nxabega lies in its handsome living and dining areas, where burnished teak floors and a steeply pitched thatch roof frame a lofty and comfortable space. Made from local timber, reed and thatch, the guest areas include indoor and outdoor dining areas, a Safari Shop and a swimming pool with an expansive viewing deck. From this springboard of comfort, guests are able to appreciate the exquisite beauty of the Okavango Delta. Private bush dinners, breakfasts in bed, lamplit cocktails on a river island or a walking safari with al fresco picnic are all provided with pleasure by Nxabega’s warm and friendly staff.

andBeyond Nxabega tent

About Nalah Africa

A private company owned by Director, Lelanie Cajiao, Nalah Africa Safaris is luxury safari tour operator specializing in bespoke itineraries for national and international guests visiting South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

About The Founder

A love for Africa and a passion for hard work. These are the two things that Nalah Africa Safaris was born out of and continue to inform its vision. Founded by South-African born Lelanie Cajiao, Nalah Africa is the realization of a dream – to share her love of Africa with people all over the world. An avid nature lover and wildlife conservationist, Lelanie carefully creates, crafts and curates safaris and exclusive African experiences that leave guests spellbound by the continent’s generous spirit, peace and beauty, and delighted by its warmth, friendliness and the gentle luxury of life “on safari”.