Travel to AWF's Southern African Heartlands

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT CRAIG SHOLLEY AT CSHOLLEY@AWF.ORG or 1-888-4WILDLIFE

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is commonly promoted as "The Rainbow Nation" and "A World In One Country", and with two oceans, subtropical savannah, arid scrubland, deserts, and the impressive Drakensberg Mountains, this is hard to deny. This large country is rich in natural beauty and wildlife diversity and covers about 4% of the continent's land surface.

Along the western border of Kruger are found a number of privately owned wildlife reserves. Associations of ranchers have fenced the western boundary of their reserves but have not placed fences between their individual properties, allowing game to roam throughout the reserves and Kruger National Park.

A very important advantage private reserves have over national parks is that private reserves use open vehicles, which give not only a better view but also a much better feel of the bush. At most reserves, a game tracker sits on the hood or the back of each vehicle. Drivers are in radio contact with each other, greatly increasing the chances of finding those species that guests want to see most.

Vehicles may leave the road to pursue game through the bush. Night drives, which are only allowed in national park vehicles in Kruger, provide an opportunity to spot nocturnal animals rarely seen during the day. Walking safaris with an armed tracker are available.

Djuma Game Reserve is a 22,000 acre reserve within the Sabi Sands and bordering the Kruger National Park. All the plains mammals can be found here as well as over 300 bird species. Here you will stay at Vuyatela in luxury suites with ensuite facilities and private plunge (swimming) pools.

Kruger National Park is the largest South African game park and has more species of wildlife than any other game sanctuary in Africa. Game view for the "big five" including elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo and at the same time enjoy the comforts of your luxury safari lodge.

ITINERARY:

Saturday, August 28

This evening board your international flight from New York or Atlanta to Johannesburg, South Africa (Overnight - meals served).

Sunday, August 29

JOHANNESBURG

On arrival in Johannesburg you will be met and assisted as you make your way to the Airport Sun Inter-Continental which is situated within walking distance from the terminals at Johannesburg International Airport. This evening you will have a group dinner and safari briefing. (1 night - D,B)

Monday, August 30 - Wednesday, September 1

VUYATELA, DJUMA GAME RESERVE

In the morning, return to the airport for your scheduled flight to Mpumalanga International Airport. Upon arrival you will be met and driven to the AWF offices at Huntington Village near White River. Afterwards you will be transferred to Djuma Game Reserve.

Vuyatela is an expression of modern South African culture. Each of the eight chalets or kayas is secluded in African bush. The bedrooms look out onto teak decks, which end in private plunge pools. Each of the chalets at Vuyatela is a collection of buildings joined to each other. The private lounge is separated from the bedroom by a beautiful teak deck, which ends at the private plunge pool. The view from the teak deck is into pristine African Savanna with its bounty of animal life. The eight luxury suites made up of bedroom, dressing room and bathroom with outdoor shower, separate lounge, private deck and plunge pool, air-conditioning, fans, mosquito nets, telephone and bar fridge.

Main lodge includes a large double deck, outdoor dining, wine cellar, bar overlooking the watering hole, indigenous aquarium, suspended bird-watching tower. Internet library with detailed wildlife websites, gym and relaxation room. Two game drives as well as a guided walks in the bush are offered daily.

The cultural theme also runs through activities. After morning game-drive guests may accompany their Shangaan guide to his nearby village, where they will have the opportunity of interacting with his family and friends in a very authentic and contemporary African environment. (3 nights - Full Board & Private vehicles/guides).

On the evening of August 31, AWF staff from the White River office will make a presentation on the Limpopo Heartland.

Thursday, September 2

ILALA LODGE, VICTORIA FALLS

Return transfer to the airport for your scheduled charter flight to Johannesburg to connect with your scheduled flight to Victoria Falls - the largest waterfall (by volume) in the world. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

The Ilala Lodge is one of the closest hotels to the Victoria Falls and is located next to the Zambezi National Park. This small intimate hotel ensures a special, personalised atmosphere. Accommodation is in 2 Deluxe Suites, 6 double rooms and 24 twins, all with en suite bathrooms with separate shower, satellite television (DSTV), telephone, ceiling fan and air conditioner, room service, laundry service and baby sitters available. There is a pool, 2 bars and 2 restaurants. (2 nights - B,D).

Group dinner at the Jungle Junction Restaurant.

Friday, September 3

ILALA LODGE, VICTORIA FALLS

This morning you will have a private tour of the Falls (park entry fee US$20). Fortunately the area immediately around the falls has not been commercialized, and there are unobstructed views from many vantage points connected by paved paths. Be prepared to get wet as you walk through a luxuriant rain forest surrounding the falls, a result of the continuous spray. A path called the Chain Walk descends from near Livingstone's statue into the gorge of the Devil's Cataract, providing an excellent vantage point.

You will then have lunch with AWF staff members who will give you an overview of the Zambezi Heartland. This afternoon you will be transferred to the river for your private sunset cruise. Afterwards you will have a group dinner.

Saturday, September 4

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

This morning you will have a private road transfer to Kasane and onward to Chobe. This is the heart of elephant country and here you have an opportunity to spend many hours watching the huge herds in and around the waters of the Chobe River. Northern Chobe has beautiful scenery and magnificent sunsets, with a large variety of bird and animal life.

Chobe Game Lodge is built along the banks of the Chobe River and is the only lodge situated within the boundaries of Chobe National Park. The 46 rooms are tastefully furnished with air-conditioning and "punkah-punkah" fans. All rooms overlook the perennial Chobe River and adjacent Caprivi floodplain. For those guests who demand the ultimate in exclusivity, Chobe Game Lodge has four river view suites, each with their own plunge pool and a separate lounge area. Facilities within the lodge include a curio shop, wildlife reference library, bar, lounge, restaurant and swimming pool. Game drives are conducted in open four-wheel drive vehicles, normally in the early morning and late afternoon. There are also excursions in motorboats and sunset cruises on the Chobe River. (3 nights - Full Board)

Sunday, September 5

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Days of game viewing activities.

Evening presentation on Kazungula Heartland by AWF staff.

Monday, September 6

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Days of game viewing activities.

Tuesday, September 7

CHOBE - JOHANNESBURG - NEW YORK OR ATLANTA

After a morning game activity, you will have a private road transfer back to the Victoria Falls airport for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg and onward overnight international flight to New York or Atlanta.

Wednesday, September 8

NEW YORK OR ATLANTA

Morning arrival in New York or Atlanta. Welcome Home!

TOUR LEADER: YVONNE CHRISTIAN

The tour leader for this exclusive AWF safari will be Yvonne Christian. Yvonne has over 15 years of experience in the safari industry. Spending extensive time on the Zambezi River, she developed a great passion for the area and a desire to give something back to the environment so she co-authored the book Zambezi, published in 1988. Proceeds of the sale of this book were used to build a communications center to help the fight against poaching in the Mana Pools National Park.

Over the last decade, Yvonne has acted as tour leader for many groups traveling through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania. She has also worked as camp manager/hostess for exclusive groups on mobile-tented safaris in Zimbabwe and in luxury permanent tented camps in Botswana. She has two grown children, one of whom is a bush pilot in South Africa.

Yvonne's knowledge of southern Africa and her love of the region will prove a real asset on this specially designed AWF wildlife safari.

SAFARI COSTING:

Land Arrangements:

Per person, double occupancy

(land and international air package)

Single supplement

Note: A minimum of 12 to 16 guests are required in order to operate this itinerary at this price.

Please note all airfares/flight schedules are subject to availability at time of deposit. Flight reservations will only be confirmed once deposit is received.

Small Group Surcharge:

With 9 - 11 Guests: $200 (per person)

With 6 - 8 Guests: $350 (per person)

Included in the cost of your land arrangements:

Accommodations

Scheduled economy airfare JFK OR Atlanta/Johannesburg - Mpumalanga/Victoria Falls/Johannesburg/JFK or Atlanta. Add-on fares available from many cities

All meals and safari activities (Full Board)

Airport, road and air charter transfers

Park and guiding fees

Meals as stated: breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D)

Not Included in the cost of your land arrangements:

Tips to staff and guides

Drinks and laundry

Extra meals in Johannesburg and Victoria Falls

Other tours in Victoria Falls

Airport departure taxes

Other personal expenditures

Travel insurance

Zimbabwe visa fee (Double entry currently $45.00)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT CRAIG SHOLLEY AT CSHOLLEY@AWF.ORG or 1-888-4WILDLIFE