Overview
Itinerary
Insider Experience: Arrive at Shishangeni Private Lodge where you will stay for the next two nights, relaxing in your own thatched chalet with a private deck.
Insider Experience: You're treated to a taste of South Africa tonight with an authentic outdoor boma dinner beneath the starlit sky.
Today, embark on your final early morning game drive. After, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Johannesburg. Settle into your accommodation for the night and have an evening at your leisure. You may choose to go out and explore the complex or relax in the hotel. Stay: Johannesburg, Peermont Mondior (B)
Take an included flight to the spectacular Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
This afternoon, set off on a walk where your guide will enlighten you on the history and culture of the local area. Then, transfer to your hotel and settle in for the night. Stay Two Nights: Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (B/D)
With a full day at leisure, perhaps enhance your journey by taking a helicopter or microlight flight, or head out on a magical sunset cruise (optional expense). Alternatively, take time to relax at your lodge with views across the idyllic landscape and waterhole, and frequent visits from your neighbours including elephants, impala, warthog to name a few. (B)
Cross the border into Botswana and later, arrive in the heart of Chobe National Park, home to the largest concentration of game in Africa. As the sun begins to set, head out on a sunset game-viewing cruise through the waterways. Traverse the wilderness at the best time of the day to see large herds of elephants, as well as a plethora of other animals that flock to the banks of the Chobe River.
Later, retreat to your modern bush-style accommodation, which sits at the doorstep of where four African countries meet: Botswana; Namibia; Zimbabwe; and Zambia. Stay Two Nights: Chobe National Park, Chobe Bush Lodge or upgrade to a suite on a Chobe Princess Houseboat (B/L/D)
Today, embark upon an enticing game drive adventure through the iconic Chobe National Park. Here, ensure you have your camera ready as you delight in the many chances to spot Africa's famous mammals, thanks to the park's high density of elephant herds and lion prides. At the end of the day, return to your lodge to reflect on your day with some down time and dinner. (B/L/D)
Return to Victoria Falls once more and take an included flight to Nairobi.
This evening, you'll meet your friendly East African Tour Director, who will provide you with an introduction to the next chapter of your incredible adventure into East Africa. Stay: Nairobi, 2.5.4 Ole Sereni Hotel (B)
It's time to explore the incredible country of Kenya. Your first stop is Amboseli National Park. The signature attraction here is spotting hundreds of elephants, set to the backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro. Bird watchers will also delight in knowing that 370 bird species can be spotted in the area. Arrive at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge in time for lunch. Located in the heart of this world-famous national park, the lodge offers you the perfect base from which to embark on your Kenyan safari.
After lunch, begin an afternoon game drive to look for the Big Five, as well as hippos and a variety of waterfowl, which can be found near the park's wetlands. Sundowner drinks at Observation Hill rounds out a perfect first game drive in Amboseli National Park. You'll then return to the lodge to relax and savour an expertly prepared dinner. Stay Two Nights: Amboseli National Park, Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge (B/L/D)
Insider Experience: The morning takes you to a local Maasai village where you'll wander about the homes that the Maasai have built with their own hands. Delight in their unique and colourful jewellery and interact with the villagers to learn about their authentic daily life.
It's onto the next adventure as you take a short flight to Nairobi. Continue by 4WD to Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, situated on a stunning range of hills that form the western limits of Africa's Great Rift Valley. Arrive just in time for lunch. You may also wish to take advantage of the lodge's beautiful surrounds and embark on a stunning nature walk around the property. The afternoon is all about wildlife spotting, with a game drive.
Afterwards, enjoy dinner at your lodge this evening. Stay Two Nights: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge (B/L/D)
Bound by rocky escarpments and brimming with hordes of animals, a day of game drives at Lake Nakuru National Park offers yet another window into the life of Africa's animal kingdom. On the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland, this beautiful park will leave you spellbound.
This morning, look for rare white rhinos around the soda-encrusted lake at the centre of the park. Keep your eyes locked on the grassy plains in search of zebras, buffalo and graceful Rothschild's giraffes. If you're lucky, you may even spot an awe-inspiring leopard. Return to your lodge for lunch and time to relax before an afternoon game drive. (B/L/D)
Awake to the sounds of the African bush as you prepare to travel to your next destination. Soak up the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, stretching from the Middle East all the way to Mozambique.
Onwards, you'll be greeted by the endless plains of the Masai Mara, a region famous for its big cat population, including leopards, lions and cheetahs. The vast, open spaces provide excellent game viewing, which is why this reserve is one of the most well-regarded for wildlife in all of Africa. At certain times of the year, you may see enormous herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra travelling to and from the Serengeti in search of food during the seasonal Great Migration. Plus, you can also witness the predators who follow them.
This afternoon, head out on an exhilarating game drive, noticing how different these landscapes are compared to those that you experienced in Southern Africa. At the end of a thrilling day of exploration, perhaps unwind with a drink before sitting down to dinner this evening at your lodge. Stay Three Nights: Masai Mara, Fig Tree Camp (B/L/D)
Today presents the unique opportunity to enhance your journey and experience the Masai Mara from the skies on a magical hot-air balloon ride (optional expense). There is simply no better way to view this vast landscape. Enjoy breakfast while you listen to the sounds of the bush as you get ready to head out on another captivating game drive.
The Masai Mara delivers those quintessential safari scenes of endless grassy plains, peppered with acacia trees and powerful predators who stalk unsuspecting prey. Thanks to your expert game driver/tracker, you'll enjoy a remarkable morning in the wild on the prowl for wildlife. Return to the lodge for a delicious lunch before a free afternoon. Take the chance to relax and unwind after a busy day of seeking out wildlife. (B/L/D)
Insider Experience: Delight in a memorable bush dinner this evening and experience the flavours of the region. As you dine under the African night sky, take a moment to reflect on the adventures so far.
Relish your final morning in the Masai Mara, then transfer to the airstrip and board your scheduled flight to the Tanzanian border. From here, embark on a connecting flight to the Serengeti and be transferred to your tented camp. Relax by the campfire before dinner, then retire to your tented room with an ensuite. Situated in an idyllic spot with the national park on your doorstep, there is no better place to sleep under the expansive African sky. Stay Two Nights: Serengeti National Park, Kati Kati Tented Camp (B/L/D)
Serengeti National Park is known for its predators who spend their days pursuing impalas, zebras, buffalo, gazelle and more. This morning, head out in search of these local inhabitants, armed with your camera ready to capture all that appears before you. Return to your camp for lunch, before your afternoon game drive. Perhaps you will seek out some of the unique wildlife which may have been hiding this morning. (B/L/D)
Journey to Olduvai Gorge to explore one of the world's most important archaeological sites, dubbed ‘the Cradle of Mankind'. It is believed to be the site of the remains from the first human beings on Earth.
Continue on to your charming accommodation, set on a farm and coffee plantation, accompanied with views of the Oldeani Volcano. Stay Two Nights: Karatu, Ngorongoro Farm House (B/L/D)
Marvel at the lush, green scenery as you descend from the high crater walls of World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact caldera. Enjoy a picnic lunch and go in search of the wildlife that roams this unique place, with most never leaving the crater floor. (B/L/D)
Insider Experience: Travel to the tiny village of Mto Wa Mbu to visit a local school and see what daily life is like for the students. This school is close to our hearts and it is supported by our OneTomorrow Charitable Fund, so that the school can continue to flourish. You'll end the tour at a local restaurant where you can try a range of flavourful East African dishes.
Sadly, your journey through Africa draws to an end. After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your onward flight home. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- A private game park experience in Kruger National Park
- Relish the opportunity to embark on up to 22 exciting game spotting activities
- Witness the wonder of Victoria Falls
- Meet the locals during a Maasai Village Experience
- 20 nights in premium accommodation
- Services of a Travelmarvel Tour Director, local guides and expert game trackers
- All flights within Africa
- Tipping, game park fees and transfers
- 52 included meals over the course of your trip.
- Itinerary subject to change
- Prices include tipping, transfers and all internal flights (including airport taxes, which are subject to change), as per itinerary and Flying Doctor Service in East Africa
- Water levels at Victoria Falls vary across the year and levels cannot be guaranteed
- Flights to and from Africa are not included
Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Spirit of Southern and East Africa' Reviews
Unfortunately, the same could not be said about Giltedge Travel who were responsible for the first part of the trip from Capetown or Kruger to Chobe River. Our Giltedge tour leader was a poor communicator, disorganised and not a good ambassador for Africa. After introducing himself to we 3 who joined the trip in Kruger he said that everyone on the original trip was sick with vomiting and diarrhea and to stay away from them! What a welcome!! He constantly criticised everything about Africa and expressed his strong desire to leave. His true interest was in photography and he spent most of his time in game parks taking photos for his own photographic business. Itinerary plans were clumsy at best - with large amounts of time devoted to standing around and waiting, or travelling back across areas we had already travelled.
Starting the tour in Kruger was a particularly awkward (and expensive) starting point, and should have started in Johannesburg when the rest of the group flew via there to Kruger. On day 2, after joining the group in Kruger, 3 of us were told we could not travel with the group to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and would, instead travel on our own to Zambia - NOT Zimbabwe!! Our tour leader was unable to tell us the logistics of how we would be able to get from Zambia to Zimbabwe to meet up with the rest of the group and "assumed" it would all be OK. The 3 of us were extremely stressed and anxious by the whole concept of splitting the group and us having to make our own way.
On enquiry to Travelmarvel about what was happening we were told not enough seats had been booked on the flight for the whole group - despite the fact that we had booked more than 12 months in advance. Travelmarvel argued that the itinerary is a "guide" and that they reserve the right to alter it if necessary. We would never have believed that the small print meant being split away from the group and sent to another country - where we were not even covered by our travel insurance. Travelmarvel blamed Giltedge, Giltedge blamed Travelmarvel! In the end, we were met in Zambia and assisted by 4 different locals, across 3 different immigration borders and with 3 different means of transport in a long and arduous journey. When we finally got to meet up with the tour director, he told us to hurry and catch up with the group who had already started to walk around Victoria Falls. His instructions to us were to keep on the path and meet him at the coffee shop. The "path" turned out to be 4km long and an hour walk through some difficult terrain - guess he couldn't be bothered to walk - or tell us anything about the Falls. He'd already told the other group who travelled with him and couldn't be bothered to let the "stragglers" know.
The one highlight of the southern part of the trip was the 2-night stay on the Chobe Princess - an extra well worth the $$$. The time on the boat was wonderful, fabulous accommodation and food, an outstanding crew who listened to our interests and tailored the sightseeing to our wishes. They too had nothing to do with Travelmarvel but were operated by a separate company again, fortunately a FAR superior company to Giltedge - or Travelmarvel.
Our changeover from the southern part of the trip to the East African part was also a total mess. We were picked up from the Chobe Princess at 10.30 supposedly for our flight to Nairobi. We were taken to the lobby of a hotel in Chobe township, from where our tour leader left to fly back to South Africa, leaving us to wait .... A coach finally arrived for us at 4pm (5 hours after being dropped off in the lobby and after our tour leader had left!) We arrived into Nairobi, on time, as scheduled, at 10pm. A very slow transfer to the hotel, plus briefing and necessary re-packing of bags, saw us able to go to our rooms at 1.30am before an 8am departure for our Kenyan section of the trip.
It was a long, and expensive, tour to Africa. Africa never failed to disappoint, Wonderful, warm, helpful people, magnificent scenery, and amazing encounters with animals - especially in the East African section of the trip. Would I return to Africa - YES- definitely! Would I travel with Travelmarvel - NO - definitely not. Africa is a difficult area to travel in and the need for well planned, communicated and implemented plans is a must. Travelmarvel didn't demonstrate any of these qualities. Even their briefing notes attached to the final itinerary provided misleading, inaccurate and contradictory information - about luggage, currencies, health requirements, items to pack. Fortunately, there are many other companies that travel to Africa and they would certainly be where I would look again in the future. Many thanks to Georgie of Global Journeys who tried to help us with Travelmarvel. It was much appreciated - even though Travelmarvel's response was not!!
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Travelmarvel. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Travelmarvel. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Similar Tours
15 Days Cape Town Kasane
Operated By: Travelmarvel
