Three Countries Safari - 12 Days

Guests are met and welcomed on arrival at O R Tambo International Airport and are assisted in transferring to a charter flight bound for the Sabi Sand - the first wilderness area of the Three Country African Safari . The reserve is named after the two principal rivers which flow through it - the Sabie and the Sand - and covers an area of approximately 65 000 hectares of pristine African wilderness. The reserve is part of the Greater Kruger National Park and is home to most of South Africa's finest safari lodges. The late afternoon is devoted to a first game drive in search of Africa's legendary Big Five. In this unique wilderness region, there are many other mammal and bird species which grace the African savanna and give meaning to the words ‘Spirit of Africa’.

Early morning and late afternoon game drives, in the company of an experienced ranger and tracker, fill a day with wonder as the rhythms of the wilderness and the laws that govern life in this diverse ecosystem come alive. A sighting of a member of the legendary Big Five , regarded amongst the most majestic and awe-inspiring of mammals, would most certainly be a highlight. In addition to lion, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard, the reserve is blessed with a rich diversity of antelope and other mammal species. The day ends with a night drive conducted by a professional game ranger. Night drives are a highlight of your bush experience and offer opportunities to see nocturnal animals not often seen during the daylight hours.

The ever-changing moods of this land will capture your soul as the day is once again devoted to exploring the wilderness, either in open 4x4 vehicles or on foot during a guided bush walk . The lesser creatures of the land, though not as well known, contribute as much to the ecosystem as any other. Life and the delicate balance of nature that exists here are protected in this wilderness area - a treasure over which we should be wise custodians.

A last morning game drive in this wilderness area is followed by a charter flight to Johannesburg, where guests are met and transferred to their hotel in Pretoria. The remainder of the day is spent at leisure at a five star boutique hotel.

After breakfast, guests are transferred back to O R Tambo International Airport for a flight to Victoria Falls . Guests will be met on arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, from where a visit is made to one of the natural wonders of the world - the Victoria Falls. A drive of about an hour then brings guests to the Matetsi Conservation Area. Matetsi extends over 45 000 hectares (111 200 acres) of pristine African wilderness - the largest private wildlife concession in Zimbabwe. With 15km (9 miles) of exclusive Zambezi River frontage, Matetsi offers an unrivaled river experience, in addition to spectacular game viewing and bird watching. The late afternoon is devoted to a first open 4x4 safari on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River.

Experienced rangers and trackers will accompany you on two interpretive game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles. A game drive is conducted during the morning and another during the late afternoon, which extends into the early evening. Matetsi is one of the very few areas in Zimbabwe where night game drives are permitted, revealing a host of interesting nocturnal animals.

Between the two open 4x4 safaris, guests have the opportunity to explore Matetsi's pristine wilderness on foot, led by an experienced ranger or expert tracker equipped with knowledge of the local fauna and flora. These types of interpretive wilderness walks bring visitors face-to-face with wild Africa.

After breakfast, the border is crossed into Botswana where the next couple of days are devoted to exploring the Chobe National Park . The Chobe National Park is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10 566 square kilometers. It has one of the greatest concentrations of game found on the African continent. The park is especially famous for the large number of elephant which grace it, and this is the focus of a first afternoon safari. The sounds of the wild and the cry of the African fish eagle are sure to provide a perfect backdrop to this experience.

A morning game drive is conducted in the Chobe National Park. In addition to sightings of the larger mammals, your ranger will also provide some insight into the signs left by the smaller animals as they go about their daily lives in this untouched corner of Africa. An afternoon sunset cruise on the Chobe River offers a unique vantage point from which to observe the herds of antelope and elephant as they approach the water's edge for a late afternoon drink. Their senses remain primed to detect predators that may be lurking in the thick vegetation on the riverbanks.

A short charter flight brings guests to the Okavango Delta and Sandibe Safari Lodge. The Okavango River, which rises in the highlands of Angola, never reaches the sea. Instead, its mighty waters empty into the sands of the Kalahari. Here the thirsty land of the south meets a blue-green wilderness of fresh water with emerald reed beds and towering trees. The late afternoon is devoted to a first game experience accompanied by local rangers and trackers in an area where the wilderness and the species that grace it have largely survived untouched by time and humanity. The Okavango is sure to be a highlight on your safari.

The day is spent on early morning and late afternoon game drives. The opportunities to view game and a prolific amount of bird life are unsurpassed. The Okavango, hunted by the Bushmen since as much as 10 000 years ago, can be described as one of the most beautiful and unique of all Africa's wilderness areas. It supports the greatest diversity of animals in all of Botswana's national parks and it is the only place in the world where the waters of a great river vanish into the sands of a harsh landscape, creating a unique oasis.

The day is devoted to game drives and bush walks in the Okavango. All game activities focus on interpretive viewing of the abundance of mammal and bird species which call the labyrinth of channels and islands home. From the majesty of the Big Five to the elusive ways of the puku, the secrets of the wilderness unfold in the company of an experienced guide. With the sounds of Africa in your ears, it is an experience sure to be remembered.

After breakfast, a short charter flight brings guests to Maun, where they connect with a flight bound for Johannesburg. Guests will be met on arrival at O R Tambo International Airport from where they will be assisted in transferring to a flight back to their country of origin after a wonderful safari enjoyed across three African countries .