Flight to Tswalu Motse
Accommodation
Motse Camp is Tswalu's main property and offers nine spacious suites, three of which are family suites, each with two bedrooms and two bathrooms separated by a lounge. All suites are equipped with large beds and mosquito nets, a modern bathroom with bathtub, indoor and outdoor showers, lounge, private terrace, open fireplace and air-conditioning (the weather is hot from October to April).
The main building has numerous lounge areas, a swimming pool, an outdoor restaurant with a terrace where guests can enjoy al-fresco meals if the weather is fine and warm, and an indoor dining area for cooler days. A boma is the setting for a traditional dinner or barbeque; meals may also be served in the privacy of guests' rooms upon request. The small, well-appointed spa offers a good choice of treatments. Our dedicated chefs cook up a mealtime selection that contains something to please all palates.
Somewhat hidden on the vast grounds of Tswalu, the team of Klein JAN Restaurant around Chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen's awaits you. From a stay of two days, dinner in the restaurant is included - let yourself be surprised!
If you would like to spend a night under the open sky, book the Malori Sleepout An open tent stands on a platform in the middle of the Kalahari, with comfortable beds of course, but with an open-air bathroom and a large deck where dinner is served under the stars in the evening.
Flight to Little Kulala
Accommodation
Little Kulala offers eleven climate-controlled rooms (it's very hot in the Namib region from November onwards!) with en-suite facilities, extra outdoor shower, private plunge pool, veranda with outdoor lounge, and a skybed where guests can spend a romantic night under the clear, starry sky.
The camp places great emphasis on natural materials, and the colours of the linen, cotton and mohair fabrics blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings. The Kulala Camps stand out for their fantastic location close to the Sossuvlei dunes and with exclusive access to the park.
Sossusvlei is the area most associated with Namibia: Red dunes as far as the eye can see (up to 380 m high, coloured red by the clay-rich sand) and dead trees in the Vleis or pans, decaying slowly at the will of the arid climate. The Vleis were created by the Tsauchab River, which probably once flowed to the Atlantic some 50 km away. The whole Sossusvlei region is quenched with water during those very rare years when a good amount of rain falls, prompting bushes and flowers to spring up everywhere.
Sossusvlei is also the place most commonly associated with Namibia. Its red dunes stretch as far as the eye can see (up to 380 m high, coloured red by the clay-rich sand) and the desiccated trees in the vleis (salt and clay pans), which decay slowly due to the arid environment, are typical of the region. The vleis were created by the Tsauchab River, which most probably flowed into the Atlantic 50 km away. Very rarely, a torrential downpour will see the vleis disappear under water – a spectacle that very few get to see. .
The Namib itself is a product of the Orange River in the south, which carries the red sand of the Kalahari to the ocean. The Benguela Current takes the sand north, where the prevailing winds have blown it back inland over millions of years, forming the Namib Desert.
Sossusvlei is situated in the Namib Naukluft Park and thus subject to very strict regulations. The park opens its gates at sunrise and all visitors are required to leave again by sunset. The distance between the park entrance and the Sossusvlei car park, however, is a good 60 km, most of which is tarred. From here it’s only possible to reach the second car park, right next to the Sossusvlei, in a 4x4, on foot or using the shuttle service. There are also other vleis in the area in addition to the Sossusvlei, including Dead Vlei, with its famous dead trees, and somewhat further away, the so-called Hidden Vlei, which requires a good trek to get to.
The most famous dunes are Dune 45 (170 m high), which is located 45 km from the entrance to Sossusvlei, and then Big Daddy, the largest dune, and his partner, Big Mama. Visitors are of course allowed to scale the dunes, and the effort is worth it. The way up is quite strenuous – but this also means that the way down is easy!
Flight to Serra Cafema
Accommodation Eight elegantly furnished, thatched Meru-style villas sit nestled in the green belt along the banks of the Kunene River. The main building houses a dining area with large outdoor terrace, a river bar, gift shop, lounge/library and a swimming pool.
The camp is stylishly and luxuriously furnished and each of the en-suite rooms is equipped with a lounge, outdoor shower and fantastic terrace, where guests can relax and read on the sofa or in the hammock. The views over the lush green vegetation along the riverbanks and the sweeping desert landscape are breathtaking.
Running a large distance parallel to the coast, Hartmann Valley acts as the gateway to Serra Cafema. The airfield where guests arrive was built on a plateau, from where the road leads steeply (and full of surprises) down to the river. The surrounding area is a spectacular combination of sand dunes, rugged rocky outcrops and the broad grass plains of Hartmann Valley, lined with rolling hills and sprinkled with so-called ‘fairy circles'.
The Kaokoveld covers an area of around 50’000 km², and includes the region between the Hoanib River and the Kunene River, which marks the Angola border; the Skeleton Coast National Park marks the western border. There is little to no infrastructure here, which means the Kaokoveld is one of the few true wildernesses still in existence. The few people you’re likely to come across in this region are the semi-nomadic Himba, who have learned to survive in this sometimes extremely arid environment.
The western part of the Kaokoveld, from Sesfontein up to the Epupa Falls, is less interesting for us. We stick to little-known tracks in the hinterland and never travel on tarred roads in the Kaokoveld. Riverbeds are our roads and the starry sky is the roof above us.
If you like a combination of camping in remote places and staying in beautiful lodges, then our Kaokoveld Expeditions are perfect for you. Not only is the landscape fascinating here, we also often come across desert elephant, giraffe, zebra, oryx and sometimes even lion and rhino. This is one trip you will never forget.
Flight to Mombo & Little Mombo
Accommodation
The rooms at Mombo (7 x twin + 1 x family room with two en-suite bedrooms) and Little Mombo (4 x twin) are generously equipped, each with a comfortable en-suite, living and sleeping area, indoor and outdoor shower, private bar, sala (outdoor lounger) and large veranda.
All rooms and main areas have large decks from where a huge variety of wildlife can be viewed at any time of day. The plain to the front of the camp fills with water during the floods, attracting a large number of water-loving red lechwe and buffalo.
Mombo and Little Mombo are linked by a long wooden walkway (approx. 5 minutes apart) with a swimming pool, gym and spa room as connecting elements. Both Mombo and Little Mombo have a stylish lounge, bar and dining area. A beautiful curio shop completes Mombo Camp's main building.
Mombo Camp is the flagship of Wilderness and unbeatable in its combination of luxury and pure wildlife action.
Chief's Island is the largest landmass in the Okavango Delta, and home to an incredible variety of wildlife. Both camps conduct game drives in the same area.
Mombo Camp is only accessible by light aircraft. The private airstrip is located just 15 minutes from the camp. Flight time to Maun in a Cessna Caravan is 30 minutes, and 1 hour 20 minutes to Kasane.
The Moremi was proclaimed a reserve in 1963 by the widow of Chief Moremi III and expanded in several stages thereafter. Today it covers around 30% of the entire Okavango Delta and adheres to a very strict protection policy.
Simply put, the Moremi Game Reserve comprises a lot of water and two large dry plains: the first is Chief's Island (home to the renowned Mombo Camp), which extends deep into the Okavango Delta. The second is known as the Mopane Tongue, the corners of which are marked in the Khwai region by the North Gate, South Gate, Mboma Island and Xakanaxa. Unlike Chief’s Island, whose camps are only accessible by air, the Mopane Tongue is accessible by vehicle.
Similar considerations apply to the Mopane Tongue as to the Chobe-Savuti region: overlanders and providers of mobile safaris travel from Maun to this area and camp at the public campsites or choose the more luxurious option of a private pitch. For this reason, when embarking on a flight safari, we recommend you choose the more expensive but private camps on Chief's Island for the ultimate safari experience.
Flight to Mpala Jena Camp
Accommodation Mpala Jena is an exquisite and exclusive canvas tented camp. Its three luxurious and generous guest tents have been elegantly positioned under the dappled shade of indigenous sausage trees, rain trees and water berry trees. Each tent has a lounge area with a desk, en-suite bathroom which include a bathtub, indoor shower, separate loo and double basins. The verandah in front of the tent leads to a private outdoor shower with views of the Zambezi River.
The main area includes the restaurant, bar and lounge area. In front, a sandy beach extends to the shore of the Zambezi, a wonderful place to enjoy the sunset in the evening by the fire pit with a drink in your hand. Just around the corner and well screened off is the swimming pool with its own pool lounge and sun loungers.
The Zambezi River rises in north-western Zambia and crosses several African countries on its 2700 km journey to the Indian Ocean. The river also forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. At Victoria Falls, the water falls for more than 100m into Batoka Gorge, over a width of nearly two kilometers. The falls are called 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' or 'the Smoke that Thunders', as the spray can be seen from miles away and, at the height of the rainy season, more than five hundred million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge.
The town of Victoria Falls is located right next to the falls. The falls are called ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ or ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ because the mist can rise several hundred metres above the gorge during the wet season, making it visible for miles around and thus a well-known landmark.
The town of Victoria Falls is the ideal place from which to explore the falls. For a small fee, guests can walk along the entire length of the falls on the Zimbabwean side, and marvel at the thundering mass of water.
The falls are rather small in October / November and large parts of the edge are visible. The amount of water flowing over the edge increases as the rains begin, swelling to its full capacity with the onset of the floodwaters in March / April. There is often a lot of mist from April to July, and it’s advisable to protect yourself and your camera with something waterproof.
On the Zimbabwe side you can photograph and admire the entire waterfall from various vantage points. You may also like to visit the historic bridge, which the English had built over Batoka Gorge when they tried to establish a railway line from Cape Town to Cairo.
Flight to Singita Pamushana
Accommodation
Offering fantastic views of the dam it overlooks, Singita Pamushana Lodge sits high upon a hill. The lodge’s unique design is based on the vibrant colours and patterns of the native Shangaan culture. As with all Singita lodges, both service and cuisine are exceptional – we can recommend a stay here of 4 or even 7 days without hesitation. The lodge’s elevated position affords spectacular views and its rooms offer guests an oasis of comfort, relaxation and tranquillity.
The lodge comprises four one-bedroom suites, two two-bedroom suites (4 adults), one two-bedroom family suite for 2 adults and 2 children, a three-bedroom family suite for 2 adults and 4 children and the Malilangwe House located on the edge of the lodge’s estate offering 5 bedrooms, a luxuriously spacious lounge and a private kitchen. All suites come with a private plunge pool, a deck with loungers and an extra outdoor shower. The Malilangwe House features a proper infinity pool.
Somewhat fortress-like in appearance, yet very laid back on the inside, the main building houses a large swimming pool, bar, lounge, the spa and two further tempered pools, one of which is a whirlpool. There are various decks and corners where guests can dine, on most evenings this is under the stars.
The nearest large airport is Buffalo Range Airport, which is accessed by light aircraft from Johannesburg in approximately 2 hours (Mon and Thu only). This is also the place where border formalities are carried out. The authorities generally only open the office for guests arriving at and departing from Singita. Now deserted, Buffalo Range Airport with its huge tarmac runway was once used for international flights.
Pamushana Lodge is built on a hill in the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve some 40 minutes’ drive from the airport. The journey passes the village of Chiredzi with its sugar plantations before heading towards Gonarezhou National Park and Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve.
Guests arriving by chartered aircraft can land at Lonestar Airstrip. This is located just 25 minutes’ drive from the lodge. Border formalities, however, must still be carried out at Buffalo Range Airport.
The Chilojo Cliffs are spectacular sandstone formations offering magnificent views of the Runde River. Three rivers, the Save, the Runde and the Mwenezi, carve their way through the park and attract a high concentration of wildlife. The park also supports several huge-tusked elephants.
The Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve borders the Gonarezhou National Park. It is a Big 5 reserve and supports all the animals visitors wish to see while on safari. It is also home to 100 of the very rare and highly endangered black rhino, which can often be spotted in groups. Singita has built a particularly attractive lodge here, the Singita Pamushana.
Flight to Vilanculos
Flight to Flight to Kisawa Sanctuary
Accommodation
Kisawa is a 300-hectare sanctuary of forest, beach and sand dunes, located on the southern tip of Benguerra Island in Mozambique. This ultra luxury property is run by a passionate team of over 200 staff, with 90% of the operational team from Africa and the remainder of the team combining different expertise from around the world.
Kisawa offers eleven residences, each with its open-air sun deck, infinity pool (55m²) and outdoor day area with outdoor shower. The interiors feature a generours living room, king bedroom, two dressing rooms and a joint bathroom. The residences to the east of the Main Terrace are called Ocean Residences (with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean), while the residences to the west of the main building are called Cove Residences (with views of the turquoise-coloured bay). We can advise on the pros and cons of the rooms from personal experience.
There is a choice of 6 x 1-bedroom residences (150m² interior + 220m² pool & day area), 3 x 2-bedroom residences (which is essentially two 1-bedroom residences connected via an open air deck to 300m² interior + 270m² pool & day area) and one 3-bedroom residence (which is essentially three 1-bedroom residences combined with 450m² interior + 390m² pool & day area). One of the 1-bedroom residences has a self-contained annex with en-suite bathroom which is suited for young children, personell or older children looking for a bit of independence. Last but not least the Kisawa Residence, which is the owner's 2-bedroom residence and features personal touches like pan-African antiques & arts.
All residences are well spaced and come with a private butler service and a dedicated mini moke (vehicle) to get around and to the main terrace, the natural wellness center, gym, lagoon pool and kiosk (gift shop). On both sides of the property there is a Mussassa, an outdoor beach cafe where fresh seafood is served. And last but not least, the Baracca welcomes guests for splendid sundowner drinks and fresh Mozambiquean dishes. The restaurants are not open every day - your butler will inform you accordingly.
The island is inhabited so guests can watch fishermen sailing their traditional dhows or women picking muscles in the shallow waters at low tide. Kiswawa occupies the best location on the island - secluded, quiet and the bay of Kisawa in particular is a dream.
Alternatives to Kisawa Sactuary are Azura Lodge and Benguerra Lodge
The islands are situated approximately 10-minutes flying distance from Vilanculos in the south of Mozambique. Vilanculos is a two-hour flight from Johannesburg. A visit to the islands is ideally combined with a safari in Botswana, or anywhere else in southern Africa.
The archipelago was declared a national park in 1971. The waters around the islands are full of dolphin. Whale shark and whale visit at certain times of the year and sometimes one of the very rare dugong is spotted.
Bazaruto is the largest island and offers some 3-4* hotels. We prefer the second largest island Benguerra Island, where Benguerra Lodge and Azura Lodge offer the best accommodation on the archipelago. On Magaruque and Santa Carolina the existing accommodations fell into disrepair during the civil war.
Flight to Johannesburg
Basic Information
Individual journey. The journey will be planned on your preferred dates.
Duration 21 nights. Minimum age 6 years. Weight limit of luggage 25 kg.
Includes all transfers from Johannesburg to the hotels/camps to Johannesburg
- Tswalu Motse: Double Room. All meals, all drinks (also from the wine cellar), minibar, laundry service, all safaris with private guide and tracker, horse riding, WiFi.
- Little Kulala: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Serra Cafema: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Mombo & Little Mombo: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Mpala Jena Camp: Suite. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Singita Pamushana: Suite. All meals, drinks (including wines from the cellar, only french champagne exlcluded), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Kisawa Sanctuary: One Bedroom Ocean Residence.
- One 60 minute jet-lag recovery treatment
- Culinary experiences and dining across all four Kisawa restaurants, beach cafes and bars
- In-Residence dining (including unlimited room service and poolside snacks)
- Dedicated service team including tailormade butler service
- Soft beverages, curated house wines and cocktails
- Private use of dedicated Kisawa electric Mini Moke
- A selection of Kisawa Experiences including sunset sailing on the Kisawa Dhow and Glamping
- Non-motorised water sports including sea kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and snorkelling from the beaches of Benguerra Island
- Complimentary laundry and un/packing services
- Complimentary WiFi
- For stays of 7 nights or more, the return helicopter transfer to the Kisawa helipad from Vilankulo airport (VNX) is complimentary
Excluded are heli transfers from Vilankulos, vintage wine and cigars from the wine cellar, additional massages & treatments, private yoga courses, experiences like moonlight celebration and sunset on red dune, select boat excursions, PADI diving, kite surfing, horse riding and helicopter safaris, babysitting.
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