Africa Tour - South Africa Wilderness Tours

» Botswana:
We begin our adventure supporting a community initiative in the bush of the Okavango Delta. With local villagers and guides, we track and learn the habits of hippos and crocodiles using mokoros (wooden dugout canoes). Chobe National Park is home to some 45,000 elephants and our camp enjoys visits from baboons, monkeys, warthogs, and mongoose. An overnight ATV adventure within the park is pure magic. Hikes conducted by qualified rangers allow us the chance to see the abundant African wildlife.

» Namibia:
On the Caprivi Strip, along the banks of the Kavango River, we take part in a community service project with local villagers who give us insight into their culture and everyday life.

» Zambia:
Victoria Falls, one of the most popular areas we visit, is one of the largest waterfalls in the world and known as "The Smoke That Thunders." We Canoe Safari on the Zambezi River and visit a local orphanage to donate blankets and other necessities.

» South Africa:
We travel to Sun City & Lost City to experience their glamour and excitement. Water slides on ancient rocks allow us to chill and thrill. The Apartheid Museum illustrates the rise and fall of a unique part of South African history. An underground gold mine and exhilarating rides on the local roller coasters complete our journey. "Hamba Gashle Umgani" (Go well our friends).

Day 1: South Africa - Johannesburg Arrivals & Orientation:
You will be met upon arrival at the airport gate by your experienced AAVE expedition leaders. After a complete gear check, to assure that you are prepared for the diverse, demanding and remote regions we explore, we load up and head off! During orientation we get to know each other and learn what to expect in the days ahead. Our daily routine, jobs and safety rules are explained and the process of growing together as a group begins. We spend the night at a comfortable lodge on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

Day 2: South Africa - Botswana Border:
We get an early start and head for the Botswana border. After crossing the border from South Africa into Botswana we overnight at a quaint campsite in Palapye. After setting up camp we relax next to the pool before enjoying a traditional Braai (BBQ) where we discuss final preparations as we prepare to enter some of the finest wildlife sanctuary areas in the world.

Day 3: South Africa - Okovango Delta:
At our leisure we depart for Maun and overnight at a quaint campsite on the outskirts of Maun. We prepare and stock up on supplies before venturing into the wild areas of the Okavango Delta.

Days 4-5: Mokoro Canoe Trip:
We venture into the wild bush of Africa, far from any civilization. Our trip begins with a 4x4 Land Rover ride across the Buffalo Fence into the wildlife area. Once in the Delta, we join local villagers/guides on mokoros (two-man dugout canoes) and begin our search for the abundance of wildlife that inhabits the Delta. We also get involved in game walks, tracking different animals and learning their habits. This is a great opportunity to learn about the people of the area - each two-man mokoro has a "polar" or local guide who grew up in the area and lives in the local village. We set up camp on an island in the Delta and enjoy an evening under the African skies. This is a unique opportunity to live under nature's rules. Rising with the sun, we enjoy more poling on the mokoros. We leave behind the tranquillity and memories offered by the Delta on our last Mokoro trip before transferring back to Maun.

Days 6-7: Namibia:
We now head northwest from Maun to the Western side of the Okavango Delta and then into Namibia (Caprivi Strip). This is out of the normal tourist route, remote and natural. We spend two nights at this magnificent part of untouched Africa, working at a community service project. Here we get the chance to make a difference. By working with the local community we get an insight into their culture.

Day 8-9: Chobe River:
We get an early start and head to Chobe, home to 45,000 elephants some of which have already visited our camp in the evening happily eating at the mopane trees. Our campsite is set on the banks of the Chobe River, with a pool overlooking the great Chobe River. During the next two days we enjoy a Game Drive in a 4x4 open vehicle as well as a spectacular sunset Boat Cruise into the Chobe National Park. If you would like to try your hand at tiger fishing you can do so on the Chobe River (Optional). The local fish makes for some of the finest fresh water eating fish in Africa.

Days 10-12: Victoria Falls:
One of the most popular areas to visit in Africa is Zambia. We camp in Livingston Zambia, just across the Zambezi River for three days enjoying the many activities offered in the Victoria Falls area. Our visit to "Smoke That Thunders" Victoria Falls (on the Zambia side only), as well as a visit to the local market in Livingstone adds to our adventures in the area. Enjoy a canoe safari down the Zambezi River and a game drive with a stop over for lunch. This is guaranteed to be another highlight of the our Africa adventure. We also get to enjoy a sunset boat cruise on the upper Zambezi River. During our stay in Livingston we pay a visit to one of the local orphanages where we donate some blankets and other necessities.

Days 13: Makgadikgadi Salt Pans:
We head back east and overnight at a lodge that is the gateway to the pans and a rare oasis in the dessert. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are the largest Salt Pans in the world. The landscape is dry with ivory palms standing as beacons in the desert mirage.

Days 14-15: ATV Adventure:
After breakfast we get geared up for another great adventure. We head out on quad bikes (ATV) into the pans to explore the wild areas of the magnificent salt flats. We overnight at one of the islands in the Pans and sleep under a blanket of stars. The next morning after breakfast we slowly make our way back to camp.

Days 16-17: Tuli Conservation Area:
We get an early start and head southeast towards the Tuli Conservation Area where we spend the next two nights. We stay at a bush camp that is situated deep in the Mopane veld along the dry Mohave River, set amongst tall Apple-leaf and Tamboti trees. Enjoy exciting game viewing activities like night game drives, game walks and game drives conducted by qualified and armed rangers. Animals that can be seen in this area include elephant, lion, leopard, giraffe, zebra, spotted hyena and many more!

Days 18-19: Pilansberg National Park:
After an exhilirating time in the wild we head back to South Africa and bid this beautiful country farewell. After crossing Borders we overnight in Pilansberg National Park, which is near the Lost City. An unforgettable days adventure at Sun City & Lost City offers glamour and excitement as well as an exciting step back in time to an African Adventure without equal.

Days 20: Return to Johannesburg:
We make our way back to Johannesburg to enjoy a visit to the Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind; it illustrates the rise and fall of Apartheid in South Africa. Taking a trip further back in time we visit Gold Reef City and enjoy a tour of an underground gold mine. We also enjoy various exhilarating rides at the theme park. We finish our African adventure with a dinner out to toast our new friends and all of our accomplishments.

Days 21: Depart from Johannesburg:
We head for Johannesburg International Airport where we bid you: Hamba Gashle Umgani (Go well our friends) till we meet again.