After breakfast this morning we transfer accross to OR Tambo International Airport to connect with a regional flight into the town of Maun, Botswana located right at edge of the world famous Okavango Delta. From Maun a short flight aboard a light aircraft will deliver you to the airstrip at Stanley's Camp where you'll enjoy the following 3 days of your safari.

During your stay at Stanley's Camp you'll enjoy game drives, walking safaris, mekoro rides (dug out canoe) as well as an elephant interaction experience.

Sanctuary Stanley's is a classic tented camp with just eight tents built around an imposing sausage tree on a private concession overlooking the Okavango floodplains. The area around the camp changes with the seasons - from lush green when the rain flows down from the Angolan highlands to dry savannah when the Kalahari Desert tightens its grip.

This intimate camp is gathered around a large sitting and dining area which affords magnificent views over the floodplains of the Okavango Delta. From the swimming pool, watch giraffe and other plains game march across the savannah. You might even catch a glimpse of rare wild dogs stalking the plains. This is one of the best places in the world for seeing buffalo in large numbers, with herds often exceeding 2,000.

Each canvas tent at Sanctuary Stanley's boasts a traditional ceiling fan and is individually designed, but all have a classic and understated elegance that harks back to the explorers and colonialists of the 19th century. Large wooden decks provide private areas for guests to relax in hammocks or enjoy cocktails before dinner in the spectacular dining mess.

Enjoy your day on safari in the Okavango Delta.

Game drives
Sanctuary Stanley's Camp is set in a private concession giving visitors the opportunity to venture out at night on exciting game drives to see the many nocturnal animals that live here. The evening drive starts after sundown cocktails, using a spotlight to winkle out elusive nocturnal creatures including the ones that are easier to catch a glimpse of in the dark, like hyena and leopard. Tiny fireball eyes that seem to levitate through the air and reappear again in different trees are bush babies, just one of several different creatures to be found. Game drives are not typical here, as water crossings are part of the adventure, and watching zebra standing belly-deep in water, grazing, is a sight to see! Even giraffe will cross water up to their hocks.

Mokoro excursion
The Okavango Delta is of course flooded for much of the year and when it is, guests can experience serene silence at the gentle pace of a poled mokoro excursion along the narrow Delta channels. Guests can sit back and relax as they glide through lily ponds on local dugout canoes while they get eye to eye with a buffalo as it laps water from the river, watch crocodiles sunbathe on the banks or cruise past a pod of hippos as they lie in a pool. Fish eagles, frogs and fabulous lilies form much of this experience, but more frequently it is the quietness and gentle pace that makes its impression on guests after a mokoro morning.

Walking safari
Sanctuary Stanley's professional guides accompany guests as they learn about the bush from a different perspective, up close and personal with the environment. Walking safaris is the perfect way to awaken ones senses where guests can touch, feel and smell the African bush while listening to the various interesting stories the guides have to tell. Walks allow guests to read the news of the night in the smooth sand of the road. Lion, leopard, elephants, genets and even millipedes are all part of the signs, each with their story to tell.

Walking safaris is about seeing the small five and the various flora in the area.

Over and above your game drives today, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy an elephant interaction experience.

Elephant Interaction
Thousands of elephant migrate through the area and here, as at the nearby Sanctuary Baines' Camp, guests can have an astonishing experience walking with elephants in the bush. Three orphaned elephants have been brought up in the area and have been used to being with humans since an early age. Every morning the elephants go for a walk around their home range, foraging for food and checking that all is well. They look for fresh fruit in the nearby trees and interact with guests. A few people each day are able to accompany them on their walk through the bush and see the wilds of Africa through the eyes of an elephant - a truly uplifting experience that makes a lasting impression on all who share their time with the elephants. This activity includes a leisurely paced walk with a trio of semi-habituated elephants, and a picnic lunch in their company.

Enjoy an exciting day on safari at Chief's Camp...

Mokoro excursions
Mokoros, local dugout canoes, are ideal for getting close to the bush in the company of a highly trained local guide. Each June the whole area around the camp floods and turns the Okavango Delta into a labyrinth of lily-filled lagoons and streams where hippos fight for bathing rights and crocodiles wait for unwary antelope to linger too long over a drink. Poling through the byways created by the floodwaters is a magical experience that allows guests to get very close to the biggest of game and to see the world from a totally different angle - looking up onto the banks rather than down onto them. As a change from a game drive, the quiet, gentle pace of a mokoro is a real introduction to a way of transport still used in the Delta by the 'river bushmen' or BaYei people. This activity is subject to water levels.

Game drives
The expert guides always on hand to share a wealth of wildlife knowledge, take guests deep into the bush in specially modified open 4 x 4 vehicles on morning and afternoon game drives to find the secluded places where elephant families congregate in search of the tastiest fruits and berries. The game viewing opportunities at Sanctuary Chief's Camp are awe-inspiring. On the plains one may find the roaming lions that prey on the thousands of antelope, zebra and buffalo who live here all year round. Guests may see spot wild dogs. These extremely rare predators have been hunted to the point of extinction in most areas of Africa and this is one of their last strongholds. Intensely curious, painted dogs, as they are known here, are extremely rewarding to view and accessible to only the few. Sanctuary Chief's is the ideal place to spot the big 5 - perhaps even the rare rhino. There are several local lion prides as well as leopards, genet cats and hyena are in abundance.

Today, we will be flying from Chiefs Camp to Chobe Chilwero. Enjoy the following 3 nights at Chobe Chilwero...Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero borders Chobe National Park, home to the world's largest remaining population of elephants. This is an incredibly luxurious lodge with just 15 guest cottages, as well as the only full spa on the Botswana safari circuit.

A great deal of thought has gone into making Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero a luxurious riverside retreat in the heart of the bush, with all of the facilities of a larger resort. Guests can relax in the split-level swimming pool, unwind with a pampering session in the spa or enjoy the gourmet food that the lodge has become known for.

The main area commands fabulous views over the Chobe River which borders Chobe National Park to the north. As well as the elephants for which the park is famous, there are also huge herds of buffalo living in the towering teak forests that are characteristic of the area. Each room has two showers - one inside and one outside. The freestanding tubs in the bathrooms are big and comfortable. Each cottage has its own private garden where guests can sip cocktails after a day of game viewing, or why not enjoy your very own private dinner served under the African sky.

SPA TREATMENTS ARE ARRANGED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AT AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE.

While at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, a visit to the spa is an absolute must. The full-service spa offers a range of treatments and rituals of the highest quality to relax, restore and revitalize guests. Authentic African design has been integrated with, and inspired by, the abundance of nature that surrounds the lodge. Great care has been taken in selecting brands, treatment methods and practices that are environmentally friendly. Treatments are provided by trained professionals, and include products from both the Africology and Thalgo lines. Spa facilities include an indoor spa bath, Vichy showers, hydrotherapy, plunge pool, relaxation area and private treatment rooms - one of which is elevated in the treetops.

This morning we depart Chobe Chilwero for Livingstone, Zambia, via Kazungula where we spend the following two nights at Sussi & Chuma Lodge. During your stay in Zambia you will experience the magnificent Victoria Falls, as well as daily game drives, tour of a local village, and a sundowner cruise.

Game Drives
Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma is set on the edge of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Here the highly trained safari guides take guests on game drives in custom-built 4 x 4 safari vehicles to experience the land as it was when Livingstone first made his way across the ridge and beheld the smoke that thunders. The park has elephant, impala, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, zebra in large numbers and an exciting array of birds, including some Southern African specials like Peters Finfoot. It even has white rhino - the only place in Zambia where they can be seen. Guests may also be lucky enough to see a rare sighting of the wild dog that on occasion pass through the park.

Tour of the Victoria Falls
Just a short drive away from the world famous Victoria Falls, the lodge offers guests a walking tour of The Falls. First described to Europe by explorer David Livingstone and known locally as the Mosi-oa-Tunya, or "the Smoke that Thunders", the falls make a constant roar and are accompanied by a cloud of brilliant spray where the mile wide Upper Zambezi falls 300 feet into the Lower Zambezi. Rainbows constantly form and collapse in the tropical sunlight over the waterfall. The river is bordered by ebony groves and mopane forest. Well-known for its bird life, with many fish eating raptors attracted to the rich pickings in the river. Excluded in the rate is the Heritage Fee which is payable by guests directly at the lodge when doing a Tour of the Falls.

Village Tour
The Nakatindi Community is located 6 km from Livingstone Town Centre and approximately 5 kms East of Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma, Village tours are included in the cost of staying at Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma. This village filled with children playing and people getting on with their regular day to day lives comprises of around 3,000 people who live in simple mud and brick houses. To the edge of the village sits the Nakatindi Community school which is responsible for the education of its 442 pupils of which approximately 286 of the children are orphans.

Sundowner Cruise
A Zambezi River cruise is a great way to spend a few hours before drifting back to the lodge, a warm shower and delicious dinner. Sanctuary's boats are specially designed and the guide will take the boat through a series of grade 2 rapids, guaranteed to get exciting, and a little wet before eventually finding a spot to beach for a break or a sunset cocktail! The combination of Zambezi spray on your face and delicious white wine on the tongue, makes for a memorable afternoon sunset cruise. Sipping on a cocktail while watching the sunset over the majestic Zambezi River is truly a once in a lifetime experience!

Meet and greet and transfer to Emperors Palace, hotel from OR Tambo Int. Airport, Johannesburg

One night accommodation (bed & breakfast) at Emperor's Palace and dinner at Tribes excluding all drinks and tips...Transfer from Johannesburg International Airport (OR Tambo), to Emperors Palace.

Transfer from Emperors Palace to OR Tambo International Airport

Scheduled flight from Johannesburg to Maun, Botswana

Transfer by light aircraft flight from Maun to Stanley's Camp

Three night's accommodation at Stanley's Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana including:All meals and drinks (excluding premium brands), Park fees, Laundry, Emergency medical evacuation, morning and evening game drives, mokoro excursions (seasonal), walking safaris, Elephant Experience

Transfer by light aircraft flight from Stanley's Camp to Chiefs Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Three night's accommodation at Chiefs Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana: Including: All meals and drinks (excluding premium brands),Park fees, Laundry, Emergency medical evacuation, morning and afternoon game drives and Mokoro excursions

Transfer from Chiefs Camp to Chobe Chilwero, Chobe, Botswana

Three night's accommodation at Chobe Chilwero, Chobe, Botswana: Including: All meals and drinks (excluding premium brands), Park fees, Laundry, Emergency medical evacuation, morning and afternoon game drives, sundowner cruise.

Transfer from Chobe Chilwero, Botswana to Livingstone, Zambia by road and ferry transfer to Sussi & Chuma Lodge.

Two night's accommodation at Sussi & Chuma Lodge, "Vic Falls", Zambia, including all meals, game drives, one tour of the falls, a sundowner cruise, a village tour, laundry, beverages

Transfer to Livingstone Airport

International Air from USA

Travel Insurance, strongly recommended

Any visas that may be required

Any day tours or early check in on arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa

Flight from Livingstone to Johannesburg (should be purchased with International Flight from USA as one ticket to allow luggage to be checked all the way at the end of the safari.

Heritage fee of USD 20.00 at Victoria Falls, subject to change without notice by Government.

Any tours or activities not specified

Tipping and drinks where not specified as included

Spa treatments, helicopter flips, premium Liquors, champagne, at the safari lodges

Any services not specified