17 DAY SOUTHERN AFRICA South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe & Botswana

Departing 31 March, 31 May, 06 September & 25 October 2019

A small group wildlife safari exploring a variety of scenic and cultural destinations within South Africa, including a visit to the beautiful Kingdom of Swaziland. From Kruger National Park through the game rich Zululand and including Hwange National Park and Chobe National Park this safari covers the highlights of Southern Africa’s wildlife parks. Explore the historic Zululand Battlefield sites as well as visits to the Swazi culture and one of the Seven wonders of the world - Victoria Falls, an experience not to be missed.

DAY 1: FLY TO JOHANNESBURG (Inflight Meals) Depart your home port today for your overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa via Perth. Overnight: Inflight

DAY 2: JOHANNESBURG – HOEDSPRUIT – KRUGER (LD)

Arrive into Johannesburg early this morning with time to stretch the legs before boarding your onward flight to Hoedspruit, arriving late morning. Meet your guide and continue to the private game lodge in the Greater Kruger area, where we spend the first three nights.

Relax this afternoon whilst enjoying the sounds of the bush, and in the late afternoon we enter the national park and embark on an exciting game drive. Your guide will interpret the signs of bush as we hope to see elephants, rhino and possibly the elusive leopard. Return to the lodge for a delicious evening meal. Overnight: Safari Lodge - Greater Kruger Area.

DAY 3: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (BLD)

Up early this morning and head back into iconic Kruger National Park for a full day game drive. Kruger National Park, in north eastern South Africa, is one of Africa’s largest game reserves situated on 19,485 square kilometres. Its high density of wild animals includes the Big 5: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. Stop for a picnic lunch before completing our game drive in the late afternoon as we exit the park and make our way back to the lodge. Overnight: As Above

DAY 4: GAME WALK – AFTERNOON AT LEISURE (BLD)

This morning enjoy a highlight of the tour with an early morning game walk accompanied by a local range for 3 - 4 hours duration. Quietly venture into the bush, learning the tracks and other signs of the wildlife we hope to find on foot. This afternoon is free to relax around the pool and enjoy the bush surrounds. Overnight: As Above

DAY 5: KRUGER NP – KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND (BLD) Enjoy a final game drive through Kruger this morning before entering the Kingdom of Swaziland, travelling through a lush fruit farming area before heading into the mountains. Overnight on the outskirts of Malalotja Nature Reserve with an afternoon to walk through this seldom explored mountainous reserve. Overnight: Kingdom of Swaziland Walk grade: Challenging – 3 hr walk through undulating hills of Malalotja Game Reserve to a beautiful waterfall. Uneven paths and this walk has sections of steep gradients.

DAY 6: SWAZILAND – ZULULAND GAME RESERVES (BLD)

The Swazi people have a rich cultural heritage. Visit the craft markets, Ngwenya Glass and the traditional medicine markets this morning as we pass through the capital, Mbabane. Afterwards continue to the lodge on a private game reserve situated on the Ukuwela Conservancy. Enjoy a walk with a local guide who will point out some of the 540+ bird species found in the area, and track the shy Nyala antelope in the riverine vegetation of the Msinene River. Overnight: Zululand Lodge

DAY 7: HLUHLUWE GAME RESERVE (BLD)

This morning visit Hluhluwe Game Reserve, a key area for rhino conservation resulting in it boasting the largest population of white rhino in the world. Afterwards visit a Zulu village to learn more about their culture. Enjoy sunset and the sounds of the bush before a hearty dinner at the lodge. Overnight: As Above

DAY 8: ZULULAND (BLD) This morning visit Lake St Lucia to enjoy a walk in this impressive spot – which is Africa’s largest estuarine system and home to many species of bird, fish, plant and antelope. This afternoon spend time enjoying the African bush. Overnight: As Above

DAY 9: ZULULAND – DUNDEE (BL) Today journey through the scenic hills and valleys of Zululand to the small town of Dundee. Here battles were fought between the Zulus, British and the Boer troops - war cries still resound in the hills. Spend time at the informative Talana museum – the only museum situated on the battlefield where the buildings from that time remain. Continue to the lodge for free time in the afternoon. Overnight: Dundee

DAY 10: BATTLEFIELDS SIGHTSEEING (BL) Explore the Isandlwana battlefield before we embark on an exciting 4-5hour hike tracing the steps of the two British fugitives through the undulating hills of Zululand to the Buffalo River. Later in the day we visit Rourkes Drift & Blood River where the mighty British Army and the Boer trekkers were confronted by the full force of the Zulu nation. Overnight: As Above

DAY 11: DUNDEE – JOHANNESBURG (BL) This morning travel back to Johannesburg and have a wonderful cultural afternoon exploring and meeting the people of Soweto and visiting the Apartheid Museum which is a beacon of hope showing the world how South Africa is coming to terms with its oppressive past and working towards a future that al South Africans can call their own. Late afternoon check-in at the hotel before enjoying dinner out this evening (own expense). Overnight: Johannesburg

DAY 12: FLY TO VICTORIA FALLS – HWANGE NP (BLD) Transfer to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls. On arrival, meet your guide as we load up the safari vehicle and head South East to Hwange National Park where the remainder of the afternoon is spent relaxing in our tranquil bush camp. Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest Park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14 650 square kilometres and is renowned for its large elephant pop ulation. Overnight: Hwange

DAY 13: HWANGE NATIONAL PARK (BLD) This morning meet a local guide to explore the park on a full day game drive in an open 4WD game viewing vehicle. Hwange boasts a tremendous selection of wildlife with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species recorded. The elephants of Hwange are world famous and the Park’s elephant population is one of the largest in the world. Our chalets are in the game management area that borders the park, and we explore the park with our local guide, on a full day game drive in an open 4WD game viewing vehicle. Late afternoon return to the camp in time for dinner. Overnight: As Above

DAY 14: HWANGE NP – VICTORIA FALLS (B) We enjoy a spectacular guided walk through tropical vegetation on an unforgettable experience through the Victoria Falls rainforest, a journey that not only affords a view of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World but provides a great deal of interesting facts about the geology, wildlife and history of Africa’s most famous landmark. Listen to magical tales of local legend while you enjoy the constant spray from the “The Smoke that Thunders” - Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is the only waterfall in the world with a length of more than a kilometer and a height of more than hundred meters. It is also considered to be the largest fall in the world. The noise of Victoria Falls can be heard from a distance of 40 kilometers, while the spray and mist from the falling water is rising to a height of over 400 meters and can be seen from a distance of 50 kilometers. No wonder that the local tribes used to call the waterfall Mosi-o-Tunya “The smoke that thunders”. Overnight: Victoria Falls

DAY 15: VICTORIA FALLS – CHOBE – VICTORIA FALLS (B) Today we cross the border into Botswana and make our way to the renowned Chobe National Park for the day. Here you will enjoy an open 4wd Game drive in the reserve and a spectacular river cruise on the Chobe River. The Chobe Park is one of Best National Parks in Botswana. This unique national park offers 4×4 roads along with an abundance of wildlife. We head back to Victoria Falls in the late afternoon. Overnight: As Above

DAY 16: VIC FALLS – JOHANNESBURG – IN FLIGHT (B) This journey ends at 08:00am at the lodge after breakfast where you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport arriving in time to depart on your afternoon flight home via a plane change and transfer in Johannesburg. This is an overnight flight allowing the opportunity to rest en route.

DAY 17: ARRIVE HOME (Inflight Meals) Arrive back to your home port this evening, so ending a magical journey through Southern Africa.

Price $5,975.00 pp, twin share basis (31 Mar & 31 May departures)

Price $6,450.00 pp, twin share basis (06 Sep & 25 Oct departures)

Single Supplement: $570.00

Tour subject to minimum passenger numbers being reached and cost is subject to airline fare/tax increase and currency fluctuation

Non-refundable deposit to confirm booking: $1000.00 per person

Cancellation: In the event of cancellation levies will apply, see booking conditions for details

Tour subject to minimum passenger numbers being reached and cost is subject to airline fare/tax increase and currency fluctuation

TOUR COST INCLUDES;

• International economy class airfares Australia to Africa return inclusive of taxes • Meals as listed in the itinerary – B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner. • Transport & transfers as per the itinerary. • Accommodation on a twin share basis. • Internal airfares & taxes as listed in the itinerary. • Entries to sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary. • Tour escort travelling with the group.

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE;

• Travel Insurance – COMPULSORY to have in place prior to departure with a copy required to be provided to Vagabond Travel. For a quote or to purchase a travel insurance policy please enquire.

• Gratuities/tips. • Items of a personal nature (souvenirs, medicine, passport, phone calls, laundry etc). • Visas where required

Overnight: 14 Nights on safari we stay at small, intimate and private lodges (including tented camps), with en suite facilities. Meals: 14 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 10 dinners are included. Of which 11 breakfasts & 7 dinners are provided by the lodges. The remaining included meals are provided by the tour guide/driver prepared at the vehicle and eaten around the boma or campfire. Transport: We use custom built Safari Truck with 12 forward facing seas. The vehicles are comfortable for cruising with large sliding windows and front hatches providing a good view, or on Mercedes Sprinter minibuses with 12 seats an air conditioning (with a trailer for equipment and gear).

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Mpumalanga - Panorama Route sight seeing • Kruger National Park – Private Lodge game drives & Bush walk • Swaziland - Mountain walks, cultural adventure • KwaZulu Natal – Walk, game drives & Museums • Hwange National Park – Game drives • Victoria Falls – Guided tour of the Falls • Chobe National Park – Game Drive & River Cruise

Limited participation: An essential part of your safari is some participation. From carrying your own bag to your room and day packs and water bottles on hikes, to packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure. Where the tour leaders provide meals we ask that clients help (on rotation) with the washing up. When everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly and efficiently ensuring it is enjoyable for all involved.

PASSPORTS & VISAS: All passengers will require a full valid passport and it is your responsibility to ensure you have all valid visas if required for all countries visited on your holiday. Please ensure all of your paperwork is in order. It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel if applicable – Vagabond Travel cannot accept any responsibility for anyone refused entry to a country due to incorrect paperwork. Please note you must have at least 6 months validity on your passport from your arrival date back into Australia. For those passengers travelling on non-Australian passports, it is your responsibility to check visa requirements for your destination. Please check with your Consulate for details. Please check you have the correct re-entry paperwork when arriving back to Australia.

FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT:

Vagabond Travel 475 Ballan Road, Moorabool VIC 3213

P: 1300 605 990 E: michelle@vagabondtravel.com.au Web: www.vagabondtravel.com.au