It is a long journey from San Franisco to Southern Africa, but totally worth it. Upon arriving in Jo’burg we connected right away to our flight to Maun. Upon arrival our diver was there to meet us with his huge African smile to transfer us the 2+ hours to the gate of Nxai Pan National Park where we would meet your guide for our time with African Bush Camps at their Adventure Camp in Nxai Pan. What a great setup with a maximum of 4 tents (we were the only ones there at the time) and a wonderful staff.
Nxai Pan is a remote, more desolate area and is certainly not your everyday safari destination but we were there for the zebra migration. The area is semi arid and has several water holes where all the animals gather, either on their way to the Okavango Delta area or to quench their thirst after a day of grazing in the scrublands. It was extremely hot when we were there so there was always action at the water holes. As you can imagd ine the density of animal life is far less than other places but the water holes were always active. It was interesting to see how all the herbivores interacted and who controlled the various areas of the hole. Obviously this is where we spent most of our time and it didn’t disappoint.
We had chartered a helicopter transfer to fly the hour to the Khwai Concession in the Okavango Delta and was that a treat. Since there is no airstrip or landing area our pilot landed right on the highway, stopping the traffic in the process. When he got out he looked like he was 12 (actually 21) but proved to be a very skilled pilot.
The Khwai Concession borders on the Moremi Game Reserve so we had the luxury of travelling in both. As you can imagine we had great wildlife viewing with viewing a kill, seeing cheetah in the …….Depression and all the usual suspects. Lots of variety and terrains with the river, grasslands, woods and open plain (at the Depression).
Khwai Lediba (and Leadwood which is attached) are wonderful. Each tent is spacious, has all the amenities, a nice deck to sit out and watch the wildlife and a lovely pool area. The lodge was super comfortable and hard to leave.
Next we got a fixed wing plane to Linyanti airstrip. We were picked up but the staff from the lodge and driven to the end of the airstrip where we heard a helicopter arriving. African Bush Camps had arranged a helicopter transfer (instead of the 2+ hour road transfer) to the camp. What a wonderful surprise and what a trip. Our pilot cruised us over the delta between the Chobe & Linyanti rivers and got to see the seemingly hundreds of elephants, hippos, crocs and game that were eating and bathing. Wow – quite a treat.
Linyanti Bush Camp was a more moderate camp but still had all the amenities. The main lodge had a seating area overlooking a pumped water hole that had a constant parade of elephants, big and small. The pool was so refreshing and a place to hang and look at pictures.
The wildlife was varied and the terrain was a mixture of the river system and the mopany forests. We lucky to see a leopard, at night, trying to make a wathog kill but he was unsuccessful. Again the wildlife didn’t disappoint.
A transfer back to the Linyanti airstrip we took a fixed wing plane to Kasane and then by road to Thorntree River Lodge. WOW, what a place. It is set on the Zabezi River and is quite a special place. The rooms are spacious, have their own pool and sit right on the river. Every amenity you would like they have. We had a wonderful massage after all the safaris that we had done and that was definitely needed to get out all the kinks! We visited the Rhino sanctuary up the road, took a trip to Vic Falls and went on a sunset cruise (finally saw my Malakite kingfisher) but it was magical.
Next stop was over in Zimbabwe and the Old Drift Lodge. This was my 2nd visit here and since I was there a couple of years ago they have added 3 rooms (plans for more) with starbeds. The lodge sits on the other side of the Zambezi than Thorntree so tours are done on the river, vic falls but also in the Zambezi National Park. Again the river never disappoints and the bird life is amazing with a variety of water and land birds. Lots of elephants walk through camp so you have to be careful walking to the main lodge but it is wonderful as you get to share you plunge pool with the elephants and baboons. Each tent is set along the river so viewing the elephants coming to bathe is a real treat.
Last stop is the beautiful Stanley & Livingstone in Victoria Falls. Set on it’s own concession outside of the town it has individual stone cottages that are spacious and well equipped. They have a couple of restaurants and a wonderful pool with seating area to relax and watch the herbivores coming to the water hole to drink. Massages are taken in your room so that was a nice last one for Africa…..this trip.
Sadly it was time to depart after another AMAZING trip to Africa. You may think this was a lot of moving around and it was, but it's a great opportunity when I go to Africa to check out as many properties as I can so I can plan your safari expertly.
