Livingstone & Chobe

Road transfer from Livingstone Airport to Waterberry Lodge - 2 Nights Waterberry Lodge, Livingstone (Includes accommodation, all meals, local beverages, 2 in house activities per day, Victoria Falls entry fee & laundry)

DAY 1 & 2:  WATERBERRY LODGE, LIVINGSTONE

Guests will be met on arrival at Livingstone Airport and will be transferred to Waterberry Lodge where they will stay for 2 nights.

Waterberry Lodge is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River about 22 km from Livingstone, towards Kazungula. The main double-storey lodge area overlooks the Zambezi River and the game park beyond. Upstairs the main lounge is open to the high thatch with plenty of seating and boasts a well-stocked bar and magnificent views. Meals are served in the dining area or alfresco on the sun terrace that overlooks the river.

The main double-storey lodge area overlooks the Zambezi River and the game park beyond. Upstairs the main lounge is open to the high thatch with plenty of seating and boasts a well-stocked bar and magnificent views. Meals are served in the dining area or alfresco on the sun terrace that overlooks the river.

A floating pontoon gently sways on the Zambezi River, making it the perfect location for sundowners, fishing or just relaxing and enjoying the view. A large and welcoming swimming pool is set in the centre of our landscaped gardens and has a small plunge pool with a shallow end, making it safe for children. The comfortable chalets are set in sweeping lawns - some on the riverbank and some overlooking a private dam. Several of the rooms have their own private decks for sunbathing, bird watching, private dinners or just relaxing.

In-house activities include a tour of falls, sunset cruise, daytime cruise, fishing, island picnics, guided birding, guided village walk and guided tour of the town and local markets – depending on the rate basis these are included or excluded. All other activities offered in Livingstone can be pre-booked or booked at the lodge on arrival.

AREA DESCRIPTION – LIVINGSTONE -Livingstone is a historic colonial town most famous for its proximity to the Victoria Falls. The town has experienced a revival in the last decade with the old colonial style buildings which line the shaded main avenue, being renovated and now housing shops, cafes and a variety of local businesses. Livingstone offers a wide range of activities from the challenge of white water rafting and bungi jumping, to the awe-inspiring elephant back safaris and sunset cruises. Livingstone has something for everyone.

The Victoria Falls are one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is the largest sheet of falling water on earth - a spellbinding and mesmerising spectacle. The sheer mass of water cascading down the 100m drop across nearly 2km makes  a thunderous roar and creates a magnificent spray of water that can be seen for miles - hence the local name 'mosi oa tunya' meaning 'the smoke that thunders'. Water flow over the falls varies throughout the year. The river's annual flood season is February to May when the spray can reach a height of over 400m, this is spectacular from above but it makes it very difficult to see the falls at ground level as it is under a heavy shower/mist. Water levels start dropping in August and are at their lowest October - December when much of the rocky face becomes dry. At times of low water, the falls are best viewed from the Zimbabwe side or from Livingstone Island.

DAY 3 & 4:  ELEPHANT VALLEY LODGE, CHOBE AREA

Following breakfast, guests will be transferred by road and boat to Elephant Valley Lodge in the Chobe area of Botswana, where they will stay for 2 nights.

Nestled between Botswana and Zimbabwe, Elephant Valley Lodge lies hidden in the Lesoma Valley in the Chobe Forest Reserve, only a few kilometers outside Kasane. The lodge is set amongst massive camel thorn trees and overlooks a large waterhole which attracts regular herds of elephants thus offering around the clock game viewing.

Elephant Valley Lodge offers twenty traditional meru-style safari tents with comfortabe furnishings, each with private en-suite bathrooms. The public areas consist of a dining room and bar as well as a beautiful terrace with magnificent views overlooking the waterhole. There is a swimming pool for your enjoyment in the hotter months and spacious grassy grounds in which to relax.

The lodge offers two activities per day from the following options: game drives into the adjacent Chobe National Park, night drives in the Chobe Forest Reserve as well as boat cruises on the Chobe River. The large elephant population is staggering in the Chobe region and their regular visits to the waterhole offer an incredible sight – you barely need to leave the lodge to have a real Chobe elephant experience!

AREA DESCRIPTION – CHOBE - The Chobe River Front is a remarkable wildlife area due to the permanent water source of the Chobe River. However its accessibility from Kasane and neighbouring towns of Victoria Falls and Livingstone has created quite a busy tourist area with larger hotels and lodges than you find in the more remote Okavango Delta. The spectacle of all the animals coming to drink and frolic at the water's edge is one to behold, particularly in the dry season (May - Oct) where water is scarce away from the river. It is an area famous for its abundance of elephants, a variety of predators and, in addition, you are likely to see herds of buffalo and possibly even roan and sable antelope. In the rainy season (Nov - Apr) the game is much less concentrated at the river as the wildlife spread throughout the greater area of Chobe National Park due to availability of surface water from nearby pans. This assists the vegetation on the river banks in recovering from the massive herds that are attracted to the area in the dry months. The summer rains bring beautiful wild flowers, exquisite scenery, impressive bird life and an abundance of young animals usually born around November/December. The spectacular Chobe sunsets alone are worth a visit to the area. Please note that activities are restricted within the national park in accordance with government rules and regulations: these include no driving off-road, no walking and no driving after dark.

DAY 5:  SAFARI ENDS

After breakfast and leisurely morning, guests will transfer by road & boat to Livingstone Airport in time for their onward connection.

***END OF ARRANGEMENTS***

Excluded:

• Vaccinations – Please check with your local embassy
• Drinks and laundry at Elephant Valley Lodge. Park fee excluded on the last day if clients have time to do an activity
• Premium brand beverages (e.g. premium imported wines, champagnes, spirits & liqueurs) at Waterberry Lodge
• Errors and omissions

2012 Package Prices (Nett Rates Based on a Minimum of 2 Pax travelling)

Notes

Single supplement is for accommodation only, applicable when travelling with more than 2 guests and excludes a flying surcharge for guests travelling solo – rate available on request

Please note that where a booking crosses over 2 different rate periods e.g. Oct & Nov, neither rate is applicable – please request a special quote

The above rate is subject to change due to major currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges & availability

GENERAL NOTES

• Road and air transfers and activities are quoted on a seat basis (shared) unless otherwise requested or specified.  Passengers may have various stops en-route to a destination. The transfer or charter company reserves the right to specify departure and arrival times.  Private charters can be requested at an additional cost.
• Passengers weighing over 100kg should please advise us at the time of booking as we may need to cost in an additional seat on internal flights for your safety and comfort.
  • There are strict luggage restrictions in place on any itinerary which includes light aircraft transfers for safety reasons. Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted to 20 kg per person travelling (soft bags only) on seat rates.
  • All quotes exclude international flights and visa costs. The onus is upon the guests to ensure that passports and visas are valid for the countries visited.
  • The costs are subject to change at any time due to fluctuations in fuel costs, taxes, levies, government regulations, rate of exchange and factors that are imposed upon us by our suppliers that are beyond or control.
  • Please advise us of the ages of children (under 18) travelling, together with their date of birth, at the time of booking as not all lodges accept children and there may be restrictions or conditions applicable.
  • Please request any optional additional activities at the time of booking, specifically in Livingstone or Victoria Falls e.g. sunset cruise. We recommend that activities are booked in advance to guarantee availability.
  • Please allow a minimum 2 - 3 hours connection time in Johannesburg for international flights. Where you require us to book onward flights, please advice guests names in full as per their passport together with international arrival and departure details at the time of booking so that we can allow for this connection time accordingly.
  • Please note that Botswana is a Malaria area. Anti-malaria precautions should be commenced prior to departure. Please consult your doctor for specific advice.
  • There is no or limited electricity and no cell phone coverage in the camps and lodges excluding major towns and cities.
  • Please note that most camps & lodges in Botswana do not have double beds.  Twin beds are pushed together to make up a double room.
  • Although every effort is made to adhere to schedules the company reserves the right and in fact is obliged to occasionally change routes and camps on safaris as dictated by changing conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
  • Please notify us in advance of any special dietary requirements and / or medical conditions.
  • We wish to draw your attention to the fact that there are certain inherent risks involved when on a safari.

Terms and conditions for booking

• 30% non-refundable deposit is payable at confirmation of booking
• Balance of 70% payable 56 days before commencement
• 60% Refund for cancellation 42 - 56 days prior to commencement
• 50% Refund for cancellation 28 - 42 days prior to commencement
• Cancellation within 28 days subject to full forfeiture
• Payment of deposit implies acceptance of terms and conditions
• Cancellation must be made in writing to Brothers Safaris
• An administration fee of ZAR 500-00 per person will be charged for amendments made after confirmation
• Brothers Safaris reserves the right to use a similar lodge/hotel if the intended lodge/hotel is not available, this may affect pricing
• The itinerary costing is subject to availability and currency fluctuations
• Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice