Ultimate Africa 2009 - To walk with Lions
Synopsis
The word unique is often misused, particularly when it comes to advertising. However, it is a word that truly describes this amazing adventure. No other photographic safari offers the combination of activities that combine to create Ultimate Africa - To Walk with Lions.
Highlights
- Two-centre safari - Botswana & Zimbabwe
- Stunning landscape photography of Victoria Falls
- Africa’s densest elephant population
- Walk with lions as they stalk and hunt prey
- Follow lions as they hunt by night
- Photography on foot, in 4x4’s, on horseback, in boats
- Optional helicopter flight over Victoria Falls
- Private open vehicles and safari guides
- Photographic tuition
- 12-day safari
Description
From the mighty majesty of the Victoria Falls, seen on foot and from the air; the incredible experience of photographing from a small, private boat elephants as they cool themselves in the slow-moving water of the Chobe river, to the unprecedented diversity of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park and the unique experience of photographing on foot lions as they stalk and hunt prey, both day and night.
Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
Described by the Kololo tribe as Mosi-oa-Tunya - the smoke that thunders - and in more modern terms as the greatest known curtain of falling water, Victoria Falls are a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Columns of spray can be seen from miles away as 546 million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge, over a width of nearly two kilometers into a deep gorge 100 meters below. A path along the edge of the forest provides the visitor who is prepared to brave the tremendous spray with an unparalleled series of views of the Falls.
Vantage points include the Falls bridge and the Lookout Tree which commands a panoramic view across the Main Falls.
To fully appreciate the incredible size of the Falls, and the awesome power of the water as it carves into the deep zig-zagging gorges for eight kilometers, the Falls should be seen from the air. For those choosing to make the optional helicopter flight, our pilot will take you along the wide tranquil upper Zambezi and over the huge 2km rent in the earth. The breathtaking sight of this magnificent natural phenomena, seen from the air in all its glory, is unforgettable.
Chobe National Park – Botswana
In Chobe National Park you’ll find the very essence of nature in an 11,700 sq km pristine wilderness. The elephant population, estimated at 35,000, is the largest single concentration in Africa within the confines of a single national park. During the harsh dry season the herds migrate and congregate along the perennial Chobe River and fertile flood plains. The sight is spectacular - red sunsets, elephant and buffalo in their hundreds.
Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe
Hwange National Park is one of Africa’s finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus very large and varied birdlife. The park covers just an area of over 14,600 square km and carries 105 mammal species, including 19 large herbivores and eight large carnivores. Elephant make up the largest proportion of the biomass.
All Zimbabwe’s specially protected animals are to be found in Hwange and it is the only protected area where gemsbok and brown hyena occur in reasonable numbers. The population of wild dog to be found in Hwange is thought to be of one of the largest surviving groups in Africa today.
The landscape includes desert sand to sparse woodland as well as grasslands and granite outcrops. Due to the lack of water, man-made waterholes were introduced to sustain the animals through the dry season. The park has an interesting variety of landscapes with one part running alongside the North-eastern end of the Kalahari desert. The south is sandy with extensive forests and open grassland. A feature of the area is ancient fossil dunes - ancient sand dunes held together by vegetation. To travel through Hwange National Park today is to see what much of the interior of Africa might have been like more then 150 years ago.
Matobo National Park
It was Mzilikazi who christened the balancing rocks of the Matobo National Park, Sindebele, or The Bald Heads. This levitating landscape has been inhabited for forty thousand years, by man and beast, as the many ancient San paintings here will attest. This has long been rhino territory and remains so today in the Whove Game Park. It is also sacred ground and amongst the cracks and crevices of the Matobo Hills is the Ndebele’s rain shrine to Mwari, the god of their ancestors.
Antelope Park
This is the only place in southern Africa where you can swim with elephants and walk with lions on the same day. You can also go horse-riding among antelopes, zebras and giraffes, photograph myriad bird life at the dam, and visit a flock of well-fed vultures.
The highlight of our stay at Antelope Park is the morning and afternoon walks with lions, as they stalk and hunt prey on the open plains. At night we take to the open vehicles and follow the lions as they hunt, watching close at hand as they display the remarkable stealth and courage that make them Africa’s top predator.
Itinerary
Day 1 - On arrival at Victoria Falls airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel in Botswana. Then, an afternoon of photography from a pontoon boat, to catch elephants in the late afternoon sun. (L/D).
Day 2 - Full day of photography from open vehicles, searching for lions and elephants and other game. Overnight Chobe. (B/L/D)
Day 3 - Full day cruise in private open boats for photography. See elephants swimming in the Chobe river, along with hippo, crocodile, buffalo and extensive bird life. Transfer back to Livingstone. Overnight Livingstone. (B/L/D)
Day 4 - Short transfer across the border to Zimbabwe. We visit Victoria Falls for photography, with an optional private helicopter flight or microlight flight over the falls. Afternoon Zambezi river cruise. Overnight at Victoria Falls. (B/L/D).
Day 5 - Transfer to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s premier National Park. Afternoon game-drive in private open vehicle, looking for the big five and other wildlife. After dinner, optional night drive safari. Overnight in tented camp inside the Park. (B/L/D).
Day 6 - Full day of photography in Hwange National Park in private open vehicle. Optional night drive safari. Overnight in tented camp inside the Park. (B/L/D).
Day 7 - Full day of photography in Hwange National Park in private open vehicle. Optional night drive safari. Overnight in tented camp inside the Park. (B/L/D).
Day 8 - Transfer to Matobo National Park for opportunity to photograph the granite outcrops that form this unique, dramatic and enveloping scenery. Opportunity for rhino walking safari. Overnight Amalinda Camp. (B/L/D).
Day 9 - Full day of photography in and around Motobo National Park. Overnight Amalinda Camp. (B/L/D).
Day 10 - Short transfer to Antelope Park. Here we have the opportunity to photograph on-foot sub-adult lions as they stalk and hunt prey. You can also take part in a horseback safari and an elephant safari, or canoe along the private river to photograph the myriad bird life. Night game-drives allow us to photograph from a private open vehicle lions as they hunt at night. Overnight at Antelope Park. (B/L/D).
Day 11 - Full day of photography with the lions, and in the park either on foot in private open vehicle. Night game-drives with the lions. Overnight. (B/L/D).
Day 12 - A final morning with the lions before transferring to Bulawayo International Airport for your connecting flight to Johannesburg.
Cost
The cost of the trip is £1,795 per person sharing.
The cost includes: all land transfers; accommodation, meals and activities as described in the itinerary; park fees; game drives in private open vehicles, guiding, photographic tuition.
The cost excludes: flights, travel insurance, visa fees, additional activities not described, and expenses of a personal nature.
Visas
Visas are required for Botswana and Zimbabwe and can be acquired by British nationals on entry. Budget around US$100 for Visas. Please check exact requirements with the relevant embassies.
Flights
Our recommended flight itinerary is:
Outbound: London to Johannesburg, connecting to Livingstone, Zambia
Inbound: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe to Johannesburg, connecting to London
Max. group size
10 participants
Cost
£1,795.00
Tour dates
17th - 28th August, 2009
Booking
Safaris can be booked online on payment of a £250 per person deposit.
Course Location
Botswana & Zimbabwe
Max Group
10 guests
Course duration
12-days
Safari Leader
Peter Watmough
PDF Document
Coming soon!
