Day 1 – USA to Johannesburg
Today you will begin your Swain Destinations customized itinerary. Please note, international air has not been included in this package price.
Day 2 – Welcome to Johannesburg, South Africa
Upon arrival into Johannesburg you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.
Johannesburg is the economic heart of South Africa, the central focus of Egoli ('Place of Gold'), as the Sotho name for Gauteng suggests. The largest and richest city in South Africa, Johannesburg's lifestyle is a fast-paced and hectic one. No-one could have imagined the repercussions when an unemployed miner found a stone bearing traces of gold here in 1886, an event that led to the discovery of the world's richest natural treasure trove.
People flocked to the Johannesburg area from all ends of the earth, and the open pastoral landscape changed almost overnight. Shantytowns sprang up and were rapidly transformed into modern concrete cities. Johannesburg became 'The Gold Capital of the World', and the entire country was catapulted into an economic boom. Today the shantytown remains, a vast and sprawling tin-roofed expanse that houses millions of extremely poor blacks. Astonishingly, the opulent and luxurious mansions of the rich are located less than a mile distant, behind high walls and razor wire.
Despite its sociological problems, which intimidate many people away from exploring Johannesburg, the city is not to be written off as tourist destination. For those interested in South Africa's history and culture, Johannesburg offers fascinating museums. A thriving café culture and a thrumming nightlife exist in many of Johannesburg's suburbs. The townships are also interesting to tour.
Starting Accommodation: InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel
Day 3 – Johannesburg to Linyanti (via Maun)
This morning transfer to Johannesburg Airport to connect with your flight to Maun. Upon arrival into Maun, you will be met and transferred by light aircraft into your Camp.
DumaTau is located close to the source of the Savute Channel, with access to the Linyanti Swamps, floodplains and mopane woodlands, thus offering an excellent combination of habitats. The area is also renowned for general great plains game such as red lechwe, Burchell's zebra, giraffe, buffalo and warthog. Predator sightings of lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyaena are good. The extensive lagoon frontage ensures that each ultra-spacious guest suite has uninterrupted views over Osprey Lagoon, and the movements of the mega-herds of elephant the Linyanti is so famous for.
Starting Accommodation: DumaTau
(B, L, D)
Day 4 – Activities at DumaTau
Activities include game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives, and occasionally guided walks when the camp manager feels that it is safe to conduct walking safaris. All meals, drinks (except premium imported wines, champagnes, spirits and liqueurs) and scheduled lodge activities.
Starting Accommodation: DumaTau
(B, L, D)
Day 5 – Activities at DumaTau
Activities include game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives, and occasionally guided walks when the camp manager feels that it is safe to conduct walking safaris. All meals, drinks (except premium imported wines, champagnes, spirits and liqueurs) and scheduled lodge activities.
Starting Accommodation: DumaTau
(B, L, D)
Day 6 – DumaTau to Mombo
Mombo, on the northern tip of Chief's Island within the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta, is built under large shady trees and overlooks an open floodplain more often than not alive with wildlife. This area boasts enormous concentrations of plains game and large predators - lions in particular - providing what is arguably the best big game viewing in Botswana.
Accommodation comprises nine spacious tents raised up to two meters off the ground, with breathtaking views over the plains; the sala, long veranda and lounge area all take advantage of such vistas. Bathrooms are en-suite, with indoor and outdoor showers. The main living and dining area is under thatch, there is a boma for delicious dinners under the stars and a plunge pool to relax in on a hot day. Large concentrations of plains game occur in front of the camp and guests may view a variety of animals without even leaving the veranda. One often finds animals wandering past, right under the rooms!
Starting Accommodation: Mombo
(B, L, D)
Day 7 – Activities at Mombo
Activities at Mombo include morning and afternoon game drives. Open 4x4s provide an exquisite vantage for viewing the high concentrations of plains game and all the predators - including the big cats. Lion sightings are frequent. Guests at Mombo can also expect to see leopard, wild dog, spotted hyena, large herds of buffalo, elephant, white rhino, southern giraffe, blue wildebeest and Burchell's zebra.
Starting Accommodation: Mombo
(B, L, D)
Day 8 – Activities at Mombo
Activities at Mombo Camp include morning and afternoon game drives. Open 4x4s provide an exquisite vantage for viewing the high concentrations of plains game and all the predators - including the big cats. Lion sightings are frequent. Guests at Mombo Camp can also expect to see leopard, wild dog, spotted hyena, large herds of buffalo, elephant, white rhino, southern giraffe, blue wildebeest and Burchell's zebra.
Starting Accommodation: Mombo
(B, L, D)
Day 9 – Mombo to Johannesburg (via Maun)
Enjoy your last game activity in the Okavango before transferring to the airstrip for your light air craft transfer to Maun Airport. Fly to Johannesburg for your overnight stop.
(B)
Day 10 – Johannesburg to Sabi Sands
Make your way to the airport for your onward flight to the Sabi Sands. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to Singita Game Reserve.
Undoubtedly the most prestigious game park in South Africa, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is known for having some of the best available Big Five game spotting in the country. Located on the southwest corner of the Kruger National Park, there are no restricting fences so the animals roam freely just as nature intended.
Starting Accommodation: Singita Ebony Lodge
(B, L, D)
Day 11 – Activities at Singita Ebony Lodge
Singita Ebony can be found on the banks of the Sand River, in the very heart of the Sabi Sand Reserve. This, the founding lodge of the Singita brand, is renowned worldwide for its commitment to exclusivity and privacy, in one of the finest settings in Africa.
Ebony lodge offers robust pleasures and an earthy atmosphere, this lodge is known for its first-class cuisine, world-class service and fantastic wine cellar, and is the epitome of the ultimate luxury safari experience. Interiors offer a bohemian take on traditional bush decor, while every effort is made to celebrate the great outdoors.
Herds of buffalo and elephant, large prides of lion, majestic leopards and numerous antelope species call the Sabi Sand Reserve home. From the luxury of Singita's two exquisite lodges, guests can enjoy superb game viewing, either from the back of a game drive vehicle, on a walking safari, from a mountain bike or from the balcony of a private suite.
Starting Accommodation: Singita Ebony Lodge
(B, L, D)
Day 12 – Activities at Singita Ebony Lodge
Singita Sabi Sand offers rare solitude and the ultimate in safari luxury on prime game viewing land recognized globally for its diversity and formidable concentration of big game and frequent leopard sightings. In the Sabi Sand you’ll witness a variety of game-viewing, often with fascinating predator interaction, be it during the golden light of day or while on a starlight spot-lit safari.
Starting Accommodation: Singita Ebony Lodge
(B, L, D)
Day 13 – Sabi Sands to USA (via Johannesburg)
Flight from Sabi Sands to Johannesburg. Upon arrival you will transfer to your flight to the USA.
(B)
