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Cape to Delta Safari

Passage Through Botswana and Zimbabwe

Destination
South Africa: Johannesburg
Botswana: Okavango Delta, Khwai Private Reserve
Zambia: Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe: Hwange National Park
Duration
14 Days
Door-to-door
Price
Starting from
$23,600

Natural Marvels, Soothing Luxury

Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a world-unique oasis of smoothly meandering waterways, lagoons bubbling with hippos, idyllic minisavannah islands, the “most unexpected of wonders,” as Frans Lanting wrote, “water in the desert,” gently pulsing water that brings life to a dazzling population of wildlife. Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The Smoke That Thunders,” far and away the planet’s grandest waterfall—as we like to say, one of the planet’s grandest anythings— brimming with “scenes so lovely [they] must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight,” rhapsodized David Livingstone, the first outsider to succumb to the Falls’ immense charisma. And not far from the colossal cascade, Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park’s archetypal African landscapes, roamed in natural freedom by the fabled Big Five and five score other mammals and 20 score colourful avians, making Hwange one of the continent’s finest game-viewing, traveller-enchanting destinations.

Passage Through Botswana and Zimbabwe map

I think I could turn and live with animals. . . . I stand and look at them long and long. . . . Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.Walt WhitmanLeaves of Grass

Highlights

  • Two invariably amazing nights in the miraculous Okavango Delta, exploring its waterways and nearby plains, marveling at its bountiful, varietal wildlife.
  • The set-piece, animal-attracting, bubbling-with-hippos lagoon at Khwai Private Reserve’s Sable Alley camp.
  • Exploring the Delta’s varied landscapes on foot and in 4wheel drive vehicles, and gliding in profound peace through its intricately lovely waterways.
  • Eventful visits to animal-thronged waterholes in Zimbabwe’s classically African Hwange National Park.
  • Based from the lovely Thorntree River Lodge, a fully engaged encounter with the world-marvelous Victoria Falls, on guided walks to its many viewpoints, on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River as it prepares for its plunge, on a thrilling helicopter flight, and at high tea on the verandah of the colonial era Victoria Falls Hotel.

Itinerary

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Day 1 En route
Day 2 Sandhurst, Johannesburg’s leafy suburb

After arrival, we’ll be met and whisked out to the halcyon Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Johannesburg’s verdant suburb of Sandhurst. And in the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at the home of old Micato friends.

Days 3 & 4 The world-unique Okavango Delta’s Mapula Lodge

It’s hard to be more enthusiastic about the “vast, mesmerizing oasis” of the Okavango Delta than we are. Suffice to say—until you experience it—that the Delta is in the topmost rank of world wonders (and more sweetly accommodating than most).

We fly north from Johannesburg to Maun and on to the intimate, very Africa-chic Mapula Lodge, set on its own serene island in a private 220,000-acre concession, giving us great solitude as we explore the incredibly lush Delta’s gently wending waterways and islands by watercraft, 4-wheel drive vehicles, and on walks with Mapula’s cadre of enthusiastic guides. This part of the Delta is blessed with an exceptionally varied animal population, prominently including the harrumphing hippos at home in Mapula’s lagoon.

Days 5 to 7 Sable Alley, stylishly set in the Okavango

A short morning flight takes us to what we think is one of Botswana’s best kept secrets: the Khwai Private Reserve, another Okavangan marvel. Our lodging here is Sable Alley, an inspirationally stylish camp set on its own quiet lagoon. We step out onto the veranda of Sable’s enormous (almost 600-square foot) tents to a close view of the lagoon and its medley of animal visitors.

Khwai’s water- and landscapes vary dramatically: riverine forests, acacia woodlands, and the Delta’s gliding watercourses. We’ll explore them all, in small watercraft, safari vehicles, and on foot, delighting in the reserve’s full African cast of nowhere-else-on- earth creatures—lions, skyscrapey giraffes, bouldery Cape buffalo and peppy, fascinating African wild dogs. “They live the life domestic dogs wish they could live,” as biologist Rosie Woodroffe says.

Days 8 & 9 Booming and beautiful Victoria Falls

We fly into Zambia, and along the way we may see a dramatic sight from many miles away: silvery, towering clouds rising up from the flat brown earth. The plume of the world’s most colossal cascade, Victoria Falls.

Our small, astutely designed Thorntree River Lodge is set in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, beside the Zambezi River, upstream from the Falls. We’ll make an arrival-afternoon game drive in the park (lovingly protected rhinos are headliners), or take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi. But Victoria Falls beckons, and we’ll spend Day 9 wandering its many vantage points, strolling through mist in our Micato-supplied rain gear, swooping over the Falls in a helicopter (the famous, pulse-quickening Flight of Angels), continually astonished by one of the greatest wonders in a world full of them.

Days 10 to 12 Africa’s essence at Hwange National Park

Somalisa Camp is located in the middle of Hwange, in a vlei, or marshy, animal-attracting area. We arrive in the intimate camp (only seven fully modern, elegantly decorated tents) after a short flight from Victoria Falls and make the first of our eventful game drives in the cooling afternoon, perhaps after a revivifying dip in Somalisa’s aquamarine pool, often with elephants frolicking in a waterhole only yards away.

Hwange is classic African bush country, and our game drives in the park are exceptionally rich; the Big Five are in residence, along with white rhino, zebras by the hundreds, and more than a hundred other mammals, including another large contingent of wild dogs, stately gemsbok, and brown hyenas, crafty and oddly compelling creatures who endear themselves to many veteran safariers. And after game drives we relax on Somalisa’s tree-shaded veranda, enjoy the camp’s top-notch cuisine, and savour safari’s freedom from care.

Days 13 & 14 Flights homeward from Johannesburg

After a short flight to Victoria Falls—one more chance to see the rising clouds of The Smoke That Thunders—we continue by air to Johannesburg, with day rooms in the InterContinental before our flights home.

Camps & Lodges

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Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa

Johannesburg, South Africa
A garden oasis in the heart of bustling Johannesburg, The Saxon beguiles from the first glance.
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Mapula Lodge

Okavango Delta, Botswana
Mapula is a stylish, Afro-chic luxury lodge that offers Micato safariers generous doses of natural magnificence, modern comforts, and cheery Botswanan hospitality.
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Sable Alley

Okavango Delta, Botswana
A beautifully stylish luxury camp set beside a set-piece Okavangan lagoon in a large private reserve.
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Thorntree River Lodge

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia
Thorntree River Lodge is a superb base from which to explore the Falls and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
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Somalisa Camp

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Overlooking Hwange National Park’s animal-rich floodplain, Somalisa Camp is a small, intimate tented camp that pays tribute to the golden days of safari.
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InterContinental Hotel Johannesburg

Johannesburg, South Africa
The InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel is our go-to address for Joburg’s swiftest and comfiest comings and goings.
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What's Included

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  • Luxury accommodations and all meals.
  • Highly credentialed Game Rangers and Trackers during your journey.
  • 24/7 Concierge Team poised to meet last minute, unexpected, and unusual requests.
  • A variety of activities, individualized for you at every safari location.
  • Every last gratuity, even substantial ones to Game Rangers, Trackers, waiters, porters… and everyone else, from beginning to end of your safari.
  • Regional wine and beer at mealtimes, vehicles stocked with soft drinks and bottled water.
  • All airport transfers, game park, national park, and conservancy fees.
  • Sublime safari swag! Bush hats, specially designed Micato Safaris duffels, luggage tags, document wallets, flashlights, and more…
  • For every guest on safari, Micato sends an African child to school.
  • Daily valet laundry service. You can pack less and even return home with a bag of clean clothes… now that’s luxury!
  • Free Wi-Fi wherever it exists on safari including camps and lodges.

Dates & Rates

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2023 Dates

To and from Home | Every date is a guaranteed departure

Jan. 08 – Jan. 21 May 07 – May 20 July 23 – Aug. 05 Oct. 08 – Oct. 21
Jan. 29 – Feb. 11 May 14 – May 27 Aug. 06 – Aug. 19 Oct. 29 – Nov. 11
Feb. 12 – Feb. 25 May 28 – June 10 Aug. 13 – Aug. 26 Nov. 12 – Nov. 25
Feb. 26 – Mar. 11 June 11 – June 24 Aug. 20 – Sept. 02 Dec. 10 – Dec. 23
Mar. 12 – Mar. 25 June 18 – July 01 Sept. 03 – Sept. 16 Dec. 17 – Dec. 30
Mar. 26 – Apr. 08 June 25 – July 8 Sept. 10 – Sept. 23 Dec. 24 – Jan. 06
Apr. 09 – Apr. 22 July 09 – July 22 Sept. 24 – Oct. 07
Apr. 30 – May 13 July 16 – July 29 Oct. 01 – Oct. 14

2024 Dates

To and from Home | Every date is a guaranteed departure

Jan. 07 – Jan. 20 May 05 – May 18 Jul. 21 – Aug. 03 Sept. 29 – Oct. 12
Jan. 28 – Feb. 10 May 12 – May 25 Jul. 28 – Aug. 10 Oct. 06 – Oct. 19
Feb. 11 – Feb. 24 May 26 – June 08 Aug. 04 – Aug 17 Oct. 27 – Nov. 09
Feb. 25 – Mar. 09 June 09 – June 22 Aug. 11 – Aug. 24 Nov. 10 – Nov. 23
Mar. 10 – Mar. 23 June 16 – June 29 Aug. 18 – Aug. 31 Dec. 08 – Dec. 21
Mar. 24 – Apr. 06 June 23 – Jul. 06 Sept. 01 – Sept. 14 Dec. 15 – Dec. 28
Apr. 07 – Apr. 20 Jul. 07 – Jul. 20 Sept. 08 – Sept. 21 Dec. 22 – Jan. 04
Apr. 28 – May 11 Jul. 14 – Jul. 27 Sept. 22 – Oct. 05

Price Per Person

Land arrangements, per person (2023)

Jan-Mar June – Oct Apr-May,Nov-Dec
Double Occupancy $20,450 $22,950 $19,950
Single Supplement $3,750 $4,750 $2,950
Internal Flights on Safari $3,150 $3,150 $3,150

(Johannesburg / Maun / Camp to Camp / Kasane / Livingstone, Victoria Falls / Hwange National Park / Johannesburg) Connections may apply.

Ask us about a private vehicle for your Classic Safari.

Options & Extensions

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Namibia

We savour the ultra-dramatic Namib desert, based from the innovative luxury of the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Or choose to make the comfortably chic Kwessi Dunes your home away from home.
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More Safari Inspiration

Botswana’s Timeless Wilderness

Elephants
Destination
South Africa: Johannesburg.
Botswana: Okavango Delta, Gomoti Plains, Moremi Zambia: Victoria Falls
Duration
12 Days
Door-to-door
Price
Starting from
$19,700
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