ABC Bots Zam Zim Circuit

South Africa's economic hub, the New York of Africa, overflows with a rich abundance of art, history, and culture. Johannesburg embodies a blend of chic sophistication and an inner-city vibe that stems from the creative minds of Africa's finest talents. Modern African art intersects with designer trends, resulting in impressive outcomes. From the street art and graffiti found during inner city walking tours to the revitalized university neighborhoods, this rejuvenation unveils a vibrant urban life. Braamfontein's Constitution Hill, along with its art galleries and restaurants, exemplifies this renewal. In this place, the continent finds its voice, resulting in a funky, slightly unconventional, yet completely captivating atmosphere.

The upscale areas of Sandton, Rosebank, and Melrose serve as shopping havens, accompanied by restaurants and easily accessible leisure activities set amidst leafy suburbs. Soweto, once the residence of South Africa's most beloved figure, holds an indispensable role in any Johannesburg visit. Historical attractions like Nelson Mandela's former residence, the Hector Pieterson Museum, and Regina Mundi Cathedral contribute to Soweto's historical significance, highlighting South Africa's tumultuous past and hard-fought democracy.

Upon arrival, you'll encounter a paging board bearing your name at the aircraft door. If your aircraft is directed to the apron rather than the terminal building, transportation to the terminal is provided via bus. At the terminal, your Meet and Greet service is ready as you disembark from the bus. Assistance is extended to you throughout the immigration, baggage collection, and customs processes, facilitating your transition to your subsequent service.

A natural border separating Namibia and Botswana, the Linyanti River courses along the fault line, nourishing an abundant wildlife haven. Linyanti encompasses the Savute Channel and the Selinda Spillway, featuring a mix of swampy riverfront, papyrus-lined lagoons, and towering trees that extend into grasslands and arid wooded regions. Further downstream, the Linyanti River transforms into the Chobe River.

During the dry winter months (May to October), as water recedes from the landscape, a multitude of game, especially elephants and zebras, gather around the river. Highlights include sable antelopes, roan antelopes, red lechwes, and sitatungas, alongside the formidable presence of lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. Endangered species such as wild dogs and bat-eared foxes add to the diversity, offering bird enthusiasts the chance to spot the Narina Trogon. Being a private concession, night drives, and off-roading are allowed, enhancing the safari experience. This opens up the world of nocturnal creatures, with no restrictions on road travel. When animals are discovered, the option to follow them off the conventional paths becomes available.

This vast 120,000-hectare concession offers an unparalleled sense of remoteness and expansiveness. Depending on the season, significant herds of elephants, sable antelopes, roan antelopes, red lechwes, and sitatunga antelopes may be observed. Ideal timing for embarking on a safari adventure is early in the morning, as the sun begins to rise and wildlife becomes most active. Begin the day with a quick coffee break and soak in the captivating sounds of the wilderness and the melodies of birds in this haven for bird enthusiasts. Return to camp for a midday rest, then venture out again in the late afternoon when the bush springs to life, and waterholes attract thirsty animals. If available, walking safaris and mokoro excursions offer an excellent opportunity to explore smaller animals and plants or appreciate the landscape from a different perspective. Spotlights are employed at night to aid in the search for nocturnal creatures. Take advantage of the absence of urbanization to gaze at the awe-inspiring night skies.

As the light fades from the majestic African sunset, the night is greeted, sundowners in hand. Cruising along the Zambezi River, the hippos and crocs watch your passage, clear that this is where one is meant to be, a visitor paying tribute to the greater scheme of things, for a time written into the story.

In his search for "the Smoke that Thunders" David Livingstone discovered one of the most majestic sights in the world, and to this day, the spectacular Victoria Falls possesses the power to render people speechless with its beauty. It is beside this World Heritage Site that the quaintly colonial, Livingstone Town came into existence. As a popular entry point into Zambia, it offers the intrepid traveler an adventure destination and an ideal starting point for some of the most untouched game parks available.

Livingstone provides the same escapades that make Victoria Falls so appealing: heart-stopping white water rafting, bungee jumping, and glorious aircraft flips over the falls. The sprawling town of Livingstone hosts vibrant markets and museums dedicated to local culture, history, and rich railway heritage.

Today, one has the option to explore the area independently or to simply relax, enjoying the facilities available at the accommodation.

In the 19th century, Hwange served as a royal hunting ground and received its status as a national park in 1929. Presently, it stands as Zimbabwe's largest game reserve. The expansive wilderness stretches from one horizon to the other, forming a part of the ancient migration route towards Northern Botswana's Chobe and the Linyanti.

This varied landscape, including mopane and teak forests, semi-desert scrubland, and granite hills, plays host to a wide range of mammals and birds. While it's a destination throughout the year, Hwange is especially captivating during the winter months (April to October) when significant gatherings of animals assemble at artificially pumped waterholes as the seasonal pans dry up. These waterholes in the park maintain life when natural resources become scarce. During the dry period, imposing herds of elephants make their presence felt. Other animals like buffalo, zebra, sable, and roan antelope, alongside lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dog, can also be sighted.

Chilly nights transform into comfortable sunny days, and night drives unveil the fascinating nocturnal inhabitants of Hwange. Between November and February/March, summer thunderstorms bring life to the land, refilling the waterholes and scattering the animals across the park. During summer, the game can be spotted on the open southern plains, while the picturesque north undergoes a transformation with hills, drifting lily pads, and full pans. Vibrantly colored birds decorate the trees, adding movement to the endless skies.

Explore the diverse landscape of Hwange and observe the gatherings of animals drawn to the park's network of pumped waterholes. Your planned activities might commence with a morning open vehicle game drive (or even a full-day drive with a picnic). Following a break from the midday sun's heat, venture back into the wilderness in search of nocturnal creatures. You could also find a hide to settle into and watch animals drawn to the water for a while. Another option is to visit a local village school. For those in need of physical activity, consider an afternoon guided walk as a great way to expend energy and experience nature at a different pace.

Today, say fond farewells as you head back to the airport to commence the journey home or toward the next destination. It is hoped that a wonderful and unforgettable stay has been experienced in Southern Africa!