Selena JonesJulie, from our Beverly store, recently had the opportunity to explore the Ultimate Safari Botswana, Zimbabwe & Victoria Falls with Newmarket Holidays and what an unforgettable experience it was! See below to read all about the amazing time that Julie had!
Day 2-3
Botswana- Chobe Safari Lodge
· After an overnight flight from Heathrow into Victoria Falls we were transferred over the border into Botswana this took approx. 2 hours, we had to purchase a double entry visa at the airport which cost $70 very easy and straight forward
· Once over the border we arrived at Chobe Safari Lodge positioned on the Banks of the Chobe River and OMG it is breathtaking baboons running all over which was scary at first, but you get use to them, the lodge is suitable for family also having a separate bedroom with bunk beds
· We had a quick freshen up and a late lunch which was lovely and then set out on a sunset river cruise finished off with a couple of sundowners, we saw elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, baboons and so much more (remember your mosquito spray)
· We had alate evening meal, which was buffet and fantastic lots of choice, followed by an early night as we had a 5 am start for Safari
· Up bright and early to meet Webby our guide for coffee and a muffin before setting off on our first Safari, this did not disappoint Elephants (up close) Giraffes, Water hogs, Baboons, Some amazing colorful Birds different Deer family animals
· We then travelled back to the Hotel for breakfast and some down time before heading back out for an afternoon game drive we really wanted to see a Lion which we didn’t but we did manage to see a Lioness which was magical along with a lot more Elephants down by the river having a wash we got so close you could nearly touch them
· Back at the hotel we freshened up and went to dinner the food was amazing and again something for everyone, before turning in for the night and packing to go to our next stop the following morning
Day 4-5
Victoria Falls – Palm River Hotel
· After breakfast we set off back over the border to Victoria Falls, I have never seen anything so beautiful truly amazing followed by lunch overlooking the Victoria Falls Bridge this was spectacular
· Nothing could prepare me for the next surprise Newmarket had in store …….. A helicopter flight over the Falls, I would be lying if I said I was not scared as this is the one thing in life I have always said I will never do however I bit the bullet and omg was fantastic what an experience!!
· We then checked in to the Palm River Hotel again right on the river with animals wondering around, the hotel caters for families as well as couples with larger family rooms and offers 3 swimming pools and a fitness Centre
· That evening we went for dinner at another Hotel nearer the Centre of Victoria Falls followed by a local Spirit Of Africa show in an open air theatre which was magnificent ( again remember your mosquito spray) Filming was not allowed during the performance however you can have photos taken at the end with the cast.
· Back to the hotel for a nightcap and then bed
· After Breakfast we had a Hotel Tour seeing all the different room types from Standard to Presidential suites there really is something for everyone
· We then headed to the Victoria Falls Bridge for a talk on the history and then we walked under the bridge attached to harnesses ( do not attempt if afraid of heights) I did have a meltdown but our guide got me across in one piece and we were met at the end by lots of baboons.
· We then went to a local restaurant for lunch which was very quirky and everything in there was all recycled (the furniture, cutlery, glasses)
· Back to the Hotel to freshen up ready to head off for a river cruise and some sundowners however the weather was not great, so we did not see a great deal a few crocodiles, elephants, and hippos but plenty to drink.
· Back to the hotel for dinner then bed.
Day 6-8
Hwange National Park – Sabre Valley Lodge – My Favorite
· We set off after breakfast through stunning natural landscapes south to Hwange 9 3 hour drive due to road works)
· Our first stop was the Painted Dog Conservation Centre where we given information of these wild dog’s history then got to see 2 of them that are been tended to at the center due to injury
· We were then picked up by our guide Rod and taken to Sabre Valley Lodge and what a welcome , drums played welcome drinks and such an amazing atmosphere only 11 lodges here and we were the only guests, I was in Lodge 1 Which was the one the Queen Elizabeth stayed in when she visited in 1991
· We had an evening Game Drive where we visited the Hides in the Park where you can get a closer look at the animals we also had sundowners up a tree house and listened to the roar of the Lions in the distance, back to the lodge for yet another amazing meal
· Up early for sunset Game Drive before breakfast again lots of Elephants and wilder beast buffalo’s, Deer and Zebras wondering around whilst we drove out to a tree house for a snack and a coffee watching the Hippos and crocodiles in the water, lots of colorful birds also.
· Back to the lodges for some down time and lunch before heading out again to try and spot a Lion but to no avail again we did however see a wild Dog more elephants and baboons we watched the sunset with a sundowner in hand and a few snacks, before heading back for dinner at the Captain’s Table which did not disappoint.
· Nest day we headed to a local village and met the Chief of the villages who allowed us to visit a local school , this was heart breaking seeing how some of the children have to walk 10k each way to get to school just to be fed , on speaking to the deputy head as a group we decided to go into the village and purchase food and shoes for the children and took those back and they were so grateful ( we all cried)
· That evening, the amazing team at Sabre put on a fantastic dinner around the campfire for us. We sang songs and danced to their local tribe’s music. We all embraced this, what an experience. And a fantastic end to an amazing few days.
Day 9-10
Matopos Hills – Amalinda Lodge Hotel
· Up early for a 7-hour drive to our next stop. Anybody that books this trip next year will now travel by airplane so not travelling for so long.
· We stopped at Zimbabwe’s second largest city Bulawayo for a bit of shopping en route this city is very busy and vibrant a total contrast from some of the local villages we visited previously.
· On arriving at our lodges, we had a welcome drink and was shown to our rooms, these are so different all rooms are different from family suites to standard doubles, and all rooms are built into the rocks
· As we arrived late, we freshened up and had dinner before retiring for the evening after a few drinks, we sat around the infinity pool for sundowners which was amazing surrounded by lush greenery and mountains
· Next day we were up and had breakfast before going out to a point where we got of our jeep and walked into the park to see some Rhinos , OMG this did not disappoint we got up so close you could nearly touch them , was quite scary as you have to be so quite with no sudden movements but and experience I will treasure forever.
· We then went to the San Bushman caves and was talked through the fascinating prehistoric rock paintings
· From here the team headed uphill to visit the gravesite of Cecil John Rhodes a former prime minister of the Cape Colony, accompanied by 360-degree views over Matopos landscapes just breathtaking
· Our last evening was spent around the campfire again swopping our best bits with each other on what has been an amazing memorable trip
Day 11
· After Breakfast we headed to the Airport for our Overnight flight back to Heathrow via Addis Ababa Ethiopian Airlines landing back the following morning at 06:30
I had the most amazing time, thank you Barrhead and thank you Newmarket!