Family Safari in Botswana & Zambia

Duration: 7 nights

A unique safari designed especially for families with children of all ages. Discover and share the memories of the South Luangwa National Park and the Victoria Falls in Zambia followed by the tranquil waters of the Chobe River in Botswana.

Day 01 - Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge

As you will be entering Zambia, a single entry visa will be required and is obtainable at the point of entry at a cost of US$50 per person, payable in cash. The visa fee is subject to change at the discretion of the Zambian Government.

On arrival at Lusaka Airport, proceed through passport control, and collect bags. Please make your way to the Proflight counter to check in for your onward flight to Mfuwe. The flying time is approximately 1 hour.

On arrival at Mfuwe International Airport a Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge representative will meet and transfer you to the lodge. The transfer time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, enjoying the sights of Mfuwe village and a game drive through the South Luangwa National Park.

Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge is situated in a remote wildlife rich area in the South Luangwa National Park. This world-famous lodge was originally built for Kenneth Kaunda, the former Zambian president, in the 1970s and the original colonial style has been retained in the furnishings. A long veranda stretches outside the dining room, from which guests are afforded views down the valley to the Luangwa itself. When possible, dinner is served outside. On cooler nights, roaring fires take the chill out of the air. The grunt of lions or the saw of leopards can often be heard from the wooded valleys that surround the lodge.

Each of the ten luxurious suites at Sanctuary Chichele comes complete with a four-poster bed, air conditioning, full bathroom and every other amenity guests could wish for - all in the middle of the African bush. The lodge also has one interconnecting room and two triple rooms – making it ideal for families!

In keeping with the rest of Sanctuary Chichele, the suites are also decorated in an understated colonial style. French windows open onto private terraces, getting up early to watch the sun rise over the Luangwa Valley is a once in a lifetime experience.

A full range of day and night game drives in the South Luangwa National Park are offered by the lodge, using open 4X4 vehicles driven by knowledgeable guides. The emphasis in this area is on the wonderful opportunities of walking safaris with a professional guide and an armed national parks scout. Walking safaris offer a different perspective on the bush and its plentiful inhabitants, experiencing the “little five” The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activity on offer.

Overnight: Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge

Day 02 - Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge

The day is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer.

We offer a variety of children’s activities at Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge, including:

• Tracking and Trails
• Plaster of Paris Moulds  
• Making Elephant dung paper
• Making camp fire and toasting marshmallows
• Star gazing with Hot Chocolate  
• Visiting the lodge interactive room – with skulls, snake skins etc
• Making African Masks with paper mache 
  

Overnight: Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge

Day 03 - Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge

Another day to enjoy the various activities on offer including walking safaris and morning and evening game drives.

Walking is the best way to see the bush around the lodge. Sanctuary’s experienced guides love showing guests the indicators of the wild, ‘rewinding’ the action of the last few hours from just a few small give away signs. See where an elephant stopped to browse, where a leopard scratched a tree or a pangolin rolled into a ball. Accompanied by an armed game scout and taking careful note of the wind to mask any scent, there’s nothing like seeing lion tracks or the giant footprint of an elephant. The area is home to 60 mammals and over 400 bird species, making it one of the top birding destinations in the world.

Lions and leopards are often seen in the area around the camp, as are buffalo and elephant. For big game like this, guests really need a vehicle to get up close and here in the South Luangwa, travellers have the privilege of going on game drives at night. Guests are always amazed how much can be seen when they go down to the river for sundowner drinks before leisurely driving back to camp. Bush babies in the trees stand out with their enormous eyes, puku and impala scarcely notice as vehicles pass by. Guests often see hyena and leopard in the early evenings and are able to get very close in Sanctuary Retreats’ specially designed 4 x 4 vehicles. On the open plains below the camp there are always grazing herds of antelope and of course they attract the predators that every guest wants to see.

Overnight: Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge

Day 04 - Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma

After breakfast please meet your guide who will transfer you to Mfuwe airport for your onward flight on Proflight to Livingstone via Lusaka. Flying time is approximately 1 hour to Lusaka and 1 hour to Livingstone. The transfer time will be advised to you locally by the lodge management. On arrival at Livingstone Airport a Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma representative will meet and transfer you to the lodge. The transfer time is approximately 20 minutes.

Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma is named after David Livingstone's faithful companions and consists of an intimate lodge and two exclusive houses, all of which are situated to make the most of the amazing views that the sweeping Zambezi River provides.

The central lodge building features a raised bar/lounge with deck, downstairs open air dining area, swimming pool and a separate treatment room which provide incredible views of the mighty Zambezi. Meals are table d'hote with a wide variety of dishes available, served alfresco. Activities offered at the lodge include, game drives in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where guests can see a variety of game, including white rhino, elephant, buffalo and giraffe. A walking tour of the incredible Victoria Falls, a World Heritage Site, is a must as they give guests an opportunity to experience one of the seven natural wonders of the world. On offer is also a local cultural village tour.

Overnight: Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma

Day 05 - Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma

Today is at leisure to enjoy the activities on offer.

Our various children’s activities at Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma include:

• Tailor made child-friendly game drives with their parents.
• Traditional clay / plaster of Paris toy moulding - animals, cars, houses, pots etc to take home
• Sundowner story telling - old Zambian folklore stories on animals, nature and the environment while parents are on boat cruise or game drives
  
• A day visit to a local orphanage
• Visit to Nakatindi School and spending some time with the children in colouring competitions, interactions and exchange of skills
  

Overnight: Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma

Day 06 - Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero

After breakfast, you will transfer to Livingstone airport for onward flight to Kasane airport. The transfer time will be advised to you locally by the lodge management. The flying time is 15 minutes.

On arrival at Kasane airport a Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero lodge representative will meet you and transfer you to the lodge.  The road transfer time is 10 minutes.

Deep in the heart of the Botswana wilderness lies Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, one of the most enchanting places on earth. Enjoy thrilling guided game drives in open-sided 4X4 vehicles that bring you to the heart of Africa's largest concentration of elephants, as well as hippos, buffalos, antelope, lions and other creatures that gather on the banks of the Chobe River. Or join one of the acclaimed guides on a wonderous water safari on specially adapted motorboats.

Accommodation is in 15 cottages and each cottage measures 61 square metres and has its own en-suite bathroom with a modern bath, indoor and outdoor showers, private garden with hammock, “sala” or private balcony, mosquito nets, ceiling fans, air-conditioning, hairdryer, minibar as well as an in-room safe. The main public area includes a lounge, outside dining area, dining room and library which are linked to outdoor viewing patios. The wine cellar is temperature controlled and houses a large variety of the finest South African wines. The fully fledged Spa offers a range of spa and hydrotherapy treatments from both the Thalgo and Africology ranges (additional cost). The lodge also boasts a split-level swimming pool, library, curio shop and a communications centre, which offers telephone, fax and internet access.

The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer.

Overnight: Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero

Day 07 - Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero

The day is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer.

Our various children’s activities at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero include:

• Guided Walking Safari within the grounds of the lodge to collect pods, leaves and seeds and to learn about tree identification.
• “Safari Hunt”
• Kiddies Croquet on the lawn.
• Make your own pizza with the chef.
• Shortened game drives
  

Overnight: Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero

Day 08 - Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero

Enjoy a morning game viewing activity followed by breakfast.  Please meet your guide in reception who will transfer you to Kasane airport for your onward journey. The transfer time will be advised to you locally by the lodge management.

We at Sanctuary Retreats wish you and your family a memorable holiday and safe onward journey!

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