Rainbows and Sunsets

Duration: 7 nights

Experience the most spectacular African sunsets from hilltops in the South Luangwa National Park to the glimmering water of the Zambezi River as well as rainbows over the mighty Victoria Falls.

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 USD50 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 the 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 Sanctuary Chichele Presidential 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 the lodge, 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 here, 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 activities 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.

Walking is the best way to see the bush around Sanctuary Chichele Presidential 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 to make guests relish the comforts of lodge. The area is home to 60 mammals and over 400 bird species, making it one of the top birding destinations in the world.

Overnight: Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge

Day 03 - Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge

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 cocktails 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.

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 consist of an intimate lodge and two exclusive houses, both of which are situated to make the most of the amazing views that the sweeping Zambezi River provides.

Guest accommodation consists of 12 tree houses where we accommodate children from 9 years and older, built into the canopy of majestic ebony trees, which shelter a stunning variety of bird life. Each unit has a private view of the Zambezi and is en-suite with air conditioning, mini bar, mosquito nets, overhead fan and hairdryer.

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 7 natural wonders of the world. On offer is a local cultural village tour.

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

Overnight: Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma

Day 05 - Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma

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

A Zambezi River cruise is a great way to spend a few hours before drifting back to the lodge, a warm shower and delicious dinner. Sanctuary’s boats are specially designed and the guide will take the boat through a series of grade 2 rapids, guaranteed to get exciting, and a little wet before eventually finding a spot to beach for a break or a sunset cocktail! The combination of Zambezi spray on your face and delicious white wine on the tongue, makes for a memorable afternoon sunset cruise. Sipping on a cocktail while watching the sunset over the majestic Zambezi River is truly a once in a lifetime experience!

Additional Activities include: Flight of angels, white water rafting, elephant back safaris & Livingstone island excursions and a tour of the Falls from the Zimbabwean side. (additional cost)

Overnight: Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma

Day 06 - Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero

After breakfast, you will be transferred by road and via a ferry crossing to Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero. The transfer time will be advised to you locally by the lodge management. Kindly note, that all road transfers are subject to multiple pick up and drop offs en-route to your destination which would affect the travelling time. The transfer time is approximately 1hr 30.

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 air-conditioned 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 afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer

Elephants feature largely on any activity at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, as the largest population left in Africa occupies this northern corner between Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Game drives in open-sided 4 x 4 vehicles bring these grey giants into easy reach as they drink and frolic at the water’s edge in their boisterous herds. Thrilling game drives lead by qualified professional guides bring guests close to hippos, buffalos, puku, antelope, lions and other creatures that gather on the banks of the Chobe River. Game drives are also the perfect opportunity for the expert guides to share their wealth of information on the area and its inhabitants. The puku, a small rusty-brown antelope, alongside impala, kudu and red lechwe, are only a few of the common antelope found here. Naturally, lion and leopard are also found in the area.

The best way to end a day of safari is sipping on a cocktail while watching an African sunset over the still waters of the Chobe River, toasting to the end of yet another beautiful day, while looking forward to what the new day will bring… Specially designed riverboats take guests up close to elephants as they wade in the river or near to the buffalo who gather on its shores. Sundowner cruises are also a great way of seeing animals up close as they come out of the shade to graze in the cooler evenings. Chobe is renowned for its abundance of elephants and dramatic sable and roan antelopes with their impressive horns. Sitatungas – antelope with splayed feet to help them run in swamps – are often seen here, as are the wild dog and lion that prey upon them.

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, Southern Africa wish you a memorable holiday and safe onward journey!

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