By Nancy Kivlen, Director of Leisure
Part Two
Sabi Sands, Kruger National Park, South Africa
The highlight of our trip was the private reserve of Sabi Sands located in the Kruger National Park.
Our first stop was the over-the-top luxurious Dulini Game Reserve Lodge. Everything about this lodge was deluxe and no detail was left unturned. The customer service was outstanding as was the food created by a magnificent chef, Artes.
Dulini Lodge
Dulini Lodge room
Dulini Lodge bathroom
Each morning you awake at 5am to get ready to hit the Bush by 5:30am to see how the animals live. We saw everything from the Big Five: Elephants, Rhinos, Leopards, Lions, and Buffalo to Hippos, Zebra, Wild Dogs, Crocodiles, Wildebeests, Hyenas, and every kind of Bird imaginable including Vultures.
Each Game Drive (three hours in the morning and another three hours in the late afternoon) brought us unique experiences with the animals up close and personal.
After our stay in Dulini, we moved to the other side of Sabi Sands to Savanna Game Reserve, another deluxe, tented luxurious reserve. This area was equally rewarding with regards to seeing animals in their natural habitat.
There is no question that a trip to South Africa would not be complete without a visit to the Bush.
Giraffe Sabi Sands Kruger
Leopard Sabi Sands Kruger
Rhino at Sabi Sands Kruger Park
Chobe National Park, Botswana and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
We arrived in Kasane, Botswana via Air Botswana then to the beautiful Chobe Safari Lodge. By late afternoon we were on a River Cruise down the Chobe River which gave us our first viewing of Elephants, Hippos, Crocodile, and other animals. This is a great way to experience the area and enjoy game viewing.
Hippo at Chobe National Park
Sunset at Chobe National Park
The next morning we were up bright and early for our Game Drive into Chobe National Park. We viewed a lot of great animals. Then in the afternoon, our Guide George picked us up and drove about two hours across the boarder into Zimbabwe, home of Victoria Falls – another Wonder of the World.
We stayed at the magnificent Victoria Falls Safari Club at the Safari Lodge. Warthogs, Impala and Kudoo played on the front lawn. Our room had a great view of the game reserve.
The next day we took a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls – truly magnificent and then took a hike through and around the falls with our guide, George.
Victoria Falls by helicopter
Victoria Falls
That afternoon George showed us the town of Victoria Falls and took us to his home to meet his wife, children and mother – a lovely afternoon that we’ll never forget.
When in Victoria Falls, you must enjoy a BOMA dinner – this is a typical African Dinner complete with Warthog, Impala and other game – mostly BBQ’d while watching traditional African dancing.
Boma Dinner
Our last day in Victoria Falls was spent doing something truly unique – in the morning we Walked with Lions at a private game reserve. We spent an hour or so walking with Layla and Leela, two twin lionesses that allowed us to pet them and walk with them. Though they live in the wild, they are tamed enough to let people get close to them as long as you approach them from behind.
Walk with lions
That afternoon we went to an Elephant Camp where where we rode elephants and fed them, another unique experience for us.
Elephant Ride
I highly recommend visiting Victoria Falls – for thrill seekers you can bungy jump or zip line over the falls, there’s kayaking, climbing, paragliding and if you dare – you can visit the ‘Devil’s Pool’ on the Zambian side of the falls. Victoria Falls has something for everyone.
Contact Carefree Vacatons at 1.800.CONFIRM (266.3476) for information on your next vacation to South Africa.
Tags: Botswana, Chobe National Park, Dulini Lodge, Kruger National Park, Nature, sabi sands, Safari, South Africa, Tour, victoria falls, Wildlife, zimbabwe
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