Every now and again we get an experience through our industry that is definitely one to tick off our own bucket lists and this trip with The Africa Safari Co (TASCo) is one of them.
We arranged our own flights to suit our travel plans, we needed to be in Livingstone, Zambia by 31st March, and I chose to fly with Singapore Airlines for simplicity, and to avoid either a very early start to my day or an overnight stay in Sydney or Brisbane. It is an easy transit through Singapore - so a great start to my trip. On arrival in Livingstone, we easily cleared customs and collected our luggage before being greeted by our host from our first lodge stay - Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma.
Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma - Livingstone, Zambia
This one is probably my favourite lodge that we stayed in which may surprise some as it is just out of the town and not in a typical safari destination. It could be that it was the first where the ‘wild’ came to us but I really loved the feel we had staying so close to the water and the high stilted rooms gave us a really quiet, secluded feel. I know it didn’t have the safari feel but we were fortunate enough to get some lovely ‘visitors’ right up to our balcony. The proximity to the water’s edge was fantastic. Wildlife roaming through the area unperturbed. Our guide, Kelvin was great throughout our stay. Collecting us from the airport, guiding on the sunset cruise that we were lucky enough to enjoy pointing out animals and birds plus guiding through Vic Falls as well. He was very good at wrangling us all to try and get us out on time to our tours - not always an easy exercise when jet lag is still in play.
I loved the proximity to your arrival airport, the town so close and also the ability to still have an animal interaction both by land and water which was a first for me.The staff were amazing and couldn’t do more for us which such a wonderful thing when travelling. Definitely a great option for 1st or last stay on an itinerary if you wanted the falls to be part of your itinerary.
Victoria Falls was stunning from air and land, as I knew it would be, and having recently seen Niagara Falls, these are so much better. The full experience from the Zambia side certainly didn’t disappoint. The elephant encounter and getting there by boat was amazing. To get so close to wild animals of such magnitude really was a little mind blowing – but how gorgeous are these creatures and their carers. Lunch here was outstanding and definitely a fabulous experience for anyone to enjoy.
Walking with the Rhinos was an experience that I never thought I would have - and wow how extraordinary! They say never get out of the truck around hippos or rhinos and here we are walking in the bush to get so, so close. Totally trusted our amazing guides, and the knowledge that they passed on was incredible as well.
I am so glad we managed to get the village tour in as well with our slightly changed itinerary. It was fabulous how Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) are helping the villagers start and continue their own business - especially the women - and the support they are giving for the clinic and school.
Our next stay took us over the Botswana border where we had to again clear customs (paying US $30pp for our visa, arranged at the border easily). We changed drivers / coaches here as well saying goodbye to Kelvin and hello to our driver from Sanctuary Chobe - Chilwero lodge.
Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero Lodge - Chobe National Park, Botswana
This lodge was fabulous for families and larger groups due primarily to its size. Having the option of both water and land safaris through the national park was a great first experience to this type of safari as well. As always, I find the lodges and their staff really fabulous. The spa experience here was wonderful as well. Starting with our complimentary 10-minute foot massage and then extending to our back and shoulder massage was really wonderful (extra expense). I’m not so sure about the pool here, but it could have been just the time of year we were here. The flies were terrible and sticky, even with spray on!
Our rooms were magnificent, and our room was a slightly different layout which gave the two of us so much room to have our bags out next to our beds. The bathroom, as always - was fabulous and the verandah out the front was a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the lodge.
Innocent, our guide, was really fabulous and seemed to be a very respected guide when in the park, judging from the connection we saw with him and the other ‘day tour’ guides. It seemed we were given priority over others without any problems, especially on our last morning, when time was restricted and we had the lion and lioness sightings. This was my second safari through a national park where anyone can just drive in (the first was when we stayed at Sun City in South Africa for the Mega Lekker). I was a little surprised at the number of vehicles getting around but everyone seems to have enough space most of the time.
He certainly showed his love and knowledge for the region, it was wonderful to listen to, and hear even in the back of the truck. My favourite part was the water cruise and being able to watch the elephants cross the waters, having great ‘family’ fun while doing so.
After our amazing time in Chobe National Park, we had the fun of flying in a small aircraft to Stanley Camp airstrip in the Okavango Delta. Purposely built for the camp it is the only way to get there, and gave us a magnificent view of the delta from above.
Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp - Okavango Delta, Botswana
Arriving by charter flight was such a great experience - a first for me. It makes you realise just how remote you are when you arrive this way. Seeing the region from the plane window was really fabulous as well - all charter flights were fabulous.
Wow - what can you say when you get to the Okavango Delta and get to stay in an accommodation and lodge like this one? Our safari tent was a great experience and well set up for a smaller type of accommodation. With the wildlife just wandering past, hanging off the verandah poles or eating the trees outside - I don’t think you can get much closer to nature! Just Wow.
The main lodge and staff were so friendly, and I loved the idea of the staff being from the local villages - helping to promote and increase their knowledge of the world through work. The staff were so wonderful and always happy to help if needed.
What can I say about Prof, our guide? He is such a wonderfully knowledgeable gentleman who just wants to pass on his own experiences, it was so great listening around the fire to how the marriage system works in their village. Prof really couldn’t have done more for us. I do love the experience in a privately run conservation where we get to stay after dark. Though we really can’t see too much, to be out in the wild, in the dark is certainly a different experience - your ears are your eyes so to speak and you start hearing so much more when your senses change. Being out in the Delta with maybe just one other truck at any given time makes these safaris just amazing.
I will definitely return at some point to see the Delta with more water up, as it would be such a different experience to the one we have enjoyed.
As if this wasn’t enough, we were spoilt by ending our time in the Okavango Delta staying in true luxury at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp. A trip back to the Stanley Camp airstrip and we are collected by an even smaller aircraft to fly just 15 minutes to Chief's Camp airstrip.
Saying goodbye to Prof was difficult, but we stay in touch using WhatsApp so he can send through photos as the Delta fills up with water for our interest.
Sanctuary Chief's Camp - Okavango Delta, Botswana
OK, I did love Sussi & Chuma a lot but to finish with this accommodation was just amazing! It is definitely one of the most luxurious places I have stayed in, considering the location. I can see anyone who truly wanted privacy with their safari experience loving it here. This is a location where you want for nothing!
Again, you can’t fault the staff, friendly, accommodating and generally fabulous - they were amazing. I loved that I was able to get on a helicopter over the Delta at such short notice. One of the best flights of my life!
Khan, was an amazing guide with so much knowledge, and I do always feel for the last guide we get on a famil where we have been able to have quite a lot of safaris prior. For him to find new and interesting animal interactions was a credit to him and his team. He will be the best guide I have had to date, with our leopard sighting in the last half hour of our final morning. I really can’t ask for more.
I had the opportunity at an extra cost to go up in an open-door helicopter for 30 minutes, to check out the Okavango Delta a little closer. Wow it was magnificent.
I had been in several closed-door helicopters before, but open door is something else, plus you get to see the animals throughout the Delta even those in the waterways that our safari trucks couldn’t get to due to the marshes. Truly a wonderful, wonderful experience and definitely worth the expense if you like this type of experience.
I think the best part about travelling to Africa is that you don’t need to get dressed up at any time. Casual appropriate clothing and shoes is all you need - plus wearing colours that blend into the surroundings so that the animals don’t realise you are even there. Our safari trucks were all open vehicles, so warmer clothes are needed in the morning until the sun comes out and later at night when the chill starts coming in. Don’t worry too much as often the trucks have blankets for you to use as well if needed.
You get back from safari generally in time for dinner - of course you can go back to your room and get changed if you wish, but often it really doesn’t matter, you can just head to dinner as you are. Dinner can also be a BOMA, depending on where and when you stay at the lodges. Fantastic African barbecue buffets, with so much food to try and enjoy. I can tell you that you won’t go hungry, there is always so much food and amazing options for all dietary requirements as well.
These types of lodges are an all-inclusive experience where all meals, beverages (including alcohol) and safaris are included so you know that there won’t be an account at the end of your stay to worry about - unless you indulge in a spa treatment or some shopping! It really makes travelling so easy especially for the budget minded travellers.
Travel far and wide, there is so much to see!
Cathy