Victoria Falls

Livingstone named the Victoria Falls after his queen. The Victoria Falls and nearby village are located within a protected area neighbouring the Zambezi National Park. Today, the village rightly claims the title of Adrenaline Capital of Africa. Victoria Falls village is home to a seemingly endless variety of adventure sports from bungee jumping to canoeing and white-water rafting. Apart from its appeal to adventure enthusiasts the village still has a gracious, pioneering, and colonial atmosphere.

But perhaps the greatest appeal is the Victoria Falls themselves. A network of trails leads through the rain forest surrounding the ‘smoke that thunders’ as d escribed by the Kololo tribe living there, and in more modern terms as ‘the greatest known curtain of falling water’, Victoria Falls are a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty on the Zambezi River bordering between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Columns of spray can be seen from miles away as 546 million cubic metres of water per minute plummet over the edge. beyond the falls, the river fights its way down to the gorge and provides some of the best white water rafting in the world!

Another interesting perspective is deep within the gorge into which the Falls descend. It’s quite a steep climb, but well-worn steps make it a fairly easy descent. The view from below of the wide Zambezi thundering over the cliff, then compressed into the deep thin crevice turning into the Batoka Gorge, crashing and swirling over rapids, is quite spectacular. From this vantage point one can also see up to the impressive Victoria Falls Bridge, spanning the gorge over 100 meters above.

Chobe National Park – Botswana

Chobe National Park, approximately 100kms/62 miles due west of Victoria Falls, is abundant with wildlife all year round, and features the beautiful Chobe River on its northern boundary. H ome to an exciting variety of large mammals and over 450 species of birds. Chobe is renowned for having the largest concentraion of elephants in Africa with truly impressive herds gathering both during the wet and dry season. Throughout the area numerous clay-bottomed pans hold water during the short rainy season. This water away from the Okavango Delta and the northern border rivers allows thousands of game to live off the grasslands, mopane and mixed woodlands that dominate Chobe National Park’s vegetation.

The park is divided into four distinctly different eco systems: Serondela with its lush plains and dense forests in the Chobe River area in the extreme north-east; the Savuti Marsh in the west; the Linyanti Swamps in the north-west and the hot dry hinterland in between.

Savuti - Often described as one of, if not the best, wildlife-viewing areas in Africa today. Savuti boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife left on the African continent. Animals are present during all seasons. Some of the many wildlife include giraffe, elephant, zebra, impala, tsessebe, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, eland and accompanying predators including lion, hyena, jackal, bat-eared fox and possibly even cheetah and wild dog. Savuti is famous for its predators, particularly its resident lions and spotted hyena populations.

Linyanti -In the furthest corner of Chobe National Park lies the forgotten paradise of Linyanti. Secluded and un-crowded, this short strip of swampy river frontage is reminiscent of the Okavango's permanent waterways with papyrus-lined lagoons, reed-beds and a towering canopy of trees.

The Linyanti Swamp covers an area of almost 900km2, to which follows the river and fills the area between the converging courses of the Kwando and Linyanti rivers. The national park only touches the river for a short section on the far eastern edge of the swamp.

The wildlife is plentiful, especially in the dry winter months when great concentrations of elephant, buffalo and zebra congregate along the river, with giraffe, impala and roan antelope being seen in the forests. The birdlife is diverse, if not overwhelming in its numbers. Water birds, including pelican, are common.

The Royal Livingstone Hotel

On the forested banks of the great Zambezi river, upstream of the mighty cataract where it thunders into the Batoka Gorge is, The Royal Livingstone, pride of Zambian hospitality in its cool lounges and shaded verandahs, you will encounter the elegance and luxury of an earlier, more courteous age.

The Royal Livingstone is a serene and gracious refuge from the heat of the African sun. The luxurious rooms with their comfortable furnishings are tastefully decorated in the soft earth tones of the bushveld, with spreading views of the river and Acacia forest. Guests may pass lazy days on the magnificent sun deck overlooking the Zambezi as it flows relentlessly to the Falls, and enjoy the fine dining in the restaurant, or on a long verandah overlooking the gardens.

The Hotel consists of a series of 17 colonial-style buildings, with deep verandas, set amidst indigenous trees and plants. The main hotel is a sequence of thatch-roofed buildings, most African in their influence, and incorporates the lounge, restaurant and bar. A classic swimming pool visually links the waters of the river with the terraces of the hotel, with a sweeping timber deck planted in the swirling water of the Zambezi.

The reception area is framed by a classic courtyard featuring a fountain and exuding the aroma of herbs from the interior gardens. Overhead, wooden fans cool the charged atmosphere. The resort's deep, shaded verandah, offers an uninterrupted view of the Zambezi River.

The lounge is filled with original artwork depicting scenes of David Livingstone's great African adventures. Only footsteps from the Zambezi River, the rooms and suites offer a tranquil retreat from the unconstrained beauty of their surroundings.

The Royal Livingstone, is a 5-star, 173 roomed luxury hotel. The rooms are two-storey clusters and each cluster comprises approximately 10 en-suite air-conditioned rooms, offering private balconies or terraces. Standard Room Features and amenities include a butler service (from 07h00 - 23h00), Satellite TV, Radio on TV set, Coffee and tea-making facilities, Mini-bar, Mini-safe, Telephone with message/wake-up/voice-mail facilities, Dry-cleaning and 24 hour room service.

At the heart of the Resort is the Falls Entertainment Centre, exhilaration of a different kind is to be found at the slot casino, where a total of 77 slot machines tempt those with a taste for chance. A comfortable bar provides drinks, tea and coffee.

The a la carte restaurant will serve a range of delicacies from around the world. The Royal Livingstone is a place to enjoy the majesties of Africa with all the charms of a bygone era.

Itinerary

Day One - Upon arrival at London Heathrow airport Terminal four, your meet and greet service will be provided by our CT Business Travel escort, who will direct the group and proceed to check in.

- 2115 hours Depart London Heathrow Airport, Terminal One, British Airways flight BA 57

Day Two

- 0855 hours Arrive Johannesburg Airport

- 1100 hours Depart Johannesburg Airport on British Airways flight BA 6291 to Livingstone

- 1235 hours Arrive Livingstone Airport

Upon arrival take a 35 minute transfer to the Royal Livingstone Hotel where after a short time to freshen up, meet on the terrace of the Royal Livingstone Hotel for a light buffet lunch.

At around 4pm/5pm  meet on the sun deck of the hotel adjacent to the Zambizi River where you will board a boat (this boat will take approx 30 people, so this will not be a private tour) for the Sunset Cruise this last approx 2 hours, light refreshments will be provided.

Return to the sundeck for a drinks reception followed by dinner at the Livingstone hotel, where one table will be provided for the group in a private area on the terrace.

Day Three - Breakfast at the hotel followed by a guided walk to the falls with lunch being taken on Livingstone Island at the top of the falls.

Victoria Falls is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles. Declared a World Heritage Site, the Falls are a place of legend, romance and myth. Long before the Dr David Livingstone “discovered” them on November 16, 1855, the local Batonga people had named them Mosi- Oa-Tunya, ‘the smoke that thunders’.

After lunch transfer to the helicopter launch pad for an exciting 15 min ride over the falls (max 6 per helicopter).

Return to the hotel at 4pm in time to enjoy a last bit of sunshine by the pool or make a return visit to the falls by foot.

Dinner will be taken in a tradition African Boma, we will take a ten minute transfer to the venue, (entertainment will be provided after dinner) Return to the hotel around midnight where the group can enjoy the atmosphere of the Colonial Bar.

Day Four Option One - Chobe National Park, full day

An early breakfast and departure by 09.00am from the Royal Livingstone hotel, through spectacular country side, on a Safari Experience of the Chobe National Park this will be a full day private tour of the park and include a journey along the river and an elephant ride. Lunch and drinks are included. (The safari will take place on land and water).

The Chobe National Park in Botswana is only a 1¾-hour drive from Livingstone through spectacular country side. It is one of the greatest game reserves in southern Africa and famous for the number of elephant that live there. The Chobe River flows lazily through the Caprivi flood plains and provides a haven for huge herds of buffalo and elephant, zebra, wildebeest and impala which are followed closely by the predator’s lion, hyena, the elusive leopard and the odd pack of the now rare wild dog. The bird life is exceptional.

Option Two – Livingstone Town & surrounding area half day tour 11am - 4pm

After a leisurely breakfast depart the Hotel at 11am for Livingstone town, this will include a trip to a local market, the David Li dvingstone museum of Mankind and tour of the town itself. After lunch we will take a trip to Chief Mukuni’s village (a traditional African Village) with a stop at the David Livingstone “Lookout Tree” where David first spotted Victoria Falls.

Return to the Hotel by 6pm a private Dinner will be set in the grounds of the hotel, under the monkey tree with traditional African entertainment accompanying the dinner followed by some entertainment provide by a local witch doctor.

Day Five - After breakfast spend time around the hotel enjoying the pool and leisure facilities.
Departure from the Royal Livingstone Hotel at 1pm transfer to Livingstone airport.

- 1440 hours Depart Livingstone Airport on Commercial Airways flight CE 205 to Johannesburg

- 1620 hours Arrive Johannesburg Airport

- 2015 hours Depart Johannesburg Airport on British Airways flight BA 56 to London

Day Six

- 0620 hours Arrive London Heathrow Airport

Costing

Total package price is based on 12 attendees and our CT Business Travel escort.

CT Business Travel reserves the right to re quote if the numbers alter. This quote is subject to availability.

All elements are based on prices for 2006 excluding the international and domestic flights, in our experience we would not expect the price of the flights to rapidly increase, however if this was to happen we reserve the right to alter the price by the difference.

The above price is based on the assumption that most people will select option one on day four, if the majority of the group were to select option two the package price could be reduced marginally.

 COSTS INCLUDE:

• Economy flights from London Heathrow including all departure taxes
• 3 nights accommodation, inc. breakfast and local tax, based on single occupancy
• Return airport transfers
• Sunset Cruise
• Victoria Falls, by helicopter
• Full day Chobe National Park Safari tour or half day tour of Livingstone and the surrounding area
• Lunch and Dinner, Day 2, 3 and 4
• CT Business Travel Escort, Mark Kempster
• Management fee

COSTS EXCLUDE:

• Travel Insurance