Zimbabwe - Including Elephantback Safari

Temporarily cancelled for 2010

Day 1: Depart New York on South African Airways late afternoon.

Day 2: Arrive Johannesburg late afternoon and transfer to the Johannesburg Airport Holiday Inn for overnight.

Day 3: Return transfer to the airport for your flight to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Matabo Hills and Camp Amalinda Evening game viewing.

Day 4:  Full day game viewing. Camp Amalinda consists of 8 individually thatched rooms with ensuite facilities. Delicious meals are served on a massive teak table in the open-air dining room. Sundowners can be enjoyed around a warm fire jn the enclosed boma area.

Some of the most majestic granite scenery in the world is found in the Matabo Hills. Mammal and bird species are prolific and include the highest concentration of Leopard and Black Eagle in the world.

Activities include game drives & walks into the Matobo Game Park, tracking black and white rhino, horse riding from camp and the most spectacular of all experiences - elephant back safaris.

The elephant were rescued from the 1885 drought in Gonarezhou Reserve and translocated to Amalinda where they were cared for and bottle fed back to health.

These animals have built an incredible relationship with man. They are extremely social animals that love physical contact. Guests are encouraged to spend a good deal of time interacting with the elephants.

Day 5:  Full day game viewing including elephant safari

Day 6: Full day game viewing including elephant safari.

Day 7:  Transfer to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls. You will be met and transferred to the Ilala Lodge. This is the closest hotel to the Falls, approximately 100 yards away. Evening African Spectacular held at the African Village. This is a magnificent display of traditional tribal dancing. The beat of the drums, the energy of the dancers and their colorful costumes transport you into the heart of Africa.

Day 8:  Morning visit to the Falls then transfer to Hwange and the Sikumi Tree Lodge. Set within an enchanted grove of acacia and mangwe trees are the Sikume tree houses. The lodges are constructed of wood and thatch and have hot & cold running water, wall to wall carpet, en suite shower and toilet.

A full range of game drives is conducted in open safari vehicles. These drives take place both within the private wildlife reserve and into the adjacent Hwange National Park. Night drives on the private reserve are also available. Wildlife within the area is prolific and includes elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, sable antelope, grater kudu and a host of other species. The Hwange area is home to more than 300 species of birds.

Day 9:  Full day game viewing.

Day 10:  Full day game viewing.

Day 11:  Return transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Connect to South African Airways flight to New York.

Day 12:  Arrive New York/Kennedy Airport approximately 8:00am locat time.