Follow in the footsteps of the great explorer Dr. David Livingstone and from the Moffat mission through to Victoria Falls. Visiting the mission stations of Kolobeng, Mabotsa and Tshonuane and the sparkling Lake Ngami.
Day 1
Departing Johannesburg to head for the Northern Cape province and the Kalahari town of Kuruman. The afternoon is spent exploring the “Eye” natural spring gushing water from below the Kalahari Sands before arriving at the Moffat Mission. You will spend several hours soaking up the atmosphere and reliving times past in the mission and its grounds. See the remains of the tree under which David proposed marriage to Mary Moffat the daughter of Robert and Mary Moffat. Overnight in a lodge in Kuruman.
Day 2
We follow the “missionary road” from Kuruman to Livingstone’s first mission station of Mabotsa where we stop to view the monument and interact with the local community. Later we move on to the mission station remains of Tshonuane (Chonuane). Late afternoon we cross the border into Botswana for our overnight stay at a lodge in the capital Gaborone.
Day 3
The morning is spent at Kolobeng. The mission station where the Livingstone’s spent 5 years living amongst the local tribes people. It was from Kolobeng that Livingstone launched his expeditions north towards the Zambezi River. In the afternoon we head north for our overnight chalet accommodation.
Day 4
Today we cross just south of the immense Makgadikgadi Pans through rural villages taking great care to avoid the many animals that wander across these roads. We arrive at the Boteti River, a landmark used by Livingston to navigate to Lake Ngami. We overnight for 2 nights in Luxury tented accommodation on the banks of the Boteti River.
Day 5
We are free to take thing at leisure today, soak up the African bush, take a walk with a Bushman and learn how to track animals. The Boteti River presented an obstacle to Livingstone’s wagons as the banks are high, we show you places Livingston used for crossings based upon local knowledge.
Day 6
Its back on the trail again today. We track along the Boteti River in search of Lake Ngami. Lake Ngami is rich with birdlife. Livingstone arrived in August and found a shimmering lake after his many weeks of travelling across the dry Kalahari. After leaving the lake we travel north through Maun to arrive at our overnight lodge accommodation.
Day 7
Departing early we enter the Chobe Game reserve heading for Savuti. Today we tackle the deep sand tracks where only our trusty 4X4 Land Rover will get us through. It’s a slow bumpy ride but it gives us a taste of what the Livingstone’s must have experienced in their Ox Wagons. Despite the roads we will be delighted with sightings of the African wildlife, Lions, Elephants, Giraffes to name but a few. We overnight in a lodge and take an evening game drive.
Day 8
Today we spend at leisure in the lodge. Take a game drive or just relax by the pool. The African game is abundant in this area.
Day 9
Leaving Savuti we travel through the Chobe Forest reserve before arriving at Kasane and the Chobe River. Afternoon sunset game viewing from a boat on the Chobe River. Overnight Lodge accommodation.
Day 10
We enter Namibia’s Caprivi Strip through the Ngoma border post, crossing the Linyanti flood plains. We head for the village of Linyanti. After stopping to meet the local people, descendants of the Makololo tribe we turn for the mighty Zambezi River and our lodge accommodation on its banks.
Day 11
After crossing the Zambezi River and the border into Zambia we pass through the location of Sesheke and then continue to the town of Livingstone. The afternoon is spent viewing the Victoria Falls, one of the wonders of the world named by David Livingston in honour of his queen, Victoria.
Day 12
At leisure to explore the town of Livingstone, visit the Livingstone museum or re-visit the Victoria Falls. We finish off with a Sunset cruise on the Zambezi.
Day 13
For those departing from Livingstone airport you will be transferred to the airport in good time for your flight.
Those returning to Johannesburg will cross the Zambezi via the ferry into Botswana before we head south to Nata and our last overnight.
Day 14
After crossing the border back into South Africa we travel to Johannesburg arriving late afternoon.
Trip Ends.
Option
Arriving in Cape Town we start the optional part of the trip by exploring the history of this famous city, Livingston’s first port of call on the African continent.
Day 2
We head north following the old missionary road into the interior. Overnight lodge accommodation in the Great Karoo.
Day 3
We continue north en-route to Kuruman visiting the Moffat Museum in Griquatown and Bartlett’s Church where David Livingstone gave his first African sermon. Tonight we stay on a farm and enjoy some real home cooking.
Day 4
Arrive in Kuruman and continue with the original itinerary.
