The mighty Maletsunyane Falls is one of the highest single dropping falls in Africa, creating a haze of smoke as the water plummets 186m down into a spectacular gorge. This is how Semonkong, The Place of Smoke, got its name. We will explore the Maluti Mountains and discover the gem that is Semonkong Lodge, built on the banks of the Maletsunyane River, which offers just the right balance between civilisation and rustic elegance.
After our 2 nights at Semonkong Lodge, we head west to the picturesque Malealea Lodge where we will spend the next 2 days exploring the 4×4 tracks in the area. Normally at this time of year we experience good snowfalls in Lesotho which transforms the place into a magical winter wonderland. Accommodation is in lodges so this is a family-friendly trip where you are well protected from the cold weather outside.
Guided Self-Drive 4×4 Tours 2017
Lesotho Mountain Kingdom – 14-18 June
Cost: R5900 per person sharing
Includes: Lodge Accommodation, Breakfast & Dinner
Distance covered: 1500km
Okavango Delta, Botswana – 1-9 July
Cost: R6250 per person
Includes: Accommodation & Park Fees, Dinner Daily
Distance covered: 3000km
The Okavango Delta (or Okavango Swamp), in Botswana, is the world’s largest inland delta. The area was once part of Lake Makgadikgadi, an ancient lake. Today, the Okavango River empties onto the sands of the Kalahari Desert.
The delta provides a seasonal habitat to numerous different species from elephant, to antelope, lion leopard, hyena, zebra, rhinoceros and the endangered African Wild Dog. The delta also includes over 400 species of birds.
Come and join us as we camp amongst the wild inhabitants of this world-famous natural wonder. The campsite is unfenced, with no facilities, so each vehicle needs to be totally self-sufficient.
Makgadikgadi Baobab Adventure, Botswana – 19-26 August
Cost: R5900 per person
Includes: Camping & Park Fees, Dinner Daily<
Distance covered: 2500km
The Makgadikgadi Pans are one of the harshest environments on Earth and a 4×4 adventurer’s paradise. Join us as we head to the heart of the pans, exploring places that are rarely visited by other travellers. We will also include a night at the mystical Kubu Island as no trip to the pans is complete without seeing this magical destination.
Some of the other highlights of this trip are the Mosu natural spring, Kukonje Island and the Baines Baobabs in Nxai Pan National Park.
This trip is limited to a maximum of 10 vehicles and no trailers are permitted.
Mana pools & South Luangwa – 1-19 September
Cost: R18 500 per person
Includes: Accommodation & Park Fees, Dinner Daily
Distance covered: 5800km
Mana Pools National Park is a World Heritage Site, home to a wide range of large mammals, over 350 bird species and aquatic wildlife. The name “Mana’’ means “four” in Shona, and applies to the remnant ox-bow lakes that the Zambezi River carved out thousands of years ago as it changed its course northwards.
This large area is without physical boundaries and the wildlife is free to move throughout the area – even northwards across the Zambezi River into Zambia and the South Luangwa National Park, which has been dubbed one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. A packed itinerary includes camping in both Mana Pools and South Luangwa parks, stays at various lodges in the region, and a visit to Victoria Falls.
Zambian Migrations Expedition – 29 October – 11 November
Cost: R12500 per person
Includes: Accommodation & Park Fees, Dinner Daily
Distance covered: 5000km
Each year, Zambia plays host to two spectacular wildlife migrations only ever witnessed by the avid adventurer due to the remoteness of the areas in which they occur.
First we visit Liuwa Plain National Park in Western Zambia, a 3 600km2 region of vast grasslands and wooded islands, which forms part of a remarkable annual wildebeest migration route. Herds cover 200km from an area to the northwest of the park in June to concentrate in the southern region of the park by November.
Next, we travel to Kasanka National Park in central Zambia, where up to ten million “straw-coloured fruit bats” converge as the fruits of a local tree ripen. These bats literally cover the trunks of the trees like thick icing, then at sunset they all take off and fly out to forage.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania – 17 December – 15 January 2018
Cost: R42500 per person
Includes: Camping & Lodge Accommodation, All Park Fees, Dinner Daily
If there is one place you have to visit in your lifetime it is the Serengeti National Park to experience the annual wildebeest migration. You have all seen it on numerous National Geographic documentaries, but nothing compares to experiencing it first-hand. The vast plains of this magnificent wilderness will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. This epic expedition will take us through Botswana, then into Zambia where we visit the mighty Victoria Falls and rejuvenate our souls in the Kapishya Hot Springs before heading into Tanzania and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater and then to the Serengeti National Park to witness the awe-inspiring wildebeest migration and the predators that feast on this spectacle. From there we travel to Malawi & spend a couple of days lazing on the shores of Lake Malawi before continuing south to the white sandy beaches of Mozambique.
This trip is limited to a maximum of 6 vehicles, is trailer-friendly and suitable for the whole family. Bookings close on 31 August.
To book your place on the SA4x4/Ultimate Adventures tours:
Enquire below
