20 Days Lion Sands, Rovos Rail to Chobe Princess and Beyond
Information
From Sanctuary Mandela to Lion Sands, aboard Rovos Rail, through Victoria Falls, across the Chobe River on Chobe Princess, and into the pristine Okavango wilderness at Mopiri.
Starting price per person
Original price was: $ 24,750.$ 22,500Current price is: $ 22,500.
| Length | 20 Days / 19 Nights |
|---|---|
| Highlights | Safari Lodges ~ Exceptional Big Five Game Viewing ~ Rovos Rails ~ Vic Falls ~ Chobe Princess ~ Okovango Delta |
| Key Information | Price From $ 22,500 USD per person sharing |
Begin your Southern African journey at Sanctuary Mandela, where you will enjoy accommodation in a Deluxe King Room, daily breakfast, and a private Soweto tour that offers insight into South Africa’s rich history and culture. Continue to Lion Sands River Lodge in the renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, where your luxurious River Suite includes all meals, selected beverages, twice-daily game drives, a daily bush walk, and conservation levies, providing an exceptional Big Five safari experience.
Next, travel to Pretoria and stay at Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel in a Premier Suite with breakfast and dinner included before boarding the iconic Rovos Rail. Enjoy the elegance of a Deluxe Suite as you journey through Southern Africa with all meals, standard alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service, bar facilities, limited laundry service, scheduled off-train excursions, entrance fees to places of interest, and government taxes included.
Arrive at the legendary Victoria Falls Hotel, where you will stay in a Deluxe Suite with breakfast included while exploring one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Your adventure then continues aboard the Chobe Princess, where your cabin accommodation includes all meals, selected drinks, water-based game viewing on tender boats, guided birdwatching, fishing excursions, a guided cultural village tour, and conservation levies while cruising the wildlife-rich Chobe River.
Conclude your journey in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta at Mopiri – Life on Water. Stay in a Luxury Room with all meals and selected beverages included, and enjoy a variety of immersive activities such as boat and barge cruises, mokoro excursions, nature walks, the Delta in a Day experience, cultural visits, and exceptional birdwatching opportunities in one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas.
Sanctuary Mandela | Johannesburg
- 2 Nights
- Bed and Breakfast
Set in Nelson Mandela’s primary place of residence in the leafy-green suburb of Houghton, Johannesburg, Sanctuary Mandela was the home Madiba lived in after he returned from Robben Island. Today, this beautiful boutique hotel invited guests to relax and experience the perfectly-curated exhibits that pay tribute to the Human Rights activist, former president and global icon, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. The spacious rooms have all been thoughtfully furnished and equipped with modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, satellite TV and a private bathroom. When it comes to dining, guests can start the day with a hearty breakfast and, for lunch and dinner, savour mouthwatering local cuisine at the welcoming Insight Restaurant.
Lion Sands River Lodge | Sabi Sand Nature Reserve – 3 nights – 5 Star
- Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
Lion Sands River Lodge is situated in the Lion Sands Game Reserve – one of Africa’s truly unspoiled wilderness areas, where the private Sabi Sand Game Reserve meets the world-renowned Kruger National Park.
Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel | Gauteng – 1 Night
- Bed and Breakfast (Premier suite)
Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel, located in a lush suburb of Pretoria East just 30 minutes’ drive from OR Tambo, is a privately owned five-star hotel in the style of a stately manor house. With its fountains, grand entrance flanked by two sweeping staircases, plush public areas, and nine, individually decorated guestrooms.
Rovos Rail – 4 Nights
- Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences. In a series of bespoke train journeys lasting from 48 hours to 15 nights, Rovos Rail links some of the continent’s greatest destinations with a variety of off-train excursions.
Step aboard the vintage wood-paneled coaches and sit back as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. With discreet and friendly service, top cuisine and a selection of South Africa’s finest wines, Rovos Rail harks back to a simpler, more elegant era encompassing the timeless grace and high romance of African exploration.
The Victoria Falls Hotel | Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) – 3 Nights
- Bed and Breakfast – Deluxe Suite
The Victoria Falls Hotel, popularly known as “the grand old lady of the Falls”, is situated in the Victoria Falls National Park, and is a member of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World. It is one of only three IS0-accredited hotels in Zimbabwe. The Edwardian-style five-star hotel combines the charm of the old with the convenience of the new. Set in lush tropical gardens with lily ponds, palm trees and semi-tropical shrubs, it provides the tranquility and seclusion that many guests seek. The famous Victoria Falls are just a ten-minute walk away and “the smoke that thunders” or “Mosi-O-Tunya” in the local dialect, is clearly audible from this luxurious landmark.
Chobe Princess By Mantis | Chobe River Front Namibia – 2 Nights
- Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
Drifting along the majestic Chobe River, our three Chobe Princess houseboats offer supreme comfort, in one of the world’s most diverse landscapes. Enjoy our all-inclusive African river experience as you witness extraordinary wildlife scenes and immerse yourself in a truly intimate river safari.
With a limited number of guests on each boat, staying on one of the Chobe Princesses is like having your own houseboat. These houseboats allow you to explore the stunning Chobe River at your own pace, offering an expansive and varied adventure through one of Africa’s most iconic waterways.
With a guest-to-staff ratio of 2 to 1, the Chobe Princess houseboats provide a high level of personal service and attention. Each cabin accommodates two guests and measures an average of 140 sq ft (13 sq meters), offering a comfortable and well-appointed space for guests to relax and enjoy the surrounding river scenery.
Mopiri | Okavango Panhandle – 4 Nights
- Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
Mopiri consists of ten spacious en-suite tents that are set on the banks of Weboro Lagoon offering panoramic views. Long winding board walks between the main area and the tents offer guests privacy and the opportunity to stretch their legs and explore the island.
It offers a true water experience. Possible activities include boat trips, bush walks, mokoro trips, birding, fishing, sunset cruises, lagoon sundowners / dinners. We also offer full day boating safaris into the heart of the Delta and private fly camping experiences. Helicopter flights over the Delta can be arranged ad hoc and can be combined with a trip to Tsodilo Hills or a village tour. Bush walks on our private island are great for birding. We have a spa available with a variety of treatments available that can be booked in advance or in camp.
Best Time to Visit
While this journey can be enjoyed at any time of year, the dry winter months (May to October) are generally considered the best for wildlife viewing, while the green season (November to April) offers dramatic scenery, fewer crowds, and excellent photographic opportunities.
Destinations such as Sabi Sand Nature Reserve and the Chobe River Front deliver exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the year.
- Dry Season (May – October): Best for game viewing, as animals gather around water sources and vegetation is sparse
- Green Season (November – April): Lush landscapes, fewer visitors, excellent birdlife, and newborn wildlife
At Victoria Falls, the experience shifts with the seasons:
- High Water (February – May): Powerful, dramatic flow with impressive spray
- Mid Season (June – August): Balanced water levels with clearer views
- Low Water (September – January): Excellent visibility of rock formations and ideal for adventure activities
The Okavango Delta transforms throughout the year:
- Flood Season (May – October): Water levels rise, creating iconic channels for mokoro and boat safaris
- Green Season (November – April): Vibrant landscapes, birding opportunities, and excellent predator activity
