Victoria Falls

One of the original natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site. If it’s not on your bucket list then it should be! Known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’,  this spectacle is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and it is an ideal place to combine game viewing and water sports.  There is excellent fishing, a terrifying bungee jump and arguably the best commercial white water rafting in the world.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti together with Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Park form Africa’s most famous wildlife park.  The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara is the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet when more than a million animals following the rains.  But that is not where the game viewing ends: large prides of lions, elephants, giraffes  gazelles and eland to mention but a few cross these grasslands. A must do experience for all amateur photographers and indeed adventurers.

Roaming like nomads we settle camp at close quarters to this great stage show. From December to late April, Serian’s Serengeti South sits in the deep shade of umbrella trees, a bay of tranquillity on the edge of the short grass plains. A cultural haven with very traditional Maasai, Mangati and Hadzabe tribesmen, a walker’s paradise with plenty of space to roam, the Serengeti is well suited to the adventurer who seeks out quiet spaces.

Ngorongoro Crater

The world famous Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world – 20 kms across and 300 sqkms in area. A caldera is a cauldron like volcanic feature and its name originates from the Latin for ‘cooking pot’.  Here you will descend to the crater floor for a half day crater safari. This is a major water catchment area, a breathtakingly beautiful setting, some of the most fertile grazing area in Africa and home to the highest density of big game. Situated in the shadow of the Ngorongoro Crater, the area around Karatu is perfect for exploring two of Tanzania’s gems, the Crater and Lake Manyara National Park.

Lake Manayara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park, this is one of the most diverse of Tanzania’s national parks, a tiny (325km²) combination of Rift Valley Lake, dense woodlands and steep mountainside. Made famous by elephant researcher, Dr Iain Douglas Hamilton in his book, ‘Among the Elephants’, Manyara was established specifically to protect the elephant herds that have made the area world-renowned. Heavy poaching in the 1970’s and 1980’s decimated the herds, however they are now recovering and returning to their former strengths. Manyara is also a birding paradise (more than 380 species), especially for waterfowl and migrants, and the forests are one of the best places around to see leopards. Lions hunt on the grassy shores of the lake, and are famous for their habit of climbing trees.

Elite Training & Activities

Your days near the Victoria Falls will include rigorous exercise routines with a Fitness Adventure Travel elite trainer. Or head out on one of the exciting activities available there. Examples of what’s available are given below.

Activities available in the Victoria Falls area:

A sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi river is a “must do” when visiting Victoria Falls. A sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi river is a “must do” when visiting Victoria Falls.

FISHING: The great Zambezi river is home of the fighting Tiger Fish and, although this is a difficult fish to catch due to its predator instincts, you will have a great time hunting for it.

The Nile Crocodile is the biggest of its kind and dominates the waters of the Zambezi. Crocodile cage diving is completely different from Shark diving – you will be lowered in a cage into the Crocodile’s natural habitat. It will give you a totally unique experience – you will be up close and personal with these dangerous and prehistoric reptiles.

HELICOPTER FLIGHT OVER THE FALLS

An ideal bird’s eye view of the Zambezi River and of course Victoria Falls. Here you can view the falls from the air, lending scope to their size. As well as this you can see the zigzag though the gorge system and see how it has developed over time!

CANOEING

Early in the morning you will be collected by vehicle and taken into the Zambezi National Park (15 kilometre downstream from the Falls) where, after a safety briefing and some tea & coffee, you will be allocated your own canoe (per couple). This activity will take you through some grade 1 and 2 rapids and you will most likely pass some hippopotamuses, elephants and crocodiles while paddling . It is a semi-relaxed activity but incredibly beautiful as you will be one of the only ones on the river. This activity last till about mid-afternoon and lunch is included.

WHITE WATER RAFTING

This is an alternative option to canoeing (Rob’s Favourite). Rafting is probably your most adrenalin driven fitness activity in Victoria Falls. At certain times of year only high-water rafting is possible, which starts at rapid 11 and will take you all the way to rapid 23. You won’t experience the grade 4+ and 5 rapids (as with the low-water rafting) but will still encounter some real thrilling and nerve wrecking rapids that need to be conquered. There are no lifts, cable cars etc. to get in and out of the gorge, so your fitness levels need to be good as you will be walking up and down to get to the river. Very exciting fitness activity all in all, and a great alternative to canoeing….the choice is yours!

GORGE SWING

An ABSOLUTE “MUST DO” for anyone who likes the thrill of adrenaline rushing through their body. This is even better than a bungee jump as the experience lasts longer and the views are amazing as the line suspends over the gorge where the width is 316 meters. Once strapped into your harness and on the platform, looking down 110 meters you will now experience a 70 meter free-fall before a 95 meter swing. Truly and utterly enjoyable….once you have overcome the initial few seconds when leaping off the platform.

CANOPY TOUR

“Tree Top adventure offering a unique bird’s-eye view of one of the seven natural wonders of the worlds”. This experience will require you to wear easy clothing and good shoes as you will encompass a network of slides, trails, ropes, hanging bridges in the forest by the Zambezi gorge. This is a great outdoor activity with stunning vistas and some good vertigo components.

BOMA DINNER

The Boma specialises in a superb selection of traditional Zimbabwean dishes and is renowned for its warthog fillet! All tastes are catered for and many of the local delicacies are available to try such as Mopani worms and game stews. As well as the superb food, you will also be treated to Amakwezi traditional dancers and a traditional drumming display which is always the highlight of the evening.

ELEPHANT BACK  SAFARI

An elephant back safari will provide a unique and exciting way to explore the wilderness around Victoria Falls as these magnificent creatures transport you through grasslands and forests. You will be able to view the surrounding wildlife in a much more natural way than from a vehicle. You will also learn about the relationships between African elephants and humans and the issues that elephant conservations tackle on a daily basis in Africa.  Your safari will lead you along the edge of the Zambezi gorges, following ancient game trails and exploring the grasslands of Victoria Falls National Park.

LION WALK

This exciting activity allows you to get very close to the young cubs in the bush. Heading out with the experienced guides and handlers, you will meet the young cubs and watch as they learn, explore, play and generally be lion cubs. These young cubs view the accompanying people as older members of their pride, which allows you to walk with them safely and naturally with no leads of chains.

Day 1

Upon your arrival into Victoria Falls International Airport, you will be met by Chenai, our representative in the arrivals lounge. Chenai will escort you to your waiting vehicle for the transfer to Ilala Lodge, where you shall be staying overnight in a Standard Room on a room & breakfast basis.

Day 2 – 6

Your day will consist of several rigorous exercise routines with the Fitness Adventure Travel elite trainer.  Alternatively  head out on one of the exciting fitness activities available at Victoria Falls. Your overnight arrangements will be at Ilala Lodge on a room & breakfast basis.

Day 7

This morning, after breakfast at the Ilala Lodge, you will be driven to Victoria Falls International Airport, to connect with your scheduled flight (NOTE: This flight is at your own arrangement or through FAT Flight Concierge) to Harare International Airport.

On arrival into Harare, you will be transferred to the Bronte Garden Hotel for your overnight arrangements on a room & breakfast basis.

Day 8

After breakfast at the Bronte Garden Hotel, you will be transferred to Harare International Airport for your international flight to Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro International Airport (NOTE: This flight is at your own arrangement or through the  FAT Flight Concierge).

Upon your arrival into Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania, you will be met airside by a representative from the FAT partner dmAFRICA, who will escort you through the customs and immigration formalities, then show you to your driver and vehicle who will transfer you to the Hatari Lodge for your overnight arrangements which will be in a standard room on a full board basis.

Day 9

Today after breakfast at Hatari Lodge, you will be driven to Arusha Airport, for the flight to Lake Manyara Airstrip (NOTE: Luggage allowance is strictly 15 kilograms per person in soft sided bags). Upon arrival into Lake Manyara Airstrip, you will be transferred Manyara Ranch, where you will enjoy a day of game related activities within the Manyara Conservancy, where as well as game drives, you can also enjoy horse riding. Overnight you shall be staying in your luxury tent at Manyara Ranch  on a full board basis.

Day 10

After breakfast at Manyara Ranch, you will enjoy a full day of game activities, including a game walk and a night time game drive! Your overnight arrangements will continue to be at Manyara Ranch in luxury tents on a full board basis.

Day 11

This morning you depart from Manyara Ranch and head to Lake Manyara Airstrip for the scheduled flight to the Ndutu Airstrip in the Southern Serengeti.

On arrival at Ndutu Airstrip you will be met by a driver and vehicle from the Serengeti Serian South Camp, who will transfer you to the camp with game viewing en route. In the afternoon, you head out for game activities within the world famous Serengeti National Park, before returning to Serian South Camp for your overnight arrangements on a full board basis in a standard tent.

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Day 12, 13 & 14

Today you will enjoy a full day of game activities within the Serengeti National Park with your open sided Serian 4×4 safari vehicle. Your overnight arrangements will be at Serian South Camp on a full board basis in a standard tent.

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Day 15

This morning, you’ll be transferred to the Ndutu Airstrip to catch the scheduled flight to Lake Manyara Airstrip. On arrival into Lake Manyara Airstrip, you will be transferred to Gibb’s Farm in the Ngorongoro Highlands, arriving in time for lunch. Whilst at Gibb’s Farm you can enjoy a number of superb activities, including: a forest walk, cycling through the farm land, interaction with the farm animals and cultural visits. You will be staying at Gibb’s Farm overnight in a luxurious and spacious farm cottage on a full board basis.

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Day 16

Today you head to the world famous Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact caldera in the world. Here you will descend to the crater floor for a half day crater safari! In the afternoon, after lunch, you will return to the top of the crater and back to Gibb’s Farm for an afternoon at your leisure and your overnight arrangements on a full board basis.

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Day 17 – Depart

This morning, after breakfast you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your onward international arrangements.

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Maps & Area

The first part of this Fitness Adventure Travel experience is to the Victoria Falls in Southern Africa on the Zambezi  River, bordering on Zambia and Zimbabwe.  It took thousands of years of erosion for the Falls to appear as they do now.  The Falls known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “the smoke that thunders”,  were only named the Victoria Falls in 1855 after David Livingstone, a Victorian explorer from Britain, became the first European to come across them.

The water in this magnificent waterfall actually dives into a narrow gorge which runs parallel to the face of the falls.  The Falls’ experience varies according to the time of year.  In the rainy season (December – March) the Falls are, naturally enough, more dramatic with a higher water volume, generating more spray which can actually obscure the Falls.  In the dry season (April to October), the Falls begin to reduce in volume until by October becoming just a trickle, but at that time of year there is a better view of the gorge.

The second part of this F.A.T. experience is to Tanzania in East Africa.  According to expert opinion Tanzania is the world’s top safari destination.  Tanzania has retained its popularity due to the beautiful scenery, wide range of wild life, and political stability. It was recently named by Fox TV news as being one of the five most stunning countries to visit in the world.  Tanzania has become the top destination of 2015 for the American traveller. It was named one of the “Best Places to travel in 2015″ by Travel + Leisure, and featured in the”52 Places To Go In 2015” by The New York Times.

A large plateau makes up most of the country, although mountain ranges cut across the country to make up the Rift Valley. The highest point (Mount Kilimanjaro) and lowest point (the lake bed of Lake Tanganyika) on the African continent are both in Tanzania.  The weather on the plains, where this F.A.T. adventure takes place, is hot during the day and cold at night.  [On the coast it is hot and humid the whole time.]  Depending on the area that you are visiting, many months are suitable for visiting.  Our in-house expert F.A.T. consultants will advise.

Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa – nearly 1m sq kms – and has a population of 44 million.  Approximately 3m live in the capital Dar-es-Salaam and the rest are spread out over the country, there being no other large cities.  [The next largest city Arusha has 320,000.]  English is widely spoken, although the first language of most Tanzanians is Swahili. There is plenty of traditional food, cultural practices (such as hunting with bushmen, beekeeping, traditional medicine) that one can enjoy within the boundaries.  As far as religious background is concerned, 30% of Tanzanians are Christian, 35% Muslim and 35% have indigenous beliefs.

Next Departure:

• Monthly departures – contact us for dates – please phone: +44 (0) 20 7971 1037
  OR email us on info@fitnessadventuretravel.com

Duration:

• 16 Nights, 17 Days

Price:

• On application

Accommodation:

• 16 nights’ accommodation as described.

Flights & Travel Insurance:

• Contact us to book your flights & travel insurance – info@fitnessadventuretravel.com

Dates Available

Each package is 16 Nights, 17 Days

• Please contact us for more information. Phone: +44 (0) 7983 983092