We recently launched a once-in-a-lifetime combination offer between Matetsi Victoria Falls and Angama Mara in Kenya. This 7-night Southern and East Africa itinerary offers up to 50% off and here are just some of the highlights of the trip:
1. Walk through the spray of the Victoria Falls
One of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the “largest waterfall on Earth” is truly spectacular. A guided walking tour of the falls gives you the opportunity to discover the many facets of the magnificent Victoria Falls, including the history of the Falls, as well as its geological significance. While exploring the surrounding rainforest in the company of your guide, you’ll have the opportunity to soak up the beautiful vistas, lush surroundings, magical waterfalls, and most likely the spray of the Falls too!
2. Soar above the Falls with the “Flight of the Angels”
As your helicopter lifts off from Matetsi Private Game Reserve’s private helipad, your perspective shifts to a spectacular aerial view. Flying across the vast wilderness and down the Zambezi river towards the mighty Victoria Falls, you’ll have the opportunity to see wildlife from the air. Closer to the Falls, marvel at the Batoka Gorge formation and experience the renowned “Flights of the Angels” over the Victoria Falls themselves, named from David Livingstone’s reference to the Falls as “a sight so lovely it must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”.
3. Experience Big Five Game Viewing
Angama Mara, set on an escapement overlooking the Maasai Mara, offers easy access to the Mara Triangle–home to the Big Five: Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, Lion and Rhino, and a whole host of East African plains game.
And Matetsi Victoria Falls offers exclusive safari within the vast Matetsi Private Game Reserve– home to four of the Big Five: Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard and Lion as well as Southern African plains game.
The two areas complement each other not only with their wildlife offerings, but also their amazing scenic beauty across a range of landscapes- with the wide-open plains of the Mara, the woodland and vlei areas of Matetsi Private Game Reserve, the winding curves of the Mara river, and the tranquility of the Zambezi river. The different terrains within these areas of East and Southern Africa also provide habitat for a wide variety of birdlife.
4. Float over the Maasai Mara in a Hot Air Balloon
This breathtaking aerial experience over the Mara has been likened to “being in a silent movie”. You’ll lift off as the golden light of sunrise just begins to touch the earth. As you glide above the tree-tops like a bird, you’ll have the opportunity to observe hippos wallowing in the Mara river, and a huge variety to wildlife scattered across the plains of the Mara Triangle, including topi, elephant and giraffe. During flight, the height of the balloon can be adjusted so that at times the balloon floats just above the level of the grass and you’ll feel almost as if you could touch the ground while gliding over it. A silent movie, or a dream…
5. Take in the tranquility of the Zambezi River
Renowned for its sunrises and sunset, there is something truly awe-inspiring about the Zambezi river, on the banks of which Matetsi Victoria Falls is set. Whether from the comfort of your suite or on a boat, sit back, relax and enjoy the tranquility of this magnificent river. A cruise or paddle on the river at sunrise or sunset offers a beautiful way to start or end a day, and some might even choose to do a spot of bream or tiger fishing.
6. Delve into the wonders of nature and tradition with a Maasai Naturalist walk
This experience offers you the chance to spend quality time with a Maasai naturalist, and to learn about the flora and fauna of the area as well as the Maasai people, their traditions and their interactions with the natural surrounds. The walk, which takes you through the wilderness area surrounding Angama Mara itself, can be as long or as short as you wish, and offers spectacular views and the chance to see plains game on foot.
7. Enjoy warm authentic hospitality throughout
Both Zimbabweans and Kenyans have a naturally warm authentic manner to them, and hospitality is a culture for them. Both at Angama Mara and Matetsi Victoria Falls, you will feel part of the extended family.
8. Relax in exquisite accommodation
Angama Mara and Matetsi Victoria Falls are each architecturally designed in their own contemporary African style. At both properties, the design was guest-led, and all of the spaces have been created with your comfort in mind.
9. Indulge in exceptional cuisine
Food is a key part of the guest experience at both Angama Mara and at Matetsi Victoria Falls–each boasting a team of brilliant chefs with their own food philosophy, and a variety of different dining experiences including (but not limited to!) “Shamba” and “Out of Africa” lunches at Angama and bush breakfasts and dinners at Matetsi.
10. Visit the Karen Blixen Museum and/or Giraffe Sanctuary in Nairobi
At the Karen Blixen Museum you are offered a guided tour of the house and grounds of what was once Karen Blixen’s home in Kenya. Your tour guide shares insights into the life of this incredible woman, for whom a whole suburb in Nairobi is named.
Just around the corner is the Giraffe Centre, which is run by the Africa Fund for Endangered Wildlife. This center, which was established to protect the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, supports conservation work and education programs. A visit here will give you the opportunity to learn more about this giraffe sub-species, as well as meet and feed the giraffes.
Kindly note, neither of these Nairobi activities are included in the Waterfalls & Wildlife offer. The offer does include the Mara-Nairobi flights and Nairobi accommodation. Activities have been left open so that you might choose what best suits you depending on your preferences and itinerary.
Our Director of Sales & Marketing, Hayley Walls, and co-founder, Sara Gardiner, recently experienced a version of this exceptional itinerary. Click here to read Part 1 of Hayley’s travel diary (Mara and Nairobi).
