Guaranteed
departures every Friday
of the year, all year from
Windhoek, Namibia
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Maximum group size is 16 people, with no
minimum number.
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Transport for up to 8 people will be in a
minibus or a land-cruiser. For numbers 9 to16 people, transport
will be in a 16-seater safari vehicle
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Assisted camping, participation limited to helping
with tents only.
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Please note that this trip
finishes in Vic Falls but you can return to Windhoek with your guide.
Please inform us of your post trip plans.
Safari Tour Details
Day 1
A
long drive today, making use of the Trans Kalahari Highway, a
relatively new road that provides an invaluable communication link
between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The road takes us first
to the small town of Gobabis, one of the main livestock farming
centers of Namibia, and then on to the border with Botswana.
After completing the immigration
formalities we continue, through rural Botswana to the town of
Ghanzi, located in the center of cattle farming Botswana. Ghanzi is
located almost in the middle of the Kalahari Desert and was almost
unknown before the Trans Kalahari Highway.
Driving time: approx. 7.5 hrs. (600
km). Overnight: Camping/Communal
ablutions. Lunch and Dinner.
Day 2
An early start and a quick
stop in Ghanzi to collect any last minute supplies before continuing
west, traversing the linear dunes of the Kalahari and passing
through small towns along the way.
A change in vegetation heralds our
arrival on the very western edge of one of the natural wonders of
the world, the Okavango Delta. Here we turn north for some way
before again pointing our wheels west as we enter the Delta proper.
We see our first glimpse of the crystal waters through the lush
vegetation and we make our camp on the banks of a pristine African
lagoon.
Driving time approx. 6hrs. (450 km). Overnight: Camping/Communal
ablutions Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day
3
We are in the territory of
the River People, so this morning we leave our vehicle behind and
travel in a more appropriate fashion, first by motor-boat and then
by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), deep into the Delta.
Mokoros will be our main form of
transport for the next two days. These amazing traditional craft are
perfectly designed for the narrow waterways of the Okavango and
allow us to travel further into the Delta than if we were using more
modern forms of transport. Mokoros carry three people, two seated
passengers and one driver. The driver stands in the rear of the
canoe, (a real feat of balance), and uses a long wooden pole to
propel and steer the mokoro through the twisting channels. It really
is the only way to travel. Back to camp in the late afternoon
for another night by the Okavango waters.
Overnight: Guma Camp. Camping/Communal ablutions Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4
Back on the road today,
destination Namibia. Passport formalities completed we go directly
into the Mahango Game Reserve, a small but excellent park right on
the edge of the Okavango River. We game drive our way through
Mahango and have the chance to spot rarely seen Namibian species
such as roan the majestic sable antelope.
Our camp for tonight is just outside
the Game Reserve, and we are again beside the Okavango, but this
time the main river, on its journey from the Angolan highlands,
through the pan handle to waters end, the delta.
Driving time approx. 4 hrs. (350 km). Overnight: Camping/Communal
ablutions. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5
The Caprivi Strip is a long
narrow stretch of territory running along the Botswana's northern
border. It is a landscape of broadleaf forest with many small
communities dotted along our route. The locals in this area are the
Kavango people and we make a cultural visit to a local community.
The people here have taken the initiative to establish a traditional
"kraal" which will be opened for us and we will give a
guided tour.
We have the chance to gain a
significant insight into the local customs and culture, including
demonstrations of traditional medicine and superstition.
From here it is only a short drive to
our camp for the night, also operated as a community project,
located on the banks of the Kwando River in a beautiful setting.
There is a craft market nearby where you can shop for truly Namibian
souvenirs.
Driving time approx. 3 hrs. (200km). Overnight: Camping/Communal
ablutions Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6
We
finish our long transit of the Caprivi region this morning when we
arrive in Namibia's easternmost town, Katima Mulilo. A short break
here before crossing back across the border into Botswana. The road
takes us directly into the world famous Chobe National Park. Chobe
has the world's largest population of African Elephants and the
chances of seeing some big game are very good as we transit through
the park to the small town of Kasane. We make camp in the grounds of
a local lodge, right on the banks for the Chobe River.
Time to relax in the afternoon before
joining a river boat cruise, back into the park. From the boat we
will have the chance to see a huge amount of wild game, both on the
river banks and in the waters swirling around us.
Crocodiles and hippos abound in the
forbidding Chobe River and on the land side there is often a
kaleidoscope of different antelope and species such as elephant,
buffalo and even the Big Cats come to the river banks for their
sundowner drink. The Chobe River provides a very broad habitat for
bird life and it is possible to see many beautiful species of our
feathered friends.
Driving time approx. 4hrs. (300km). Overnight: Camping/Communal
ablutions Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7
Another
border crossing today, we drive out of Kasane to Kazangula ferry
depot and complete our Botswana exit formalities. We cross the
Chobe on the local ferry boat, enter Zambia and from here it is a
short drive to the town of Livingstone. Named after the famous
British missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone, the town is a
bustling African center. We make our camp on the banks of the
Zambezi River and have time to explore the town and to visit the
might Victoria Falls.
The views of the waterfall from the
Zambian bank are fantastic, there are many small paths and lookout
points to explore.
This afternoon your guide will help
you organize the many optional activities available in Livingstone.
These include white water rafting, bungee jumping, other excursions
on the river and scenic flights to mention but a few.
Dinner tonight will be in a local
restaurant at the client's own expense.
NB: All extra activities are subject
to availability and are done at the clients own risk and expense.
Driving time approx. 2hrs. (100km). Overnight: Camping/Communal
ablutions Breakfast and Lunch.
Day
8
After
breakfast the safari is finished. Your guide will be able to offer
advice on other travel plans you have in this region. We pack up our
campsite.
For clients transferring back to
Windhoek tomorrow this is a free day for you to explore the area or
to take part in optional activities. Lunch and dinner are not
included in the price of the trip. Your guide will arrange a time to
collect you for the return journey in the morning.
Overnight: Breakfast.
Day
9
An early start and a long drive. We are in transit only and will not
be stopping to take in the sights along the way. We will traverse
the Caprivi Strip and will spend the night near the small town of
Rundu in northern Namibia.
We camp in the grounds of a lodge on
the banks for the Okavango River, looking into Angola on the far
river bank. Dinner tonight will be in the
restaurant at the lodge and is included in the price.
Driving time approx. 9 hrs. (700km). Overnight: Communal
ablutions/camping. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day
10
Another early start and another long drive. We head south through
Kavango Province, down through the towns of Grootfontien,
Otjiwarongo and Okahandja before reaching our final destination,
Windhoek.
There will be stops at some of the local woodcarving stalls as well
as the market at Okahandja before arriving in the city. You will be dropped off at your
accommodation.
Driving time approx. 10hrs. (800km). Overnight: Breakfast and
Lunch.