Highlights: Zimbabwe Ruins, Bulawayo and Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe, Hwange, Victoria Falls, Lusaka and the Luangwa National Park in Zambia, Lake Malawi, Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, Zanzibar, Arusha, Serengeti and the Ngorongoro crater, Nairobi.
Type of Safari: Semi-participation camping safari
Includes: All transport, accommodation, scheduled entry and park fees, canoeing safari, ferry ride, group equipment, a professional guide, breakfasts, most lunches and all evening meals when not scheduled in a restaurant, coffee and tea.
Day 1
Cape Town to Cedarberg Mountains and Citrusdal Hot Springs, South Africa. An early start from the Waterfront takes us to the beach on the Atlantic Ocean to have a last look at Table Mountain across the bay. After lunch we head for Citrusdal in the Cedarberg Mountains. [LD]
Day 2
West Coast of South Africa to the Orange River, South Africa. Travelling up the West Coast, we pass through some magnificent mountain ranges on our way to the Orange River. If you are travelling in Spring you will see the spectacular carpets of wildflowers in the famous Namaqualand region. [BLD]
Day 3
Canoeing on the Orange River, Namibia. The only travelling today is done in a canoe. Put your feet up and relax as the currents take you downstream - mind the rapids though! [BLD]
Day 4
Ai-Ais Hot Springs and Hobas - Fish River Canyon, Namibia. A short drive takes us to Ai-Ais Hot Springs where, in winter, we stop and relax for lunch. After Lunch we head off to Hobas Camp further north in the Fish River Canyon. Later in the evening we take in another perfect African sunset with the magnificent views and scenery along the edge of the Canyon. [BLD]
Day 5
Sossusvlei, Namibia. Moving inland we make our way to Sesriem, the gateway to the world's highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei. [BLD]
Day 6
Sesriem and Sossusvlei, Namibia. We visit the world's highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei. At sunrise these red sand dunes, which can reach heights of over 300m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake). [BLD]
Day 7
Namib Naukluft National Park & Kuiseb Canyon to Swakopmund, Namibia. The day is spent driving through the Namib Naukluft National Park and the Kuiseb Canyon on our way to Swakopmund. [BL]
Day 8
Swakopmund, Namibia. We have the opportunity to explore this quaint German town by day and night. There are a number of activities to enjoy here; sandboarding, quadbiking, skydiving and even fishing. You may even dare to brave the Atlantic sea. [BL]
Day 9
Cape Cross Seal Colony, Skeleton Coast and Brandberg, Namibia. We follow the barren Skeleton Coast on our way out of Swakopmund to visit Africa's largest seal colony after lunch. Leaving the cold Atlantic coastline behind we head inland across the desert planes for Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia. [BLD]
Day 10
Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain and the Desert Elephants, Namibia. Heading into Damaraland we make our way to the spectacular scenery of Twyfelfontein from where we go for a guided tour of the bushman paintings and rock engravings. That afternoon and early the following morning we set off in search of the Desert Elephants. Our chances of finding them are good, as the local Damara people always seem to know their whereabouts. [BLD]
Day 11
Petrified Forest and Etosha National Park, Namibia. An early morning start from Brandberg takes us to Twyfelfontein and then onto the Etosha National Park. Our first stops are Twyfelfontein and then the Petrified Forest. Lunch is eaten close to the small German town of Outjo where we relax and have the opportunity to visit an Internet cafe. Our final destination for the day is Etosha. As the sunsets and late into the night the group has the opportunity to watch animals drink at floodlit waterholes. [BLD]
Day 12-13
Etosha National Park, Namibia. We fill the next 2 days with game drives, including evening game viewing at floodlit waterholes. In the mornings we have the opportunity to take game drive at sunrise. At all three camps, Namutoni, Okaukuejo and Halali you can take a swim in the swimming pool or as the sunsets and late into the night the group can watch animals drink at the floodlit waterhole. [BLD, BLD]
Day 14-15
Etosha to Kavango River, Namibia. Leaving Etosha we head to Rundu and onto n'Kwazi River Camp, which is on the banks of the Kavango River over looking Angola. A sunset cruise, horse riding, traditional dancing in the evening as well as visiting a local village are optional or you can just put your feet up and relax on the banks of the river as the sunsets. [BL]
Day 16-17
Kavango River to Okavango Delta, Botswana. We leave Namibia for Etosha, on the western border of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. From here, 4x4 vehicles and motorboats transfer us to Makwena Camp (1,5 hours) where we spend the night. The next 2 days are spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) and speedboat. The Delta is a well-preserved gem of Africa with a vast oasis of crystal clear lake lets, lagoons and palm-fringed islands. On our last evening in the Delta we feast with a braai (barbeque). [BLD, BLD]
Day 18
Western Caprivi, Namibia. Leaving Botswana, we drive up the Western border of the Okavango Delta before crossing over into Namibia and driving through the Caprivi to our camp on the banks of the Kwando River. In the afternoon you will go on a game drive to the famous Mudumu National Park. This is the closest water available to the Caprivi National Park and at times can be one of the best places to see vast herds of elephants and other game. [BLD]
Day 19
Chobe National Park, Botswana. The next morning we depart Namushasha Lodge, head along the Caprivi and cross the border back into Botswana to drive through Chobe National Park to our camp on the Chobe River. In the afternoon you will go on a sunset cruise along the banks on the Chobe National Park. We spend the night camping on the banks of the Chobe River listening to the calls of Africa. [BLD]
Day 20
Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls, Zambia. A mid-morning departure takes you from Chobe to Livingstone in Zambia by ferry across the Zambezi. The tour finishes here where you'll be dropped off at your lodge of choice. The Victoria Falls can be seen from Livingstone in Zambia. [B]
