16 Day Namibia & Botswana Adventure
Swakopmund to Victoria Falls Safari
(Trip Code: SV14 ) Departs every 2nd Thursday email for availabilty
Rate till 30 Sep
2009: R4 990 &
Local payment: US$370
PLEASE NOTE THIS TRIP BEGINS IN JANUARY 2009. THE TRIP DATES UNTIL THEN ARE FOR THE WV16, WHICH GENERALLY FOLLOWS THE SAME ITINERARY, BUT BEGINS IN WINDHOEK AND SPENDS EXTRA TIME IN SWAKOPMUND.
This trip starts in Swakopmund, Namibia and travels north through Namibia and Botswana finishing in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Capture and feel the rhythms of Namibia, experience unforgettable wildlife encounters and relax on a mokoro as you explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta. For those who are not faint hearted enjoy the adrenaline activities such as bungi jumping and white water rafting in the lively town of Victoria Falls. This trip is a combination of game viewing, quality leisure time, culture exchange, enjoying what Africa throws at you and having a damn good time going it!Please note that this trip starts on Thursday and departs the same day. Should you wish to spend extra time there an earlier arrival should be planned and additional accommodation booked.
Pre-Departure Meeting: 5:00 pm the day before at the departure point
Departure Point: Swakopmund - Swakop Lodge, 42 Nathaniel Maxulili Street
Check-in: 08:45 am
Departs: 09:30 am
Accommodation: Camping
Group Size: Maximum 30 passengers
Safari Vehicle: Overland Truck
HIGHLIGHTS Swakopmund
Cape Cross Seal Colony
Spitzkoppe
Cheetah Park
Etosha National Park
Kavango River
Okavango Delta
Chobe National Park
Victoria FallsITINERARY
DAYS 01: Swakopmund
Founded in 1892 during the German colonial rule, the distinct colonial character has been well preserved. Swakopmund has several excellent restaurants, bars, coffee shops as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian rural art. There are fine beaches to walk along as well as a great museum, aquarium and galleries to visit.
Optional excursions include fishing trips, quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving, desert flights, watersports, golf and 4WD hire. (B included both days)
DAY 02: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe
Our departure from Swakopmund will see us follow the Atlantic Coast north to visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony. Of the 23 breeding colonies of Cape Fur Seals along the coast of South Africa and Namibia, Cape Cross is the largest. Seals are present through out the year and numbers fluctuate between 80 000 and 100 000 individuals, rising to around 200 000 during the breeding season. A short drive takes us to Spitzkoppe, the 1728m high rock formation, one of Namibia’s most recognised landmarks. There is opportunity to explore the bushman paintings and surrounding area. (B, L, D)
DAY 03: Spitzkoppe to Cheetah Park
Today is a day’s drive from the rock paintings to the Cheetah Park, a private farm where you will learn about the conservation of the cheetah population in Namibia and have a chance to meet the resident cheetah's up at the house. A photo opportunity not to be missed! (B,L,D)
DAY 04: Cheetah Park to Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park
Stopping briefly in Outjo to get supplies, then it is on to Etosha. We will game drive our way into Okaukuejo rest camp before setting up camp and heading out for an afternoon game drive. Etosha is the major nature reserve of Namibia, covering over 20 000 square kilometres with a large variety of animal and bird species. The park is situated around the Etosha Pan, and has an extensive network of gravel roads that enable us to get to remote areas of the park. A feature of the park is the floodlit water holes at both Okakuejo and Namutoni.
Evenings can be spent sitting on the specially constructed viewing benches watching the game as it comes in to drink. (B,L,D) DAY 07: Etosha National Park – Okaukuejo to Namutoni
Another full day of game driving as we make our way the 150kms across the park form west to east. After a full day of game driving you will then have another opportunity to spend the evening watching the game at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole. (B,L,D)
DAY 05: Namutoni, Etosha National Park
Gamedriving in Etosha (B,L,D)
DAY 06: Etosha National Park to Rundu
Continuing along the Kavango River, we enter Botswana and travel east along the course of the Okavango River to the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta and our destination of Maun. It is from here that we set off to explore the Okavango Delta. (B,L,D)
DAY 10: Maun to Okavango Delta (Optional)
The Delta is a huge expanse of water, which has travelled from the Angolan highlands, spreading out to form the largest inland Delta in the World.
Studded with exotic islands, the Delta is renowned for its incredible variety of bird life as well as many other animals unique to Southern Africa.
Here you have the opportunity to take the optional 3 day / 2 night excursions into the Delta. This is the drive in Mokoro excursion. (B,L,D)
This drive in trip to the Okavango Delta takes us approximately 1-2 hours north to the Mokoro polers station. From there we hire mokoros, the local dug out canoes, which are poled by local guides through the winding waterways. Your guides will select a place to set up camp. An afternoon game walk will allow you to experience the Delta wilderness.
DAY 11: Okavango Delta
A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await. Today you will have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities including game walks, mokoro cruises, swimming and even a chance to try your hand at poling your own mokoro! (B,L,D)
DAY 12: Okavango Delta to Maun
A final opportunity for a morning game walk before packing up camp and setting off back to Maun. After arriving back in the early afternoon you have the opportunity to complete your picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional sunset scenic flight over the Delta region. (B,L,D)
DAY 13: Maun to Chobe National Park
We travel east and then north through Botswana to the town of Kasane where we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. The Chobe River forms a border between Botswana and Namibia as well as Botswana and Zambia. Listen out for the resident hippos! (B,L,D)
DAY 14: Chobe National Park
This morning we depart on an early morning game drive into Chobe National Park. Chobe is one of Botswana’s premier game parks, renowned for the large herds of elephant around the Chobe River. After our game drive we return to camp for lunch. There is opportunity for those who wish to partake in a boat cruise along the Chobe River to do so in the afternoon (optional) or you can relax on the banks of the Chobe River and watch the renowned Chobe sunset from our campsite. (B, L, D)
DAY 15: Vic Falls
We pack up camp and depart for our final destination, Victoria Falls. Leaving Botswana we enter Zimbabwe and drive to the nearby Victoria Falls where we set up camp in the municipal town campsite. Afternoon at leisure to explore the many sights and delights of this town! (Brunch)
The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. 1700 metres wide and around a 100 metres high, this is the world's largest sheet of falling water and a memorable sight of any African Safari. All year round, flights can be taken in either fixed wing aircraft, micro lights, ultra lights or helicopters. On the ground, the Falls can be seen from the Victoria Falls National Park with its many viewing points, or from the Zambian side. Each offers fantastic photographic opportunities.
White water rafting on the Zambezi is considered to be world class. Besides the excitement of the Grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats" where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and the occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.
Bungi jumping enthusiasts can take the plunge from the Zambezi Bridge, which connects Zimbabwe and Zambia. There is also the option abseil in the Batoka Gorge, neither activities are for the feint hearted!
The other optional activities around Victoria Falls include trips into the Zambezi or Hwange National Parks, horse riding, a visit to the crocodile ranch, golf at Elephant Hills Hotel, parachuting, elephant safaris, the Falls craft village and the sunset cruise.
DAY 16: Victoria Falls
Tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Local Payment: US$370
Optional Excursions:
Scenic Flight over the Okavango Delta US$65
Drive-In Okavango Delta Excursion (3 day) US$150
Victoria Falls National Park US$20(Prices subject to change)
Please note: This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road conditions, weather, political situations, and group decisions. Due to new tourism laws in some of the countries we operate in there may be a truck and crew change during the trip. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change with prior notice.
Free Trip
Please note that when you book this trip you are entitled to receive a free 3 day Hwange Safari. The Local Payment is still applicable for the trip. This offer must be taken up when booking your main trip. Conditions apply.
2009/10 DEPARTURES
Namibia $ Botswana Adventure VW16 - North Bound Price R 4,990 Local Payment U$370 START FINISH WDH VFA SUN MON 28-Jun-09 11-Jul-09 12-Jul-09 25-Jul-09 26-Jul-09 08Aug-09 09-Aug-09 22-Aug-09 23-Aug-09 05- Sep-09 06 Sep 09 19 Sep 09 20 Sep 09 03 Oct 09 04 Oct 09 17 Oct 09 18 Oct 09 31 Oct 09 01 Nov 09 14 Nov 09 15 Nov 09 28 Nov 09 29 Nov 09 12 Dec 09 13 Dec 09 26 Dec 09 27 Dec 09 09 Jan 10 10 Jan 10 23 Jan 10 24 Jan 10 06 Feb 10 07 Feb 10 20 Feb 10 21 Feb 10 06 Mar 10 07 Mar 10 20 Mar 10 21 Mar 10 03 Apr 10 04 Apr 10 17 Apr 10 18 Apr 10 01 May 10 02 May 10 15 May 10 16 May 10 29 May 10 30 May 10 12 Jun 10 13 Jun 10 26 Jun 10 27 Jun 10 10 Jul 10 11 Jul 10 24 Jul 10 25 Jul 10 07 Aug 10 08 Aug 10 21 Aug 10 22 Aug 10 04 Sep 10 05 Sep 10 18 Sep 10 19 Sep 10 02 Oct 10 03 Oct 10 16 Oct 10
