21 Day Grand Explorer
CVa21 - Cabin & Tented Camp
Cape Town to Victoria Falls, Zambia
2010 Price: € 2145 pps + local payment ZAR 1900 pps
Single supp.: € 480 pp
5 departures /year, only in German
Small group participation camping safari Group size max 12 people
Departs Cape Town on Wednesday at 08:00am
Ends Livingstone on Tuesday at ±08:00pm
Highlights* Fish River Canyon – walking
* Namib Desert – walk Sossusvlei dunes
* Swakopmund – dune boarding & quad biking
* Brandberg – rock paintings
* Etosha NP – game drives
* Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion and bush walks
* Victoria Falls – adventure activitiesIncludes
* 18 nights accommodated and 2 nights tented camp
* Entrance fees
* Use of camping equipment (except sleeping bags)
* Transport in minibus / safari truck & 4WD
* Meals as per itinerary
* Professional guide
* Game drives
* Okavango Delta mokoro excursion
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY PRICES Below is a list of approximate prices, in US$, for the optional activities available on the various tours:
ZIMBABWE
Game drives (2 hours) 35
Horse riding (2-3 hours) 50-70
Flight - fixed wing 55
Flight - helicopter 85-170,
Flight - micro light 80-140
Rafting ½ day 95
Rafting full day 95
River boarding 135
Bungi jumping 85
Canoe upper-Zambezi ½ day 75
Canoe upper-Zambezi 1 day 88
Zambezi cruise 35-48
Elephant rides 110
Crocodile farm 12
Snake park 5
SOUTH AFRICA
Table Mountain cable car 10
Robben Island cruise 30
Seal Island cruise 15
Abseiling Cape Town 40
Scuba Diving 50
Shark cage diving full day ( including transfers)175
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Pre / post-tour airport transfers cost € 20 per person per transfer. Please book these with your tour.
PRE & POST TOUR ACCOMMODATION / DEPARTURE POINTS - you can stay anywhere
CAPE TOWN
Spring Tide Inn,
Their rate is R650/double/night
http://www.springtideinn.co.za
Zambezi Waterfront Lodge B&B
Mosi oa Tunya Rd, Livingstone
sgl room only € 85
dbl room only € 65 ppsharingAt departure there will be short meeting to discuss final arrangements of tour & inform you about the days activities. Please bring your travel voucher & insurance policy.
An epic accommodated journey through Namibia, Botswana and Zambia covering Fish River Canyon, the wildlife in Etosha Pan National Park, the Okavango Delta, Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert and the amazing Victoria Falls!
ITINERARY (as at 01 May 04)
Day 1 CAPE TOWN [Lion’s Head Lodge ---]
Departing, after a tour briefing, from Cape Town at 08:00am we visit the African Penguin colony en route to Cape Point Nature Reserve and spend the rest of the day relaxing on Hout Bay beach. We sample some of Cape Town’s culinary wonders at a local restaurant in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (own expense).
Day 2 CEDARBERG [camping BLD]
The Cedarberg is a massive rocky wilderness where giant sandstone boulders have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes. In the afternoon we explore the rugged landscape on foot.
Day 3 GARIEP RIVER [camping BLD]
We make our way into the more arid regions and entering Namibia, we camp at the Gariep River. Time free for swimming and relaxing or you can adventure down the river in canoes (own expense).
Day 4 FISH RIVER CANYON [camping BLD]
We make our way to Fish River canyon, the second largest canyon in the world. In the afternoon we watch as a spectacular sunset slips over the canyon’s rim.
Day 5 - 6 NAMIB DESERT [camping BLD]
Towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert. We will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and watch dramatic sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes.
Day 7 - 8 SWAKOPMUND [guest house Bx2 Lx1 -]
Lunar landscapes and the prehistoric Welwitchia plants surround the coastal town of Swakopmund. Day free to explore the town or try quad biking / dune boarding (own expense). We enjoy evening restaurant meals (own expense) and overnight in a guest house.
Day 9 - 10 DAMARALAND [camping BLD]
Two days of beautiful desert landscapes. We move north along the arid coast to the Cape Cross seal colony before heading inland to set up camp under the Spitzkoppe, huge granite domes rising out of the desert. Enjoy a magnificent sunrise the next morning before heading to the Brandberg where we camp on the Ugab River, home to the rare desert elephants. We explore the area, which is adorned with rock art.
Day 11 - 12 ETOSHA NP [camping BLD]
Etosha National Park, "the great white place of dry water", in the game rich northwest corner of Namibia offers a variety of wildlife. We take game drives around the huge dry pan to find the elephants, herds of antelope and lions around the waterholes before we camp at Okaukuejo with its flood-lit waterhole. (Subject to animal movements we may use any of the 3 camps in Etosha.)
Day 13 WINDHOEK [guest house BL-]
The charm of the city of Windhoek lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. We visit the cosmopolitan capital and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense).
Day 14 KALAHARI [camping BLD]
Crossing into Botswana we overnight in the heart of the Kalahari. We take a walk with the local San Bushmen to learn fascinating bush skills (Local guide may not be San due to nomadic lifestyle of San Bushman).
Day 15,16, 17 OKAVANGO DELTA [camping BLD]
We camp in Maun for a night in preparation before journeying deep into the Okavango Delta on Makoro (dugouts) - an experience not to be missed. We camp wild on remote islands for 2 nights and enjoy game walks, swimming, the birdlife and game viewing in this pristine wilderness area.
Day 18 MAKGADIKGADI PANS [camping BL-]
Feel the vastness of Africa under a big sky sunset. After the rains the pans fill with water and attract thousands of water birds and herds of zebra, wildebeest and springbok.
Day 19, 20, 21 ZAMBIA / VICTORIA FALLS [camping Bx3--]
Tour Victoria Falls, a natural wonder of the world, plunging into the Zambezi Gorge. White water rafting on mighty Zambezi or, for the adventurous, a 111m Bungi Jump (own expense). Tour ends at +/- 08:00am.
Flights are available from Livingstone to Johannesburg or you can take a free transit return to Johannesburg with the tour vehicle (all meals and accommodation for own expense). 2 days, arrives Johannesburg at +/- 18:00 on Friday.RACK Price: (Valid: Jan 2010 – Dec 2010)
€ 2 145 pps + local payment of ZAR 1900 pp
Single supplement: € 480 pp (If you are traveling on your own, you will “room” with
another same gender client. You do not pay extra when booking as a single person. If however you request a single
room, then you'll pay the single supplement.)
2010 DEPARTURE DATES
SAa 06-Jan-10 - 26-Jan-10
SAa 13-Jan-10 - 02-Feb-10
SAa 27-Jan-10 - 16-Feb-10
SAa 24-Feb-10 - 16-Mar-10
SAag 03-Mar-10 - 23-Mar-10 German
SAa 17-Mar-10 - 06-Apr-10
SAa 14-Apr-10 - 04-May-10
SAag 21-Apr-10 - 11-May-10 German
SAa 05-May-10 - 25-May-10
SAa 02-Jun-10 - 22-Jun-10
SAag 09-Jun-10 - 29-Jun-10 German
SAa 23-Jun-10 - 13-Jul-10
SAa 21-Jul-10 - 10-Aug-10
SAa 28-Jul-10 - 17-Aug-10
SAag 11-Aug-10 - 31-Aug-10 German
SAa 08-Sep-10 - 28-Sep-10
SAa 15-Sep-10 - 05-Oct-10
SAag 29-Sep-10 - 19-Oct-10 German
SAa 27-Oct-10 - 16-Nov-10
SAa 03-Nov-10 - 23-Nov-10
SAag 17-Nov-10 - 07-Dec-10 German
SAa 15-Dec-10 - 04-Jan-11
SAa 22-Dec-10 - 11-Jan-11
SAag 05-Jan-11 - 25-Jan-11 German
*SAa: The “Cape Town to Victoria Falls Grand Explorer” can be combined after all “South Africa Rainbow Route”
departures to create a complete circular safari in Southern Africa.
* German / g: These tours have a German speaking translator / tour leader
DETAILED
DETAILED TOUR INFO
In a nutshell
A true exploration of Southern Africa - see it all – and have the comfort of a bed each night!
All inclusive trip with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife.
Gariep River, Fish River Canyon, Namib desert, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Skeleton coast, Spitzkoppe, Twyfelfontein engravings, Etosha, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls.Why travellers like this trip
Variety - a tour that explores the diversity of Southern Africa! Spectacular Namib Desert, wild Okavango Delta and the awesome Victoria Falls - a natural wonder of the world. From the wildlife areas and cultural interaction to historical sites all set in beautiful landscapes!
National Parks and wildlife areas - We visit the famous Fish River Canyon, Namib Nauklauft and Etosha National Parks, the wilderness of the Okavango Delta as well as other lesser-known wildlife areas. This trip visits some fantastic wildlife areas as well as the fascinating desert environment.
Culture and history - we try to introduce you to the people of the areas we visit for example the Himba and Herero people of northern Namibia. We also get to spend several days with our local Okavango guides where we have the opportunity to experience a living contact with local people.
Small group - travelling in groups of up to 12 people creates a friendly, holiday atmosphere.
Walking - every opportunity to get out and walk in the areas such as the Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, Spitzkoppe, Brandberg, Victoria Falls and Okavango Delta. Walks are easy to moderate exertion and optional. Duration from ½ - 4 hours.
Adventure - activities available include: dune boarding, quad biking, deep-sea fishing, hot air ballooning, rafting the mighty Zambezi! Bungi jumping, sky diving, horse riding, mokoro trail and game walks!
Mokoro Trail - the tour includes a 3 day excursion into the Okavango Delta with local guides in mokoros (dugout canoes). This is an escape into untouched African wilderness!
Accommodation
Cape Town – Lion’s Head Lodge, hotel is in a metropolitan area of Cape Town near the V&A Waterfront. Rooms are twin with en suite facilities.
Cedarberg – Cedarberg bungalows, 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms.
Gariep River – Permanent Lodge tents, twin share permanent lodge tents with shared facilities.
Fish River Canyon – Canyon Lodge, twin share chalet with en suite facilities.
Namib Desert – National Park chalets, twin share chalet with en suite facilities.
Swakopmund – Brigadoon Guest House, twin share rooms with en suite facilities.
Damaraland – Permanent Lodge tents, twin share permanent lodge tents with shared facilities.
Etosha NP – National Park chalets, 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms.
Windhoek – Roof of Africa Guest House, twin share chalet with en suite facilities.
Ghanzi – Permanent Lodge tents, twin share permanent lodge tents with shared facilities.
Maun – Island Safari Lodge, 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms.
Okavango Delta – Wild camping, for 2 nights while in the Okavango Delta and 2 nights while in the Moremi Game Reserve; we camp wild. Wild camps have no facilities; we will need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. Toilets will be of the "dig and bury" variety. Your operator supplies all the camping equipment with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow. The dome tents we use are 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.8 metres and putting them up or down takes only 5 minutes. Tents have built-in insect nets. We supply mattresses, which are about 5 cm thick, warm and comfortable. The camp chairs have a backrest.
Nata – Nata lodge chalets, twin share chalet with en suite facilities.
Livingstone – SAFPAR Waterfront Lodge, twin share chalet with en suite facilities.
Transport
On foot - easy to moderate walks throughout the tour - Fish River, Sossusvlei, Spitzkoppe Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls. Duration from ½ - 4 hours.
Mokoro - In the Okavango we use mokoros (dugout canoes), "poled" by our local guides, 2 people and their kit per mokoro.
Open Game drives - The transfer into the delta is also with an open vehicle. This allows us the opportunity to really feel part of the bush, the smells, sounds and of course great views!
Vehicle - for longer distance travel, place to place, we use custom built safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats. Comfortable touring and good for game viewing. Large, sliding windows and viewing hatches give everyone a good view; or Toyota Hiace minibuses with 10 forward facing seats (roof rack and trailer for equipment and baggage). There are a couple of long days of travelling but the vehicles have a comfortable cruising speed. The emphasis of the trip is "getting out and doing things".
Local Payment
A local payment is required on this safari and this will be collected by ther tour leader on departure. This covers a portion of the local operational costs including entrance and park fees. This ensures that a major portion of your tour price goes directly into the country you are visiting, benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the area.
Participation
An essential part of your safari is participation – from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing away in the morning to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up – it’s all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun!
Shopping
Craft shopping for carvings, batiks, paintings and clothing are best in Livingstone, Zambia which has a wide variety of curios. Botswana has beautiful grass weavings. Namibia also has unusual and interesting curios and crafts. If you see something you like, it is best to buy it because it is unlikely that you will see something similar further along. Crafts from change from region to region.
Food
We pride ourselves on giving very good healthy meals to our clients and will provide three meals per day, except 7 dinners and 3 lunches in Cape Town, Victoria Falls & Swakopmund where we try local restaurants.
The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: Breakfast - cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast, Lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls, Dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided.
We do cater for special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies.)
We will supply fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be for your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour.
Difficulty
Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip. The outdoor enthusiast enjoys simple campsites and basic wild camps, you will get dusty on occasion; but this is Africa!
Full itinerary with a couple of long driving days, but also plenty of outdoor activity with some relaxing time. This is a long distance trans Africa safari - there is a lot of distance to be covered and so there will be some long travelling days. Due to local conditions, border crossings, road detours and weather, the trip may alter route / schedule - please remember that this continent has its own time scale and things work differently here. Keep an open mind and a sense of humour - it’s all part of the adventure!
Everyone is asked to help out with the running of camp on tour. In other words if everyone spends a little time setting up camp, preparing meals and cleaning up then the tour will run smoothly and everyone will have a good time. Participation is the name of the game.
Things you should know
Includes park entrances, game drives and the Okavango Delta excursion.
Your client will need a valid passport and visas for entry into South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.
There is a visa waiver service available through your operator for Zambia – please enquire at the time of booking.
Luggage, please pack to a limit of 12kgs in a soft sports tog bag. Bring a daypack for walks.
We recommend that you bring US$ or South African Rand for personal expenses on this trip. Travellers cheques can be changed in Cape Town, Swakopmund, Maun and Livingstone.
Common questions about this trip
What do I need to bring? A warm sleeping bag, comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, a water bottle and a small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly - a sense of adventure!
Is it safe? South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia are relatively safe and your guide knows the countries intimately and will endeavour to show you the best parts while looking after you. In the wild areas your guide will brief you on the necessary precautions, follow this advice and you will be fine. Be aware of your personal belongings and you will have a great trip! Every precaution is taking to ensure a happy holiday.
Do I need malaria tablets? Yes, the trip passes through malaria areas and prophylactics are recommended.
Can I buy camera film? Film and other accessories will be available several times on tour. A camera with a zoom lens from wide angle to telephoto, 35-200mm, is advisable to capture both scenic and wildlife shots.
Can I wash my clothes on tour? There are facilities for hand washing your clothes along the way.
