$5,126 pp (USD)
This tour is offered in NAD.
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Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Windhoek to Ghanzi, Kalahari, Botswana - 500 km (311 miles) +/- 5h40min
Windhoek to Ghanzi, Kalahari, Botswana - 500 km (311 miles) +/- 5h40min
This morning requires an early start; therefore, you will be collected between 06:30 and 07:00 from your accommodation. We set off early from Windhoek, Namibia, to make provision for border control as we cross into Botswana. Once we clear border control and make our way into the beautiful country of Botswana, we will have time to stop for a delicious lunch.
Upon our arrival at our accommodation, you are welcome to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the heart of the Kalahari. We will wait for the sun to set and enjoy a lovely dinner and the tranquility of an evening in a remote Kalahari wilderness.
- Main Destination:
- Ghanzi (Town, Botswana)
- Accommodation:
- Symponia Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Ghanzi to Maun/Okavango Delta - 285 km (177 miles) +/- 3h45min
Ghanzi to Maun/Okavango Delta - 285 km (177 miles) +/- 3h45min
We aim to arrive in the town of Maun around noon today. This place is our gateway to the mighty Okavango Delta.
Maun means "the Place of Short Reeds" and stems from the Bayei for “short reeds”. With two major river systems flowing here - the Boronyane from the Okavango Delta to the northeast and the Thamalakane from the northwest - there are distinctly delta qualities in Maun, with mini-floodplains and beautiful ancient riverine forests. Maun is an oasis in this part of the Kalahari.
We make our journey north-east toward Maun, traversing a few villages along the way. We will be accommodated in tented camps and acquaint ourselves with our beautiful accommodation.
- Main Destination:
- Maun (City, Botswana)
- Accommodation:
- Island Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Maun/Okavango Delta
Maun/Okavango Delta
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 motorboat and then by the traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), deeper into the Okavango Delta. This will be a full-day mokoro tour on the Okavango Delta, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and a World Heritage Site.
Mokoros will be our main form of transport. It carries 3 people, 2 seated passengers and 1 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. You will not be back at the camp until late in the afternoon, and dinner will be at a local restaurant.
We will say our goodbyes to the Okavango Delta, as we enjoy our last sunset here before making our way to Nata the following day.
- Main Destination:
- Okavango Delta (Botswana)
- Accommodation:
- Island Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Okavango Delta
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Maun/Okavango Delta to Nata - 310 km (193 miles) +/- 3h25min
Maun/Okavango Delta to Nata - 310 km (193 miles) +/- 3h25min
We are back on the road again as we head to Nata on the banks of the Magkadikgadi Salt Pans just to the east of Maun.
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and the Nxai Pan National Park are situated on the western border of the large Makgadikgadi salt pans, southeast of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. The Makgadikgadi Pans are one of the biggest salt pans worldwide. The complete area of pan systems covers an area of more than 16,000 km². The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is situated south of the Nxai Pan National Park, and forms, with its huge salt pans, an impressive, surreal landscape.
The name Makgadikgadi means "vast, lifeless land". For those who prefer solitude and silence, this is paradise, as even during the high season, people are scarce here. Makgadikgadi National Park is not visited as much for its fauna as for its solitude, remoteness, and harsh beauty.
You are booked for a Makgadikgadi Pan Drive and a sundowner drink this afternoon, followed by a lovely dinner.
- Main Destination:
- Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (Botswana)
- Accommodation:
- Nata Lodge
Wildlife in Makgadikgadi Pans NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Nata to Kasane - 316 km (196 miles) +/- 3h25min
Nata to Kasane - 316 km (196 miles) +/- 3h25min
We make our way to the gateway to the Chobe National Park today. Kasane is an important point of debarkation for the nearby Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Livingstone in Zambia, and Namibia’s Caprivi Strip. Quite impressive!
Spread out along the banks of the Chobe River, Kasane presents a huge collection of hotels, guest houses and campsites that accommodate all visitors to the national park. Some are superbly located, with the breathtaking views of the river and its wildlife.
Kasane briefly gained international fame as the site of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's 1975 remarriage.
- Main Destination:
- Chobe River (Botswana)
- Accommodation:
- Thebe River Safaris Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Kasane, Chobe National Park, Botswana
Kasane, Chobe National Park, Botswana
After breakfast, we’ve taken the liberty to book you on a game drive to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Chobe National Park, famous for its vast elephant and hippo populations. Chobe National Park has the world’s largest population of African elephants, and the chances of seeing other big game are very good as you transit through the park. Crocodiles and hippos abound in the forbidding Chobe River, and on land, there is often a display of different antelope and species such as elephant, buffalo and even the big cats come to the riverbanks for their sundowner drink.
You will have some time for some souvenir shopping in the town of Kasane and perhaps visit some currency exchange bureaus, as we will require US$ for our trip to Victoria Falls the next day.
You’ve been booked for a lovely and relaxing sunset boat cruise this afternoon to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Chobe River, famous for its vast elephant and hippo populations. Tonight, we will enjoy another lovely dinner.
- Main Destination:
- Chobe National Park (Botswana)
- Accommodation:
- Thebe River Safaris Lodge
Wildlife in Chobe NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
We’ve booked a trip for you to discover one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders on this full-day trip from Kasane to Victoria Falls. Head through border control and explore the park on your own or book a guided tour to learn more about the waterfall.
The Victoria Falls present a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming a natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area as Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the Smoke that Thunders", for the immense spray and incredible noise caused by the rushing water.
- Main Destination:
- Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
- Accommodation:
- Thebe River Safaris Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Kasane, Botswana to Popa Falls, Zambezi Region, Namibia - 500 km (311 miles) +/- 5h55
Kasane, Botswana to Popa Falls, Zambezi Region, Namibia - 500 km (311 miles) +/- 5h55
Your return to Namibia will require an early start (07:30) as you’ll have a long drive today. You are in transit only and will have little time to stop for pictures or to take in the sights along the Zambezi region of Namibia.
You will be traversing the Caprivi Strip and will spend the night near the small village of Divundu in northern Namibia. The lodge is situated on an island in the swampy northern reaches of the Okavango River in Namibia’s Zambezi Region (formerly called the Caprivi Strip). Our lodge is at the foot of the Popa waterfalls and borders Caprivi National Park; Mahango National Park is nearby. Therefore, you may see sable antelope, hippo, lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and roan antelope during your stay.
Dinner will be at our lodge this evening.
- Main Destination:
- Zambezi Region (Namibia)
- Accommodation:
- Popa Falls Resort
Wildlife in Zambezi Region
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Popa Falls to Grootfontein - 397 km (247 miles) +/- 4h15min
Popa Falls to Grootfontein - 397 km (247 miles) +/- 4h15min
We depart for your next destination in the late morning, allowing our guests to enjoy a relaxed drive through the villages and rural areas of northeastern Namibia.
You will be near the site of the Hoba Meteorite (not far from the main road), outside the town of Grootfontein. The experts all agree that the Hoba Meteorite is the biggest meteorite that has been found on Earth to date. The meteorite came down about 20 km west of Grootfontein about 80,000 years ago and remains at the same place, which is not surprising, considering its weight of 66 tons.
Dinner this evening will be at the lodge!
- Main Destination:
- Grootfontein (Town, Namibia)
- Accommodation:
- Peace Garden Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Grootfontein to Waterberg - 238 km (148 miles) +/- 3h25min
Grootfontein to Waterberg - 238 km (148 miles) +/- 3h25min
We make our way to the Waterberg Plateau Park via Otjiwarongo today, which is situated in the central-northern part of Namibia on the TransNamib railway. It is the biggest business centre for the Otjozondjupa Region. Otjiwarongo is located on the B1 road and is linked to Windhoek, the Golden Triangle of Otavi, Tsumeb and Grootfontein, and Etosha National Park.
Otjiwarongo is best known for the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), and as Namibia is home to the largest population of cheetahs in the world, it’s very important.
Waterberg Plateau National Park, the plateau being its namesake, is a 41,000 ha (101,300 acres) sanctuary that encompasses the plateau and its medley of habitats, including shaded wooded areas, grasslands, and cool ravines fed by several springs. The rock-studded ridge of the plateau, juxtaposed with vibrant greenery, extends for more than 300 km (186 miles) and reaches 250 m (820 ft) in height, from which there are uninterrupted views of the surrounding wilderness.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City, Namibia)
- Accommodation:
- Waterberg Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Waterberg to Windhoek - 307 km (191 miles) +/- 3h15
Waterberg to Windhoek - 307 km (191 miles) +/- 3h15
Today we will head back to the capital city, Windhoek, via Okahandja. We’ve also come to the end of our safari as we continue south, heading on the B1 road to the capital city of Windhoek, but transiting via Okahandja. Here, we will take time to stop, as this town is home to Namibia’s largest wood-carving and craft market.
There are approximately 153 stalls where vendors sell woodcarvings and other crafts at the 2 woodcarver markets in Okahandja. The primary audience for these products is the tourists who must pass through the centrally located town on their way to the popular northern and coastal destinations of Namibia.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City, Namibia)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
