Cape Town has a unique character among big cities and much of it is owed to the large rock that the city is built around. Table Mountain is a true piece of wilderness that withstands the development around it. The Table Mountain National Park protects much of the area that stretches from the flat-topped landmark all the way to Cape Point. This large conservation area within the Mother City gives Capetonians, who are already spoilt with a beautiful coastline, a pristine getaway within the city.

Tourists hardly leave Cape Town without taking the Cable Car or climbing up the city’s premier landmark. Even those who don’t make it to the top of the 1068m plateau will at least take the postcard shot from the Waterfront or Blouberg Beach. However there is more to Table Mountain than just its good looks. Dig into this post to find some surprising facts about this mountain that rocks the Mother City.

Rock Star

Did you know that Table Mountain is the only terrestrial feature to give its name to a constellation? Astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille created the Mons Mensae Constellation (Latin for Table Mountain) while making observations from South Africa. The constellation is more commonly known as Mensa.

One of the World’s Oldest Mountains

Table Mountain is one of the world’s oldest mountains. At an estimated 260 million years of age this iconic landmark is 6 times as old as the Himalayas and 5 times the age of the Rocky Mountains. Standing on Table Mountain you realise that it is not an isolated flat top, but that it connects to a whole mountain range. The Twelve Apostles, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the Back Table are all part of Table Mountain.

Looking from the City Bowl, the Waterfront or Blouberg the Table Mountain seems almost perfectly flat and our human curiosity forces us to ask “Why?” A closer look reveals that the rock formations of the Peninsula are quite heterogeneous. While the top layer of Table Mountain consists of relatively soft Table Mountain Sandstone, this rock formation is based on solid granite formed by volcanic activity. In this case the magma did not erupt but formed a hard crust which in time was covered with sand, silt and mud, which were compressed into Table Mountain Sandstone. 300 million years ago an ice age flattened this layer of sandstone which now forms the back of Table Mountain. When tectonic movement kicked in the hard granite base produced the clean cut that eventually produced the face of Table Mountain. Varying see levels and the harsh weather conditions left their mark as well. The smother part below Tafelberg Road and the Lower Cable Station is granite that was shaped by the Atlantic Ocean, while the steep rock above the road was once a cliff face rising out of the then higher water levels.

Roads in Cape Town take advantage of the heterogeneity of the rock; Tafelberg Road and the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive are built on the border of Table Mountain Sandstone and Cape Granite.

Introducing the Cable Car

The idea of public transport to the top of Table Mountain first emerged during the 1870s but was put off first because of the Anglo-Boer War and then because of the First World War. In 1926 the Norwegian engineer Trygve Stromsoe proposed a model of a cable way to the top of the mountain and construction began during the same year. Despite the dangerous and challenging circumstances the construction, which was contracted to the German Adolf Bleichert, was completed without fatalities.

The original Cable Cars, which started operating in October 1929, could transport 20 passengers including a conductor and got people from the lower Cable Station to the top of the mountain in less than 10 minutes. The Cable Cars have been updated through the years reaching their current form in 1997. The rotating cabins now carry 65 persons each.

From its initiation to present date the Cableway is proudly accident-free. Since its inception in 1929 the Cableway has transported 20 million people to the top of Table Mountain including the likes of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II, Oprah Winfrey and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Biological Diversity

Table Mountain was once home to fierce predators such as the Cape Lion, spotted hyena and leopards. With the arrival of European settlers the mountain suddenly got a lot tamer. While Table Mountain is still a real wilderness the last leopards roamed the slopes of the mountain in the late 1920s. The southern parts of the mountain are home to baboons and rock hyrax, while you have to be very lucky to see Grysbok, klipspringer or a Himalayan Tahr. Two of these Asian wild goats escaped the Zoological Garden on Devil’s Peak in 1935. The alien species thrived on the Peninsula but were culled in 2006 leaving only very few lucky survivors.

The floral kingdom of the Cape Peninsula is famous for its diversity. The highly adapted and specialized plant life changes frequently as you walk through this pristine mountain range. The colours of the flowers change with the seasons as different plants target different pollinators with bright colours and ornate blossoms. A guided walk is probably the best way to discover the ever-changing fields of fynbos and renosterveld.

The Biggest Playground in Cape Town

While tourists are often happy just exercising their index finger firmly placed on the trigger of their digital camera, the locals use the many paths and crags to keep in shape and break away from the noise of the city. Whether you love hiking, rock climbing, trail running or mountain biking; Table Mountain is the biggest playground that you will find in any city.

Vote for Table Mountain

Whether you are completely in love with Table Mountain or you just had a short lived affair with this rock star – you can now express your passion for this iconic landmark by giving it your vote in the New 7 Wonders of Nature Campaign. The 7 Wonders will be announced on 11 November 2011 in Zurich so act quickly and SMS “TABLE” to 34874 (R2 per SMS) or vote online. You can cast as many votes as you like!

A scenic flight gives you an incredible bird’s eye view of the 20 000 km²  Okavango Delta. Our flight over the world’s largest inland delta was a great experience and it´s a must for every adventure fan. Situated in Maun, Botswana a little domestic airport provides a huge range of different opportunities. Usually you can choose from one of many airlines for a one-hour scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.  You don´t need to book the flight in advance. You can literally walk into the airport, buy a ticket and find yourself in the air an hour later. After buying the tickets all passengers gathered on the runway to meet the pilot for further instructions. Our pilot was a very funny British guy, who used to be a professional acrobatic flyer. The little airplane we flew with was a Cessna high-wing, single piston engine light aircraft that fits up to 7 seats. Our captain was explaining to us how we´ll keep track of the movements of game to find the best viewing locations in the Delta. Once we took off, we spotted a family of big rhinoceroses browsing in the lush green Delta. We saw entire herds of game wading through the swamp of the Okavango Delta. The sight was breath taking.

All of a sudden our captain shouted “Hold on!” and started a manoeuvre.  I first felt like in a rollercoaster and I kind of enjoyed this feeling of the centrifugal force acting on me. But then he went for another looping and the Austrian tourist sitting next to the pilot tried to tell him, that he was feeling sick. The pilot told him it was normal to feel dizzy and it would go away soon. Without warning, the pilot steered the plane towards the soggy inland delta and flew one meter above the ground. I saw the reeds flitting past my window. This was followed by an unexpected vertical kick-start into the air. After this sudden rocket launch the entire crew felt dizzy and the Austrian guy on the co-pilot seat gestured that he was very bad. The pilot asked me to look for sick bags in the boot. So I climbed back into this little boot searching for sick bags. It was ridiculously messy back there and I looked everywhere but I couldn´t find anything that could have worked as a sick bag.

The moment when I announced the bad news the Austrian tourist ripped his cap from his head and threw up into it. Our pilot felt very sorry but we didn´t mind at all because most of us enjoyed the exciting acrobatic performance. In any case always remember to carry a spare cap.

Okavango Delta Scenic Flights

The rowdy Brit pilot was an exception; these flights are usually a great chance to give you a bird’s eye view of the area. My advice is to do this scenic flight before you visit the Okavango Delta by boat (or Mokoro). You basically keep track of the movements of game to find the best viewing locations. You’ll spot entire herds of game on their long walks and the landscape from above is beautiful beyond words.

Hippos are widely considered to be one of the most dangerous large animals in Africa. Hippos have huge teeth and kill more people than any other African animal. They are very aggressive towards humans, whom they commonly attack whether in boats or on land. Don´t stand between them and the waterhole!

15 Facts About Hippos:

1. In ancient Egyptian religion, the hippopotamus-headed Tawaret was a goddess of protection in pregnancy and childbirth, because Egyptians recognized the protective nature of female hippopotamuses.
2. Obaysch was the first zoo hippo, who arrived at the London Zoo in 1850 and attracted up to 10.000 visitors a day and inspired the popular song: “The Hippopotamus Polka”.
3. The Nintendo Company published Game Boy adventures of the Happy Hippo in the years 2001 and 2007.
4. Hippos spend 4 to 5 hours grazing and consume up to 70 kg of grass every night
5. To mark territory hippos spin their tails while defecating to distribute their excrements over a greater area.
6. Hippos can sleep underwater, rise the surface and breathe without waking
7. Hippopotamuses appear to communicate verbally through grunts and bellows and it is thought that they may practice echolocation.
8. Hippos are one of the few mammals that give birth under water. The baby Hippos must swim to the surface to take their first breath.
9. 1988 the French designer Andre Roche created the famous “Happy Hippos” to be hidden in the Kinder Surprise Egg.
10. The Hippopotamus was one of the exotic animals brought to fight gladiators in Rome
11. With the size and heaviness of an SUV it is the second largest mammal living on land (second only to the elephant).
12. Even though hippos spend literally their entire life in and under the water they are surprisingly bad swimmers.
13. Hippos close their nose holes and ears when they submerge.
14. The average hippo can run up to 50 km/h
15. When they stay out of the water for longer periods, they produce a sort of a red-brownish sunscreen with their skin glands to protect their sensitive skin from the sun.

Hippopotamuses are by nature very aggressive animals, especially when young calves are present and upsetting them when they are eating makes them muddy furious. One reason why the statistics of men killed by hippos is so fatal is that many Bushmen still try to hunt the hippopotamus because of their ivory teeth and the skin, the hunters endanger themselves. Lions and leopards are way more dangerous and most people avoid them.  But if tourists spot one of those cute little hippo babies most of them try to get close to take a picture without taking notice of the danger.

This is one of the most scenic routes you’ll find anywhere. The 42.2 km race on relatively flat terrain, as well as the 21 km half-marathon and the 5 km fun take you through the beautiful landscape of Zimbabwe. This magnificent event attracts both local and international runners to come together and compete in the spray of the largest and most famous waterfalls.

About the Race

The 42,2 km Marathon, the 21,2 Km half marathon and the 5 km fun run will all start in front of the Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The route then crosses over the Victoria Falls Bridge, thereby entering Zambia and giving the competitors some of the most breathtaking views in Africa. The marathon and half-marathon finish at the Victoria Falls Primary School field and stadium.

Liquid refreshments and sponge points will be provided by the race sponsors at the water points along the route at clearly marked areas approximately 4 km apart.

Entry Fees Full

Marathon – 42.2 km

Entry Fee: Zimbabwe Citizens: $10

Zambia/Botswana/Namibia Citizens: $20

Zimbabwe Residents (proof must be provided) $30

All Others: $50

Start: Outside Kingdom Hotel – 06:30

Minimum age: 21 years

Half Marathon – 21.2 km

Entry Fee: Zimbabwe Citizens: $10

Zambia/Botswana/Namibia Citizens: $20

Zimbabwe Residents (proof must be provided) $30

All Others: $50

Start: Outside Kingdom Hotel – 07:00

Minimum age: 18 years

Fun Run (approx 5 km)

Entry Fee: All runners: $2

Start: Outside Kingdom Hotel – 07:15

Minimum age: 10 years

Official Marathon Sunset cruise (cruise & transfer) – $29

Official Marathon party international includes transfer without package – $20

Official Marathon party SA res includes transfer without package – R150

Zambezi Man – $365

Activities in Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls are a 111m high and 1 708m wide waterfall located in Southern Africa between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. This mighty waterfall belongs to the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. The massive spray is recognizable from 30 km away and it appears that the Zambezi River sinks into a huge cloud. It very impressive to witness what David Livingstone saw in 1855, when he was searching for the Nil Springs. Apart from the race there are many more activities to enjoy in Victoria Falls.

• With Water Rafting
• Canoeing/Kayaking
• Boat Cruses
• Flight of the Angles
• Bungee Jumping
• Bridge Tour
• Chobe National Park – Day Trip
• Crocodile Farm o Elephant Rides
• Game Drives o Horese Safari
• Fishing
• Lion Safari
• Quad Bikes
• Mountain-Bike

You shouldn’t miss the fun marathon after party at the Boat Club in Victoria Falls. If you are looking for a challenge why not attempting to the Victoria Falls Marathon? More details information about the enquiry, racing rules and the exact route are be given on the official website of the Victoria Falls Marathon.

Discovery of the Victoria Falls

Travelling along the Zambezi River posed many challenges. There were lots of very dangerous animals, deadly disease, evil mosquitoes and many other hazards. His garrison shrank almost daily and it seemed this mission would fail. Someday the deck hand made a very scary discovery – a huge white cloud in the air. It seemed like a dense fog sitting on top of the thick jungle. When they tried to come near to this mysterious cloud, the brave men heard an unfamiliar sound almost like thunder. The closer they got, the louder the noise. The entire crew was very afraid, but Captain Livingstone commanded to continue the expedition. On November 16, 1855 David Livingstone discovered the largest sheet of falling water in the world.

Facts About David Livingstone

The discovery of the Victoria Falls is certainly Livinstone’s most well-known achievement. However there are many lesser known facts about the Scotsman that are no less fascinating.

1. At age 10 Livingstone worked a 12 hour day in Scottish cotton mill and managed study Latin, Greek, mathematics and natural sciene at the same time.
2. Diespite his family’s impecuniousness Livingstone attended the University of Strathclyde and went on to be a physician and theologian.
3. Originally David Livingstone wanted to go to China. At this time China was at war and the United Kingdom sent soldiers in place of missionaries – the rest is history.
4. 1849 David Livingstone was the first European, who crossed the Kalahari Desert.
5. David Livingstone was curious to find the springs of the Nile. However, he did not succeed.
6. Livingstone hoped to connect the Zambezi to the Nile River, thereby enabling the natives to trade their own goods and free themselves from slavery.
7. He was the first missionary who actually learned the language of the natives. While most of contemporaries banned the languages and the cultural habits of the natives, Livingstone was fascinated with their life and culture.
8. 1865 Livingstone disappeared and was assumed to be dead. Henry Morton Stanley, who had been sent to find him by the New York Harold, found an old man with long white hair 6 years later in the town of Ujiji. ,,Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” was Stanley´s greeting to old Livingstone and he made history.
9. Livingstone´s heart was buried under a Mvula tree near the spot where he died, now the site of the Livingstone Memorial.
10. The band ABBA produced a the song ,,What about Livingstone” to honour him.

Victoria Falls Info

Victoria Falls are a 111m high and 1.708 m wide waterfall located in Southern Africa between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Today you can still see what impressed Livingstone the most, when he first saw the falls. It appears that the Zambezi River sinks into a huge cloud. The natives called it ,,Mosi-Oa-Tunya”, which literally means ,,The Smoke that Thunders”. The name is derived from the massive spray recognizable from 30 km away. Today the Victoria Falls are the largest and most famous falls, considered to be among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Your journey to the Victoria Falls starts here.

Essential Documents

Passport, travel insurance documents and other necessary official documents. Be sure also to bring some certified copies of these that are kept separate from the originals. Relatively important is a copy of your international certificate of vaccination.

Spitzkoppe has one of Africa's best loved camp sites

Outdoor Equipment

• Multitool-knife – It´s good to have a Multitool-Knife something like a Leatherman or similar brand, you´ll need it  almost every day.
  Note: Don´t put knives or sharp obstacles in your hand luggage!
• Headlight and spare batteries – If you don´t want to sit in the dark, it´s way better than a normal torch, imagine how often you need both your hands
• First-aid-kid and the fundamental medication – Depending on where you go. You  shuld definitly consult with your Doctor at home whether you need malaria pills, immunization and what medication you should bring
• MP3 or iPod, Books – For the long drives, so you won´t get bored
• Shoes – Hiking boots  or at least comf. running/walking shoes
• Sandals/Flip Flop’s
• Safari clothes – Khaki, tan or other neutral-coloured bush wear that is breathable and lightweight
• Camera + spare batteries –  You will regret not capturing all those great experiences
• Sunprotection – Cap/sunhat, sunscreen and good sunglasses
• Lightweight waterproof jacket – For the rainy season, usually November – April but this depends on the countries  you are visiting so check country pre-departure information to confirm this.
• Swimsuit plus beach/bath towel
• Mosquito and insect repellent – A travel mosquito net if you plan on sleeping outdoors when the weather is warm or if your expedition accommodation is tented camping.
• Sleeping bag – Medium warmness!
• Waterproof, secure bag for documents and money
• Diary and pen
• Guidebooks on the region
• Small wash bag

Remember to pack light when preparing for your big African adventure. You might have to carry your backpack further as you aspect. It is recommendable to use a good backpack which protects your back. Overland busses also only have limited space. Make sure your bag is not too big.

Enjoy your trip, it´s going to be great!

Summary

21 Day Southern Sun

Victoria Falls to Cape Town

Between the scenic beauty of the Victoria Falls and the nightlife of Cape Town lies a whole world and you’re about to experience it all. This 3 week overland trip gives you the very best of Southern Africa.

Highlights:

• Get soaked by the spray of the thundering Vic Falls
• Cruise past hippos in a tiny Mokoro boat
• Look out for the endangered black rhino in Etosha
• Party down in Cape Town

Price: R6,495 (note: this tour excludes the Okavango Delta. To see this famous wildlife area consider our [intlink id="1285" type="post"]20 Day Cape to Vic Falls Tour[/intlink])
Local Payment: $860
Type: Camping

This trip begins in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and travels south through Botswana and Namibia before ending in Cape Town, South Africa.

This trip departs from Victoria Falls on Sunday morning. Should you wish to explore Victoria Falls, an earlier arrival should be planned and accommodation booked through your agent.

Pre Departure Meeting: Held at the Departure Point at 17h00 the day before your departure.

Departure Point: Victoria Falls Rest Camp, Parkway Drive, Victoria Falls.

Check-In Time: 08h45

Departure Time: To be advised at the pre-departure meeting
 

Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1: Victoria Falls
• Day 2: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park
• Day 3: Chobe National Park
• Day 4: Chobe National Park to Maun
• Day 5: Maun to Okavango Delta
• Day 6: Okavango Delta
• Day 7: Okavango Delta to Maun
• Day 8: Maun to Rundu
• Day 9: Rundu to Etosha National Park
• Day 10: Etosha National Park
• Day 11: Etosha National Park to Cheetah Park
• Day 12: Cheetah Park to Spitzkoppe
• Day 13: Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund
• Days 14 & 15: Swakopmund
• Day 16: Swakopmund to Sesriem
• Day 17: Sesriem to Fish River Canyon
• Day 18: Fish River Canyon to Orange River
• Day 19: Orange River to Cederberg
• Day 20: Cederberg to Cape Town
• Day 21: Cape Town

Day 1: Victoria Falls

Today is spent relaxing or participating in a myriad of Optional Excursions. AT 1700 metres wide and around 100 metres high, Victoria Falls are one of the most memorable sights on this African safari. All year round, flights can be taken in fixed wing planes, micro lights or helicopters. Back on the ground, the falls can be seen from the Victoria Falls National Park with its many viewing points or from the Zambian side. All offer fantastic photographic opportunities.

White water rafting in the Batoka Gorge 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 occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.

Optional excursions include trips into the Zambezi or Hwange National Parks, elephant back safaris, horse back safaris, a visit to the crocodile ranch, boat cruises and golf at The Elephant Hills Resort. Adrenalin junkies can bungee from the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia or abseil down the Batoka Gorge – neither activity is for the faint hearted! All year round, flights in fixed wing, micro light and ultra light aircraft or helicopters provide an aerial perspective over this magnificent World Heritage Site. White water rafting on the Zambezi is world class. Beside 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.

Day 2: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park (Botswana) (B / L / D)

After breakfast we cross the border into Botswana and head to Kasane where we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. Listen out for the resident hippos! The Chobe River forms a border between Botswana and Namibia and Zambia. This National Park is one of Botswana’s premier game parks, renowned for its large elephant herds.

For the adventurous spirits, there is the option for the Chobe National Park Sleep-out – an overnight experience in the Chobe National park. Spend the afternoon in search of wildlife en-route to the set camp within the park where we spend the evening surrounded by the night-time noises of the local wildlife. In the morning we continue our exploration and after stopping off at the camp for lunch, we meet the rest of the group for the sunset boat cruise

Day 3: Chobe National Park (B / L / D)

For those not on the Sleep-out, today offers the option of an early morning game drive in the Chobe National Park. An early start sees us spend the morning observing the large herds of wildlife After our game drive we return to camp for lunch. The late afternoon sees us take a boat cruise along the Chobe River. Elephant, hippo and many bird species can be viewed from the boat while we watch another glorious African sunset.

Day 4: Chobe National Park to Maun (B / L / D)

Today we travel in a south-westerly direction to the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta and our destination, Maun. It is from here that we set off to explore the Okavango Delta.

Day 5: Maun to Okavango Delta (optional) (B / L / D)

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 and animals and is unique to Southern Africa.

Here we have the opportunity to take the optional 3 Day / 2 Night Drive In/Mokoro Excursion into the Delta. From Maun we drive north for a couple of hours to reach the mokoro poler’s station. Mokoros are traditional dug out canoes manoeuvred through the waterways by local guides who “pole” them through the reeds. After our guides find us a place to camp, we set off on an afternoon game walk, allowing us to experience The Delta wilderness.

For those who’d prefer not to explore The Delta, you can stay at the lovely campsite relaxing by the swimming pool or challenging each other to a game of volleyball. There is also a crocodile farm nearby that has it’s feeding times open to campsite visitors.

Day 6: Okavango Delta (B / L / D)

A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await. Today we have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities including swimming (dependant on area & water levels), game walks, mokoro cruises and even a chance to try our hands at poling our own mokoro!

Day 7: Okavango Delta to Maun (B / L / D)

This morning affords us a final opportunity for a game walk before packing up and setting off back to Maun. We arrive back in the early afternoon and have the chance to complete our picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional sunset scenic flight over The Delta.

Day 8: Maun to Rundu (Namibia) (B / L / D)

Following the Kavango River, we enter Northern Namibia. We stop at Rundu for supplies before heading to our spectacular campsite located on the banks of the Kavango River – complete with “open air” facilities and the occasional hippo grazing on the lawn!

Day 9: Rundu to Etosha National Park (B / L / D)

From Rundu, we head towards Etosha National Park. Covering 20 000 km2, Etosha is Namibia’s premier nature reserve. Situated around the Etosha Pan with a wide variety of animal and bird life, the extensive network of gravel roads affords us the opportunity of accessing even the most remote areas of the park.

Day 10: Etosha National Park (B / L / D)

Today we make our way 150 km across the park, keeping a look out for Etosha’s large herds of desert antelope such as Springbok and the famed Oryx. After a full day of game viewing, we spend the evening relaxing at our camp.

Day 11: Etosha National Park to Cheetah Park (B / L / D)

Today’s drive is to the Cheetah Park – a private farm dedicated to conserving Namibia’s cheetah population. We get to meet the resident cheetahs, a photo opportunity not to be missed!

Day 12: Cheetah Park to Spitzkoppe (B / L / D)

Our departure from the Cheetah Park takes us to the ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’ – Spitzkoppe. The 1728 m high rock formation, one of Namibia’s most recognised landmarks, is well known as an ancient San sacred site. Explore the surrounding area and its San rock paintings. Tonight we bush camp under the African stars.

Day 13: Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund (B / L)

Today we head for Swakopmund. Founded by the Germans in 1892, their colonial influence is still evident today. Swakopmund has a selection of excellent coffee shops, restaurants & bars as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian curios. There are fine beaches to walk along as well as a great museum, aquarium and galleries to visit. Accommodation will be in dormitories. Upgrades are possible, but depend on room availability.

Days 14 & 15: Swakopmund (B on both days)

The next 2 days are spent relaxing or participating in a myriad of Optional Excursions. Some of our fellow passengers will leave us in Swakop, to be replaced by new passengers joining us for the final leg of our trek.

Optional excursions include sky diving, quad biking, sand boarding, scenic desert flights, dolphin cruises, fishing trips, golf, horse riding and more. An activity briefing will be held on arrival in Swakopmund.

Day 16: Swakopmund to Sesriem (B / L / D)

Leaving Swakopmund, we head south to meet the Atlantic Ocean at Walvis Bay. Continuing our journey, we enter the Namib-Naukluft Park in one of the oldest deserts in the world. We base ourselves at Sesriem, a great place to experience the Namib and its many moods. A short distance away is Sossusvlei, surrounded by a dramatic sea of sand dunes reputed to be the highest in the world. Magnificent views of the desert can be seen from the top of the dunes, some over 300 m high. We spend the afternoon exploring this amazing area. An optional (and must do) excursion is to walk around the area, learning about the amazing history, geology, flora and fauna from the specialised local guides of Sossus on Foot. They also give us a glimpse into the cultural legacy of the San people. View the sunset from the top of Dune 45 – a truly memorable experience.

Day 17: Sesriem to Fish River Canyon (B / L / D)

After watching the sunrise across this beautiful area we leave the serenity of the dunes and head south to the Fish River Canyon. At 161 km long, 27 km wide and about 550 m deep, it’s the second largest canyon in the world. The outer canyon was formed by tectonic activity, while the erosion of the Fish River formed the inner canyon. A road follows the eastern rim, giving us access to several viewing points from where we can take in the spectacular vistas.

Day 18: Fish River Canyon to Orange River (South Africa) (B / L / D)

This morning we continue south, where, after a short drive, we reach the Orange River – the natural land border between Namibia and South Africa. We camp at a beautiful campsite on the South African bank of the river. This afternoon we have the option of a half-day canoe trip on the beautiful Orange River, affording us the opportunity of some bird watching or just a scenic and relaxing paddle.

Day 19: Orange River to Cederberg (B / L / D)

An early morning start see us travel south through the Richtersveld before reaching the region known as Namaqualand, well known for its prolific display of Namaqua wildflowers that occur each spring. We spend tonight in a picturesque campsite surrounded by local wine farms. We have the opportunity to sample some of the nectar of the gods or to explore the surrounding beautiful Cederberg Mountains.

Day 20: Cederberg to Cape Town (B)

We leave the scenic Cederberg area and travel south towards Cape Town. We travel through the rich fruit growing area of Citrusdal before crossing the Piketberg Pass to the Cape’s wine growing regions. Our first sighting of the Mother’s City Table Mountain across Table Bay means we’ve reached our final destination. Tonight’s accommodation is in dormitories in one of Cape Town’s best loved hostels.

Day 21: Cape Town (NM)

This morning we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!

We suggest you extend your stay by a few days to participate in some of the exciting activities available here. Post tour accommodation can be booked directly at: atc@ashanti.co.za or through your agent & the Africa Travel Co office.

Please Note:

• This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions.
• All prices & Local Payments are subject to change with prior notice.
• Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.

Optional Activities

Optional Excursions

Below is a selection of Optional Excursions available on this trip.

Please Note:

• these prices are approximate and are subject to change
• where activities occur away from your base, there may be an additional transfer cost.

South Africa

Namibia

Botswana

Zimbabwe

Please ensure that you pay for activities in Victoria Falls with Cash or Traveler’s Cheque’s Only

**Please note that all accommodation & activities in Victoria Falls must be paid for in US$ cash (GBP & ZAR also accepted at a lower rate).

Free Trip

Free Trip

When you book this trip, you are entitled to receive either a free 2 Day Chobe Mobile Safari or a free 3 Day Hwange Community Experience the Thursday before your trip begins. The Local Payments are still applicable for each trip. This fantastic offer must be taken up at the same time you book this trip. Ask your agent for more details. Conditions apply.

Map

Summary

21 Day Southern Sun

Cape Town to Victoria Falls

Untamed wildlife, extreme sports, stunning landscapes, deserts and swamps – this 3 week overland trip packs it all in.

Highlights:

• Skydive in Swakopmund
• Stand on the ancient dunes of Sossusvlei
• Watch herds of elephants gather at the Chobe River
• Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi

Price: R 6,495 (note: this tour excludes the Okavango Delta. To see this famous wildlife area consider our [intlink id="1285" type="post"]20 Day Cape to Vic Falls Tour[/intlink])
Local Payment:$560
Type: Camping

This trip begins in Cape Town, South Africa and travels north through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, before ending in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

This trip departs from Cape Town early on Sunday morning. Should you wish to explore Cape Town, an earlier arrival should be planned and accommodation booked.

Pre Departure Meeting: Held at the Departure Point at 17h00 the day before your departure.

Departure Point: Ashanti Lodge & Travel Centre – 11 Hof Street, Gardens, Cape Town.

Check-In Time: 08h45

Departure Time: 09h30

Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1: Cape Town to Cederberg Area
• Day 2: Cederberg Area to Orange River
• Day 3: Orange River to Fish River Canyon
• Day 4: Fish River Canyon to Helmringhausen Area
• Day 5: Helmringhausen Area to Sesriem
• Day 6: Sesriem to Swakopmund
• Days 7 & 8: Swakopmund
• Day 9: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe
• Day 10: Spitzkoppe to Cheetah Park
• Day 11: Cheetah Park to the Etosha National Park
• Day 12: Etosha National Park
• Day 13: Etosha National Park to Rundu
• Day 14: Rundu to Maun
• Day 15: Maun to Okavango Delta
• Day 16: Okavango Delta
• Day 17: Okavango Delta to Maun
• Day 18: Maun to Chobe National Park
• Day 19: Chobe National Park
• Day 20: Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls
• Day 21: Victoria Falls

Day 1: Cape Town to Cederberg Area (L / D)

Leaving Cape Town, we head north through the wine growing regions. We cross the Piketberg Pass into the rich fruit growing area of Citrusdal. Our first night is spent in a picturesque campsite surrounded by local wine farms. This afternoon we have the opportunity to sample some of the nectar of the gods or to explore the surrounding beautiful Cederberg Mountains.

Day 2: Cederberg Area to Orange River (B / L / D)

From the Cederberg we travel north through the region known as Namaqualand, well known for its prolific display of Namaqua wildflowers that occur each spring. After stopping for supplies in Springbok, we continue on through the desert area of the Richtersveld to the Orange River, the natural land border between South Africa and Namibia, where we camp at a beautiful campsite on the South African bank of the river.

Day 3: Orange River to Fish River Canyon (Namibia) (B / L / D)

This morning we have the option of a half-day canoe trip on the beautiful Orange River, affording us the opportunity of some bird watching or just a scenic and relaxing paddle. After lunch we cross into Namibia where, after a short drive, we reach the Fish River Canyon. At 161 km long, 27 km wide and about 550 m deep, it’s the second largest canyon in the world. The outer canyon was formed by tectonic activity, while the erosion of the Fish River formed the inner canyon. A road follows the eastern rim, giving us access to several viewing points from where we can take in the spectacular vistas.

Day 4: Fish River Canyon to Helmringhausen Area (B / L / D)

After a leisurely morning at the Fish River Canyon, we head north through Namibia’s farming area. We stop in Bethanie, a small, former missionary town, for supplies. We head to our overnight camp from where we have the opportunity to star gaze at the magnificent Milky Way.

Day 5: Helmringhausen Area to Sesriem (B / L / D)

Heading north we enter the Namib-Naukluft Park in one of the oldest deserts in the world. We base ourselves at Sesriem, a good place to experience the Namib and its many moods. A short distance away is Sossusvlei, surrounded by a dramatic sea of sand dunes reputed to be the highest in the world. Magnificent views of the desert can be seen from the top of the dunes, some over 300 m high. We spend the afternoon exploring this amazing area. An optional (and must do) excursion is to walk around the area, learning about the amazing history, geology, flora and fauna from the specialised local guides of Sossus on Foot. They also give us a glimpse into the cultural legacy of the San people. View the sunset from the top of Dune 45 – a truly memorable experience.

Day 6: Sesriem to Swakopmund (Brunch)

After watching the sunrise across this beautiful area we leave the serenity of the dunes and head in a north-westerly direction to meet the Atlantic Ocean at Walvis Bay. Following the coast for some 35 km, we arrive at Namibia’s prime holiday resort – Swakopmund where we enjoy 3 nights of rest and relaxation. Accommodation will be in dormitories. Upgrades are possible, but depend on room availability.

Days 7 & 8: Swakopmund (B on both days)

Founded by the Germans in 1892, their colonial influence is still evident today. Swakopmund has a selection of excellent coffee shops, restaurants & bars as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian curios. There are fine beaches to walk along as well as a great museum, aquarium and galleries to visit.

Optional excursions include sky diving, quad biking, sand boarding, scenic desert flights, dolphin cruises, fishing trips, golf, horse riding and more. An activity briefing will be held on arrival in Swakopmund.

Day 9: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe (B / L / D)

Our departure from Swakopmund takes us to the ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’ – Spitzkoppe. The 1728 m high rock formation, one of Namibia’s most recognised landmarks, is well known as an ancient San sacred site. Explore the surrounding area and its San rock paintings. Tonight we bush camp under the African stars.

Day 10: Spitzkoppe to Cheetah Park (B / L / D)

Today’s drive is to the Cheetah Park – a private farm dedicated to conserving Namibia’s cheetah population. We get to meet the resident cheetahs, a photo opportunity not to be missed!

Day 11: Cheetah Park to the Etosha National Park (B / L / D)

After stopping briefly in Outjo to get supplies, we head to Etosha. Covering 20 000 km2, Etosha is Namibia’s premier nature reserve. Situated around the Etosha Pan with a large variety of animal and bird life, the extensive network of gravel roads affords us the opportunity of accessing even the most remote areas of the park. We spend the remainder of the day exploring the park’s southern area.

Day 12: Etosha National Park (B / L / D)

Today we make our way 150 km across the park, keeping a look out for Etosha’s large herds of desert antelope such as Springbok and the famed Oryx. After a full day of game viewing, we spend the evening relaxing at our camp (please note that the second night is not spent within the National Park).

Day 13: Etosha National Park to Rundu (B / L / D)

From Etosha, we head in a north-easterly direction towards the lush Kavango region of northern Namibia. We stop at Rundu for supplies before heading to our spectacular campsite located on the banks of the Kavango River – complete with “open air” facilities and the occasional hippo grazing on the lawn!

Day 14: Rundu to Maun (Botswana) (B / L / D)

Following 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, Maun. It is from here that we set off to explore the Okavango Delta.

Day 15: Maun to Okavango Delta (optional) (B / L / D)

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 and animals and is unique to Southern Africa.

Here we have the opportunity to take the optional 3 Day / 2 Night Drive In/Mokoro Excursion into the Delta. From Maun we drive north for a couple of hours to reach the mokoro poler’s station. Mokoros are traditional dug out canoes manoeuvred through the waterways by local guides who “pole” them through the reeds. After our guides find us a place to camp, we set off on an afternoon game walk, allowing us to experience The Delta wilderness.

For those who’d prefer not to explore The Delta, you can stay at the lovely campsite relaxing by the swimming pool or challenging each other to a game of volleyball. There is also a crocodile farm nearby that has it’s feeding times open to campsite visitors.

Day 16: Okavango Delta (B / L / D)

A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await. Today we have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities including swimming, game walks, mokoro cruises and even a chance to try our hands at poling our own mokoro!

Day 17: Okavango Delta to Maun (B / L / D)

This morning affords us a final opportunity for a game walk before packing up and setting off back to Maun. We arrive back in the early afternoon and have the chance to complete our picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional sunset scenic flight over The Delta.

Day 18: Maun to Chobe National Park (B / L / D)

We travel east and then north 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 and Zambia. The late afternoon sees us take a boat cruise along the Chobe River. Elephant, hippo and many bird species can be viewed from the boat while we watch another glorious African sunset. Listen out for the resident hippos!

Day 19: Chobe National Park (B / L / D)

This morning we have the option to do an early morning game drive into Chobe National Park. Chobe is one of Botswana’s premier game parks, renowned for its large elephant herds. After our game drive we return to camp for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.

For the adventurous spirits, there is the option for the Chobe National Park Sleep-out – an overnight experience in the Chobe National park. Spend the afternoon in search of wildlife en-route to the set camp within the park where we spend the evening surrounded by the night-time noises of the local wildlife. In the morning we continue our exploration and rejoin the group before heading to our next destination.

Day 20: Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) (Brunch)

Leaving Botswana we enter Zimbabwe and drive to the nearby Victoria Falls. Here in Africa’s adventure capital, we set up camp in the town’s centrally located campsite. Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders) is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and it’s not difficult to see why. At 1700 m wide and around 100 m high, this is the world’s largest sheet of falling water and a memorable sight on any African Safari! The Falls can be viewed from the Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe – a fantastic photo opportunity. The afternoon is spent relaxing at the campsite’s swimming pool or exploring the many sights and delights of this town!

Day 21: Victoria Falls (B)

After breakfast, we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!

Optional excursions include elephant back safaris, horse back safaris, a visit to the crocodile ranch, boat cruises and golf at The Elephant Hills Resort. Adrenalin junkies can bungee from the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia or abseil down the Batoka Gorge – neither activity is for the faint hearted! All year round, flights in fixed wing, micro light and ultra light aircraft or helicopters provide an aerial perspective over this magnificent World Heritage Site. White water rafting on the Zambezi is world class. Beside 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.

Please Note:

• This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions.
• All prices & Local Payments are subject to change.
• Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.

Optional Activities

Optional Excursions

Below is a selection of Optional Excursions available on this trip.

Please Note – these prices are approximate and are subject to change.

South Africa

Namibia

Botswana

Zimbabwe

Please ensure that you pay for activities in Victoria Falls with Cash or Traveler’s Cheque’s Only

Free Trip

Free Trip

When you book this trip, you are entitled to receive either a free 2 Day Chobe Mobile Safari or a free 3 Day Hwange Community Experience the Monday after your trip ends. The Local Payments are still applicable for each trip. This fantastic offer must be taken up at the same time you book this trip. Conditions apply.

Map

Summary

20 Day Cape Town to Victoria Falls Camping

Hear the distant roar of lions as you lie breathless in your tent. Stare into the endless horizon from an ancient dune. Feel the adrenaline as you jump off the mighty Victoria Falls. Experience Africa!

Highlights:

• Get your postcard shot of Table Mountain
• Gaze over the Africa’s largest canyon
• Float silently through the Okavango Delta
• Bungee jump off the Victoria Falls

Countries Visited: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Important note: We will only go to Zambia in the unlikely event that we cannot go to Zimbabwe.
Price: R 12,950

Activity Package: R 2,950
Local Payment: $ 295
Type: Camping
Vehicle: Adventure Truck

What’s included

• Meals as indicated on the itinerary
• Accommodation
• Registered guides
• Transport

We also include some of the activities. These activities are listed below in the day-by-day descriptions.

What’s excluded

• All items of a personal nature
• Alcohol
• Snacks
• Souvenirs
• Tips
• Optional activities (see list for an indication of prices)

Note: All information is subject to change without prior notice. Travel times and campsites can change depending on road or weather conditions, etc. These are used as a guideline only.

Itinerary

20 Day Cape Town to Victoria Falls Itinerary

Arrival: Please be sure to arrive 1 day before your tour is due to depart. This will avoid any unpredictable problems.

Departure: Please book your flight to depart the day after the tour officially ends. This is to account for any delays that we may experience due to unpredictable road conditions.

Departure Point: 8.00 am from 1st Floor Leadership House, 40 Shortmarket Street, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town, South Africa. Tel: +27 (0) 82 578 2199.

End Point: Savanna Lodge, 68 Courtney Selous Crescent, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Tel: +263 13 44424

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1 South Africa – Cederberg Mountain Region
• Day 2 Namaqualand – Gariep (Orange) River
• Day 3 Namibia – Gariep (Orange) River – Fish River Canyon
• Day 4 Namib-Naukluft National Park
• Day 5 Sossusvlei Dunes – Namib-Naukluft National Park
• Day 6/7 Swakopmund
• Day 8 Spitzkoppe
• Day 9 Himba Tribes
• Day 10/11 Etosha National Park
• Day 12 Windhoek
• Day 13 Botswana – Ghanzi
• Day 14/15/16 Maun – Okavango Delta
• Day 17 Gweta
• Day 18 Botswana – Chobe National Park
• Day 19 Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls
• Day 20 Victoria Falls

Day 1 South Africa – Cederberg Mountain Region

Leaving Cape Town we make our first stop at Table View and take photos of Table Mountain from across Table Bay. We then travel to the Cederberg region for a guided walk and set up camp. Your guide will give a full briefing on the tour.

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Gekko Backpackers Campsite
• Facilities: Drinkable water, hot showers, shared ablutions, bar
• Included Activities: Guided nature walk in the mountains, with local guide.
• Route: Cape Town to Citrusdal. ±200 km
• Travel time: ±5 hrs

The Cederberg mountains extend about 50 km north-south by 20 km east-west. The dominating characteristic of the area is sharply defined sandstone rock formations, often reddish in colour. This group of rocks contains bands of shale and in recent years a few important fossils have been discovered in these argillaceous layers. The fossils are of primitive fish and date back 450 million years to the Ordovician Period. The Cedar trees are of the Widdringtonia cederbergensis species. They grow at an altitude of 1000m to 1500m. Some species are believed to live up to 1000 years. The highest peak in the range is Sneeuberg (2028m).

In 1660, the first European explorers from the Cape, led by Jan Danckert came across a great herd of elephants in the Olifants River Valley. The source of the river is in the mountains near Ceres. Above Clanwilliam, the Olifants is harnessed by a dam, built in 1935 and expanded in 1968, which irrigates 12140 hectares of farmland.

Day 2 Namaqualand – Gariep (Orange) River

An early start, then we head north via the distant town of Springbok and then to the Namibia border. We camp on the river bank that forms the border between South Africa and Namibia.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Fiddlers Creek Campsite
• Facilities: Water not drinkable, bar, hot showers, shared ablutions.
• Route: Citrusdal to Orange/Gariep River. ±570 km
• Travel time: ±10 hrs

The Orange River (Afrikaans/Dutch: Oranjerivier) / Gariep River, is the longest river in South Africa. It rises in the Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho, flowing westwards through South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean. The river forms part of the international borders between South Africa and Namibia and between South Africa and Lesotho, as well as several provincial borders within South Africa. Although the river does not pass through any major cities, it plays an important role in the South African economy by providing water for irrigation, as well as hydroelectric power.

The river was first discovered by indigenous Nama people, who called it the Nu Gariep. The river was named the Orange River by Colonel Robert Gordon, commander of the Dutch East India Company garrison at Cape Town, on a trip to the interior. Gordon named the river in honour of William of Orange. A popular but incorrect belief is that the river was named after the supposedly orange colour of its water, as opposed to the colour its tributary, the Vaal River ( ‘vaal’ being Afrikaans for pale or grey). Since the end of apartheid, the original name, “Gariep” has had greater favour in official correspondence in South Africa, although the name “Orange” has greater international recognition.

Day 3 Namibia – Gariep (Orange) River – Fish River Canyon

This morning there’s the chance to see the beautiful river valley by canoe, or just relax in the sun. After lunch we cross the border and travel to the Fish River Canyon. After a walk along the edge of the canyon we watch the sunset and enjoy a fantastic photo opportunity. Optional Activities: Half Day Canoe Adventure.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Hobas Campsite
• Facilities: Drinkable water, small kiosk, hot showers (sometimes), small swimming pool.
• Included Activities: Hike along the rim of the Fish River Canyon
• Route: Orange/Gariep River to Fish River Canyon. ±180 km
• Travel time: ±4-5 hrs and a border crossing

Border posts:

• South Africa: Vioolsdrift, Tel: +27 (27) 761 8760, Open 24 hours.
• Namibia: Noordoewer, Tel: +264 (0) 63 297 122, Open 24 hours.

The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world and the largest in Africa, as well as the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia. It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 100 miles (160 km) long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 metres deep. The Fish River is the longest interior river in Namibia, but its flow is now a puny trickle compared with the immense volume of water that poured down its length in ages past. It cuts deep into the plateau which is today dry, stony and sparsely covered with hardy drought-resistant plants such as succulents. The river flows intermittently, usually flooding in late summer; and when it ceases to flow it becomes a chain of long narrow pools on the sandy rock-strewn floor of the chasm.

The Fish River Canyon area has a typical semi-desert climate. During the hot summer months (October – March) temperatures can rise to 48°C during the day and cool to about 30°C at night. Relief from the heat comes in short spells with occasional thunderstorms. The average annual rainfall in the canyon area is 100mm. During the short winters, temperatures can go below zero at night, but quickly pick up during the day to a moderate 20 to 28°C.

Day 4 Namib-Naukluft National Park

We arrive at the Namib-Naukluft National Park and set up camp, then enjoy a short hike into the Sesriem Canyon. Tonight enjoy the star studded sky and enduring silence of the Namib Desert

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Sesriem campsite
• Facilities: Drinkable water, bar, swimming pool, hot showers, shared ablutions, shop.
• Included activities: Hike into Sesriem Canyon
• Route: Fish River Canyon to Namib-Naukluft Park. ±560 km
• Travel time: ±10 hrs

Since it is in the Namib desert, the Tsauchab carries water only during the rare times when rain falls in the Naukluft Mountains and runs off, since it cannot seep into the soil fast enough. During these rains, the Tsauchab becomes a rapid-running, strong river within a matter of hours. As a result of the occasional rains, it has over the past two million years carved Sesriem Canyon, a kilometer (0.6 mile) long and up to 30-meter (100-foot) deep canyon in sedimentary rock. The name Sesriem is Afrikaans and means “six belts”, since the early settlers had to attach together six belts (made of oryx hides), in order to reach buckets down into the canyon to scoop up water. The Sesriem Canyon is only two meters (6.5 ft) wide in some places, and has a portion that permanently contains water, which many animals use.

The Namib desert occupies an area of around 80 900 km² (31 200 square miles), stretching about 1000 miles (1,600 km) along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Namibia. Its east-west width varies from 30 to 100 miles (50-160 km). Having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for at least 55 million years, it is considered to be the oldest desert in the world after the Atacama Desert in Chile. The Namib’s aridity is caused by the descent of dry air of the Hadley Cell, cooled by the cold Benguela current along the coast. It has less than 10 mm (0.4 inches) of rain annually and is almost completely barren.

A number of unusual species of plants and animals are found only in this desert. One of these is Welwitschia mirabilis. Welwitschia is a shrub-like plant, but grows just two long strap-shaped leaves continuously throughout its lifetime. These leaves may be several meters long, gnarled and twisted from the desert winds. Welwitschia is notable for its survival in the extremely arid conditions in the Namib, sometimes deriving moisture from the coastal sea fogs.

Day 5 Sossusvlei Dunes – Namib-Naukluft National Park

We wake up early to hike up Dune 45 to marvel at the sunrise – a not to be missed event. Later, we join a local expert on a guided hike of the unique Sossusvlei desert ecosystem.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Solitaire Campsite (no website available)
• Facilities: Drinkable water, hot showers, shared ablutions.
• Included Activities: Sunrise hike up Dune 45, ±3 hrs Desert Walk in Sossusvlei area, with Local Guide.
• Route: Sesriem to Solitaire. ±100 km (excludes drive to and from desert walk)
• Travel time: ±3 hrs (round trip into Sesriem), (plus drive to Solitaire)

Namib-Naukluft National Park is an ecological preserve in the Namib Desert in southwest Africa. The park is the largest game park in Africa, and a surprising collection of creatures survives in the hyper-arid region, including snakes, geckos, unusual insects, hyenas, gemsboks and jackals. More moisture comes in as a fog off the Atlantic Ocean, than falls as rain, with the average 106 millimeters of rainfall per year concentrated in the months of February and April.

The winds that bring in the fog are also responsible for creating the park’s towering sand dunes, whose burnt orange color is a sign of their age. The orange color develops over time as iron in the sand is oxidized, like rusty metal; the older the dune, the brighter the color. These dunes are the tallest in the world, in places rising more than 300 meters (almost 1000 feet) above the desert floor.

‘Namib’ means open space and the Namib Desert gave its name to form Namibia – “land of open spaces”. The park was established in 1907 when the German Colonial Administration proclaimed the area between the Swakop River and the Kuiseb River a game reserve. The park’s present boundaries were established in 1978 by the merging of the Namib Desert Park, the Naukluft Mountain Zebra Park, parts of Diamond Area 1 and some other bits of surrounding government land.

The park has some of the most unusual wildlife and nature reserves in the world, and covers an area of 49,768 km² (19,215 square miles). It’s an area far larger than Switzerland, roughly the size of the US states New Hampshire and Vermont combined. The region is characterised by high, isolated inselbergs and kopjes (the Afrikaans term for rocky outcrops), made up of dramatic blood red granites, rich in feldspars and sandstone. The easternmost part of the park covers the Naukluft Mountains.

Day 6/7 Swakopmund

After crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, we travel onto Namibia’s Atlantic coast and the adventure capital, Swakopmund. Here you will be briefed on the many options available for the following day. Optional Activities: Quad biking, Sand boarding, Sky Diving, Dolphin Cruise, Scenic Flights, Fishing, Dinner out etc.

Day 6

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Accommodation: Hostel (Dorm Room) Villa Wiese
• Facilities: Shared ablutions, bar, drinkable water.
• Included Activities: Stop off in Walvis Bay to view Flamingos
• Route: Solitaire to Swakopmund. ±300 km
• Travel time: ±4-5 hrs (including Walvis Bay)

Day 7

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hostel (Dorm Room) Villa Wiese
• Facilities: Shared ablutions, bar, drinkable water.

Swakopmund was founded in 1892, two years later than Windhoek, by Captain Curt von François. It was intended to be the main harbour of German South-West Africa. Increased traffic between Germany and its colony necessitated establishing a port of its own, as Walvis Bay, located 33 kilometers south, was in British possession. The choice fell to a site north of the Swakop River, because water was readily available, and because other sites were unsuitable. Swakopmund is a beach resort and an example of German colonial architecture. Buildings in the city include the Altes Gefängnis prison, designed by Heinrich Bause in 1909 and the Wörmannhaus, built in 1906 with a prominent tower, is now a public library.

The majority of towns and villages in Namibia have grown out of indigenous settlements and very often were located close to sources of water. Names of places given by original inhabitants were very descriptive and in many cases those names were retained by European settlers who sometimes simplified pronunciations of the names.

The Nama word “Tsoakhaub” can be translated as “excrement opening” which was an offensive but accurate description of the waters of the Swakop River when it flooded, carrying masses of mud, sand, pieces of vegetation and animal corpses to the Atlantic Ocean. The Nama name was changed to “Swachaub” by German settlers, and with the proclamation of Swakopmund as an independent district of German South-West Africa in 1896, the present way of writing Swakopmund (meaning Estuary of the Swakop in German) came into use.

Surrounded by the Namib Desert on three sides and the cold Atlantic waters to the west, Swakopmund enjoys a temperate climate. The average temperature ranges between 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F). Rainfall is less than 15 mm per year, making gutters and drainpipes on buildings a rarity. The cold Benguela current supplies moisture for the area in the form of fog that can reach as deep as 140 km (87 mi) inland. The fauna and flora of the area has adapted to this phenomenon and now relies upon the fog as a source of moisture.

Swakopmund is well known for adventure sports including: skydiving, sandboarding and quadbiking. Your guides will be able to assist you in deciding on a suitable activity, alternatively, spend the day exploring the town and enjoying the various coffee shops and souvenir shops.

Day 8 Spitzkoppe

Leaving the coast we head to Namibia’s ‘Matterhorn’. Spitzkoppe is a huge rocky outcrop where we set up camp in the wild, beneath the mountain. This afternoon there is an included walk to view Bushman (San) paintings.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Bush Camp: Spitzkoppe Community Campsite
• Facilities: No facilities. Long drop toilets.
• Included Activities: Guided walk with Nomad guide through Spitzkoppe
• Route: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe. ±170 km
• Travel time: ±3-4 hrs

The Spitzkoppe (also referred to as Spitzkop, Groot Spitzkop, or the “Matterhorn of Namibia”), is a group of bald granite peaks located between Usakos and Swakopmund in the Namib desert. The granite is more than 700 million years old and the highest outcrop rises about 1784 meters (5857 feet) above sea level. The peaks stand out dramatically from the flat surrounding plains. The highest peak is about 700m above the floor of the desert below. A minor peak- the Little Spitzkoppe – lies nearby at an elevation of 1584 metres above sea level. Other prominences stretch out into a range known as the Pontok Mountains. Many examples of Bushmen artwork can be seen painted on the rock in the Spitzkoppe area.

It is possible that the main peak was summited as early as 1904, when a soldier of the Royal Schutztruppe supposedly soloed the peak and made a fire on the summit. What he may have burned remains a mystery, as there is absolutely no natural fuel of any kind on the upper parts of the peak. The legend suggests that he never returned and that his body was never recovered. Certainly, no proof of his conquest is available today.

Day 9 Himba Tribes

After some early morning exploration we continue north and drive towards Kamanjab. The Himba are a pastoral people and predominantly breed cattle or goats, they are easily recognisable by their unique style of dress.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Himba Camp (no website available)
• Facilities: Bush shower and basic toilets.
• Included activities: Guided visit to the Himba Tribe with Local Guide.
• Route: Spitzkoppe to Kamanjab. ±340 km
• Travel time: ±5-6 hrs

The Himba are an ethnic group of people living in northern Namibia, in the Kunene region (formerly Kaokoland). They are a nomadic, pastoral people, closely related to the Herero, and speak the same language. The Himba breed cattle and goats. Women take care of the children, and one woman will take care of another woman’s children. Women tend to perform more labor-intensive work than men do, such as carrying water to the village and building homes, while men handle the political tasks and legal trials.

The Himba wear little clothing, but the women are famous for covering themselves with a mixture of butter fat, ochre, and herbs to protect themselves from the sun. The mixture gives their skins a reddish tinge and symbolizes earth’s rich red color and the blood that symbolizes life, and is consistent with the Himba ideal of beauty. Women braid each other’s hair and cover it in their ochre mixture (called otjize in their language). Modern clothes are scarce, but generally go to the men when available. Traditionally both men and women go topless and wear skirts or loincloths made of animals skins in various colors. Adult women wear beaded anklets to protect their legs from poisonous animal bites.

Situated about 20 km outside of town, a guided tour around the village will not only give you an in depth insight into the life and ways of the last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba, but an amazing photographic opportunity as well. You will experience the milking ceremony, the smoke bath, be informed on the beliefs around the holy fire, ancestors, and herbal medicine. You will also learn about the jewelry and hairstyles to imitate the status of each tribe member and their close relationship with nature, their cattle and children.

The income generated from these excursions, helps to sustain the tribe from day to day, buying food and supplies, medicine (if necessary) and taking care of the children adopted by Jaco from various families unable to support them, some of them needing books and clothing for school. Please take note that the village is not for show or a human zoo, you will be allowed inside these amazing peoples’ home and have a cultural exchange. Please respect their lives and ways as they would respect yours and in this way help preserve their culture and traditions.

Day 10/11 Etosha National Park

Etosha is the venue for some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. The sparse grasslands allow great opportunities to see animals normally hidden in dense vegetation. We will go on various game drives, and spend our evenings at the abundant water holes for some excellent game photography. Optional Activities: Night or Dawn Drives in safari vehicles

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni
• Facilities: Drinkable water, shared ablutions, bar, shop, post box, swimming pool and
• waterholes at all campsites.
• Included Activities: Game drives in truck
• Route: Kamanjab to Etosha NP. ±270 km
• Travel time: ±3-4 hrs

Etosha National Park is one of Southern Africa’s finest and most important Game Reserves. Etosha Game park was declared a National Park in 1907 and covering an area of 22 270 square km, it is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish.

Etosha, meaning “Great White Place”, is dominated by a massive mineral pan. The pan is part of the Kalahari Basin, the floor of which was formed around 1000 million years ago. The Etosha Pan covers around 25% of the National Park and was originally a lake fed by the Kunene River. However the course of the river changed thousands of years ago and the lake dried up. The pan now is a large dusty depression of salt and dusty clay which fills only if the rains are heavy and even then only holds water for a short time. This temporary water in the Etosha Pan attracts thousands of wading birds including impressive flocks of flamingos. The perennial springs along the edges of the Etosha Pan draw large concentrations of wildlife and birds.

Day 12 Windhoek

After an early morning game drive we set off towards Windhoek in the centre of Namibia. On the way we stop at a popular craft market. On arrival in Windhoek there is a short city tour. Optional Activities: Dinner out.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Camp: Monteiro
• Facilities: Shared ablutions, swimming pool, hot showers.
• Included Activities: Craft market en-route and Short City Tour
• Route: Etosha to Windhoek. ±550 km
• Travel time: ±8-9 hrs

The city of Windhoek is traditionally known by two names: Ai-Gams, from the Nama people, which literally refers to the hot springs that were once part of Windhoek, while the second name, Otjomuise, meaning a place of steam, was given by the Herero people. Theories vary on how Ai-Gams/Otjomuise got its modern name of Windhoek, most believe the name Windhoek is derived from the Afrikaans word Wind-Hoek, meaning “corner of wind”. It is also thought that the Afrikaners named Windhoek after the Winterhoek Mountains, at Tulbagh in South Africa, where the early Afrikaner settlers had lived. In those days Windhoek was the point of contact between the warring Namas, led by Jan Jonker Afrikaner, and the Herero people.

Present-day Windhoek was founded on 18 October 1890, when Von François fixed the foundation stone of the fort, which is now known as the Alte Feste (Old Fortress). During the next fourteen years Windhoek developed slowly, with only the most essential government and private buildings being erected. In Klein-Windhoek, plots were allocated to settlers, who started farming on a small scale with fruit, tobacco and dairy cattle. After 1907, development accelerated as people migrated from the countryside to the city and also some immigrated from outside the country. There was also a larger influx of European settlers arriving from Germany and South Africa. Businesses were erected on Kaiser Street, present Independence Avenue, and along the dominant mountain ridge over the city, including the three eye-catching castles.

The winter months of June, July and August usually experience little or no rain. Minimum temperatures range between 5 °C (41 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F). Nights are usually cool, although the temperature seldom drops below 0°C, and it almost never snows. Days are usually warm to hot, varying from a maximum of 20 °C (68 °F) in July to 31 °C (88 °F) in January.

Day 13 Botswana – Ghanzi

An early start, then we cross into Botswana and drive to Ghanzi. After setting up camp we meet with a local Bushman (San) community and experience some traditional tribal dancing.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Ghanzi Trail Blazers (no website available)
• Facilities: Hot showers, shared ablutions.
• Included Activities: Bushmen Tribal Dance in evening
• Route: Windhoek to Ghanzi. ±516 km
• Travel time: ±8-9 hrs, plus a border crossing on this day.

Border posts:

• Namibia: Buitepos, Tel: +264 62 560 401, Open: 07h00-24h00
• Botswana: Mamanu, Tel: +267 6592013/2064, Open: 07h00-24h00

The San People who were formally know as the Bushmen, are indigenous to Botswana (and Namibia) and have lived here for over 30,000 years. It is truly an incredible experience to get an understanding of what Africa was like so many years ago and how the people survived in these desert conditions when their very existence was based on the land. It is said that the word San meant ‘wild people who can’t farm’, however historically they didn’t have a collective word for themselves. Now they call themselves Ncoakhoe meaning ‘red people’, but it seems San has stuck. They were nomadic people – primarily hunter gatherers, moving to where the food and water could be found. It is estimated that there are 55,000 San people left, with 60% of them living in Botswana and many examples of their cave drawing’s can be found dotted around. Sadly nowadays, their existence is similar to the aboriginals and can be found in ‘squalid alcohol plagued settlements’ or on farms and cattle posts.

As we cross the border we’ll start to see villagers, cattle, donkeys, and sheep roaming along the side of the highway. Sometimes the donkeys and cows sit in the middle of the road and any amount of horn blowing won’t get them out of the road. Independent since 1966 (formally a British protectorate) three of the world’s richest diamond mines were discovered in Botswana, and this has made Botswana quite a rich nation, allowing them to pick and choose their future. Now 40yrs old, it is known as the African success story. Politically stable and with the foresight to invest in education, healthcare, high economic standards and without the racial issues that have plagued other countries has resulted in Botswana having the best economy in sub-Saharan Africa. The government has employed a strategy of high income – low impact tourism. This is where they reduce the number of tourists entering any area of the country by charging a lot more than neighbouring countries, thereby making it more restrictive for the budget traveller.

Day 14/15/16 Maun – Okavango Delta

Our journey takes us from Ghanzi towards Maun. We spend the night here and prepare for our 2-night bush-camping experience. From here we will enter the Delta using local transport. If the water level allows we will take a mokoro ride (traditional canoe) as well as nature walks with the local people. Optional Activity: Scenic flight over the Delta (time allowing)

Day 14

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Sitatunga
• Facilities: Hot showers, shared ablutions, bar, swimming pool.
• Route: Ghanzi to Maun. ±300 km
• Travel time: ±4-5 hrs

Day 15 (Day 1 in Delta)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Bush Camp
• Facilities: No facilities – bush camping
• Included Activities: 4 x Wheel drive vehicle transfers into Okavango Delta, Mokoro ride and guided
• nature walk
• Route: Maun to Bush Camp

Day 16 (Day 2 in Delta)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Bush Camp
• Facilities: No facilities – bush camping
• Included Activities: Guided Nature walk and mokoro rides

Maun is the fifth largest town in Botswana. It is an eclectic mix of modern buildings and native huts. Maun is the “tourism capital” of Botswana. Since Maun’s founding in 1915 as the tribal capital of the Batawana people, it has had a reputation as a hard-living ‘Wild West’ town helping the local cattle ranching and hunting operations. However, with the growth of the tourism industry and the completion of the tar road from Nata in the early 1990s, Maun has developed swiftly, losing much of its old town character. It is now home to over 30,000 people and is today a thriving, chaotic tourist town, infamous for its infestation of donkeys and to lesser extent, goats. These animals can be seen standing around on their own as the local farmers arrive in the innumerable taxis to sell their wares on the kerbside.

With the influx of tourism dollars, the typical traditional Rondavels of yesteryear have been replaced by square but modestly sized cinderblock homes roofed with tin and, rarely, tiles. It is not unusual to see mud rondavels with satellite dishes, attesting to the increasing affluence of Botswana, and the increasingly reliability of power and communications in Maun. Likewise, mobile phone service in Maun is excellent to a range of about 20 to 25km depending on weather. Opposite the main shopping strip which has grown around Riley’s Garage, multi-level air-conditioned shopping centres are incongruously surrounded by potholes, dusty or muddy car parking lots, also inevitably a marketplace for whoever wishes to sell. There is now, also, no less than three major chain supermarkets, Cbstore, Spar, Shoprite and a Nandos.

The Okavango delta is the world’s largest delta. Its headwaters start in Angola’s western highlands, with numerous tributaries joining to form the Cubango River, which then flows through Namibia (called the Kavango) and finally enters Botswana, where it is then called the Okavango. Millions of years ago the Okavango River used to flow into a large inland lake called Lake Makgadikgadi (now Makgadikgadi Pans). Tectonic activity and faulting interrupted the flow of the river causing it to back up and form what is now the Okavango Delta. This has created a unique system of waterways that now supports a vast array of animal and plant life that would have otherwise been a dry Kalahari Savannah.

The delta’s floods are fed by the rains in Angola and Zambia, which start in October and finish sometime in April. The floods only cross the border between Botswana and Namibia in December and will only reach the bottom end of the delta (Maun) sometime in July, taking almost nine months from the source to the bottom. This slow meandering pace of the flood is due to the very minor drop in elevation – little more than 60 meters over a distance of 450 kilometres!

There are an estimated 200 000 large mammals in and around the Okavango Delta. Many of these animals live in the Delta but the majority move in and out. They leave with the summer rains to find renewed fields of grass to graze on and trees to browse, and then as winter approaches and the countryside dries up they make their way back to swamps. This leads to some of the most incredible sightings as large numbers of prey and predators get squashed into a smaller and smaller area, providing some of the best predator action that you can see anywhere in the world.

The Delta provides a seasonal habitat to numerous different species, among these are African Bush Elephants, the African Buffalo, the Hippopotamus, the Lechwe, the Topi, the Blue Wildebeest, the Giraffe, the Nile crocodile, the Lion, the Cheetah, the Leopard, Brown and Spotted Hyenas, Greater Kudu, the Sable Antelope, both the Black and the White Rhinoceros, the Plains Zebras, the Warthog and the Chacma Baboon. Notably the endangered African Wild Dog is present within the Okavango Delta, exhibiting one of the richest pack densities in Africa. The Delta also includes over 400 species of birds, including the African Fish Eagle.

Day 17 Gweta

We leave the Delta behind us and travel east to Planet Baobab. You can explore the bush around our campsite and view some of oldest Baobab trees.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Planet Baobab Campsite
• Facilities: Hot showers, shared ablutions, bar, swimming pool.
• Route: Maun to Gweta. ±201 km
• Travel time: ±2-3 hrs (4×4 & mokoro transfer), ±3 hrs driving in truck.

Along the cracked and crop-less landscape on the road between Maun and Francistown, where elephants tear up any tree that dares to raise its head, a large grey hulk looms into sight at the edge of the road. If this is an elephant it is a very peculiar one, as the eyes recognise a giant anteater, the brain begins to wonder what might have been in that last beer?

But, follow the side road pointed out by that anteater snout and you will discover the intriguingly named “Planet Baobab”. Welcome to the Baobab capital of the world and home of the Kalahari Surf Club! The average age of each baobab tree; 4000 years and beyond, the boundless salt pans of the Makgadikgadi, a lunar landscape the size of Switzerland.

Thankfully, the funkiest bar in the Kalahari awaits your pleasure, a well known watering hole for travellers of every description and the more colourful characters from Maun. At any one time, locals jostle the cross-continentals who have slogged it through the bush, and worse, to get here. Just a stone’s throw from all this beer and bustle is the elephant’s paddling pool. Oblivious to guests crouching in the nearby trees, the elephants and travellers mostly ignore each other.

Day 18 Botswana – Chobe National Park

We travel to Chobe and this afternoon we take an included sunset river cruise, as the animals are best spotted from the Chobe River.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp: Thebe River Safaris (no website available)
• Facilities: Hot showers, good ablutions, bar, swimming pool.
• Included Activities: Sunset Boat Cruise in the Chobe NP
• Route: Gweta to Kasane. ±400 km
• Travel time: ±6-7 hrs

The Chobe National Park, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square kilometres, has one of the greatest concentrations of game found on the African continent. Its uniqueness in the abundance of wildlife and the true African nature of the region, offers a safari experience of a lifetime.

The park is divided into four distinctly different eco systems: Serondela with its lush plains and dense forests in the Chobe River area in the extreme north-east; the Savuti Marsh in the west about fifty kilometres north of Mababe gate; the Linyanti Swamps in the north-west and the hot dry hinterland in between.

In 1931 the idea of creating a national park in the area was first mooted, in order to protect the wildlife from extinction and to attract visitors. In 1932, an area of some 24,000 square kilometres in the Chobe district was declared a non-hunting area and the following year, the protected area was increased to 31,600 square kilometres. However, heavy tsetse fly infestations resulted in the whole idea lapsing in 1943. In 1957, the idea of a national park was raised again when an area of about 21,000 square kilometres was proposed as a game reserve and eventually a reduced area was gazetted in 1960 as Chobe Game Reserve. Later, in 1967, the reserve was declared a national park – the first national park in Botswana. There was a large settlement, based on the timber industry, at Serondela, some remains of which can still be seen today. This settlement was gradually moved out and the Chobe National Park was finally empty of human occupation in 1975. In 1980 and again in 1987, the boundaries were altered, increasing the park to its present size.

Chobe National Park is probably best known for its spectacular elephant population: 50,000 elephants today, it is actually the highest elephant concentration of Africa. Moreover, most of them are probably part of the largest continuous surviving elephant population on earth. The elephant population seems to have solidly built up since 1990, from a few thousand.

Elephants living here are Kalahari elephants, characterized by rather brittle ivory and short tusks, perhaps due to calcium deficiency in the soils. Damage caused by the high numbers of elephants is rife in some areas. In fact, concentration is so high throughout Chobe that culls have been considered, but are too controversial and have thus far been rejected.
At dry season, these elephants sojourn in Chobe River and the Linyanti River areas and in rainy season, they make a 200-km migration to the southeast stretch of the park. Their distribution zone however outreaches the park and spreads to northwestern Zimbabwe.

Day 19 Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls

On arrival in Victoria Falls we have time to plan the next day’s adventure activities before we visit the spectacular Victoria Falls and experience the thundering of the mighty Zambezi. Officially your tour finishes the next day after breakfast but most people will spend the day White Water Rafting, Optional Activities: Chobe morning game drive, Sunset Cruise, Dinner out, White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Elephant Excursion, Walking with Lions, Horse Riding and much more…

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hostel: (Dorm Rooms) Savanna Lodge
• Facilities: Hot showers, shared ablutions, bar, swimming pool.
• Included Activities: Entrance to Victoria Falls National Park
• Route: Kasane to Vic Falls. ±100 km
• Travel time: ±2 hrs plus border crossing

Border posts:

• Botswana: Kazangula Road, +267 6250320, Open: 06h00-20h00
• Zimbabwe: Kazangula Road, Open: 06h00-18h00

The small tourist town of Victoria Falls is located within walking distance of the famous waterfall. Victoria Falls is also an adventure hub with activities that include the ever-popular white water rafting, the flight over the Falls, an encounter with the Lions as well as the opportunity to ride an Elephant!

Once we have crossed the border into Zimbabwe it is a short drive to town where we will be briefed about all the different activities available. Choose carefully as almost all of them are really worth doing, speak to your guides for some advice. Please be aware that you cannot use credit/debit cards in Zimbabwe, so cash (USD) is best. The prices of the activities are listed at the beginning of this dossier so you can make sure to bring what you need.

Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. David Livingstone, the Scottish explorer, is believed to have been the first European to view the Victoria Falls. The older, indigenous name of Mosi-oa-Tunya is the name in official use in Zambia. While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is claimed to be the largest. This claim is based on a width of 1,708 metres (5,600 ft) and height of 108 meters (360 ft), forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world. The falls’ maximum flow rate compares well with that of other major waterfalls.

The unusual form of Victoria Falls enables virtually the whole width of the falls to be viewed face-on, at the same level as the top, from as close as 60 metres (200 ft), because the whole Zambezi River drops into a deep, narrow slot like chasm, connected to a long series of gorges. Few other waterfalls allow such a close approach on foot.

Victoria Falls are one of Africa’s major tourist attractions, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The falls are shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and each country has a national park to protect them and a town serving as a tourism centre: Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Livingstone in Zambia, and Victoria Falls National Park and the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

The falls are formed as the full width of the river plummets in a single vertical drop into a chasm 60-120 metres (200-400 ft) wide, carved by its waters along a fracture zone in the basalt plateau. The depth of the chasm, called the First Gorge, varies from 80 metres (262 ft) at its western end to 108 metres (360 ft) in the centre. The only outlet to the First Gorge is a 110-metre-wide (360 ft) gap about two-thirds of the way across the width of the falls from the western end, through which the whole volume of the river pours into the Victoria Falls gorges.

There are two islands on the crest of the falls that are large enough to divide the curtain of water even at full flood: Boaruka Island (or Cataract Island) near the western bank, and Livingstone Island near the middle. At less than full flood, additional islets divide the curtain of water into separate parallel streams. The main streams are named, in order from Zimbabwe (west) to Zambia (east): Leaping Water (called Devil’s Cataract by some), Main Falls, Rainbow Falls (the highest) and the Eastern Cataract.

Day 20 Victoria Falls

Officially your tour finishes after breakfast but most people will spend the day White Water Rafting, a not-to-be-missed experience of a lifetime! Vic Falls offers many exciting alternatives such as a walk with lions or a bungee jump from the bridge that joins Zimbabwe with Zambia. Optional Activities: White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Elephant Excursion, Walking with Lions, Horse Riding, Dinner out.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Own Arrangements / Post tour accommodation can be booked through Nomad.

Tour Ends

We will drop you off at Savanna Lodge. You need to pre book this accommodation through your travel agent or Nomad.

Note: Accommodation providers are subject to change without notice, the accommodation listed in this dossier is our preferred supplier, but sometimes due to availability, we are unable to make use of the property listed in this dossier. If we cannot use the accommodation provider as listed we will substitute another property of similar standards, however, en-suite facilities are not always guaranteed.

Activities

Optional Activities

Note: There are more optional activities being created every day – we have listed only the most popular. If there is something specific you would like to do then speak to your guide as they will be able to assist you.

Green Seats – Making Africa Greener

Nomad gives you the opportunity to offset your carbon foot print by purchasing a “Green Seat”. Please ask us for the donation on this tour.

Onward Travel

This tour can be linked to the Journey to Johannesburg transit, Accommodated South African Explorer, Kruger National Park, Discover Mozambique and the East African Adventure tours.

Preparation

Preparation

Visas

Please note that these are your responsibility. Some nationalities require visas for Namibia and Botswana. Most nationalities will require visas for Zimbabwe. See Pre Departure Booklet for more information.

Health

Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disability that you may have.

Malaria

Malaria prophylactics are required. Very low risk of malaria in northern Namibia, but the risk increases to high risk as we travel north to Zimbabwe.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are prescribed by law for the countries being visited on this tour. Please see the Pre Departure Information booklet for detailed information on vaccinations in Africa.

Local Info

Local Information

Climate

The African sun is very strong. Please use a factor 30 sunscreen and wear a hat. You should drink at least 3 litres of water per day to avoid dehydration. It can also get very cold during winter months on this route. Please see Pre Departure Booklet for detailed information.

Currency and Banking

South African Rand is the most widely used currency on this route. US Dollar cash can be used for optional activities. In Botswana, the Pula is the local currency. You can change your Rand or Dollars to Pula when you enter Botswana. ATM’s do not always work in Botswana. Travellers cheques can take a long time to change into cash and often incur unreasonable charges. Credit Cards cannot always be processed – especially in remote areas. USD Notes printed before 2002 (i.e. the old style notes) will not be accepted and many places will not accept USD100 notes, so make sure to bring small notes for tips and craft markets. Please see Pre Departure Booklet for detailed information on each country.

Local Payment – USD295

Payable in cash to the guide on departure. Only small denominations ($50, $20, $10, $5) notes printed after 2002 will be accepted. The local payment covers the 2 day Okavango Excursion, entrance to Chobe National Park and a sunset boat cruise in Chobe National Park.

Tipping On Tour

Southern Africa: In general tipping in restaurants is expected and is around 10% for good service, more if you have received exceptional service, and, feel free not to tip at all if you received poor service. Tipping taxi drivers etc is really at your own discretion and not always expected. If in doubt please ask your guides.

Our guides do work hard, but they are also paid at (and often above) industry levels for this work. Our Crew can be tipped if you feel that they have done a good job and/or gone above and beyond the call of duty. The best way to arrange tips is to elect one person in the group to collect the money. We recommend USD1 (or about R5) per day per person, per guide as a fair tip. So if you have 3-crew on a tour, we would recommend that 3 envelopes are used and each crew members name written on one. Place what you feel is fair in to each envelope and the elected person can give these to the crew at the end of the tour. If you do not feel that the crew deserve a tip, please, do not tip them. You must remember that tipping is only for exceptional service and is not at all compulsory or expected.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

If you require accommodation before or after your tour we can arrange this for you. We can also arrange airport transfers – contact your travel agent to make these bookings.

Map

Summary

20 Day Cape Town to Victoria Falls

Explore the very best Southern Africa has to offer. Between cosmopolitan Cape Town and the natural wonder of the Victoria Falls lie endless ancient deserts, deep canyons and the most fascinating wildlife this planet has to offer.

Highlights:

• Wander in the dunes of the ancient Namib Desert
• Learn from a Bushman community
• Spot the beasts in the famous Okavango Delta
• Fly over the mighty Victoria Falls

Price: R 21,950
Local Payment: $ 745
Single Supplement: R 3,610

Activity Package: R 7,450
Countries Visited: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Important note: We will only go to Zambia in the unlikely event that we cannot go to Zimbabwe.
Type: Accommodated
Vehicle: Adventure Truck

What’s included

• Meals as indicated on the itinerary
• Accommodation
• Registered guides
• Transport

We also include some of the activities. These activities are listed below in the day-by-day descriptions.

What’s excluded

• All items of a personal nature
• Alcohol
• Snacks
• Souvenirs
• Tips
• Optional activities (see list for an indication of prices)

Note: All information is subject to change without prior notice. Travel times and campsites can change depending on road or weather conditions, etc. These are used as a guideline only.

Itinerary

20 Day Cape Town to Victoria Falls Itinerary

Arrival: Please be sure to arrive 1 day before your tour is due to depart. This will avoid any unpredictable problems.

Departure: Please book your flight to depart the day after the tour officially ends. This is to account for any delays that we may experience due to unpredictable road conditions.

Departure Point: 8.00 am, 1st Floor Leadership House, 40 Shortmarket Street, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town, South Africa. Tel: +27 (0) 825782199

End Point: Elephant Hills Resort, Park Way Drive, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Tel: +263 13 44793.

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1 South Africa – Cederberg Mountain Region
• Day 2 Namibia – Gariep (Orange) River
• Day 3 Gariep(Orange) River – Ai-Ais
• Day 4 Fish River Canyon – Kokerboom Forest
• Day 5 Bushman Community – Namib-Naukluft Park
• Day 6 Namib-Naukluft National Park
• Day 7/8 Swakopmund
• Day 9 Kamanjab – Himba Tribe
• Day 10/11 Etosha National Park
• Day 12 Windhoek
• Day 13 Botswana – Ghanzi
• Day 14/15/16 Maun – Okavango Delta
• Day 17 Gweta
• Day 18 Chobe National Park
• Day 19 Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls
• Day 20 Victoria Falls

Day 1 South Africa – Cederberg Mountain Region

Leaving behind Cape Town, there’s one last photo stop at Table View for a spectacular panorama of Table Mountain. On the way we enjoy a wine tasting at an organic wine farm. We arrive at our accommodation and your guides will give you a full briefing on the tour.

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per room: Blommenberg Guesthouse
• Facilities: En-suites per room, hot showers, swimming pool.
• Included Activities: Wine-tasting
• Route: Cape Town to Clanwilliam. ±260 km
• Travel time: ±5 hrs

The Cederberg mountains extend about 50 km north-south by 20 km east-west. The dominating characteristic of the area is sharply defined sandstone rock formations, often reddish in colour. This group of rocks contains bands of shale and in recent years a few important fossils have been discovered in these argillaceous layers. The fossils are of primitive fish and date back 450 million years to the Ordovician Period. The Cedar trees are of the Widdringtonia cederbergensis species. They grow at an altitude of 1000m to 1500m. Some species are believed to live up to 1000 years. The highest peak in the range is Sneeuberg (2028m).

In 1660, the first European explorers from the Cape, led by Jan Danckert came across a great herd of elephants in the Olifants River Valley. The source of the river is in the mountains near Ceres. Above Clanwilliam, the Olifants is harnessed by a dam, built in 1935 and expanded in 1968, which irrigates 12140 hectares of farmland.

Day 2 Namibia – Gariep (Orange) River

Today we travel through the Northern Cape and Namaqualand, stopping at the remote town of Springbok for any last requirements. After crossing the Namibian border we check in to the lovely chalets overlooking the river that forms the border between South Africa and Namibia.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per room: Felix Unite
• Facilities: En-suite per room, water not drinkable, bar.
• Route: Clanwilliam to Gariep River. ±470 km
• Travel time: ±8-9 hrs and a border crossing

Border posts:

• South Africa: Vioolsdrift, Tel: +27 (27) 277 618 760, Open 24 hours.
• Namibia: Noordoewer, Tel: +264 (0) 63 297 122, Open 24 hours.

The Orange River (Afrikaans/Dutch: Oranjerivier) / Gariep River, is the longest river in South Africa. It rises in the Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho, flowing westwards through South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean. The river forms part of the international borders between South Africa and Namibia and between South Africa and Lesotho, as well as several provincial borders within South Africa. Although the river does not pass through any major cities, it plays an important role in the South African economy by providing water for irrigation, as well as hydroelectric power.

The river was first discovered by indigenous Nama people, who called it the Nu Gariep. The river was named the Orange River by Colonel Robert Gordon, commander of the Dutch East India Company garrison at Cape Town, on a trip to the interior. Gordon named the river in honour of William of Orange. A popular but incorrect belief is that the river was named after the supposedly orange colour of its water, as opposed to the colour its tributary, the Vaal River ( ‘vaal’ being Afrikaans for pale or grey). Since the end of apartheid, the original name, “Gariep” has had greater favour in official correspondence in South Africa, although the name “Orange” has greater international recognition.

Day 3 Gariep(Orange) River – Ai-Ais

This morning there’s the chance to canoe down the Gariep River or to spend some time relaxing. After lunch we travel north to the Ai-Ais Hot Springs. Optional Activities: Half-Day Canoe Adventure.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per room: Ais Ais
• Facilities: En-suite per room, hot springs, restaurant.
• Route: Orange/Gariep River to Fish River Canyon. ±180 km
• Travel time: ±4-5 hrs

Ai-Ais Hot Springs meaning ‘burning water,’ in the local Nama language, refers to the sulphurous thermal hot water springs found in the area. Pronounced “eye-ice”, the natural hot-spring oasis is situated at the base of the mountain peaks at the southern end of Fish River Canyon. Local legend goes that the hot springs were discovered in 1850 by a nomadic Nama shepherd rounding up stray sheep.

The springs originate deep under the riverbed and form an oasis in the extremely arid area. During the Nama uprising of 1903-07 the hot spring was used by German military forces as a base camp. In 1915, the area was also used as a base by South African troops who were recovering from wounds during the South-West Africa Campaign. In 1962, the spring was leased to a local entrepreneur and were subsequently proclaimed a national monument. In 1969, the springs became a conservation area and on 16 March 1971, the camp was officially opened. The thermal water has an average temperature of about 60 degrees centigrade. The water is piped to a series of indoor pools and jacuzzis

Day 4 Fish River Canyon – Kokerboom Forest

We take a scenic early morning walk along the edge of the Fish River Canyon, where photo opportunities are plentiful. Travelling into the Kalahari area of Namibia we visit the amazing Kokerboom Forest.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per room: Stampriet Historical Guesthouse
• Facilities: En-suite per room, hot showers.
• Included Activities: Hike along the rim of the Fish River Canyon and visit the Quiver tree forest
• Route: Ais Ais to Kalahari. ±560 km
• Travel time: ±7-8 hrs

Kokerboom Forest

The Kokerboom or Quiver Tree Aloe dichotoma is a tree aloe. It is also a succulent plant because it has the ability to store water in its stems and leaves. It is one of the most characteristic plants of the Namibia, and is known as ‘garas’ by the Namas (from the word meaning “to scratch lines”) and ‘choje’ by the Bushmen.

Confined to the Northern Cape and Namibia, this tree aloe is found growing mainly on the rocky habitat of the hills along the Orange River. In places it occurs in dense “forests”, and a good example of this is near Keetmanshoop. In the past, local people hollowed out the soft branches and used them as quivers for their arrows, hence the English vernacular name. Small animals make their homes between the leaves and in the corky trunk. Sociable Weavers can build huge communal nests of grass in the crown, sometimes covering the whole tree. These Sociable Weavers’ nests are shared by up to 400 birds.

A remarkable quality of this tree is its ability to accumulate water in its leaves and corky tissue. It has developed these adaptations because of the harsh climatic conditions in which it survives. Low air humidity, low soil moisture and intense sunshine levels have made it necessary to absorb even small amounts of moisture whenever the opportunity arrives. It has a superficial root system enabling it to absorb moisture quickly.

Day 5 Bushman Community – Namib-Naukluft Park

The Namib- Naukluft NP is one of Namibia’s geographic gems. There are massive sand dunes in the Sossusvlei desert area as well the remarkable landscape. After a optional morning tribal interaction with the Bushman (San) people we travel to the Namib and stay the night just outside the park. Optional Activities: African Tribal interaction.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per room: Hammerstein Lodge
• Facilities: En-suite per room, hot showers, pool
• Route: Mariental to Hammerstein. ±350 km
• Travel time: ±5-6 hrs

Since it is in the Namib desert, the Tsauchab carries water only during the rare times when rain falls in the Naukluft Mountains and runs off, since it cannot seep into the soil fast enough. During these rains, the Tsauchab becomes a rapid-running, strong river within a matter of hours. As a result of the occasional rains, it has over the past two million years carved Sesriem Canyon, a kilometer (0.6 mile) long and up to 30-meter (100-foot) deep canyon in sedimentary rock. The name Sesriem is Afrikaans and means “six belts”, since the early settlers had to attach together six belts (made of oryx hides), in order to reach buckets down into the canyon to scoop up water. The Sesriem Canyon is only two meters (6.5 ft) wide in some places, and has a portion that permanently contains water, which many animals use.

The Namib desert occupies an area of around 80 900 km² (31 200 square miles), stretching about 1000 miles (1,600 km) along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Namibia. Its east-west width varies from 30 to 100 miles (50-160 km). Having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for at least 55 million years, it is considered to be the oldest desert in the world after the Atacama Desert in Chile. The Namib’s aridity is caused by the descent of dry air of the Hadley Cell, cooled by the cold Benguela current along the coast. It has less than 10 mm (0.4 inches) of rain annually and is almost completely barren.
A number of unusual species of plants and animals are found only in this desert. One of these is Welwitschia mirabilis. Welwitschia is a shrub-like plant, but grows just two long strap-shaped leaves continuously throughout its lifetime. These leaves may be several meters long, gnarled and twisted from the desert winds. Welwitschia is notable for its survival in the extremely arid conditions in the Namib, sometimes deriving moisture from the coastal sea fogs.

Day 6 Namib-Naukluft National Park

We have a full day in the Namib-Naukluft National Park that starts by being transported in to Sossusvlei, where we are joined by a expert local guide. Exploring on foot, this local guide will share his detailed knowledge of this ecosystem. Later we transfer to Dune 45 where you have the chance to hike up the dune for an amazing view and photo opportunity. In the afternoon there’s a short walk into the Sesriem Canyon.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per room: Hammerstein Lodge
• Facilities: En-suite per room, hot showers, pool
• Included Activities: Hike up Dune 45 & 3hr desert walk into the Sossusvlei area with expert guide.
• Route: Hammerstein to Sossusvlei. ±230 km
• Travel time: ±3-4 hrs

Namib-Naukluft National Park is an ecological preserve in the Namib Desert in southwest Africa. The park is the largest game park in Africa, and a surprising collection of creatures survives in the hyper-arid region, including snakes, geckos, unusual insects, hyenas, gemsboks and jackals. More moisture comes in as a fog off the Atlantic Ocean than falls as rain, with the average 106 millimeters of rainfall per year concentrated in the months of February and April.

The winds that bring in the fog are also responsible for creating the park’s towering sand dunes, whose burnt orange color is a sign of their age. The orange color develops over time as iron in the sand is oxidized, like rusty metal; the older the dune, the brighter the color. These dunes are the tallest in the world, in places rising more than 300 meters (almost 1000 feet) above the desert floor.

‘Namib’ means open space and the Namib Desert gave its name to form Namibia – “land of open spaces”. The park was established in 1907 when the German Colonial Administration proclaimed the area between the Swakop River and the Kuiseb River a game reserve. The park’s present boundaries were established in 1978 by the merging of the Namib Desert Park, the Naukluft Mountain Zebra Park, parts of Diamond Area 1 and some other bits of surrounding government land. The park has some of the most unusual wildlife and nature reserves in the world, and covers an area of 49,768 km² (19,215 square miles). It’s an area far larger than Switzerland, roughly the size of the US states New Hampshire and Vermont combined. The region is characterised by high, isolated inselbergs and kopjes (the Afrikaans term for rocky outcrops), made up of dramatic blood red granites, rich in feldspars and sandstone. The easternmost part of the park covers the Naukluft Mountains.

Day 7/8 Swakopmund

We cross the Tropic of Capricorn on our way from the Atlantic Coast. Our first stop is Walvis Bay where we may see some flamingos. Then it’s on to Swakopmund, the adventure capital of Namibia, where you will be briefed on the many optional activities available. Optional Activities: Dinner, Quad biking, Sand boarding, Sky Diving, Scenic Flights etc.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Two per room: Either: Villa Wiese Guesthouse or Dunedin Star Guesthouse
• Facilities: En suite, hot showers, drinkable water, cash bar, laundry service.
• Route: Hammerstein to Swakopmund. ±360 km
• Travel time: ±5-6 hours (including Walvis Bay)

Swakopmund was founded in 1892, two years later than Windhoek, by Captain Curt von François. It was intended to be the main harbour of German South-West Africa. Increased traffic between Germany and its colony necessitated establishing a port of its own, as Walvis Bay, located 33 kilometers south, was in British possession. The choice fell to a site north of the Swakop River, because water was readily available, and because other sites were unsuitable. Swakopmund is a beach resort and an example of German colonial architecture. Buildings in the city include the Altes Gefängnis prison, designed by Heinrich Bause in 1909 and the Wörmannhaus, built in 1906 with a prominent tower, is now a public library.

The majority of towns and villages in Namibia have grown out of indigenous settlements and very often were located close to sources of water. Names of places given by original inhabitants were very descriptive and in many cases those names were retained by European settlers who sometimes simplified pronunciations of the names.

The Nama word “Tsoakhaub” can be translated as “excrement opening” which was an offensive but accurate description of the waters of the Swakop River when it flooded, carrying masses of mud, sand, pieces of vegetation and animal corpses to the Atlantic Ocean. The Nama name was changed to “Swachaub” by German settlers, and with the proclamation of Swakopmund as an independent district of German South-West Africa in 1896, the present way of writing Swakopmund (meaning Estuary of the Swakop in German) came into use.

Surrounded by the Namib Desert on three sides and the cold Atlantic waters to the west, Swakopmund enjoys a temperate climate. The average temperature ranges between 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F). Rainfall is less than 15 mm per year, making gutters and drainpipes on buildings a rarity. The cold Benguela current supplies moisture for the area in the form of fog that can reach as deep as 140 km (87 mi) inland. The fauna and flora of the area has adapted to this phenomenon and now relies upon the fog as a source of moisture.

Swakopmund is well known for adventure sports including: skydiving, sandboarding and quadbiking. Your guides will be able to assist you in deciding on a suitable activity, alternatively, spend the day exploring the town and enjoying the various coffee shops and souvenir shops.

Day 9 Kamanjab – Himba Tribe

Today we head inland towards Khorixas in the north-west of Namibia. The following morning we will spend time with some of the semi-nomadic Himba people. The Himba are a pastoral people and are easily recognisable by their unique style of hair and dress

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per Room: Oasehouse
• Facilities: En-suites, swimming pool.
• Route: Swakopmund to Kamanjab ±220 km
• Travel time: ±5-6 hrs (if rainy season, alternative route will be taken due to bad road conditions)

The Himba are an ethnic group of about 20,000 to 50,000 people living in northern Namibia, in the Kunene region (formerly Kaokoland). They are a nomadic, pastoral people, closely related to the Herero, and speak the same language. The Himba breed cattle and goats. The responsibility of milking the cows lies with the women. Women take care of the children, and one woman will take care of another woman’s children. Women tend to perform more labor-intensive work than men do, such as carrying water to the village and building homes. Men handle the political tasks and legal trials.

The Himba wear little clothing, but the women are famous for covering themselves with a mixture of butter fat, ochre, and herbs to protect themselves from the sun. The mixture gives their skins a reddish tinge and symbolizes earth’s rich red color and the blood that symbolizes life, and is consistent with the Himba ideal of beauty. Women braid each other’s hair and cover it in their ochre mixture (called otjize in their language). Modern clothes are scarce, but generally go to the men when available. Traditionally both men and women go topless and wear skirts or loincloths made of animals skins in various colors. Adult women wear beaded anklets to protect their legs from poisonous animal bites.

Situated about 20 km outside of town, a guided tour around the village will not only give you an in depth insight into the life and ways of the last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba, but an amazing photographic opportunity as well. You will experience the milking ceremony, the smoke bath, be informed on the beliefs around the holy fire, ancestors, and herbal medicine. You will also learn about the jewelry and hairstyles to imitate the status of each tribe member and their close relationship with nature, their cattle and children.

The income generated from these excursions, helps to sustain the tribe from day to day, buying food and supplies, medicine (if necessary) and taking care of the children adopted by Jaco from various families unable to support them, some of them needing books and clothing for school. Please take note that the village is not for show or a human zoo, you will be allowed inside these amazing peoples’ home and have a cultural exchange. Please respect their lives and ways as they would respect yours and in this way help preserve their culture and traditions.

Day 10/11 Etosha National Park

After our informative time spent with the Himba we travel south-east to Etosha NP. The open plains allow spectacular viewing from your truck while on game drives. Our quality bungalow accommodation is inside the park at Okaukuejo and/or Halali which both boast floodlit night water holes where the animals come regularly to drink. Optional Activities: Night Drive with Game Ranger

Day 10

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per Room: Okaukuejo
• Facilities: En-suites, bar, shop, swimming pool
• Included Activities: Guided visit to the Himba Tribe and afternoon game drive in truck
• Route: Kamajab to Etosha National Park ±270 km
• Travel time: ±3-4 hrs

Day 11

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per Room: Halali
• Facilities: En-suite, bar, shop, swimming pool
• Included Activities: Full day game drive in truck

Etosha National Park is one of Southern Africa’s finest and most important Game Reserves. Etosha Game park was declared a National Park in 1907 and covering an area of 22 270 square km, it is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish.

Etosha, meaning “Great White Place”, is dominated by a massive mineral pan. The pan is part of the Kalahari Basin, the floor of which was formed around 1000 million years ago. The Etosha Pan covers around 25% of the National Park. The pan was originally a lake fed by the Kunene River. However the course of the river changed thousands of years ago and the lake dried up. The pan now is a large dusty depression of salt and dusty clay which fills only if the rains are heavy and even then only holds water for a short time. This temporary water in the Etosha Pan attracts thousands of wading birds including impressive flocks of flamingos. The perennial springs along the edges of the Etosha Pan draw large concentrations of wildlife and birds.

Day 12 Windhoek

En-route to Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, we stop at a craft market where you can buy authentic African carvings and paintings. On arrival in Windhoek we take a short driving tour around the city, and there’s some free time to explore the centre. Optional Activities: Dinner out

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Two per Room: Hotel Safari
• Facilities: En-suites, restaurant, bar.
• Included Activities: Short City Tour
• Route: Etosha National Park to Windhoek. ±550 km
• Travel time: ±7-9 hrs (Long Day)

The city of Windhoek is traditionally known by two names: Ai-Gams, from the Nama people, which literally refers to the hot springs that were once part of Windhoek, while the second name, Otjomuise, meaning a place of steam, was given by the

Herero people. Theories vary on how Ai-Gams/Otjomuise got its modern name of Windhoek, most believe the name Windhoek is derived from the Afrikaans word Wind-Hoek, meaning “corner of wind”. It is also thought that the Afrikaners named Windhoek after the Winterhoek Mountains, at Tulbagh in South Africa, where the early Afrikaner settlers had lived. In those days Windhoek was the point of contact between the warring Namas, led by Jan Jonker Afrikaner, and the Herero people.

Present-day Windhoek was founded on 18 October 1890, when Von François fixed the foundation stone of the fort, which is now known as the Alte Feste (Old Fortress). During the next fourteen years Windhoek developed slowly, with only the most essential government and private buildings being erected. In Klein-Windhoek, plots were allocated to settlers, who started farming on a small scale with fruit, tobacco and dairy cattle. After 1907, development accelerated as people migrated from the countryside to the city and also some immigrated from outside the country. There was also a larger influx of European settlers arriving from Germany and South Africa. Businesses were erected on Kaiser Street, present Independence Avenue, and along the dominant mountain ridge over the city, including the three eye-catching castles.

The winter months of June, July and August usually experience little or no rain. Minimum temperatures range between 5 °C (41 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F). Nights are usually cool, although the temperature seldom drops below 0°C, and it almost never snows. Days are usually warm to hot, varying from a maximum of 20 °C (68 °F) in July to 31 °C (88 °F) in January.

Day 13 Botswana – Ghanzi

We say goodbye to Namibia and journey through the Botswana border. Later we arrive at our lodge in Ghanzi, and this evening we experience some traditional tribal dancing from the Bushman (San) community.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per Room: Tautona Lodge
• Facilities: En-suites, bar, swimming pool.
• Included Activities: Bushman dancing in evening
• Route: Windhoek to Ghanzi. ±570 km
• Travel time: ±8-9 hrs and a border crossing

Border posts:

• Namibia: Buitepos, Tel: +264 62 560401, Open: 07h00-24h00.
• Botswana: Mamanu, Tel: +267 (0) 659 2013/2064, Open: 07h00-24h00.

The San People who were formally know as the Bushmen, are indigenous to Botswana (and Namibia) and have lived here for over 30,000 years. It is truly an incredible experience to get an understanding of what Africa was like so many years ago and how the people survived in these desert conditions when their very existence was based on the land. It is said that the word San meant ‘wild people who can’t farm’, however historically they didn’t have a collective word for themselves. Now they call themselves Ncoakhoe meaning ‘red people’, but it seems San has stuck. They were nomadic people – primarily hunter gatherers, moving to where the food and water could be found. It is estimated that there are 55,000 San people left, with 60% of them living in Botswana and many examples of their cave drawing’s can be found dotted around. Sadly nowadays, their existence is similar to the aboriginals and can be found in ‘squalid alcohol plagued settlements’ or on farms and cattle posts.

As we cross the border we’ll start to see villagers, cattle, donkeys, and sheep roaming along the side of the highway. Sometimes the donkeys and cows sit in the middle of the road and any amount of horn blowing won’t get them out of the road. Independent since 1966 (formally a British protectorate) three of the world’s richest diamond mines were discovered in Botswana, and this has made Botswana quite a rich nation, allowing them to pick and choose their future. Now 40yrs old, it is known as the African success story. Politically stable and with the foresight to invest in education, healthcare, high economic standards and without the racial issues that have plagued other countries has resulted in Botswana having the best economy in sub-Saharan Africa. The government has employed a strategy of high income – low impact tourism. This is where they reduce the number of tourists entering any area of the country by charging a lot more than neighbouring countries, thereby making it more restrictive for the budget traveller.

Day 14/15/16 Maun – Okavango Delta

Maun is well known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta. We spend one night in Maun and prepare for this excursion. Small planes transport us over this amazing area to our next overnight stop. Animals are often spotted from the lodge, but we also take a nature walk and, if the water level allows, a mokoro (traditional canoe)trip.

Day 14

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per Room: Sitatunga
• Facilities: Hot showers, En-suites, bar, swimming pool.
• Route: Ghanzi to Maun. ±300 km
• Travel time: ±4-5 hrs

Day 15

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per Meru Tent: Moremi Crossing
• Facilities: En-suite, bar, hot water, swimming pool
• Included Activities: Flight from Maun to Moremi Crossings approx 20min, Afternoon Nature Walk
• Luggage Restriction: 10kg luggage per person

Day 16

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per Meru Tent: Moremi Crossing
• Facilities: En-suite, bar, hot water, swimming pool
• Included Activities: Mokoro Rides and Nature Walks

Maun is the fifth largest town in Botswana. It is an eclectic mix of modern buildings and native huts. Maun is the “tourism capital” of Botswana. Since Maun’s founding in 1915 as the tribal capital of the Batawana people, it has had a reputation as a hard-living ‘Wild West’ town helping the local cattle ranching and hunting operations. However, with the growth of the tourism industry and the completion of the tar road from Nata in the early 1990s, Maun has developed swiftly, losing much of its old town character. It is now home to over 30,000 people and is today a thriving, chaotic tourist town, infamous for its infestation of donkeys and to lesser extent, goats. These animals can be seen standing around on their own as the local farmers arrive in the innumerable taxis to sell their wares on the kerbside.

With the influx of tourism dollars, the typical traditional Rondavels of yesteryear have been replaced by square but modestly sized cinderblock homes roofed with tin and, rarely, tiles. It is not unusual to see mud rondavels with satellite dishes, attesting to the increasing affluence of Botswana, and the increasingly reliability of power and communications in Maun. Likewise, mobile phone service in Maun is excellent to a range of about 20 to 25km depending on weather. Opposite the main shopping strip which has grown around Riley’s Garage, multi-level air-conditioned shopping centres are incongruously surrounded by potholes, dusty or muddy car parking lots, also inevitably a marketplace for whoever wishes to sell. There is now, also, no less than three major chain supermarkets, Cbstore, Spar, Shoprite and a Nandos.

The Okavango delta is the world’s largest delta. Its headwaters start in Angola’s western highlands, with numerous tributaries joining to form the Cubango River, which then flows through Namibia (called the Kavango) and finally enters Botswana, where it is then called the Okavango. Millions of years ago the Okavango River used to flow into a large inland lake called Lake Makgadikgadi (now Makgadikgadi Pans). Tectonic activity and faulting interrupted the flow of the river causing it to back up and form what is now the Okavango Delta. This has created a unique system of waterways that now supports a vast array of animal and plant life that would have otherwise been a dry Kalahari Savannah.

The delta’s floods are fed by the rains in Angola and Zambia, which start in October and finish sometime in April. The floods only cross the border between Botswana and Namibia in December and will only reach the bottom end of the delta (Maun) sometime in July, taking almost nine months from the source to the bottom. This slow meandering pace of the flood is due to the very minor drop in elevation – little more than 60 meters over a distance of 450 kilometres!

There are an estimated 200 000 large mammals in and around the Okavango Delta. Many of these animals live in the Delta but the majority move in and out. They leave with the summer rains to find renewed fields of grass to graze on and trees to browse, and then as winter approaches and the countryside dries up they make their way back to swamps. This leads to some of the most incredible sightings as large numbers of prey and predators get squashed into a smaller and smaller area, providing some of the best predator action that you can see anywhere in the world.

The Delta provides a seasonal habitat to numerous different species, among these are African Bush Elephants, the African Buffalo, the Hippopotamus, the Lechwe, the Topi, the Blue Wildebeest, the Giraffe, the Nile crocodile, the Lion, the Cheetah, the Leopard, Brown and Spotted Hyenas, Greater Kudu, the Sable Antelope, both the Black and the White Rhinoceros, the Plains Zebras, the Warthog and the Chacma Baboon. Notably the endangered African Wild Dog is present within the Okavango Delta, exhibiting one of the richest pack densities in Africa. The Delta also includes over 400 species of birds, including the African Fish Eagle.

Day 17 Gweta

A second scenic air-transfer will return us to Maun and the truck. This afternoon we drive to Planet Baobab where our evening accommodation is set amongst the majestic Baobab trees.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per Room: Planet Baobab Campsite
• Facilities: En-suites, bar, swimming pool.
• Route: Maun to Gweta. ±201 km
• Travel time: ±3-4 hrs

Along the cracked and crop-less landscape on the road between Maun and Francistown, where elephants tear up any tree that dares to raise its head, a large grey hulk looms into sight at the edge of the road. If this is an elephant it is a very peculiar one! As the eyes recognise a giant anteater, the brain begins to wonder what might have been in that last beer?

But, follow the side road pointed out by that anteater snout and you will discover the intriguingly named “Planet Baobab”. Welcome to the Baobab capital of the world and home of the Kalahari Surf Club! The average age of each baobab tree; 4000 years and beyond, the boundless salt pans of the Makgadikgadi, a lunar landscape the size of Switzerland.

Thankfully, the funkiest bar in the Kalahari awaits your pleasure, a well known watering hole for travellers of every description and the more colourful characters from Maun. At any one time, locals jostle the cross-continentals who have slogged it through the bush, and worse, to get here. Just a stone’s throw from all this beer and bustle is the elephant’s paddling pool. Oblivious to Guests crouching in the nearby trees, the elephants and travellers mostly ignore each other.

Day 18 Chobe National Park

After continuing north to Kasane, we take a sunset river cruise on the Chobe River where animals such as hippos, buffalo and elephant are plentiful. Optional Activities: Chobe Game Drive (next morning)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Two per Room: Thebe River Safaris (no website available)
• Facilities: Hot showers, En-suites, bar, swimming pool.
• Included Activities: Sunset Boat Cruise in the Chobe NP
• Route: Gweta to Kasane. ±400 km
• Travel time: ±6-7 hrs

The Chobe National Park, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square kilometres, has one of the greatest concentrations of game found on the African continent. Its uniqueness in the abundance of wildlife and the true African nature of the region, offers a safari experience of a lifetime.

The park is divided into four distinctly different eco systems: Serondela with its lush plains and dense forests in the Chobe River area in the extreme north-east; the Savuti Marsh in the west about fifty kilometres north of Mababe gate; the Linyanti Swamps in the north-west and the hot dry hinterland in between.

In 1931 the idea of creating a national park in the area was first mooted, in order to protect the wildlife from extinction and to attract visitors. In 1932, an area of some 24,000 square kilometres in the Chobe district was declared a non-hunting area and the following year, the protected area was increased to 31,600 square kilometres. However, heavy tsetse fly infestations resulted in the whole idea lapsing in 1943. In 1957, the idea of a national park was raised again when an area of about 21,000 square kilometres was proposed as a game reserve and eventually a reduced area was gazetted in 1960 as Chobe Game Reserve. Later, in 1967, the reserve was declared a national park – the first national park in Botswana. There was a large settlement, based on the timber industry, at Serondela, some remains of which can still be seen today. This settlement was gradually moved out and the Chobe National Park was finally empty of human occupation in 1975. In 1980 and again in 1987, the boundaries were altered, increasing the park to its present size.

Chobe National Park is probably best known for its spectacular elephant population: 50,000 elephants today, it is actually the highest elephant concentration of Africa. Moreover, most of them are probably part of the largest continuous surviving elephant population on earth. The elephant population seems to have solidly built up since 1990, from a few thousand.

Elephants living here are Kalahari elephants, characterized by rather brittle ivory and short tusks, perhaps due to calcium deficiency in the soils. Damage caused by the high numbers of elephants is rife in some areas. In fact, concentration is so high throughout Chobe that culls have been considered, but are too controversial and have thus far been rejected.
At dry season, these elephants sojourn in Chobe River and the Linyanti River areas and in rainy season, they make a 200-km migration to the southeast stretch of the park. Their distribution zone however outreaches the park and spreads to northwestern Zimbabwe…

Day 19 Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls

After an early morning optional game drive we cross into Zimbabwe where we have a short briefing on all the activities available here. Then we enter the much anticipated Victoria Falls NP where we will experience the might of the great Zambezi River. Officially your tour finishes the next day after breakfast but most people will spend the day White Water Rafting, Optional Activities: Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Dinner out, White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Elephant Excursion, White Water rafting and many more…

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Two per Room: Elephant Hills Resort
• Facilities: En-suite, bar, swimming pool.
• Included Activities: Vic Falls National Park Entrance
• Route: Kasane to Vic Falls. ±100 km
• Travel time: ±2 hrs and a border crossing

Border posts:

• Botswana: Kazangala Road, Tel: +267 62 50320, Open: 06h00-20h0
• Zimbabwe: Kazangala Road, Open: 06h00-18h00

The small tourist town of Victoria Falls is located within walking distance of the famous waterfall. Victoria Falls is also an adventure hub with activities that include the ever-popular white water rafting, the flight over the Falls, an encounter with the Lions as well as the opportunity to ride an Elephant!

Once we have crossed the border into Zimbabwe it is a short drive to town where we will be briefed about all the different activities available. Choose carefully as almost all of them are really worth doing, speak to your guides for some advice. Please be aware that you cannot use credit/debit cards in Zimbabwe, so cash (USD) is best. The prices of the activities are listed at the beginning of this dossier so you can make sure to bring what you need.

Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. David Livingstone, the Scottish explorer, is believed to have been the first European to view the Victoria Falls. The older, indigenous name of Mosi-oa-Tunya is the name in official use in Zambia. While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is claimed to be the largest. This claim is based on a width of 1,708 metres (5,600 ft) and height of 108 meters (360 ft), forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world. The falls’ maximum flow rate compares well with that of other major waterfalls.

The unusual form of Victoria Falls enables virtually the whole width of the falls to be viewed face-on, at the same level as the top, from as close as 60 metres (200 ft), because the whole Zambezi River drops into a deep, narrow slot like chasm, connected to a long series of gorges. Few other waterfalls allow such a close approach on foot.

Victoria Falls are one of Africa’s major tourist attractions, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The falls are shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and each country has a national park to protect them and a town serving as a tourism centre: Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Livingstone in Zambia, and Victoria Falls National Park and the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

The falls are formed as the full width of the river plummets in a single vertical drop into a chasm 60-120 metres (200-400 ft) wide, carved by its waters along a fracture zone in the basalt plateau. The depth of the chasm, called the First Gorge, varies from 80 metres (262 ft) at its western end to 108 metres (360 ft) in the centre. The only outlet to the First Gorge is a 110-metre-wide (360 ft) gap about two-thirds of the way across the width of the falls from the western end, through which the whole volume of the river pours into the Victoria Falls gorges.

There are two islands on the crest of the falls that are large enough to divide the curtain of water even at full flood: Boaruka Island (or Cataract Island) near the western bank, and Livingstone Island near the middle. At less than full flood, additional islets divide the curtain of water into separate parallel streams. The main streams are named, in order from Zimbabwe (west) to Zambia (east): Leaping Water (called Devil’s Cataract by some), Main Falls, Rainbow Falls (the highest) and the Eastern Cataract.

Day 20 Victoria Falls

Most people will spend the day white water rafting, a not-to-be-missed experience of a lifetime! Vic Falls offers many exciting alternatives, such a walk with lions, or a helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls. Your tour officially finishes after breakfast, but there is the option to book extra nights. Optional Activities: White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Elephant Excursion, White Water rafting and many more.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Own Arrangements / Post Tour accommodation can be booked through Nomad

Tour Ends

We will drop you off at the Elephant Hills Hotel. You need to pre book this accommodation through your travel agent or Nomad.

Note: Accommodation providers are subject to change without notice, the accommodation listed in this dossier is our preferred supplier, but sometimes due to availability, we are unable to make use of the property listed in this dossier. If we cannot use the accommodation provider as listed we will substitute another property of similar standards, however, en-suite facilities are not always guaranteed.

Activities

Optional Activities

Note: There are more optional activities being created every day – we have listed only the most popular. If there is something specific you would like to do then speak to your guide as they will be able to assist you.

Green Seats – Making Africa Greener

We give you the opportunity to offset your carbon foot print by purchasing a “Green Seat”. Please ask us for the donation on this tour.

Onward Travel

This tour can be linked with the Accommodated South African Explorer, Classic Kruger Big 5, Mozambique Explorer, the East African Adventure and the 2 day Journey to Johannesburg transit.

Preparation

Preparation

Visas

Please note that these are your responsibility. Some nationalities require visas for Namibia and Botswana. Most nationalities will require visas for Zimbabwe. See Pre Departure Booklet for more information.

Health

Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disability that you may have.

Malaria

Malaria prophylactics are required. Very low risk of malaria in northern Namibia, but the risk increases to high risk as we travel north to Zimbabwe.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are prescribed by law for the countries being visited on this tour. Please see the Pre Departure Information booklet for detailed information on vaccinations in Africa.

Local Info

Local Information

Climate

The African sun is very strong. Please use a factor 30 sunscreen and wear a hat. You should drink at least 3 litres of water per day to avoid dehydration. It can also get very cold during winter months on this route. Please see Pre Departure Booklet for detailed information.

Currency and Banking

South African Rand is the most widely used currency on this route. US Dollar cash can be used for optional activities. In Botswana, the Pula is the local currency. You can change your Rand or Dollars to Pula when you enter Botswana. ATM’s do not always work in Botswana. Travellers cheques can take a long time to change into cash and often incur unreasonable charges. Credit Cards cannot always be processed – especially in remote areas. USD Notes printed before 2002 (i.e. the old style notes) will not be accepted and many places will not accept USD100 notes, so make sure to bring small notes for tips and craft markets. Please see Pre Departure Booklet for detailed information on each country.

Local Payment – USD745

Payable in cash to the guide on departure. Only small denominations ($50, $20, $10, $5) notes printed after 2002 will be accepted. The local payment covers the 2 day Okavango Excursion, including a flight into and out of the Delta, entrance to Chobe National Park and a sunset boat cruise in Chobe National Park.

Tipping on Tour

Southern Africa: In general tipping in restaurants is generally expected and is around 10% for good service, more if you have received exceptional service, and, feel free not to tip at all if you received poor service. Tipping taxi drivers etc is really at your own discretion and not always expected. If in doubt please ask your guides.

Our guides do work hard, but they are also paid at (and often above) industry levels for this work. Our Crew can be tipped if you feel that they have done a good job and/or gone above and beyond the call of duty.

The best way to arrange tips is to elect one person in the group to collect the money. We recommend USD1 (or about R5) per day per person, per guide as a fair tip. So if you have 3-crew on a tour, we would recommend that 3 envelopes are used and each crew members name written on one. Place what you feel is fair in to each envelope and the elected person can give these to the crew at the end of the tour. If you do not feel that the crew deserve a tip, please, do not tip them. You must remember that tipping is only for exceptional service and is not at all compulsory or expected.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

If you require accommodation before or after your tour we can arrange this for you. We can also arrange airport transfers – contact your travel agent to make these bookings.

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