The longest of our tours includes the Best of Botswana tour and then continues onto Namibia where we visit Etosha National Park as well a the famous sand dunes of the Namib Desert.

This route takes us through the Limpopo Province of South Africa to the Zambezi & Chobe region of Botswana - famous for the large herds of elephant often seen here. We also visit Victoria Falls in Zambia, the largest waterfall an earth, then on to the sand dunes and open spaces of Namibia.



Arrival Day - Johannesburg

You will be met at Johannesburg International Airport and transported to your 4-star Hotel in the northern suburbs. When the whole group has arrived we have our tour briefing, complete all the necessary documentation, and spend the rest of the afternoon preparing, packing and getting to know each other.

Overnight: 4-star Hotel in the northern suburbs


Day 1 – Bushveld

Day One takes us north from Johannesburg along the N1 highway to the Waterberg Mountains of Limpopo Province where we stay over at a private game farm in the Waterberg Bushveld. The Waterberg has been described as South Africa's best kept secret, the rugged beauty of the area, together with it's diversity in plant and animal life, has led to the development of serveral exciting eco-tourism projects. There are 75 mammal speices encountered here including the big five, plus it is a birdwatchers paradise with more than 300 bird species. Ther Waterberg is also rapicly emerging as one of the most important San rock art sites in S.A.

Overnight: Private Game Farm in the Waterberg Bushveld


Day 2 – Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Today we cross into Botswana and then head via Serowe to the rhino sanctuary, where the last remaining White Rhino in Botswana are protected from poaching. The Sanctuary is also home to other wildlife which have settled naturally or been relocated there. These include zebra, antelope, leopard, ostrich, black-backed jackal, brown hyena, etc. There are also over 230 species of bird including Adbim's stork and bearded woodpecker.

Overnight: Khama Rhino Sanctuary


Day 3 – Nata

We drive northwards towards the Makgadigadi Pans and camp at Nata. Nata is a village of 5000 people located on the edge of the Madgadikgadi Pans. About 75% of the residents of Nata are from the Basarwa tribe. The tribe is also known as the bushmen or the san. At the Bird Sanctuary on the edge of Sua Pan large flocks of flamingo and pelicans come to breed when the pans fill up during years of good rainfall. The surrounding grasslands host a variety birds.

Overnight: Campsite at Nata


Day 4 – Maun

From Nata it is a 350 km drive to Maun where you will stock up on fuel and supplies. Maun has developed rapidly from its early days as a rural frontier town and has spread along the wide Thamalakane River. It now boasts good shopping centres, hotels and lodges. However, it retains a rural atmosphere and local tribesmen still bring their cattle here to sell. You might even see antelopes grazing along the river banks.

Overnight: At a local campsite


Day 5 – Moremi

From Maun it is a 2-3 hour drive to Moremi National Park on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Today we explore the Moremi area with its wealth of wildlife. In the north-west of the country, covering some 16,000 square kilometres,
is the maze of channels, lagoons and palm-covered
islands that make up the Moremi Game Reserve. The Moremi Game Reserve never fails to impress even the most jaded of travellers. Home to nearly 500 different species of birds, and a vast array of wildlife, the
Moremi game reserve offers the opportunity to explore
not only in 4x4's but on foot and by mokoro - a dug-out canoe, hewn from either ebony or sausage-tree, and poled by a Personal Guide.

Overnight: Mankwe Camp


Day 6 – Savuti

The drive from Moremi to Savuti Camp is rough going through sandy tracks and could take 4 to 5 hours. We will need to cross the notorious sand ridge that was once the shoreline of an ancient lake.

Overnight: Savuti campsite


Day 7 – Kasane

You continue north along the sand track to the town of Kasane on the banks of Chobe River. Kasane is a bustling little town, offering hassle free access to the Chobe National Park. As there are no boundary fences between the park and the village, game such as elephant and hippo can frequently be seen wandering down the road and through the Kasane Campsites. Here you can look forward to having a hot shower and a meal in the restaurant.

Overnight: Local campsite or Lodge




Day 8 – Kasane

Today is at your leisure. You could relax at the pool or take a drive into the Chobe National Park. The drive along the Chobe River is very rewarding with large herds of elephant and buffalo often seen here. Visitors to Kasane can also visit the Kasane Hot Springs, natural mineral spa and Inchingo fishing camp, which is an excellent area for fishing. The Sedudu Island on the Chobe River is also a favourite spot for game viewing and bird watching. Another interesting sight is the old hollow Baobab tree. In the 20th century this hollowed out tree served as the local prison for many years before the current brick structure was built. The evening river cruise will take you up close to most of the wildlife and water birds, an experience not to be missed.

Overnight: Local campsite or Lodge


Day 9 – Victoria Falls

After breakfast today you head off to the Victoria Falls. Known as 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' - 'the Smoke that Thunders' and in more modern terns as 'the greatest known curtain of falling water', Victoria falls are a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe. One special vantage point is across the Knife edge bridge, where visitors can have the finest view of the Eastern Cataract and the Main Falls as well as the Boiling Pot where the river turns and heads down the Batoka Gorge. Other vantage points include the Falls Bridge and the Lookout Tree which commands a panoramic view across the Main Falls. The rest of the day is at your leisure to view the magnificent Falls.

Overnight: Victoria Falls


Day 10 – Victoria Falls

Today you have a well deserved rest day. The Victoria Falls area is rapidly becoming known as the 'Adventure centre' of Southern Africa, with various adrenaline sports, unmatched scenery of breathtaking proportions, and many other leisure options for outdoor lovers. Activities include white water rafting, bungee jumping, canoeing, horseback trails, river boarding, abseiling, tandem kayaking, micro light flights, river safaris, jet boating and even elephant back safaris!

Overnight: Victoria Falls


Day 11 – Caprivi

Today after a long drive west we will cross the Zambezi River again and enter the Caprivi area of Namibia.

Overnight: Camp at Katima Mulilo


Day 12 – Caprivi

The Caprivi is the land of the four major rivers; the Kavango, Cuando, Chobe and Zambezi, and is known for its herds of elephant and hardwood timber forests. This ride will take us across the Cuando and Kavango Rivers to our overnight spot at Popa Falls. These falls are one of the most scenic highlights of Namibia in the western part of the Caprivi. Actually, they are rapids rather than waterfalls. Here, the Okavango breaks through a four metre high rocky intrusion in its riverbed. The falls lie amidst enthrallingly beautiful nature. Here you also find the most scenic campground in the north of Namibia.

Overnight: Popo Falls campsite


Day 13 – Grootfontein

A long day in the seat takes us past Rundu where we leave the big rivers and head south on the 'Golden Highway' towards the Grootfontein/Tsumeb area. Like all the towns in the Otavi triangle, Grootfontein is very green and in spring, the many Jacaranda trees can be seen in all their purple splendor. The small town of about 10,000 inhabitants is an ideal overnight stop.

Overnight: Roys Camp

 

Day 14 – Etosha

Today we visit the Hobas Meteorite. On the farm 'Hoba', 24 km from town, lies one of the largest meteorites ever found. It is 3 metres long and 1 metre wide, weighs 50 tons, has a volume of 9 cubic metres and hit the ground here some 80,000 years ago. We will also visit Lake Otjikoto, which is part of an underground river system. The lake was exposed when the roof of what was a large dolomite cave fell in. The lake is small with a diameter of about 102m, but very deep, with a depth estimated to be in excess of 142m in places. Later we head to the Etosha National Park. Etosha is our base for two nights. We will conduct our own game drives from here.

Overnight: Etosha National Park


Day 15 – Etosha

Etosha National Park is one of Southern Africa's finest and most important Game Reserves. Visitors to Etosha Game Reserve can expect to see many species of buck as well as elephant, giraffe, rhino and lions. More fortunate visitors will also see leopard and cheetah. There is a network of roads linking the three campsites and subsidiary roads lead to various waterholes. We visit the Halali and Okaukuejo camps in Etosha.

Overnight: Etosha National Park


Day 16 & 17 – Khorixas & Tyfelfontein

The area around Khorixas and Twyfelfontein is famous for rock formations and rock art paintings. We explore the area where curious stone formations, ancient rock engravings and strange geological phenomena continue to lure travellers to the compelling beauty of the Kunene Region.

Overnight: Camp at Kunene


Day 18 – Swakopmund

We head west and meet the Atlantic Ocean - view the
seal colony at Cape Cross - and follow the coastline south to Swakopmund. The architecture and general feeling of Swakopmund is one which may be associated with a small German village, and the town seems to be stuck in time. Although in recent times a new generation have woken up to the tourist potential of the area, Swakopmund still manages to create a feeling of timelessness.

Overnight: Swakopmund establishment



Day 19 – Swakopmund

We spend the day in this quaint seaside town. The Cape Cross Seal Colony is worth a visit as it offers a taste of the Skeleton Coast. The Welwitschia drive is an interesting way to spend a few hours and introduces you to some of the flora and fauna of the Namib Desert. Bird lovers can pay a visit to the Swakopmund Salt Works or the Walvis Bay Lagoon, which in season is frequented by thousands of flamingos.

Overnight: Swakopmund establishment


Day 20 – Sesriem

A long stretch of Namibian gravel takes us across the Namib-Naukluft Park via Solitaire to the camp at Sesriem. Sesriem is the gateway to the sand dune desert and is the location of the National Park campsite for this area. It is set in a beautiful landscape with mountains to the east and dunes to the west.

Overnight: Campsite in Sesriem


Day 21 – Sossusvlei

A day trip takes us right into the Namib Desert to view the large sand dunes at Sossusvlei. The sand dunes of Sossusvlei are often referred to as the highest dunes in the world. After spending the morning on the sand dunes we head back to Sesriem Campsite.

Overnight: Campsite in Sesriem


Day 22 – Ais Ais

From Sesriem we head southeast to the great Fish River Canyon. Stay at the resort at Ais Ais. Thermal water bubbles from the springs of Ai-Ais. It has a temperature of approximately 60 degrees C and is very rich in sulphates and fluorides. The thermal bath immediately next to the spring is a popular recreation resort, especially during the winter. The water is particularly soothing for people suffering from rheumatism. Of course, healthy people enjoy the spouting water fountains as well.

Overnight: Resort in Ais Ais


Day 23 – Fish River Canyon

We visit the view site at the great Fish River Canyon, situated along the lower reaches of the Fish River. It is one of the most impressive natural beauties in the southern part of Namibia. It developed predominantly during the pluvial times - a rainy climatic epoch - many millions of years ago. With a depth of up to 550 metres, the Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in America.
The enormous gorge meanders along a distance of approximately 160km through the fissured Koubis Massif all the way down to Ai-Ais.

Overnight: Resort in Ais Ais


Day 24 – Upington

We head back to South Africa via the border post at Ariamsvlei.

Overnight: Local campsite in Upington


Day 25 – Northern Cape

We need to cover as many km as possible today, meaning a long day in to seat over flat countryside towards Vryberg for our last evening on tour together.

Overnight: Local campsite in Vryberg


Day 26 – Johannesburg

After a good breakfast we complete the final leg to Johannesburg.

Overnight: A 4-star Hotel in the northern suburbs


Highlights
- Waterburg Bushveld private game farm
- San (Bushmen) Rock art viewing
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary
- Okavango Delta
- Moremi Game Reserve
- Chobe National Park, Botswana
- Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
- Etosha National Park
- Kunene Region
- Cape Cross Seal Colony, Namibia
- Skeleton Coast
- Highest sand dunes in the world, Namibia
- Fish River Canyon
- Thermal Springs of Ais Ais
 

Included in your safari: - Rental of safari camper vehicle including all camping equipment which consists of: tents, mattresses and bedding, refrigerator, cooler box, kitchen box with cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery, water containers, gas cookers, camp chairs and table, spot light, camping light, barbeque kit,  spade and storage crate. - Support vehicle and guide to lead the tour group. - Transfers to and from Johannesburg International Airport (O.R Tambo International). - Accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Johannesburg on day of arrival and departure, including all meals. - Traditional BBQ on the second, and second to last day of the safari. - Camping fees for each day on safari. - Administration costs, vehicle insurance and transfers. Excluded in your safari: - Return airfares to Johannesburg, South Africa - The operating cost of the vehicle, fuel, road levies, toll fees, etc. for the scheduled itinerary. - Entrance fees to National Parks and Reserves as per itinerary. - Personal travel and all risks insurance. - All other meals are self-catering for clients own cost. - Beverages and Alcohol. - Tips, souvenirs, etc. - Adventure activities  (scenic flights, rafting, boating, etc.)

The above quote is subject to availability at time of confirmation

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