A 15 day small group camping safari through Southern
Angola and Northern Namibia: whay not have a real back
to nature 4x4 experience and enjoy adventurous days of
exploring two unique countries.
Overall operator rating 9.7/10 from 24 trip reviews
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They did a great job setting up our safari - which had very specific time guidelines as I had to fit it into school holidays.
The operator made sure we were picked up at every airport and at every lodge to be taken to the next event. We had the most marvelous time at Camp Dizhana (about 1 1/2 hours north of Maun), where we were given the most comfortable tent and the most individual and professional attention.
I must have exchanged about 30 e-mails with my contact (Tanya) prior to the trip, where she answered my questions, suggested specific activities and lodges or camps, and ultimately came up with an internerary tailored to my needs.
Everything worked our perfectly! I have no problem highly recommending their service.
We took the 14 day Botswana mobile safari (camping only) from J'burg to Victoria Falls. Our guide, Blessed, was very personable, knowledgeable, and hardworking, as was the driver we had for most of the trip, Sage. He basically doubled as another guide. Also, both were very environmentally-conscious, showing a great appreciation for the animals and landscape, and ensuring that we left "only footprints".
In Africa, you have to take what it gives you. For us, the rainy season basically went a month longer than usual, which made it impossible to get to two of our destinations. We missed Kubu Island, but the operator compensated for this by putting us up in a very nice lodge in Maun (the Thamalakane River Lodge). Also, because the roads were flooded and impassable, we were not able to get to the mokoro rides in the Okavongo Delta, but again they compensated with a cruise on the Zambesi that included all food and beverages (including alcohol). That was very generous of them.
The camping and campsites were excellent, as was the food. The lodge we stayed at in Victoria Falls (the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge) exceeded my expectations - very nice. The group of 8 was the right size, and the vehicles were great for the roads and for game viewing. We saw all of the big 5 and just about every other animal we could think of. My favorite Park was Chobe, which is extremely dense with animals. The Chobe River is beautiful and also had a very nice cruise.
After this trip we took another 6 day safari in Kruger with a different outfit, and this one was clearly the better of the two.
this was a terific trip for cost. The guide (Garland) was excetional, the accomodations were good to great, the front office of the agency was always courteous and professional, the itineray was rich, the activites all doable, the group (whild divided) ended up with great cohesion.
it has opend my thinking to a new way to travel-overland journeys. compiments to the operator.
The Safari I experienced through Botswana, Namibia and into SA was very enjoyable indeed.
The lodges I stayed were very comfortable, the people that ran the smaller lodges were very welcoming and kind. the food was plentiful with lots of choices.
I travelled in a group of 8 which was a perfect amount for our size of vehicle as well it was a good size for organizing and group decisions.
And for myself the high light would be all the big animals we were able to observe and photograph. Overall the trip was a wonderful experience with lots of memories and new friends to have for a long time.
I am pleased to say that my safari/holiday was wonderful.
I delt with Nadia for everything except my hotel reservations. She was quite helpful and took care of all my needs. We communicated through emails and I called her once I had arrived in South Africa. The service was second to none.
She booked me with a 5 day walking safari. The safari group consisted of myself and 7 others with 2 guides. I was apprehensive at first traveling alone, but I could not have emagined that I would meet such wonderful people. Also the guides were very knowledgable and went the extra mile to insure that we all had a memerable experience.
The camp was more that i expected and I could not have been more comfortable. Although I have never been on a safari before this trip and have nothing to compare it too I give it a 10 out of 10. I would recomend this package to anyone, weither they are traveling alone or as a family. The 5 to 6 hour hikes in the morning were pleasant and gave me the opportunity to see the small details of the bush, and the afternoon and evening drives were amazing as we were able to get close to lots of game.
Unfortunately we did not see and of the big cats but a 30 minute encounter with a male elephant at less than 20 meters made up for anything I didn't see.
My daughter and I recently completed a 21 day trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.
It was an amazing and beautiful experience that exceeded all of our expectations and cannot be easily described. Our 8 travel companions were fantastic, there was not one day when we did not laugh and truly enjoyed ourselves, and we are already making plans for future travel with these newly made friends.
Everything was extremely well organized and things went as planned along our long route, with great selection of campsites and lodges and delicious meals that one could not have imagined could be prepared by a campfire.
Of course, having a great guide is what made a difference. Mike is extremely knowledgeable and has a love for the area that is contagious.
Thumbs up for keeping their groups small, for a well-planned route, for carefully selected sites, and for all the people who work there. Working with them was a pleasure, they were extremely helpful from the minute we started planning our trip, with all our questions, getting birthday’s organized and all their extraordinary efforts in helping us with visas, logistics, etc. We would highly recommend them
The tour I have recently taken part in was absolutely stunning:rich in emotions, colours and sounds which are still in my heart.
A special thank to Amina, who saved my life by promptly warning me the carrier I booked the flight with (by my own), went bankrupt in the meatime, and to Chantel, whose superb "lasagne" I will never forget...
I recently returned from the 14 day Upgraded Botswana Wildlife Breakaway Safari.
We were a great group of 10 - 2 Irish, 5 Americans and 3 Australians and were fortunate to have the services of driver/ guide Mike Miles.
He really made our trip special, sharing his extensive knowledge of the wildlife, customs, history and politics of the countries we visited during the drives and around the campfires as we ate the delicious meals he prepared. He left no stone unturned to maximise our enjoyment of the safari. In the main our lodges were good. The itinerary was well thought out and we saw lots of animals but alas no cheetah, leopard or rhino. A pleasant surprise for me was the amazing variety of birdlife we encountered. The mokoro trip through the Okavango Delta was magical.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Windhoek After your arrival at Windhoek Airport you will be picked up and transferred to your Lodge. The rest of the day is spent at leisure. You will meet your guide and the rest of the group at the lodge in the evening.
Accommodation: Roof of Africa Lodge (Double Rooms with en-suite bathroom, restaurant, bar & Swimming Pool)
Day 2: Windhoek - Kamanjab After breakfast at the lodge, we depart Windhoek driving north to our first destination, Otjitotongwe, which is located some 24km east off Kamanjab. Arriving in the afternoon, we will enjoy a cheetah tour on the farm before settling into our first night of camping. Home to a non-profit organization aimed at conserving cheetahs in a natural environment, the 7,000ha farm has both tame & wild cheetahs, and offers superb photographic opportunities at scheduled cheetah feedings. [BLD]
Accommodation: Overnight Otjitotongwe Cheetah Farm (camping with ablutions, hot water & Swimming Pool)
Day 3: Kamanjab - Ruacana After our first night of camping we head north travelling through many small rural villages before arriving in Opuwo, the Gateway to the Kaokoveld region. On arrival we explore a traditional Himba Village to experience a journey of culture exchange, and learning and understanding of our last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba. We continue onto Ruacana where we stop for the evening at our lodge. [BLD]
Accommodation: Eha Lodge camping (tents, wash rooms with hot water, bar and swimming pool)
Day 4: Ruacana - Angola Leaving Namibia behind, we cross the border into Angola, and from here on will have an interesting drive with opportunities to stop & see the many Himba people who live in the area. These nomadic people of Angola are completely untouched by modern society & live with very little. We will also pass a major stand of enormous Baobab trees. With some imagination – and compared to the prevailing vegetation dominated by bush and grass – this patch could be called a ‘forest’. This Baobab Forest is home to many Prehistoric stones, left untouched on the ground by the villager’s ancestors. [BLD]
Accommodation: Overnight Bush camp with no facilities
Day 5 - 6: Iona National Park Today is a long & slow drive with some exciting 4x4 driving. The scenery changes dramatically from Mopane forests to large open plains. There are more opportunities to experience time with Himba people & look at some interesting rock formations. [BLD]
Accommodation: Overnight Bush camp in open plains with no facilities
Day 7: Iona National Park (via Espinheira) We continue our drive through the heart of Iona National Park, stopping in the ghost town of Espinheira. Once again the scenery changes dramatically, as we head towards our destination for the evening. . [BLD]
Accommodation: Overnight Bush camp with no facilities
Day 8: Iona National Park – Flamingo Lodge Today we head to the coast, leaving behind the dryness of Iona National Park. On our way to Flamingo Lodge, we stop at Lake Arco - a hidden treasure located within a canyon where we can relax by the waters & watch the birdlife. Arriving to Flamingo Lodge, we set up our camp site, and prepare dinner. [BLD]
Accommodation: Overnight Flamingo Lodge (camping with ablutions & hot water)
Day 9: Flamingo Lodge to Baia das Pipas (via Namibe) Departing from Flamingo Lodge, we take a drive into the nearby canyon to hike & explore – hopefully seeing some families of Black-backed Jackals along the way. We then drive into Namibe to explore this good-sized town, before heading to Pipas Beach where we will camp the night in-between the vast ocean & the rocks. The afternoon will be at leisure to explore the beach & relax in the remote surroundings. [BLD]
Accommodation: Overnight Pipas beach (camping with no facilities)
Day 10: Baia das Pipas - Lubango Today we head for the city of Lubango & marvel at the breathtaking Leba pass that winds its way up the mountain to a height of 1845 meters above sea level. Lubango is set in a lush tropical valley guarded by the statue of Christ built high above on the cliffs overlooking the city. This statue is only one of three in the world and is a replica of the one in Rio de Janeiro – one of the few remaining signs of hope and peace. After a visit of the statue, we make our way into Lubango and up to TundaVala where we spend our afternoon at leisure enjoying the beautiful surroundings & clean mountain air. Take a hike to the waterfall where you can take a dip, and enjoy sundowners at the top of the Tunda Vala escarpment. TundaVala is a must see in the city of Lubango. This volcanic fissure climbs to 2600m (8528 ft) above sea level and offers breathtaking views from the edge of the escarpment over rolling hills well above the clouds. [BLD]
Accommodation: Overnight Bush camp on the magnificent Tunda Vala escarpment with no facilities.
Day 11: Lubango – Mongua After an early breakfast and break down of camp, we head into Lubango to explore the rich colonial architecture mixed with the confusion of Africa and rich Portuguese heritage. We drive along the mainly good tar road from Lubango heading towards Mongua, stopping at Cahama to look at the abandoned tanks and military vehicles left from the war. [BLD]
Accommodation: Overnight Bush Camp close to Mongua – no facilities
Day 12: Mongua – Etosha National Park Departing early, we cross the border into Namibia at Oshikango and continue into Etosha National Park. Entering through the North gate, we arrive to Namutoni where we set up camp and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening by the swimming pool or at the waterhole watching game. [BLD]
Accommodation: Overnight at Namutoni Camp (Camps have a bar, restaurant and Swimming Pool as well as convenience store and floodlit waterhole.
Day 13: Etosha National Park We enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive in the park, and the luxuries of hot showers! [BLD]
Accommodation: Overnight at Namutoni Camp
Day 14: Etosha National Park – Windhoek An early morning departure will take us back to Windhoek, where we relax after our travels at the Roof of Africa Lodge. [BL]
Accommodation: Overnight at Roof of Africa
Day 15: Windhoek - Onward destination After breakfast at the lodge, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. [B]
Highlights: Cheetah Tour at Otjitotongwe, Himbas at Opuwo, Ruacana Falls, Ova-Himba’s, Baobab Forest, Ancient Welwitchia’s, Iona National Park, Pediva Hot Springs, Flamingo Canyon, Lake Arco, Beach camping, Leba Pass, Tunda Vala Escarpment, Lubango, Etosha National Park.
Included in the price: Use of full camping equipment (except sleeping bags), 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 12 dinners, coffee/tea with the meals, transport on the tour, activities as per itinerary & an English-speaking guide.
Not included in the price: All excursions not mentioned in the program, bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, laundry, international and domestic flights, visas and travel insurance, personal items.
Price per person 2012: 6 - 7 pax: USD 3585 8 - 12 pax: USD 3175 Single Supplement: USD 95
