Explore the Orange River by canoe, experience
breath-taking sand dunes in Sossusvlei, follow the tracks
of the elusive desert elephant and much more on this
safari from Victoria Falls to Cape Town
Trip rating 10.0/10 from 1 trip review
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Overall operator rating 9.7/10 from 24 trip reviews
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This trip: Southern Experience Safari – Fully Accommodated
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
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.
Thank you, Chris
Itinerary
Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe On arrival in Victoria Falls, please make your way to Lokuthula Lodges. You have the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of the group.
Accommodation: Lokuthula Lodges or similar (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, bar and swimming pool).
Day 2:Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park, Botswana This morning your guide will take you on a tour of the might Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya- “the Smoke that thunders. A mid morning departure takes you from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe on to Botswana. In the afternoon we go on a cruise on the Chobe River, a truly unforgettable experience and one of the best ways to view the wildlife and the spectacular sunset. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephant found on the African continent. [BL]
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant).
Day 3:Eastern Caprivi, Namibia Leaving Botswana, we drive through Chobe National Park before crossing over into Namibia and driving through the Caprivi to our camp on the banks of the Kwando River. In the afternoon you will go on a game drive to the famous Mudumo National Park. In contrast to the rest of Namibia, the area is lush with riverine forest, marshes, dense savannah and mopane woodland. [BLD]
Accommodation: Camp Kwando or similar (chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant).
Days 4 & 5:Caprivi to Okavango Delta, Botswana We leave our camp on the Caprivi for Etsha13, on the western border of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast, which makes it unique. The next day is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), discovering a variety of birds and wildlife and will stop at a secluded island to take a 1˝ hour guided walk hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck or other animals living in this water filled paradise. [BLD, BLD]
Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Camp or similar (permanent tents with en-suite bathroom, bar area).
Days 6 & 7: Okavango Delta to Kavango River, Namibia Leaving Botswana we make our way into Namibia and head along the Caprivi to Rundu. We make our way to N’Kwazi Lodge and spend a relaxing afternoon at our lodge on the banks of the Kavango River. Optional activities such as horse riding or a sunset cruise are available; alternatively just relax by the pool with a sundowner listening to the sounds of Mother Nature. [BL, BL]
Accommodation: N’Kwazi Lodge or similar (chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant).
Days 8, 9 & 10: Etosha National Park, Namibia The following morning we head off to Etosha National Park. We fill the next 3 days with game drives in the hopes of spotting the big five as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra and the numerous different types of antelope the park has to offer. Our nights are spent at the flood lit waterholes encountering the parks various nocturnal animals as they come to drink. Etosha Game park was declared a National Park in 1907, it is home to approx. 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish. [BLD, BLD, BLD]
Accommodation: Namutoni, Halali and Okaukuejo or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant).
Day 11:Kamanjab – Himba Experience, Namibia We leave the wild animals behind at Etosha and move onto the spectacular scenery of Damaraland. Our final destination for the day will be Kamanjab. Depending on the time of arrival we go and explore a traditional Himba village this afternoon or the next morning. This will be a journey of culture exchange, learning and understanding of the last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba. [BLD]
Accommodation: Porcupine Camp or similar (permanent tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Day 12: Twyfelfontein, Petrified Forest and Brandberg, Namibia On our journey today we will stop to see ancient Bushmen paintings at Twyfelfontein as well as the Petrified Forest, the trees of which are estimated to be 250 million years old. Twyfelfontein was named a World Heritage site in 2007, the first in the country. We continue to Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia. Either this afternoon or the next morning we take a walk to visit the “White Lady” one of the most famous rock paintings in the area. The footpath to the site offers spectacular views over the plains of Damaraland. [BLD]
Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady Lodge or similar (permanent tent with shower and toilet swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Days 13 & 14: Cape Cross Seal Colony and Swakopmund, Namibia We move westwards across the flat desert plains to reach the cold Atlantic coastline. As we follow the Skeleton Coast on our way to Swakopmund we visit Cape Cross - the largest breeding place of the Cape Fur Seals. We arrive into the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, where you will have the opportunity to partake in a few of the many optional activities that are offered over the next two days. Alternatively just soak up the atmosphere of this little quaint German town and enjoy its beauty and beaches. [BL]
Accommodation: Hotel A La Mer or similar (standard rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
Days 15 & 16:Namib Naukluft National Park and Sossusvlei,Namibia The day is spent driving through the Namib Naukluft National Park on our way to Sossusvlei. The Namib-Naukluft Desert is an ancient land with an ageless spirit. It is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world; sightings of this flora and fauna on a Namibian safari are a must. The animals of this harsh landscape include the Oryx, springbok and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. One can also see the Welwitschia mirabilis which is an odd-looking desert shrub and one of these ‘shrubs’ is a large, protected specimen estimated at over 1 500 years old. . This evening we embark on a wild cat walk at the lodge. The next morning we need to wake up early to visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. At sunrise and sunset these dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake). We also stop to view the Sesriem Canyon, which was carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River. [BLD]
Accommodation: Hammerstein Lodge or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant).
Day 17: Fish River Canyon, Namibia Today we head to Ai-Ais, here thermal water rich in sulphates and fluorides and with a temperature of approx. 60°C gushes forth from the springs. In the Nama language, "Ai-Ais" means "burning water". We then proceed to our accommodation which is situated close to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon on earth. Later in the evening we take in another perfect African sunset with the magnificent views and scenery along the edge of the canyon. [BLD]
Accommodation: Canon Road House or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant).
Days 18 & 19: The Orange River, Namibia We leave this morning for our camp on the banks of the Orange River, the natural border between South Africa and Namibia. The next day the only travelling is done in a canoe. Put your feet up and relax as the currents take you downstream the Orange River – mind the rapids though! [BLD]
Accommodation: Felix Unite Camp Provenance or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming pool, bar).
Day 20: Orange River to The Cedarberg, South Africa We cross the border into South Africa and make our way down the coast. If you are travelling in spring you will see the spectacular carpets of wildflowers in the famous Namaqualand region. We arrive in the late afternoon at Gecko Creek, in the Cedarberg Mountains. [BLD]
Accommodation: Gecko Creek or similar (cabins or permanent tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming pool, bar).
Day 21: Cedarberg Mountains / Cape Town, South Africa A day drive through the mountains takes us to our final destination, Cape Town; we stop at the beach on the Atlantic Ocean to view Table Mountain across the Bay. [BL]
Accommodation: Lady Hamilton or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool and restaurant).
Day 22:End of Tour Our safari ends after breakfast. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures. [B]
Highlights: Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Eastern Caprivi, Mudumo National Park, Okavango Delta, Etosha National Park, Himba Experience, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Sesriem, Fish River Canyon, Orange River, Cedarberg, Cape Town.
Included in the price: 21 nights in fixed accommodation,all transport in fully equipped vehicle, use of camping equipment, game drives as mentioned, meals as per itinerary (prepared by the guide) and activities as mentioned in itinerary, park entrance fees, experienced local guide.
Not included in the price: Travel insurance, flights, pre and post tour accommodation, optional activities, all drinks, tips and curios, all personal expenses.
Price per person 2012: USD 3825 Single supplement: USD 665 Local payment: ZAR 2500
Our Half Accommodated Option includes the added comfort of spending 11 nights in fixed accommodation and 10 nights camping. USD 3279 Single supplement: USD 405 Local payment: ZAR 2500
Or try our Camping Option USD 2795 Single supplement: USD 160 Local payment: ZAR 2500
