Embark on a 2 week camping safari adventure through
three countries: Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.
Discover Etocha and Chobe National Park, gain insights
into the Himba tribe and much more!
Trip rating 8.5/10 from 2 trip reviews
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Overall operator rating 9.7/10 from 24 trip reviews
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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.
2
Client:
Dianne Ellis - from Korea (South)
Trip:
This trip: Southern Skies Safari
Rating:
rating 7/10
Comment:
"The accommodations - chalets and tents - were wonderful. I chose to upgrade to "deluxe" which meant staying in chalets everywhere except Etosha National Park which was tent camping. In every case, the chalet accommodation was lovely ... cabins were decorated with local arts & harmonized with the riverside or woods environment. All were "open air" -- wire screens to keep out insects; no glass panes. So I enjoyed fresh air.
"My only complaint was the vehicle, a Toyota van, instead of a safari viewing vehicle with large windows or pop-top roof. There were 10 people - 9 clients and the guide - jammed inside the van for endless hours! You cannot exit the vehicle in the national parks ... so we were sitting for up to 8 hours a day when driving between parks and then on game drives in Etosha. The windows are small and when 8 photographers are scrambling to take pictures of animals - always on one side of the van - you're dealing with elbows in your face and neck ... or a close-up view of someone's butt pushing to get a camera to the window. Not comfortable ... and eventually really unpleasant."
I would recommend this trip only if you know the driving distances are long -- and the van is cramped and uncomfortable."
Tour Operators Reply:
Thanks for the comments - we are happy that Dianne was happy with the accomodations provided
The vehicle used for this group was a 14 seater, air conditioned, brand new Toyota Quantam. We however do not seat more than 10 pax plus guide in these vehicles, this means that there is a large area behind the row of seats for luggage, refreshments,etc. The seating arrangement in the Quantam is also particularly comfortable for tall people as there is an aisle between the seats allowing the possibility to stretch out your legs. Each vehicle tows a fitted trailer where all the camping equipment and luggage is carried. Other vehicles such as our 10 seater landcruisers or Toyota condors or mini buses may be used on our tours – the final choice depends on the group size and the terrain they will be traveling through.
The route between Cape town and Victoria Falls (and visa versa) covers approximately 5000kms in 20 days – which is not only a huge distance, but a lot of diversity and wonderful experiences in between. To avoid spending every day driving we have designed the itinerary to have at least 2 nights in the same place – so after a long day of traveling, the group would then have a “no-travel” or “limited-travel” day, enjoying local excursions or a day free. Although some days may involve more driving, each day includes stops at points of interest, view points or the chance to take part in an activity or short hike. So the clients would never be confined to the vehicle for a non-stop 8 hours of driving.
Whilst it is not safe to get out in Etosha or any National Park – the regular daily routine is planned around the best times for game viewing – early morning and late afternoon, the game tends to rest in the shade during the heat of the day, or congregate near the waterholes (which are near the campsites in Etosha). A typical day involves getting up early and doing game drives until late morning – returning to the campsite for lunch, a chance to relax by the pool or watch the animals coming to drink at the waterholes. As soon as it is a bit cooler, the guide will take the group out for more game viewing until sunset when the gates close and everyone needs to be back in camp.
We do not confirm window seats on a scheduled tour and a seat is not “booked” – on a full tour (10 pax) , there would be 3 people in the aisle seats and 7 window seats, however clients rarely monopolize the window seats and everyone is generally flexible and alternate places throughout the trip so that photographic and viewing possibilities are shared.
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: Camping at Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, 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: Camping at Camp Kwando or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, 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: Camping at Guma Lagoon Camp or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, 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]
Accommodation: Camping at N’Kwazi Lodge or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming 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: Camping at Namutoni, Halali, 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 Twyfelfontein. On our way we visit the small German town of Outjo where we relax for a coffee break. Our final destination for the day will be Kamanjab. Depending on the time of arrival we go and explore a traditional Himba Village that afternoon or the next morning. This will be a journey of culture exchange and learning and understanding of our last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba. [BLD]
Accommodation: Porcupine Camp (tents, wash rooms with hot water)
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: Camping at Brandberg White Lady Lodge or similar (tent, communal ablutions with hot water, 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 (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms; Restaurant, bars, laundry service and Internet cafe in town)
Day 15:Swakopmund, Namibia Your journey ends after breakfast this morning. We can arrange an airport transfer on request (own expense). We hope to welcome you on one of our African adventures soon. [B]
Highlights: Victoria Falls, Sunset cruise on the Chobe River in the Chobe National Park, Western Caprivi, Game Drive in Mudumo National Park, 2 nights in the Okavango Delta including Mokoro Experience, 3-nights in Etosha National Park including Game Drives, Himba Experience, Swakopmund
Included in the price: 12 nights camping & 3 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 2405 Single supplement: USD 135 Local payment: ZAR 1900
Upgrade your safari: Our Half Accommodated Option includes the added comfort of spending 7 nights in fixed accommodation and 7 nights camping. USD 2649 Single supplement: USD 269 Local payment: ZAR 1900
Upgrade to our Accommodated Option which includes the luxury of spending every night in fixed accommodation. USD 2985 Single supplement: USD 575 Local payment: ZAR 1900
