safaris for photographer

16 Day Namibia & Botswana Adventure
Windhoek to Victoria Falls Safari
(Trip Code: WV16 ) Departs every 2nd Thursday
2007 Tour Price: R4 490 & Local payment: US$355

This trip starts in Windhoek, Namibia and travels north through Namibia and Botswana finishing in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Capture and feel the rhythms of Namibia, experience unforgettable wildlife encounters and relax on a mokoro as you explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta. For those who are not faint hearted enjoy the adrenaline activities such as bungi jumping and white water rafting in the lively town of Victoria Falls. This trip is a combination of game viewing, quality leisure time, culture exchange, enjoying what Africa throws at you and having a damn good time going it!

Please note that this trip starts on Thursday and departs the same day. Should you wish to spend extra time there an earlier arrival should be planned and additional accommodation booked.

Pre Departure Meeting: A briefing will be held in Swakopmund upon arrival at the end of day 1.
Departure Point: Intercape Coaches, Parking Bay, Cnr Pieter Muller & Michael Scott Str
Check In Time: 5.30am
Departure Time: 6.00am

HIGHLIGHTS

Swakopmund
Cape Cross Seal Colony
Spitzkoppe
Cheetah Park
Etosha National Park
Kavango River
Okavango Delta
Chobe National Park
Victoria Falls

ITINERARY

DAYS 01: Windhoek to Swakopmund

After boarding your early morning coach in Windhoek, it will be an easy start to your journey to the adventure centre of Namibia, Swakopmund. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

DAYS 02 & 03: Swakopmund

Founded in 1892 during the German colonial rule, the distinct colonial character has been well preserved. Swakopmund has several excellent restaurants, bars, coffee shops as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian rural art. There are fine beaches to walk along as well as a great museum, aquarium and galleries to visit.

Optional excursions include fishing trips, quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving, desert flights, watersports, golf and 4WD hire. (B included both days)

DAY 04: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe

Our departure from Swakopmund will see us follow the Atlantic Coast north to visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony. Of the 23 breeding colonies of Cape Fur Seals along the coast of South Africa and Namibia, Cape Cross is the largest. Seals are present through out the year and numbers fluctuate between 80 000 and 100 000 individuals, rising to around 200 000 during the breeding season. A short drive takes us to Spitzkoppe, the 1728m high rock formation, one of Namibia’s most recognised landmarks. There is opportunity to explore the bushman paintings and surrounding area. (B, L, D)

DAY 05: Spitzkoppe to Cheetah Park

Today is a day’s drive from the rock paintings to the Cheetah Park, a private farm where you will learn about the conservation of the cheetah population in Namibia and have a chance to meet the resident cheetah's up at the house. A photo opportunity not to be missed! (B,L,D)

DAY 06: Cheetah Park to Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park

Stopping briefly in Outjo to get supplies, then it is on to Etosha. We will game drive our way into Okaukuejo rest camp before setting up camp and heading out for an afternoon game drive. Etosha is the major nature reserve of Namibia, covering over 20 000 square kilometres with a large variety of animal and bird species. The park is situated around the Etosha Pan, and has an extensive network of gravel roads that enable us to get to remote areas of the park. A feature of the park is the floodlit water holes at both Okakuejo and Namutoni.
Evenings can be spent sitting on the specially constructed viewing benches watching the game as it comes in to drink. (B,L,D)

DAY 07: Etosha National Park – Okaukuejo to Namutoni

Another full day of game driving as we make our way the 150kms across the park form west to east. After a full day of game driving you will then have another opportunity to spend the evening watching the game at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole. (B,L,D)

DAY 08: Namutoni, Etosha National Park to Rundu

Departing Etosha, we head in a north-easterly direction towards the lush Kavango region of northern Namibia. We will stop at Rundu for supplies before reaching our nearby campsite. This campsite is spectacular and located right on the banks of the Kavango River complete with "open air" facilities and the occasional hippo grazing on the lawn. (B,L,D)

DAY 09: Rundu to Maun (Botswana)

Continuing along 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 of Maun. It is from here that we set off to explore the Okavango Delta. (B,L,D)

DAY 10: Maun to Okavango Delta (Optional)

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 as well as many other animals unique to Southern Africa.

Here you have the opportunity to take the optional 3 day / 2 night excursions into the Delta. This is the drive in Mokoro excursion. (B,L,D)

This drive in trip to the Okavango Delta takes us approximately 1-2 hours north to the Mokoro polers station. From there we hire mokoros, the local dug out canoes, which are poled by local guides through the winding waterways. Your guides will select a place to set up camp. An afternoon game walk will allow you to experience the Delta wilderness.

DAY 11: Okavango Delta

A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await. Today you will have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities including game walks, mokoro cruises, swimming and even a chance to try your hand at poling your own mokoro! (B,L,D)

DAY 12: Okavango Delta to Maun

A final opportunity for a morning game walk before packing up camp and setting off back to Maun. After arriving back in the early afternoon you have the opportunity to complete your picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional sunset scenic flight over the Delta region. (B,L,D)

DAY 13: Maun to Chobe National Park

We travel east and then north through Botswana 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 as well as Botswana and Zambia. Listen out for the resident hippos! (B,L,D)

DAY 14: Chobe National Park

This morning we depart on an early morning game drive into Chobe National Park. Chobe is one of Botswana’s premier game parks, renowned for the large herds of elephant around the Chobe River. After our game drive we return to camp for lunch. There is opportunity for those who wish to partake in a boat cruise along the Chobe River to do so in the afternoon (optional) or you can relax on the banks of the Chobe River and watch the renowned Chobe sunset from our campsite. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: Vic Falls

We pack up camp and depart for our final destination, Victoria Falls. Leaving Botswana we enter Zimbabwe and drive to the nearby Victoria Falls where we set up camp in the municipal town campsite. Afternoon at leisure to explore the many sights and delights of this town! (Brunch)

The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. 1700 metres wide and around a 100 metres high, this is the world's largest sheet of falling water and a memorable sight of any African Safari. All year round, flights can be taken in either fixed wing aircraft, micro lights, ultra lights or helicopters. On the ground, the Falls can be seen from the Victoria Falls National Park with its many viewing points, or from the Zambian side. Each offers fantastic photographic opportunities.

White water rafting on the Zambezi 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 the occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.

Bungi jumping enthusiasts can take the plunge from the Zambezi Bridge, which connects Zimbabwe and Zambia. There is also the option abseil in the Batoka Gorge, neither activities are for the feint hearted!

The other optional activities around Victoria Falls include trips into the Zambezi or Hwange National Parks, horse riding, a visit to the crocodile ranch, golf at Elephant Hills Hotel, parachuting, elephant safaris, the Falls craft village and the sunset cruise.

DAY 16: Victoria Falls

Tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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

.Local Payment: US$355

Optional Excursions: