Itinerary - 8 Day Delta and Victoria Falls Ghanzi, Botswana, L, D Okavango Delta, Botswana, B,L,D Okavango Delta, Botswana, B,L,D Mahango Reserve, Namibia, B,L,D Caprivi, Namibia, B,L,D Kasane, Botswana, B.L.D Livingstone, Zambia, B,L Depart or Livingstone, Zambia, B
Extra 2 days driving back to Windhoek (Rundu, Namibia, B,L,D Windhoek, Namibia, B,L)
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Day 1 Camping/Communal ablutions. Lunch and Dinner.
A
long drive today, making use of the Trans Kalahari Highway,
a relatively new road that provides an invaluable communication
link between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The road
takes us first to the small town of Gobabis, one of the main
livestock farming centres of Namibia, and then on to the border
with Botswana. After completing the immigration formalities we continue,
through rural Botswana to the town of Ghanzi, located in the
centre of cattle farming Botswana. Ghanzi is located almost
in the middle of the Kalahari Desert and was almost unknown
before the Trans Kalahari Highway.
Day 2 CampCamping/Communal ablutions Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
An early start and a quick stop in Ghanzi to collect any
last minute supplies before continuing west, traversing the
linear dunes of the Kalahari and passing through small towns
along the way. A change in vegetation heralds our arrival on the very western
edge of one of the natural wonders of the world, the Okavango
Delta. Here we turn north for some way before again pointing
our wheels west as we enter the Delta proper. We see our first
glimpse of the crystal waters through the lush vegetation
and we make our camp on the banks of a pristine African lagoon.
Driving time approx. 6hrs. (450 km).
Day 3 Guma Camp.Camping/Communal ablutions Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
We are in the territory of the River People, so this morning
we leave our vehicle behind and travel in a more appropriate
fashion, first by motor-boat and then by traditional mokoro
(dugout canoe), deep into the Delta. Mokoro's will be our main form of transport for the next
two days. These amazing traditional craft are perfectly designed
for the narrow waterways of the Okavango and allow us to travel
further into the Delta than if we were using more modern forms
of transport. Mokoros carry three people, two seated passengers
and one driver. The driver stands in the rear of the canoe,
(a real feat of balance), and uses a long wooden pole to propel
and steer the mokoro through the twisting channels. It really
is the only way to travel.
Back to camp in the late afternoon for another night by the
Okavango waters.
Day 4 Camping/Communal ablutions Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner.
Back on the road today, destination Namibia. Passport
formalities completed we go directly into the Mahango Game
Reserve, a small but excellent park right on the edge of the
Okavango River. We game drive our way through Mahango and
have the chance to spot rarely seen Namibian species such
as roan the majestic sable antelope. Our camp for tonight is just outside the Game Reserve, and
we are again beside the Okavango, but this time the main river,
on its journey from the Angolan highlands, through the pan
handle to waters end, the delta.
Day 5 Camping/Communal ablutions Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner
The Caprivi Strip is a long narrow stretch of territory
running along the Botswana's northern border. It is a landscape
of broadleaf forest with many small communities dotted along
our route. The locals in this area are the Kavango people
and we make a cultural visit to a local community. The people
here have taken the initiative to establish a traditional
"kraal" which will be opened for us and we will
give a guided tour.
We have the chance to gain a significant insight into the
local customs and culture, including demonstrations of traditional
medicine and superstition.
From here it is only a short drive to our camp for the night,
also operated as a community project, located on the banks
of the Kwando River in a beautifull setting. There is a craft
market nearby where you can shop for truly Namibian souvenirs.
Day 6 Camping/Communal ablutions Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner
We
finish our long transit of the Caprivi region this morning
when we arrive in Namibia's easternmost town, Katima Mulilo.
A short break here before crossing back across the border
into Botswana. The road takes us directly into the world famous
Chobe National Park. Chobe has the world's largest population
of African Elephants and the chances of seeing some big game
are very good as we transit through the park to the small
town of Kasane. We make camp in the grounds of a local lodge,
right on the banks for the Chobe River. Time to relax in the afternoon before joining a river boat
cruise, back into the park. From the boat we will have the
chance to see a huge amount of wild game, both on the river
banks and in the waters swirling around us. Crocodiles and hippos abound in the forbidding Chobe River
and on the land side there is often a kaleidoscope of different
antelope and species such as elephant, buffalo and even the
Big Cats come to the river banks for their sundowner drink.
The Chobe River provides a very broad habitat for bird life
and it is possible to see many beautifull species of our feathered
friends.
Day 7 Camping/Communal ablutions Breakfast and
Lunch
Another
border crossing today, we drive out of Kasane to Kazangula
ferry depot and complete our Botswanan exit formalities. We
cross the Chobe on the local ferry boat, enter Zambia and
from here it is a short drive to the town of Livingstone.
Named after the famous British missionary and explorer Dr.
David Livingstone, the town is a bustling African centre.
We make our camp on the banks of the Zambezi River and have
time to explore the town and to visit the might Victoria Falls. The views of the waterfall from the Zambian bank are fantastic,
there are many small paths and lookout points to explore.
This afternoon your guide will help you organise the many
optional activities available in Livingstone. These include
white water rafting, bungi jumping, other excursions on the
river and scenic flights to mention but a few. Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant at the client's
own expense.
NB: All extra activities are subject to availability and
are done at the clients own risk and expense.
Day 8 Breakfast
After
breakfast the safari is finished. Your guide will be able
to offer advice on other travel plans you have in this region.
We pack up our campsite.
For clients transferring back to Windhoek tomorrow this is
a free day for you to explore the area or to take part in
optional activities. Lunch and dinner are not included in
the price of the trip. Your guide will arrange a time to collect
you for the return journey in the morning.
Day 9 Communal ablutions/camping. Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner
An early start and a long drive. We are in transit only and
will not be stopping to take in the sights along the way.
We will traverse the Caprivi Strip and will spend the night
near the small town of Rundu in northern Namibia.
We camp in the grounds of a lodge on the banks for the Okavango
River, looking into Angola on the far river bank.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge and
is included in the price.
Day 10 Breakfast and Lunch
Another early start and another long drive. We head south
through Kavango Province, down through the towns of Grootfontien,
Otjiwarongo and Okahandja before reaching our final destination,
Windhoek. There will be stops at some of the local woodcarving stalls
as well as the market at Okahandja before arriving in the
city. You will be dropped off at your accommodation.