Southern Africa Jewels

16 days, 15 nights

+- Overview

To go on ‘safari’ means to go on a journey, and in Africa this means one full of scenic beauty, fascinating people and wonderful wildlife sightings.  This 16-day, mainly tented-camp safari starts off introducing you to the many landscapes of Namibia including its massive sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Sesreim, the lunar vistas of Damaraland, and the windswept Atlantic coast at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.  Get to know Namibia’s people with a visit to the villages of the Himba, a proud yet friendly tribe whose women are noted for their unusual beauty, enhanced by intricate hairstyles and traditional dress.  Marvel at the ancient rock paintings of the San or Bushmen, before enjoying exceptional game viewing in Etosha National Park.  This is one of the most important game sanctuaries in Africa with thousands of wild animals such as blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion and elephant making it their home.

Route Details

Windhoek (1) Namib Desert (2) Swakopmund (2) Spitzkoppe (1) Twyfelfontien (1) Etosha National Park (3) Okavango River (2) Kwando River (1) Victoria Falls (2)

Then it’s on to the far northeast corner of Namibia, the Capri Strip where you’ll camp along the great rivers that flows south from Angola and feeds the game-rich Okavango Delta.  During your time in the Delta, and while camping on both the Okavango River and the Kwando River in Bwabwata National Park, explore this water-world, rich in birdlife and surrounded by game drinking at the rivers’ banks as you travel in mokoros (dugout canoes) or take guides walks. 

Your safari comes to an end at one of the natural world’s most awesome sights: Victoria Falls.  The experience of seeing first hand ‘Mosi Oa Tuyna’ - the ‘Smoke That Thunders, where the waters of the Zambezi River drop 900 feet over the Falls, will be a lasting memory.  Staying on the Zambian side of the Falls in Livingstone, the remaining days of the tour will be filled with wonderful optional activities around the Falls.  . 

+- Daily Itinerary
+ - Day 1 Windhoek
Arrival

Arrive in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia and spend the balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight Accommodations

Hotel Safari

+ - Day 2 & 3 Windhoek Namib Desert

Travel today through spectacular countryside to the edge of the Namib Desert where you will camp for 2 nights. Enjoy a stunning sunset walk in the dunes surrounding the camp. Set off early the next morning for Sossusvlei, stopping in the dune belt to witness the changing colors of the world’s highest sand dunes. Then undertake a 5km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei and later in the afternoon take a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon before returning to camp.

Overnight Accommodations

Camping

Included Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

+ - Day 4 Namib Desert Walvis Bay Swakopmund

Head north to the Atlantic coast. During lunch at Walvis Bay, you can watch the many flamingos that come to the bay to feed. Arrive in Swakopmund for a 2-night stay in a bungalow or guesthouse.  The remainder of the day and evening is at leisure.

Overnight Accommodations

Dunedin Star Guest House

Included Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

+ - Day 5 Swakopmund

Today is at leisure with numerous optional excursions available (own expense). Activities available include sand boarding, quad biking, skydiving, kayaking, hot air ballooning or scenic flights over the vast Namib Desert.

Overnight Accommodations

Dunedin Star Guest House

Included Meals

Breakfast

+ - Day 6 Swakopmund Spitzkoppe

Head north and set up camp among the boulders of the Spitzkoppe Mountains, a spectacular setting that is sure to leave a lasting impression. An afternoon walk is conducted in the surrounding area.

Overnight Accommodations

Camping

Included Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

+ - Day 7 Spitzkoppe Damaraland Twyfelfontein

Drive inland through the Damaraland region with its vast and rugged terrain. Take a walk in the Twyfelfontein area to see the Bushmen paintings and rock engravings as well as the Organ Pipes, an amazing rock formation. Afterwards relax at your campsite.

Overnight Accommodations

Camping

Included Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

+ - Day 8 Twyfelfontein Etosha National Park

In the morning visit the Himba, a semi-nomadic tribe, living in scattered settlements throughout the region.  A few hours are spent learning about these fascinating people before proceeding to Etosha National Park where you will thrill at the sight of wild game during your first game drive.

Overnight Accommodations

Camping

Included Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

+ - Day 9 & 10 Etosha National Park

Each day enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives, as you move through this massive Park.  At night the floodlit waterholes at the Okaukuejo and Namutoni campsites attract an abundance of animals, providing many amazing wildlife sightings.

Overnight Accommodations

Camping

Included Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

+ - Day 11 & 12 Etosha National Park Okavango River

Leaving the park, enter the Caprivi Strip in northeastern Namibia where camp is set amongst the lush vegetation overlooking the Okavango River. Here you can enjoy a sunset on the deck or a swim in the famous “river pool”.  During the 2-night stay there are many optional activities available such as exploring by mokoros (dugout canoe), guided bird walks or a boat cruise on the river.

Overnight Accommodations

Camping

Included Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

+ - Day 13 Okavango River BwaBwata National Park Kwando River

Driving through the BwaBwata National Park (formally Caprivi Game Reserve) you will have a chance to buy their famous weavings before setting up camp on the banks of the Kwando River.  Elephant and Hippo can be seen from the deck overlooking the river. An afternoon boat excursion and game drive are undertaken in search of the many wild animals that inhabit the BwaBwata National Park.

Overnight Accommodations

Camping

Included Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

+ - Day 14 Kwando River Livingstone

This morning cross the Zambian border to Livingstone for a view of Victoria Falls, one of the most spectacular sights in Africa. The balance of the day and evening is at leisure

Overnight Accommodations

Camping

Included Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

+ - Day 15 Livingstone

Today is at leisure where you can browse in the local markets, and experience the many optional activities (own expense).  Activities included white water rafting, bungee jumping, micro-lighting airplane or helicopter over the Falls.  You can also take rhino walks, elephant back safaris.

Overnight Accommodations

Camping

Included Meals

Breakfast

+ - Day 16 Livingstone

Your wonderful safari ends after breakfast today.

Departure

Included Meals

Breakfast

Additional Information

Transfers in Windhoek and Livingstone may be pre-booked.  Please contact us for details.

Note

This itinerary is contingent on weather conditions and is recommended for healthy, active participants looking for an adventurous holiday.

Insurance

Kindly ensure that you are holding Comprehensive Travel Insurance covering cancellation, curtailment, medical, emergency travel and assistance, as this is compulsory on this tour.

+- Accommodations

Overnight Accommodations

+ - Hotel Safari

LOCATION – Nestled between the edge of the vast Namibian wilderness and the capital of Namibia, the Safari Hotel is located in Windhoek, just 3 km away from the city center.

Being one of the most well-known hotels in Namibia, Hotel Safari caters for the holiday maker, the family, the business man and the conference delegate alike.  Hotel Safari offers 200 well-appointed bedrooms which are all spacious and include a sitting area.  The Budget Rooms have a separate couch bed to comfortably accommodate a third person.  48 Budget Rooms have under-cover parking in front of the room.  All rooms have air-conditioning and heating with individual controls, radio, direct-dial telephones, coffee-and tea-making facilities, refrigerator, remote-controlled satellite TV, and en-suite bathroom toilet. The Welsitshia Restaurant is open all day and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner while the Steakhouse offers an a la carte menu for dinners only.  Casual meals can be enjoyed in the Beergarden and on the patio.  A large pool is a refreshing oasis set in beautiful, lush gardens.  Free parking is available on the premises, which is secured by access control to the hotel grounds.

+ - Camping

The concept behind this tour is for guests to enjoy the tasks they are responsible for, while still feeling like valued visitors who are on holiday. Clients’ involvement is an integral part of an enjoyable and successful journey. Clients are required to participate in certain tasks such as assisting the guide and assistant with the making and breaking up of camp, erecting and dismantling their tents with ease.

Camping Equipment
Large, spacious, comfortable tents (W2.4m x L2.4m x H1.9m) accommodating 2 persons are provided. Each tent is insect proof and equipped with a built-in ground sheet for insulation as well as two large aerating windows with mosquito nets. Each passenger is provided with a 6 cm thick foam mattress and a comfortable safari folding chair. A comprehensive set of cooking and camping equipment, water containers, first aid box, reference books on mammals and birds of the area and a set of spare parts are carried in the vehicle. Clients are requested to bring their own small pillow and sleeping bag (alternatively sleeping bags may be hired).

All meals are prepared by the guide & assistant cook with special emphasis placed on good, wholesome food. A continental breakfast: cereals, bread, jams, tea, coffee and milk are served in the morning. Lunch is usually a “cold picnic” with the main meal being enjoyed in the evening with a sit down dinner at a lantern lit table. Freezers on each vehicle allow us to be self-sufficient. Drinks and mineral water are not included on the tours and may be purchased from a bottle store or supermarket at reasonable prices and stored in the cooler box/fridge provided. Tea and coffee is available when in camp.

+ - Dunedin Star Guest House

Additional Information

Accommodations

12 nights camping, 3 nights guest houses.  Note: Sleeping bags are available (Euro 35) and must be booked in advance..

+- Inclusions

Features & Services

Included

  • Meet & Greet

    We'll meet you at Hotel Safari at 10am in Windhoek on Day 2

  • 15 Nights Accommodations

    We provide you with overnight accommodations at camp-sites and guesthouse for 15 nights as described in your selected itinerary.

  • Included Meals

    We provide you with the meals as described in the daily itinerary. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions in advance.

  • Daily Transfers

    We cover your transportation from the door of your hotel to the next destination each day on a fully equipped expedition truck.

  • Driver & Guides

    Our professional guides are at your service. We guarantee our guides are friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help you. All our local guides and drivers speak English fluently.

  • Air conditioning

    Carrying plenty of drinking water is recommended.

  • Local Fees & Taxes

    We cover applicable entrance fees for sightseeing and excursions as described in the itinerary. We cover applicable local government taxes and service charges on accommodations and transportation.

Not Included

  • International Airfare, Airport Taxes & Fees

    Our prices are inclusive of land arrangements only. See our Air & Land Inclusive collection for packages that include airfare. Airport taxes and security related fees are subject to change with or without notice.

  • Meals not described on the itinerary

    Food and beverages not described in the itinerary may be purchased as needed.

  • Tips & Gratuities

    Tips and gratuities to drivers, guides, hotel/camp and restaurant staff shall be awarded at your discretion.

  • Hotel & Room Services

    We provide overnight accommodations as described in the itinerary. Hotel or room services enjoyed during your stay that are not described in the itinerary are additional.

  • Personal Items & Services

    Items or services of a personal nature, such as telephone/Internet usage, laundry, gifts, or transportation not described in the itinerary are additional.

  • Optional tours or excursions

    Time permitting, any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary may be enjoyed at your own expense.

+- Booking

Dates & Pricing

Display prices in Hide this box

For Travel Dates Between:

Price

Single Supplement

July 1 - October 31, 2010

November 1 - December 31, 2010

January 1 - March 31, 2011

April 1 - June 30, 2011

July 1 - October 31, 2011

November 1 - December 31, 2011

 
Per person, based on double twin room occupancy.
For single travelers or per additional person.

Booking Details

Departures

Join the tour in Windhoek at the Hotel Safari.  Operates on selected Tuesday’s listed below, on request.  Guaranteed departures with a minimum of 4 participants (maximum of 16 participants).

Departure Dates

July 13, 2010
August 3, 7, 10, 2010
September 7, 14, 2010
October 5, 12, 2010
November 2, 9, 2010
December 21, 2010
January 11, 2011
February 8, 2011
March 8, 2011
April 5, 12, 2011
May 3, 10, 2011
June 7, 14, 2011
July 5, 12, 2011
August 2, 6, 9, 2011
September 6, 13, 2011
October 4, 11, 2011
November 8, 15, 2011
December 20, 2011