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All Round Namibia
  16 Day Namibia-Botswana

 


SELF DRIVE: Namibia, Chobe & Vic Falls - 16 Day Safari


This very popular safari explores the big attractions in Namibia including Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland and Etosha. Then you continue north through the untamed Caprivi Strip and finish off with a visit to the world famous Chobe National Park in Botswana and the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia. You have a choice between camping or staying in lodges or guesthouses.

TOUR DESCRIPTION


DAY 1: - Arrival in Windhoek
Our representative will meet you at Windhoek International Airport and transfer you to Windhoek where you will receive your vehicle for the next 9 days and quickly finish off the paperwork. You will receive a briefing about the vehicle and a hamper with all your travel information, accommodation vouchers, map and a travel guide will be in the vehicle. You will stay in a Bed and Breakfast in Windhoek tonight.

DAY 2: - Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert
After a good night`s rest you will depart for Sossusvlei. You will drive through the Khomas Hochland and down the escarpment via one of the scenic mountain passes into the Namib Desert. This journey will take about 4 hours depending on the number of stops for photographs. You should arrive at your lodge at around lunchtime and will have the afternoon to explore the surrounding area. Your accommodation will be at one of the best lodges in the area perfectly situated to explore the surrounding desert and its attractions.

The Namib is the oldest desert and has the highest sand dunes in the world. This region is one of the most spectacular areas of Namibia and always one of the highlights of any safari.

The name Sossusvlei refers to the vlei or pan into which the seasonal Tsauchab River flows but only in years of exceptional rainfall. The neighbouring Dead Vlei with the ancient dead Camel Thorn Trees is one of the most photographic sites in good early morning light. The Sesriem canyon is a narrow gorge about 1 km long and is well worth a visit. Several desert adapted wildlife like oryx, springbok, black-backed jackal, ostrich, sociable weavers and plenty of reptiles and small mammals called this place home.

DAY 3 - Sossusvlei and Swakopmund
You will have an early departure for a morning excursion to Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. There will be scenic stops at the scenic Dune 45 along the way and you will spend a couple of hours at both Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. Some of the dunes in the area are a few hundred meters high but the view from the top for those that dare is one you will never forget. Around noon you will depart for Swakopmund via the Namib Naukluft National Park. You will spend the night at a Guesthouse in Swakopmund.

Swakopmund is a very popular holiday destination for many Namibian`s and will probably be the only place that you will visit on the Namibian safari that has a real town feel to it. Wedged between the Namib Desert and the cold Atlantic Ocean, Swakopmund which is known for its very relaxed atmosphere has something for everybody.

There are plenty of great restaurants and bars, good shopping and the fascinating architecture. For the adventurous there`s quad biking, sand-boarding, skydiving, beach angling and scenic flights over the coastline and Sossusvlei to name a few. The nearby Walvis Bay, Namibia`s major harbour town is well known for the lagoon and its prolific birdlife.

DAY 4: -SWAKOPMUND
Today you will have the whole day to explore this wonderful town and all the activities that is on offer. Besides the activities mentioned in yesterday`s itinerary we can recommend a Living Desert adventure or a dolphin and seal cruise in the Walvis Bay lagoon. We should book these in advance so please let us know if you are interested. You will again stay in the same Guesthouse.

DAY 5 - Cape Cross Seal Reserve and the Skeleton Coast
Today you continue your safari northwards along the Skeleton Coast. After visiting a shipwreck and the massive Cape Fur Seal colony at Cape Cross Seal Reserve you will turn inland towards Damaraland. You will drive past the Brandberg, Namibia`s highest mountain with the highest peak at 2573 meters. Your Lodge for tonight are situated amongst the Granite rock formations and it`s the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding Damaraland.

DAY 6 - Damaraland
You have the whole day dedicated to explore this unique area that is considered by most to be the most scenic and dramatic landscape in Namibia. Damaraland is home to the Desert Elephant and although you might find them with a bit of luck we would recommend joining the lodge on a game drive to try and find them since the local guides know the local movement and whereabouts of these giants as they move great distances in search of food and water.

Damaraland is famous for its geological rock formations and we recommend that you visit the burnt mountain, organ pipes and Petrified Forest where we will also find the Namib`s living fossil plant, the Welwitschia mirabilis. Also stop at Twyfelfontein where you find thousands of rock engravings and is Namibia`s only world heritage site. We will stay in the same lodge as last night and will enjoy a good night`s rest after the busy day.

DAY 7-9: - ETOSHA National Park
After breakfast you will depart for Etosha National Park where will spend the next 3 nights. Etosha is one of Africa`s biggest and best National Parks and one of the main tourist attractions in Namibia.

It is 22 912km2 in size of which the Etosha Pan, a shallow depression that only holds water after good rainy seasons, is 5000km2 in size. Etosha is known for its spectacular game viewing and the waterholes attract huge numbers of game in the dry season when all the open water has dried up. During the rainy season the park the dry grassland is transformed into a green oasis and this is the time you find baby animals in huge numbers. 114 Species of mammal are found in the park and it is the best place in the world to see Black Rhino.

Other game include elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, honey-badger, black-faced impala, kudu, eland, damara dik-dik, warthog and big herds of springbok, zebra, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest and oryx. More than 300 species of birds are found here and it is brilliant for finding raptors. One of the highlights of the park is flood-lit waterholes at the 3 main camps where game viewing continues long after the sun has set. Between morning and afternoon games drives you can relax at the pool or camp waterhole.

DAY 10 - 11 - The Okavango River
After breakfast you will depart for the Caprivi, one of Namibia`s hidden secrets. The Caprivi with its lush green woodland and big rivers are completely different to what you experienced in Etosha. After arriving and settling in at your lodge which is situated on the banks of the mighty Okavango River, you can either relax or do a late afternoon game drive in Mahango National Park or a sun-downer boat cruise. You will enjoy a good night`s rest after the day`s journey while listing to the sound of hippos.

After breakfast the following morning you can do a mixture of game drives in Mahango and Bwabwata National Parks and a boat cruise on the Okavango River if you didn`t do one the previous afternoon. Both these parks are well known for their big buffalo herds and plenty of hippos.

Other game that you might see includes elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, impala, kudu, lechwe, giraffe, warthog, sable, roan, zebra, reedbuck and bushbuck to name a few.. Other additional activities that could be arranged include a mokoro trip or trying your hand at catching the legendary tiger fish.

DAY 12 - The Kwando River and Bwabwata National Park
After breakfast you will continue our safari further east along the Caprivi Strip. After a short drive of about 200 km you will have lunch and settle into your lodge on the banks of the channels of the beautiful Kwando River. You can then explore the Kwando section of Bwabwata and/or Mudumu National Parks with a mixture game drives and boat cruises.

These two parks are home to the highest elephant population in Namibia. Besides these giants you might find buffalo, lion, leopard, wild dog, impala, sable, tssesebe, roan, giraffe, hippo, zebra, wildebeest, lechwe, baboons and steenbok to name a few. Try and visit the famous Horseshoe lagoon where huge herds of elephant are very common in the afternoon. The thick dense vegetation of Bwabwata is well known for leopard sightings.

DAY 13 - Chobe National Park
After the morning activity in Bwabwata National Park you will make our way to Kasane, Botswana. After a quick stop for lunch in Katima Mulilo you cross into Botswana at Ngoma which is one of the most scenic border posts overlooking the Chobe River floodplain. The last 60 km of this road takes you right through Chobe National Park and after settling in at your lodge near Kasane you can enjoy a sun-downer drink while enjoying the great view over the flood-lit waterhole at the lodge. The lodge/campsite is situated close to the Zimbabwe border in a game rich area and it is not uncommon to have elephant and buffalo walk right past while you prepare dinner.

DAY 14 - Chobe National Park
This whole day will be dedicated to explore Chobe National Park. You will do a game drive and a boat cruise and the time of the year will determine which one you do first. Chobe has the highest concentration of elephants in the world as well as one of the highest wildlife concentrations on earth. Besides all the elephants you might find buffalo, sable, wild dog, puku (southernmost limit of its range), lechwe, lion, leopard, hippo, crocodile, bushbuck, waterbuck, giraffe and huge zebra herds are often seen. Elephants crossing, playing or swimming in the Chobe River is a sight you will never forget. You will again stay in the same lodge/campsite.

DAY 15: Victoria Falls
After breakfast you will cross the border into Zimbabwe which will be your third and final country that you visit on this safari. It is a short drive of about 70 km and don`t forget to keep an eye open for wildlife along the way.

After arriving in Victoria Falls town continue straight to the falls which is also known as `Mosi-oa-Tunya` - The Smoke that Thunders. It is one of the most beautiful and most majestic waterfalls in the world and it is not difficult to see why the Victoria Falls are one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. After lunch and settling into your self-catering lodge you will have the afternoon open for any of the following additional activities which is not included in the price: Helicopter flights over the falls and the game park (this is a brilliant experience and can be highly recommended), bungee jumping, walking with lions, elephant back safari and sun-downer boat cruise on the Zambezi River.

You should also visit the local open air curio market on our way to the airport. Please note that dinner tonight is for your own account. Your lodge will be situated in Victoria Falls town itself.

DAY 16: Departure
After a relaxing breakfast you will fly out of Vic Falls International Airport or we will continue our safari onto the rest of Botswana, Zimbabwe or Zambia.

NOTES

Vehicle:
You will drive a comfortable 4x4 Double Cab vehicle perfect for the Namibian off-road conditions. If you choose the camping option then the vehicle will be equipped with all your camping equipment. An off-road trailer is also available.

Accommodation:
All accommodation will be in top quality lodges and in a guest-house in Windhoek and Swakopmund. If you prefer the camping option you will camp at carefully chosen campsites except for Windhoek, Swakopmund. If you like to extend your days on some lodges you can book this when you finalize your trip with us.

Meals:
All accommodation is on a Bed and Breakfast basis. No lunch or Dinner is included. For the camping option breakfast is included in Windhoek and Swakopmund.

Activities and park fees:
Since this is a self-drive safari which you will be doing at your own pace no activities and park fees are included. We would be happy to recommend which activities mentioned in the itinerary to do and we will book them for you.

Travel to and from Namibia:
This is not included in the price

Price:
Price on request. Please email enquiry and indicate number of people in the party. Also please indicate whether you prefer the camping or lodge option.


Namibia Tourism Board
Your host:

Jaco van Vuuren

Tel: +264 61 259 831
Cell: +264 81 246 3245
E-mail: info@allroundnam.com
P.O. Box 31586, Windhoek, Namibia