Northern Experience
22 days—Northern Experience
$3508-3508 USD
pp
Safari summary
A magnificent 22 day voyage of discovery through the mountains, plains and delta landscapes of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. This small group safari starts in Cape Town and finishes at the spectacular Victoria Falls, staying in comfortable lodges, guest houses or large en suite tents along the way, with most meals provided.
Activities Included
Orange River Canoeing
Visit to Fish River Canyon
Visit to Sossusvlei
Cape Cross Seal Colony
Bushmen Paintings
Himba excursion
Game drives in Etosha National Park
Okavango Delta mokoro excursion
Mudumo National Park game drive
Visit to Victoria Falls
About this tour
| Tour type | Custom, tailor-made, private | |
| Main focus | Walking safari—with armed guard | |
| Activity level | Moderate activity | |
| Best months | All months | |
| Countries | ||
| Parks |
Fine details
Safari highlights
- Boat, canoe, dhow, kayak, mokoro safari
- Cultural visits—orphanages, markets, schools
- Night game drives
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1 - On arrival in Cape Town, you will be transferred to your hotel. You have the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of the group for your pre-departure meeting.
Day 2
Day 2 - An early start takes us to the beach on the Atlantic Ocean to have a last look at Table Mountain across the bay. After lunch we head towards the Cedarberg Mountains, where we overnight in Citrusdal, a rural village set amongst lush green citrus orchards. In the afternoon we go on a walk to see some of the bushman rock art in the area as well as the spectacular views.
Day 3
Day 3 & 4 - Travelling up the West Coast, we pass through some magnificent mountain ranges on our way to the Orange River. If you are travelling in spring you will see the spectacular carpets of wildflowers in the famous Namaqualand region. Later in the afternoon we will reach the Orange River, the natural border between South Africa and Namibia. The next day the only travelling is done in a canoe. Put your feet up and relax as the currents take you downstream the Orange River - mind the rapids though!
Day 5
Day 5 - Today we head to Ai-Ais, where we stop for lunch. Here thermal water rich in sulphates and fluorides and with a temperature of approx 60°C gushes forth from the springs. In the Nama language, "Ai-Ais" means "burning water". We then proceed to our accommodation which is situated close to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon on earth. Later in the evening we take in another perfect African sunset with the magnificent views and scenery along the edge of the canyon.
Day 6
Day 6 & 7 - Moving inland we make our way towards the Namib Naukluft National Park. The next morning we need to wake up early to visit the world's highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. These dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake). We also stop to view the Sesriem Canyon, which was carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River.
Day 8
Namib-Naukluft
Day 8 & 9 - The day is spent driving through the Namib Naukluft National Park on our way to Swakopmund. The Namib-Naukluft Desert is an ancient land with an ageless spirit. It is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world; sightings of this flora and fauna on a Namibian safari are a must. The animals of this harsh landscape include the Oryx, springbok and Hartmann's Mountain Zebra. One can also see the Welwitschia Mirabilis which is an odd-looking desert shrub and one of these 'shrubs' is a large, protected specimen estimated at over 1 500 years old. 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.
Day 10
Day 10 - We follow the barren Atlantic Coast line on our way out of Swakopmund to visit Cape Cross - the largest breeding place of the Cape Fur Seals. Leaving the cold Atlantic coastline behind we then head inland across the desert plains for 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.
Day 11
Day 11 - 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. Depending on the time of arrival we go and explore a traditional Himba village this afternoon or the next morning. This will be a journey of culture exchange, learning and understanding of the last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba.
Day 12
Etosha
Day 12 - After our cultural experience in Kamanjab, we head to Etosha National Park. 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.
Day 13
Days 13 & 14 - We fill the next 2 days spent on game drives in the hopes of spotting some of 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.
Day 15
Days 15 & 16 - Our journey continues west as we drive along the Caprivi Strip to the town of 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.
Day 17
Okavango Delta
Days 17 & 18 - We leave Namibia for Etsha 13, 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 1½ hour guided walk hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck or other animals living in this water filled paradise.
Day 19
Okavango Delta
Day 19 - Leaving Botswana, we drive up the Western border of the Okavango Delta before crossing back 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 Mudumo National Park. In contrast to the rest of Namibia, the area is lush with riverine forest, marshes, dense savannah and mopane woodland.
Day 20
Chobe
Day 20 - The next morning we head along the Caprivi and cross the border back into Botswana to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. 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. 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.
Day 21
Mosi oa Tunya | Victoria Falls
Day 21 - Continuing our trip we leave Botswana and drive to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. 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". The rest of the day may be spent at leisure or partaking in one of the many activities on offer.
Day 22
Day 22 - Our safari ends after breakfast. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures.
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