17 Day Northern Namibia & Botswana

LEOPARD TRACKING
The Leopard ‘experience’ will take you out into the Okonjima Nature Reserve and will allow you to spend more time with our experienced guides and participate in the research data collection for our long-standing leopard project and newly introduced brown hyaena programme. Some of our adult leopards are radio collared which enables the guides to track them with a specialised telemetry device contributing to frequent viewing, giving visitors an opportunity to observe these magnificent predators in their natural habitat and experience the fascinating behaviour and interactions between these two species while they compete for food. Although this significantly increases the chance of an excellent sighting, it cannot ever be guaranteed as they are wild free-roaming predators.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.

Leopard Tracking Credit: Crew 10

AfriCat Credit: AfriCat - Karen Codling

Credit: Crew 10

Credit: Pie Production

RHINO TRACKING on foot: (Specialized Activity) - subject to weather and availability.
On this trail, no telemetry device is used to track the rhino, the guide and guests are joined by our dedicated Okonjima anti-poaching team who have spent many hours, getting to know each individual, dedicating their time towards the fight for the conservation of the rhino in the Okonjima Nature Reserve. This activity can only be booked directly at the Lodge.

Rhino Tracking Credit: Crew 10

Rhino Tracking Credit: Crew 10

Rhino Tracking Credit: Jandre Germishuizen

Rhino Tracking Credit: Crew 10

BROWN HYAENA TRACKING
This Hyaena ‘experience’ offers more time to appreciate and understand the Okonjima Nature Reserve as a balanced ecosystem, with a focus on the ‘secretly social’ and rare brown hyaena. Since the private nature reserve was primarily established for the conservation of some of our more vulnerable mammal species, it offers an improved opportunity to encounter these relatively rare animals.

Brown Hyaena Tracking Credit: Freda Bauer

Brown Hyaena Tracking Credit: Freda Bauer

Brown Hyaena Tracking Credit: Freda Bauer

Brown Hyaena Tracking Credit: Crew 10

PANGOLIN TRACKING on foot: (Specialized Activity) – exclusive for guests staying 2 nights
The choice of going with the researcher or guide, will be determined by circumstances, weather and operations. Sightings are not guaranteed, as this complex, vulnerable species needs a gentle and respectful approach. Tracking on foot will be done in silence and maintaining a discreet distance. The Pangolin tracking is a specialized night/day (seasonal) activity. During the summer months this activity tends to take place between 10pm and 6am and during the winter months from 5pm to 11pm. As this would be the most active period of the day for these mostly nocturnal animals. You will join a guide and tracker on a walking trail in the dark within the 20 000ha Okonjima Nature Reserve. We limit participation to a max of 6 people per pangolin tracking. This gives the client insight into this secret life of the very endangered Ground Pangolin. A flashlight and walking shoes are compulsory.
This activity is reserved for guests that are staying for a minimum of 2 nights with us.

Pangolin Tracking Credit: Crew 10

Pangolin Tracking Credit: Freda Bauer

Pangolin Tracking Credit: Crew 10

GAME DRIVE
Experienced guides will entertain you with their knowledge, sharing interesting and enlightening information about the history of the Okonjima Nature Reserve and the research gathered over the past 30 years of conservation on Okonjima. On this trail, no telemetry device is used to track any of the carnivores researched by the AfriCat Foundation. Wildlife is the focus of the drive. Visitors are offered insight as our guides attempt to foster a general appreciation of the natural habitat of the Nature Reserve.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.

Okonjima Game & Nature Drive Credit: Crew 10

Okonjima Game & Nature Drive Credit: Crew 10

Okonjima Game & Nature Drive Credit: Pie Production

Into AfriCat – behind the Science will present the current research and conservation work of the AfriCat Foundation. This experience will complement all existing Okonjima activities, offering guests a deeper understanding of the purpose, methods, and importance of AfriCat’s conservation research within the Okonjima Nature Reserve.

Into Africat Credit: Crew 10

Into Africat Credit: Okonjima

Into Africat Credit: Freda Bauer

Into Africat Credit: Okonjima

Self-guided walking trails for those guests who want to spend some time alone in the solitude of the Okonjima 2000ha wilderness area. Maps available at reception desk.

Nature Trails Credit: Okonjima

Nature Trails Credit: Freda Bauer

Nature Trails Credit: Pie Production

Nature Trails Credit: Pie Production

The Dream Cruiser is Onguma's newest and most unique under the stars sleep-out experience.

Arriving in time to enjoy sundowners and take a tour of your overnight accommodation, this sleep out in the wilderness of the reserve is on our custom built Land Cruiser, featuring a full bathroom on the lower deck and a bedroom with lounge area on the upper deck.

A night on the Dream Cruiser calls for al fresco picnic-style dining is delivered by our chef for you to enjoy as the evening turns to night and the stars dance in all their glory.
A ranger is on call via a two-way radio, so make the most of this time and relax in the safety and complete comfort of this unique space.

After a good night's rest, you can enjoy morning tea/coffee with homemade rusks before being collected for breakfast at the lodge.

Onguma's fabulous new water-level hide affords guests a great opportunity to calmly sit and enjoy nature unobserved. Amateur and professional photographers alike love the angles and light from this equipped hide.

There is a small ablution facility nearby, benches from which to view the surroundings and lots of windows and vantage points for creative camera angles.

Onguma Nature Reserve consists of 34 000 hectares of Namibian wilderness & is home to numerous plains game, more than 300 bird species ?and even 4 of the Big 5. ?The Reserve boasts over thirty different animal species. Plains game roam freely on the Reserve and predators although not always easy to spot, are nevertheless common residents of the area. Lions and Cheetahs are frequently seen and often heard. There is a healthy black rhino and leopard population and hyenas are also often seen and heard.

Etosha is a 22 750km² wildlife sanctuary in Namibia – one of Africa’s most stable and accessible countries. Etosha, meaning ‘place of dry water’, and refers to a flat calcrete depression (or pan) of about 5 000km². The ‘Pan’ (overlooked by the Onguma Reserve) provides a great, parched, silver-white backdrop of shimmering mirages to an area of semi-arid savannah grassland and thorn scrub. The pan itself contains water only after very good rains and sometimes for only a few days each year, but is enough to stimulate the growth of a blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos.

Africa takes on a new perspective when you experience it on foot as the first explorers did. A bush walk is a unique physical, mental and spiritual adventure through nature. Experience the sights, smells and sounds of the Namibian bush by conducting an early morning leisurely walk accompanied by one of our experienced armed rangers.

?Johan, our resident therapist, is a professional massage therapist with over 15 years experience, having lived and worked at renowned Wellness Centres in Asia and Africa. His passion for and dedication to massage therapy originated in the East, where he was trained and educated by the best teachers in their respective fields. Having the opportunity to spend considerable time with monks in Thailand, has also led him to incorporate focused awareness into his massage therapies. He has also upskilled three ladies from Onguma and they too are available and receiving great reviews!

Namibia can offer a truly memorable and interactive experience in the wilderness for families travelling with children by offering children's accommodation, specially designed game drives for children, activities and meals.

Onguma Nature Reserve welcomes children to explore and experience the uniqueness of the untamed African bush with its many wild animals both the big and small!

At Onguma Bush Camp there has always been an emphasis on family and the Lodge encourages families. The staff go out of their way to make sure the young ones have the time of their lives and the parents get their own satisfying safari experience. The bushveld of Onguma is a wild wonderland, a child's dream come true, and the Lodge delights in being able to share her secrets with the next generation.

Experience the waterworld of the Kavango on a romantic boat trip as the sun goes down; incl. ½ bottle of champagne per person

Hakusembe River Lodge Credit: GondwanaCollectionNamibia Hakusembe River Lodge Activities

Hakusembe River Lodge Credit: GondwanaCollectionNamibia Hakusembe River Lodge Boat Activities

Experience catching one of the strongest fighting fresh water fish in the world. 2 persons per boat. Lost lures to be replaced at Lodge, drinks not included. The fishing licence is not included in the rate. Please bring your own fishing licence as licences cannot be obtained at the lodge until further notice.

Hakusembe River Lodge Credit: Gondwana Collection Namibia Hakusembe River Lodge Fishing Activity

Hakusembe River Lodge Credit: Gondwana Collection Namibia Hakusembe River Lodge Fishing Activity

We will gladly submit a detailed offer for a tailor-made excursion for the enthusiastic fishermen. Available on request.

This activity is the absolute highlight of the Nkasa Rupara experience, offering the best of both worlds. A game drive on Rupara Island, one of only two seasonal islands in the entire Nkasa Rupara National Park, and an exclusive boat cruise on a remote and pristine stretch of the Linyanti river system, which forms the border between Namibia and Botswana.

The wildlife is completely unhindered here, so animal sightings will differ from season to season, as the wildlife migrates between Namibia and Botswana.

This activity lasts about 5.5 hours.

Game Drives to the Mamili National Park, Mudumu National Park and Wuparo Conservancy depart in the afternoon and mornings offering fantastic game viewing opportunities surrounded by wilderness. While there have been over 400 bird species recorded within the parks, Sighting from this drives include Elephants, Buffalo, Hippo, Lions, Leopard, Impala, Kudu, Zebra, wildebeest, Roan and Sable.

AM / PM Game Drive in Mamili National Park
Summer Time: Departs at approximately 06:00 in the morning and at 16:30 in the afternoon - duration approximately 2.5 hours

Winter Time: Departs at approximately 07:00 in the morning and at 15:30 in the afternoon - duration approximately 2.5 hours

Includes park entrance fees, soft drinks/water, local beer and snacks

AM Game Drive in Mamili National Park including lunch
Departs approximately at 09:00 in Summer time and 09:30
Winter Time - duration approximately 4.5 hours
Includes park entrance fees, soft drinks/water, local beer and a bush lunch (not lunch pack)

We conduct village tour for our guest to visit a homestead part of the Wuparo Conservancy. We also go to the local school and if possible we visit the local Traditional Authority. This should be a real experience and we change homesteads every visit.

Our Walking safari is conducted by our guides and an armed community ranger. This experience requires a certain degree of physical fitness and is available on request. The duration is approximately 2 hours and includes soft drinks and water.

Guided walks are conducted through the exclusive zone of the Wuparo conservancy with Minimum participants of 2 and 6 as maximum.

The activity is subject to safety conditions

This activity is preferred in the dry winter months. We will drive searching for those elusive animals that because of their habits can be observed only by night. Departing after dinner and duration of approximately 1 hour

Activity available subject to the conditions of the day.

Enjoy a 3-hour morning game drive in the magnificent Chobe National Park, spanning an impressive 11,000+ square kilometres and home to the world’s largest elephant population.

Setting out in the cool of the early morning, you will have a chance to learn about the park as you witness a plethora of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, giraffe and antelope, and if you’re lucky even lion, leopard or wild dog.

Enjoy a relaxing, 3-hour afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River in Chobe National Park, where you will have the opportunity to see spectacular birdlife, crocodile, hippo, antelope and herds of elephant drinking at the water’s edge. You may even get a chance to witness herds swimming across the river to Sedudu Island.

This is a truly unique experience, and the perfect opportunity to hone your photography skills as you enjoy the sun setting over the water.

Conveniently located a mere one-hour drive away, enjoy a day trip to the spectacular Victoria Falls and witness one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world.

A plethora of activities are available during your visit, including a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls, adrenaline activities at Batoka Gorge and more.

Whether on a complimentary guided walk through Old Kazungula Village or on a 3-hour tour of one of the small villages of Impalila Island in neighbouring Namibia, learn about the rich culture, customs and traditions of the Basubia and Tswana peoples of the region.

Enjoy a 3-hour morning game drive in the magnificent Chobe National Park, spanning an impressive 11,000+ square kilometres and home to the world’s largest elephant population.

Setting out in the cool of the early morning, you will have a chance to learn about the park as you witness a plethora of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, giraffe and antelope, and if you’re lucky even lion, leopard or wild dog.

Enjoy a relaxing, 3-hour afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River in Chobe National Park, where you will have the opportunity to see spectacular birdlife, crocodile, hippo, antelope and herds of elephant drinking at the water’s edge. You may even get a chance to witness herds swimming across the river to Sedudu Island.

This is a truly unique experience, and the perfect opportunity to hone your photography skills as you enjoy the sun setting over the water.

Conveniently located a mere one-hour drive away, enjoy a day trip to the spectacular Victoria Falls and witness one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world.

A plethora of activities are available during your visit, including a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls, adrenaline activities at Batoka Gorge and more.

Whether on a complimentary guided walk through Old Kazungula Village or on a 3-hour tour of one of the small villages of Impalila Island in neighbouring Namibia, learn about the rich culture, customs and traditions of the Basubia and Tswana peoples of the region.