African Highlights, 11 Days Accommodated

Pickup time today from place of stay is between 08:00 and 08:30. We have a long drive today. Otjiwarongo is a must stop to fill up with petrol and provisions. A picnic lunch is going to be served along the way and later arrive in Okaukuejo. There is enough time to explore the surroundings and enjoy the swimming pool before a late afternoon game drive. After dinner we can visit the floodlit waterhole is strongly recommended as there are good chances to see rhinos and lions come to drink.

Today will mostly be used for game driving as we visit a number of waterholes and make a stop at the Etosha Pan, the “place of dry water”. The Pan is an extensive flat depression of about 5,000 km2. This great, white expanse is a place of shimmering mirages, and seeing large herds of game in this setting makes Etosha a unique experience in Africa. We may stop at Halali middle camp to have lunch before we continue our game drive to Namutoni. We have time to relax at the swimming pool in Namutoni or at the waterhole before a late afternoon game drive. The game viewing is usually excellent with close views of springboks, zebras, impalas, giraffes, gemsboks and plenty of birds. If we are lucky we may also have some close encounters with elephants and lions. Back at the camp we may enjoy a glass of wine and experience a fabulous sunset from the tower of the old German fort before dinner.

After a morning game drive, with the chance to get some more pictures of Etosha's wildlife in the soft morning light, we leave the park through the eastern gate and continue to Rundu in the southwestern corner of the Kavango region, this part of the country is mostly inhabited by the Okavango people.

Today´s drive takes us to the Mahango Game Reserve after a long drive northeast towards Rundu and then eastwards along the Okavango River. The park is situated in northeastern Kavango Region, bordering on western Caprivi and Botswana. Characterized by riverine forests, a broad flood plain, magnificent baobabs and large herds of elephant and red lechwe, the Mahango is one of Namibia’s most diverse and interesting conservation areas. Mahango produces rare game species such as buffalo, sable and roan antelope, Chobe bushbuck, reedbuck, tsessebe and sitatunga.

Today´s destination is the unbelievable Okavango Delta. Having crossed the border to Botswana and we continue southwards through small villages and towns, steering clear of goats and cattle on the road. Arrive at our night camp in the early afternoon after having changed to 4-wheel drive during the last part in order to make it through the sand. After setting camp there is time to sit down with a drink on the deck at the lagoon and keep a lookout for a crocodile or two. This lodge is inclusive both nights drinks, activities, meals

After breakfast and while the day is still cool we take our mokoros to one of the other islands for another nature walk. We then break the camp and move back through the delta to the “mainland”. Here shower, bar and what else one might have been missing out there on the island await us.

Take the road to Namibia, driving northwards back to Mahango Game Reserve, where another short game drive is to be undertaken and at the same time try to spot some of the animals that we might have missed the last time here. As we continue eastwards through the Caprivi we may stop to familiarize with the local culture and perhaps purchase some genuine Namibian handicraft. Our night lodge is situated on the banks of Kwando River.

We drive through Caprivi´s capital Katima where we stop to top up our supplies. We continue over the border to Botswana and our night camp, which is nicely located at the Chobe River. In the late afternoon we will make a boat ride on the river. Chobe is famous for the large amount of buffalos and elephants that we hope to see from the boat, as well as hippos and crocodiles. We might also catch a sight of lions at the water and the bird life is rich here.

The Chobe National Park, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers more than 10,000 km2, has one of the greatest concentrations of game found on the African continent. Its uniqueness in the abundance of wildlife, and the true African nature of the region, offers a safari experience of a lifetime. It is particularly well known for the large amounts of elephants, which are said to be the largest in body size of all living elephants. Morning to late morning hours is dedicated to game driving in and around the park before lunch. Like the boat-tour yesterday it may turn out to be one of the very highlights of our entire safari. The afternoon and evening may be used to relax at the pool site or, for those who so wish, another boat-tour or game drive (N.B. extra boat-tour or game drive is not included in the price of the safari and will be at the client´s own expense).

This last day of our tour takes us to Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls). Victoria Falls is 60km away from the border, we check into the hotel upon arrival. After that our guides will take us to the real purpose of our visit – the Victoria Falls. The best time to see the falls is early morning or just before sunset. After having enjoyed the magnificent views of the falls, we head back to the camp and prepare for the evening´s farewell dinner at a restaurant (at the client´s own expense). Here we will say farewell to our guides who got to return to Windhoek the next day. Those who wish to return to Windhoek may do so at an additional cost of 1500 N$. Those who want to stay in Victoria Falls have a multitude of activities to choose among – rafting, fishing, elephant ride, boat-tour and a swim in the “Devil´s pool” near the falls as an extraordinary experience.

This marks the end of your tour. The guide will take you to the airport in the morning and then he will continue back to Namibia. For those coming back to Windhoek will have to leave with the guide.