Four Country Classic Safari

This trip offers breathtaking sights and cultural interaction through four countries, starting at the Vic Falls and ending in Cape Town - South Africa.

Price: (Valid: Jan 2010 – Dec 2010)
€2,290 pps
20 Days Safari

Highlights * Chobe National Park * Okavango Delta Excursion & Scenic Flight * Waterberg Plateau National Park * Etosha National Park * Namib Naukluft National Park * Fish River Canyon * Lamberts Bay Bird Colony Visit * Cape Town

Departs from: Cape Town - Ends: Livingstone

Includes
* Itinerary as specified
* Fully equipped safari vehicle
* Services of trip leader and driver
* All accommodation as specified above
* All catering equipment and scheduled National Park entrance fees.
* Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D), No Meal (NM) where specified.
* Meals not shown will be to the clients account.

Four Country Classic Safari Itinerary

Meal codes [B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]

Day 1 VICTORIA FALLS [Lodge NM]
Victoria Falls town is situated in the Victoria Falls National Park that borders the Zambezi River. The Victoria Waterfalls are fed by the Zambezi River that forms the natural border between Zimbabwe & Zambia. The waterfall is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world and is listed as a world heritage site. Our time here is at leisure to explore the captivating Victoria Falls & surrounding Rainforest, take a sun downer cruise or enjoy a variety of other adventure activities (own expense). Our lodge is located just outside the centre of the town
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Lodge
Optional Activities: Bungi jumping, white water rafting and many more

Day 2 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK [Tented Camp BD]
We leave Victoria Falls and head for the riverside town of Kasane. On arrival we will transfer to the Chobe Mobile team who will take us on our adventure into the Chobe National Park. This excursion includes game drives within the park, the popular Chobe River cruise, and the rare experience to overnight within the African wilderness. The Chobe National Park is famous for its vast herds of elephant. Many have sighted elephant, hippo, crocodile, and an impressive array of birds and plains game.
Includes: Entrance fees in the park
Overnight: Tented Camp
Distance/time: approx. 90km

Day 3 NATA / GWETA [Lodge B]
After breakfast we head onto a morning game drive before heading back to Kasane and travelling south to the town of Nata. Situated 10 km from Nata Town, our lodge has a large swimming pool, curio shop and restaurant. The birdlife in this area is particularly spectacular, due to the nearby Makgadikgadi Pans and Nata Sanctuary (please note that some trips may overnight at Gweta. We prepare for the following days to come and are briefed by our guides on what to expect on our trip to the Delta. We recommend packing a small overnight bag (daypack) with necessary clothes for 2 days.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Lodge - swimming pool, restaurant and bar facilities
Distance/time: approx. 300km
Optional Activities: Half day canoe safari

Day 4 -5 (MAUN) OKAVANGO DELTA [Tented Camp BLD]
This morning we head to Maun where after meeting the mobile team, we will be transferred to the Okavango Delta region. The mobile tented camp is located in the heart of the Delta region and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding bush area. We participate in a game walks and “mokoro” safaris to better explore the surrounding wildlife. Please note that mokoro safaris are seasonal and will depend on water levels in the Okavango Delta.
Includes: Game walks
Overnight: Tented camps - accommodation is in Dome Tents with padded bed rolls/mats
Distance/time: approx. 360km

Day 6 MAUN [Lodge B]
After our morning activity, we head back to Maun to explore what this town has to offer. This afternoon we take part in a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta to view wildlife from the skies. Tonight’s accommodation is on the outskirts of Maun. Although it is a small town, Maun has several shops, good communications facilities (internet) and banks.
Includes: Flight over the Okavango Delta
Overnight: Lodge
Distance/time: N/A

Day 7 GOBABIS, NAMIBIA [Chalet BL]
Today we bid farewell to Botswana and head west into Namibia. After border formalities, we head to the frontier town of Gobabis, where we will spend our first night in this spectacular country. Our lodge for tonight is popular as it houses an animal sanctuary where we get our first taste of some Namibian wildlife, up close.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Lodge / Chalet
Distance/time: approx. 580km

Day 8 WINDHOEK [Lodge B]
Namibia’s capital is rather small but has many places of historical interest. We have the afternoon at leisure to visit the local museums or haggle at the street side markets. There are also many shops for those in need of a bit of retail therapy! Today we may greet some new travellers joining the group from here.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Lodge
Distance/time: approx. 200km

Day 9 WATERBERG PLATEAU NATIONAL PARK [Chalets B]
This morning we bid farewell to some of our fellow travellers who are ending their holiday here, and head north to the breathtaking Waterberg Plateau National Park. Historically significant as the site of the war between the Colonial Germans and the Herero Tribe, the area has now become a haven for many endangered species. It is renowned for its incredible rock formations and nature walks. Our afternoon here is at leisure and you are free to partake in these walks or the optional game drives and guided hikes.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Chalets
Distance/time: approx. 180km
Optional Activities: Game drives and guided hikes.

Day 10 - 11 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK [Lodge B;B]
We head further north to explore the Etosha National Park by game driving with our vehicle along the many winding tracks. Etosha National Park is dominated by shimmering white saltpans and arid bush vegetation. On our drives, we search for the wide variety of wild animals that make this National Park their home - you have a chance to see the African elephant, as well as black rhino, lion, leopard and many more. Dependant on the season, we will spend either the first or the last night within Etosha (the second is spent at a lodge in the greater Etosha area.
Includes: Entrance fees and game drives
Overnight: Lodge
Distance/time: approx. 300km

Day 12 - 13 SWAKOPMUND [Lodge BL: B]
Leaving the Etosha region, we head south and cross the barren coastal belt to the Atlantic Ocean and the delightful Bavarian style town of Swakopmund. Along the way, we may catch a glimpse of the awesome granite Spitzkoppe scenery. The mountains and granite mounds provided a home to the San people (Bushmen) for thousands of years. Swakopmund is situated snugly between sea and desert and offers great beaches, deep-sea fishing, quad-biking, dune-boarding, flights over the desert, plus an array of shops, bars and restaurants. Here you are free to explore at your leisure or partake in the many optional activities. This is also a chance to catch up on logistical matters such as laundry, banking and communication (internet facilities).
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Lodge
Distance/time: approx. 500km
Optional Activities: Sand boarding, quad biking, fishing, flights over the desert and much more.

Day 14 - 15 NAMIB NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK [Lodge BL; B]
After breakfast we head inland, once again crossing the barren coastal belt and head south toward the Namib Naukluft National Park and the giant sand dunes of Sossusvlei. This is one of the world’s oldest deserts, offering over 130 million years of natural wonder, and some of the highest sand dunes in the world! On Day 15 we leave early in the morning and enter the National Park. We climb Dune 45 for stunning views of the surrounding dunes, after which we proceed to Sossusvlei and the 2x4 parking area. From here it is an approximate 5 km walk to the vlei where you are free to explore. Alternatively, there is an option to partake in a guided desert walk to learn more about this area and the creatures that survive here. Stunning photographic opportunities are available in the dunes. On our return to the lodge we will stop off at the Sesriem Canyon.
Includes: Entrance fees
Overnight: Lodge
Distance/time: approx. 350km

Day 16 AUS [Lodge BL]
We depart from the breath taking views of the Namib Naukluft National Park and travel further south to the Aus region where we have the possibility of seeing the famed wild desert horses. Our lodge offers spectacular views over the surrounding area and the rare opportunity to experience the surrounding solitude.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Lodge
Distance/time: approx. 350km

Day 17 FISH RIVER CANYON [Lodge BL]
Travelling further south we reach the Fish River Canyon, where we partake in an optional walk along the Canyon rim. The canyon is one of the most awesome sights in Africa, and second in size only to the Grand Canyon of America. After viewing the Canyon, we head to our lodge, nestled between the local scenery.
Includes: Entrance fees
Overnight: Lodge
Distance/time: approx. 300km

Day 18 LAMBERTS BAY, SOUTH AFARICA [Hotel BL]
After an early rise, we travel via the barren Richtersveld region before crossing the border and bidding a fond farewell to Namibia. South Africa’s Namaqualand region is known for its spectacular display of spring flowers (September), when the masses of wild flowers bloom, turning the entire region into a yellow, red and orange maze. The West Coast region also displays sprawling vistas and further south, massive boulder outcrops – truly beautiful scenery.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Hotel
Distance/time: approx. 650km

Day 19 CAPE TOWN [Lodge B]
This morning we visit a rare breeding colony of the Cape Gannet before heading past the West Coast National Park and down to Cape Town. This afternoon is we have time at leisure to begin exploring this vibrant city and all it has to offer – take a trip up Table Mountain, or visit the nearby V&A Waterfront, the choice is yours.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Lodge
Distance/time: approx. 250km

Day 20 CAPE TOWN [Lodge BL]
After breakfast we part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime.

Today can be spent at leisure in Cape Town to enjoy the many optional attractions and activities available in this magnificent city. Sample the sights and sounds of this magical city at the Southern tip of the African continent. Optional activities include trips to Robben Island, Cape Point Nature Reserve and Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, Table Mountain National Reserve, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the many wine estates of Paarl, Franschoek and Stellenbosch.

*There will be no more opportunities to withdraw foreign currency after our departure from Botswana. Clients are requested to take cash only into Zimbabwe as credit cards and travellers cheques cannot be processed.

Please note:
The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and photo stops!

PRE & POST TOUR ACCOMMODATION:
This tour begins in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, please make sure to be there well before the time of departure. This tour ends in Cape Town, South Africa.