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14 Day Delta and Dunes Safari Namibia and Botswana
The 14 day Delta & Dunes safari is one of the most comprehensive
trips that we offer, taking in all of the major sites in Namibia
but also taking time to concentrate on the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
From the Delta you will travel into the Caprivi Region of Namibia,
then head south through Etosha National Park, the beautiful desert
region of Damaraland, and on to Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast.
The last few days are used for the world’s highest sand dunes
in the world’s oldest desert at Sesriem & Sossusvlei.
The price is virtually fully inclusive of everything you will
need whilst travelling with us. Collection time is between 08:00
& 08:30 from anywhere within the Windhoek city limits.
Prices in South African Rand
Price per person:R14,200
Price per person as of 1st April 2009:R17,000
No single suplement
Minimum of two people
Maximum group size is 14 travellers
Transport for up to 8 people will be in a minibus or a Land Cruiser.
For more than 8 a specially converted safari truck will be used.
Itinerary is assisted comfortable camping with participation limited
to only helping with the tents.
Guaranteed departures on selected Thursdays of the year,
with a minimum of two people.
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Namibia
Safaris include:
All transport
3 Meals a day (unless differently specified)
Tap drinking water
Tea & coffee in camp
All camping equipment
Park entrance fees
Camping fees
Professional guide
Camp Assistant
Pick up & drop off from accommodation in Windhoek
Safaris exclude:
Sleeping bag (can be hired)
Visas
Alcoholic beverages
Soft drinks
Personal travel insurance
Useful to bring with you:Towel, torch, water bottle, hat.
Guide Itinerary
Safari Tour Details
Day 1 Driving time: approx. 6.5 hrs (530 km)
Overnight: Ghanzi. Communal ablutions /camping. Lunch and Dinner
A long drive today, making use of the Trans-Kalahari-Highway, a
relatively new road that provides an invaluable communication link
between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The road takes us first
to the small town of Gobabis, one of the main livestock farming
centres of Namibia, and then on to the border with Botswana.
After completing the immigration formalities we continue, through
rural Botswana to the town of Ghanzi, located in the centre of cattle
farming Botswana. Ghanzi is located almost in the middle of the
Kalahari Desert and was almost unknown before the Trans Kalahari
Highway.
Driving time: approx. 6.5 hrs (530 km)
Overnight: Ghanzi. Communal ablutions /camping. Lunch and Dinner
Day 2 Driving time approx. 6hrs. (430 km).
Overnight: Private camp Okavango Delta. Communal ablutions /camping.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
An early start and a quick stop in Ghanzi to collect any last minute
supplies before continuing west, traversing the linear dunes of
the Kalahari and passing through small towns along the way.
A change in vegetation heralds our arrival on the very western edge
of one of the natural wonders of the world, the Okavango Delta.
Here we turn north for some way before again pointing our wheels
west as we enter the Delta proper.
We see our first glimpse of the crystal waters through the lush
vegetation and we make our camp on the banks of a pristine African
lagoon.
Day 3 Overnight: Okavango Delta.Rustic ablutions / camping.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
We are in the territory of the River People, so this morning we
leave our vehicle behind and travel in a more appropriate fashion,
first by motor-boat and then by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe),
deep into the Delta.
Mokoro's will be our main form of transport for the next two days.
These amazing traditional craft are perfectly designed for the narrow
waterways of the Okavango and allow us to travel further into the
Delta than if we were using more modern forms of transport. Mokoros
carry three people, two seated passengers and one driver. The driver
stands in the rear of the canoe, (a real feat of balance), and uses
a long wooden pole to propel and steer the mokoro through the twisting
channels. It really is the only way to travel.
We are fully self sufficient and make our camps on the river banks
and islands, under huge indigenous trees, sharing the environment
with the local people and the local fauna of Africa. The Okavango
is a wildlife paradise and we will look for game from both our mokoros
and on bush walks guided by local specialist guides, our polers.
NB: The bathroom facilities in the Okavango Delta can be best described
as rustic. There is plenty of water but it is used, straight from
the river, (well boiled first). There is no electricity and we will
enjoy bucket showers and basic toilet facilities. These conditions
will prevail for the two days on the islands.
Day 4 Overnight: Okavango Delta. Rustic ablutions / camping.Breakfast,
Brunch and Dinner.
Once established into our wilderness routine, we usually take a
long, early morning bush walk to see the terrain and hopefully spot
some Big Game, returning to camp in the mid morning for a cooked
brunch.
There is time to relax in the shade during the heat of the day and
from most camps our polers will be able to take us to a safe swimming
place to cool off
In the afternoons there is often a shorter walk or a mokoro cruise
in the cool evening air. Sunset from the river is not to be missed.
Day 5 Overnight: Private camp Okavango Delta. Communal
ablutions /camping. Breakfast, Brunch and Dinner.
The way of life of the Okavango River people has remained largely
un-changed for hundreds of years. It is a totally no-stress environment
in a pure wilderness setting.
We are heading back to our first camp today, gliding across the
crystal waters, home to an amazing variety of bird life. There is
the chance to add crocodiles and even a hippopotamus to our list
of creatures seen before making our final Okavango camp amongst
the lush riverine bush.
We will transfer back to camp in the motorboats and aim to be back
on the lagoon, with full facilities by the early afternoon. We enjoy
a final night beside the unparralled Okavango Waters.
Day 6 Driving time approx. 4 hrs. (350 km).
Overnight: Rundu. Communal ablutions /camping.Breakfast and Lunch.
(Dinner at own expense.)
Back on the road today, destination Namibia. Passport formalities
completed we go directly into the Mahango Game Reserve, a small
but excellent park right on the edge of the Okavango River. We game
drive our way through Mahango and have the chance to spot rarely
seen Namibian species such as roan and the majestic sable antelope.
We now head west, through part of Namibia's Caprivi Strip to our
camp for tonight. We are again beside the Okavango, but this time
the main river, on its journey from the Angolan highlands, through
the pan handle to waters end, the delta.
Dinner tonight will be for the clients own expense in the restaurant
at the lodge.
Day 7 Driving time approx. 5 hrs. (450km).
Overnight: Namutoni Rest Camp.Communal ablutions /camping.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
A short drive brings us to the northern Namibian town of Rundu where
there is time to explore the local market before continuing down
through the Kavango Region. There are a few breaks along the way
at various kraals to see the local crafts and woodcarvings.
Continuing on to Namutoni camp in Etosha National Park we aim to
arrive in the middle afternoon, giving us time to relax a little
before heading out into the park during the cool of the late afternoon
for our first Etosha game drive.
After your evening meal there are still more chances to see Etosha's
game at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole. Situated on the boundary
of the camp and easily reachable on foot, elephants are regular
visitors here and there is a good chance of seeing other species
of big game as well.
Day 8 Overnight: Namutoni Rest Camp. Communal ablutions
/camping.Breakfast, Brunch and Dinner.
We go straight out on an early morning game drive. We visit
some of the numerous waterholes in the area hoping to catch some
of Etosha's big game out for an early morning drink. The game drives
around the Namutoni area are some of the best in the park.
We cover several different terrains this morning, from wooded areas
to open savannah and in the rainy season, wetland. Back to Namutoni
in the late morning and after lunch there is time once again to
relax during the heat of the day. The pool area here is very good,
shaded by palm trees and a stone's throw away from the waterhole.
As on day seven, we take a shorter game drive in the late afternoon,
often driving out to one of the waterholes popular with game and
waiting for the animals to come to us.
Day 9 Overnight: Okaukuejo Rest Camp.Communal ablutions
/camping. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
A full day's game driving. We again leave early to enjoy the cool
morning air. We game drive our way through Etosha to Halali camp,
situated in the middle of the park. Along the way we visit several
waterholes and are afforded splendid views of the massive Etosha
Pan. The game viewing is usually excellent and we have the chance
to tick off a few new species that are not normally seen on the
Namutoni side of the park.
We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch. There is also
time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming
pool and bar facilities before continuing on our way and game driving
down to Okaukuejo camp.
Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole, which has been described
as one of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern
Africa". Situated on the doorstep of our accommodation, black
rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often
seen.
Day 10 Driving time approx. 5hrs (400km).
Overnight: Damaraland.Rustic ablutions / camping.Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner.
Leaving Etosha we are en route for the desert and the most scenic
area of our safari. We make a stop at a small town called Outjo
where we can get coffee and sticky cakes at the local bakery. We
then drive west to Khorixas, the capital of the Damaraland region.
A short break here and then, leaving the sealed roads far behind
us, we drive into the desert.
We stop for lunch at the Petrified Forest geological site, where
a local guide will take us around and explain about the prehistoric
trees, before continuing on to Twyfelfontein.
Damaraland scenery is some of the best in Namibia, open grasslands
studded with massive granite koppies create the feeling of being
surrounded by mountains. We are well into desert elephant and black
rhino country and other game such as springbok, ostrich and gemsbok
are often seen.
We aim to arrive in the early afternoon and have time to relax in
the shade before making a late afternoon excursion to Twyfelfontein
itself. Here, again, a local guide will introduce us to the ancient
Bushman rock engravings or petroglyphs. We also make a visit to
another geological site in the area called the Organ Pipes.
Day 11 Driving time approx. 6 hrs (400km).
Overnight: Swakopmund. Chalet Accommodation. Breakfast and Lunch.
(Dinner at own expense.)
More beautiful Damaraland scenery this morning. We pass Namibia's
highest mountain, the Brandberg (2573 m) and make our first stop
of the morning in the small town of Uis, an old mining town, and
one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones, for which Namibia
is famous. Here, rough Amethyst, Tourmaline etc can be found at
bargain prices.
From here we turn directly west and cross the gravel plains on our
way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. Meeting the ocean
at Henties Bay, we first head north along the coast to visit the
seal colony at Cape Cross. Here at certain times of the year there
can be as many as 100,000 Cape Fur seals in attendance.
The next destination is Swakopmund, stopping for lunch en route
and following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia's premier seaside
town.
Swakopmund boasts a large range of restaurants and cafés,
many of them specializing in fish dishes. The local seafood is superb,
taken straight from the icy Atlantic waters. Tonight dinner is for
the clients own account in a local restaurant. Your guide will be
able to recommend a venue.
We also make the most of being back in a main centre by leaving
the tents loaded and checking into holiday chalets.
Day 12 Driving time approx. 5.5 hrs (420km).
Overnight: Namib Desert Camp. Communal ablutions /camping.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We first make a stop at Walvis Bay, situated about 40 km
south of Swakopmund. South of the town there is a large marine lagoon
which is home to a vast array of marine bird-life, in particular
flamingos. We will make a short visit to the lagoon to see the birds
and a short visit to Walvis Bay to collect any last minute supplies
before once again heading out into the desert.
The second part of our journey today takes us across more of the
seemingly endless Namib gravel plains. Then the landscape suddenly
changes and we are into the mountain desert. We traverse both the
Kuiseb and Gaub passes, driving both times to the river beds at
the bottom of the canyons and then climbing the long steep road
to the top and the spectacular panoramas the mountains give us.
Again the scenery changes as we make our way down to the dune fields.
We cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain
begins to give way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib
and from here it is only a short distance to our next stop, the
tiny town of Solitaire. We will stop here for some refreshments
before continuing on through stunning desert scenery.
We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and watch
the colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east.
Day 13 Driving time approx. 2hrs (120km).
Overnight: Namib Desert. Communal ablutions /camping.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the
soft light of the sunrise on the desert as we drive in. After passing
through Sesriem, the gateway to the dunes, we drive into the heart
of the dune field.
To reach Sossusvlei itself we walk for the last 5 km through the
dunes. The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning,
with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating
a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert. Ancient
mineral pans, stunted camel horn trees and the chance of seeing
a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting dune
45, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch and to
escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late
afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.
Day 14 Driving time approx. 5hrs (450km).
Overnight: Breakfast and Lunch.
After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and along
scenic roads, back to Windhoek. We will travel over the Naukluft
Mountains and also the Khomas Hochland range, through beautifull
Remhoogte Pass on our way back to civilization.
We are due back into the city around 15:00 and you will be dropped
off at your accommodation on our return.
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