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Namibia> Namibia Safaris> Overland Safaris through Namibia |
Undoubtedly one of the most scenic safaris you will ever embark upon, departing from one of the world’s most picturesque cities, Cape Town, and ending at the breathtaking Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Namibia is a country of compelling beauty, abundant sunshine and unconfined spaces. With its unspoiled landscapes and large variety of game, increasing numbers of visitors are drawn to safaris in this part of the globe. There is the brooding, desolate Namib Desert, said to be the oldest in the world, with its high dunes and awe-inspiring sense of space. The central plains with its rugged mountains, rising abruptly from the plains, give way to the majestic Fish River Canyon in the south.
In the north, the landscapes range from dense bush and open plains of the great Etosha Pan. Most of the African game species are well represented in Namibia, with the largest concentration of game in the Etosha National Park, making the Etosha National Park one of the premier game reserves for safaris in Namibia.
On safari through Botswana, the burning sands of the Kalahari suddenly surrender to an amazing flood of water that charge through a long panhandle, and then spills out across the Kalahari in an astonishing labyrinth of waterways that covers more than 22 000km² of Botswana, the Okavango Delta. Fed by the Okavango River from the north, the waterways of the delta annually transport more than 10 billion tons of water across the scorched plains of Botswana. Experience the thrill of a bush camp and paddling through the waterways in a mokoro (dug out tree).
Before ending our tour at the magnificent Victoria Falls, we spend our last day in Botswana at Chobe National Park, famous for its large herds of elephants, buffalo and hippopotamus.
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Day
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Route/Activities |
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1
Namaqualand |
After an early breakfast we start our tour, heading northwards into the heart of Namaqualand, where we will spend our first night studying the night skies of the southern hemisphere. Distance Traveled: 360km Approximate Time Traveled: 4 ½ hours Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Accommodation: Tent-style accommodation at Campsite with ablution facilities. |
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2 & 3
Orange River Richtersvels |
We continue towards the Namibian border where we spend the next two nights at our camp on the banks of South Africa’s longest river, the Gariep River (Orange River). Here you can take part in an optional day of rafting, ending the day watching the sunset over South Africa’s only mountainous desert reserve, the Richtersveld. Optional Activities: Orange River Rafting Distance Traveled: 360km Approximate Time Traveled: 4 ½ hours Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Accommodation: Tent-style accommodation at Campsite with ablution facilities. |
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4
Fish River Canyon |
After breakfast we leave the tranquillity of the riverbank, enter Namibia and head for the spectacular Fish River Canyon; the second largest in the world. We stop off at Ai-Ais for lunch and a swim in the hot springs (winter months) before heading for our campsite at Hobas and a spectacular sunset. Distance Traveled: 230km Approximate Time Traveled: 3 ½ hours Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Tent-style accommodation at Namibia Wildlife Resort Campsite, with ablution facilities. |
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5
Sesriem |
From the Fish River Canyon, we make our way to Sesriem on the eastern edge of the oldest desert in the world, the Namib, our base camp for the night. Distance Traveled: 520km Approximate Time Traveled: 9 ½ hours Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Tent-style accommodation at Namibia Wildlife Resort Campsite, with ablution facilities. |
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6
Sossusvlei |
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of your tour! We have an early start to watch the sunrise over the dunes, have breakfast and then start our hike up some of the world’s highest dunes at Sossusvlei. Visit the spectacular Dead Vlei and Sesriem Canyon. After lunch we head for our first bush camp. Optional Activities: (For the more enthusiastic desert visitor) Professional Guided Dune Walk Distance Traveled: +/-200km Approximate Time Traveled: 3 hours Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Tent-style Bush Camp – no facilities. |
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7 & 8
Swakopmund |
We head to the coastal town of Swakopmund where you can try dune boarding and quad biking or spend the next two days at leisure and explore this beautiful coastal oasis. Optional Activities: Quad biking, Dune boarding and Sky-diving Distance Traveled: 380km Approximate Time Traveled: 5 hours Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Day 8 – lunch and dinner own expense) Accommodation: Bedded accommodation at Backpacker in town, with ablution facilities. Upgrades to double room possible at own expense. Laundry and Internet facilities available. |
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9
Spitzkoppe |
We head for our overnight camp at Spitzkoppe, where the 1759m-granite rock ensures a spectacular sunset. We have time to explore the area by foot and view the local San paintings. End a thrilling day under a perfect star-studded African sky. Distance Traveled: 200km Approximate Time Traveled: 3 hours Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Tented Bush camp - No facilities |
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10
Damaraland |
Situated, south-west of the Petrified Forest, is Twyfelfontein, where the most spectacular rock-engravings in Namibia can be seen, believed to be the work of San Bushman living here thousands of years ago. Distance Traveled: 320km Approximate Time Traveled: 5 hours Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Tent style Bush camp with ablution facilities. |
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11 & 12
Etosha Park |
En-route to Etosha National Park we stop at the Petrified Forest, an entire forest of massive tree trunks that turned into stone. The next 2 days we spend in search of the wildlife that makes Etosha one of the best parks in Southern Africa. Be sure not to miss the night game viewing at one of the camps floodlit waterholes. Distance Traveled: 330km Approximate Time Traveled: 5-6 hours Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Tented accommodation at Namibia Wildlife Resort Campsite, with ablution facilities. |
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13 & 14
Ngepi Camp |
From Etosha we head north east through the town of Rundu into the Kavango region of Namibia. We relax the next two days at the lovely Ngepi campsite on the banks of the Kavango River in the Caprivi strip. From here, we have the opportunity to visit the local villages, do some fishing or recharge your batteries. Hippos often visit this campsite and crocodiles can be seen relaxing on the sandbank or swimming in the river. Approximate Time Traveled: 8 hours |
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15, 16 , 17 & 18
Maun or the Okavango Delta |
We will be heading into the Okavango Delta for the next few days for our bush experience. Here you have the choice between 3 delta excursions: Drive-in trip with local dug out canoes (mokoros) to transport you to your island bush camp, a 4 x 4 safari in the undiscovered Moremi Game Reserve or a Okavango Delta Fly-in. Clients who stay at the base campsite in Maun (ie do not join one of the optional activities) can arrange flights over the Delta, fishing excursions or visit the local villages. Optional Activities: Moremi Game Reserve or Okavango Delta by Mokoro or Okavango Delta Fly-in |
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19
Kasane & Chobe National Park |
Enjoy the diversity and abundance of game, birds and vegetation to be found on the flood plains of the Chobe Game Reserve. Optional game drives or boat cruises are available. Optional Activities: Chobe Sunset Cruise, Chobe Game Drive or Chobe Combo |
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20 & 21
Victoria Falls |
The final leg of our journey takes us into Zimbabwe, to view the unrivalled majesty of the Victoria Falls. Here you are free to partake in the many activities on offer- some of the most exciting white water rafting in the world or a 111-metre Bungi-jump. Our tour ends on the morning of day 10 after breakfast. Accommodation is however is included on day 10 Optional Activities: Bungi Jumping, Zambezi White Water Rafting, Sunset Cruise or Gorge Swing. |
Note: Itinerary Description Text supplied by tour operator
| Vital Statistics | |
| Duration | 21 Days |
| Departure | Every Wednesday |
| Cost - valid for 2004 | N$ 6 950 |
| Mode of Transport | Overland Truck |
| Group Size | 24 |
| Pre-Departure Meeting | Please meet the group at 17:00 on Tuesday at Planet Africa. Here you will have a tour briefing with your guides and fellow travellers and get to know each other a bit better beforehand. The operator will pay for accommodation in dorm rooms for that night. Upgrades to double rooms can be arranged prior to booking at additional cost. Accommodation: Dorm style accommodation in a backpacker in Cape Town. |