Tour 2: "From Windhoek to Victoria Falls"
Departure Point: Windhoek
End point: Victoria Falls
19 Day tour of Namibia, Botswana and the Victoria Falls.
The main highlights: Windhoek – Sossusvlei – Epupa Falls – Etosha National Park – Caprivi Strip – Chobe National Park – Victoria Falls
Including
Gold category: 18 x overnight with breakfast at accommodation as indicated (subject to change), 12 x dinner, 3 x lunch. At Lianshulu Lodge and Chobe Chilwero all game activities (e.g. Game drives, boat trips etc.), all meals and drinks as well as the park entrance fees. Walk to the Epupa Falls, visit of a Himba village, detailed itinerary, notes on worthwhile attractions along the route, travel tips and restaurant recommendations as well as upcoming events, 24 hour Emergency numbers, VAT and tourism tax. Included in price
Silver category: 18 x overnight with breakfast at accommodation as indicated (subject to change), 3 x dinner, 1 x lunch, walk to the Epupa Falls, visit to a Himba village, detailed itinerary, notes on worthwhile attractions along the route, travel tips and restaurant recommendations as well as upcoming events, 24 hour Emergency numbers, VAT and tourism tax.
Rates
Upon request (please include intended month/year of travel) we will happily send you the rates.
Day 1: Welcome to Namibia – Morning arrival in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. After completing customs and immigration formalities, you should still exchange money at the airport. Collect the rental vehicle and then continue with a short drive south to your accommodation for tonight. Some time to recover from the long journey.
Day 2: Namib Naukluft Park – Driving over the Nauchas and the Remshoogte Pass you get to the border of the Namib Naukluft Park. In the afternoon a trip to the dunes of the Namib is highly recommended.
Day 3: Sossusvlei – The following excursion is a 'must': Passing Sesriem Canyon you arrive at Sossusvlei, a large clay pan in the middle of the ancient Namib Desert. You are surrounded by up to 300 meter high sand dunes, which shine a beautiful red colour in early morning light. Even in the dry season one often sees gemsbok and springbok here. You should start this excursion early in order to avoid the extreme midday heat. On the way back you could visit the Sesiem Canyon, a gorge about 50 m deep, which the Tsauchab River has milled out of the rock over millennia. Although water seldom flows in the Canyon, it promises a refreshing bath now and again in the summer months.
Day 4: Northern Namib – Travel through the Namib Naukluft Park via the Gaub- and Kuiseb Pass to Walvis Bay. Visit the third largest city of Namibia and drive along the bay, a paradise for sea birds such as flamingos. Short drive to Swakopmund, Namibia's most favourite - despite the cold water temperatures - seaside resort. The city offers a wide selection of restaurants.
Day 5: Swakopmund – Recommendation for today: A short trip back to Walvis Bay, enjoy the 'Dolphin Cruise' form about 09:00 – 12:00 including champagne and oysters. Seals and dolphins often accompany the boat. For the rest of the day some time to explore Swakopmund. There is also the possibility of a flight over the desert and the coast line.
Day 6: Rock Paintings - Fist landmark is the Cape Cross. Here lives a huge seal colony, which is estimated at about 150.000 – 200.000 animals. Continue via Uis Mine to Twyfelfontein. Attractions in the area: Rock paintings, organ pipe rock formations and the Burnt Mountain.
Day 7: Kaokoland – Today's destination is Opuwo, a town in Kaokoland in the north western area of Namibia. This area is the home of the Himba people, a nomadic tribe.
Day 8: Epupa Falls – Drive along the Kunene, the border river to Angola. Some time before sunset, you take a guided hike to the impressive Epupa Falls. Here the Kunene plunges down 40 meters on its way to the West.
Day 9: Himbas - This morning you will visit a Himba Village and get an idea of the lifestyle of this mostly nomadic tribe. Your guide will also give you some interesting explanations on the Himbas. Enjoy a quiet afternoon in you lodge and relax on the banks of the Kunene.
Day 10: Ovamboland – Travelling east you will find yourself in the Ovamboland, the flat central northern part of the country. Almost 50% of the Nambian population live in this area. The cultivation of millet and cattle farming are the main sources of income.
Day 11: Etosha National Park – Via Ondangwa you drive to Olukonda. Here, a visit to the Nakambale Museum with its exhibits on the history and culture of the country and the Olukonda Villages, is well worth your while. Shortly afterwards you will reach your accommodation at the edge of the famous Etosha National Park. There is still time to enjoy an afternoon game drive in your rental vehicle. Alternatively you can also go on an open-vehicle game drive, bookable at your Lodge.
Day 12: Etosha - You have all day to explore the Etosha National Park and its core part, the Etosha Pan. It is also possible to go on an open-vehicle safari with an expert game ranger in search for the wild African animals.
Day 13: Okavango – Today you leave behind this unique wildlife paradise and continue to explore the upcoming highlights of your trip. Via Tsintsabis you drive to Rundu, which is situated on the bank of the Okavango River. This is also where your accommodation is. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to enjoy a boat trip on the Okavango River.
Day 14: Popa Falls – Continuing east, you will enter the Caprivi Strip. On your way you should visit the Popa Falls. However, it is not about real water falls but rather a series of rapids. Should you be longing for another 'Safari' – opportunity is there in the afternoon in the Mahango National Park!
Day 15: Caprivi – Further travel into the water rich area of the Caprivi Strip, today known as the Bwabwata National Park. Your accommodation is situated at the Kwando River. The ideal place to relax and to enjoy the unspoiled nature.
Day 16: Kwando – You have all day to enjoy Safaris in the Bwabwata- or Mudumu National Park or a boat trip on the Kwando river. You can also explore the area with a guided bush walk or go on a fishing trip.
Day 17: Chobe National Park - Continue to Katima Mulilo, situated on the banks of the Zambezi River. Soon you will reach the Ngoma border post where you enter Botswana. Your lodge is not far from Kasane. In the afternoon a boat cruise on the Chobe River awaits. (* only with gold category) Interesting game viewing is – almost – guaranteed!
Day 18: Chobe and Victoria Falls – Early morning enjoy a game drive in the Chobe National Park. This park is best known for its dense elephant population. The elephants living here clearly excel all others living in Africa in height. After returning to your lodge a hearty breakfast awaits. Cross the border to Zimbabwe. Even from a distance when nearing the Victoria Falls, you see a cloud of 'smoke'. Therefore the locals call them "Mosi oa Tunya" - the smoke that thunders. The Zambezi River widens to 1.7 km and then plunges 108 m into the Zambezi Gorge. The force of the falling water sends clouds of spray up to 500 meters in the air. Due to the continuous spray even a rainforest has developed. You can explore this unique natural phenomenon on several well marked paths. A sundowner-cruise on the Zambezi promises to be a special event. The setting sun paints the firmament with brilliant colours and the African skies seem to glow!
Day 19: Souvenirs – In the morning there is plenty of opportunity to explore the many activities on offer. What about a helicopter flip above the falls? Or the 'Flight of Angels' by small aircraft? Also a bungee jump into the ravine or rafting on the Zambezi below the falls, are a guarantee for an adrenalin rush… The choice is yours! Unfortunately, in the afternoon it is time to say goodbye. Depart from Victoria Falls Village to the Airport, return the rental vehicle and then check in for your onward flight.
Planned accommodation
Gold: 1 x Goche Ganas Nature Reserve & Wellness Village, 2 x Sossusvlei Loge, 2 x Hotel zum Kaiser , 1 x Mowani Mountain Camp, 1 x Opuwo Country Lodge, 2 x Epupa Camp, 1 x Protea Hotel Ondangwa, 2 x Mushara Lodge, 1 x Hakusembe River Lodge, 1 x Divava Lodge, 2 x Lianshulu Lodge, 1 x Chobe Chilwero Lodge, 1 x Ilala Lodge
Silver: 1 x Auas Game Lodge, 2 x Namib Desert Lodge, 2 x Cornerstone Guesthouse, 1 x Twyfelfontein Lodge, 1 x Opuwo Country Lodge, 2 x Omarunga Camp, 1 x Protea Hotel Ondangwa, 2 x Etosha Aoba Lodge, 1 x Kaisosi Loge, 1 x Mahangu Safari Lodge, 2 x Mazambala Island Lodge, 1 x Kubu Lodge, 1 x A'Zambezi River Lodge