10 Day Delta & Vic Falls

The 10 day Delta & Falls Safari is the perfect way to travel from Windhoek to visit two of the world’s natural wonders, the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the mighty Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Zambia. This trip stands alone, but it is also designed to be completed in combination with most of our other scheduled itineraries. You will spend one night with the San Bushmen and then on for two nights beside a pristine lagoon in the Delta and then travel back into Namibia to traverse, over two nights the little visited Caprivi Region. Back into Botswana to Kasane for a boat cruise into the Chobe National Park and then on to Livingstone and “The Smoke That Thunders”, the awesome Victoria Falls.

It is also possible to remain with your guide for the 1 day return to Windhoek at the end of the trip, making the itinerary 11 days in total. (N$: 1 200:00 per person additional cost for the return).

• Departs: On a Friday, see dates list, with collection time from within the city limits between 07.30 & 08.00 subject to minimum of two (2) passengers.
• Drop off in Livingstone on a Sunday with return to Windhoek on Monday around 16.00
• Single supplement: none
• The style is limited participation, assisted camping with the participation limited to only helping with the tents. The price is virtually fully inclusive of everything you will need whilst travelling with us.
• The following vehicle types may be used on safari:
  2 – 4 guests Toyota Quantum / Hi-Ace with purpose built trailer
  5- 14 guests Toyota Dyna truck – modified Safari Vehicle

The Delta & Falls tour is run as a camping tour, for a supplement an upgrade can be made to turn this into an accommodated option. Enquire upon booking as this is subject to availability.

Combination

This safari can also be combined with our 7 day Northern Adventure, 7 day Southern Swing, 14 day Experience to make a combination trip that covers all of the main highlights of this region of Southern Africa.

Safari Tour Overview – Camping

B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

Safari Tour Overview – Accommodated

On the accommodated option lunches and dinners will be taken with the rest of the group at the campsite.

B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

Safari Tour Details

Friday

Windhoek – San Village near Gobabis, Namibia (260 km) (LD) (camping)

You will be collected between 07:30 & 08:00.

We drive to our wilderness bush camp, which is based on a local farm in the Kalahari, near Buitepos Border, via the eastern village of Witvlei. On arrival we first meet our host family before going to our camp site, meet our guides and pitch the tents. You are welcome to enjoy a relaxing afternoon, wait for the sun to set and enjoy a fire cooked dinner and the tranquillity of an evening in a remote wilderness environment.

Saturday

San Village  - Ghanzi, Kalahari, Botswana (245 km) (BLD) (camping)

We start the day with a morning bush walk where we learn more about the Bushman hunting techniques such as tracking and stalking. The women and men will teach us about many edible plants, where to look for them and how they are used, e.g. contraceptives and healing. Go on a walk through the veld with a small clan of Bushmen local guides/family as they show you how they gather food, start fire with sticks, wind direction and get water from underground roots. The game tends to concentrate on the farm and our chances of spotting different species or spoors are enhanced by the sharp eyes of the Bushmen local guides.

After lunch we leave, making use of the Trans Kalahari Highway, a relatively new road that provides an invaluable communication link between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.

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.

Sunday

Ghanzi – Guma/Okavango Delta (450 km) (BLD) (camping)

An early start and a quick stop in Ghanzi to collect any last minute supplies before continuing east and north, 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.

Monday

Okavango Delta (BLD) (camping)

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.  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.  Mokoro’s 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 in this area.

Back to camp in the late afternoon for another night by the Okavango waters.

Tuesday

Okavango Delta – Caprivi, Namibia (350 km) (BLD) (camping)

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 antelope the majestic sable antelope.

Our camp for tonight is just outside the Game Reserve, and we are again beside the Okavango River, but this time the main river, on its journey from the Angolan highlands, through the pan handle to waters end, the delta.

Wednesday

Caprivi, Namibia – Chobe National Park, Kasane, Botswana (500km) (BLD) (camping)

We continue our drive along The Caprivi Strip, Namibia.  This strip of land is a long narrow stretch of territory running along Botswana’s northern border.  It is a landscape of broadleaf forest with many small communities dotted along our route.

We near the end of our long transit of the Caprivi region, arriving in Namibia’s easternmost town, Katima Mulilo.  A short break here before crossing back across the border into Botswana.  The road takes us directly into the world famous Chobe National Park.  Chobe has the world’s largest population of African Elephants and the chances of seeing some big game are very good as we transit through the park to the small town of Kasane.  We make camp in the grounds of a local lodge, right on the banks for the Chobe River.

Thursday

Chobe National Park, Kasane, Botswana (BLD) (camping)

An early hot drink before we head off on a leisurely game drive, exploring the wonders of the Chobe National Park by road.  Game drives within the park offer the opportunity to view abundant elephant and other big game species up close, and there is also the possibility of an encounter with one of the large predators.

Time to relax over lunch at our camp before joining a river boat cruise, back into the park.  From the boat we will have the chance to see a huge amount of wild game, both on the river banks and in the waters swirling around us.

Crocodiles and hippos abound in the forbidding Chobe River and on the land side there is often a kaleidoscope of different antelope and species such as elephant, buffalo and even the Big Cats come to the river banks for their sundowner drink.  The Chobe River provides a very broad habitat for bird life and it is possible to see many beautiful species of our feathered friends.

Friday

Kasane – Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Zambia (100 km) (BL) (camping)

Another border crossing today, we drive out of Kasane to Kazangula ferry depot and complete our Botswana exit formalities.  We cross the Chobe on the local ferry boat, enter Zambia and from here it is a short drive to the town of Livingstone.  Named after the famous British missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone, the town is a bustling African centre.  We make our camp on the banks of the Zambezi River and have time to explore the town and to visit the mighty Victoria Falls.

The views of the waterfall from the Zambian bank are fantastic; there are many small paths and lookout points to explore.

This afternoon your guide will help you organise the many optional activities available in Livingstone.  These include white water rafting, bungi jumping, other excursions on the river and scenic flights to mention but a few.

Dinner will be in a local restaurant at your own expense.

NB: All extra activities are subject to availability and are done at the clients own risk and expense.

Saturday

Livingstone (B)

This is a free day for you to explore the area or to take part in optional activities.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to relax a bit after your trip.   For some of you, this will be your final night and what a fantastic place to enjoy your last evening with your group.

Lunch and dinner today, are not included in the price of the trip.

Sunday

Livingstone – Rundu, Namibia (700 km) (BLD) (camping)

We say farewell to all the travellers flying out today.  For those people returning to Windhoek, Namibia it is an early start and a long drive.  We are in transit only and will not be stopping to take in the sights along the way.  We will traverse the Caprivi Strip and will spend the night near the small town of Rundu in northern Namibia.

We camp in the grounds of a lodge on the banks for the Okavango River, looking into Angola on the far river bank.

Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge and is included in the price of your transfer.

Monday

Rundu – Windhoek (800 km) (BL)

Another early start and another long drive.  We head south through Kavango Province, down through the towns of Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja before reaching our final destination, Windhoek.

There will be stops at some of the local woodcarving stalls as well as the market at Okahandja before arriving in the city.

You will be dropped off at your accommodation.