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:: Holiday Styles
Guided Holidays
Victoria Falls to Cape Town
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2008:
21 Days overland safari - from Rand/N$ 5890 pp + local payment of US$450 pp ( 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2008 ).
Set departures from Cape Town or Victoria Falls throughout the year - enquire for exact dates.
Routing: Victoria Falls to Cape Town or Cape Town to Victoria Falls.
Highlights: The spectacular Victoria Falls, sunset river cruise in Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, Etosha National Park, remote Kaokoland region, Swakopmund coastal resort, Sesriem & Sossusvlei, Namib Naukluft Desert , Fish River Canyon, Orange River, Cape Town.
Details: Overland camping safari inclusive of meals, camping equipment, park entry fees, overland vehicle, professional guide & camp assistants.
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Day 1-7: |
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Credit Christina Dohmen |
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Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Namib desert & Sesriem. Leaving Cape Town, we head north through the wine growing regions and pass through the towns of Citrusdal, Clanwilliam and Springbok. We will select one of the many campsites along the way to overnight before heading for the Orange River.
We continue to head north and notice a dramatic change in scenery as we leave behind the lush coastal plains of the Cape. The next two nights will be spent on the edge of Orange River to enable you to participate in an optional full day canoe safari. The Orange River forms the natural land border between South Africa and Namibia and provides a stunning backdrop for a relaxing and scenic time.
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Today we cross into Namibia and have a short drive to Hobas campsite and the Fish River Canyon, the second largest in the world, although reputed to be the most spectacular. 161km long, up to 27km wide and about 550m deep, the canyon was formed by the action of the Fish River. A road running near the eastern rim gives access to several viewing points with spectacular views across the rift.
A short drive from Fish River Canyon brings us to Duwisib Castle, commissioned by the eccentric Baron von Wolf for his American heiress bride, Jayta. Completed in 1909, the castle was furnished lavishly with antique furniture, works of art and firearms that dated back to the 18th & 19th centuries, most of which was brought by ox cart from the port of Luderitz.
Heading inland from Duwisib Castle we enter the Namib Naukluft Park, considered to be one of the oldest deserts in the world. Sesriem is a good place to experience the Namib and its many moods. A short distance away is Sossusvlei, surrounded by a dramatic sea of sand dunes reputed to be the highest in the world. Magnificent views of the desert can be seen from the top of the dunes, some over 300m high. |
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Day 8-14: |
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Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Kaokoland & Etosha - Leaving the serenity of the dunes, we head in a north easterly direction to meet the Atlantic Ocean at Walvis Bay. Following the coast for some 65km, we arrive at Namibia's prime holiday resort, Swakopmund, where we will enjoy 3 nights of rest and relaxation. Founded in 1892 during the German colonial rule, the distinct colonial character has been well preserved. Swakopmund has several excellent restaurants, bars and coffee shops as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian rural art.
Optional excursions include fishing trips, quad biking, sand boarding, parachuting, desert flights, water sports, golf and 4WD hire. |
Our departure from Swakopmund will see us follow the Atlantic Coast north to visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony. Of the 23 breeding colonies of Cape Fur Seals along the coast of South Africa and Namibia, Cape Cross is the largest. Seals are present throughout the year and numbers fluctuate between 80 000 and 100 000 individuals, rising to around 200 000 during the breeding season. It was here that the Portuguese navigator, Diego Cao, erected a stone cross in 1486, becoming the first European to set foot on the coast of Namibia .
We enter the region known as Damaraland and overnight at Twyfelfontein (meaning 'doubtful fountain') where we have the opportunity to explore the rock paintings of the Bushmen. Resembling a large open air art gallery, this treasure house of rock engravings is regarded as one of the richest collections on the African continent.
A short drive from the rock engravings is The Cheetah Park, a private farm where you will learn about the conservation of the cheetah population in Namibia and have a chance to meet the resident cheetahs up at the house. A photo opportunity not to be missed! Leaving Damaraland, we travel to the very northwestern corner of Namibia - Kaokoland. This region is home to the indigenous Himba people, a tribe of semi nomadic pastoralists, many of whom still live and dress according to ancient traditions. The day spent in the village learning about the Himba culture will fascinate you, and the children will delight you!
We stop briefly in Outjo to get supplies, then it is on to Etosha. Etosha is Namibia's major nature reserve, covering over 20 000 square kilometres with a large variety of animal and bird species. The park is situated around the Etosha Pan, and has an extensive network of gravel roads that enable us to access remote areas of the park.
A feature of the park is the floodlit water holes at both Okaukuejo and Namutoni. Evenings can be spent sitting on the specially constructed viewing benches watching the game as it comes in to drink. We are scheduled to spend two nights at Etosha at both Okaukuejo and Namutoni. |
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Day 15-21: |
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Credit Christina Dohmen |
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Kavango River, Maun, Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park & Victoria Falls - Departing Etosha, we head in a north easterly direction towards the lush Kavango region of northern Namibia . Our campsite is spectacular and located right on the banks of the Kavango River complete with open air facilities and the occasional hippo grazing on the lawn.
Continuing along the Kavango River, we enter Botswana and travel to the interior and our destination of Maun. It is from here that we set off to explore the Okavango Delta.
The Delta is a huge expanse of water, which has traveled from the Angolan highlands, spreading out to form the largest inland Delta in the world. Studded with exotic islands, the Delta is renowned for its incredible variety of bird life as well as many other animals unique to Southern Africa. |
Here you have the opportunity to take one of the optional 3 day/2 night excursions into the Delta. We hire mekoro, the local dug out canoes, which are poled by local guides through the winding waterways. As night falls, your guides will select a place to set up camp.
A morning or afternoon walking safari in search of the Delta's larger wildlife gives you a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy the tranquility of the Okavango Delta, while the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the region puts into perspective the extent of this natural landform.
We spend our last night at Maun and rise early the next morning for our journey to Kasane. Here we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River and enter the Park for a game drive. Chobe is one of Botswana's premier game parks, renowned for the large herds of elephant around the Chobe River.
Approximately 2 hours from Kasane is Victoria Falls. The Victoria Falls constitute one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. 1,700 metres wide and around 100 metres high, this is the world's largest sheet of falling water and a memorable sight on any African Safari. All year round, flights can be taken in fixed wing aircraft, micro lights, ultra lights or helicopters. On the ground, the Falls can be seen from the Victoria Falls National Park with its many viewing points, or from the Zambian side of the border. Each offers fantastic photographic opportunities.
White water rafting on the Zambezi is considered to be world class. Besides the excitement of the Grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats" where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and the occasional wildlife on the riverbanks. Bungi jumping enthusiasts can take the plunge from the Zambezi Bridge, which connects Zimbabwe and Zambia. There is also the option to abseil in the Batoka Gorge, neither activities are for the faint hearted!
Other optional activities around Victoria Falls include trips into the Zambezi or Hwange National Parks, horse riding, a visit to the crocodile ranch, golf at Elephant Hills Hotel, parachuting, elephant-back safaris, the Falls craft village and the sunset cruise.
Please note: This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road conditions, weather, political situations, and group decisions. |
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