|
31 DAY DESERT, DELTA & SPICE WINDHOEK
TO DAR ES SALAAM - This trip starts in Windhoek, Namibia and
travels north through Namibia and Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia,
Malawi finishing in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
Please note that this trip starts on Friday and departs the
same day. Should you wish to spend extra time there an earlier
arrival should be planned and additional accommodation booked
through the African Budget Safaris office.
Pre Departure Meeting: A briefing will be
held in Swakopmund upon arrival at the end of day 1.
Departure Point: Intercape Coaches, Parking
Bay, Cnr Pieter Muller & Michael Scott Str
Check In Time: 5.30am
Departure Time: 6.00am
TOUR COST: R9390 + Local Payment: US$620
Itinerary:
DAY 01: Windhoek to Swakopmund
After boarding your early morning coach in Windhoek, it will
be an easy start to your journey to the adventure centre of
Namibia, Swakopmund. On arrival you will be met and transferred
to your hotel.
DAYS 02 & 03: Swakopmund
Founded in 1892 during the German colonial rule, the distinct
colonial character has been well preserved. Swakopmund has
several excellent restaurants, bars, coffee shops as well
as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian rural art.
There are fine beaches to walk along as well as a great museum,
aquarium and galleries to visit.
Optional excursions include fishing trips, quad biking, sand
boarding, skydiving, desert flights, watersports, golf and
4WD hire. (B included both days)
DAY 04: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe
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
through out the year and numbers fluctuate between 80 000
and 100 000 individuals, rising to around 200 000 during the
breeding season. A short drive takes us to Spizkoppe, the
1728m high rock formation, one of Namibia’s most recognised
landmarks. There is opportunity to explore the bushman paintings
and surrounding area. (B, L, D)
DAY 05: Spitzkoppe to Cheetah Park
Today is a day’s drive from the rock paintings to 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 cheetah's up at the house. A
photo opportunity not to be missed! (B,L,D)
DAY 06: Cheetah Park to Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park
Stopping briefly in Outjo to get supplies, then it is on to
Etosha. We will game drive our way into Okaukuejo rest camp
before setting up camp and heading out for an afternoon game
drive. Etosha is the major nature reserve of Namibia, 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 get to remote areas of the park. A feature of the park
is the floodlit water holes at both Okakuejo and Namutoni.
Evenings can be spent sitting on the specially constructed
viewing benches watching the game as it comes in to drink.
(B,L,D)
 DAY
07: Etosha National Park – Okaukuejo to Namutoni
Another full day of game driving as we make our way the 150kms
across the park form west to east. After a full day of game
driving you will then have another opportunity to spend the
evening watching the game at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole.
(B,L,D)
DAY 08: Namutoni, Etosha National Park to Rundu
Departing Etosha, we head in a northeasterly direction towards
the lush Kavango region of northern Namibia. We will stop
at Rundu for supplies before reaching our nearby campsite.
This 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. (B,L,D)
DAY 09: Rundu to Maun (Botswana)
Continuing along the Kavango River, we enter Botswana and
travel east along the course of the Okavango River to the
southern reaches of the Okavango Delta and our destination
of Maun. It is from here that we set off to explore the Okavango
Delta. (B,L,D)
DAY 10: Maun to Okavango Delta (Optional)
The Delta is a huge expanse of water, which has travelled
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 the optional 3 day /
2 night excursions into the Delta. This is the drive in Mokoro
excursion. (B,L,D)
This drive in trip to the Okavango Delta takes us approximately
1-2 hours north to the Mokoro polers station. From there we
hire mokoros, the local dug out canoes, which are poled by
local guides through the winding waterways. Your guides will
select a place to set up camp. An afternoon game walk will
allow you to experience the Delta wilderness.
DAY 11: Okavango Delta
A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await. Today
you will have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities
including game walks, mokoro cruises, swimming and even a
chance to try your hand at poling your own mokoro! (B,L,D)
DAY 12: Okavango Delta to Maun
A final opportunity for a morning game walk before packing
up camp and setting off back to Maun. After arriving back
in the early afternoon you have the opportunity to complete
your picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional sunset
scenic flight over the Delta region. (B,L,D)
DAY 13: Maun to Chobe National Park
We travel east and then north through Botswana to the town
of Kasane where we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River.
The Chobe River forms a border between Botswana and Namibia
as well as Botswana and Zambia. Listen out for the resident
hippos! (B,L,D)
DAY 14: Chobe National Park
This morning you have the option to do an early-morning game
drive into Chobe National Park. Chobe is one of Botswana’s
premier game parks, renowned for the large herds of elephant
around the Chobe River. After our game drive we return to
camp for lunch. Late afternoon we take a boat cruise along
the Chobe River. Elephant, hippo and many bird species can
be viewed from the boat while we watch the renowned Chobe
sunset. (B, L, D)
DAY 15 to 17: Vic Falls
We pack up camp and depart for Victoria Falls. Leaving Botswana
we enter Zimbabwe and drive to the nearby Victoria Falls where
we set up camp in the municipal town campsite. Afternoon at
leisure to explore the many sights and delights of this town!
(Brunch)
The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular
natural wonders of the world. 1700 metres wide and around
a 100 metres high, this is the world's largest sheet of falling
water and a memorable sight of any African Safari. All year
round, flights can be taken in either 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. 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 abseil in the Batoka Gorge, neither activities
are for the feint hearted!
The 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 safaris, the Falls craft village and
the sunset cruise.
DAY 18 & 19: Victoria Falls to Lake Kariba
This morning we will pack up camp and depart Victoria Falls.
Exiting Zimbabwe we cross the Victoria Falls Bridge and the
Zambezi River to enter into Zambia at the town of Livingstone.
We head to the western waters of Lake Kariba, our base camp
for the next 2 nights. The lake is one of the largest man
made lakes in the world, boasting a wide variety of African
game, bird life and unique flora and fauna.
Here you have the option to take a 2 night trip on the House
Boats on Lake Kariba. For those of you who do not want to
partake in the House Boats there are many activities you can
do at the campsite such as fishing, canoeing, hikes, explore
the local village or just relax on the tranquil banks of Lake
Kariba. The campsite also has a swimming pool where you can
enjoy soaking up the sun. (B,L,D)
House Boat option 2 night/2 day:
We board the House Boats at approx 1pm and have lunch after
you have settled yourself in. We depart the harbour at approx
2pm and sail out to the Maaze River for a beautiful sunset
and overnight on the House Boats. Lake Kariba is famous for
its spectacular sunsets. (B; L, D)
The next day you can relax the entire day on the deck of
the House Boat and enjoy the on board Jacuzzi. House Boats
on Lake Kariba are truly one of the most relaxing ways to
spend a few days. For those of you feeling a bit more active
in the early morning we take a Fishing/Game Cruise on tender
boats or you have the option to do a game walk on the island
in the Maaze area. There is opportunity to see plains game
and many different species of bird life. After lunch and head
to Maaze Island where we do a tour of the Crocodile Farm.
Dinner is prepared on the boat while we sit back and enjoy
our sundowners over the lake. (B, L, D)
DAY 20: Lake Kariba to Lusaka
After everyone has reunited we bid goodbye to Lake Kariba
and we head north through Southern Zambia to a camp just before
the capital city of Lusaka. The campsite is home to some local
wildlife and has beautiful facilities. (B,L,D)
DAY 21: Lusaka to Chipata
From Lusaka we cross the northeastern side of Zambia, heading
to a beautiful little campsite just 10kms before the Zambia/Malawi
border. Here we spend the night under the stars before heading
into Malawi the following day. (B,L,D)
 DAYS
22 to 25: Chipata to Lake Malawi
Leaving Zambia we cross the border into Malawi, the ‘Warm
Heart of Africa’. We visit the capital Lilongwe, a small
city distinctively divided into the old town and the new administrative
centre. The newly democratic Malawi is a landlocked country
with 20% of its total area being the beautiful Lake Malawi.
The country's temperate climate allows for swimming in this
clear blue fresh-waters all the year round.
We travel the full length of western side of lake, stopping
off at various bays and inlets for the next 4 days. This is
the time for rest and relaxation. Lake Malawi offers a variety
of watersports from various beachside campsites. Alternatively,
you can go wandering along quieter shorelines where you can
see the fishermen sorting their daily catch. Traditional methods
are still used in their fishing techniques and you can appreciate
their boating skills by trying to paddle in a dugout canoe
yourself.
Visit the nearby villages and schools as well as dine in
the local village, haggle for a bargain at the local markets,
learn the game of bao with some locals … or simply relax
on the pristine white beaches. (B,L,D)
DAY 26: Lake Malawi to Iringa, Tanzania
We depart Malawi via Karonga and enter Tanzania through the
border post of Songwe. We continue our journey through the
Tanzanian countryside and take in the beauty of the Tukuyu
tea plantations and banana plantations. Just before Iringa
is the Old Farmhouse, a beautiful rustic campsite in rural
Tanzania, where we spend the night. Try one of the signature
Amarula Hot chocolates! (B,L,D)
DAY 27: Iringa to Dar es Salaam
The next morning we proceed to Dar es Salaam, passing through
Mikumi National Park where it is possible to view a range
of wildlife from the roadside, totally impervious to humans
and their vehicles. On arrival in Dar es Salaam, we spend
the night at a beach hotel/campsite that is situated to the
north of the city, and prepare for our departure to Zanzibar
the next morning. (B,L,D)
 DAY
28: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island",
where we will spend three nights on this legendary island.
Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting
points for most East African explorers in their quest for
new lands. (B)
Please note: From our experience our clients have felt the
need to explore the island on their own, therefore accommodation
and food is for client’s own account whilst on Zanzibar,
but our trip leader accompany clients to the island and will
be able to book accommodation and tours on the island
DAY 29 & 30: Zanzibar
History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for
the visitor. Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town
still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like
shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast
empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade. The island
is still famous for its spices, and tours around a spice plantation
can be organised. Other options include a trip to the nearby
Prison Island with its giant tortoises, and beautiful beaches
to enjoy. Or perhaps you would enjoy the opportunity to hire
a motorbike and explore the more remote areas of the island.
Zanzibar is a seafood lover’s paradise. Numerous restaurants
offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean
- giant lobsters being a popular speciality. Alternatively,
joining the locals for dinner in the waterfront market is
an experience not to be missed. The market stalls offer an
unusual selection of fast food African style at a very reasonable
cost.
DAY 31: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
Leaving Zanzibar we take the ferry back to mainland of Dar
es Salaam to finish this safari.
Optional Excursions:
Sossusvlei Desert Walk US$25
Okavango Delta with Mokoro’s (3 days) US$150
Chobe National Park Game Drive US$35
Victoria Falls National Park US$20
Kariba House Boats (2 nights) US$125
Game Walk on Maaze Island US$10
Zanzibar Accommodation US$15p/p
(Prices subject to change)
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. Due to
new tourism laws in some of the countries we operate in there
may be a truck and crew change during the trip. All prices
& Local Payments are subject to change with prior notice.
Like to know more?
Enquire about this |
