26 January 2007

Victoria Falls to Cape Town Safari

Victoria Falls to Cape Town in 25 Days:
Tour Duration: 20 - 25 day(s)Destination(s): Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Specialty
Season: January - December
Tour Customizable: Yes
Take this epic 25 day journey from Livingstone, Zambia to Cape Town in South Africa. Explore Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and end of your trip with a day of site seeing in the mother city of South Africa, Cape Town.

Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Livingstone, Zambia
Day 2&3: Chobe National Park, Botswana
Day 4: Western Caprivi, Namibia
Day 5&6: Okavango Delta, Botswana
Day 7&8: Kavango River, Namibia
Day 9 to11: Etosha National Park, Namibia
Day 12: Kamanjab, Namibia
Day 13; Brandberg,Namibia
Day 14&15: Swakopmund, Namibia
Day 16&17: Namib Naukluft National Park and Kuiseb Canyon to Sesriem, Namibia
Day 18: Duwisib Castle, Namibia
Day 19: Fish River Canyon and Hobas, Namibia
Day 20&21: The Orange River, Namibia
Day 22: Namaqualand, South Africa
Day 23&24: Cape Town, South Africa
Day 25: Depart for home

Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Livingstone, Zambia
Today your adventure will begin…You will meet with your guide at supper at the lodge. He will do a short introduction to Lathita Expeditions and give you a briefing about you safari and the adventures you will experience.

Day 2&3: Chobe National Park, Botswana
A mid morning departure takes you from Livingstone in Zambia by ferry across the Zambezi and into Botswana. The afternoon is spent on a sunset cruise game viewing in a part of Africa’s unspoilt wilderness, Chobe National Park. Chobe has an abundance of Game whose distinctive calls can be heard throughout the night. The following day you will go on a morning game drive in the Famous Chobe National Park and relax by campfire in the afternoon.

Day 4: Western Caprivi, Namibia
Leaving Botswana, we drive through Chobe National Park before crossing over into Namibia and driving through the Caprivi to our camp on the banks of the Kwando River. In the afternoon you will go on a game drive to the famous Mudumo National Park. Mudumo is home to herds of red lechwe and the occasional sitatunga, while spotted-necked otter, hippo and crocodile are also found in these fertile waterways.
Day 5&6: Okavango Delta, Botswana
We leave our camp on the Caprivi for the Okavango Delta. The next 2 days are spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) and speedboat. The Delta is a well-preserved gem of Africa with a vast oasis of crystal clear lakes, lagoons and palm-fringed islands.

Day 7&8: Kavango River, Namibia
Leaving Botswana we make our way into Namibia and head along the Caprivi to Rundu and onto N’kwazi River Camp, which is on the bank of the Kavango River overlooking Angola. On route you will visit Mahango Game Reserve for game viewing (likely to see Roan Antelope and Black Sable). A sunset cruise, horse riding, traditional dancing in the evening as well as visiting a local village are optional or you can just put your feet up and relax on the banks of the river as the sunsets.
Day 9 to11: Etosha National Park, Namibia
The following morning we head off to Etosha National Park. We fill the next 3 days with game drives, which include evening game viewing at floodlit waterholes. In the mornings we have the opportunity to take game drive at sunrise. At all three camps, Namutoni, Okaukuejo and Halali you can take a swim in the swimming pool or as the sunsets and late into the night the group can watch animals drink at the floodlit waterhole.

Day 12: Kamanjab, Namibia
We leave the wild animals behind at Etosha and move onto the spectacular scenery of Twyfelfontein. On our way we visit the small German town of Outjo where we relax for a coffee break. Our final destination for the day will be Kamanjab. Depending on the time of arrival we go and explore a traditional Himba Village that afternoon or the next morning. This will be a journey of culture exchange and learning and understanding of our last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba.
Day 13: Brandberg,Namibia
The Petrified Forest is next on the itinerary before reaching Twyfelfontein where we walk to visit the ancient bushman’s artwork carved and painted into the surrounding Mountains. After doing this walk we head to our camp at the foot of the Brandberg Mountains. Later the same day we walk and visit the famous ‘White Lady’ rock painting in Brandberg. If the time doesn’t allow that we’ll postpone this walk until the next morning.

Day 14&15: Swakopmund, Namibia
We move westwards across the flat desert plains to reach the cold Atlantic coastline. As we follow the Skeleton Coast on our way to Swakopmund, where we visit Africa’s largest seal colony at Cape Cross - zoom lenses and binoculars will definitely not be needed. We have the opportunity to explore this quaint German town by day and night. There are a number of activities to enjoy here: sand boarding, quad biking, skydiving and even fishing (for your own account. You may even dare to brave the icy ocean (cold sea current).

Day 16&17: Namib Naukluft National Park and Kuiseb Canyon to Sesriem, Namibia
Today is spent exploring the barren, arid, and sometimes rocky landscape of the Namib Naukluft National park. Once we reach Sesriem we camp in wide-open space under the countless stars.We visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei. There is an option of taking the shuttle into the dunes (own expense). At sunrise these red sand dunes, which can reach heights of more than 300 m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck there may even be water in the vlei (lake).

Day 18: Duwisib Castle, Namibia
Today we take a leasurely drive through the Namib Rand Nature Reserve and some of the desert areas of Namibia. In the afternoon you can explore Duwisib Castle in the Namgor region of Namibia. We will spend the night camping under the spactaculer starry sky of Namibia.

Day 19: Fish River Canyon and Hobas, Namibia
After a long drive we arrive at the Fish River Canyon and set up camp at Hobas. Later in the evening we take in another perfect African sunset with the magnificent views and scenery along the edge of the Canyon.

Day 20&21: The Orange River, Namibia
We leave Hobas in the morning for Ai-Ais hot springs where we go for a swim and have lunch before departing for our camp on the banks of the Orange River, which makes up the South African – Namibian boundary. Here you can relax in the water that has supplied the region with its famous diamonds.The only traveling during your stay is done in a canoe. Put your feet up and relax as the current takes you downstream – mind the rapids though!
Day 22: Namaqualand, South Africa
We cross the border into South Africa and make our way down the coast. Before you know it we reach the Cedarberg Mountains, where we’ll spend our last night.
Day 23: Cape Town, South Africa
A day drive through the mountains takes us to our final destination, Cape Town. The guide will take you to your Lodge where you will spend the evening relaxing after this long epic journey.
Day 24: Cape Town
Today you will go on a full day of sightseeing, doing a Peninsula and Cape Point Circular Route, which takes you to Kirstenbosch Gardens, wine tasting cellar tour in Constantia, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Simon’s Town and a scenic drive through the Cape Point Nature Reserve.

Day 25: Depart for home; You will say your final goodbyes and continue on your journeys.

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