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For many of you, Namibia is characterized by the Namib Desert ochre dunes, the endless spaces of Damaraland, the Himba herders or the austere Skeleton Coast with its seal colonies. For us, specialists driving through this land for many years, Namibia is also a remarkable source of African animal life. In this incredible expedition, which will end at Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean territory, we will invite you to discover the northern Namibian reserves: the very wild Kaudom area at the centre of the Bushmanland, Mahango on the riverside of the Okavango, the Caprivian strip with its game reserves, and finally the Linyanti private concessions of Mudumu and Mamili in Bostwana. Because of a difficult access, the northern reserves of Namibia are still virgin territory and not widely frequented by tourists. They cover an area of 33500 km². A diversified bird life and animal life are settled on these wild remote areas. We will end our trip on a cruise on the Chobe River in Bostwana up to the confluence of the Zambeze River, and finally stop at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Highlights:
- Well-known Etosha Park
- Kaudom area on the Bushmanland
- Wild northern parks and reserves
- Okavango and Zambeze Rivers
- Kwando and Chobe Rivers
- Private concession of the Kwando Lagoon in Bostwana
- Huge elephants herds
- Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
EXPEDITION PROGRAM
Days 1 & 2: Onguma Tented Camp
Arrival at Windhoek International Airport, welcome then private air transfer to Onguma Tented Camp. An exclusive camp close to Fisher Pan at the edge of Etosha National Park. Settling for two nights with full board and activities, including: photo-safaris on board an open-roofed vehicle and relaxing moments in this charming site.
During the afternoon of the second day your guide will join you at Onguma to offer his specialized support.
Day 3: Bushmanland region – Nyae Nyae pans
Departure after breakfast for a quite long drive which will allow us to reach Tsumke in Bushmanland. Heading to the South, we will enter the Nyae Nyae conservancy in the San territory. Bivouac among Baobab trees in a savannah setting.
Day 4: Kaudom reserve – Sikereti
We will dedicate the whole morning to explore the Nyae Nyae conservancy. At the beginning of the afternoon, we will enter one of the wildest reserves of Namibia: the Kaudom Reserve. Situated in Bushmanland, this sumptuous reserve shelters a large number of mammals including elephants, giraffes, roan antelopes as well as some big predators which nevertheless are hard to observe. We will see the beautiful sunset at Soncana waterhole. Night under tents at Sikereti camp, with temporary sanitary installations, situated in the south of the reserve.
Day 5: North of the Kaudom Reserve
While driving along omurambas (large riverbed dried out the rain season), and crossing immense forest areas, we will start our quest for animals. If our progression in the sand slows us down, we will still enjoy the astonishing wild landscape around us.
Night under tent at Kaudom Camp.
Day 6: Okavango River- Mahango Reserve
As we leave the Kaudom area, the landscape will gradually change as we approach the Okavango River. There, the riversides are sprinkled with small villages of the Kavango fishermen and farmers. In the middle of the afternoon, we will settle at the tent camp of N’dhovu next to the river. In the afternoon, we will leave the camp for a photo-safari in the Mahango reserve along the Okavango River where we will be able to observe aquatic antelopes such as the reedbucks and red lechwe as well as the sable antelope. Elephants, hippopotamus and crocodiles are very common in this reserve. Return to the camp at the sundown.
Days 7 and 8: West Caprivi – Nambwa
We will cross the Caprivian strip eastward into an area also known as the Caprivian Game Park. We will settle our camp for two nights on the Kwando riverside in a very nice camp, set up and used by the local population. Over two days, we will go in search of the region’s wild animals: elephants, buffalos, hippopotamus, cobs, giraffes and of course predators. Many different bird species have also settled in this wild and remote area (African fish eagle, carmine bee-eater, black crake…).
Day 9 and 10: Mamili Park
This small national park at the border with Botswana is surrounded by the Linyanti River marshes. This remote park is not often visited by tourists. However, animal life is really abundant and two nights camping in this bush will just be enough to be captured by the magical atmosphere of the site. During these two days, we will look for elephants, hippopotamus, buffalos… and there is every likelihood that we will enjoy seeing lions, leopards and wild dogs…
Night in bivouac under tents, with a guaranteed lullaby of animal sounds!
Day 11: Lianshulu Lodge
A short stop will drive us into Mudumu Park also an interesting spot for animal life during the dry season. We will settle our camp for the night in full board at Lianshulu Lodge on the Kwando riverside. In the afternoon, we will cruise until the sun sets.
Days 12 and 13: Botswana – Kwando Lagoon Camp
We will take a small boat into Botswana. During these two days, we will explore the Kwando Lagoon concession 2300km2 wide. This wild region shelters a very abundant animal life including enormous buffalos and elephant herds as well as predators such as lions, leopards and wild dogs. The Kwando Lagoon lions are famous for their usual attacks on big animals (hippos, buffalos and elephants) during the dry season.
Night in exclusive canvass tents, full board and activities included.
Day 14: Impalila Island –Ichingo
After a last photo-safari in the Kwando Lagoon concession, we will return to our vehicles and drive out of Namibia using the border post of Ngoma to reach Kasane – a small town in northern Chobe-. We will return to Namibian territory with a small boat to access the Impalila Island situated near the Zambeze confluence. In the afternoon, we will settle at Ichingo under comfortable canvass tents in the middle of the Chobe River. Full board.
Days 15 and 16: Chobe River – Ichobezi
During the following two days, a safari-boat will make us discover the Chobe River up to the Zambeze River. This boat offers four rooms (full board, drinks and activities included). On your choice you are offered many activities: participating in a photo-safari, bird watching, Tiger fish fishing, brem fishing… or simply enjoying the picture of huge herds of hundreds of buffalos and elephants invading riversides during the dry season in search of water. We will spend the two nights on the Ichobezi boat anchored at strategic spots known for their animal life activity.
Day 17: Victoria Falls – Gorges Lodge
We will travel into Zimbabwe by the Kazungula border post. After crossing the Matetsi region, we will arrive at Victoria Falls where the 1700 meters large Zambeze River falls from 100 meters high into a cauldron. We will settle outside town at Gorges Lodge which is ideally situated to overview the Zambeze Gorges. Free afternoon with visit of the Falls and possibility to fly in helicopter (optional). Dinner at the lodge.
Day 18: Transfer to the airport – Departure
Free morning according to the time of take off. Transfer to the International Airport at Victoria Falls. End of our tour.
TRANSPORT
- We drive along around 2500 km of asphalt and sandy roads aboard 4X4 Land Rover Defender or Toyota Land-Cruiser, all equipped with 12 V fridge, 12 V cigar lighter plug to charge cameras, video cameras, etc (if you bring adaptor cables).
- 2 days on cruising the Chobe River on the Ichobezi boat.
- Air transfer from Windhoek to Onguma day 1.
- Photo-safari in 4X4 at Onguma
- Photo-safari in engine boat and 4X4 vehicle on the Kwando Lagoon concession in Botswana.
LODGING, MEALS AND DRINKS
This 17 night journey is composed of:
-9 nights in comfortable lodges and canvas tents (days 1,2,6,11,12,13,14 and 17)
-2 nights on the Ichobezi, a luxurious safari-boat on the Chobe River days 15 and 16
-5 nights in bivouac under tents in natural surroundings days 3,4,5,9 and 10( Kaudom camps are very rudimentary and sometimes without water supply).
-2 nights in camping under tents with sanitary facilities provided days 7 and 8.
-Very comfortable camping equipment is provided.
This journey is full board. Dinners at the restaurants in lodges, picnic lunch in the bush are included. Your guide will serve you well cooked fresh meals during camping. Table and extra drinks are at your cost except when camping, at Kwando Lagoon and on the Ichobezi where they are included.
PRICES ON REQUEST
Prices include:
- welcome and air transfer to Onguma
- transport in 4X4 vehicles + petrol
- a Francophone guide
- full board & lodging as mentioned above
- excursions and visits as mentioned in the program as well as park entrance fees (excluded Victoria Falls entrance fees USD 20 per person)
- Table and extra drinks in camping at Kwando Lagoon Camp and on the Ichobezi
Prices exclude:
- International Air flight ticket
- table and extra drinks in lodges and personal expenses
- cancellation insurance, repatriation and lost luggage’s cost
- Visa cost to Zimbabwe USD 30
- Victoria Falls entrance fee USD 20
Do not hesitate to contact us, we will be glad to adapt this journey to your budget on request.
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