Next day – Find out at the lodge the opening times for the gate at Sossusvlei, as they do change the times throughout the year. Depart at least 75 minutes before the opening time to be at Sesriem / Sossusvlei when the gates open, as this is the best time to experience Sossusvlei (as early as possible). Return to road – C19, turn left and drive ± 50 km before we turn right onto the D826. Drive about 12 km to the village of Sesriem (Gate to Sossusvlei National Park).We will find the entrance gate to the park on the right. Return after our visit to Moon Mountain Lodge

(Day 4 – Driving time to with stops & lunch ± 10 hours / Day 5 – Driving time, lunch & touring ± 8 hours ) 

Daily – distance to travel:  Day 4 ± 640 km / Day 5 ± 200 km 

Accommodation:  Moon Mountain Luxury Tented Lodge **** (B & D)

Reservation number:  190783

Contact:  +264 672 40901

Contact person:  Paula Amwaandangi

PLANNING:

• I recommend we buy some supplies in Keetmanshoop before heading for Sossusvlei. At least enough food for 2 x picnic lunches.
• Arrange breakfast packs (breakfast included) at the lodge for our day out at Sossusvlei.
• Take a picnic lunch with or have lunch at Sossusvlei Lodge, which is found near the entrance gate to Sossusvlei.

• Namib Sky Balloon Safaris: +264 81 304 2205 / Must pre-book / They will let us know where and what time to meet for pick-up.  Breakfast included

 Day 6: October 7, Monday

Itinerary:  Travel via the “Kuiseb Canyon” and Walvis Bay to Swakopmund, a coastal town surrounded by lunar landscapes and the prehistoric Welwitchia plants. Enjoy lunch at one of the numerous restaurants along the waterfront in Walvis Bay or in Swakopmund. We have the afternoon at leisure in Swakopmund with its beautiful beaches, market places, curio shops, restaurants, etc.

Evening at leisure. Dinner can be enjoyed at anyone of a number of good restaurants found in town, which are all within safe walking distance from our hotel. However, Pre-booked at the The Tug Restaurant.

Overnight in Swakopmund.

• Desert tours & activities
• Flights over the desert
• Boat cruise in Walvis Bay

Evening at leisure. Lunch and dinner can be enjoyed at any one of a number of good restaurants found in town, which are all within safe walking distance from our hotel. Overnight in Swakopmund. 

Accommodation: Hansa Hotel **** (B

Directions: 

Depart no later than 08h00. As we leave our lodge, we turn right onto road – C19, drive about 30 km to Solitaire (fill up with fuel). At the T-junction at Solitaire, we turn left onto the C14 and drive another ± 230 km to Walvis Bay. After lunch, follow the road signs onto the B2 and drive about 32 km to Swakopmund, as we arrive in town we turn left onto Woermann Street and then right at the “1^st Cross Street” onto Hendrik Witbooi Street where we will then find our hotel down this road on the left.

(Driving time with stops ± 4 ½ hours) 

Daily – distance to travel:  ± 300 km   

Accommodation:  Hansa Hotel **** (B)

Reservation number:  809003  

Contact:  +264 64 41 4200

Contact person:  Maike Lohmann

PLANNING:

• Living Desert Adventures:  +264 64 40 5070 or +264 81 127 5070 / Living Desert Tour – 3 ½ hours / NAM $ or ZAR 750.00 per person (This tour normally only runs in the morning)   (I was not able to make this reservation – no space on 10/6 or 10/7)
• The Tug Restaurant:  +264 64 402 356

Welwitschia Mirabilis

The Welwitschia Mirabilis is a plant which is endemic to the Namib desert in Namibia and Southern Angola. Named after Friedrich Welwitschia who “discovered” the plant in 1859, some of the specimen are estimated to be between 1000 and 1500 years old.

Welwitschia occurs in an area of the Namib Desert that stretches over 1200 km from southern Angola to the mouth of the Kuiseb River. It does not grow directly at the coast, having its most dense occurrence about 50 to 60 km away from the Atlantic. 

Apart from a dense network of roots close to the ground surface with a diameter of up to 30 meters the Welwitschia also has a taproot that is able to reach groundwater provided that it is at about 3 meters deep. Most of the water however is taken up by the fine network of roots. Water is provided in the form of dew (fog) as rain is an absolute exception. The assumption that the Welwitschia is able to take up water through the leaves is wrong. The leaves are arranged in such a way that they are well capable of storing water. As the seeds take a while to form sufficient roots to be able to germinate many of them don’t survive. Botanists have found that only about 0.1% of the seeds produced manage to germinate. Welwitschia has female and male specimens, pollination takes place with the help of insects.

The plant was discovered by and named after the Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitschia in Angola in 1859. Of course, the local population had known this plant for much longer and had named it differently. In Angola it is called n’tumbo (stump), the Herero name it onyanga (desert onion) and in Afrikaans it is called “twee-blaar-kanniedood” (two-leave-can’t-die). This is an apt description, as it describes two characteristics of the Welwitschia: its durability as a desert plant and the fact that it only has two leaves. These two leaves grow continuously. 

A famous specimen is found close to Swakopmund. This specific plant is estimated to be at least 1000 years old some even claim it to be 1500 years old. The exact age is not known. One could establish the age more accurately, as the stem of the plant, which can reach a diameter of 1 meter, has annual rings.

Day 7: October 8, Tuesday 

A morning at leisure, before driving up the coast to Cape Cross for a visit to one of the largest Cape fur seal breeding colonies in southern Africa (a bit smelly but interesting!!!) and to see the Diego Câo Cross indicating where this first European (Portuguese) explorer landed in Namibia during his voyage in 1486. Afternoon & evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Cape Cross Hotel **** (D & B) – Sea View

The Portuguese navigator and explorer Diogo Cão was in 1484 ordered by King João II, as part of the search for a sea route to India and the Spice Islands, to advance south into undiscovered regions along the west coast of Africa. While doing so, he was to choose some particularly salient points and claim them for Portugal by setting up on each a stone cross called padrão.

During his first voyage, thought to have taken place in 1482, he reached a place he called Monte Negro, now called Cabo de Santa Maria, roughly 150 km southwest of today’s Benguela, Angola.

During his second voyage, in 1484–1486, Cão reached Cape Cross in January 1486, being the first European to visit this area. During this voyage he proceeded c. 1,400 km farther than during the first one. He is known to have erected two padrãos in the areas beyond his first voyage, one in Monte Negro, and the second at Cape Cross. The current name of the place is derived from this padrão. What can today be found at Cape Cross are two replicas of that first cross.

Cão’s first expedition took place only six years, and the second expedition’s end only two years before Bartholomeus Dias successfully rounded the Cape of Good Hope as the first European explorer in 1488.

Padrão (Cross)

The original Cape Cross padrão was removed in 1893 by Corvette captain Gottlieb Becker, commander of the SMS Falke of the German Navy, and taken to Berlin. A simple wooden cross was put in its place. The wooden cross was replaced two years later by a stone replica.

At the end of the 20th century, thanks to private donations, another cross, more similar to the original one, was erected at Cape Cross, and thus there are now two crosses there.

The inscription on the padrão reads, in English translation:

Day 8 & 9: October 9, 10, Wednesday and Thursday

Travel up and across the “Skeleton Coast” and the Skeleton Coast National Park to the southern Kunene region, an area formerly known as Damaraland. This entire region is one of the remotest areas on earth (if we look at people per km², then Namibia is also known as one of the least populated countries in the world). Damaraland also has unique landscapes with its unusual mountain and rock formations. The next day we can visit various attractions that are scattered around the area, sites such as: “The White Lady” paintings in the Brandberg Mountains, “Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings”, Burnt Mountain and the “Petrified Forest”. This is an area where Khoikhoi (Bushmen) left their life stories in the form of paintings and drawings on the rocks. This art that dates back thousands of years can be viewed on a number of different guided walks / tours. Overnight near Twyfelfontein / Brandberg.

Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady Lodge *** (D & B)

Directions: 

As we depart our hotel we turn right onto C34 / D2301 and drive 45 km towards Henties Bay, then turn left onto C35 / M76. Drive 115 km towards the village of Uis. Just before town we turn left to stay on C35 / M76. Drive about 11 km and take road – D2359 to the left. Drive 3.3 km then turn left again to stay on the D2359. Drive ± 13 km then turn right towards our lodge (If we carried on straight on the D2359 we will arrive at the gate / parking area for “The White Lady” paintings in the Brandberg Mountains). Continue on the road towards the lodge for about 8 km, then turn left, drive another ± 1.5 km to our destination.

(Driving time with visits and lunch ± 3 hours) 

Daily – distance to travel:  ± 200 km     

Accommodation:  Brandberg White Lady *** (B & D) 

Reservation number:  15196

Contact:  +264 64 68 4004

Contact person:  Patricia Awaras

Brandberg White Lady Lodge is a rustic lodge situated in the Damaraland (Tsiseb Conservancy) about 2 km from Namibia’s highest mountain the Brandberg. The main building is built with natural materials from the surrounding area with a thatched roof. All accommodation is widely spread out on the bank of the Ugab River, ensuring a quiet, tranquil and relaxed stay. We are an eco-friendly lodge running on solar power. The rooms have fans and electrical points. Other guests are welcome to charge electrical devices at the main building. Even though we experience high temperatures during most of the year, our guests can come and relax at our two well maintained swimming pools and lush green garden. We offer an English breakfast and for dinner a nice home cooked 3 course meal.

The White Lady of Brandberg

The Brandberg is a significant spiritual site to the San (Bushman) tribes. In the Tsisab Ravine at the foot of the mountain, there are more than 1000 rock shelters, with more than 45 000 rock paintings. The most well-known of the rock paintings is The White Lady, which is a major tourist attraction at Brandberg.

The subject in this iconic painting has been the source of controversy for quite some time. From analogies to paintings of athletes in Crete, travelers from the Mediterranean area, as well as being Phoenician in origin.  The commonly accepted explanation of the painting is as follows:

It is usually assumed that the painting shows some sort of ritual dance, and that the “White Lady” is actually a medicine man. She has white legs and arms, which may suggest that his body was painted or that he was wearing some sort of decorative attachments on his legs and arms. He holds a bow in one hand and perhaps a goblet in the other. Because of the bow and the oryxes, the painting has also been interpreted as a hunting scene.

Twyfelfontein

Twyfelfontein (Doubtful Spring), at the head of the grassy Aba Huab Valley, is one of the most extensive rock-art galleries on the continent. In the ancient past, this perennial spring most likely attracted wildlife, creating a paradise for the hunters who eventually left their marks on the surrounding rocks. Animals, animal tracks and geometric designs are well represented here, though there are surprisingly few human figures.

Many of the engravings depict animals that are no longer found in the area – elephants, rhinos, giraffes and lions – and an engraving of a sea lion indicates contact with the coast more than 100km away. To date over 2500 engravings have been discovered, and Twyfelfontein became a national monument in 1952. Unfortunately, the site did not receive formal protection until 1986, when it was designated a natural reserve. In the interim, many petroglyphs were damaged by vandals, and some were even removed altogether.

A significant amount of restoration work has taken place here in recent years, a welcome development that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the international community. In 2007 Twyfelfontein was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, the first such distinction in the whole of Namibia.

Guides are compulsory; note that tips are their only source of income.

Day 10 & 11: October 11, 12, Friday and Saturday 

Depart early after breakfast and then drive east to Otjiwarongo for a visit to the world renowned “Cheetah Conservation Fund” centre. Arrive in time for lunch. Spend the next two days at this ecotourism destination, which provides informative and memorable experiences for travelers whether they visit us for a day, or stay overnight in the guest house accommodations. Overnight on the reserve.

Accommodation: Cheetah Conservation Fund

(Driving time ± 4 hours) 

Daily – distance to travel:  ± 290 km    

Accommodation:  Own Arrangement 

Reservation number:  –

Contact:  –

Contact person:  –

Cheetah Capital of the World

Cheetah Ecolodge is located at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Otjiwarongo, Namibia. The country has earned the nickname “Cheetah Capital of the World” for having the greatest density of wild cheetah of any place on Earth, thanks to CCF’s Founder and Executive Director Dr. Laurie Marker and the efforts of CCF staff and volunteers. Dr. Marker relocated to Namibia from the United States of America in 1990, and built CCF into a world-class scientific research facility with an education center and lodgings.

Her first visit to Namibia in 1977 was an eye-opening experience, as she witnessed the widespread killing of cheetahs. Considered vermin by local farmers, the cheetah was being killed by the hundreds. Dr. Marker decided to take action, combining her background in farming with her experience working with cheetahs at both Wildlife Safari in Oregon and The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC, she began reaching out to local farmers building relationships and teaching predator friendly farming techniques.

CCF’s annual impact on the local Namibian economy is projected to top US$7.3 million in 2017, measured by increased tourism, educational opportunities and job creation. Due to Dr. Marker and CCF’s influence, Namibia now proudly claims Otjiwarongo as “Cheetah Capital of the World” and recognizes the economic value in having healthy, thriving wildlife on its lands.

Day 12:  October 13, Sunday

Itinerary:  Drive to the wonderful Etosha National Park, one of the famous parks in Southern Africa. Enter the park through the western side – Galton Gate or maybe better Andersson Gate to the south. Spend the rest of the afternoon in the park. Overnight at the wonderful Dolomite Camp / Lodge in Etosha situated up on the hills overlooking the plains teeming with wild game. Overnight in the park.

Directions: 

Drive along road – B1 to the town of Outjo and then the C38 / B1 to the village of Ombika / Andersson Gate – Etosha National Park. Although we can enter the park to the west through Galton Gate, it might be best to get to the park as early as possible and then drive through the park to the western region while we enjoy some game viewing. Draw up our own route in Etosha to Dolomite Camp.  Find out about night drives, bushbraais (barbeques) and day walks at each camp.

(Driving time with game viewing and lunch ± 12 hours) 

Daily – distance to travel:  ± 200 km     

Accommodation:  Etosha National Park – Dolomite Lodge **** (B) 

Reservation number:  63986

Contact:  +264 61 285 7200

Contact person:  Anny Halwoodi

IMPORTANT:

• Pay conservation fees on arrival in Etosha.
• Take note of the gate – opening & closing times.

PLANNING:

• If we would like to do any of the game viewing activities at the camps we need to book these activities in advance at reception at our previous camp or on our arrival at each camp.
• There are restaurants at each camp, but if we would like to have a picnic or prepare any of our own food, then food and drinks can be bought in Otjiwarongo or we can buy some basic supplies at the shops at each of the camps in Etosha.

 Etosha’s new and exclusive Dolomite Camp opens up the restricted western side of the park to a limited number of visitors. Guests are accommodated in permanent luxury tents with an elevated view of the endless plains of Etosha National Park in Namibia. The wildlife has developed without human disturbance and rare species such as black rhino and black-faced impala have established themselves in the area. The area is rich in waterholes that attract elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, springbok, gemsbok and red hartebeest. The birdlife is prolific and the seasonal flowers of Dolomite Hill are a highlight for botanists.

Dolomite’s guests have access to western Etosha trough Galton Gate. Perched on the top of a little hill Dolomite Camp offers sublime view to complement the luxuriously appointed camp. The camp is unfenced allowing animals to roam freely between the tents and communal area. However, with personal escorts our safety is guaranteed at all times. The restaurant serves delicious and satisfying meals and the personnel will always greet one with a smile. A rim-flow  swimming pool, a curio shop and a viewing deck overlooking a prolific waterhole provide entertainment during the day, while the bar area is ideal to relax and socialize with other guests.

Game drives in the area allow for exclusive game viewings as the area is still restricted. Experienced and knowledgeable guides will take us through this pristine area and the many waterholes offer high chances of spotting a diversity of wildlife.

Day 13:  October 14, Monday

Itinerary:  Spend another day in Etosha in search of the endangered black rhino, the magnificent Kalahari lion, elephant, leopard and a host of other wonderful animals, birds & creatures. Overnight in the park.

Directions: 

Draw up our own route in the Etosha NP.

(Driving time?  Up to us! ) 

Daily – distance to travel:  ? 

Accommodation:  Etosha National Park – Halali Camp **** (B) 

Reservation number:  63959

Contact:  +264 61 285 7200

Contact person:  Anny Halwoodi

Waterholes in Etosha

Etosha National Park boasts numerous waterholes, including both natural springs and fountains and others fed by man-made bore holes. Some of the camps in the park offer the unique experience of floodlit waterholes for night-time viewing. Overall, these various waterholes tend to offer the park’s best opportunities for both big and small game sightings, especially during the dry winter months, when more animals are drawn out of hiding to drink at the water’s edge.

However, each waterhole has its own unique personality and the animals that can be spotted at certain waterholes may vary from, even from season to season. Here is a brief overview of the best of the bunch.

Okaukuejo

Okaukuejo Waterhole is right next to the Okaukeujo rest camp. It is floodlit and draws black rhino almost every night as well as numerous elephants, especially between June and December. This is considered by many to be the best place in Africa to see the endangered and solitary-natured black rhino.

Okondeka

Okondeka is among the best for lion sightings, and the predators can often be found with kill here. This waterhole is a natural fountain and is situated right on the edge of the west side of the salt pan, a little way North of Okaukuejo.

Halali and Goas

For the shy and elusive leopard, Halali and Goas are probably the best bets, both of which lie roughly mid-way between the southern Andersson Gate and the Von Lindquist Gate on the eastern edge of the pan. The oasis-like natural spring at Goas is also a favourite for bird species, black-faced impala and elephants. There tends to be large numbers of wildebeest and zebra too. The man-made Halali is situated next to the Halali rest camp.

Sueda and Salvadora

The scenic Sueda and Salvadora offer stunning vistas of the pan stretching away to the northern horizon behind them and are also good spots for cheetah sightings. Nearby Rietfontein is one of the larger holes and another regular hang-out for lions.

Tips for good sightings

It’s always worth remembering though that the best waterholes to visit can change on a daily and even hourly basis, and that often it merely comes down to a combination of luck of the draw and patience. Finding a good position, switching off the engine and waiting for something to happen will often yield rewarding results at any of the park’s numerous waterholes. Guides and park and camp staff should be able to give us much more information on seasonal variations and on where we might be able to see the broadest certain animals on a particular day or at a particular time. Many of the camps also have a visitors’ book with a few helpful hints from those who have passed through recently.

Day 14:  October 15, Tuesday  

Itinerary:  Depart early after breakfast from Etosha via Von Lindequist Gate, visit Lake Otjikoto outside the mining town of Tsumeb and the very unique Hoba Meteorite near Grootfontein. Have lunch on route. Then continue our drive north through Rundu in Kavango Land to Popa Falls. Overnight on the south bank of the Kavango River near Popa Falls found on the far western end of the so called “Caprivi Strip”.

Directions: 

Depart after breakfast at about 07h30. Exit Etosha National Park via Namutoni / Von Lindequist Gate and drive 23 km until we reach a T-junction, here we turn right onto the B1 and drive 67 km to Tsumeb. About 15 km before the town of Tsumeb, we will find Lake Otjikoto view site next to the road on the right. After our visit we continue on to Tsumeb and then take the C42 to the town of Grootfontein. About 6 km before Grootfontien we turn right onto a dirt road (D2859) signposted – Hoba Meteorite, which we will find about 12 km down this dirt road on the right. Return to the C42 after our visit, turn right and drive to Grootfontein where we can fill-up our vehicles with fuel and also buy supplies for our “on route picnic lunch” for today and for any other meals that we might want to make on route, as there is not much available between here and Kasane – Botswana. Head for Rundu / Popa Falls along the B8. Drive about 250 km to Rundu and another ± 210 to the village of Divundu. At Divundu we turn right and drive about 8 km to Popa Falls / Popa Falls – River Cabins.

(Driving time with stops & sightseeing ± 11 hours) 

Daily – distance to travel:  ± 695 km    

Accommodation:  Popa Falls – River Cabins *** (B) 

Reservation number:  63958

Contact:  +264 61 285 7200

Contact person:  Anny Halwoodi

Accommodation: Popo Falls – River Cabin *** (B)

Popa Falls Resort is a gateway to the north-eastern corner of Namibia and home to perennial rivers, magnificent indigenous woodlands, riverine forests, floodplains and reed-lined channels. The resort is located on the Kavango River, and the falls are accessible by foot from here. The falls, in fact, are not falls as one may expect from its name. Instead, they are a series of cascades created naturally over time by the running river, which splits the rock and forms a vast network of river channels.

IMPORTANT:

• Please take note that this route through the “Caprivi Strip” is in a very remote area and there are not many places to eat or fuel up. I would suggest that we fill-up our vehicles in Grootfontein and purchase food & drink supplies for this journey.

Day 15 & 16:  October 16, 17, Wednesday and Thursday                   

Itinerary:  Set off after breakfast for Kasane / Chobe, where we will have the next couple of days to relax and explore the beauty of Chobe – Botswana, an area that is home to Africa’s largest concentration of elephant. There are safaris and boat cruises that depart daily from our lodge to the Chobe National Park. Overnight at Kasane – Botswana.

Included daily activities:

• 17^th Morning – Open vehicle safari – Chobe National Park.
• 17^th Afternoon – Cruise down the Chobe River.
• 17^th Lunch at the lodge 

Optional activities:

• Tiger fishing on the Chobe / Zambezi Rivers.
• Scenic flights over the Okavango Delta.

Directions: 

Return to the B8, turn right and drive ± 330 km to Katima Mulilo. Continue another 67 km through Bukalo to the Ngoma border post of Namibia / Botswana. Cross the borders:

• Namibian border – enter departures (immigrations) and then proceed through customs. We will need our vehicle documents and our passports. 
• Botswana border – enter arrivals (immigrations) and then proceed through customs. We will need our vehicle documents and our passports. Purchase a “Double Entry Road Permit” for one of the vehicles at this Botswana border post, which will be about US$ 20,00 per vehicle. The other vehicle can be a “Single Entry Road Permit” which will be about US$ 12,00 per vehicle, as we don’t need to drive in both the vehicles when we go to Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe for the day. This will also save us time & money when we re-enter Botswana after our Victoria Falls tour (More information about this below – tomorrow’s information).   

Drive ± 65 km towards Kasane / Kazungula on the A33. Continue on straight towards Kazungula / Upper Road and past the initial turn-off to the town of Kasane where we will find a signboard indicating our lodge to the left as we enter the village of Kazungula. Turn left, drive 350 m then turn right and drive 400 m through the village towards the Chobe River where we will find the entrance to our lodge. Find out on arrival at the lodge about all the local game viewing and other activities that are available.  

(Driving time with stops ± 8 hours) 

Daily – distance to travel:  ± 455 km    

Accommodation:  Big 5 Chobe Lodge – River Chalets **** (B, L & D) 

Reservation number:  11370  

Contact:  +27 13 751 2220

Contact person:  Jennifer

Day 17:  October 18,

Friday

Itinerary:  Cross the border at Kazungula to Zimbabwe for a visit to one of the “natural wonders of the world”. Although Dr David Livingstone first viewed the Victoria Falls on the 16 November 1855 from Livingstone Island in Zambia, the best view of the Victoria Falls is without a doubt from the Zimbabwe side. Enjoy lunch (not Included) and some time at leisure at the “grand old lady” – colonial style Victoria Falls Hotel, before returning to Kasane (Botswana) for the night. I would highly recommend that we also book after lunch a helicopter flight – “Flight of Angles” over the Victoria Falls (The longer flight of 25 minutes is known as the “Zambezi Spectacular”, which is absolutely awesome. This flight not only takes one over the Victoria Falls as the shorter flights do, it also takes we over the Batoka Gorge of the lower Zambezi then up and over the Zambezi National Park – Zimbabwe and the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park – Zambia on a helicopter safari).  

Arrive at Victoria Falls about 9 AM.  Enter Vic Falls from Zimbabwe side for a walk along the falls and through the rain forest.  10:00 AM Victoria Falls Canopy Tour!  1 PM Lunch at the historic Victoria Falls Hotel. 

The Victoria Falls Canopy Tour offers a network of slides, trails and rope bridge walkways within the canopy of the hardwood forest of the Zambezi gorges. This experience is suitable to adventure seekers of all ages including families and groups. This is family fun with a unique birds-eye view of one the seven natural wonders of the world. The Canopy Tour consists of nine slides, varying in length and 1 cable bridge walkway. The longest slide is about 85 meters long and the shortest 40 meters in length. Our friendly and experienced staff will give us a detailed safety briefing before the canopy tour, taking us step by step through our upcoming adventure. There are two guides on each tour and the activity lasts for between two to two and a half hours.  This is private and custom designed for our group.

Other Optional Activities:

• Zambezi Helicopters: +263 77 216 8137 / “Zambezi Spectacular” – Flight – 25 Minutes / ± 15h00 / US$ 287,00 + US$ 15,00 for conservation fees (The actual flight we can pay by credit card and the conservation fees need to be paid in cash. However, please speak to Warren who is the general manager and tell him Laurence recommend us, as he knows him very well and he will make sure we receive the best of service, as well as a guaranteed window seat for all. Please take note that if all 6 of us do the helicopters, he might have to split the group 3 / 3 in order to guarantee a window seat for all). 

Directions: 

Depart at 07h00, as this border could be very busy & slow. Passports, passports, passports! We don’t need to take luggage, so I would recommend we only drive across in 1 x vehicle.Return to the A33, turn left and drive to Kazungula. At the T-junction we turn left and then take the first right, the Botswana – Kazungula border post is ± 2 km down this road (At the moment there are a lot of road works, so we might have to just follow the signs indicating the border). Cross the borders:

• Botswana border – enter departures (immigrations) and then proceed through customs. We will need our vehicle documents and our passports. 
• Zimbabwe border – enter arrivals (immigrations) – purchase a “Single Entry Visa” at US$ 30,00 per person cash only and then proceed through customs. We will need our vehicle documents and our passports. The vehicle permit with insurance, which we purchase at customs is about US$ 70,00 per vehicle cash only.

Depart Botswana and enter Zimbabwe, the village of Victoria Falls is ± 70 km straight down this road. We will come to a T-junction as we enter the village of Victoria Falls, turn left and drive straight through town towards the border post / Livingstone Way. The Victoria Falls entrance gate (US$ 30,00 per person entrance fee) is at the end of town on the left. We will find parking opposite the gate on the right hand side of the main road. After our visit we can drive back towards town and then turn left at the first street, drive to the end of this street where we will find the Victoria Falls Hotel (Lunch). After lunch we return to the main road in town, turn left, drive over the railway line, turn right onto Park Way – Road, which is the first street on the right after crossing the railway line. Drive 3 km out of town, turn right at the signboard indicating Zambezi Helicopters / Elephant Hills Hotel. The helicopter pad is 200 meters up this road on the right. Return to Botswana.  Don’t worry about the border crossing back out of Zimbabwe and back into Botswana as it is so much easier on the way back and we do not have to purchase any visas, vehicle permits (If we got a “Double Entry Road Permit” when leaving Namibia), etc.   

Kazungula border post closes at 6 PM, so it is important that we leave no later than 4:30 PM.  We will skip the night game drive since tomorrow our serious game safari starts!

Day 18: October 19, Saturday

Itinerary:  We have the next few days for some serious “4 x 4 ing”. Continue through Chobe National Park, Savuti, Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta). Chobe National Park is home to some of the greatest wildlife displays in Africa. The Savuti is known for its mysterious vanishing river, the Savuti Channel and is home to nearly 500 species of bird (from water birds to forest dwellers) as well as lions, hyenas, Cape buffalo, giraffe, leopard, cheetah, jackal, impala, red lechwe and African wild dog.

Directions: 

Depart as early as possible, after breakfast. Turn right onto Upper Road / A33 and drive back towards the Namibia border post (Pay our conservation fees before entering Chobe National Park). Just before the Ngoma Bridge, Botswana / Namibia border post we turn left onto Transit Road. Then drive along Transit Road and Sandridge Road for 186 km towards Savuti (After ± 106 km Transit Road turns slightly left and becomes Sandridge Road). At Transit Road junction we turn left and drive through the village of Mababe and another 43 km before turning right and driving about 2 km to our destination.

(Driving time with stops & game viewing ± 10 hours) 

Daily – distance to travel:  ± 295 km

Accommodation:  Mankwe Bush Lodge **** (B & D)

Reservation number:  WB4525 / F#1

Contact:  +27 (0) 21 712 5284

Contact person:  Michelle Astbury

IMPORTANT:

• We will need to purchase our conservation fees for our visit over the next couple of days to Chobe / Savuti & Moremi. This must be done in Kasane at the parks board office, which is near / at the main entrance gate to Chobe National Park.  (Needs to be done the day before after game drive)

4X4 heaven in the heart of Botswanan forest

Mankwe Bush Lodge in Ngamiland, Botswana, is a 4×4-enthusiast’s dream and camper’s haven. Africa’s majestic animals move around freely since there are no fences between the reserves and the lodge—enjoy the feeling of being one with the wilderness and appreciate the sounds of the untamed bush from canvas safety.

Mankwe Bush Lodge extends between Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, with both in reach for exciting day trips to spot abundant game. Follow a self-drive route up to the Khwai River, or stop the wheels from turning and haul out the camera on guided walks and scenic water rides in wooden mekoro (canoes). Get involved in a motorboat cruise into the Okavango Delta, rounded off with an overnight stay on an island.

Accommodation is provided in eight Meru-style Tents, and seven campsites with space for 20 people per site. Tents are en-suite and raised on wooden platforms, giving guests remarkable views of forest and indigenous mopane groves. A crystal-clear swimming pool and sundeck ensure a good unwinding session after a long day of game-viewing, and meals are best served under the stars.

Highlights

In the heart of Botswanan forest on an unfenced private concession, 8 Luxury Safari Tents raised on wooden platforms, and seven campsites—20 people per site.  Day trips to Moremi Game Reserve and Savuti, self-drive up to Khwai River, guided walks, mokoro rides, Delta cruises and island overnights.  Sparkling swimming pool and sundeck for sundowners.  Meals of African cuisine served under the stars 

Day 19 and 20:  October 20 and 21, Sunday and Monday 

Itinerary:  After breakfast and a relaxing morning, we drive a short distance to Mogotlho concession – Moremi. In Moremi we should also experience excellent bird-watching on the lagoons and hopefully spot the rare leopard found in the thickly wooded areas. Overnight in the reserves.  

Included daily activities: Morning & Afternoon – open vehicle safari – Okavango Delta (Moremi Game Reserve).

Directions: 

We would have actually passed Mogotlho Safari Lodge yesterday on the way to Mankwe Bush Lodge. Return to the main dirt road, turn left and drive about 22 km back towards the village of Mababe. Turn sharp left, drive 1 km before turning right and driving 2 km to our destination.

(Driving time ± 45 minutes) 

Daily – distance to travel:  ± 27 km

Accommodation:  Mogotlho Safari Lodge **** (Full Board)

Reservation number:  60786

Contact:  +267 686 0968

Contact person:  Kim Leo

Day 21: 22 October, Tuesday

Itinerary:  Today we are off on another adventure – drive to Grasslands Safaris in the “Central Kalahari”. Here we will get to meet some of the most interesting indigenous people of Southern Africa, the San or as commonly known – the Bushmen. Overnight near Ghanzi – Botswana.

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Directions:  Return to the main dirt road, turn right and drive ± 100 km to Maun. On the outskirts of Maun, at the roundabout we take the â€œ1^st Exit”. Drive 8.5 km and turn right onto Sekgoma Road / A3. Drive 1.6 km and at the roundabout we take the â€œ1^st Exit” onto Tsheke Tsheko Road / A3. Continue on straight through the town of Maun on the A3. Drive about 237 km towards the town of Ghanzi. About 30 km before the town of Ghanzi we turn left, at this turn-off there is a large signboard indicating the lodge. It is about 80 km (1 ½ hours) to the lodge once we have turned off the main road onto the sand road. Reception is about 20 km from the main road. 

(Driving time with stops & lunch ± 9 hours) 

Daily – distance to travel:  ± 420 km

Accommodation:  Grassland Bushman Lodge ***** (All Inclusive)

Reservation number:  WB243 / F#1

Contact:  +27 (0) 21 879 0600 

Contact person:  Verena van Rooyen

Accommodation: Grassland Bushman Lodge ***** (All Inclusive)

Special Note:

I spoke with Annetjie at Bushman Lodge who suggested we should try to get there by 2 PM, since we will be leaving the next day for Windhoek.  She suggested that it would be more like 10 hours driving. We will leave this morning for Grasslands Bushman Lodge at about 5 AM.

Grassland Bushman Lodge (Central Kalahari GR, Botswana) is a little world of wonders…

We’ll see a wide variety of Kalahari animals and bird species on game drives, on horseback, or simply gaze out at the numerous species attracted to their own waterhole. Enjoy memorable moments in the company of the area’s endemic San bushmen. Learn how they hunt for food; make medicines: traditional dances; build their homes and even how they play games together. Learn about our Predator Project, rescue work which they conduct with lions, leopards and wild dogs.

Guests at Grassland Bushman Lodge are able to take advantage of their special relationship with the San.

Real-life activities include looking for food and medicines amongst the many different types of plants and trees that grow in the region (and we will be astounded by the wealth of resources around us at any one time). The bushmen will show us how they hunt meat, make fire, prepare their food and build their nomadic homes. They will also show us some of their interesting past-times and cultural games. which all have benefits towards maintaining fitness and health or improving essential skills. A highlight is to see the bushmen perform one of the many story-telling ceremonial dances.

Day 22:  October 23

Itinerary:  Depart after breakfast and drive back to Windhoek. Evening at leisure and dinner can be enjoyed at one of the numerous restaurants in town. Overnight in Windhoek.

Directions: 

Return to the main road / A3. Turn left and drive about 30 km to the town of Ghanzi. Continue straight and drive 164 km where we then turn right onto road – A2. Drive straight on this road to the Botswana / Namibia border post. The A2 becomes the B6 in Namibia. Cross the borders:

• Botswana border – enter departures (immigrations) and then proceed through customs. We will need our vehicle documents and our passports. 
• Namibia border – enter arrivals (immigrations) and then proceed through customs. We will need our vehicle documents and our passports.

Drive along the B6 towards Windhoek. Drive 111 km to the town of Gobabis / B6, turn right onto the Bypass Road / B6 or drive into the town of Gobabis to make a pit stop. Return to the B6 and drive 197 km to Windhoek. As we arrive on the outskirts of the city we will come to a T-junction, turn right onto Sam Nujoma Drive. Drive through the suburb called “Klein Windhoek”. At Nelson Mandela Avenue we turn right and then right again at the 3^rd street (Barella Street) where we will find our lodge / guesthouse on the left.

(Driving time with border crossings ± 10 hours) 

Daily – distance to travel:  ± 620 km

Accommodation:  Casa Piccolo *** (B)

Reservation number:  20970

Contact:  +264 612 21155 

Contact person:  Claudia Horn

Accommodation: Casa Piccolo *** (B)

Day 23:  October 24

Enjoy a relaxing morning before catching our flight to Johannesburg. Drop-off our hired vehicle at the rental office at Windhoek International Airport. There should be time for some last-minute shopping on the way to the airport before our departure.

Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to No 10 Bompas Hotel for a lovely last-night dinner and accommodation in a wonderful facility.

Air Namibia 727.  Depart 2:10 PM, Arrive 3:55 PM

Arrive No 10 Bompas about 6 PM

Accommodation: – Fully Inclusive – D, B.

No. Ten Bompas

No. Ten Bompas is located in Dunkeld within 3.1 mi from the residential and commercial centers of Sandton, Hyde Park and Rosebank.

Ten Bompas Hotel consists of 10 individually decorated suites each with a large bedroom, a separate lounge and fireplace. Each suite leads on to a terrace or garden.

The hotel’s restaurant, Winehouse features modern French cuisine served within indoor, in the garden adjacent to the pool, or on the terrace. Fresh produce consisting of herbs and vegetable comes from the hotel’s garden and the cellar features a range of wines.

Day 24:  October 25

After breakfast we are collected by our tour guide from Safari4Africa for a tour of SOWETO and Johannesburg.  Lunch at a Shebeen in Soweto.  Visit the Apartheid museum.  In late afternoon travel to O.R. Tambo Johannesburg International for the return flight to the USA.

SOWETO Tour

Begin our explorations in the heart of bustling Johannesburg, the third largest city in Africa. Pass landmark buildings and structures such as the Hillbrow Tower, one of the tallest towers in Africa, the sky-scraping Ponte City, Sentech and Carlton Centre Towers, and the multimillion-rand Nelson Mandela Bridge.  (We may ask our guide to drive past the apartment building in which we lived in the heart of Hillbrow in the mid 70’s)

Stop at the Apartheid Museum in the south of the city that showcases the notorious system of racial discrimination that became synonymous with South Africa from 1948 until 1994. The museum has two entrances labelled ‘white’ and ‘non-white’ giving visitors a tiny taste of some of apartheid’s prejudiced rules. Learn about this system of racial classification inside the museum with harrowing personal testimonials and historical facts.

Leaving the hustle and bustle of central Johannesburg behind, the tour will proceed to historical Soweto, an iconic South African township that experienced many student uprisings and much police brutality during the apartheid era. Visit the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial, and see the house of Nelson Mandela. After an interesting and thought-provoking day travel to O.R. Tambo Johannesburg International Airport for the return flight to the USA.

Departure Information from JNB to USA

Yunker/Haag:   Delta 1193: Depart 7:55 PM, Arrive Atlanta 6:20 AM (Sat. 26 Oct. 2019)

Day 25, October 26

Yunker:            Delta 1276, 10:27 AM, Arrive Columbus 12:00 PM.

Haag:               Delta 1547, 9:34, Arrive Denver 11:02 AM

Included:      Accommodation (3 – 4*), vehicle hire – contract fee / unlimited km / maximum insurance cover / cross border permit / multiple drivers & cleaning fees, activities and meals as indicated.  Johannesburg to Windhoek return airline tickets, Zimbabwe – pay in cash on arrival US$ 30.00 per person is included), beverages, porterage, gratuities, conservation & entrance fees.

Excluded:     Air tickets – international, passport / visa fees (travel insurance, phone calls,                       purchases, and cost of excess baggage, etc.

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“All I wanted to do is get back to Africa.”

Ernest Hemingway – The Snows of Kilimanjaro

“All you have to do is enjoy your safari!”

Laurence Marks – Safaris4Africa

“I want to show our friends Africa through my eyes. 

The bonus I get every time is experiencing it through theirs.”

Willie Grov̩ РNew Trekker Adventures, Ltd.

Katie and I want to thank you for the opportunity to share

this part of Africa with you.

Willie and Katie Grové

8 on the Square, #1701

8 East Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43215

614 477-0105

312 543-5410

Website: http://www.newtrekkeradventures.com/

Email:     info@newtrekkeradventures.com