22 Day / 21 Night Northern Experience Safari

There is a option to start this safari 2 days prior allowing you extra days in Cape Town. This safari can also be done in reverse starting in Victoria Falls and ending in Cape Town. Contact AFRICA BOUND for the itinerary and further details….

DAY 1: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
On arrival in Cape Town, you will be met and transferred to The Townhouse Hotel. You have the remainder of the day at leisure. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of the group for your pre-departure meeting at 18h00. Accommodation: Townhouse Hotel or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant bar and swimming pool)

DAY 2: CAPE TOWN TO CEDARBERG MOUNTAINS, SOUTH AFRICA
An early start takes us to the beach on the Atlantic Ocean to have a last look at Table Mountain across the bay. After lunch we head for the Cedarberg Mountains, bypassing Citrusdal, a rural village set amongst lush green citrus orchards. [BLD] Accommodation: Clanwilliam Lodge or similar

DAY 3/4: CEDARBERG TO ORANGE RIVER, SOUTH AFRICA
Travelling up the West Coast, we pass through some magnificent mountain ranges on our way to the Orange River. If you are travelling in spring you will see the spectacular carpets of wildflowers in the famous Namaqualand region. Later in the afternoon we will reach the Orange River, the natural border between South Africa and Namibia.
The next day the only travelling today is done in a canoe. Put your feet up and relax as the currents take you downstream – mind the rapids though! [BLD][BLD] Accommodation: Felix Unite Provenance Camp on Orange River (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, bar).

DAY 5: AI-AIS & FISH RIVER CANYON, NAMIBIA
Today we head off for Ai-Ais, where we stop for lunch. Here thermal water rich in sulphates and fluorides and with a temperature of approx 60°C, gushes forth from the springs.. In the Nama language, “Ai-Ais” means “burning water”. We then head onto Canon Road House close to the Fish River Canyon. Later in the evening we take in another perfect African sunset with the magnificent views and scenery along the edge of the Canyon. [BLD] Accommodation: Canon Road House or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool and bar).

DAY 6/7: SOSSUSVLEI, NAMIBIA
Moving inland we make our way towards Namib Nauklift National Park. This evening we embark on a wild cat walk at the lodge. The next morning we need to wake up early to visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei, an area characterised by massive red sand dunes; these dunes are believed to be the highest and the oldest in the world (over 5 million years old)! A drive into the dunes is also available (optional cost of R120 pp transfer from 2×4 parking to Sossusvlei/Dead vlei parking area). At sunset these red sand dunes,
which can reach heights of over 300 m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake).
[BLD][BL] Accommodation: Agama River Camp or similar (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, bar, restaurant and swimming pool).

DAY 8/9: NAMIBIA NAUKLIFT NATIONAL PARK TO SWAKAPMUND, NAMIBIA
The day is spent driving through the Namib Naukluft National Park on our way to Swakopmund. Namib-Naukluft Desert is an ancient land with an ageless spirit. It is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world; sightings of this flora and fauna on a Namibian safari are a must. The animals of this harsh landscape include the Oryx, springbok and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. One can also see the Welwitschia mirabilis which is an odd-looking desert shrub and one of these ‘shrubs’ is a large, protected specimen estimated at over 1 500 years old. We arrive into the charming coastal town of Swakopmund and 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. You may even dare to brave the Atlantic sea. [BL][B] Accommodation: Hotel A la Mer or similar (Rooms with en-suite with bathrooms).

DAY 10: CAPE CROSS SEAL COLONY AND TWYFELFONTEIN, NAMIBIA
We follow the barren Atlantic Coast line on our way out of Swakopmund to visit Cape Cross – the largest breeding place of the Cape fur seals. Leaving the cold Atlantic coastline behind, we head inland across the desert plains for Twyfwlfontein to view the ancient Bushman paintings and engravings. Twyfelfontein was named a World Heritage site in 2007, the first Namibian location to receive this honour. [BL] Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar, swimming pool and restaurant).

DAY 11: PETRIFIED FOREST AND HIMBA VILLAGE, NAMIBIA
On our journey today we will stop at the Petrified Forest, a collection of fossilised trees estimated to be around 250 million years old. We then head off towards Kamanjab where we explore a Himba Village in the afternoon. This will be a journey of culture exchange and learning and understanding the ways of the last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba. [BLD] Accommodation: Oppo Koppi or similar (Permanent Tents, separate wash rooms with hot water, bar and restaurant).

DAY 12: KAMANJAB TO ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK, NAMIBIA
After our cultural experience in Kamanjab, we head to Etosha National Park. Etosha Game Park was declared a National Park in 1907 and it is home to approx 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 repltile species, 16 amphibian species and surprisingly, one species of fish. [BLD] Accommodation: Okaukuejo or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

DAY 13/14: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK, NAMIBIA
We fill the next 2 days with game drives, including evening game viewing at floodlit waterholes. In the mornings we have the opportunity to take game drive at sunrise. At all three camps, Namutoni, Okaukujo and Halali you can take a swim in the swimming pool or as the sun sets, and late into the night, the group can watch animals drink at the floodlit waterhole. [BL][BL] Accommodation: Okaukuejo and Namutoni (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

DAYS 15: ETOSHA TO KAVANGO RIVER, NAMIBIA
Leaving Etosha we head to Rundu and onto n’Kwazi River Camp, which is on the banks of the Kavango River over looking Angola. 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 sun sets. [BL] Accommodation: Kaisosi Lodge or similar (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

DAYS 16/17: KAVANGO RIVER TO OKAVANGO DELTA, BOSTWANA
We leave Namibia for Etsha 13, on the western border of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We will be transferred to our camp in the Delta. The next day is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes). The Delta is a well-preserved gem of Africa with a vast oasis of crystal clear
lakelets, lagoons and palm-fringed islands. [BLD,BLD] Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Camp or similar (Permanent Tents with en-suite bathrooms, bar).

DAY 18: OKAVANGO DELTA TO CAPRIVI, NAMIBIA
Leaving Botswana, we drive up the Western border of the Okavango Delta 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 Mudumo National Park. In contrast to the rest of Namibia, the area is lush with riverine forest, marshes, dense
savannah and mopane woodland. [BLD] Accommodation: Camp Kwando or similar (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, bar, restaurant and swimming pool).

DAY 19/20: CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOSTWANA
The next morning we head along the Caprivi and cross the border back into Botswana to drive through Chobe National Park. After settling in to our lodge, you will have the remainder of the day at leisure or to partake in optional activities. The next day, we rise early for a morning game drive in the Chobe National Park. In the afternoon we go on a sunset cruise along the banks on the Chobe National Park. [BLD][B] Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar, restaurant and swimming pool).

DAY 21: CHOBE NATIONAL PARK TO VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
A mid morning departure takes you from Chobe to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. In the afternoon we explore the Victoria Falls on a guided tour. [BL] Accommodation: A’Zambezi River Lodge or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant and bar)

DAY 22: END OF TOUR
Your journey ends after breakfast this morning ( B) when you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport.

GROUP SIZE: Minimum 4 people / maximum 12 people
TYPE OF SAFARI: Fully accommodated safari
ACCOMMODATION: For our Accommodated Safaris, we make use of mid-range typical
African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in National Parks, on the banks of a river, or in other place of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of Lodges, Chalets and Tented Camps. Most of them have a private bathroom with a shower and toilet, others have shared ablutions available. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools and/or bar areas.
VEHICLE: 4×4 Toyota land cruiser or similar with a music system and an off-road
trailer is fitted with a field kitchen.
STAFF: Guide