| Starts | Windhoek, Namibia |
|---|---|
| Ends | Victoria Falls |
| Region | Botswana |
| Duration | 10 days |
| Tour Operator | Intrepid Travel |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Windhoek & Finishing: Windhoek
Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. On arrival in Windhoek, you will be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel. This transfer is only valid if arriving on day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel (note - we may not be able confirm request made within 15 days of travel). Once you have provided your details a transfer representative will be booked to meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel which is located about a 30-45minute drive from the airport. The old German colonial town of Windhoek has been blended into a modern city. The German architecture of the older buildings lends the town a historic atmosphere. Good examples of this German architecture can be seen in a number of buildings, but the best are the Tintenpalast (Ink Palace), the Christuskirche (church), the gymnasium and the Genossenschaftshaus. This evening you may wish to join the rest of the group for an optional welcome dinner. If yo're interested in seeing a little more of Namibia before you head off on your Botswana Adventure, why not consider our new Namibia Dunes Shortbreak ( UBAS-C ). The shortbreak starts and finishes in Windoek and gives you an opportunity to discover one of the most incredible landscapes in Namibia when you pay a visit to the barren dunes of Soussusvlei. Explore the area by 4X4 and then take a walk around on foot. Climb the dunes for panoramic views and spend two nights in comfort at the edge of the desert plains. Spend some time exploring the city streets of Namibia’s capital, Windhoek. See the website for more details.
Day 2 - Starting: Ghanzi/Central Kalahari & Finishing: Ghanzi/Central Kalahari
Cross the border into Botswana and travel to Ghanzi, known as the "Capital of the Kalahari" (560km approximately 8hrs). Accommodation tonight is at a community project in Ghanzi and a bit more basic than what you will encounter throughout your journey, however the concept and experience of Dqae Qare San Lodge will be well worth it. The Dqae Qare San Lodge is run and owned by the local San Bushmen people and supports the San D'Kar community through employment. There is an impressive concentration of bird life here and you may wish to go for a walk before dinner to stretch your legs after the long driving day. A 3 course meal prepared by the local women will be served in the communal lounge and dining area. There is also an 'honesty' bar with wine, beer and soft drinks available to buy. Later this evening we will be treated to a real cultural experience and interaction with the local Bushmen. As we sit around the camp fire the Bushmen will share their extraordinary knowledge of the Kalahari and culture through stories and traditional dancing.
Day 3 - Starting: Okavango Delta & Finishing: Okavango Delta
Head to the Okavango Delta (400km approximately 7hrs), where we board speedboats that will take us to your home for the next two nights, a houseboat in the middle of the Okavango Delta. Please note you will need to pack a small bag or backpack for this trip as we won't be taking all of our luggage with us. Your floating home for the next 2 nights is the most incredibly peaceful way to experience the delta. The houseboat has twin-share cabins with bedding, towels and mosquito nets provided (no single supplement is available on these nights). Cabins are very small and basic but we don't expect you'll be spending much time in there. There is also a dining area on the deck, tea/coffee making facilities and a small collection of books and board games. This evening head to the deck where your captain will serve dinner, enjoy a sundowner, and listen to the sound of the Hippos along the waters edge. Please note that on occasions our houseboat won't be available due to regular servicing and maintenance requirements. If this occurs the program will be replaced with alternate land arrangements.
Day 4 - Starting: Okavango Delta & Finishing: Okavango Delta
After breakfast we take a speedboat and 4x4 to a nearby poling station. From here you have the opportunity to experience the myriad waterways in traditional dugout canoes (mokoros) with a local guide. Your guide will take you on a nature walk around one of the many Islands in the Delta. After a picnic lunch, return to the houseboat where you're free to relax, read a book or do some fishing. This evening grab a sundowner, pull up a chair and witness the often breathtaking sunset.
Day 5 - Starting: Maun & Finishing: Maun
After breakfast, we leave our houseboat behind, and again board the speedboats to take us back to our truck, and then on towards Maun - the gateway of the Okavango Delta (350km approximately 6hrs). For those wanting more adventure, there's an opportunity to fly over the delta in a small plane for a bird's-eye view - a great way to appreciate the immensity of this watery world. Your leader can give you more information on this activity and how to book. Otherwise the afternoon is free to sit by the pool, catch up on emails and laundry.
Day 6 - Starting: Makgadikgadi Pans & Finishing: Makgadikgadi Pans
We depart from our lodge after breakfast and head towards north-east Botswana (210km approximately 4hrs). Our next stop is the Makgadikgadi Pans; a large salt pan situation in the middle of the dry savanna is located. This pan is now all that remains of the former Lake Makgadikgadi. Our accommodation tonight is located on the edge of the pans. Sit by the pool or relax in the lounge area and take in your surroundings after a long day. Head out to the Makgadikgadi Pans for an afternoon excursion in open 4x4's to one of the largest salt flats in the world. Here you’ll sit out in the wild enjoy sundowners and snacks while observing the amazing scenery. With the aid of trackers you may have the opportunity to spend some time in the company of the local meerkat colony, and look out for elephants that meander their way down to the watering hole to quench their thirst. Soak in this incredible place while the sun sets behind the old beautiful baobab.
Day 7 - Starting: Chobe National Park & Finishing: Chobe National Park
This morning we make tracks after breakfast and travel towards Kasane on the edge of Chobe National Park (410km approximately 7hrs). The stretch of road between Nata and Kasane is known as the 'Elephant Highway'. With no fences elephants are free to move between Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Botswana. So keep your eyes peeled for roadside elephants. Botswana's first national park, Chobe, is perhaps best known for its high concentration of elephants. You will spend the next two nights in a lodge overlooking the Chobe River.
Day 8 - Starting: Chobe National Park & Finishing: Chobe National Park
This morning we wake early and take a dawn game drive in Chobe National Park, where you may see elephants drinking at the waters' edge, large herds of cape buffaloes and many impala within the park. In the afternoon you’ll take a breathtaking cruise on the Chobe River, ideal for spotting bird life such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles and beautiful bee-eaters as well as hippos, crocodiles and large families of elephants. The boat trip will be a shared activity with other travellers. The boats used are large, usually with an upper and lower deck, bathroom facilities and a small bar so you can purchase a sundowner and watch the sunset over the river.
Day 9 - Starting: Victoria Falls & Finishing: Victoria Falls
Travel on to Victoria Falls, crossing the border into Zimbabwe in time to have lunch on the banks of the Zambezi (100km approximately 2hrs depending on border formalities). These falls are one of the natural wonders of the world and, when in full flow, form the largest sheet of falling water. Your leader will take you to a local activity centre where a range of activities will be on offer. We have not risk assessed all activities and only those listed in our trip notes are recommended. If you are unsure please check with your leader. Please note that it is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of any activities that have not been risk assessed or do not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities in our vehicles. A unique dinner at Boma restaurant is included, which specialises in Zimbabwean barbecue, is the perfect way to spend your evening.
Day 10 - Starting: Victoria Falls & Finishing: Victoria Falls
Your adventure will come to an end after breakfast this morning. No accommodation is included for tonight, but can be requested at your own expense.
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