15 Days Northern Skies
From only R 20,445 |
per person sharing | |
| Travel between | 15-Jan-2012 and 15-Dec-2012 | |
| Book before | 07-Dec-2012 | |
| Duration | 15 Days | |
| Reference | AMZ704 | |
The 15-day Northern Skies is a camping safari through three countries: Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. Your journey starts in Swakopmund, Namibia and ends at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
This popular safari is the best way to see the most spectacular features of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Enjoy the scenery, wildlife, culture and natural beauty that cannot be compared.
Highlights:
Swakopmund, Himba Experience, Etosha National Park, Okavango Delta, Western Caprivi, Mudumo National Park, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls.
Group Size: maximum 10 people
Type of Safari: Semi-participation camping safari
Accommodation:
We make use of designated campsites either within a National Park, on the banks of a river, or other places of interest. All campsites have shared ablution facilities with showers, flushing toilets and running water (unless otherwise specified in the detailed itinerary). Jenman African Safaris tries to avoid crowded campsites and brings you to secluded spots, often supported by the local community. We make use of spacious 3-person dome tents, allowing two per tent. All tents are fitted with Mosquito-screened windows and doors. In addition, we provide 5cm thick sleeping mattresses.
Day 1& 2 : Swakopmund, Namibia
You will meet your guide and the rest of the group at the A la Mer Hotel in Swakopmund.
The evening is spent at a local restaurant (own expense).
The following day 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. You may even dare to brave the Atlantic sea. [B,BL]
Accommodation: A la Mer or similar (rooms with en-suite bathroom and hot water; restaurants, bars, laundry service and Internet cafe in town)
Day 3: Cape Cross Seal Colony and Brandberg, Namibia
We follow the barren Atlantic Coast line on our way out of Swakopmund to visit Africa’s largest seal colony after lunch. The seal colony at Cape Cross is the breeding place of the Cape fur seals, which are actually a species of sea lion. Along the Namibian and South African coast there are 24 colonies with a seal population of about 650 000 animals. At Cape Cross live about 80 000 to 100 000 seals.
Leaving the cold Atlantic coastline behind we the head inland across the desert plains for Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia. Either this afternoon or the next morning we walk up a valley on Brandberg and visit the famous ‘White Lady’ rock painting. [BLD]
Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady Lodge Campsite or similar (tents, wash rooms with hot water and bar).
Day 4: Twyfelfontein, Petrified Forest and Himba Village, Namibia
On our journey today we will stop to see ancient Bushmen paintings at Twyfelfontein as well as the Petrified Forest, the trees of which are estimated to be 250 million years old. Twyfelfontein was named a World Heritage site in 2007, the first in the country. Depending on the time of arrival we go and explore a traditional Himba village this afternoon or the next morning. This will be a journey of culture exchange, learning and understanding of the last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba. [BLD]
Accommodation: Porcupine Camp or similar (tents, wash rooms with hot water and bar).
Day 5: From Kamanjab to Etosha National Park, Namibia
After our cultural experience in Kamanjab, we head to the land of the big five – Etosha National Park. Lunch is eaten close to the small German town of Outjo where we relax and have the opportunity to visit an Internet cafe. Our final destination for the day is Etosha. As the sun sets and late into the night, the group has the opportunity to watch animals drink at floodlit waterholes. [BLD]
Accommodation: Okaukuejo Campsite or similar (tents, wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool and convenience stores)
Days 6 & 7: Etosha National Park, Namibia
We fill the next 2 days spent on game drives in the hopes of spotting the big five as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra and the numerous different types of antelope the park has to offer. Our nights are spent at the flood lit waterholes encountering the parks various nocturnal animals as they come to drink. [BLD,BLD]
Accommodation: Camping at Halali or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Days 8 & 9: Etosha to Kavango River, Namibia
Our journey continues west as we drive along the Caprivi Strip to the town of Rundu. We make our way to N’Kwazi Lodge and spend a relaxing afternoon at our lodge on the banks of the Kavango River. Optional activities such as horse riding or a sunset cruise are available; alternatively just relax by the pool with a sundowner listening to the sounds of mother nature. [BL,BL]
Accommodation: Camping at N’Kwazi Lodge or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming bar & restaurant)
Days 10 & 11: Kavango River to Okavango Delta, Botswana
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 (tents, wash rooms with hot water and bar).
Day 12: Eastern 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 (tents, wash rooms with hot water, bar and swimming pool).
Day 13: Chobe National Park, Botswana
The next morning we depart from Camp Kwando, head along the Caprivi and cross the border back into Botswana to drive through Chobe National Park to our camp on the Chobe River. In the afternoon you will go on a sunset cruise along the banks on the Chobe National Park. We spend the night camping on the banks of the Chobe River listening to the calls of Africa. [BL]
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge Campsite or similar (tents, wash rooms with hot water, bar and swimming pool).
Day 14: 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. [B]
Accommodation: Lokuthula Lodges or similar (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant and bar)
Day 15: End of tour
Your journey ends after breakfast this morning. We can arrange an airport transfer on request (own expense). We hope to welcome you on one of our African adventures soon. [B]
Included
- Use of full camping equipment (except sleeping bags)
- All meals as per itinerary
- Transport on the tour
- 3 Nights in fixed accommodation
- 11 Nights camping
- Activities as per itinerary
- Game drives as per itinerary
- Experienced local guide
Excluded
- All international flights, airport and departure taxes (subject to daily fluctuation)
- Any meals not mentioned
- Pre and Post Tour accommodation
- All items of a personal nature
- Travel and medical insurance
- Visas where applicable
- Telephone calls
- Curio shop purchases
- Tips
- All drinks
- Local charges of R600
Conditions:
- Prices valid for SADC residents only. Kindly contact us for international rates.
- Prices are per person sharing, and subject to change due to airfare increases, currency fluctuations and availability.
- Valid for dates specified.
- Other peak season surcharges may apply
- Operator terms & conditions apply.
Botswana
Botswana is one of the few destinations in Africa that provides a brilliant sense of the adventure of safari. Its expansive game parks and preserves, while offering wildlife as diverse and abundant as that found anywhere else, are still largely undeveloped and untamed. The country enjoys a high standard of economic stability, education and health care, which, with the exception of South Africa, is unequalled elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa.
In the north-west, the Okavango River flows in from the highlands of Angola and soaks into the sands, forming the 15,000 sq. km network of water channels, lagoons, swamps and islands. The Okavango is the largest inland delta system in the world a bit smaller than Isreal or half of Switzerland. While the Okavango Delta is home to relatively few large game animals in comparison to other areas of Botswana, its clear waters and myriad small islands are home to an astounding variety of birds, plants, and smaller species of animals.
The northeastern region of the Kalahari Basin contains the Makgadikgadi Pans - an extensive network of salt pans and ephemeral lakes. Nearby is Chobe National Park, a beautiful grassland reserve that has gained international fame for its abundant elephant population.
Almost the entire remaining portion of the country is covered by the Kalahari Desert - a varied environment of sand, savanna, and grassland. Although this area of Botswana is only sparsely inhabited by humans, it is one of the richest wildlife regions in all of Africa. Botswana's two largest parks, the Central Kalahari Game reserve and Gemsbok National Park, are found in this region.
Botswana Demographic
Culture:
It is largely the culture of the Batswana that has dominated that of other minority groups. This is particularly evident with regard to cattle ownership. Cattle, the traditional Tswana source of wealth and status, are now desired by most, if not all groups of people in Botswana.
Recent years have seen the introduction of western culture in the form of western business, technology, consumer goods, tourism and the media. There is a rather circuitous route, which all this takes to get to Botswana. South Africa, heavily influenced by America, Europe and Japan, acquires the latest goods and media items from these countries first; Botswana, in turn, imports nearly all commodities from South Africa. Botswana can well afford to buy in such goods, but personal wealth on the scale that exists for the elite few in Botswana is a new phenomenon.
Life in the urban areas has been most affected by western culture and increasing modernity. In the rural areas many traditions persist and ways of life differ from region to region. Some of the more obvious physical aspects of the different cultures have disappeared (such as traditional clothing, arts and crafts, most ritual ceremonies and some tools and utensils). Others remain important, however, such as cattle ownership, music and dance and the consultation of traditional healers.
Shopping:
Indigenous crafts, newly introduced crafts or western art forms can be purchased in curio, craft, gift shops and malls in Gaborone, Francistown, Maun and Kasane and at safari camps in the Okavango and Chobe regions.
Botswana's best-known leather factory is located in Pilane, near Mochudi (see maps). High quality sandals, bags and cases are made, and marketed in the major towns. Ostrich and buffalo skin items are imported from neighbouring southern African countries and sold in the curio and craft shops around the country.
Tourism and tourists' fascination with the Bushmen have brought a revival of sorts to traditional Bushmen crafts. Bushmen now produce and sell hunting sets, fire-making sticks, beaded jewellery and belts, leather items and musical instruments. Authentic ostrich eggshell beadwork is still made, and the contrast of the creamy white beads on the brown and black leather string makes for very attractive items indeed.
There are many local artists - both citizens and expatriates. Paintings are sold in local curio shops, or may be displayed in the Gaborone or Francistown malls, but most artists prefer to stage exhibitions in the National Museum, or at their private homes.
Money:
Botswana's unit of currency is the Pula (P), which is divided into 100 Thebe (t). The word 'Pula' means rain and 'thebe' means shield.
Bank notes: P10, 20, 50 and 100
Coins: 5t, 10t, 25t, 50t, P1, P2 and P5.
Major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club, are accepted widely. Most hotels and lodges accept foreign currency or travellers' cheques.
Transport:
By Air:
The national carrier, Air Botswana, operates scheduled domestic flights from Gaborone to several destinations, including Francistown, Maun, Kasane, while numerous other carriers operate services to the capital and private operators maintain links to a variety of tourist destinations. The air charter industry is well developed in Botswana, offering flights to the national airport network as well as private destinations. Maun Airport, which serves a huge tourist market, is one of the busiest in southern Africa.
By Road:
All Botswanass population centres are connected by highways and very good tarmac roads. Other areas are being developed and road-tarring projects are moving ahead at a record pace. Off main routes, the roads range from good, high-speed gravel to deep, rutted sand.
There is a number of passenger transport companies in Botswana which offer services throughout the country. Daily routes include from Gaborone to: Selebi-Phikwe, Palapye, Mahalapye, Serowe, Francistown, Ghanzi, Tshabong, Hukuntsi, Orapa, Lobatse, Maun, Kasane, Ramotswa, and other routes.
By Rail:
Botswana Railways operates a good passenger rail service, with a variety of passenger accommodation from luxury private sleeper compartments on the overnight train to the modern well-serviced economy class on the day train. All coach classes are air conditioned and served with dining facilities, running water and toilets.
By Taxi:
All vehicles licensed to carry passengers can be easily identified by their number plates, which have blue backgrounds. Taxis carry up to 5 passengers at a time. If however you would prefer not to share a taxi with other passengers, at an additional fee, this can be arranged with the taxi driver.
Health Requirements:
Botswana has endemic malarial areas particularly in northern Botswana during the warmer months from November to June. It's a good idea to consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to entering Botswana and to take every precaution advised.
Bilharzia is an ever-present threat in many African streams and rivers. To avoid contracting Bilharzia one should stay out of the water. The disease is easily cured and cannot be caught by drinking untreated water.
Even though tap water is thought to be safe to drink in Botswana's urban areas, drinking bottled water is always advised.
Botswana Visa requirements
| Nationality | Requires Visa |
| American | No |
| British | No |
| European Union | No |
| South African | No |
Should your nationality not be listed above, kindly contact our dedicated consultants for assistance.
Botswana Weather
Summer days are hot, especially in the weeks that precede the coming of the cooling rains, and shade temperatures rise to the 38°C mark and higher, reaching a blistering 44°C on rare occasions. Winters are clear-skied and bone-dry, the air seductively warm during the daylight hours but, because there is no cloud cover, cold at night and in the early mornings. Sometimes bitterly so - frost is common and small quantities of water can freeze.
The summer rainy season runs (November - March), and 20 inches of total accumulation is the norm. Rainfall in the Kalahari Desert is very light and significant rain during other times of the year is rare.