Start and end points: Victoria Falls to Swakopmund
Countries visited: Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia
Departure Point Victoria Falls: Victoria Falls Rest Camp, Parkway Drive, Victoria Falls
Check in: 8.45 am (Departure time to be advised at pre-departure meeting)
Pre-departure meeting: 5:00 pm the day before at the departure point
Itinerary
DAY 1: Victoria Falls
Today is spent relaxing or participating in a myriad of Optional Excursions. AT 1700 metres wide and around 100 metres high, Victoria Falls are one of the most memorable sights on this African safari. All year round flights can be taken in fixed wing planes, micro lights or helicopters. Back on the ground, the falls can be seen from the Victoria Falls National Park with its many viewing points or from the Zambian side. All offer fantastic photographic opportunities.
Optional Excursions include trips into the Zambezi or Hwange National Parks, elephant back safaris, horse back safaris, a visit to the crocodile ranch, boat cruises and golf at the Elephant Hills Resort. Adrenalin junkies can bungee from the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia or abseil down the Batoka Gorge - neither activity is for the faint-hearted! White water rafting on the Zambezi is world class. As well as the excitement of the grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats" from where it is possible to admire the scenic cliffs and the occasional wildlife on the river banks.
DAY 2: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park (Botswana) (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
After breakfast the border into Botswana is crossed and the group will head to Kasane where camp will be set up on the banks of the Chobe River. Listen out for the resident hippos! The Chobe River forms a border between Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. This National Park is one of Botswana’s premier game parks, renowned for its large elephant herds. Adventurous spirits can choose the option to sleep overnight in the Chobe National Park, spending the afternoon in search of wildlife en-route to the set camp within the Park where the evening is spent surrounded by the night-time noises of the local wildlife. In the morning exploration is continued and, after stopping off at the camp for lunch, the groups will rejoin for the sunset boat cruise.
DAY 3: Chobe National Park (B / L / D)
For those not on the sleep-out, today offers the option of an early morning game drive in the Chobe National Park. Following an early start the morning is spent observing the large herds of wildlife before returning to the camp for lunch. In the late afternoon there is a boat cruise along the Chobe River. Elephant, hippo and many bird species can be viewed from the boat while we watch another glorious African sunset.
DAY 4: Chobe National Park to Maun (B / L / D)
Today the travel is in a south-westerly direction to the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta and the destination, Maun, from where the exploration of the Okavango Delta starts.
DAY 5: Maun to Okavango Delta (Optional) (B / L / D)
The Delta is a huge expanse of water, which has travelled from the Angolan highlands, spreading out to form the largest inland delta in the world. Studded with exotic islands, the Delta is renowned for its incredible variety of bird life and animals and is unique to Southern Africa. Here there is the opportunity to take a 3 day/ 2 night drive In/Mokoro Excursion into the Delta. From Maun those taking this excursion will drive north for a couple of hours to reach the mokoro poler’s station. Mokoros are traditional dug out canoes manoeuvred through the waterways by local guides who “pole” them through the reeds. After the guides find a place to camp, the group will set off on an afternoon game walk to experience the Delta wilderness. Those preferring not to explore the Delta will stay at the lovely campsite, relaxing by the swimming pool or perhaps even challenging each other to a game of volleyball. There is a crocodile farm nearby where feeding times are open to campsite visitors.
DAY 6: Okavango Delta (B / L / D)
A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await. There will be the opportunity to partake in a number of activities including swimming (dependant on area and water levels), game walks, mokoro cruises and even a chance to try poling a mokoro!
DAY 7: Okavango Delta to Maun (B / L / D)
This morning affords a final opportunity for a game walk before packing up and setting off back to Maun, arriving back in the early afternoon for the chance to complete the picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional sunset scenic flight over The Delta.
DAY 8: Maun to Rundu (Namibia) (B / L / D)
Following the Kavango River, Northern Namibia is entered, stopping at Rundu for supplies before heading to the spectacular campsite located on the banks of the Kavango River - complete with “open air” facilities and the occasional hippo grazing on the lawn!
DAY 9: Rundu to Etosha National Park (B / L / D)
From Rundu, the group will head towards Etosha National Park. Covering 20 000 square kilometres, Etosha is Namibia’s premier nature reserve. Situated around the Etosha Pan with a wide variety of animal and bird life, the extensive network of gravel roads affords the opportunity of accessing even the most remote areas of the park.
DAY 10: Etosha National Park (B / L / D)
Today the group will travel 150 km across the park, keeping a look out for Etosha’s large herds of desert antelope such as Springbok and the famed Oryx. After a full day of game viewing, the evening is spent relaxing at the camp.
DAY 11: Etosha National Park to Cheetah Park (B / L / D)
Today’s drive is to the Cheetah Park - a private farm dedicated to conserving Namibia’s cheetah population - to meet the resident cheetahs, a photo opportunity not to be missed!
DAY 12: Cheetah Park to Spitzkoppe (B / L / D)
Departing from the Cheetah Park and travelling to the ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’ - Spitzkoppe. The 1728 m high rock formation, one of Namibia’s most recognised landmarks, is well known as an ancient San sacred site. There will be the opportunity to explore the surrounding area and its San rock paintings before this evening's bush camp under the African stars.
DAY 13: Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund (B / L)
Today the group heads fo Swakopmund. Founded by the Germans in 1892, their colonial influence is still evident today. Swakopmund has a selection of excellent coffee shops, restaurants and bars as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian curios. There are fine beaches to walk along as well as a great museum, aquarium and galleries to visit. Accommodation will be in dormitories. Upgrades are possible, but depend on room availability.
DAYS 14: Swakopmund (B)
After breakfast, addresses will be exchanged and "goodbyes" said, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!
Please note that this itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road and weather conditions. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries visited, truck and crew changes may take place during the trip. Local payments are subject to change with prior notice.
Optional excursions include sky diving, quad biking, sand boarding, scenic desert flights, dolphin cruises, fishing trips, golf, horse riding and more. An activity briefing will be held on arrival in Swakopmund, see below for a variety of excursions on offer.
Botswana
Why visit Botswana?
Botswana is a land of dramatic contrasts, from the crystal clear waters of the Okavango Delta, to the large elephant herds in the Chobe National Park, the abundant birdlife in Moremi Game Reserve and the vast savannah of the Kalahari desert, which covers over 70% of the country. It is no wonder that Botswana has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Surrounded by the sands of the Kalahari Desert is the magical oasis of the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta, formed by ancient seismic shifting of the earth's surface. Wide grassy floodplains are host to a magnificent array of wild animals. Within this lacework of channels, game viewing and bird watching is frequently guided from mokoro (dugout canoes) or more commonly, environmentally-friendly fibreglass replicas. In these slender flat-bottomed craft, visitors are propelled by expert polers.
Chobe National Park, approximately 62 miles due west of Victoria Falls, is abundant with wildlife all year round, and features the beautiful Chobe River on its northern boundary. Throughout the area numerous clay-bottomed pans hold water during the short rainy season. During the rainy season, from November, one can witness the zebra migration from the north-western area of Linyanti heading south through the Savute plains to the salt pans around Makgadikgadi, where the foals are born. The herds then return to Linyanti between February and April.
The Kalahari Game Reserve is one of the most remote and unspoiled parts of Africa. At certain times of the year, usually during the summer rains, the northern section of the Park is one of the prime game viewing areas of Botswana, not to mention the breathtaking landscapes that await discovery.
Highlights of Botswana
- Seventeen percent of Botswana is comprised of pristine national reserves, featuring some of Africa's most beautiful subtropical wilderness, generally teeming with wildlife.
- A land of awesome contrasts - from the vast plains of the Kalahari Desert to the crystal clear waters of the world's largest inland delta, the Okavango Delta.
- Game viewing by mokoro (dugout canoe) in the Delta is unforgettable.
- Sunshine totals are high all year round, although winter is still the sunniest period.
- Chobe National Park is home to the mighty Chobe River and what is arguably the world's largest concentration of elephants.
- View Botswana’s annual zebra migration in the Linyanti and Savute areas.
- Moremi Game Reserve is renowned for its superb birdlife.
- The game-filled Central Kalahari Game Reserve, at 54,600 km2, is Botswana's largest reserve.
Climate
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer/wet (October -April) |
45 °C |
25 °C |
| Winter/dry ( May - September) |
26 °C |
0 °C |
| Rainfall: November - March |
Botswana is semi-arid, due to the short rain season. It experiences extremes in both temperature and weather.
In the winter (late May through September), days are normally clear, warm and sunny, and nights are cool to cold, with average temperatures of around 14 °C. The whole country is windy and dusty during the dry season. Wildlife never wanders far from water sources, so sightings are more predictable than in the wetter summer season. This is also the time of school holidays, so some areas can be busy, especially between mid-July and mid-September.
In summer (October to April), Botswana has hot summers with average temperatures around 26 °C. Wildlife can be harder to spot and rains can render sandy roads impassable. This is also the time of the highest humidity and the most stifling heat, where daytime temperatures of over 40°C are common, so the magnificent afternoon showers can be a welcome relief.
The main rains fall between December and March, but often just in the form of brief thundershowers that last an hour or two before the sun re-emerges. The sunlight after an African storm is incredibly intense and superb for wildlife photography. The summer rains also bring spectacular migrant birds to Botswana.
Key Facts
Population – 2 million
Capital - Gaborone
Currency –pula (BWP)
Official Language(s) – English and Setswana
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 267, international access code 00
Zimbabwe
Why visit Zimbabwe?
The beautiful country of Zimbabwe offers something for everyone; from the absolute wilderness of Mana Pools National Park, the ruins of Great Zimbabwe and the mountains overlooking Mozambique, to fine dining in Harare or bunjee jumping over Victoria Falls. It is rich in culture and colour and the Zimbabweans have not lost their humour and resolve.
Victoria Falls is one of the worlds’ biggest and most spectacular waterfalls, with a network of trails leading through the rain forest surrounding the “smoke that thunders”. Take an umbrella and raincoat and gaze at the incredible vistas of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Victoria Falls village is home to a seemingly endless variety of adventure sports from bungee jumping to canoeing and white-water rafting. Apart from its appeal to adventure enthusiasts the village still has a gracious, pioneering and colonial atmosphere.
Hwange Park is one of the finest conservation areas in Africa and is said to contain the widest variety and greatest density of wildlife in the world. Game viewing is generally restricted to the Hwange Park road network, but it has private concession areas allowing off-road safaris and nature walks. Mana Pools is an unspoiled, remote Park in the Zambezi Valley, a subtropical region, with the terrain and vegetation varied from the river up to the Zambezi Plateau. Walking is allowed (at visitor's own risk) and can be exhilarating and rewarding, if caution is taken.
Lake Kariba is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, with abundant game-sightings and excellent angling for bream and tiger fish. The Lake provides pleasure to locals and visitors alike with fishing, canoeing, sailing or drifting along on a houseboat. The Matopo Hills is an area of incredible beauty with a mythical history and a proud people, the Matebele. The Matobo Hills were so named because they looked like the bald heads of indunas (chiefs). The entire region is a complex of bizarre and exposed granitic formations. Once inhabited by the bushman, today one can find magnificent examples of rock art in and amongst the caves. The Matobo National Park is one of Zimbabwe's prime wildlife sanctuaries with a large population of white rhino, the elusive black rhino, a variety of antelope species, baboon, rock hyraxes and a large population of leopard and black eagle.
Highlights of Zimbabwe
- The magnificent Victoria Falls are classed as one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World.
- Zimbabwe is home to four World Heritage Sites - Victoria Falls, Mana Pools National Park, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins and the Khame Ruins.
- Lake Kariba is one of the world's largest man-made lakes, with abundant game and excellent angling for bream and tiger fish.
- Magnificent national parks include Hwange, Mana Pools, Matusadona and Chizarira.
- Adventure activities abound and include canoeing on the lower Zambezi, kayaking and rafting on the upper Zambezi, and bungee jumping at Victoria Falls.
- For high adventure enthusiasts, white-water rafting is most exciting when the Zambezi waters are low (generally from August to December) and is often referred to as the best one-day white-water rafting in the world.
- Canoeing down the Lower Zambezi affords an ideal opportunity to get close to Africa's wildlife.
- Magnificent scenic areas in the Eastern Highlands Highlights of Zimbabwe.
Climate
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer/wet (November - April) |
30 °C |
14 °C |
| Winter/dry ( May - October) |
20 °C |
5 °C |
| Rainfall: November – March |
Zimbabwe offers excellent game-viewing opportunities throughout the year. Due to Zimbabwe’s high altitudes, it has a beautiful and moderate climate, where temperatures are never very extreme. It has warm summers, November to April, where days are generally sunny in the morning with possible dramatic afternoon/evening thunderstorms. Temperatures of 35°C in summer are considered boiling.
Winter occurs from May to October and days are sunny and cool to warm while evening temperatures drop sharply. Temperatures of 7°C in winter are considered freezing. The end of the cool, dry season, around September/October, is the top time for wildlife viewing.
The main rains fall between November and March, although the Eastern Highlands are damp for most of the year. The Victoria Falls are spectacular in April and May after the rainy season.
Key Facts
Population – 12.5 million
Capital - Harare
Currency – none. The Zimbabwean dollar was suspended by the government due to hyper-inflation. The US dollar, South African rand, Botswanan pula, pound sterling and Euro are used instead. The US dollar has been adopted as the official currency for all government transactions with the new power-sharing regime.
Language – English is the official language, with Shona and Ndebele being recognised regional languages
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 263, international access code 00
Namibia
Why visit Namibia?
Namibia is one of those dreamlike places that makes one question whether something so visually fabulous could actually exist. It is characterised by vast open spaces, with breathtaking scenery and great contrasts – ocean, dunes, mountains and deserts. A predominantly arid country, Namibia can be divided into four main regions. The Namib Desert and vast plains of the Skeleton Coast in the west; the eastward-sloping Central Plateau; the Kalahari desert along the borders with South Africa and Botswana; and the densely wooded bushveld of the Kavango and Caprivi regions – a magical undeveloped oasis of waterways and wildlife, providing abundant game and birdlife viewing opportunities. Despite its harsh climate, Namibia has some of the world’s grandest national parks, ranging from the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park, to the dune fields and desert plains of the Namib-Naukluft Park. The Namib-Naukluft Park is superb for hiking, with a number of spectacular trails. It is also home to the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei - said to be the highest in the world - and the fascinating Sesriem Canyon. Windhoek is the country’s geographical heart and commercial nerve centre, with an ethnic mix of people, while surfers, anglers and beach-lovers won’t want to miss Swakopmund, with its lively entertainment and sporting activities.
Highlights
- Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s finest parks, both in size and diversity of wildlife.
- The Namib-Naukluft Park is the largest conservation area in Namibia and one of the largest in the world.
- Two spectacular deserts - the Kalahari and Namib - each with distinctive wildlife and scenery.
- The Namib, at 80 million years, is the world's oldest desert. Namib means “open space”.
- The Namib and Damaraland offer remarkably clear skies for astronomers and keen star gazers.
- Stunning Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon – it is 161km long, up to 27km wide and 550m deep.
- Sossusvlei are said to be the highest sand-dunes in the world.
- Superb birding and good fishing is available from the banks of the Kavango and Kunene Rivers on the northern border.
- Popular self-drive destination with excellent infrastructure.
- Largely malaria-free.
- More than 300 days of sunshine per year.
Climate
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer/wet (October - April) |
40 °C |
20 °C |
| Winter/dry (May - September) |
25 °C |
0 °C |
| Rainfall: October – December “little rains”, January to April more stormy period |
The winter months (May - September) range from 25 to 30°C during the day but night temperatures may drop to below freezing. June to August is the dry season with very little rain. This can be a good time for game viewing as wildlife converge at the waterholes.
The summer months (October - April) can reach highs of over 40°C and nights in the 20°C range (in the arid central Namib Desert temperatures can fall to below freezing during the night). This is a summer rainfall area, but overcast and rainy days are few and far between. Welcome thundershowers may occur in the late afternoon, bringing relief to flora and fauna. In October and November, large herds of blue wildebeest, zebra, springbok and oryx migrate from the Namutoni area to Okaukuejo, where they remain until May.
Rainfall is heaviest in the northeast, which enjoys a sub-tropical climate, and reaches over 600mm annually along the Okavango River. The northern and interior regions experience ‘little rains’ between October and December, while the main stormy period occurs from January to April.
Key Facts
Population – 2.1 million
Capital - Windhoek
Currency - Namibian dollar
Language – official language English; most widely spoken is Afrikaans; half of all Namibians speak Oshiwambo as their first language. German is also widely spoken, plus some Portuguese.
Namib – means “open space”
Etosha – means “great white place”
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 264, international access code 00
The overland trip was excellent - really well run. The guides were fantastic, the campsites great, and the food excellent. This has got to be the best way to see Africa in a short period of time ...
Amanzi Travel are excellent - professional, informative but with a real personal service ... The cheetah volunteer project was an absolutely fantastic experience, and the Overland trip was brilliant.
Jennie and Stuart, Sweden, 32 and 34 (Cheetah Volunteer Project and Overland Trip)
The tour was amazing and the staff went out of their way to make our time in Africa as fun and memorable as possible for us. Our tour leader told us the history and other interestings facts about each area we visited. The food was really good. I wasn't expecting cooked breakfasts every morning. There was loads of food, no one ever went hungry and the variety was excellent.There was a rota up so everyone had a task to do each day eg. food chopping, washing up, truck cleaning and truck packing, but this only took about 5 minutes every day.
The optional excursions were good, but there was no pressure to do any of them and there were plenty of activities already included. We felt very safe and were generally very well looked after.
Mary & Eleanor, UK, aged 50 & 15
Gemma at Amanzi Travel was extremely helpful, professional and promt in her replies ...
To sum up, voluneering with children in Africa, some of which diagnosed with aids or orphaned, was the most rewarding, life changing thing I have ever done. Seeing the childrens faces light up when I brought in a picture story book was so moving, I don’t think they had had a book read to them before, which was heartbreaking to think. Seeing their pure happiness in the small things in life like a new soccer ball, a new pencil or a piece of fresh bread was made me appreciate my own life so much more and realise all that I take for granted. When faced with a difficulty in my life now, I look to the big picture and shake myself out of it when I realise how pathetic and trivial it may be after spending time with children who may very well not live until their 21st birthday. I think everyone should volunteer at sometime in their life, preferably when they are young, to see how lucky we really are and how easy it is to put a smile on someone elses face. I learnt that the more we get, the more we want and the less happy we are. These children taught me to be happy with life itself, not with how much cash I have in the bank.
Overall I loved the experience and would go back to see the children in a heart beat. I found it so rewarding and put my life in perspective.
Our 5 week overland tour was absolutely amazing I loved every second of it. The food was delicious and our guides/driver were lovely. The truck and tents were fine, that's all part of the experience!
Jess, Australia, aged 21 (Kenya Teaching and Community Volunteer)
Thank you Amanzi Travel for organising the overland trip from Cape Town to Vic Falls for us, I did enjoy it immensely. Was lucky that the group were of varied ages and we had a ball. My daughter is undertaking volunteer work in Africa also with Amanzi Travel and I joined her for this overland trip. I visited her at the Victoria Falls Lion Project in Zimbabwe and was very impressed by the organisation. She is having a wonderful time there and will be staying on for a few more months. I spoke to a few other volunteers whilst I was there and they were all happy with their experiences.
Thank you again Amanzi Travel, I know you are helping alot of people in Africa with your projects and I have certainly told a lot of people who are interested in our experiences about you.
Suzanne, Australia, aged 62 (Southern Sun 21 Day (Northbound))
I really had a fantastic time with both volunteering & overland tours. I have so many stories to share with everybody that sometimes I sit down & wonder if I am making them up....I can't believe all of what I did and saw! I left home feeling both excited and so nervous about spending 9 weeks in Kenya alone on the Teaching & Community Volunteer project, but on arrival I was met by one of the Amanzi Travel guys and felt welcome and safe immediately. After that I was never 'alone' and was welcomed by all age groups and nationalities on the volunteer programme and overland trip. The cottage we stayed in in Limuru was brill and it had everything there to make you feel right at home. The variety of food was great and the staff were wonderful. Working with the kids was amazing and I felt as though as I had a good amount of time to spend in both the orphanage and the primary school. My six weeks was split half and half and by the time I left I felt as though I had seen real changes in the kids I gave extra help too who were usually left behind in the back of the class.
The overland trip was an awesome end to my time in Kenya. The truck was surprisingly comfortable and the staff brilliant. Be prepared to do your duties, cleaning, cooking etc but it's all part of the fun. Most places we stayed in were lovely and had bars for a fun evening. The drive through all the different places was lovely and seeing all the wildlife was amazing. From lions walking in front of you in the Masai Mara, to leopards crossing the road in Lake Nakuru and the magniciant gorillas in Bwindi are only a patch of what I saw. Memories I will have forever and the most fantastic 9 weeks of my life. Thanks for guiding me the right direction Amanzi!
Michelle, Ireland, aged 30 (Kenya Teaching and Community Volunteer, Gorillas and Game Parks 14 Day)