Namibia and Botswana adventure victoria falls to swakopmund overland trip africa volunteer, adventure overland africa

NAMIBIA AND BOTSWANA ADVENTURE – 14 DAYS
VICTORIA FALLS TO SWAKOPMUND or SWAKOPMUND TO VICTORIA FALLS

Beginning from the mighty Victoria Falls, this 14-day trip takes the traveller into Botswana and the Chobe National Park before crossing into Namibia and a safari in the Etosha National Park, where magical waterholes attract a host of African animals. The trip ends in Namibia's seaside town of Swakopmund where a number of optional activities are on offer. The trip departs on Sunday mornings and visitors wishing to explore the Falls should plan an earlier arrival. Accommodation may be booked through Amanzi Travel. This trip also operates in the reverse direction, departing from Swakopmund and travelling north through Namibia and Botswana before ending in Victoria Falls. This trip also departs early on Sunday morning and anyone wishing to explore Swakopmund should plan an earlier arrival. Accommodation can be arranged through Amanzi Travel.

Location:

VICTORIA FALLS TO SWAKOPMUND or SWAKOPMUND TO VICTORIA FALLS

Dates:

Departs regularly

Fees:

£375 - 14 days
USD 370 - Local Payment

Payment:

£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure

Reference:

AT004

Special Offer:

^{Join the 3 day Hwange Community Experience with this trip - 180 USD local payment only (terms apply)}

General Information

Please note: This tour operates in both directions

Start and end points: Victoria Falls to Swakopmund or Swakopmund to Victoria Falls

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)

Departure Point Swakopmund: Swakop Lodge, 42 Nathaniel Maxulili Drive, Swakopmund
Check-in time: 8.45am (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) (B / L / D)

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.

Optional excursions

Zimbabwe:

Victoria Falls National Park Entry (for viewing the Falls) - $20

Victoria Falls:

Bungee Jump (111m) - US$105

Tandem Bungee Jump - US$145

White Water Rafting on the Zambezi (full day) - US$110

River Boarding Combo - Raft and Board - US$140

Canoeing on the Zambezi - Half Day/Full Day - US$90/US$105 + US$ Park Fees

Half Day Adrenaline - Gorge Swing, Zipline and Flying Fox - US$105

Full Day Adrenaline - Gorge Swing, Zipline and Flying Fox + Abseil and Rap Jump - US$140

Elephant Bank Safari - US$110

Walk with Lions - US$115

Micro Light over the Falls - 15 minutes - US$120

Micro Light over the Falls - 30 minutes - US$230

Helicoptor Flight over the Falls - 12 minutes - US$115

Helicoptor Flight over the Falls - 19-25 minutes - US$175 - 220

Zambezi Sunset Cruise - US$45

Horse Safaris - 2 hour Novice/3 hour Experienced - US$65/US$75

Hwange National Park (2 night 3 day safari) - US$450

Chobe Botswana - Full Day - US$170

Botswana:

Chobe National Park - Game Drive - US$35

Chobe National Park Sleep Out (1 night) - US$125

Scenic Flight over the Okavango Delta (US$300 - 350 per plane - maximum 5 people) - US$70
Okavango Delta Excursion (3 days/2 nights) - US$150

Swakopmund:
Quad Biking - 1 hour/2 hours - US$50/US$85
Sand Boarding - Lie Down/Stand Up - US$45/US$60
Township Tour - US$70
Tandem Sky Dive (weather permitting) - US$320
Horse Riding - 2 hours - US$65
Fishing - US$145
Dolphin Cruise - US$75
Kayaking - US$90
Paragliding (weather permitting) US$135
Scenic Flight (various) (weather permitting) - As per Operator
Hot Air Ballooning (weather permitting) US$420

All prices are in US dollars. For a more comprehensive list of things to do before, during or after your trip, please email or call Amanzi Travel on 0117 904 1924.

Please Note - these prices are approximate and are subject to change, and where activities occur away from your base, there may be an additional transfer cost.

Support

Support and advice is available from your Trip Guides whilst on your expedition and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support.

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent upon booking this trip and our staff are always on hand to offer further advice and information provided via telephone and email before departure. The day before the trip begins, there will be a full orientation at 5.00 pm at the departure point by the project coordinator including information on the current status of the overland trip. The pre-departure meeting is not essential but it is recommended, and is a great opportunity to meet trip companions.

Accommodation and Meals

The trips are camping trips, and spacious 2-person tents with sewn in ground sheets and a separate fly sheet are provided. Most nights will be spent in organised campsites which usually have hot water showers and extra facilities such as a bar or swimming pool. Increasingly these places have simple roomed accommodation, so on occasion there will be the choice at extra cost to upgrade to a bed if desired. Occasionally, when it is not possible to drive any further or when there is no local campsite available, it may be necessary to bush camp. The vehicles are completely self-sufficient for this and camping out in the middle of the African bush can be a memorable experience.

The safari cook does all the cooking on the trip, although it may be necessary to participate in the preparation of the meals on a rota basis. Meals and menus vary depending on what is available locally, but three healthy square meals a day on the road will be provided. Fresh fruit and vegetableswill be purchased from market stalls, supported by a bulk buy of goods bought prior to departure. In the towns and cities there is the optional alternative of sampling the local restaurants.

Getting There

The most convenient airport to fly into for this trip is Victoria Falls Airport. Make sure you arrive in plenty of time for this trip, to allow for flights delays. We offer help with organising local accommodation if required.

(There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport – for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you