Great Southern Africa Safari

Day 1

Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls

If you chose to travel on the group flight schedule, you will be accompanied from Australia by Jim, one of your three-member Guide Team. On arriving at Victoria Falls International Airport, you are welcomed by the other members of your Guide Team, Trish and Henry and transferred to the 4 Star Amadeus/Pangolin Lodge, our ‘African Home Away from Home’. Located in a quiet residential area of town, it offers a peaceful haven, featuring beautifully furnished, private, ensuite accommodation, and all modern facilities, including a very welcoming pool. Afternoon at leisure to relax and unwind after your international flights. Late afternoon, poolside, a briefing is held to discuss the safari and organise your activities in Victoria Falls over the next few days. We will then head off to the Lookout Restaurant for our “Welcome to Africa Dinner”. (D)

Day 2

Victoria Falls

After breakfast you start the day with a private guided walking tour of the spectacular Victoria Falls. The remainder of the day is free to partake in the numerous optional activities the Falls have to offer, including easy canoeing on the mighty Zambezi, scenic flights and for adrenalin junkies, there is the world-famous white water rafting activities and for the totally fearless or foolhardy, bungy jumping. There are many more adventures and even ‘sedate’ activities to choose from. Organising the activities is a simple process and you will be well looked after. Dinner tonight is at the famous Boma Restaurant, with the opportunity to sample traditional African food, as well as a variety of wild game meat if you wish. Entertainment is provided throughout the evening. (BD)

Day 3

Victoria Falls

Day at leisure in Victoria Falls. Some safari members will be involved in optional activities. A walk around town and a visit to the curio markets is a must. While out and about, a good option is to have ‘High Tea’ consisting of cucumber sandwiches and scones with jam and cream, all served from silver platters while seated on the cool veranda of the historic remnant of the British Empire, the grand , Victoria Falls Hotel. Tonight, we celebrate our last night before departing the Falls with a candle lit dinner while cruising on the mighty Zambezi River. (BD)

Day 4

Botswana - Elephant Sands

Approx distance travelled 270km/4hrs. After an early coffee and light breakfast snack, we board The Beast and cross into Botswana. A short drive takes us to the safari town of Kasane and the world-famous Chobe National Park. Upon arrival, we head out on a captivating private brunch cruise on the Chobe River, which affords a safe and breathtaking view of this incredible National Park. The quantity, quality and variety of animals and birdlife viewed from our boat is incredible. On our return, we head for Elephant Sands Lodge arriving in time to settle in and relax and enjoy the sunset, while watching the local elephants as they arrive to drink from the lodge swimming pool. A unique African experience. (BLD)

Day 5

Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Approx distance travelled 160km/2hrs. After a leisurely breakfast, we board The Beast and drive a short distance to Planet Baobab to enjoy our Meerkat Adventure. Planet Baobab is the coolest desert oasis around and a part of Africa that only a few experience and one that we will definitely remember. This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a sunset bushwalk before returning to our quirky and comfortable accommodation. (BLD)

Day 6

Ntwetwe Pan

After breakfast at Planet Baobab, we depart in small 4WD vehicles for a ‘camp out’ at Ntwetwe Pan with the Meerkats These playful girls make up for their small statue with their big personalities. They’re friendly, clever, confident each with their very own unique personality. They love visitors and might even leap into your lap or sit on your shoulder. Everything is supplied for comfortable camping, and we have no camp duties. A BBQ dinner tonight under an amazing star filled sky. (BLD)

Day 7

Thamakalane River Lodge

Approx distance travelled 225km/3hrs. Early breakfast on the salt pan. Back to Planet Baobab and board the Beast for a scenic desert road trip to Maun, the Safari Centre for Botswana. Overnight on the river at Thamakalane River Lodge. (BLD)

Day 8

Moremi Wildlife Reserve

Approx distance travelled 130km/3-4hrs After breakfast at the lodge, we leave ‘The Beast’ behind and meet up with our specialist Botswana safari guides, long term friends of Back Track. We depart Maun in small 4WD vehicles and drive to our private bush camp on the Khwai River in the wilds of the Moremi Wildlife Reserve. Our mobile camp will already be set up before we arrive. This entire region is part of the Okavango Delta eco system, truly one of the most important wild eco systems in the world. Khwai River will be our home and base camp for the next 3 exciting days. (BLD)

Day 9

Moremi Wildlife Reserve

Up early, we have a quick cup of tea and toast and head off in search of the wildlife and to learn about the African bush. The wildlife is far more active early, so we need to be out there. Mid-morning we break for a late breakfast, which we might carry with us on the vehicles, or we return to camp for brunch and a rest before we plan another game drive later in the afternoon. In this same area a few years back we had a leopard approach and observe our campsite late one evening. It was an amazing experience for us and probably the leopard as well. Lion and elephant are regularly spotted from our camp site. The cacophony of sounds of an African night while sitting around a campfire deep in the wilds of Moremi will not easily be forgotten. (BLD)

Day 10

Moremi Wildlife Reserve

Another wonderful day in this special area exploring. We will spend a half day on the waterways of the Delta in local canoes (mekoros) being poled by locals who know the area intimately. Birdlife is prolific and canoeing provides an interesting perspective on this incredible eco system. If conditions are right, we will visit and view any nearby hippo pods. (BLD)

Day 11

Namibia - Rundu

Approx distance travelled 256km/5hrs. This morning we enjoy our last game drive in Moremi as we head to Khwai airstrip, say goodbye to our guides, (now your friends) and enjoy a scenic charter flight over the Okavango Delta to the small village of Shakawe, The Beast will be waiting for us. It’s a 60km drive to the Namibian Border. Lunch at the Namibian border and then continuing to Kaisosi River Lodge near Rundu. Arrive late afternoon. (BLD)

Days 12-13

Etosha National Park, Namutoni Lodge

Approx distance travelled 434km/6hrs We don’t break any land speed records today and take a very leisurely approach to the days’ journey. We find somewhere nice for a lunch break and punctuate the journey with the occasional stop at any place of interest we discover along the route. Our Chalet’s at Namutoni for the next 2 nights are very comfortable and welcoming after a long day on the road. After dinner and a drink or two at the Lodge Bar, a stroll to the waterhole will hopefully provide a grand wildlife encounter. On our second day here, we will explore the area using the Beast. (BLD)

Day 14-15

Etosha National Park, Okakeujo Lodge

Approx distance travelled 135km/4hrs We have two nights at Okakakeujo Camp. Our accommodation is 4 star. At night and during the day, from safe viewing areas you can observe the abundant wildlife that visit the waterhole. During the day we can also journey out into the park on wildlife expeditions. (BLD)

Day 16

Twyfelfontein

Approx distance travelled 360km/4hrs. Another beautiful drive today through desert scenery. On the way, we stop for fuel and supplies at Outjo where we might encounter the colourful Herero people and people from the remote nomadic Himba tribes that come from isolated areas on the Angola border. Our home for the next two nights is at Twyelfontein Country Club in the Kunene region of Namibia (formerly known as Damaraland). The entire area is now known as the Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy and boasts a multitude of rock engravings and paintings. These are a silent testimony to the first hunter-gatherer and subsequent Khoikhoi inhabitants of 6000 years ago, who used the area as a place of worship and shaman rituals. To preserve this unique region, Twyfelfontein was declared Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. (BLD)

Day 17

Twyfelfontein

Today, we will leisurely explore the area. We leave the lodge early morning just after breakfast and visit the Burned Mountain, Petrified Forest and the the Damara Museum. Back to the Country Club in time for a cool swim and sundowners. (BLD)

Day 18

Cape Cross

Approx distance travelled 296km/4hrs. We depart early for the Atlantic Ocean Coast. Scenic wise, one of Back Track’s favourite days. Arriving at our once again unique accommodation at Cape Cross lodge, which stands alone on this remote beach line with nothing else for miles in any direction. We will undertake a short walk into the reserve to view the large fur seal colony. The foggy Atlantic Ocean ambience of the Lodge is spectacular, especially after our time in the deserts. All rooms look out over the big Atlantic swells.(BLD)

Day 19

Swakopmund

Approx distancetravelled 130km/ 2 hrs. Today we head to the resort town of Swakopmund, further south on the Atlantic Coast. With its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere, it’s our base for 3 nights. The distinct German colonial character of the town has been well preserved, with the predominant language being German and shops selling traditional cakes and pastries. The rest stop here has proven popular with our safari members. Options include scenic flights over the Dunes, fishing, or our recommended option, quad biking. With automatic bikes and good guides, it’s a fun way to explore the nearby sandhills. Our accommodation is at Alte Brucke Lodge, located within easy walking distance of downtown Swakopmund. Arriving mid-morning, you have free time to head out to explore. Lunch today will be your option. Tonight, we have dinner at the Lighthouse restaurant, a local favourite. (BD)

Day 20

Swakopmund

After breakfast, we have planned a full day of fun activity. First off, we head down to Walvis Bay the port for Swakopmund and board a very comfortable motorised catamaran to explore the harbour on a Champagne and Seal cruise. This excursion has been our favourite now for many years. From Walvis Bay, we head south in 4wd Land cruisers to explore the beaches and dunes of this amazing coastline. (BLD)

Day 21

Swakopmund

A full day to relax, explore, go shopping or participate in some of the optional activities available. For dinner, tonight, we have arranged a private Seafood BBQ on the Atlantic beach with the twinkling lights of Swakopmund in the background. (BD)

Days 22-23

Sesriem

Approx distance travelled 300km/4hrs. Leaving Swakopmund we head further south to the Namib Naukluft National Park. This is the home of the world’s largest red sand dunes, some reaching 300 metres. We have 2 nights here and ample time to explore this breath-taking desert eco system. We find time to climb one of the beautiful red dunes for stunning views out over the desert and explore Deadvlei for amazing photographic opportunities. Our base here is Moon Mountain Lodge. It affords desert views from all our chalets. A wonderful location from which to explore the region. (BLD)

Day 24

Windhoek

Approx distance travelled 260km/4hrs. An early start sees us heading back Northeast on a scenic drive to Windhoek, the Capital City of Namibia. Our accommodation is the 4-star Safari Court Hotel. Clean up and head out for our last nights’ dinner at famous Joe’s Beer House. (BLD)

Day 25

Departure day

Day 25 After breakfast a transfer is provided to connect with the group departure flight. The end to an amazing African Safari experience. (B)

Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia

An African Safari ‘Like no other’

Itinerary

Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

Botswana - Elephant Sands

Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Ntwetwe Pan

Thamakalane River Lodge

Moremi Wildlife Reserve

Moremi Wildlife Reserve

Moremi Wildlife Reserve

Namibia - Rundu

Etosha National Park, Namutoni Lodge

Etosha National Park, Okakeujo Lodge

Twyfelfontein

Twyfelfontein

Cape Cross

Swakopmund

Swakopmund

Swakopmund

Sesriem

Windhoek

Departure day

Pricing

Inclusions

Exclusions

The Team

The Beast

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