Northern Quest - Overland Trip

3 weeks: Cape Town to Victoria Falls (IMT-KANR)

Intro

The route from Cape Town to Victoria Falls is a classic overland journey that takes in the highlights of Southern Africa. Namibia, with its vast open spaces, harbours some of the continent’s last true areas of wilderness and is home to the awesome Namib Desert, a place of wild and stark beauty where sand dunes move ever further towards the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. For wildlife enthusiasts, there can be few better destinations than Botswana. Finally we end up at Victoria Falls.

Group Size

Max 20

Activities

Game drives and game walk, dune climb, mokoro trip, guided river cruise in Chobe NP

Accommodation

3 nights simple lodges, 16 nights camping

Transport

Fully equipped safari vehicle, mokoro

Fully Escorted

By 2 crew (driver / tour leader)

Meals

As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

Entrance Fees

Included for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Onward flights:

Onward flights from Livingstone or Victoria Falls to Johannesburg are easy to book - you should speak to your travel agent at the time of booking if you require these.

Park fees:

If park fees increase in Africa, your local payment may increase. Please see ‘Before you go’ section for details.

Itineraries

Day 1,CAPE TOWN

Arrive in Cape Town where the rest of the day is free to explore.

Day 2,CITRUSDAL

Drive to Citrusdal, where we can take short hikes or swim in the hot springs. (BL)

Day 3,GARIEP RIVER (formerly Orange River):

Drive to the Gariep River (formerly the Orange River) where the rest of the day is free to explore. There are a range of optional activities such as river walks and canoe trips. (BLD)

Day 4,FISH RIVER CANYON

Crossing the border into Namibia as we head for the awesome Fish River Canyon. There will be ample time to take in a beautiful sunset over the canyon, or to relax by the pool. (BL)

Day 5 to Day 6,NAMIB NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK

Namib Naukluft National Park and the giant sand dunes of Sossusvlei offer over 130 million years of natural wonder. We have the chance to climb the dunes and have plenty of opportunity to explore the area, including the nearby Sesriem canyon. (BLD)

Day 7 to Day 8,SWAKOPMUND

We spend two nights in Swakopmund, a delightful Bavarian-style town situated snugly between sea and desert. There are plenty of activities to keep you occupied here, from deep sea fishing to sky-diving, or perhaps exploring the desert on quad bikes. (Day 7 - BL, Day 8 - B)

Day 9 to Day 10,ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

We journey via granite moonscape to Etosha National Park where we camp ready for our big game safari experience. Dominated by shimmering white saltpans you have a chance to see elephant as well as black rhino, lion and leopard. All camps have floodlit water holes, which are excellent for after-dinner game viewing. During our stay in Etosha we make 3 game drives into the Park. (Day 9 – BLD, Day 10 - BL)

Day 11,WATERBERG PLATEAU NATIONAL PARK

The Waterberg Plateau National Park is historically significant because it was the site of the war between the Germans and the Hereros. The area has now become a haven for many endangered species. It is renowned for its incredible rock formations and walks. (BLD)

Day 12,GOBABIS

Travel towards the border with Botswana. We stay near Gobabis on a private game farm, dedicated to to the protection of big cats. We should have excellent opportunities for seeing lion, leopard and cheetah up close. (BL)

Day 13,MAUN

Cross into Botswana and head for Maun, the gateway to the fantastic Okavango Delta. Here we make preparations for our expedition into the Delta. (BL)

Day 14 to Day 15,OKAVANGO DELTA - MOKORO SAFARI

Transfer into the delta where we meet our mokoro and polers. The Delta is an incredible maze of inland waterways and lagoons and is a haven for wildlife and birds. We have the opportunity to go on game walks by our guides to experience the full splendour of the delta. (BLD)

Day 16,NATA

After breakfast we return to our vehicle by mokoro and transfer to our campsite at Nata. The birdlife in this area is particularly spectacular, and depending on the season we may have the opportunity to take an excursion to see the enormous flocks of flamingoes on the Magkadikgadi Pans. (BLD)

Day 17,CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Depart Maun for Kasane. Our camp tonight is on the banks of the Chobe River and we arrive in time for a game viewing cruise. (BL)

Day 18 to Day 19,VICTORIA FALLS

A short drive from Chobe takes us to the spectacular Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. You are free to explore it at your leisure. Take a sundowner cruise or enjoy masses of other adventure activities. Our camp is close to all the bars, restaurants and hot spots for that last big splurge. (Day 18 - BLD, Day 19 - B) Due to current UK Foreign Office advice against travel to Zimbabwe, all 2008 departures will end at Livingstone in Zambia instead of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Please contact your booking agent if you have any questions about this.

Day 20,VICTORIA FALLS

Tour ends (B).

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Last updated: 2nd December 2008