Conservation and Cats - Overland Trip

3 ½ weeks: Windhoek to Victoria Falls (IMT-VKCC)

Intro

Quite simply, a brilliant trip! Years of cattle farming in Namibia have had an adverse effect upon the environment. Your task here will be to help to eradicate the ever encroaching sickle bush, opening up the land once more so that its natural wildlife returns. In addition you will also have a superb two weeks exploring all the facets of this incredible country. An incredible tour encompassing everything southern Africa can offer as well as helping preserve the habitat for generations (both human and wildlife) to come.

Maximum Group Size:

Staffing:

By two crew (driver/tour leader)

Transport:

4WD drive vehicles, safari vehicle, mokoro

Accommodation:

12 nights camping, 10 nights lodges and tourist class hotels

Activities:

Game drives, rhino tracking, mokoro excursion, volunteer programme

Park fees:

Included

Itineraries

Day 1,WINDHOEK

Arrive in Windhoek. Tonight you will meet your guide for a briefing on your exciting trip ahead.

Day 2 to Day 8,VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME WORKING ALONGSIDE AFRICAT FOUNDATION

Spend the week restoring land to its natural state to provide a better habitat for local wildlife. The AfriCat Foundation is home to a variety of rescued wildlife, including leopard, lion and cheetah, and you will have opportunities to get up close to these animals during your time here. (BLD)

Day 9,NAMIB DESERT

We leave the project behind and head to the barren but beautiful landscape of the Namib Desert. (BLD)

Day 10,NAMIB DESERT

We climb the famous 'Dune 45' and visit the beautiful area of Sossusvlei, where there are stunning photographic opportunities. We also take a walk through the desert to learn more about this fascinating environment. (BLD)

Day 11,SWAKOPMUND

We leave the dune fields behind and head back into the mountain desert on our way to the charming Bavarian town of Swakopmund. Reaching the massive coastal sand dunes at Walvis Bay on the Skeleton Coast, we stop to see the large colony of flamingos (when in season) in the lagoon before arriving at colonial Swakopmund. (BL)

Day 12,BRANDBERG

Drive to Brandberg Mountain where we take a walk in search of ancient rock paintings. (BLD)

Day 13 to Day 15,RHINO TRACKING AND HIMBA VILLAGE

We head to the desert area of Damaraland. We spend one day tracking rhino and searching for other wildlife, and another day is spent visiting a Himba village. The Himba arrived in Namibia as late as the 1920s and continued their almost stone-age existence in the far northern regions until late into the 20th century. Today many of them still follow traditional customs and adhere to traditional forms of dress. (BLD)

Day 16 to Day 17,ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Drive to Etosha, Namibia's premier National Park. We spend our time here on game drives, visiting some of the waterholes in the area hoping to catch some of Etosha's big game including elephants, lions, cheetahs and various species of antelopes. We visit most areas of the park, to give ourselves the best chance of seeing different game species. (BLD)

Day 18,RUNDU

We head to Rundu, at the western end of the Caprivi Strip and on the south banks of the Okavango River. Set up camp and explore the town. (BLD)

Day 19 to Day 20,NORTHERN OKAVANGO DELTA

We head into the northern part of the Okavango Delta. This part of Namibia is very different from the rest and instead of arid landscape we find ourselves among lush vegetation and numerous waterways. Our time here is spent on game walks and mokoro (dug-out canoe) trips in search of the amazing diversity of wildlife that live here. (BLD)

Day 21,CAPRIVI STRIP

Today we depart the Delta to our camp on the Caprivi Strip which forms the border between Angola and Namibia. (BLD)

Day 22,VICTORIA FALLS

Cross the border into Zimbabwe and on to Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Free time to visit the falls. (BL)

Day 23,VICTORIA FALLS

Tour ends. (B)

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Last updated: 25th September 2009