The Southern Experience gives a wonderful insight into the environmental diversity of Southern Africa. You will be amazed at the water-filled Okavango Delta with its lush green surroundings and abundance of wildlife, stunned by the harsh, naked appearance of the Namib Desert and moved by the charming nature of the region's occupants, who create the heartbeat of each area.
Stage highlights: Chobe National Park, Maun, Okavango Delta, Rundu and the Kavango River,
Etosha National Park, Finger Rock, Petrified Forest, Twyfelfontein and Burnt Mountain,
Desert Elephant and Brandberg, Cape Cross Seal Colony, Swakopmund, Namib Naukluft National Park and Kuiseb Canyon, Sesriem and Sossusvlei, Fish River Canyon and Hobas,
Gariep (Orange) River, Cedarberg Mountains
Stage duration: 20 days
Day 1 - Vic Falls to Chobe
A mid morning departure takes you from Livingstone in Zambia by ferry across the Zambezi and onto Botswana (1 hour). The afternoon is spent on a sunset cruise game viewing in a part of Africa’s unspoilt wilderness, Chobe National Park (3:30pm - 7:00pm). Chobe has an abundance of Game whose distinctive calls can be heard throughout the night. LD
Stage highlights: Your first game viewing.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 2 - Western Caprivi, Namibia
Leaving Botswana, we drive through Chobe National Park before crossing over into Namibia and driving through the Caprivi to our camp on the banks of the Kwando River. In the afternoon you will go on a game drive to the famous Horse Shoe area. This is the closest water available to the Caprivi National Park so at times can be one of the best places to see vast herds of Elephants and other game. BLD
Stage highlights: Game drive in the Horse Shoe area.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 3 and 4 - Caprivi to Makwena Lodge River Camp – Okavango Delta, Botswana
We leave our camp on the Caprivi for Etsha, on the western border of the Okavango Delta. From here, 4x4 vehicles and motorboats transfer us to Makwena Camp (1½ hours), where we spend the night. The next 2 days are spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) and speedboat. The Delta is a well-preserved gem of Africa with a vast oasis of crystal clear lake lets, lagoons and palm-fringed islands. On our last evening at Makwena Lodge we feast with a braai (barbeque). BLD, BLD
Stage highlights: Exploring the waterways by mokoro and speedboat.
Stage duration: 2 days
Day 5 - Makwena Camp to N’gepi Camp, Namibia
Leaving Botswana we make our way into Namibia and onto N'gepi camp were we set up camp and relax in the bar overlooking the Okavango River. BLD
Stage highlights: Camp on the banks of the Okavango River.
Stage duration: 1 day
Days 6 - N’gepi Camp to Rundu and the Kavango River, Namibia
Leaving N'gepi Camp we head along the Caprivi to Rundu and onto n'Kwazi River Camp, which is on the bank of the Kavango River over looking Angola. A sunset cruise, horse riding, traditional dancing in the evening are optional or you can just put your feet up and relax on the banks of the river as the sun sets. BL
Stage highlights: Optional activities like a sunset cruise or horse riding round the day of nicely.
Stage duration: 1 day
Days 7, 8 and 9 - Etosha National Park, Namibia
The following morning we head off to Etosha National Park. We fill the next 3 days with game drives, which includes evening game viewing at floodlit waterholes. In the mornings we have the opportunity to take game drive at sunrise. At all three camps, Namutoni, Okaukuejo and Halali you can take a swim in the swimming pool or as the sunsets and late into the night the group can watch animals drink at the floodlit waterhole. BLD,BLD,BLD
Stage highlights: Amazing game viewing and photo oportunities.
Stage duration: 3 days
Day 10 - Finger Rock, Petrified Forest, Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain, Namibia
We leave the wild animals behind at Etosha and move onto the spectacular scenery of Twyfelfontein. On our way we visit the small German town of Outjo where we relax for a coffee break. Finger Rock and the Petrified Forest are next on the itinerary before reaching our final destination for the day at Aba Huab camp just before Twyfelfontein. An evening walk gives high hopes of finding the desert elephants, inhabitants of the area. BLD
Stage highlights: Bushman art and maybe a glimpse of the desert elephant.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 11 - Desert Elephants and Brandberg (White Lady), Namibia
After an early breakfast we set off again in search of Desert Elephants. With the help of the local Damara people we have a good chance of finding them as they have extensive knowledge of their movements. We visit the ancient bushman’s artwork carved and painted into the Twyfelfontein Mountain and, later that afternoon, the famous “White Lady” rock painting in Brandberg. BLD
Stage highlights: Desert Elephant and Bushman art.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 12 - Cape Cross Seal Colony and Skeleton Coast, Namibia
We move westwards across the flat desert plains to reach the cold Atlantic coastline. As we follow the Skeleton Coast on our way to Swakopmund we visit Africa’s largest seal colony at Cape Cross where zoom lenses and binoculars will definitely not be needed. BL
Stage highlights: The harsh beauty of the Skeleton Cosast with it's seal colony in the middle of nowhere is a sight to behold.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 13 - Swakopmund, Namibia
We have the opportunity to explore this quaint German town by day and night There are a number of activities to enjoy here; sand boarding, quad biking, skydiving and even fishing. You may even dare to brave the icy sea. BL
Stage highlights: Day of leisure with heaps of optional excursions available.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 14 - Namib Naukluft National Park and Kuiseb Canyon to SESRIEM, Namibia
Today is spent exploring the barren, arid, and sometimes rocky landscape of the Namib Naukluft National park. Once we reach Sesriem we camp in wide-open space under the countless stars. BLD
Stage highlights: Namib Naukluft National Park.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 15 - Sesriem & Sossusvlei, Namibia
We visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei. At sunrise these red sand dunes, which can reach heights of over 300m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck there may even be water in the vlei (lake). BLD
Stage highlights: The highest dunes in the world are spectacular and offer great photo opportunities.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 16 - Fish River Canyon and Hobas, Namibia
After a long drive we arrive at the Fish River Canyon and set up camp at Hobas. Later in the evening we take in another perfect African sunset with the magnificent views and scenery along the edge of the Canyon. BLD
Stage highlights: Sundowners on the edge of the second biggest canyon in the world with great views.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 17 - The Orange River, Namibia
We leave Hobas in the morning for Ai-Ais hot springs where we go for a swim and have lunch before departing for our camp on the banks of the Orange River, which makes up the South African – Namibian boundary. Here you can relax in the water that has supplied the region with its famous diamonds. BLD
Stage highlights: The Orange River is a welcome change to the arid southern region of Namibia.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 18 - Canoeing on the Orange River, Namibia
The only traveling today is done in a canoe. Put your feet up and relax as the currents take you downstream – mind the rapids though! BLD
Stage highlights: The serenity of the Orange River while paddling along relaxes the soul.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 19 - West Coast of South Africa and the Namaqualand Flowers, South Africa
We cross the border into South Africa and make our way down the coast. If you are traveling in spring you will see the spectacular carpets of wildflowers of the famous Namaqualand region. Before you know it we reach the Citrusdal Hot Springs where we spend the evening relaxing in the natural hot water and remember the days gone by. BLD
Stage highlights: The Namaqualand Wild Flowers and the hot bath at Citrusdal will make your day.
Stage duration: 1 day
Day 20 - Cedarberg Mountains / Cape Town, South Africa
A day drive through the mountains takes us to our final destination, Cape Town; we stop at the beach on the Atlantic Ocean to view Table Mountain across the Bay. BL
Stage highlights: The drive through the beautiful Cederberg Mountains.
Stage duration: 1 day
Cost includes:- Itinerary as specified. Fully equipped safari vehicle, services of tour guide/driver, all accommodation, all camp meals, all camping and catering equipment and National Park entrance fees.
Cost Excludes:- Any optional excursions, alcoholic beverages.
Departure dates:- 06/11/2003, 04/12/2003, 15/01/2004, 15/02/2004, 19/02/2004, 14/03/2004
Baggage Limits:- One backpack and one daypack
Age Limits:- Minimum Age:- 16 Maximum Age:- 55
Passenger Limit:- 10
What to bring along:- A full list of items will be issued on receipt and confirmation of your reservation. We suggest you travel light. Please pack warm clothes for the winter months of June to September. Further items should include a torch, water bottle, spare film and camera batteries, binoculars, suntan lotion, comfortable walking shoes and any prescription medication.
Price:- The cost of the The Southern Experience is EUR 1450.00
Local Payment:- DeLuxe US$1760.00
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