Cape to Vic Grand Explorer 21 days
Cape to Vic Grand Explorer 21 days
Price from: €2445
Single supplement €590
Local Payment: R1900
Highlights: Fish River Canyon – walking, Namib Desert – Sossusvlei dunes, Swakopmund – dune boarding and quad biking, Twyfelfontein – rock engravings, Etosha NP – game drives, Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion, Victoria Falls – white water rafting
Tour Summary: An epic small group cabin accommodated journey through Namibia, Botswana and Zambia covering Fish River Canyon, the wildlife in Etosha Pan National Park, the Okavango Delta, Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert and the amazing Victoria Falls
Itinerary
Day 1 CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, with the majestic Table Mountain providing its central focus. After a tour briefing at 8:00am, we visit the African Penguin colony en route to Cape Point Nature Reserve, and spend the rest of the day relaxing on Hout Bay beach. We sample some of Cape Town’s culinary wonders at a local restaurant in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (own expense). [Lodge - - -]
[B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]
Day 2 CEDARBERG
The Cedarberg is a massive rock wilderness whose giant sandstone boulders have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes. We head north to the Cedarberg and explore the rugged landscape on foot before relaxing in chalets for the evening.
[chalet BLD]
Day 3 GARIEP RIVER
We make our way into the more arid regions and entering Namibia, we stay at a lodge on the Gariep River. Namibia's southern border river flows quietly and peacefully and the river valley is hardly affected by tourism. The riverbed is sandy, the water clean and clear. Time free for swimming and relaxing or you can adventure down the river in canoes (own expense). [Chalet BLD]
Day 4 FISH RIVER CANYON
The Fish River Canyon, situated along the lower reaches of the Fish River, is one of the most impressive natural beauties in the southern part of Namibia. With its depth of up to 550 metres, the Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world. We make our way to the canyon and in the afternoon we watch as a spectacular sunset slips over the canyon’s rim. [Lodge BL-] 
Day 5 - 6 NAMIB DESERT
The parched Namib Desert has endless orange dunes blown into sharp ridges by the sand-shifting wind and at Sossusvlei they form a gateway into the Namib Desert. We will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and watch dramatic sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes. [Lodge BLD]
Day 7 – 8 SWAKOPMUND
Swakopmund is a popular seaside resort with a slightly 
nostalgic atmosphere, characterized by numerous colonial buildings. In terms of flora, both the Welwitschias Mirabilis and the Kokerboom are exclusive to Namibia. These strange plants only grow on the stony plains of the north Namib and many beautiful specimens surround the coastal town. Swakopmund is also the adventure activity capital of Namibia. Day free to explore the town or try quad biking / dune boarding (own expense). [Lodge BL-]
Day 9 DAMARALAND
Namibia is a land of great contrasts and Damaraland demonstrates this with stark plains, petrified forests and ancient valleys leading to rocky outcrops and the soaring peaks of the Brandberg Massive Mountains. [Chalet BLD]
Day 10, 11, 12 ETOSHA NP
Once a vast lake fed by the Kunene River, the pan that is Etosha NP dried up thousands of years ago when the river waters chose a new course. Etosha is big game country. We take game drives around the huge pan to find the elephants, herds of antelope and lions around the waterholes before we stay in chalets at Okaukuejo with its flood-lit waterhole. [Tented lodge or chalets BLD]
Day 13 WINDHOEK
This pretty town, beautifully situated in a valley, combines the architecture of a modern city with numerous buildings in the style of the German colonial era. The charm of the City of Windhoek lies in its harmonious blend of African and 
European cultures and the friendliness of its people. We visit the cosmopolitan capital and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense). [Guest House BL-]
Cape to Namibia clients end tour +/-08:00am on morning of day 14, [B--]
Day 14 KALAHARI
Crossing into Botswana we overnight in rustic, grass huts in the heart of the Kalahari. The sand masses were created by the erosion of soft stone formations. The wind shaped the sand ridges, which are so typical of the landscape in the Kalahari. We take a walk with the local Bushmen to learn fascinating bush skills (Local guide may not be San due to nomadic lifestyle of San Bushmen) [Bushmen Huts BLD]
Day 15, 16, 17 OKAVANGO DELTA
The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world, instead of flowing into the sea, the annual flood of fresh water flows inland, spreading over 15000km of the Kalahari sand in a maze of lagoons and channels, a vast aquatic wetland amid equally vast areas of aridity. We journey deep into the Okavango Delta on Makoro (dugouts). We have 2 nights at our tented camp, where we sit around the camp fire and fall asleep listening to the nocturnal sounds of the African bush. We also enjoy game walks, swimming, the birdlife and game in this pristine wilderness area. We return to Maun late in the afternoon on day 17 for an evening at the lodge and a hot shower and restaurant meal.
For the two nights spent in the Okavango Delta 
you stay in a pre-erected tented camp. The facilities are very basic but you will be provided with a simple bucket shower and a toilet (of the “sand and bury” variety). All water, equipment and provisions need to be taken with us and all rubbish taken out again. All camping equipment is supplied including a sleeping bag and pillow. The tents used are dome tents with built-in 
insect nets. Mattresses are supplied and are about 5cm think.
Please note: Out local guides are wildlife experts and it is important to pay close attention to their requests in terms of safety. The delta is an exciting place to explore, but it needs to be understood and respected, and following their advice is paramount.
[tented camp x2 BLD] [lodge x1 BL-]
Day 18 MAKGADIKGADI PANS
Feel the vastness of Africa. The shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi are the size of Switzerland and most of the time appear as a glaring, white, endless plain. When the rain comes a dramatic change takes place as the pans come to life with frantically feeding water birds and great herds of zebra, wildebeest and springbok. [Tented Lodge or Chalets BL-]
Day 19, 20, 21 ZAMBIA / VICTORIA FALLS
Magnificent Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. David Livingstone ‘discovered’ the falls in 1885 and named them after his Queen. The scene he encountered was a mile-wide (1.6 km) sheer basalt fault line over which the mighty Zambezi tumbled to a depth of 300 feet (100m), creating a cloud of spray, which can be seen up to 20 miles away. The falls are also the centre of a wide range of activities, including white water rafting on mighty Zambezi, elephant back rides, scenic flights or a 111m Bungi Jump (own expense). Tour ends. [Chalets Bx3 - -]
PRE & POST TOUR ACCOMMODATION:
Due to the early departure time of this safari we recommend that you stay in Cape Town the night before safari. Please indicate if you require assistance with airport transfers and hotel reservations in the vacation planner when prompted.
Included
18 nights cabin / hotels / chalets and 2 nights serviced tented camping
Entrance fees
Use of camping equipment (including sleeping bags in the Delta)
Professional guide
Okavango Delta mokoro excursion
Transport in minibus / safari truck & 4WD
Vehicle - for longer distance travel, place to place, we use custom-built safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats. Your comfort is catered for with individual seats (with safety belts), ample legroom and large vertical sliding windows for unobstructed viewing and photography.
There are roof hatches for excellent "open" views and an integral cab and passenger compartment so contact with the driver is easy. Each truck also have large packing compartments, a built in kitchen, freezers, drinking water tanks, interior lights and gas stoves (to minimise use of wood and destruction of forest areas). There is also a pullout set of steps into the passenger compartment, making access for clients easier.
or Toyota Hiace minibuses with 10 forward facing seats (roof rack and trailer for equipment and baggage); or Mercedes Sprinter minibuses with 16 forward facing seats (and trailer for equipment and baggage). There are a couple of long days of travelling but the vehicles have a comfortable cruising speed.
For the national parks of Botswana we use custom built 4WDs, with individual "bucket" seats, with trailers for the equipment. Game viewing from an “open” vehicle is the best way to go for Botswana – small groups in Land Rovers and Land Cruisers have the best wildlife sightings!
We are pleased to announce the introduction of its new Land Cruiser 4WD open game viewing vehicles in Botswana (July2008). These custom built game viewing vehicles are the first of their kind in Botswana. Each new vehicle has a built in “roll cage” that conforms to the latest safety standards of South Africa, and each individual bucket seat has a lap belt. The vehicles are constructed by a registered coach builder and ensure structural integrity of the passenger cabin in the unlikely event of a roll.
Meals as per itinerary
We pride ourselves on giving very good healthy meals to our clients and will provide three meals per day, except where shown in the itinerary, where we try out local restaurants.
The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: Breakfast - cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast, Lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls, Dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided.
We do cater for special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies.)
We will supply fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner
Excluded
All other beverages will be for your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour
Namibia:
Quad biking $55, Dune boarding $30, Flight 1½ hour desert $70, Flight 2½ hour Sossusvlei $110, Flight 3 hours Skeleton coast $125, Deep sea fishing, ski boat 5 hours $55, Sky diving tandem $160, Sky diving static $80, Ballooning Sossusvlei 2 hours $200.
Botswana:
Flight over Okavango 45min $100-120 (subject to the number of people sharing the aircraft).
Zambia / Zimbabwe:
Game drives (2 hours) $35, Horse riding (2-3 hours) $50-70, Flight – fixed wing $55, Flight – helicopter $85-170, Flight – micro light $80-140, Rafting ½ day $95, Rafting full day $95, River boarding $135, Bungi jumping $85, Canoe upper – Zambezi ½ day $75, Canoe upper – Zambezi 1 day $88, Zambezi cruise $35-48, Elephant rides $110, Crocodile farm $12, Snake park $5
Departures
Starts: Cape Town – Finishes: Livingstone
21 Oct 09 – 10 Nov 09
18 Nov 09 – 08 Dec 09
25 Nov 09 – 15 Dec 09
09 Dec 09 – 29 Dec 09
2010
06 Jan 10 – 26 Jan 10
13 Jan 10 – 02 Feb 10
27 Jan 10 – 16 Feb 10
24 Feb 10 – 16 Mar 10
03 Mar 10 – 23 Mar 10
17 Mar 10 – 06 Apr 10
14 Apr 10 – 04 May 10
21 Apr 10 – 11 May 10
05 May 10 – 25 May 10
02 Jun 10 – 22 Jun 10
09 Jun 10 – 29 Jun 10
23 Jun 10 – 13 Jul 10
21 Jul 10 – 10 Aug 10
28 Jul 10 – 17 Aug 10
11 Aug 10 - 31 Aug 10
08 Sep 10 – 28 Sep 10
29 Sep 10 – 19 Oct 10
27 Oct 10 – 16 Nov 10
03 Nov 10 – 23 Nov 10
17 Nov 10 – 07 Dec 10
15 Dec 10 – 04 Jan 11
22 Dec 10 – 11 Jan 11
05 Jan 11 – 25 Jan 11
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