NAMIBIA + BOTSWANA + ZIMBABWE +ZAMBIA

Dates: April 28 to May 11, 2024

Duration: 14 days / 13 nights

Number of participants: 6 – 12

EXPEDITION FINISHED

All inclusive except:

• international flights to Windhoek and back from Victoria Falls
• medical insurance
• visas to Namibia (not required for Russian citizens)
• visas to Botswana (not required for Russian citizens)
• common KAZA visa to Zimbabwe and Zambia, issued at the border (USD 50)
• meals not specified in the program

Estimated cost of flights:

– Moscow – Windhoek: $900 USD (purchased independently, we provide ticket purchase assistance).
– Cairo – Windhoek: $550 USD (purchased independently, we provide ticket purchase assistance).
– Victoria Falls - Moscow: $800 USD (purchased independently, we provide ticket purchase assistance).
– Johannesburg – Istanbul: $450 USD (purchased independently, we provide ticket purchase assistance).
– Victoria Falls - Johannesburg: $315 USD (to be purchased independently, we provide ticket purchase assistance).
Single Room Supplement: $580 USD (single room accommodation throughout the entire itinerary).



TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to NAMIBIA, BOTSWANA, ZIMBABWE,ZAMBIA TOUR TO SOUTH AFRI
Day 1: April 28, 2024, Sunday. Windhoek
In the second half of the day, arrival at the international airport Hosea Kutako (WDH) in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Meet with a guide and transfer to the hotel. Rest or free time, when you can explore the city.
Dinner at a restaurant where we will taste local cuisine, including ostrich steaks, zebra, or antelope (optional).

Recommended flights:

- Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, departing from Moscow on April 27 at 22:00, arriving in Windhoek on April 28 at 13:20,
- South African Airways via Johannesburg, departing from Cairo on April 28 at 00:10, arriving in Windhoek on April 28 at 11:00,
- Any other flight arriving in Windhoek in the second half of the day on April 28.

Accommodation: Ti Melen Boutique Guesthouse
Meals: Not included


Day 2: April 29, 2024, Monday. Windhoek – Namib Desert (5.5 hours drive)

After breakfast, we embark on a self-drive adventure through Namibia in rented Toyota Hilux off-road vehicles (4 people per car). Driving through this sparsely populated country is a great pleasure. It's common to go hours without encountering another vehicle, but you'll be surrounded by lots of wild animals. After four hours on the road, we find ourselves in the midst of the oldest desert on Earth, the Namib Desert. Stretching two thousand kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean coast and lending its name to the country Namibia, the desert got its name for its vast size. In one of the local languages, Nama, "Namib" translates to "extended area." Here we'll see the Sesriem Canyon, experience our first encounter with the red dunes, and catch the sunset on the top of the famous Dune 45. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Accommodation: Le Mirage Desert Lodge & Spa
Meals: Breakfast and dinner


Day 3: April 30, 2024, Tuesday. Sossusvlei – Dead Valley – Sesriem Canyon (1.5 hours drive)

Before sunrise, we head to Sossusvlei, a clay plateau surrounded by the world's tallest red sand dunes. We'll meet the surreal sunrise over Dead Valley – a white, petrified plateau with 800-year-old black tree skeletons. We'll watch how the colors of the sand hills change with the sunlight, capturing breathtaking photographs. After a stroll through the 300-meter dunes, we'll have breakfast amidst the surrounding landscape. Next, we'll explore the Sesriem Canyon. Formed by centuries of wind and water erosion, this canyon is a kilometer-long gorge with depths of up to 40 meters. We then transfer to Desert Grace, where we will spend the night right in the heart of the desert.

Accommodation: Desert Grace
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner


Day 4: May 1, 2024, Wednesday. Dune Star Camp – Solitaire – Quad Biking in the Dunes – Swakopmund (4 hours drive)

After breakfast, we head towards the town of Swakopmund (approximately 4.5 hours), with a stop in Solitaire. Here, we'll explore a stylish gas station featuring numerous old cars. After that, we have an hour-long quad biking excursion through the dunes.

In the evening, we'll have time to stroll through Swakopmund and dine at one of the numerous restaurants known for serving the freshest seafood.

Accommodation: Beach Hotel Swakopmund
Meals: Breakfast


Day 5: May 2, 2024, Thursday. Swakopmund – Sea Cruise to Walvis Bay – Dune Safari in Sandwich Harbor – Swakopmund

Today, we have a sea journey along the Atlantic. From the ship, we'll observe seals, dolphins, pelicans, and if we're fortunate, whales, orcas, or even turtles. After that, we'll go on a dune safari to Sandwich Harbor, where colossal sand dunes meet the ocean. Accompanied by professional drivers in well-equipped vehicles who are familiar with the local landscape and skillfully handle driving on the sand.

In the evening, we'll return to our hotel in Swakopmund.

Accommodation: Beach Hotel Swakopmund
Meals: Breakfast


Day 6: May 3, 2024, Friday. Swakopmund – Cape Cross – Spitzkoppe – Himba Tribe – Hohenstein Lodge (4.5 hours drive)

After breakfast, we will visit Cape Cross, home to the largest seal colony. Then we'll go to Spitzkoppe, where we'll walk around the famous arch and visit a Himba village to learn about their way of life.

The Himba people, along with the Herero, migrated to Namibia from East Africa several hundred years ago. About 150 years ago, the Herero separated from the Himba and moved further south. The Himba are involved in the breeding of cattle, goats, and sheep. Elaborate hairstyles, created with ochre and animal fat, distinguish women based on age, thereby indicating their social status. The Himba have preserved their traditional beliefs, including ancestor worship and rituals related to the sacred fire (okoruvo), considered a crucial link between the world of the living and the afterlife. The sacred fire is maintained as long as the tribe's leader is alive. When he dies, his house is destroyed, and the fire is extinguished.

By evening, we'll transfer to lodge for the night.

Accommodation: Hohenstein Lodge
Meals: Breakfast and dinner


Day 7: May 4, 2024, Saturday. Hohenstein Lodge – San Bushmen Tribe – Etosha National Park (5 hours drive)

After breakfast, we will get to know the culture of the San tribe, known for their unique survival skills in the Kalahari Desert. We'll visit a Bushmen camp and take a walk with them, learning firsthand about the secrets of the ancient hunter-gatherer culture. It is believed that the San can find water where no one else can.

The Bushmen, pushed by other tribes into the harshest conditions of the Kalahari, managed to survive in this challenging environment. Some anthropologists consider the Kalahari region to be one of the recognized cradles of humankind, with the San being among the first people on the planet. The emotional speech of the San, which includes clicking and popping sounds in addition to familiar sounds, has an indelible impression. It's also remarkable that the Bushmen, residing in the southern part of the African continent, have many Mongoloid features, including epicanthic folds. Their example confirms that not all mysteries of history can be unraveled.

We'll then transfer to Eagle Tented Lodge accommodation in Etosha National Park.

Accommodation: Eagle Tented Lodge
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Day 8: May 5, 2024, Sunday. Etosha National Park (6 hours drive, plus time for park exploration)

Early in the morning, we embark on a safari through Etosha National Park, showcasing the diverse wildlife of Namibia. The park is home to 114 mammal species, including oryx, wildebeest, springbok, dik-dik, impala, zebra, black rhinoceros, elephant, giraffe, and numerous predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena. Additionally, there are 340 bird species, including ostrich, pink flamingo, pelican, marabou stork, secretary bird, and various birds of prey, as well as 50 snake species. We will spend the entire day observing the wildlife.

Situated on the northwest edge of the Kalahari, covering the Etosha salt pan and surrounding savannah, Etosha National Park features sparse vegetation, providing excellent visibility for wildlife observation. And in one day of safari, you can capture numerous remarkable moments.

In the evening, we'll check into another lodge in a different part of the park and have dinner.

Accommodation: Mushara Bush Lodge
Meals: Breakfast and dinner


Day 9: May 6, 2024, Monday. Etosha – Hoba Meteorite – Shametu River Lodge (5 hours drive)

In the morning, we go on another safari to catch sight of any wildlife we may have missed the previous day. In the second half of the day, we head east, making a stop along the way to visit the Hoba Meteorite – the largest meteorite found on Earth, estimated to be 80,000 years old. Discovered by a German scientist in 1920, this large iron chunk, comprising 81% nickel, is strangely square in shape. The crater around it is not very large, likely due to the rocky soil.
Our journey (4 hours on the road) takes us along the tropical Caprivi Strip, a narrow elongated piece of Namibian territory stretching 450 km from the northeastern tip of the country eastward to the Zambezi River. Its width ranges from 32 to 105 km. This area constitutes an exceptionally flat mountain valley located on the marshy northern fringes of the Kalahari at an altitude of about 950 meters above sea level. To the east, the valley is bounded by the Zambezi River, beyond which lies Zambia. To the south and southwest, it is partially bounded by the Chobe River, beyond which is Botswana. To the north, it borders Angola, and to the west, it is intersected by the Okavango River, towards which we are heading.
Here, you can observe entire families of hippos, listen to the singing of birds, and marvel at stunning sunrises and sunsets over the river.
The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta on the planet, with no outlet to the world's oceans. Essentially, it is a river that mysteriously disappears into the sands of the Kalahari. The delta resembles a vast labyrinth of lagoons, channels, and islands. The Okavango has not only been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. It is an incredibly rich ecosystem, featuring the complete "Big Five" of Africa.

Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Accommodation: Shametu River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Day 10: May 7, 2024, Tuesday. Caprivi Strip – Bwabwata National Park - Okavango Delta (3.5 hours drive)

After breakfast, we drive along the road that is an adventure in itself, providing immense pleasure. Continuing along the Caprivi Strip, we'll go on a safari in Bwabwata National Park.
Bwabwata National Park is located in the northwest part of Namibia and is one of the largest national parks in Africa. It is renowned for its exceptional wildlife, including lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and a variety of bird species. The park is also famous for its picturesque landscapes, featuring salt pans, rivers, and sand dunes. Bwabwata is a popular destination for safaris and ecotourism, offering visitors the opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat.
At sunset we will take a picturesque boat trip along the Okavango River.

Accommodation: Shametu River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast and dinner


Day 11: May 8, 2024, Wednesday. Caprivi Strip – Kasane (Botswana) - Chobe National Park (6 hours drive)

After breakfast we will go to Botswana and will be in Kasana in the afternoon. On this day, we return the vehicles, and for the next days, we will travel via organized transfers.
In the evening, we embark on a two to three-hour river safari on the Chobe River. In this incredibly beautiful environment, you can observe a vast array of animals, including buffalo and elephants. The river safari on the Chobe is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant safaris in the world.

Accommodation: Tlou Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast and dinner


Day 12: May 9, 2024, Thursday. Victoria Falls from the Zambian Side – Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

In the morning after breakfast, we cross the border into Zambia to admire the beauty of Victoria Falls from the Zambian side. Victoria Falls is considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Scottish explorer David Livingstone, the first European to discover the falls in the mid-19th century and who named them after Queen Victoria, described it as follows: "No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes, but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight."

From the territory of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (literally "The Smoke That Thunders"), the waterfall reveals itself in all its glory. We then head towards Zimbabwe, go through customs, drive through Zambezi National Park into Zimbabwean Victoria Falls, and check into the hotel.

Accommodation: The Shrub Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast


Day 13: May 10, 2024, Friday. Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe Side and Rafting on the Zambezi River

After breakfast, we have the option to go rafting on the Zambezi River (for an additional fee), considered one of the top two rafting experiences in the world. Although wild animals are present along the banks, we may not have time to observe them closely. Rafting on the Zambezi involves navigating some Class V rapids, and with the high water levels during this period, it's possible that, for safety reasons, rafting might be replaced with a canoe trip on the Zambezi in two-seater canoes. This adventure will be a memorable experience!

Those interested can take an impressive microlight flight over the waterfall, and from the border bridge between Zimbabwe and Zambia, at a height of 111 meters, take a leap with a bungee jump. For those who enjoy such jumps, there's the option to do a series of two bungee jumps and a swing, as well as fly over the Zambezi on a zip line.

In the evening, we can take a walk through the town and visit the authentic souvenir shops. We'll have dinner at one of the restaurants that serve delicious crocodile meat.

Accommodation: The Shrub Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast


Day 14: May 11, 2024, Saturday. Victoria Falls – Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport and departure home in the afternoon with a layover in Johannesburg.

Recommended flights:
- Airlink: Departure from Victoria Falls on May 11 at 14:00, arrival in Johannesburg at 15:40. Then Emirates: Departure from Johannesburg on May 11 at 19:10, arrival in Moscow on May 12 at 14:25 with a layover in Dubai
- CemAir: Departure from Victoria Falls on May 11 at 13:55, arrival in Johannesburg at 15:30. Then Turkish Airlines: Departure from Johannesburg on May 11 at 18:45, arrival in Istanbul on May 12 at 05:00.
- Any other flight departing from Victoria Falls on May 11 at any time and connecting with a flight from Johannesburg after 18:30.

Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Breakfast

*Hotels, lodges, and campsites in the program may be replaced with similar ones depending on their availability.

TOUR TO NAMIBIA BOTSWANA ZIMBABWE
Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Best season: May - October


Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe and Zambia sides is one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the planet and the New Wonder of the World

Primeval lessons of survival in Kalahari Desert from San Bushmen people, who are considered to be the first modern humans on the planet. Participation in San's their healing dances

World's highest red sand dunes, more than 380 meters height in Namib desert, and the Dead Valley (Dead Vlei)

Rafting on Zambezi river, one of the best in the world

Bungee jump from 111 meters near Victoria Falls or flying on a hang glider over the waterfall

Overwhelming jeeping along the dunes of the Namib Desert

Safaris in National parks and the opportunity to meet the whole African Big Five

Safari on Chobe river – one of the best river safari in the world

Himba Ethnic Village

We will drive through the Kalahari, Okavango, Namib and Spitzkoppe.

Huge Atlantic oysters with champagne at a local restaurant "swaying" on the ocean waves.