19 DAY | South West Safari 19 Day
This tour visits: Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa
Pack your most high-tech camera lens and don your finest khakis – this actionpacked African safari will have you channeling your inner explorer before you
can say, “Lions ahead!”. Marvel at the mighty Namib (the world's oldest desert),
explore awe-inspiring game reserves, mingle with local Kalahari bushmen and
visit Africa's premier natural attraction, Victoria Falls. On this incredible overland
trip, you’ll experience it all – and then some.
ZOKCLC-7
The Bucket List
Mosi Oa Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls)
Spitzkoppe Bushman paintings
More Inclusions
Chobe National Park
18 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 14 dinners
Etosha National Park
16 nights in campsites & 2 nights hostels
Kalahari Bushman walk
Fully equipped safari vehicle
Mokoro/walking safari
2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodated
Okavango Delta excursion
Camping and cooking equipment
Sossusvlei & Dune 45
Awesome Trip Leader + Driver
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Livingstone, Zambia
Welcome to Livingstone, where your grand adventure starts with a visit to the almighty Victoria Falls. If you can, book a few days'
accommodation pre-trip so you can explore more of the Falls on your own watch (and combat any jetlag!). When you're not indulging in a
spot of rafting, canoeing, optional bungee jumping, abseiling and gorge swinging, take advantage of our idyllic campsite surrounded by the
Mosi-o Tunya National Park.
Day 2 - Livingstone to Chobe National Park, Botswana
Moving on from Livingstone, we travel a short distance to Botswana and the town of Kasane, the gateway to Chobe National Park. The Chobe
River, which flows along the northeast border of the park, is a major watering spot for large breeding herds of elephants, giraffe and cape
buffalo. The bird-watching here is also excellent, so prop your binoculars and keep watch for spoonbills, ibis, various species of stork, duck
and other waterfowl flock to the area. We change it up this afternoon with an exciting game-viewing cruise on the Chobe River - a truly
amazing way to see hippo, elephant and sometimes buffalo come to the river to bathe and drink.
Included today:
-Fish eagle boat cruise
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 3 - Chobe National Park to Nata
We leave Kasane and make our way south, hugging the fringes of the dry and dusty Kalahari Desert and stopping at our campsite Elephant
Sands Lodge, located just north of the small town of Nata. Since the camping area is unfenced, wild animals frequently visit the lodge's
waterhole to drink so keep your eyes peeled for elephant, buffalo, zebra and giraffe (and possibly the odd lion and wild dog!). Like the other
beasts of the land, gravitate to the water (in the form of a swimming pool!) and relax and absorb nature's bounty at its best: up close!
Included today:
-Chobe National Park game drive
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 4 - Nata to Maun
Leaving Elephant Sands, we make our way to Maun via Nata keeping our eyes peeled for wildlife which wander freely in these parts. The
gateway to the Okavango Delta, Maun is the fifth largest town in Botswana and is an eclectic mix of modern buildings and native huts.
Although officially still a village, Maun has developed rapidly from a rural frontier town to a community that has distributed along the wide
banks of the Thamalakane River where red lechwe can still be seen grazing next to local donkeys, goats and cattle.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 5 - Maun to Okavango Delta
From our campsite in Maun, we begin our excursion into the Okavango Delta by an open 4x4 truck to the mokoro station, where we'll be
introduced to the local Tswana Polers who will be guiding us on this expedition. We travel by mokoro (dugout canoe) amongst the giant lily
pads, tall grasses and labyrinthine channels in search of hippo, crocodile and a variety of bird to our island tented camp, before exploring the
area on a walking safari. A completely unspoilt area that teems with wildlife, the Okavango is the perfect spot to get amongst nature and
listen to the sounds of the African wilderness at night.
Included today:
-Okavango Delta excursion with mokoro/walking safari
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 6 - Okavango Delta to Maun
Returning to Maun, you have the day to unwind at your leisure. Since Maun's founding in 1915 it has had a reputation as a hard-living, wildwest sort of town built to supply local cattle ranching and hunting operations. Today however, Maun is a thriving tourist hub, which plays
host to a range of interesting cultural activities.
Included today:
-Okavango Delta excursion with mokoro safari
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Optional activities:
-Okavango Delta flight
Day 7 - Maun to Ghanzi
Today we farewell the paradisiacal Okavango Delta and roll onto Ghanzi, which skirts the Kalahari Desert. Here, in this midst of (seemingly)
barren terrain we meet the San Bushman and enjoy a guided bush walk, where we learn about this ancient people's way of life. Later on this
evening, you'll witness the ancient dance rituals of the San Bushman, which on special occasions, could be a healing or trance dance - expect
a truly intense spiritual experience for both participants and visitors alike.
Included today:
-Kalahari Bushman walk
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
Day 8 - Ghanzi to Windhoek, Namibia
Today we leave Botswana behind and travel to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, which is located in a basin between the Khomas Highland,
Auas and Eros Mountains. Windhoek is home to approximately two hundred thousand people, an extremely small capital by global
standards. The city centre is characterised by a proliferation of German-style buildings, a lasting reminder of Namibia's early colonial history
and atmosphere. Take the opportunity to enjoy a night out at one of the local restaurants or visit the famous 'Joe's Beerhouse'.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 9 - Windhoek to Etosha National Park
We make our way north to Etosha National Park, a vast reserve of over 20,000 square kilometres surrounding a central salt depression or
'pan'. The pan is seasonally full of water but specially managed waterholes sustain some 114 mammal and 340 bird species. We spend two
nights here, usually making camp near a floodlit waterhole, where observers frequently see a range of nocturnal visitors (think: elephant,
giraffe, zebra, hyena and even lion!) making it one of the most memorable wildlife encounters in Namibia. We have a short afternoon game
drive upon arrival and a full-day game drive the following day.
Included today:
-Etosha National Park game drive
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 10 - Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is the ultimate definition of the perfect game-viewing destination. Picture this - a barren landscape teeming with neon
flamingos and pelicans and surrounded by nothing but native bush, grasslands, scrubland and saline lakes. Trust us, you'll be in awe of this
magical spot. Today we dive straight into the heart of Etosha National Park and enjoy a full day game drive, keeping our eyes peeled for more
of the local residents.
Included today:
-Etosha National Park game drive
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 11 - Etosha National Park to Spitzkoppe
Today we head south to the beautiful Damaraland region and stop at Spitzkoppe to admire ancient bushman paintings still visible on
peculiar rock formations. The rock formations peak at approximately 2,000 metres above sea level and form a spectacular view, so take your
time to explore the area and enjoy its delightful calmness. Keep an eye on the ever changing colour of the rock, especially during sunrise and
sunset, when they acquire intense red shades.
Included today:
-Spitzkoppe Bushman paintings
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 12 - Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund
Departing the granite-infused Spitzkoppe, we make our way to Swakopmund - a small town redolent of Namibia's colonial past but with
modern adventure oriented attractions for the visitor. Sandwiched neatly between the desert and the ocean, Swakopmund is Namibia's main
seaside resort and is a delightful coastal oasis.
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Sandboarding
-Quad biking
-Skydiving
-Deep sea fishing
-Scenic flights
-Swakopmund township tour
Day 13 - Swakopmund
Take the day to try some adventure desert-based activities - quad biking, sand boarding, or for the real thrillseekers, skydiving (weather
permitting). For those without an iron stomach, enjoy the town's shopping, cafes, restaurants and art galleries - or simply stroll along the
promenade admiring the ocean.
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Sandboarding
-Quad biking
-Skydiving
-Deep sea fishing
-Scenic flights
-Swakopmund township tour
Day 14 - Swakopmund to Solitaire
Continuing south, we cross over the Tropic of Capricorn, stopping for a photo opportunity en route to Solitaire - Namibia's smallest town - for
the night.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 15 - Solitaire to Sesriem Area
Continuing on, we reach the Namib Naukluft Park (aka the world's oldest desert, containing some of the highest sand dunes in the globe).
Traversing into the park, we make a stop at the base of Dune 45 - the perfect spot to clamber to the top of one of the most photographed
sand dunes in the world and marvel at the vastness of the empty desert as the sun starts to set (hello, perfect photo op!). Tonight we rest our
heads at the Sesriem campsite on the outskirts of the national park entrance under the star-filled African sky.
Included today:
-Dune 45 & Sossusvlei shuttle & guided walk
-Sesriem Canyon
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 16 - Sesriem Area to Fish River Canyon
This morning we prepare ourselves for the beautiful site of Fish River Canyon, the world's second largest canyon (behind the Grand Canyon,
of course). Fish River Canyon is one of the natural wonders of Africa, some 500 metres deep and over 160 kilometres long. Again, there are
plenty of opportunities for keen photographers as we spend time around this area and visit the canyon's infamous sharp river bend known
as 'Hell's Corner'. There is nowhere in the world quite like this remarkable spot. Seriously.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 17 - Fish River Canyon to Gariep (Orange) River, South Africa
Leaving the mighty Fish River Canyon we travel south to the border of Namibia/South Africa to the Gariep (Orange) river. Our campsite lies
on the banks of the river on the South African side, where you have the chance to swim, relax and unwind on the water's edge, or embark on
an optional canoeing trip in sight of the abundance of birdlife in the area.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Day 18 - Gariep (Orange) River to Western Cape Citrus Area
We continue south passing through Namaqualand, well known for its prolific display of wildflowers that occur in spring (best seen between
August and September). Pitching our tents at a picturesque campsite nestled near the Olifants River, we have the opportunity to sample
some of the beautiful wines of the region. Bottoms up!
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
Optional activities:
-Wine tasting
Day 19 - Western Cape Citrus Area to Cape Town
Wave goodbye to the scenic Cederberg area and travel south, passing the rich fruit growing area of Citrusdal and the spectacular views, as
we meander down the Piketberg Pass to the Western Cape Province. We continue to cosmopolitan Cape Town, without a doubt one of the
world's most beautiful cities, where are tour ends. If time allows, we recommend you spend a few days exploring the city and surroundings.
Meals:
-Breakfast
Accommodation
Camping
On our Camping trips, you will be staying in easy-to-assemble, two-person dome tents provided by us. Please try to keep the tent clean,
zipped up and remember that no smoking, candles or mosquito coils are permitted in the tent. To keep pests away, we also ask that you not
eat or leave food in your tent. Ain’t nobody got time for bugs.
Please note: You must provide your own sleeping bag on Camping trips.
Accommodated
Sometimes you just need your creature comforts. We totally get it. That’s why our Accommodated trips offer the same level of excitement
and adventure as our Camping trips – except every day ends with a night in a comfortable bed in a range of safari cabins, tented camps and
hostels.
Please note: Trips staying in Spitzkoppe and Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater will not be accommodated and two-person dome tents with a
mattress and sleeping bag will be provided for these locations.
Campsites
Campsites you will stay in vary considerably. The general standard in East Africa is modest, although
most have reasonable toilet and shower facilities. In southern Africa, the standard is usually somewhat higher. Occasionally we may camp
out in the bush (with limited or no facilities).
In addition to meal assistance, there are other odd jobs you will be expected to undertake as part of any trip in Africa. We ask that you get
involved in collecting firewood, lighting fires, filling water tanks, loading luggage, keeping the truck clean and even helping with the dishes.
Lending a hand has never been so much fun, trust us.
Optional Activities
On all trips we have arranged extra activities that we think will enhance your travel experience, but you have a choice as to whether or not
you will participate. These are not included in the cost of your trip. They are usually organised on a group participation basis and should be
taken into consideration when budgeting your spending money.
None of the Optional Activities on your trip are operated by Topdeck, nor do they form part of your contract with Topdeck for your trip.
Topdeck arranges the activity as an agent of the local supplier. Should you participate in any Optional Activities your contract will be with the
local supplier and their conditions will apply.
Please note: while we make every effort to keep these prices as accurate and up-to-date as possible, they are subject to change and in rare
circumstances the actual price may vary slightly to what is published here.
Malawi - Lake Malawi
Horse riding - US$45
Village walk - US$7
Livingstonia day hike - US$10
Botswana - Okavango Delta
Okavango scenic flight - U$470
Bushman traditional dancing -USD$15
Namibia - Swakopmund
Quad biking - US$65
Sandboarding - US$50
Deep sea fishing - US$130
Scenic flight - US$300
Tandem skydive - US$210
Swakopmund township tour - US$40
Kayaking - US$65
South Africa
Orange River canoeing - US$40
Wine tasting - US$10
Meals
Your included meals are detailed in the 'More Inclusions' section of this document. While on the road, you will be
provided with three meals a day unless otherwise stated. African overland trips are participation based, which means
you will be expected to do your bit for the team by helping with purchasing, cooking and cleaning-up duties. In some
places, we will be able to go out for a meal.If you have any dietary requirements we will make every effort to cater to
your specific needs, as long as you advise your travel agent or Topdeck Trip Consultant when you book. Please be
aware that it may not be possible to cater for every single dietary requirement, but we will always try our best to
arrange it.
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