Northern Skies - 15 days

BOTSWANA + NAMIBIA

Your journey starts in Swakopmund. Experience breath-taking sand dunes of the Namib Desert and encounter animated creatures at Cape Cross Seal Colony. Continue to Etosha for wonderful game viewing. Practice your wildlife spotting in the outstanding Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park in Botswana, before ending your safari at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Country(s): Botswana, Namibia
Duration: 2 - 3 weeks
Type: Small Group Lodge Safaris

A small group lodge safari, through Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe starting in Swakopmund and ending in Victoria Falls – 15 Days

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Etosha National Park – The Etosha National Park features several waterholes that provide some of the best game viewing opportunities during the dry season, when the surrounding lands are dry and arid. On your Northern Skies safari, you’ll be able to sit at the edge of these waterholes and view the variety of wildlife that visit the waterhole throughout the day. Game viewing like this is truly incomparable and the opportunity for such makes a visit to the Etosha National Park a must.

Himba Experience – Experience the culture and life of this traditional Namibian tribe.

Okavango Delta – When you take your Botswana safari through the Okavango Delta, you will have the opportunity to explore the natural environment that supports large herds of Elephant, Antelope and Buffalo, as well as Hippopotamus, Giraffe, Crocodile, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Wildebeest, Rhinoceros, Zebra, Baboon and countless others.

Chobe National Park – Chobe National Park is well known for the beautiful Savuti region, a definite highlight on our safari in Botswana. On your Northern Skies safari, you will experience one of many natural phenomena, such as witnessing one of the largest elephant herds in the world, or possibly the annual zebra migration.

Victoria Falls – Victoria Falls has been called “the greatest known curtain of falling water” and it is a truly spectacular site to see. Victoria Falls borders on Zambia and Zimbabwe, and can be viewed from vast distances from both sides. Columns of spray can be felt from miles away as 546 million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge.

ITINERARY

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Swakopmund, a charming town on the Namibian coast set between the expanse of the desert and the vastness of the ocean. For the rest of the day you have the opportunity to experience some of the many optional activities that are on offer. On day 2 the afternoon is spent at leisure to partake in optional activities or alternatively just soak up the atmosphere of this little quaint German town and enjoy its beauty and beaches.

ITINERARY

Leaving the cold Atlantic coastline behind us, we then head inland across the desert plains to Spitzkoppe, an iconic group of curved granite mountains with vivid colours. After a walk amongst the boulders to view the ancient Bushmen paintings and engravings, we continue on to the town of Omaruru where we overnight. In the afternoon we will stop at local distillery and small wine cellar in Omaruru to taste some of its home-grown produce. Once a mission station, the settlement has great historic significance and has evolved into an artistic hub for local crafts and small industries.

ITINERARY

On our journey today we then head off towards Kamanjab where we explore a Himba village in the afternoon. This will be a journey of culture exchange, learning and understanding the ways of the last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba.

ITINERARY

After our cultural experience in Kamanjab, we head to Etosha National Park for three nights. Etosha Game Park was declared a National Park in 1907 and it is home to approx. 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish.

ITINERARY

We fill the next 2 days with game drives in the hopes of spotting lion, leopard, elephant and rhino as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra and the numerous different types of antelope the park has to offer. Our nights are spent at the flood lit waterholes encountering the park’s various nocturnal animals as they come to drink.

ITINERARY

Our journey continues east as we drive along the Caprivi Strip to the town of Rundu. We make our way to Kaisosi River Lodge and spend a relaxing afternoon at our lodge on the banks of the Kavango River. Optional activities are available. Alternatively just relax by the pool with a sundowner listening to the sounds of Mother Nature.

ITINERARY

We leave Namibia for the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The next day is spent exploring the network of water pathways floating through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. We stop at a secluded island to take a 1½ hour guided walk.

ITINERARY

Leaving Botswana, we drive up the western border of the Okavango Delta before crossing back into Namibia and driving through the Caprivi to our camp on the banks of the Kwando River. Enroute to camp we will go on a game drive to the Mahangu National Park which is rich in fauna and flora and wildlife. For bird watchers the Mahangu National Park offers more than 420 different bird species.

ITINERARY

The next morning we head along the Caprivi back to Botswana to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park, the second largest national park in Botswana. You will have the remainder of the day at leisure or to partake in optional activities. The next day, we rise early for a morning game drive in the Chobe National Park. In the afternoon we go on a cruise on the Chobe River.

ITINERARY

Continuing our trip we leave Botswana and drive to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Your guide will take you on a tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya – “the smoke that thunders”. The rest of the day may be spent at leisure or partaking in one of the many activities on offer.

ITINERARY

Our safari ends after breakfast, when you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport.

ACCOMMODATION

We make use of mid-range, standard lodge accommodation on the Northern Skies tour. For detailed information on the accommodation view the full itinerary.

Day 1 & 2: Hotel A La Mer, Swakopmund or similar
Day 3: Omaruru Guesthouse, Eronga Mountains or similar
Day 4: Oppi Koppi Restcamp, Kamanjab or similar
Day 5 & 6: Okaukuejo, Etosha South or similar
Day 7: Namutoni, Etosha North or similar
Day 8: Kaisosi River Lodge, Rundu
Day 9 & 10: Guma Lagoon Camp, Guma Lagoon or similar
Day 11: Camp Kwando, Kwando River or similar
Day 12 & 13: Chobe Safari Lodge, Kasane or similar
Day 14: Shearwater Explorer’s Village, Victoria Falls or similar

THE NORTHERN SKIES SMALL GUIDED GROUP TOUR

INCLUDED

Accommodation in Namibia as per the itinerary
Breakfast daily as well as 10 lunches and 4 dinners
All transport in a fully kitted vehicle
Game drives and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
Experienced local guide

EXCLUDED

Flights
Pre and post-tour accommodation
Optional Activities
All drinks
Personal expenses such as telephone calls, curios and tips
Travel insurance and visas
Park Fees (quoted separately)

PARK FEES & ACTIVITIES

This fee will be payable prior to travel together with the main tour fee. The fee is used to pay for some of the day-to-day operational costs that are incurred while groups are on the road. Examples include fees at most of the national parks, entrance fees to some attractions, local guides and any food markets we visit to stock up on fresh produce during the tour.

Park Fees & Activities: US$ 210 / €175 Per person

pre-tour information

DEPARTURE

The Northern Skies Safari departs from Hotel A La Mer in Swakopmund, Namibia.

TRANSPORT

Jenman African Safaris uses fully equipped Toyota Land Cruisers, Sprinters, 12-seater 4×4 safari vehicles or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, large windows for game viewing, and a music and PA system. We endeavour to ensure that air-conditioning is provided, however, we are unable to guarantee this for vehicles travelling through Namibia. All luggage, besides hand luggage and photo equipment, is carried on the vehicle or trailer roof racks to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle. For transfers between Kasane and Victoria Falls (or vice versa), 2×4 vehicles may be utilised.

TRAVELLING TIMES AND DISTANCES

All travelling times in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe are affected by road conditions, border crossings, detours and weather conditions, therefore on certain days travelling times may be longer than anticipated especially where there is a lot of distance to be covered. Please keep in mind that the time it takes to travel 100 km in your home country is not equivalent to the time it takes to travel 100 km on African roads, therefore we encourage you to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery Africa has to offer. Where possible additional stops will be made to ensure your travelling comfort at all times.

MEALS

Where included most breakfasts and dinners will be enjoyed in the restaurants of the various accommodation establishments, however, on certain nights, the guide will provide an authentic meal for the group, which will be enjoyed together in the evening, often around a campfire. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel and cancellation insurance is mandatory for every guest travelling with Jenman African Safaris. All insurance is solely the responsibility of our guests. Please ensure you arrange your own insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc. Please speak to your travel agent if you require assistance.

VISAS

The onus is on the client to organize all visas required for clients to visit Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia prior to departure. Please note that travellers entering Botswana will be required to present a valid international health certificate of vaccination for yellow fever should they originate from or have travelled through countries which have been declared yellow fever infected areas within the preceding 6 months.

TOUR MAP

Southern Skies