The guided, 24 days Northern Experience Tour takes you from the beautiful city of Cape Town in South Africa via Namibia and Botswana to the magnificent Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Accommodation is in or near National Parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. Accommodation options have a private bathroom with a shower and toilet, while others have shared ablutions available. Some properties have swimming pools and bar areas.

Tour itinerary: The Northern Experience Tour (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe)

Day 1: Cape Town, South Africa

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by a representative who will transfer you to your hotel. You have the remainder of the day at leisure to acclimatize and relax at the hotel facilities.

**Please be aware that the Cape Town portion of this tour does not include a guide. Your guide will join you starting from day 4. However a local Cape Town guide is included on the Cape Town activities.

Day 2: Cape Town, South Africa

This morning you will be collected and taken on an orientation tour of the city. You will see the Company Gardens, Greenmarket Square, the SA Museum and Bo-Kaap. The afternoon can be spent at leisure. We suggest a visit to the V&A Waterfront, situated in the heart of Cape Town’s working harbour, offering an abundance of indoor shopping and entertainment.

Day 3: Cape Town, South Africa

Today we explore the Cape Peninsula. Travelling along the Atlantic Seaboard via Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, we stop at Maiden Cove look-out point before continuing to Hout Bay. Here you have the option to take a boat trip to Seal Island (seasonal and not included in the cost). We carry on over Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most breath-taking coastal drives, to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve. In the afternoon we travel on to Simon’s Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture, a naval base and a large penguin colony at the beautiful Boulders Beach. Kindly note the reserve entrance fee at Boulders Beach carries an additional cost..

Day 4: Windhoek, Namibia

After a hearty meal, you will be transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Windhoek (not included & quoted seperatley). On arrival at Windhoek Airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation, Avani Windhoek Hotel. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of your group at the lodge at 18h00 for your pre-departure meeting.

Day 5 & 6: Sossusvlei, Namibia

Moving south we make our way towards the Namib Naukluft National Park and our accommodation for the next two nights, Agama Lodge. The park contains what is considered to be the oldest desert in the world. The next morning we need to wake up early to visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. These dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake). We also stop to view the Sesriem Canyon, which was carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River.

Day 7 & 8: Namib Naukluft National Park to Swakopmund, Namibia

The day is spent driving through the Namib Naukluft National Park on our way to Swakopmund. The Namib-Naukluft Desert is an ancient land with an ageless spirit. It is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world. Sightings of the unique fauna and flora are a must on a Namibian safari. The animals of this harsh landscape include the oryx, springbok and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. En-route we make a stop in the small town of Walvis Bay where you may spot a variety of birds including flamingo’s in the lagoon. We arrive at the charming coastal town of Swakopmund in the afternoon where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

The following day you will have the opportunity to partake in optional activities or alternatively just soak up the atmosphere of this little quaint German town and enjoy its beauty and beaches.

Day 9: Swakopmund to Etosha National Park, Namibia

Leaving the cold Atlantic coastline behind us, we continue our journey towards Namibia’s best-known highlight of the north – Etosha National Park. The first night is spent at our lodge neighbouring the park, situated on an outcrop of dolomite rocks and overlooking a forest of Mopane and white Seringa trees. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the pool, or take a leisurely stroll through the natural bush and gardens. Optional game drives are also available.

Day 10 & 11: Etosha National Park, Namibia

After breakfast we enter the Etosha National Park via the Andersson gate, named after Karl Johan Andersson, one of the first European explorers to come across the Etosha pan, which means “Great White Place” in the Ndonga dialect of the Ovambo tribe. We fill the next two days with game drives in the hopes of spotting lion, leopard, elephant and rhino as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra and the numerous types of antelope the park has to offer. Our nights are spent at the flood-lit waterholes or viewpoints encountering the park’s various nocturnal animals that come to drink. Etosha 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.

Day 12: Etosha to Okavango River, Namibia

Departing from Etosha we drive further north to the town of Rundu. Here we visit the Mbunza Living Museum, a traditional cultural school and communal business for the local Kavango people who make a living from fishing, tending cattle and cultivating crops. After this cultural interaction, we make our way Kaisosi River Lodge on the banks of the Okavango River. We will arrive in the late afternoon to relax by the pool with a sundowner listening to the sounds of Mother Nature.

Day 13: Caprivi Region, Namibia

This morning we travel eastwards onto our camp in the western Caprivi region, Nunda River Lodge. Before departure however, there will be time for optional activities such as an early morning boat cruise at the lodge. Continue to your lodge situated on the banks of the Okavango River. In the late afternoon you will enjoy a sunset cruise to Popa Falls.

Day 14: Mahangu National Park, Namibia

In the morning we drive to Mahangu, meaning ‘food of the local people’, which is situated next to the Okavango River. Enjoy a morning game drive in the Greater Bwabwata National Park, which extends from the Kavango River in the west to the Kwando River in the east and incorporates the Mahangu Game Reserve. Elephant, roan, kudu and buffalo are amongst the animals likely to be seen as well as prolific birdlife. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 15: Maun, Botswana

We leave the Caprivi and travel south to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve. The name Maun is derived from the San word “maung”, which means “the place of short reeds”. The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, either relaxing next to the pool at the lodge or if you are keen for some excitement, why not book a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.

Day 16: Maun to Greater Moremi, Botswana

After breakfast we will be picked up by our local Botswana guides and take a short drive to the mokoro station. From here, we will float in these traditional dug-out canoes through the thick vegetation of the Okavango Delta discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without ever reaching the coast. After this spectacular excursion, we make our way to Mankwe Tented Retreat, which is situated in the Greater Moremi region. Once settled ,we will enjoy dinner and embark on a night game drive in the private concession – a fantastic opportunity to spot some nocturnal animals that are more difficult to encounter during the day.

Day 17: Greater Moremi, Botswana

We have the opportunity to spend the day on game drives. In our open 4x4 vehicle we will explore the Moremi Game Reserve on morning and afternoon game drives hopefully spotting a variety of game that frequent this region. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year you may see different species in different areas. The best time for game viewing is the end of the dry season or spring from August to November. During this season, in order for us to offer the best game viewing possible, extra driving may be required due to the animals migrating closer to the river. In the summer, birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors.

Day 18: Greater Moremi to Nata, Botswana

We leave the bush behind and travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, once a large river fed lake, however the pans are now saline and empty. In the afternoon we visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary, where we get the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view over the Sowa pan, which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans. (Please note a visit to the pans is subject to the road conditions, time constraints and water levels during the dry season as it restricts the number of birds in the area)

Day 19 & 20: Nata to Chobe, Botswana

This morning we head north to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephant found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in a number of optional activities or to relax by the pool. The next day you will get to see the wildlife of the Chobe National Park on a morning game drive, with the hope of spotting big game up close and also the possibility of an encounter with one of the large predators. In the afternoon we go on a cruise on the Chobe River, a truly unforgettable experience and one of the best ways to view the animals as they come down to drink, as well as the spectacular African sunset.

Day 21 & 22: Chobe to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Today, we make our way into Zimbabwe to Robins Camp, situated in the northwest corner of Hwange National Park, the largest national park in Zimbabwe, covering an area of approx. 14 650 km2. Named after a local chief, Hwange is situated in the northwest corner of the country about one hour south of the Victoria Falls. Due to its close proximity to the Falls, Hwange boasts an incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna, and a plethora of African wildlife. There are over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species recorded here. Upon your arrival, you'll have the afternoon at leisure.

The following morning, you will be accompanied by an experienced guide on a game drive where you will discover a variety of animals, including some predators among them. The multifaceted landscape allows you to experience everything that the park has to offer. To end off the day you will get the opportunity to experience a sunset game drive to continue your search for African wildlife.

Day 23: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Continuing our trip, we turn northwards 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”. In the afternoon we have a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, basking in the afterglow of the day. The rest of the day may be spent at leisure or partaking in one of the many optional activities on offer (at own expense).

Day 24: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures.

Tour highlights: The Northern Experience Tour (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe)

• Kaapstadt/ Cape Town: Boulders Beach
• Windhoek: Capital city of Namibia
• Sossusvlei: Visit the world’s highest sand dunes and Sesriem Canyon
• Swakopmund: Charming coastal German town, optional activities available
• Etosha: Full day game drives in national park
• Rundu: Visit local Kavango fishing community
• Caprivi: Sunset cruise to Popa Falls & Game drive in Mahangu Game Reserve
• Okavango Delta: Traditional mokoro excursion
• Moremi Region: Day and night game drives
• Makgadikgadi Pans: Visit to the Nata Bird Sanctuary
• Chobe: Morning game drive in the game-rich national park Afternoon game viewing boat trip on the Chobe River
• Hwange: Full-day game viewing in Hwange National Park
• Victoria Falls: Tour of the Falls Sunset cruise experience on the mighty Zambezi River

Tour information: The Northern Experience Tour (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe)

• Duration: 24 days
• Group Size: Min. 4* / Max. 12 *Guaranteed departures with no minimum pax available
• Type of Safari: Small group lodge safari
• Start: Cape Town, South Africa
• End: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
• Countries visited: SouthAfrica, Namibia,Botswana, Zimbabwe
• Meals: 23 x Breakfast 11 x Lunch 15 x Dinner
• Vehicle: Suitable touring vehicle according to group size. 2x4 vehicle for transfers

DEPARTURE:

The Northern Experience departs from Pullman Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town, South Afirca.

Please note that the daily departure times are a guideline only and are subject to change due to seasonal variations, as well as unforeseen circumstances. The final decision rests with your guide who will advise you at what time you will be departing each day.

On the evening of day 4 in Windhoek, there will be a meeting presented by your guide, at 18h00, at your lodge. It is imperative that all clients attend this meeting so as not to miss out on any critical information. 

Whilst it is our every intention to adhere to the above mentioned itinerary, there may on occasion be a necessity to make alterations in order to make the tour more enjoyable or practical. Therefore please treat the itinerary as a guide only.

TRANSPORT:

Jenman African Safaris uses fully equipped 12-seater safari trucks for the Namibia section of the tour, as they are better suited for the country’s rugged gravel roads. From Maun to Victoria Falls, guests travel in a Mercedes All-Terrain vehicle or other suitable vehicles, all offering comfortable seating, large windows for game viewing, as well as music and PA systems. It is important to note that window seats on our add-on trips cannot be guaranteed if you are on a fully booked trip (max. 12 guests). We endeavor 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. Some game drives may be conducted in open-sided safari vehicles. For transfers between Kasane and Victoria Falls or Hwange and Victoria Falls (or vice versa), 2x4 vehicles may be utilised

TRAVELLING TIMES AND DISTANCES:

All travelling times 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.

ACCOMMODATION:

We make use of mid-range typical African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps with en-suite bathrooms. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools, restaurants and/or bar areas.

MEALS:

Where included most breakfasts and dinners will be enjoyed in the restaurants of the various accommodation establishments. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.

VISAS:

The onus is on the client to organize all visas required to visit South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe 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.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

Please note that 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.

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