Day 01: Arrive Windhoek (NAMIBIA)

Arrival at Windhoek Airport. We are warmly received and then transferred to our hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening, an orientation meeting is scheduled at 18h00, during which we meet our guide and the other participants.

Overnight: Avani Windhoek Hotel, Windhoek (1 night)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool and bar)

Day 02: Windhoek/Sossusvlei (Drive)

After breakfast at the guesthouse, our African safari vacation begins as we move south towards the Namib Naukluft National Park* where we spend the next two nights. The park contains what is considered to be the oldest desert in the world. Balance of the day is free.

Overnight: Agama River Camp, Sossusvlei (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

Day 03: Sossusvlei

An early morning rise to visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. These dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 meters, 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. Dinner will be at our lodging in Sossusevlei. (B, L, D)

Day 04: Sossusvlei/Swakopmund (Drive)

Spend the day viewing beautiful scenery as we journey 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. The animals of this harsh landscape include the oryx, springbok and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. We may also spot the Welwitschia Mirabilis, an odd-looking shrub only found in the Namib Desert that can live up to 1,500 years. En route we stop at Walvis Bay, where we have the opportunity to see a variety of birds including flamingos in the lagoon. Late afternoon we arrive at the charming coastal town of Swakopmund. Here we have the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of this quaint, little German town and enjoy its beauty and beaches.

Overnight: Swakopsands Hotel, Swakopmund (2 nights) (B, L)
(Chalets with en suite bathrooms)

Day 05: Swakopmund

Today we have a unique opportunity to visit a local urban sustainability centre and explore the ways in which they preserve energy, water, waste and biodiversity on a semi-guided tour. The rest of the day is free to explore Swakopmund or enjoy a variety of optional activities, including scenic flights, kayaking, boat and shore fishing, or a dolphin, seal and whale cruise. Contact Bestway Tours & Safaris to pre-book. (B)

Day 06: Swakopmund/Etosha National Park (Drive)

Leaving the coastline behind, 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, then enjoy dinner at the lodge. Optional game drives are also available.

Overnight: Toshari Lodge, Etosha National Park (1 night) (B, D)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

Day 07: Etosha National Park

After breakfast, we enter the Etosha National Park via the Andersson gate. This entrance was 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. After dinner at our camp, 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 is home to approximately 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish.

Overnight: Namutoni Camp, Etosha National Park (2 nights) (B, D)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

Day 08: Etosha National Park

Following morning meal at our camp, we have a day filled with game viewing trying to spot all the Big Five, as well as the hundreds of other species of animals the park has to offer. (B, D)

Day 09: Etosha/Okavango River (Drive)

Departing from Etosha, we drive further north in 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 to Kaisosi River Lodge on the banks of the Okavango River. We arrive in the late afternoon to relax by the pool with a sundowner, savour dinner at the lodge, and listen to the sounds of Mother Nature.

Overnight: Kaisosi River Lodge, Okavango (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

Day 10: Okavango River/Caprivi (Drive)

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

Overnight: Nunda River Lodge, Caprivi (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

Day 11: Caprivi/Mahungu/Caprivi (Drive)

In the morning, 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. In the afternoon, we return to our lodge to spend the rest of the day at leisure. (B, L, D)

(Chalets with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

Day 12: Caprivi/Maun (Drive) (BOTSWANA)

Following breakfast, 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”. En route enjoy a packed lunch. The afternoon is ours to spend at leisure, either relaxing at the pool or even experiencing a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. Pre-booking with Bestway is advised to avoid disappointment.

Overnight: Thamalakane River Lodge, Maun (1 night) (B, L)
(Chalets with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

Day 13: Maun/Greater Moremi (Drive)

We join our local Botswana guides and are taken on a short drive to the mokoro station. From here, we will float in 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 our camp, which is situated in the Greater Moremi region. Once settled into our camp, we will enjoy dinner and embark on a night game drive – a fantastic opportunity to spot some nocturnal animals that are more difficult to encounter during the day.

Overnight: Mankwe Tented Retreat, Greater Moremi (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Meru-style tented camp with en-suite bathrooms)

Day 14: Greater Moremi

Today, we have the opportunity to spend the day on game drives. In our open 4x4 vehicle, we will explore the Moremi Game Reserve, spotting the variety of animals that frequent the region. The area is renown for its large concentrations of mammals. Its exceptional location makes it a regular host to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dogs. 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. (B, L, D)

Day 15: Greater Moremi/Nata (Drive)

After breakfast, leave the bush territory behind and travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans. Once a large river fed lake, the pans are now saline and empty. In the afternoon, we visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary. Here we can 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 road conditions and water levels, as well as time constraints.) 

Overnight: Nata Lodge, Nata (1 night) (B, D)
(Safari tents with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

Day 16: Nata/Chobe (Drive)

We head north to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana, covers 10,566 square kilometers. It has one of the greatest concentrations of elephants found anywhere in the world. Afternoon is at leisure to partake in a number of optional activities or relax by the pool.

Overnight: Chobe Safari Lodge, Chobe (2 nights) (B, D)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

Day 17: Chobe

Another incredible game viewing day, this time at the Chobe National Park. Our morning game drive offers the potential to spot big game up close and encounter large predators. Afternoon we enjoy a cruise safari on the Chobe River, a truly unforgettable experience and one of the best ways to view the animals as they come down to drink. We also experience the unforgettable and spectacular African sunset. We return for dinner at our lodge. (B, D)

Day 18: Chobe/Hwange National Park (Drive) (ZIMBABWE)

Today after breakfast, we make our way across the border to Zimbabwe. We drive to Hwange National Park where we spend the next two nights. Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra, as well as a very large concentration of giraffes. It also hosts many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife.

Overnight: Elephant’s Eye, Hwange National Park (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Tented chalets with en suite bathroom, swimming pool and bar area)

Day 19: Hwange National Park

Following breakfast at our lodge, we set out for a full day of exciting game experiences with the chance to see big game, predators and birds. (B, L, D)

Day 20: Hwange National Park/Victoria Falls (Drive) (ZIMBABWE)

An exciting day as we travel to Victoria Falls*, an essential African experience. Our guide will take us on a tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya, or “the smoke that thunders”. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, basking in the afterglow of the day. The rest of our time in Victoria Falls is at leisure. Feel free to take part in one of the many optional activities, including a helicopter tour of Victoria Falls, a dinner cruise, or a horse back safari.

Overnight: Ilala Lodge, Victoria Falls (1 night) (B)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant)

Day 21: Depart Victoria Falls

Our Great Trans-African Safari, one of our most memorable African safari packages, comes to an end as we are transferred to the airport for our flight. Ideal opportunity to take a breather with a few days stay in one of Africa’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town. Please contact Bestway for more information. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Guaranteed Departures 2024

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 04 and a maximum of 12 participants
Guaranteed Departures (specific tour departure dates marked by a checkmark) operate on a minimum of only 2 participants.

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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