8 Day Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls Serviced Camping Safari Tour in Botswana and Zimbabwe(WVAC)

Day 1: Windhoek

Explore Windhoek during the day and meet your group and your Tour Leader in the evening at 6 p.m. to get acquainted and review your trip details. Windhoek is the capital city of Namibia with loads of interesting things to offer. One of the most famous is the display of 33 meteorites, the Gibeon Meteorites in the Post Street Mall. Here you can take pictures of and touch these extra-terrestrial bodies that are corrosive resistant due to the high amount of nickel in them. Shopping opportunities abound and for the historically inclined there are many museums and historical buildings within walking distance in the town centre. One of the most widely photographed and a historical landmark is the Christ Church, a Lutheran church, built in the Gothic revival style.

• Meals included: None
• Travel time: N/A
• Activities included: Airport transfer, welcome meeting at 6 p.m.
• Optional activities (not included): Explore the city, museums, and craft market
• Entrance fees included: N/A
• Hotel: Windhoek City (please refer to the final rooming list)

Day 2: Windhoek to Ghanzi

Depart Windhoek early for a long drive through the eastern part of Namibia, crossing the border into Botswana and traveling into the heart of the Kalahari Desert. Ghanzi is the area where San (Bushmen) live who still have the knowledge of an ancient lifestyle and who are eager to welcome visitors into their almost forgotten world. In the evening, you can enjoy an optional ancient dance ritual performed around a campfire by the San and if the night is clear, enjoy the sparkling, starry skies for which Ghanzi is famous.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Travel time: 9 hours
• Activities included: N/A
• Optional activities (not included): San (Bushmen) Dance PM
• Entrance fees included: N/A
• Camping: Ghanzi Trail Blazers Camp or similar
• Camping plus: Ghanzi Trail Blazers Bungalow/Lodge or similar

Day 3: Ghanzi to Maun

Enjoy an optional morning walk with the San (Bushmen) as they display their survival skills that have been passed on from generation to generation before departing Ghanzi. Arrive in Maun, Botswana's fifth largest town, after lunchtime. Once you arrive in Maun you will have the option to get a spectacular birds-eye view of the Okavango Delta in a small fixed-wing aircraft (weather permitting). Looking down on the Delta from the aircraft, you will get a fair idea of the magnitude of this massive mix of land and water with its intricate system of channels and islands. You might also see families of elephant, giraffe, and herds of buffalo or even hippos from the air. If you skip the flight, you will have the chance to kick back and relax at the lodge/campsite with bar and pool facilities.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Travel time: 5 hours
• Activities included: N/A
• Optional activities (not included): San (Bushmen) Walk AM, Delta Flight PM
• Entrance fees included: N/A
• Camping: Island Safari Camp or similar
• Camping plus: Island Safari Lodge or similar

Day 4: Maun (Okavango Delta)

To ensure the best Delta experience for our clients we have implemented two different styles or means of exploring this unique ecosystem. Due to the changing water levels in the Delta and dry seasons we will either explore the Delta on a Mokoro(canoe) or on a 4x4 open vehicle game drive.

Mokoro: Today you will experience a unique way of traveling into the Okavango Delta with a mokoro. The mokoro is used by local people as means of transport. You will be transferred to the ‘’polling’’ station either with a motorized boat or a 4x4 vehicle depending on the water levels of the Delta.

A mokoro is a traditional dug-out canoe that seats two people. The mokoro is steered by a ‘’poler” standing at the back, maneuvering the mokoro downstream with a pole, very much like the gondoliers in Venice.

Once you are comfortable and laid back in your mokoro, the slow and tranquil journey into The Delta begins. Gliding along on the quiet water you will have an unlimited source of opportunities to take exquisite photos of your surroundings. The duration of the mokoro trail depends on the time of year and water levels of the Delta. You will stop for lunch at an island and enjoy a nature walk of a few hours. Then you head back to Maun, again in your mokoro enjoying the last hour or two on the water while the late afternoon sun starts heading for the horizon.

The Delta is usually at its lowest point from December to May.

4X4 Open Vehicle Game Drive in Moremi Game Reserve: Departing from Maun early morning, we are destined for the Blackpools and Xini Lagoon areas in Moremi Game Reserve.

Once past the Buffalo Fence and inside the Delta area, 50km from Maun, we start our Delta experience. You can expect a full day of exploration in the search of wild animals, interesting and varied landscapes in this untamed African bush. Lunch will be done en-route and you will have the opportunity to take exquisite photos as Moremi is well known for teeming birdlife, elephants, buffalo, hippo, lion and if you are lucky leopard (including various antelope species).

What makes Moremi unique is that it was the first tribal land to be proclaimed by a local African tribe in 1963 as a wildlife sanctuary.

During the dry season, a congregation of all bird and wildlife species, along permanent rivers and water holes makes Moremi Game Reserve one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences!

This experience will only be conducted if the water levels are too low for our travellers to have a proper Mokoro Delta experience. The Delta is usually at its lowest point from December to May.

We are deeply committed to protecting the environment and we make sure that our tours reflect this commitment. During the years of conducting tours in the Delta, we have experienced that the human footprint being left behind has a negative effect on this extremely sensitive ecosystem therefore, we do not include an overnight experience in the Delta. We believe that our included Delta experience gives one the same adventure with less impact on the environment.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Travel time: N/A
• Activities included: Okavango Delta Experience
• Optional activities (not included): N/A
• *Entrance fees included: Okavango Delta
• Camping: Island Safari Camp or similar
• Camping plus: Island Safari Lodge or similar

Day 5: Maun to Elephant Sands

Set out for Elephant Sands, which is close to the Botswanan village of Nata. Elephant Sands is famous for its watering hole, voted as one of the top ten watering holes in Africa. At this watering hole, you can expect to see animals such as wild dogs, different antelope species and of course elephants that walk through the campsite searching for freshwater. This will most certainly be the closest you will get to these wild animals on foot.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Travel time: 6 hours
• Activities included: N/A
• Optional activities: N/A
• Entrance fees included: Okavango Delta
• Camping: Elephant Sands or similar

Day 6: Elephant Sands to Chobe River (Kasane)

Continue to the small town of Kasane, which is adjacent to the Chobe National Park & Chobe River. Relish the views during your included afternoon sunset boat cruise. Take your own sundowner with you as you look for wildlife on the banks of the Chobe River. Game such as elephant, buffalo, kudu, bushbuck, hippo, giraffe, and sable are commonly seen along the river edge, and it is a birdwatcher’s paradise during the summer months. (Deleted mention of the optional Pangolin photo safari as availability is almost non-existent).

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Travel time: 4 hours
• Activities included: Chobe boat cruise
• Optional activities (not included): N/A
• Entrance fees included: Chobe National Park
• Camping: Thebe River Safari Camp or similar
• Camping plus: Thebe River Safari Lodge or similar

Day 7: Chobe River (Kasane) to Victoria Falls

Cross into Zimbabwe and enjoy a short drive to the magnificent Victoria Falls and its charming little town. The Victoria Falls is not the widest or highest falls but is regarded as the world's biggest. It produces a breath-taking curtain of falling water as it drops into the gorge below. See why it is considered among one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Today you will have time to do some of the action-filled activities that the area offers. Bungee jump or gorge swing off the Victoria Falls Bridge that links Zambia and Zimbabwe and have a different view of the Victoria Falls at the same time. This bridge is constructed to carry railway, road, and foot traffic. For an adrenaline-filled activity closer to the Zambezi River, choose a half-day or full-day white water rafting adventure.

Many of our groups opt to book their final evening together aboard a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River with game-viewing, beautiful scenery, and an open bar. Book a day or two extra in Victoria Falls to make the most of your stay.

• Meals Included: Breakfast
• Travel time: 2 hours
• Activities included: N/A
• Optional activities (not included): Chobe Game Drive, White Water Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Helicopter Flights, Boat Cruise
• Entrance fees included: N/A
• Lodge/Bungalow: Phezulu Lodge or similar (please refer to the final rooming list)

Day 8: Victoria Falls

The last goodbye, a healthy breakfast, and the end of another incredible tour. Book an additional day or two in Victoria Falls to make the most of your stay.

• Meals included: Breakfast
• Departure airport transfer: Your departure airport transfer is bookable through Africa4Us

Site highlights

• Ghanzi: Dance and explore the Kalahari with the San (Bushmen) tribe.
• The Okavango Delta: Once you are comfortable and laid back in your mokoro, the slow and tranquil journey into The Delta begins.
• Elephant Sands: Elephant Sands is famous for its wildlife watering hole, voted as one of the top ten watering holes in Africa.
• Chobe National Park: Explore the park on the Chobe river during your included afternoon sunset boat cruise and on an optional morning game drive.
• Victoria Falls: Cross into Zimbabwe and enjoy a short drive to the magnificent Victoria Falls and its charming little town.

Post-night accommodation:

Africa4Us recommends booking a post-night to make the most of your stay. Post-night accommodation is bookable through Africa4us. Please note - your pre/post-night accommodation might be different compared to the joining or ending establishment that is part of the tour schedule. In this case, as part of our add-on services, Africa4us will provide the transfer between the pre/-post and joining/ending establishment.

Africa4Us would love to hear about your experience! Please review them when you have the time.

Africa4Us has designed this itinerary to ensure that you get the best possible experience from this tour and region. Please note that if the itinerary on your trip differs slightly from the online itinerary or brochure, be assured that any change has been made after careful consideration and with the goal to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Changes considered necessary will usually be due to change in service levels, road conditions, recommendations from past clients etc. The goal of any change will be to give an improved experience. You will be informed in writing of any major changes prior to departure.

Some changes might also be totally beyond our control, like changes in visa fees and procedures, available activities etc. and might differ to what we have advised on our website. If changes take place while you are on the road, our adventure crew will be informed immediately, and this information will be conveyed to you. The adventure crew will give you all possible assistance to manage these changes.

Africa4Us reserves the right to change or use similar accommodation. Please take note that the Final Rooming List (which will be sent 30 days prior to departure) overrides the website details and Itinerary details.

• Walk with the San, the Bushmen on your third day
• Okavango Delta half-day trip via mokoro trail on your fourth day

This safari and tour will take place in Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, which will cover a distance of around 1,600 kilometers. You will explore Okavango Delta, Maun, Ghanzi, Elephant Sands, Chobe National Park, Chobe River, and Victoria Falls.

On one hand, you have a natural wonder of the world, Victoria Falls, which is a magical realm of mist-soaked rainforest shrouded by the deafening roar of cascading water. On the other hand, you have Botswana, which is home to 70 percent of the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, one of the largest inland deltas in the world.

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Meals:

7 Breakfasts

5 Lunches

5 Dinners

Going Green: Water-Purifying Systems

With our mission to tread lightly, we have installed water purifying systems in our vehicles to offer our travellers the opportunity to refill their water bottles and we actively discourage our travellers from purchasing water or other drinks in single-use plastic bottles.

The system consists of a sediment, granular carbon and carbon block filter as pre - treatment and then an Ultra-Filtration membrane which filters down to 0.2 microns to remove bacteria and parasites. The water then flows through an inline carbon polishing filter before flowing to the tap. See pictures in the photo section.

• Explore the Windhoek
• See the famous display of 33 meteorites
• Visit the craft market
• Visit Christ Church
• Take a Delta flight to get a spectacular birds-eye view of the Okavango Delta
• Pangolin photo safari
• Chobe National Park game drive
• Whitewater rafting
• Bungee jumping
• Explore and soak in Victoria Falls

• Transport: Adventure Overland Safari Vehicle
• Meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
• Accommodation (camping): Hotel/Lodge/Tented Rooms (2 nights), Serviced Camping (5 nights) or accommodation (camping plus): Hotel/Lodge/Tented Rooms (6 nights), Serviced Camping (1 night)
• Entrance fees: Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park
• Activities: Okavango Delta Experience, Chobe River Boat Cruise
• Airport transfer: Inclusive of your arrival transfer. Please see “Joining Instructions” for more details
• Serviced Camping: No Duties! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the adventure
• Services of a tour leader, driver and camp assistant for the duration of the tour, local guides as per activities included.
• All chores covered by the crew - cooking, cleaning, pitching, and packing of tents

• Sleeping bag (Africa4Us serviced camping travelers are required to bring their own sleeping bag. For the serviced camping plus travelers, Africa4Us will supply a sleeping bag. All passengers are required to bring their own towels and pillows)
• Visas (It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip could vary depending on where you are from and in some cases where you have been prior to visiting. Please contact Africa4Us if you require an invitation letter for your visa application)
• Optional activities (activities included as per itinerary. Please contact Africa4Us for the optional activity list)
• Departure airport transfer (Departure airport transfer is bookable via Africa4us. Their departure transfer is a private transfer. Some hotels and lodges might have a shuttle service)
• Victoria Falls entry (Please take note that the park entry to Victoria Falls is not included)
• Flights (For flights, Africa4Us has partnered with Flight Centre. Please let them know if tthey can assist with your flights)
• Travel and medical insurance (it is compulsory to have medical and travel insurance when joining us for our adventure tours)

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 36% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.