21 Day or 15 Day Ultimate Namibia & Botswana Camping Tour from US$3,119.-pp/US$2,544.-pp

A journey through the lush green Okavango Delta and the beautiful desolation of the Namib desert is an exploration of a lifetime across Southern Africa. Exciting wildlife in Etosha NP, walking the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei and adventure through the Okavango Delta by mokoro. This tour is also available for Livingstone to Windhoek only.

UNDER CANVAS CAMPING: Camping, Limited safari_grade_under_canvas_camping_homepageparticipation with helping out with chores, Guides prepare the meals.

 Price 2023:
21 Day Livingstone to Livingstone Tour US$3,119- pp,  Single Supplement US$330.-
15 Day Lvingstone to Windhoek Tour US$2,544.- Single Supplement US$188.-

Note: You do not pay extra when booking as a single person. If however you request a single tent, then you’ll pay the single supplement.

Guaranteed departures

Tour Style: Under Canvas Camping: Camping, Limited participation with helping out with chores, Guides prepare the meals

Small group safari maximum:     12 travellers

Travel through:                         Namibia, Botswana & Zambia

Safari length:                            21 days                                                           

DEPARTS: LIVINGSTONE – ZAMBIA on Sunday at 14:00pm

ENDS: LIVINGSTONE – ZAMBIA on Saturday at ±12:00noon

Inquire for specific dates.

 Highlights

* Victoria Falls – A natural wonder of the world

* Caprivi – game drives & boat cruise
* Etosha NP – game viewing from camp & on drives

* Brandberg – rock paintings

* Swakopmund – dune boarding & sea kayaking

* Namib Desert – walk Sossusvlei dunes

* Kalahari – walk with San Bushman

* Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion and bush walks

* Chobe NP – sunset boat cruise on Chobe River

21 Day Camping Namibia & Botswana Desert & Delta is the full tour. Also offered as an accommodated safari, see page 14.

15 Day Camping Namibia & Caprivi, covers the Zambezi Region and Namibia, ending in Windhoek with access to int’l flights.

 Overnight 16 nights on safari we stay at designated campsites, in or bordering national parks and towns. Formal campsites have hot and cold showers, laundry facilities & shops. In Windhoek we stay in pre-erected dome tents beds with shared ablutions.

2 nights “camping wild” without fences in the Okavango. On these nights the crew will erect a bucket shower (with hot water off the fire) and a pit latrine (with seat!). 2 nights in Swakopmund in a lodge with en suite twin bedrooms.

Meals 20 breakfasts, 17 lunches & 11 dinners will be provided by the crew, prepared at the vehicle & eaten around the camp fire or in a boma. For certain meals the group will sample local fare at restaurants (own expense).

Transport we use safari trucks with 12 seats for this tour. Potholes, corrugated gravel roads and livestock on the roads can make travel slow. There are some long drives, so sit back and enjoy the scenery! For the transfers into the Okavango Delta we use open 4WD vehicles with local guides.

Limited participation An essential part of your safari is par­ticipation. From putting up your tent to packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation but we do ask for your help (on rotation) with the washing up. There are some long travel days which means early morning starts so we all need to get involved to make the day run efficiently.

Day 1 – 2                     LIVINGSTONE [camping Bx1–]

(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

The group will meet in Livingstone, in Zambia, at 14:00. We have 2 days to explore Victoria Falls, a natural wonder of the world, plunging into the Zambezi Gorge. Adventure activities abound, white water rafting on the mighty Zambezi, or a 111m bungi jump (own expense).

Day 1: Breakfast is not included

Day 1: Lunch is an own expense meal

Day 1: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Day 2: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 2: Lunch is an own expense meal

Day 2: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                     Entrance to see the Victoria Falls

Overnight:                  Campsite – good ablution facilities, hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & bar

Distance/time:           N/A

Optional Activities:    White water rafting, sunset cruises, scenic flights & many more

Day 3 – 4                    CAPRIVI [camping BLD]

Heading out of Livingstone we cross at Sesheke into the Caprivi, a narrow strip of Namibian land that extends between Angola, Zambia and Botswana. An abundance of large rivers attracts a variety of animals and birds and we have 2 days to explore this remote and beautiful region, including a boat cruise on the Kavango River.

Day 3, 4: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 3, 4: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 3, 4: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                      Entrance fees & game drives, boat cruise on Kwando River

Overnight:                    Campsite – good ablution facilities with hot showers, restaurant, bar & swimming pool

Distance/time: Day 3: 300km, ± 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Day 4: 200km, ± 3 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

Day 5                         RUNDU [camping BLD]

After a morning enjoying the abundant birdlife that surrounds the camp, the road takes us directly west along the Kavango River. Villages of grass huts and local wooden crafts and carvings are a common sight. We stop for the night at our riverside camp in Rundu and enjoy a spectacular sunset.

Day 5: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 5: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 5: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                      N/A

Overnight:                    Campsite – good ablution facilities with hot showers, restaurant, bar & swimming pool

Distance/time: 210kms, ± 3 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Day 6 – 7                    ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK [camping BLD]

Etosha National Park, “the great white place of dry water”, in the game rich north west corner of Namibia offers a variety of wildlife. We take game drives around the huge dry pan to find the elephants, herds of antelope and lions   around the waterholes before we camp at Namutoni, Halali or Okaukuejo with their flood-lit waterholes.

Day 6, 7: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 6, 7: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 6, 7: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                      Entrance fees to Etosha National Park, morning & afternoon game drives

Overnight:                    Campsite – good ablution facilities with hot showers, restaurant, bar, swimming pool & shop

Distance/time: 420kms, ± 5 hours excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Optional Activities:      Night game drive in National Park game viewing vehicle

Day 8                         UGAB WILDERNESS [camping BLD]

Our next stop is the Brandberg where we camp next to the dry Ugab River bed, home to the rare desert elephants. We explore the mountains on foot with our local guides, who lead us through this region adorned with rock art including the “White Lady”.

Day 8: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 8: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 8: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                      Guided walk to view San rock art

Overnight:                    Campsite – good ablution facilities with hot showers, bar, swimming pool & telephone

Distance/time: 600kms, ± 7½ hours excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Day 9                          SPITZKOP [camping BLD]

Our journey covers some beautiful desert landscapes as we move south towards the huge granite domes that rise out of the desert at Spitzkoppe. We set up camp at the foot of these massive domes, and take a walk to explore the area. The silence and wide open spaces add to the mystery and we enjoy a magnificent sunset.

Day 9: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 9: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 9: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                      Entrance to Spitskoppe

Overnight:                    Campsite – basic ablution facilities.

Distance/time: 170km, ± 2½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

Day 10 – 11                SWAKOPMUND [guest house Bx2 Lx1 -]

We cross flat open plains to the coast where we visit the Cape Cross seal colony. Further south is the coastal town of Swakopmund. Day free to explore the town or try dune boarding or sea kayaking (own expense).  We enjoy evening restaurant meals (own expense).

 Day 10: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 10: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 10: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Day 11: Breakfast provided by guest house

Day 11: Lunch is an own expense meal

Day 11: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                      Entrance to Cape Cross seal colony

Overnight:                    Dunedin Star guest house – twin share rooms with en suite facilities. Telephone & restaurant.

WiFi in main building

Distance/time: 250km, ± 3½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

Optional Activities:      Sand boarding, Skydiving, Ocean canoe safari, Scenic flights & many more

Day 12 – 13                NAMIB DESERT [camping BLD]

The Lunar landscapes surround the town of Swakopmund and we visit these as we leave and head into the Namib Desert with its towering red sand dunes. We will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and watch dramatic sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes.

Day 12: Breakfast provided by guest house

Day 12: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 12: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 13: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 13: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 13: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                      Entrance fees to Sesriem Canyon and Naukluft National Park

Overnight:                    Campsite – good ablution facilities with hot showers, shop.

Distance/time: 350kms, ± 5 hours excluding stops for sightseeing

Optional Activities:      On arrival at Sossusvlei the guide will walk with the group into Sossusvlei (+/- 3.5km).  For those clients who do not want to walk, there are 4WD vehicles that can drive you in.  The 4WD, is an own expense (+/- N$50 each way) and is optional.

Day 14                        WINDHOEK [permanent tent BL-]

The charm of the city of Windhoek lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. We arrive late in the day and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense).

Day 14: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 14: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 14: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                      N/A

Overnight:                   Klein Windhoek Guesthouse

WiFi available

Distance/time: 345km, ± 4½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

15 Day Victoria Falls to Windhoek tour ends at +/-08:00am on morning. Please inquire for more details

Day 15                        KALAHARI [camping BLD]

Crossing into Botswana we overnight in the heart of the Kalahari. We take a walk with the local San Bushmen to learn fascinating bush skills.

Day 15: Breakfast provided by the guest house

Day 15: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 15: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                      Nature walk with local San bushman and translator

Overnight:                    Campsite – good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming in old quarry

Distance/time: 550kms, ± 7½ hours excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch

Day 16, 17, 18            OKAVANGO DELTA [camping Bx3 Lx3 Dx2]

We camp in Maun for a night in preparation before journeying deep into the Okavango Delta on mekoro (dugouts) – an experience not to be missed. We camp wild on remote islands for 2 nights and enjoy bush walks, swimming and the birdlife in this pristine wilderness area.

Day 16: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 16: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 16: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Day 17: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 17: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 17: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 18: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 18: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 18: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                      Entrance to Okavango Delta, morning and afternoon game walks with local guides

Overnight:                    Maun: Campsite – good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & bar

2 nights Okavango Delta:  Wild camping – basic camping facilities, with bucket showers. You will need to bring your own towel.

Distance/time: 300km, ± 4½ hours (Kalahari – Maun) Okavango transfer in 4WD ± 2 hour each way

Optional Activities:      Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD95-120) pp depending on number of people in each aircraft)

Day 19                        MAKGADIKGADI PANS [camping BL-]

Feel the vastness of Africa under a big sky sunset. Depending on the season, the pans can either be a shimmering haze of dust or a vast shallow lake.

 Day 19: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 19: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 19: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                      Entrance fees to Makgadikgadi Pans

Overnight:                    Campsite – good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & bar.

Distance/time: 320km, ± 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

Day 20:                       CHOBE NATIONAL PARK [camping BL-]

We turn north through the Chobe Forest Reserve to Kasane where we set up camp. Chobe NP is famous for large herds of elephant and buffalo. Our afternoon is spent on an exciting wildlife boat cruise in the Chobe NP.

 Day 20: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 20: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 20: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                      Sunset game viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River

Overnight:                    Campsite – good ablution facilities with hot showers, restaurant & bar & telephone

Distance/time: 300kms, ± 4½ hours excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Day 21                        ZAMBIA – VICTORIA FALLS – TOUR ENDS [- B–]

This morning we transfer to Livingstone where tour ends at +/- 12:00 noon at Livingstone Airport (LVI).

Day 21: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 21: Lunch is not included

Day 21: Dinner is not included

Includes:                      N/A

Overnight:                    N/A

Distance/time: N/A

Please note: we do a free drop off at Livingstone airport on day 21 at 12:00noon so you can book your flight out for the last day of tour.

Please note:

The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and photo stops!

Special Interest:

Namibia has a rich ancient rock art heritage. Our local guide in the Brandberg Tsiseb conservancy lands, will lead us on a walk to view the White Lady rock painting. It is usually assumed that the painting shows a ritual dance, and that the “White Lady” is actually a medicine man.

Sustainable Tourism:

In the Ugab wilderness region we camp at the White Lady Lodge campsite. A partnership was Signed in 2003 and the community benefit through employment and a percentage of the income of the lodge. There are also other spin-offs such as the sale of fire wood to the lodge.

In a nutshell

  • A true exploration of Namibia, Botswana – see it all!
  • All inclusive trip with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife.
  • Victoria Falls, Caprivi, Etosha, Damaraland, Namib Desert, Kalahari, Okavango Delta & Chobe.

 

SOS trees project – Okavango Botswana

  • For hundreds of years, the local communities in and around Botswana’s Okavango Delta have used the wood of the sausage tree to craft their traditional mokoro (dugout canoes). The knowledge and skill have been passed down from generation to generation and, up until recently, has been a sustainable practice. With increasing numbers of people visiting the Delta each year, more mokoro are needed and as a direct result, more and more sausage trees are being felled and the sausage tree is sadly disappearing from the region. A traditional wooden mokoro will have to be replaced every five years, thereby placing increased pressure on the dwindling sausage tree supply.

Our local operator has established a project to encourage polers in the local communities to buy replica fiberglass mokoro’s, which have a lifespan of approximately ten years, are more stable and are produced without any negative affect to the environment. As such, sponsorship for each fiberglass mokoro is needed, and a portion of the tour cost will be donated to the project, but we also will offer our clients the opportunity to contribute to this worthwhile cause. Please feel free to contact our office for more information on the SOS trees project or if you would like to make any contributions towards this project. It is something that is close to all of our hearts and we hope that it will be successful.

 Local Payment

  • A local payment is required on this safari and this will be collected by your tour leader on departure. The local payment forms part of your overall tour cost, and must be taken into consideration when booking your safari. It will be used by your tour leaders to pay for some of the operational costs incurred on safari.

We prepay by bank transfer, as many of the tour costs as possible. However, in many cases, a cash payment is the only option: certain of the destinations that we visit, only accept cash. For example entry fees to most national parks, some of the campsites and also local food markets (and even some shops) are only payable in cash. In addition, each vehicle has a garage card but these are only accepted in South Africa and parts of Namibia, therefore in all other countries, fuel must be paid for in cash. Due to the remoteness of some departure points, having a local payment system enables us to manage tour funds effectively. The efficiency of this system helps keep the overall tour prices down.

For these reasons, it is necessary for us to charge a local payment. It also ensures that a portion of the tour costs goes directly into the country you are visiting, thereby benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the areas we visit. This is all part of our ongoing effort to operate sustainable safaris that make a real difference.

Recommended reading

Before you travel you might want to read any of the following books. While not specific to the tour you will join, they do provide some background understanding of the countries you will be visiting.

  • Sands of Silence by Peter H Capstick
  • Skeleton Coast by John H Marsh (Wreck of the Dunedin Star and its survivors)
  • The Skeleton Coast by Benedict Allen (A journey through the Namib Desert)
  • The Smell of Apples by Mark Behr (Story of boy in Cape Town by then army on Caprivi)
  • Etosha by Daryl and Sharna Balfour (A coffee table book of photography)
  • Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (Autobiography – Nelson Mandela is one of the great moral and political leaders of our time.)
  • #1 ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (Fictional story of life in Botswana)
  • Trees of the Okavango by Veronica Roodt (A reference book with traditional uses and myths)
  • Okavango: Jewel of the Kalahari by Karen Ross (A comprehensive description of the Delta ecology)
  • Don’t run whatever You Do by Peter Allison (A guide’s perspective of Botswana lodge life)
  • Okavango: Africa’s Last Eden by Frans Lanting (A coffee table book of photography)
  • Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa by Kenneth Newman
  • Sasol Birds of Southern Africa by Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey, and W.R. Tarboton
  • The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates by Richard D. Estes and Daniel Otte
  • Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa (Field Guides) by Braam Van Wyk, Keith Coates Palgrav, and Piet Van Wyk

Shopping

  • Craft shopping for carvings, batiks, paintings and clothing are best in Livingstone, Zambia which has a wide variety of curios. Botswana has beautiful grass weavings. Namibia also has unusual and interesting curios and crafts. If you see something you like, it is best to buy it because it is unlikely that you will see something similar further along. Crafts from change from region to region.

Food

  • We pride ourselves on giving very good healthy meals to our clients and will provide three meals per day, except where shown in itinerary, when we try out local restaurants.
  • The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: Breakfast – cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast, Lunch – cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls, Dinner – braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided.
  • We do cater for special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies.)
  • We will supply fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be for your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour.

Difficulty

  • Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip. The outdoor enthusiast enjoys simple campsites and basic wild camps, you will get dusty on occasion; but this is Africa!
  • Full itinerary with a couple of long driving days, but also plenty of outdoor activity with some relaxing time. This is a long distance trans Africa safari – there is a lot of distance to be covered and so there will be some long travelling days. Due to local conditions, border crossings, road detours and weather, the trip may alter route / schedule – please remember that this continent has its own time scale and things work differently here. Keep an open mind and a sense of humour – it’s all part of the adventure!
  • Everyone is asked to help out with the running of camp on tour. In other words if everyone spends a little time setting up camp, preparing meals and cleaning up then the tour will run smoothly and everyone will have a good time. Participation is the name of the game.

Things you should know

  • Includes park entrances, game drives and the Okavango Delta excursion.
  • Your client will need a valid passport and visas for entry into Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.
  • Luggage, please pack to a limit of 12kgs in a soft sports tog bag. Bring a daypack for walks. You will need to bring your own towel.
  • We recommend that you bring Euro, US$ or South African Rand for personal expenses on this trip but please note that in Namibia Euro and US$ will need to changed into Namibian $ or South African Rand as shops, restaurants and market vendors only accept N$ and ZAR. In Botswana please note that foreign currency will need to changed into Botswana Pula as shops, restaurants and market vendors only accept BWP. Zambia requires that all services are paid in local currency, however major credit cards (Mastercard / Visa) can also be used for optional activities in Livingstone and elsewhere on tour.

Common questions about this trip

  1. Can I buy camera memory cards? Film, memory cards and other photographic accessories will be available several times on tour. A camera with a zoom lens from wide angle to telephoto, 35-300mm, is advisable to capture both scenic and wildlife shots. Each vehicle is fitted with a 12/24V cigarette lighter – this should not be relied on for charging camera batteries and we recommend you bring a 2nd Remember you can also charge your camera on those nights we use accommodation (SA 220V)
  2. Is it safe? South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia are relatively safe and your guide knows the countries intimately and will endeavour to show you the best parts while looking after you. In the wild areas your guide will brief you on the necessary precautions, follow this advice and you will be fine. Be aware of your personal belongings and you will have a great trip! Every precaution is taking to ensure a happy holiday.
  3. Do I need malaria tablets? Yes, the trip passes through malaria areas and prophylactics are recommended.
  4. What do I need to bring? All details are covered in our general tour briefing but the basics are: – a warm sleeping bag, comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, a small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly – a sense of adventure!Why travel with us on this value tour: We understand that there are several options available to you when choosing your African safari. We also know that you want to make the most informed decision about your safari, what you get, what’s included and what you see and experience. So these are just a few of the qualities and facts:
    • Small groups – by travelling with a maximum of 8 or 12 people (depending tour), you are able to witness Africa and have first-hand contact with this amazing continent and its people without being a negative influence. This has been a key factor in our continued success. Our trips appeal to a wide demographic of traveller. Our clients range in age from 25 to 65+ with the average being 45. The range of travellers gives a variety of perspectives which adds to the experience of each safari.
    • 2 tour guides – group leaders are the key to any safari. On our safari you will travel with 2 qualified and registered field guides (Field Guides Association of SA). Two guides as crew, not a guide and a driver, means interesting trips with maximum knowledge and information. Our guides have a passion for Africa, her people and her wildlife, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with you.
    • Guaranteed departures – departure dates on each itinerary shown as bold are guaranteed departure dates. All other departures operate with a minimum of 4 clients.
    • All inclusive price – when we travel ourselves, we always feel that if we’re in a country we should find and see the best it has to offer. So when planning the routes we ensure that each trip provides the best inclusions and experiences. For example, if you go to Botswana – you have to visit the national parks in an open 4WD – it is the essence of the Botswana wilderness. If you tour Zambia, then you must visit South Luangwa NP and do a game walk with a local scout. When booking our Safari there are no hidden costs. All of the entrance fees are included, and a wide range of activities, and most meals. We have included many highlights in our tours, so that you will see and experience the highlights without having to pay extra when you get there. So when you decide on which safari company to book with, look carefully at what you’re actually getting. You may only visit a place once, make sure you get the most out of it.
    • Safety – our fleet of vehicles are custom built to ensure comfortable and safe touring. Each is constructed, by an authorized passenger vehicle builder, to the latest safety requirements, with a safety shell, and every seat has a lap belt. This gives you peace of mind when travelling with our Safaris on the often demanding African roads.
    • Responsible travel – Our commitment to sustainable & responsible tourism is reflected in our low impact travel style where all we take is photographs and all we leave is our footprints. Being an African company we have the grassroots contacts to make a real difference in the lives of the people whose lands we visit.

    On each itinerary in the brochure you’ll find a symbol which highlights just one of the sustainable travel initiatives that we support

    • Solo Travellers – going it alone won’t make your holiday more expensive; our reservations staff will match you up with another same-gender traveller to keep your holiday affordable. If however you request a single room or tent these are available, with a price supplement
    • Experience – Local operator has more than 22 years’ experience planning tours throughout Southern Africa. As such, our itineraries and routes have been perfected over many years ensuring that your tour will run smoothly. We visit the highlights of Southern Africa, but ensure that you do not follow the well-trodden tourist track. All of us have extensive travel experience in Africa, and throughout the world. Being adventure travellers ourselves, we know how to plan trips that give you a broad experience of the countries that you will visit.
    • Local Operator in Africa – probably the most important part of our value safaris is that our operator is an African company with offices in South Africa and Botswana. They live in Africa, and travel in Africa and it is their passion for this amazing continent that makes them best travel option.

    SOS trees project – Okavango Botswana

    • For hundreds of years, the local communities in and around Botswana’s Okavango Delta have used the wood of the sausage tree to craft their traditional mokoro (dugout canoes). The knowledge and skill have been passed down from generation to generation and, up until recently, has been a sustainable practice. With increasing numbers of people visiting the Delta each year, more mokoro are needed and as a direct result, more and more sausage trees are being felled and the sausage tree is sadly disappearing from the region. A traditional wooden mokoro will have to be replaced every five years, thereby placing increased pressure on the dwindling sausage tree supply.

    We have established a project to encourage polers in the local communities to buy replica fiberglass mokoro’s, which have a lifespan of approximately ten years, are more stable and are produced without any negative affect to the environment. As such, sponsorship for each fiberglass mokoro is needed, and a portion of the tour cost will be donated to the project, but we also will offer our clients the opportunity to contribute to this worthwhile cause. Please feel free to contact the our office for more information on the SOS trees project or if you would like to make any contributions towards this project. It is something that is close to all of our hearts and we hope that it will be successful.

    Local Payment

    • A local payment is required on some safaris and this will be collected by your tour leader on departure. The local payment forms part of your overall tour cost, and must be taken into consideration when booking your safari. It will be used by your tour leaders to pay for some of the operational costs incurred on safari.

    We prepay by bank transfer, as many of the tour costs as possible. However, in many cases, a cash payment is the only option: certain of the destinations that we visit, only accept cash. For example entry fees to most national parks, some of the campsites and also local food markets (and even some shops) are only payable in cash. In addition, each vehicle has a garage card but these are only accepted in South Africa and parts of Namibia, therefore in all other countries, fuel must be paid for in cash. Due to the remoteness of some departure points, having a local payment system enables us to manage tour funds effectively. The efficiency of this system helps keep the overall tour prices down.

    For these reasons, it is necessary for us to charge a local payment. It also ensures that a portion of the tour costs goes directly into the country you are visiting, thereby benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the areas we visit. This is all part of our ongoing effort to operate sustainable safaris that make a real difference.

E&OE

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