21 Day Camping Cape Town to Victoria Falls Overland from US$3,064.-

Cape Town to Victoria Falls is one of the classic “overland” routes in Southern Africa, including the Namib Desert, Etosha NP and the Okavango Delta. The variety of highlights makes it easy to see why this is one of our most popular tours. Alternately you can also take this tour from Cape Town to Windhoek only as a 14 Day Tour.

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

Highlights

* Cape Town – Cape Point tour
* Fish River Canyon – walking

* Namib Desert – walk Sossusvlei dunes

* Swakopmund – dune boarding & sea kayaking

* Brandberg – rock paintings

* Etosha NP – game viewing from camp & on drives

* Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion and bush walks

* Victoria Falls – adventure activities

PRICE 2022:
21 Day Tour  Cape Town to Victoria Falls US$3,064.-pp, sharing, single supplement US$398.-
PRICE 2023:
21 Day Tour  Cape Town to Victoria Falls US$3,174.-pp, sharing, single supplement US$398.-

You do not pay extra when booking as a single person. If however you request a single, then you’ll pay the single supplement and have a single tent and, on accommodated nights, a single room.)

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, South Africa & Zimbabwe

Safari length:                            21 days                                                           

DEPARTS: CAPE TOWN on Thursday at 08:00am

ENDS: VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE on Wednesday at 08:00am for the 21 day tour.

 This tour is from Cape Town to Victoria Falls and is the full 21 days.

Overnight 14 nights on safari we stay at designated campsites in national parks and towns. Formal campsites have hot and cold showers, laundry facilities & telephones. 2 nights we “camp 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!).

4 nights guest house accommodation, twin bedrooms with en suite facilities on bed and breakfast basis.

Meals: 20 breakfasts, 16 lunches and 12 dinners will be provided by our crew, prepared at the vehicle and eaten around the camp fire. (3 of these breakfasts are provided by the guest houses).

Transport Due to Namibian gravel roads we mostly run this tour in custom-built Safari trucks with 12 seats; or (on 5% of tours) Mercedes Sprinter minibuses with 12 forward facing seats and air conditioning. For the transfer into the Okavango we use a 4WD Land Cruiser with 12 forward facing seats, with trailer.

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

Day 1                          CAPE TOWN [guest house —]

Departing, after a tour briefing, from Cape Town at 08:00am we visit Hout Bay harbour en route to Cape Point Nature Reserve and then the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. We sample some of Cape Town’s culinary wonders at a local restaurant in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (own expense).

Day 1: Breakfast not included

Day 1: Lunch own expense

Day 1: Dinner own expense

Includes:                     Entrance fees to Penguin colony & Cape Nature Point

Overnight:            

City Lodge V&A Waterfront – twin rooms with en suite facilities. Restaurant, bar, gym and swimming pool.

WiFi available

Distance/time:           Full day Cape Peninsular tour is 160km which takes between 6 and 8 hours.

Day 2                          CEDERBERG [camping BLD]

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

The Cederberg is a massive rocky wilderness where giant sandstone boulders have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes. In the afternoon we explore the rugged landscape on foot.

Day 2: Breakfast provide by the guest house

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

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

Includes:                     Entrance fees, and walking permit in the Cedarberg

Overnight:                  Campsite – good ablution facilities with hot showers.

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

Day 3                         GARIEP RIVER [camping BLD]

We make our way into the more arid regions and upon entering Namibia, we camp at the Gariep River. Free time for swimming and relaxing or you can adventure down the river in canoes (own expense).

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

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

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

Includes:                     N/A

Overnight:              Felix Unite– good ablution facilities with hot showers, restaurant & bar.

Distance/time:           500kms, ± 7 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Optional Activities:    Half day canoe safari

Day 4                          FISH RIVER CANYON [camping BLD]

We make our way to Fish River Canyon, the second larg­est canyon in the world. In the afternoon we watch as a spectacular sunset slips over the canyon’s rim.

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

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

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

Includes:                     Entrance fees to Fish River Canyon, Hobas viewing point

Overnight:                  Campsite – good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming pool, and shop

Distance/time:           300kms, ± 4 hours excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Day 5 – 6                     NAMIB DESERT [camping BLD]

Towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert. We will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and watch dramatic sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes.

Day 5, 6: Breakfast provide by tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 5, 6: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 5, 6: Dinner provided by 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:          ±550km, 7h00 actual driving time, through magnificent scenery but day 5 is a very long total travel day of ±9h00.

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$85 each way) and is optional.

Day 7 – 8                     SWAKOPMUND [guest house Bx2 Lx1 -]

Lunar landscapes surround the coastal town of Swakopmund as we approach the coast. Day free to explore the town or try dune boarding or sea kayaking (own expense). We enjoy evening restaurant meals (own expense).

Day 7: Breakfast provide by tour leaders with the help of the group

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

Day 7: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Day 8: Breakfast provide by the guest house

Day 8: Lunch is an own expense meal

Day 8: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                    

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

WiFi in main building

Distance/time:           350kms,5h00 actual driving time on day 7, this gravel road is very rough we expect a total travel day of ±8h00.

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

Day 9                          SPITZKOP [camping BLD]

Beautiful desert landscapes. We move north along the arid coast to the Cape Cross seal colony before heading inland to set up camp under the Spitzkoppe, huge granite domes rising out of the desert. Enjoy a magnificent sunset. We’ll take a short walk to explore the area.

Day 9: Breakfast provide by the guest house

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

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

Includes:                     Entrance to Cape Cross seal colony

Overnight:                  Campsite – basic ablution facilities.

Distance/time:           250km, ± 3½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing,we head along the coast to the Cape Cross seal colony and on through lunar landscapes and expect a total travel day of ±6h30.

Day 10                        UGAB WILDERNESS [camping BLD]

Our next stop is the Brandberg where we camp next to the dry Ugab River, 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.

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

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

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

Includes:                     Entrance to see San Rock Art and guided walk with local guide

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

Distance/time:           170km, ± 2½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing,a short hop on a gravel road with beautiful scenery.  Including our activities expect a total travel day of ±4h00.

Day 11 – 12                 ETOSHA NP [camping BLD]

Etosha National Park, “the great white place of dry water”, in the game rich northwest 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 Okaukuejo with its flood-lit waterhole. (Subject to animal movements we may use any of the 3 camps in Etosha.)

Day 11, 12: Breakfast provide by tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 11, 12: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 11, 12: Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

 Includes:                     Entrance fees to Etosha National Park. Morning and afternoon game drives

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

Distance/time:           400kms,5h30 actual driving time, the road can be rough and with an afternoon game drive in Etosha we expect a total of ±8h30 in the vehicle on day 11. On day 12 we are game-driving in the national park.

Optional Activities:    Night game drive in National Park vehicles

Day 13                        Klein Windhoek Guesthouse WINDHOEK [ 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 visit the cosmopolitan capital and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense).

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

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

Day 13: Dinner own expense

Includes:                    

Overnight:

Klein Windhoek Guest House– twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar. WiFi available.

WiFi available

Distance/time:           about 400 kms,5h00 actual driving time, good tarmac road and a stop for market shopping, we expect a total travel day of ±6h00.

Shortened Cape to Namibia Tour ends at +/-08:00am on morning of day 14, please inquire if you like this option.

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

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

Day 14: Dinner provided by 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, 7h30 actual driving time, an early start, good tarmac road but it’s a long way and with border formalities we expect a total travel day of ±8h30

Day 15, 16, 17 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 15: Breakfast provide by tour leaders with the help of the group

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

Day 15: Dinner will be own expense

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

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

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

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

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

Day 17: Dinner provided by 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:

Day 15: ±300km, 4h00 actual driving time, excluding a walk to meet the San Bushman and a stop on route to Maun for shopping we expect a travel day of 5h00.

                                 Day 16: ±50km, 2h00 actual driving time to mekoro station. Mokoro ride to camp is dependent on campsite location so overall travel time for the day ±6h30.

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

Day 18                        MAKGADIKGADI PANS [camping BL-]

Feel the vastness of Africa under a big sky sunset. After the rains the pans fill with water and attract thousands of water birds and herds of zebra, wildebeest and springbok.

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

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

Day 18: Dinner will be an own expense meal

Includes:                     Entrance fees to Makgadikgadi Pans

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

Distance/time:        ±370km, 6h00 actual travel time includes 4WD out of Okavango, and then flat tarmac to Nata, it’s a long day of ±9h00.

Day 19 – 21                 ZIMBABWE/ VICTORIA FALLS [camping Bx3–]

Tour Victoria Falls, a natural wonder of the world, plunging into the Zambezi Gorge. Enjoy a sundowner river cruise on the mighty Zambezi or a spectacular “flight of angels” over the Falls (own expense). Tour ends at 08:00am at the campsite.

Day 19, 20, 21: Breakfast provide by tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 19, 20, 21: Lunch will be an own expense meal

Day 19, 20, 21: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                     Entrance fees to Vic Falls

Overnight:                  Lodge – 2-4 rooms sharing a bathroom, good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & bar. – good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & bar

Distance/time:           400km,5h00 actual travel time, relatively flat tarmac road, + what can be a slow border crossing, we aim to be in Vic Falls late in the afternoon after ±7h00 travel time.

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

Please note:

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

Special Interest:

We include a walk in the Kalahari desert with a San bushman guide to learn about these fascinating people and their ancient way of life.

Sustainable Tourism:

We visit the Okavango Delta with local guides from the Community Trust – all entrance, camping and guiding fees go directly to the local people thus ensuring them a tourism income and sustainable protection of the environment.

                                                    

The “Cape Town to Victoria Falls 21 Day Tour” can be combined with other tours to create a complete circular safari in Southern Africa.

In a nutshell

  • A true exploration of Southern Africa – see it all!
  • All inclusive trip with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife.
  • Gariep River, Fish River Canyon, Namib desert, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Skeleton coast, Spitzkoppe, Etosha, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls.

Accommodation

  • Camping – for 14 nights on safari we stay at designated campsites in national parks, on private land and in towns. Campsite facilities are generally very good but in places can be basic. There are hot and cold showers, restaurants, washing facilities and telephones available at most of the campsites. Some camps in Namibia and Botswana have simple reed enclosures for showers but do have flush toilets!

We supply all the camping equipment with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow. The dome tents we use are 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.8 metres and putting them up or down takes only 5 minutes. Tents have built-in insect nets. We supply mattresses, which are about 5 cm thick, warm and comfortable. The camp chairs have a backrest.

  • Wild camping – for 2 nights while in the Okavango Delta we camp wild on remote islands. During the dry season we may also camp wild for 1 night on the Makgadikgadi Pans. Wild camps have no facilities; we will need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild camping is very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. Toilets will be of the “dig and bury” variety.

 Please note:

That the accommodation specified above and in the itinerary, is a guide only and is subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard, and accommodation changes will be made without notice.

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 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

  • There is no local payment required on this safari.

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.

  • Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (Autobiography – Nelson Mandela is one of the great moral and political leaders of our time.)
  • Sands of Silence by Peter H Capstick (Tales of travels and the Bushmen’s culture and their political persecution)
  • Skeleton Coast by John H Marsh (Wreck of the Dunedin Star and its survivors)
  • The Diamond Hunters by Wilbur Smith (Fictional family feud set in Namibia)
  • 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 and then army on Caprivi)
  • Etosha by Daryl and Sharna Balfour (A coffee table book of photography)
  • #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 South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
  • 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 South Africa and 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. Expenses in Livingstone can be paid in US$ or Euro and major credit cards can also be used for optional activities throughout this tour. Travellers cheques can be changed in Cape Town, Swakopmund, Windhoek, Maun and Livingstone

Common questions about this trip

  1. Can I buy camera memory cards? 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 Value Tours: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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