Delta and Falls (High Season) Accommodated Tour

Early this morning, A Tour Guide from Nali Safaris will collect you from your various accommodation establishments between 07:00 and 08:00AM. You then depart Windhoek in your safari vehicle with your private guide and head east via Buitepos Border Post situated between Namibia and Botswana. We make short stop in the town of Gobabis before proceeding to the border. We enjoy our lunch packs at the nearby layby stop near the border.

We then cross the border into Botswana, we proceed to our destination for the night and aim to reach there in good time to join an afternoon excursion if time permits. The highlight at this place is the BUSHMAN WALKS: After a two-hour walk into the bush with the San you will have a completely new outlook and see just how resourceful they can be. Learn to identify trees and berries, how they would hunt and also how to make fire! This is a must for anyone interested in local cultures.

The other highlight is the BUSHMAN DANCE: These are held in the evening where you will be met by a local guide who will introduce you to the resident San people, then you will make your way into the bush where they have prepared a traditional event of singing and dancing. Feel free to join in or just enjoy the performance.

We depart early morning after breakfast on our way to Okavango Delta. Explore the Okavango Delta by mokoro or motorised boat cruises (seasonal)*, on foot or on game drive. A maze of sparkling lagoons, meandering channels and overgrown islands teeming with wildlife, Botswana’s Okavango Delta lies like a sparkling jewel at the heart of the Kalahari Desert.

Known as “the river that never finds the sea”, crystal clear channels spread over the thirstlands of the Kalahari with their papyrus-fringed banks and fertile floating islands. Adapted for a life in and out of water, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga are found in this watery wilderness. Lion, cheetah, leopard and African wild dog share the floodplains with large herds of elephant and buffalo.

Today we join a memorable experience of a lifetime (activities on clients own account), we join a day trip with mokoro trails that take you into the heart of the Okavango. This is an adventurous safari experience not to be missed. From Guma Lagoon Camp, a 15-minute boat transfer that passes through a narrow meandering channel will get you to the start of your mokoro experience. From here you will get onto a fiberglass or wooden mokoro which can seat two people. The Head Mokoro Poler will then give the group a detailed speech on safety and what to expect on your trip.

You will be poled through the tranquil channels that link the extensive flood plain system to the main river. Water lily beds, palm islands and papyrus stands abound making for the most scenic of experiences. On one of the larger islands you will have time to have your lunch and a guided walk. There is always a chance of seeing large herds of red lechwe bounding through the water and passing elephants feeding amongst the lush wetland vegetation.

After your hearty lunch and walk you will make your way slowly back to the Mokoro station where our motorboats will be waiting for you to take you back to camp.

After breakfast we depart to Mohembo Border post to cross back into Namibia.  Mahango National Park: The Park consists mainly of two parts: The bushland which is located west of the C48 and which is important as a refugium for most of the wildlife population of the Mahango Park, and the “water front” road, which is located east of the C48 along the Okavango River. From the border we turn off on the game drive road alongside the Kavango River to view game species.

The Mahango Park is home to numerous game. Large herds of elephants and buffalos can be observed, as well as hippos and very large crocodiles. Almost all the antelope species living in North-Eastern Namibia can be seen in the park, among them rare species like roan and sable antelope, common reedbuck, bushbuck, waterbuck and tssessebe. There are also giraffes, zebras, impalas, kudus living in the park. Main predators are lion, leopard and hyena. The large floodplains, reet islands and wetland areas make the Mahango park a bird’s paradise as well.

ISLAND DINNER CRUISE: Dinner cruise departs at around 18h00 with a welcoming glass of sparkling wine. A variety of light snacks will be served. After a Short trip, guests disembark on an island to enjoy the spectacular Okavango sunset while sitting around a campfire with the all favorite gin & tonic. The African night starts off with the remarkable panorama of stars while our chef will serve you a five course dinner you will never forget. Cocktail, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. The dinner cruise end at around 21h30.

This morning you will need to rise early for a long drive to where we cross the border back into Botswana. We drive through Bwabwata National Park. After the Park we pass through police check point of Kongola on our way to the town of Katima Mulilo. We make a short stop in this town to buy any needed supplies and we proceed to Ngoma Border post, en-route to the border we stop at a layby stop to enjoy our lunch packs. After lunch we reach the border and we complete all border formalities on the Namibian side which will be the same at the border for Botswana. We drive through Chobe National Park’s highway to reach our overnight destination.

Chobe National Park is in northern Botswana near the vast, inland Okavango Delta. It’s known for its large herds of elephants and Cape buffalo, which converge along the Chobe Riverfront in the dry months. Lions, antelopes and hippos inhabit the woods and lagoons around Linyanti Marsh. Aptly and fondly known as ‘The Land of The Giants’, Chobe National Park in the north of beautiful Botswana is home to Africa’s largest elephant population and comprises more than 10,000km2 of rich ecosystems, diverse landscapes and an almost unparalleled abundance of wildlife and birdlife all centred around the stunning Chobe River, and in close proximity to a number of Southern Africa’s other safari must-sees.

Arrive at the lodge in time and book for a memorable safari boat cruise. Boat Cruise is one of the finest game viewing experiences in Africa. With over 80 000 elephant in the park alone they are a very frequent sighting. Hippo, water birds, buffalo, crocodile and puku are also viewed from the river. Private cruises, led by our expert guides are available throughout the day to suit your individual needs.

We rise early this morning for a day which is sure to prove most memorable. You join a morning game drive (on clients own cost), Game Drives: Chobe National Park offer the opportunity to view the abundant elephant and other big game species up close, and also the possibility of an encounter with one of the large predators. Game drives depart three times a day (approximately 3 hour duration).

After the game drive we enjoy breakfast then we depart to Victoria Falls. It’s a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. In more modern terms Victoria Falls is known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world. Columns of spray can be seen from miles away as, at the height of the rainy season, more than five hundred million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge, over a width of nearly two kilometres, into a gorge over one hundred meters below.

An early start to participate in your booked activity. Victoria Falls has a lot to offer the visitor and is known as Africa’s adventure capital. There are plenty of activities to do at Victoria Falls year-round for every type of adventurer, no matter how you’re traveling. It doesn’t matter if you’re with your family, friends, or traveling as a couple, Victoria Falls attractions and activities are sure to give you an adventure of a lifetime.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy the sights at a leisurely pace, or seeking adrenaline-charged thrills, Victoria Falls offers a fullness of activities to create an unforgettable experience. Feel the rushing torrents, take in spectacular scenery and enjoy one of the wonders of the world attractions and activities year-round.

Below are some of the activities offered by tour operators at Victoria Falls:

• Bungee Jumping – The Victoria Falls Bungee Jump is undoubtedly the most scenic bungee jump in the World. With the Victoria Falls themselves as the backdrop, and the mighty Zambezi River flowing beneath you, this is sure to be the greatest bungee jump in the World.
• Abseiling, Gorge Swing or Zip Line – A little downstream from the falls suspended across the deep Batoka Gorge is a range of fun activities to thrill all the senses! Go by yourself or with a friend in the tandem option.
• Walk with Lions – a rare opportunity to walk with lions with no leashes or collars through the African bush as they get rehabilitated for reintroduction to the wild.
• White Water Rafting – The Zambezi River below the Falls offer a world class rafting experience as your guide steers your boat skilfully over 23 raging rapids. Or you can try surfing them on a river board.  Kayaking in tandem or on your own is also available.
• Scenic Helicopter Flights – The chopper then circles over the waterfall and heads further up river, approaching the borders of the National Parks. The 30-minute ride actually spends slightly less time circling over the top of the Falls than the 15-minute flight, but the adrenalin-filled ride down the gorge, and the overall perspective this flight gives makes the longer flight well worth it
• Bush Walks – Enjoy the intricacies of the African bush at national parks near Victoria falls
• Microlight Flights – if you’re keen for the wind in your hair and an exhilarating ride, a flight over the Falls in a microlight is unmatched.
• Quad and Mountain Biking – There are a number of tracks for you to enjoy as you take to the cliffs along the gorge.
• Jet boats – thunder along the Zambezi River in one of the high-powered jet-boats and experience a fast-paced thrill along on the water’s edge.
• Devil’s Pool –This natural Swimming Pool is located on the edge of the Victoria Falls and can be accessed by walking along the edge of the lip of the Falls in the dryer season.  It is enclosed by rocks which keep you from falling over the 100 meter drop, but makes for excellent photographs
• Horseback Trails – this is done along the Zambezi and surrounding forests.
• Elephant Back Safaris – Shearwater’s herd of twelve elephants reside on the Stanley and Livingstone Private Game Reserve, a few kilometres outside of Victoria Falls
• Fly Fishing – the Zambezi River offers good fishing, fly-fishing and tiger fishing being the most popular.

After your memorable day of activities in Victoria Falls, experience fine dining at the top-rated Cassia Restaurant. Centrally located only minutes away from the Victoria Falls at Ilala Lodge Hotel, the newly-renamed restaurant offers a delicious breakfast buffet, lunch and al fresco evening dining under the starry African sky.

Today is a departure day, we say good bye to Victoria Falls and good bye to our friends that we were travelling with on this remarkable journey. Those who are flying out from Victoria Falls Airport to Johannesburg for their outbound flight will be transferred by Ilala Lodge Hotel’s shuttle vehicle. While those returning to Namibia will depart early morning for a long drive and do border crossing back into Namibia.

We make a short stopover in the town of Katima Mulilo before proceeding to Rundu to our overnight stay. Just after the town of Rundu we turn off to the right on the road to Nkurenkuru and reach our lodge for overnight.

Today we have an early morning breakfast, we depart on a long road to Windhoek via towns of Grootfontein, Otavi, Otjiwarongo (stop over for lunch), Okahandja and finally to the city. Expect to arrive in the city at around 16:00pm, although please note that times may vary.

END OF SAFARI