Delta & Desert Discovery

Transcription

1 17 days Starts/Ends: Windhoek Discover the natural beauty of Namibia and some of Africa's best game viewing in Botswana. Meet the San Bushmen, game drive through Moremi National Park and climb the dunes of Sossusvlei. Relax on a lagoon in Walvis Bay and explore colonial Swakopmund - all in just over two weeks. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Meeting the San Bushmen and walking with them The vast Kalahari Desert Khwai River Area - renowned for lots of concentrations of wildlife Moremi Game Reserve - on of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa Etosha National Park - Namibia's premier game park Spitzkoppe - home to fascinating rock formations Swakopmund - the adrenilin capital of southern Africa Walvis Bay lagoon Sossusvlei sand dunes & Sesriem canyon What's Included 16 nights mid range chalets and permanent en suite tents. Please Note: Accommodation named, may be subject to change but will be of a similar standard 16 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 11 dinners Transportation in a fully equipped 12 seater 4x4 safari vehicle (Toyota Landcruiser or similar with comfortable seating, windows for game viewing and a music system) Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 17 Game drives in Khwai River, Kalahari, Mahangu National Park and Etosha National Park Walvis Bay lagoon cruise on a luxury catamaran Bush walks with the San Bushmen and in the Kalahari Visit to Mbunzu Living Museum and local Kavango fishing community Visit to a woodcarving workshop, craft gallery & local distillery/wine cellar Park entrance fees Services of an experienced local guide/ driver What's Not Included International flights and visas Tipping - an entirely personal gesture Drinks and items of a personal nature DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Windhoek Upon arrival at Windhoek airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of your group at the lodge at 6pm for your pre departure meeting. Overnight - Windhoek Days 2-3 : San Bushmen & Safari Today we travel through the expansive sandveld landscape of eastern Namibia on the so called Trans-Kalahari highway towards Botswana. the Kalahari Desert derives its name from the Tswana word Kgala meaning "great thirst", however it hosts a great variety of fauna and flora and is surprisingly well-vegetated especially after the summer rains. After crossing the border into Botswana, we proceed to our lodge, owned and managed by the San Bushmen community. In the evening, the San will demonstrate a variety of their traditional dances around the camp fire. -1-

2 On day 3 we will join the San on a guided bush walk interpreting trails and gathering seasonal food and medicinal plants. We will also benefit from the San's astonishing tracking abilities on an afternoon game drive exploring the Kalahari. Overnight - Central Kalahari (B:2, L:1, D:2) Reserve. The name Maun is derived from the San word "maung", which means "the place of short reeds". The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, either relaxing next to the pool at the lodge or if you are keen for some excitement, why not book a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. Overnight - Maun (B, L) Day 4 : Khwai River Days 7-8 : Mahangu Driving through the lush and tropical floodplains of the Kavango region, we travel towards the town of Rundu. We visit Mbunza Living Museum, a traditional cultural school and communal business for the local Kavango people who make a living from fishing, tending cattle and cultivating crops. After this cultural interaction, we proceed to our camp in Northern Namibia's Bushmanland. Why not stretch your legs on one of the walking trails the camp has to offer, ideal for bird and game watching. Overnight - Grootfontein (B, L, D) Days : Etosha National Park After breakfast we head off to the Khwai river area. We make our way to our camp, which is situated in a private concession in the Khwai Leaving Botswana, we drive up the Western border of the Okavango Delta before crossing back into Namibia and onto Mahangu, meaning River area. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of year you may see different species in different areas. Overnight Khwai River (B, L, D) 'food of the local people'. We will arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon to enjoy sundowners on a deck overlooking the Okavango River, listening to the sounds or Mother Nature. Day 5 : Moremi Game Reserve Today we head into the famous Moremi Game reserve known as one of the most beauatiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve. Overnight - Khwai River (B, L, D) On day 8 we enjoy a morning game drive in Mahangu National Park, which is part of the Greater Bwabwata National Park extending from the Kavango River in the west to the Kwando River in the east. Elephant, roan, kudu and buffalo are amongst the animals likely to be seen as well as prolific birdlife. The afternoon may be spent at leisure or participating in optional activities offered from the lodge. Overnight - Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip) (B:2, L:2, D:2) Day 9 : Mbunza & Bushmanland After breakfast we make our way to Namibia s best-known highlight of the north Etosha National Park. Our lodge is located on a 4000 ha private wildlife reserve on the eastern side of the park. We will fill the next 2 days with game drives in the hopes of spotting lion, leopard, elephant and rhino as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra and the numerous different types of antelope the park has to offer. Etosha was declared a National Park in 1907 and it is home to approx. 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish. Overnight Etosha National Park (B:2, L:2, D:2) Day 12 : Omaruru Day 6 : Maun We leave the Khwai River area and travel to Maun, a busy safari town known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game This morning we bid farewell to the wild animals of Etosha and travel southwards to the Erongo -2-

3 region, known for its unique rock formations, cultural heritage and rock paintings. We spend some time familiarising ourselves with the local artistry at a woodcarving workshop and craft gallery. After tasting some of the home-grown produce of a local distillery and small wine cellar, we overnight in the town of Omaruru. Once a mission station, the settlement has great historic significance and has evolved into an artistic hub for local crafts and small industries. Overnight Omaruru (B) Day 13 : Swakopmund Today we visit an iconic group of curved granite mountains, known as Spitzkoppe and nicknamed The Matterhorn of Africa due to its sharp silhouettes and steep inclines. The vivid colours of the rocks will not fail to impress a keen photographic eye as we walk amongst the boulders. A protected conservation area, it is managed by the local community, however only few remains of San or Bushman paintings remain unfortunately. We continue further on a scenic drive to the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, where you will have the opportunity to partake in a few of the many optional activities available this afternoon. Alternatively, just soak up the atmosphere of this quaint, little German town and enjoy its beauty and beaches. Overnight - Swakopmund (B, L) Days : Sesriem of the many fabulous restaurants in the city. Overnight - Windhoek (B, L) Day 17 : Windhoek Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Windhoek Airport in time for your departure flight. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures.(b) Please note An early morning departure takes us to Walvis Bay for a relaxing cruise on the lagoon. Sailing with a luxury catamaran, we search for various marine animals and birds including dolphins, Cape Fur Seals, cormorants, oyster catchers, pelicans and flamingos. Moving further south, we make our way towards the Namib Naukluft National Park and our accommodation for the next two nights, Agama River Camp. The park contains what is considered to be the oldest desert in the world and contains some of the rarest plant and animal species. On day 15 we need to wake up early to visit the world s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. These dunes, which can reach heights of over 300m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake). We also stop to view the Sesriem Canyon, which was carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River. Overnight - Sesriem (B:2, L:2, D:2) Day 16 : Windhoek This tour is operated by Jenman African Safaris. Travelling in 2018? If you are travelling in 2018 there will be a small change to your itinerary. Days 2-3 San Bushmen & Safari Today we travel through the expansive sandveld landscape of eastern Namibia on the so called Trans-Kalahari highway towards Botswana. the Kalahari Desert derives its name from the Tswana word Kgala meaning "great thirst", however it hosts a great variety of fauna and flora and is surprisingly well-vegetated especially after the summer rains. After crossing the border into Botswana, we proceed to our lodge, owned and managed by the San Bushmen community. In the evening, the San will demonstrate a variety of their traditional dances around the camp fire. On day 3 we will join the San on a guided bush walk interpreting trails and gathering seasonal food and medicinal plants. We will also benefit have the opportunity to listen to the San s astonishing stories about their beliefs, history and life in the Kalahari. Overnight Central Kalahari (B:2, L:1, D:2) Also on day s 10 and 11 dinners in Etosha National Park will be on your own account. Departure We leave the Waterberg Plateau behind us and travel back to Windhoek through the beautiful countryside, making short stops en-route. Once we arrive, the rest of the afternoon can be spent at leisure, and dinner can be enjoyed in one The Delta and Desert Discovery departs from Terra Africa Guest House in Windhoek. Please note that the daily departure times are a guideline only and are subject to change due to seasonal variations, as well as unforeseen circumstances. The final decision rests with your -3-

4 guide who will advise you at what time you will be departing each day. bathrooms. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools, restaurants and/or bar areas. On the evening of day 1, there will be a meeting presented by your guide, at 18h00, at your lodge. It is imperative that all clients attend this meeting so as not to miss out on any critical information. Meals Whilst it is our every intention to adhere to the above mentioned itinerary, there may on occasion be a necessity to make alterations in order to make the tour more enjoyable or practical. Therefore please treat the itinerary as a guide only. Transport Jenman Safaris uses fully equipped Toyota Land Cruisers, 12-seater 4x4 safari vehicles or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, large windows for game viewing, a music and PA system and air-conditioning. All luggage, besides hand luggage and photo equipment, is carried on the vehicle or trailer roof racks to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle. Some game drives may be conducted in open-sided safari vehicles. Travelling Times and Distances All travelling times are affected by road conditions, border crossings, detours and weather conditions, therefore on certain days travelling times may be longer than anticipated especially where there is a great distance to be covered. Please keep in mind that the time it takes to travel 100 km in your home country is not equivalent to the time it takes to travel 100 km on African roads, therefore we encourage you to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery Africa has to offer. Where possible additional stops will be made to ensure your travelling comfort at all times. Accommodation We make use of mid-range typical African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps with en-suite Where included, most breakfasts and dinners will be enjoyed in the restaurants of the various accommodation establishments. Lunch packs are provided for driving days and excursions. Alternatively, the guide will prepare lunch enroute. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance. Visas The onus is on the client to organize all visas required to visit Namibia and Botswana prior to departure. Please note that travellers entering Botswana will be required to present a valid international health certificate of vaccination for yellow fever should they originate from or have travelled through countries which have been declared yellow fever infected areas within the preceding 6 months. Travel Insurance Please note that travel and cancellation insurance is mandatory for every guest travelling with On The Go Tours and Jenman African Safaris. All insurance is solely the responsibility of our guests. Please ensure you arrange your own insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc. Please speak to your travel agent if you require assistance. Optional activities in Maun Below is a list of some of the most popular optional activities on offer in Maun. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. The rates are per person or per flight and are quoted in Botswana Pula or US Dollar. All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum amount of passengers to operate. Please contact our reservation office for further information. Should you wish to partake in an activity that is not listed below, we will gladly assist you with rates and reservations. Scenic Flight over the Delta (3, 5 or 6 passengers) Rate to be advised Scenic Helicopter Flight (45 min, 3 seater) $ 675 (excl. departure tax) Scenic Helicopter Flight (60 min, 3 seats) $ 890 (excl. departure tax) Scenic Helicopter Flight (45 min, 4 seater) $ 995 (excl. departure tax) Scenic Helicopter Flight (60 min, 4 seater) $ 1,310 (excl. departure tax) *Please note prices are subject to change Optional activities in Swakopmund Below is a list of some of the most popular optional activities on offer in Swakopmund. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. The rates are per person and are quoted in South African Rand. All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum amount of passengers to operate. Certain activities only operate at specific times of the year. Please contact our reservation office for further information. Should you wish to partake in an activity that is not listed below, we will gladly assist you with rates and reservations. Quad biking (2 hour) R Sand boarding lie-down R Sand boarding standing up R Living Desert Tour R Township Tour R Tandem Sky Diving R Scenic flights (various) Rate to be advised Shore fishing R Boat fishing R Kayaking R Dolphin, Seal & Whale Cruise R *Please note prices are subject to change KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Passports & Visas Please ensure that you have at least two blank pages in your passport, plus an additional blank page for each visa/african country you a visiting. If travelling on one of our longer overland safaris we recommend that you have at least 12 blank pages in your passport. -4-

5 Please also note that your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the end date of your trip. UK, Ireland, Australian, New Zealand, USA, Canadian and South African citizens do not require a visa for entrance into Botswana. Any visa information provided in this document is for general guidance purposes only, visa requirements and fees are subject to change. It is essential that you check current entry requirements with each relevant embassy/ consulate prior to departure. Visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not of On The Go. The few countries that do require visas; mostly Eastern European and Asian Nationals, need to obtain them prior to arrival at the border. Visas are not issued at Botswana ports of entry, if you arrive without a visa, immigration officials will refuse you entry to Botswana. Booking Your Flights When booking your departure flight you should allow time at the end of your African safari for any unexpected delays. We recommend that you book your onward flight no earlier than 24 hours after the end of your safari. In the case of our longer overland camping safaris (22 days or more) we advise against making any firm arrangements for at least 48 hours after the scheduled departure date. We can help to arrange post tour accommodation upon request. Allergies/Likes/Dislikes Whilst all will done to accommodate everyone, sometimes the choice available is limited as your cook may be making the best of very limited availability, so some flexibility may be required when encountering something you're not particularly fond of or have chosen not to eat as a lifestyle choice. Should you possess allergies which will result in an medical emergency or a life threatening situation then please ensure you speak to your cook on arrival so you can discuss the options available whilst en-route. This will ensure also that they are fully aware of what you can or cannot eat and make adjustments. Botswana Country Guide Visa Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours, therefore it is essential that you check current visa requirements with the embassy before travel. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Africa. The border crossings we use in Botswana include: Muhembo (Botswana/Namibia border) Kazangula (Botswana/Zimbabwe or Zambia border) Groblerberg/Martin s Drift (South Africa/ Botswana) Botswana Tourism Levy from 1st June 2017 postponed until further notice From the 1st June 2017 a tourism levy of $30USD is payable when entering Botswana. Payment is taken at the border in US dollars cash, debit or credit card. The Levy is valid for a 30 day period and can be used for multiple entry. Please note this Levy has been postponed until further notice. Vaccinations You should seek medical advice before travelling to Botswana from your local health practitioner and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Polio, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus is strongly recommended. Rabies may also be recommended. There is the risk of malaria in certain areas of Botswana so it is very important to check with your doctor before you go, to see whether malarial medication is required for the areas you are visiting. A valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is also required if travelling into Botswana and you have previously been in an infected country. Currency & Banking The currency of Botswana is the Botswana Pulas (BWP) 1 Pula = 100 Thebe. Notes are in denominations of BWP10, 20, 50 and 100. Coins are in denominations of BWP1, 50, 25, 10, 5, 1. There are no restrictions on the import of local or foreign currencies, provided they are declared on arrival. Export of local currency is limited to BWP50 and foreign currencies up to the amount declared on arrival. It is easy to change most forms of currency including US$, GB, Euros and South African Rand. The best place to change money in Botswana is the bureau de changes as banks charge commission to change either cash or travellers cheques. ATMs are available in all main towns, cities, shopping centres and most petrol stations. MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are all widely accepted. Travellers cheques should be in US Dollars or Pound Sterling to avoid additional exchange rate charges. Proof of identity may be requested in some instances, so it s useful to carry a passport or some form of photo identification. In large cities travellers cheques can incur a high surcharge. Banking hours: Mon-Fri , Sat Time & Voltage Time Zone - Botswana is 2 hours ahead of GMT. Daylight saving time is not observed. The standard voltage is V. Primary sockets require a Type M - South African, electrical plug which has three thick circular pins. You will need a voltage converter, and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. Climate Botswana s climate is mainly temperate. During the summer months (October-April) the weather can be very hot with daytime temperatures of around 30 Celsius and higher. The rainy season (typically lasting from January to March) can be hot with temperatures still in the mid 30 s and only dropping to around the mid 20 s overnight. Winter (MaySeptember) brings a cool change yet is still reasonably warm and mostly pleasant with an average temperature of around 25 C. Early mornings and evenings may be cold and frosty especially in the Kalahari region. The amount of rainfall decreases the further you travel west or -5-

6 southwards during the winter and rainy season months. Travelling with children in Botswana The Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs informs the general public that it has imposed requirements for minors (children under 18) travelling through the county s ports of entry. require a visa for stays of up to 90 days in Namibia. Very few countries require Namibian visas. Those that do require a visa must obtain it prior to departure. Visas are not issued at Namibia ports of entry, if you arrive without a visa, immigration officials will refuse you entry to Namibia. The border crossings we use in Namibia include: Effective from the 1st October 2016 minors travelling through the country s borders will be required to produce certified copies of unabridged birth certificates in addition to their valid passports. In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent's affidavit consenting to such travel should be availed. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father s name does not appear on the child s birth certificate. To summarise the above, should families be travelling with children below the age of 18 they will require the following: Valid Passports Certified unabridged birth certificates for all minors below the age of 18 An Affidavit signed by the non-travelling parent should the minor be travelling with one parent. Unfortunately these regulations are very strict therefore we urge all parents travelling to Africa with their children to contact all relevant embassies well prior to departure to ensure they have the correct documentation as if you do not, there is a high chance you will be denied entry. Namibia Country Guide Visas Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours, therefore it is essential that you check current visa requirements with the embassy before travel. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Africa. UK, Ireland, Australian, New Zealand, USA, Canadian and South African citizens do not Noordoewer (South Africa/Namibia border) Muhembo (Namibia/Botswana border) Health & Vaccinations You should seek medical advice before travelling to Namibia from your local health practitioner and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Polio, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A & B and Tetanus is strongly recommended. Rabies may also be recommended. There is the risk of malaria in certain areas of Namibia so it is very important to check with your doctor before you go, to see whether malarial medication is required for the areas you are visiting. A valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is also required if travelling into Namibia and you have previously been in an infected country. Currency All unused Namibian Dollars need to be exchanged to South African Rand before leaving Namibia. The Rand can then be used in Botswana or South Africa. Namibian Dollars can be changed to Rand at banks and bureau de changes and swapped over in some shops. Banking hours: 09:00 to 15:30. Some close between 13:00 and 14:00 Time & Voltage Time Zone - Namibia is 2 hours ahead of GMT. Daylight saving time is not observed. Standard voltage in Namibia is V. Primary sockets require a Type M - South African, electrical plug which has three thick circular pins. You will need a voltage converter, and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. Climate Namibia s climate is typical of a semi-desert region, with hot days and cool nights. Namibia is blessed with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures are cooler along the coast and on the central plateau. Rainfall is typically low in Namibia and normally only occurs during the summer months from December to March, mostly in the form of heavy thunderstorms. During the winter months from May to September days are typically warm but temperatures can drop below freezing at night. The currency of Namibia is the Namibian Dollar ($NAD) 1 $NAD = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of $NAD10, 20, 50, 100 and 200. Coins are in denominations of 5, 10, 50, $NAD1, $NAD5. It is possible to change money and use ATMs in all sizeable towns. Bureau de Changes offer quicker and commission free service but are only found in Swakopmund and Windhoek. ATMs are widely accessible and very reliable and offer the best rates of exchange for cards. The Rand and Namibian dollar are tied to each other on an equal level and as such the Rand and Namibian dollar can be used interchangeably in Namibia. However Namibian dollars are not accepted in South Africa. -6-