These three African countries offer contrasting game viewing opportunities. In Namibia, Etosha is open, dry and scrubby, a National Park with game concentrated at the waterholes, while Sossusvlei – the huge sand dunes south of Windhoek offer wonderful photographic opportunities.
Chobe National Park in Botswana is known for its very large herds of elephant and Cape buffalo. The river attracts hippo, crocodiles and a myriad of bird species. Boat and 4x4 game viewing gives great contrasts.
In Zimbabwe we have sole use of ‘The Hide’ tented camp. Set in acacia woodland with its own waterhole and hidden ‘hide,’ elephant, antelope, lion and more come down to drink only a few metres away. 4x4 excursions top off the experience.
Victoria Falls concludes the tour on a high note – always a highlight.
“Sitting by a waterhole watching the animals taking their turns to drink while others waited in the background made this a magical trip” – Jan & John
“Incredible time and travel companions” – Erica
“Fantastic and great tour for first timers to Africa” – Maureen & John
Afternoon flight to Singapore. On arrival transfer for your overnight accommodation.
Today free to explore Singapore before a late evening flight to Johannesburg.
A mid-morning flight to Windhoek. On arrival in Windhoek, enjoy an afternoon city tour of Windhoek with its German architecture and government buildings, before your Welcome Dinner.
After breakfast, travel out of town to visit a Bushman Village. Return to Windhoek with the afternoon free.
This morning travel across the desert plains of Namibia to arrive at our accommodation in the magnificent red sand Namib dunes for a two night stay. Afternoon at leisure.
Before sunrise, leave the lodge to enter the park with sun rising behind us. Part of the day will be in small 4x4 vehicles. The day will provide wonderful photo opportunities at Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. Later, return to the lodge with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Many visitors to Namibia say that no part of the desert is visually more stunning than Sossusvlei with its monumentally high sand dunes. One of the largest of these star-shaped mountains of sand measured from the base is said to be 325m high! The warm tints of the sand, ranging from pale apricot to brick orange and deep red, make the dunes a sought- after topic for artists and photographers. One of the most attractive sites surrounding Sossusvlei is Dead Vlei, a combination of seemingly never-ending blue skies, deep red dunes dotted with skeletons of ancient camel-thorn trees carbon-dated between 500 and 600 years old. The dunes are shaped by strong multi-directional winds, primarily the southwester and have three to five sinuous crests which meet at the highest point to give them their star shape.
After breakfast, travel through the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons, taking a scenic route via the Moonlandscape and see the Welwitschia Marabilis, before arriving at the quaint coastal town of Swakopmund.
Welwitschia is a botanical curiosity and it is restricted to Namib Desert. The Welwitschia has characteristics of both flowering and cone-bearing plants and is classified as Gymnosperm, an ancient plant order that includes cycads and conifers. The giant Welwitschia is estimated to be about 2000 years old.
Drive to Walvis Bay for a morning cruise to see the abundant sea life including seals, pelicans, flamingos and dolphins. The afternoon is free to take an optional scenic flight along the coastline known as the Skeleton Coast or spend time in the resort town of Swakopmund. Dinner is at a local restaurant – enjoy the occasion as there are no more towns for the next ten days!!
Today visit a Himba Village on the way to our lodge situated adjacent to the Andersson Gate of the world-renowned Etosha National Park.
Enter Etosha National Park and commence our game viewing through the south of the vast Etosha Pan. Continue on to our accommodation in comfortable double rooms or bush chalets for two nights.
Etosha National Park was proclaimed as Namibia’s first conservation area in 1907 by the then German Government and is now 22,270km2 – one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Consisting of saline desert, savannah and woodlands, its definitive feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow depression of approximately 5,000km2. For the greater part of the year the pan is a bleak expanse of white cracked mud which, on most days, shimmers with mirages. Seeing vast herds of game against this eerie backdrop makes the Etosha game viewing experience unique. Around 114 mammal species and about 340 bird species are dependent on about 30 springs and waterholes. These provide excellent game viewing and photographic opportunities.
A full day game drive – often a tour highlight. Expect the unexpected. Dinner at the lodge.
Today travel via the mining town of Tsumeb and through the ‘Maize Triangle’ to Rundu on the Okavango River. On arrival enjoy a Sundowner Cruise on the Okavango River.
Travel east to the point where the river joins the Okavango Delta region adjacent to Botswana’s smallest and most diverse National Park – Mahandu. Visit Poppa Falls en-route.
Enjoy a morning 4x4 game drive into the Mahandu Game Reserve viewing trip in the National Park with an afternoon boat cruise on the Okavango River.
Continue travelling through the Caprivi Strip into Botswana and to our lodge on the banks of the Chobe River. Farewell your guide before evening game viewing in Chobe.
The Chobe River forms the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park, renowned for its reliable and diverse game viewing. Safaris are conducted both by boat and on land. This section of the park is best known for its elephant and hippo populations. The Chobe National Park in Botswana is only a two hour drive from Victoria Falls. It is one of the greatest game reserves in Southern Africa, famous for its elephant numbers. The Chobe River and Caprivi Flood plains provide a haven for huge herds of buffalo, elephant, zebra, wildebeest and impala which are followed closely by lions, hyenas and leopards and the bird life is exceptional.
Chobe has one of the highest elephant and cape buffalo concentrations on earth. Morning and afternoon game viewing which includes river viewing by boat.
Travel via Kasane to Victoria Falls for a two night stay.
Victoria Falls is 1708m wide and the max drop is 107m - a magnificent sight in an unspoilt environment. The local name is ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – (Smoke that Thunders) Be prepared to get wet!
This morning experience a walking tour of the mighty Falls. The afternoon is free with the option of a helicopter flight over the Falls or one of the many other excursions on offer. This evening enjoy a sundowner dinner cruise on the Zambezi River.
After breakfast a scenic flight to ‘The Hide’ in Hwange National Park. At the National Park entrance transfer to 4x4 game viewing vehicles and travel to your accommodation deep in the National Park with game viewing en-route. Arrive in time for lunch. Settle into your accommodation in tented rooms with en-suites bathrooms, outdoor baths overlooking the waterhole. Late afternoon game drive.
‘The Hide’ has its own waterhole with excellent viewing day and night – a great opportunity to relax and watch a myriad of game arriving for a drink – all taking their turn! Hwange was set aside as a National Park in 1929 and is 14,650km2. The elephant population is one of the largest in the world and there are more than 100 mammal species and nearly 400 bird species within the park.
Morning and afternoon game drives with time to relax and enjoy the surroundings in between.
Morning and afternoon game drives with time to relax and enjoy the surroundings in between.
After breakfast a return scenic flight to Victoria Falls. Farewell dinner at the colonial Victoria Falls Hotel.
A leisurely morning before heading to the airport for the flight to Johannesburg. Overnight stay.
Depart on early afternoon flight to Singapore,
Morning connection from Singapore to arrive into Auckland this evening.
• Economy Airfares Auckland – Singapore– Johannesburg- Windhoek//Victoria Falls – Johannesburg – Singapore – Auckland
• Twenty-one nights’ accommodation in a mix of hotel, lodge, and tented lodges – all with private facilities.
•Two nights Singapore accommodation
• Breakfast daily
• Most dinners as specified
• Lunches in Hwange at ‘The Hide’
• Porterage throughout
• Bottled water in Namibia
• Entrance fees to all National Parks in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe
• Tour of Windhoek and Victoria Falls
• Sundowner cruise Victoria Falls
• 4x4 game viewing Caprivi, Chobe and Hwange
• English speaking driver guides in Namibia Botswana and Zimbabwe
• Escorted subject to 15 persons travelling
Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland | Twin Share | Single |
---|---|---|
ESTIMATED |
$21,995 |
$26,000 |
Business Class Upgrade |
T.B.C |
Premium Economy upgrade |
T.B.C |
Early Booking Discount ( 15 December 2024) | $150 |
Previous International Pukekohe Travel Tour Discount | $100 |
*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment
• Airline fuel surcharges and airport taxes (approx. NZD 750)
• Items of personal nature
• Gratuities for drivers and guides
• Travel Insurance (Ask us for a quote)
• Visa for Zimbabwe (currently USD50) – payable on arrival
• A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person will secure a place on the tour
• Full payment is due no later than 24 May 2025
• From date of booking until 24 May 2025– loss of deposit
• After 24 May 2025– no refund
Travel Insurance is essential. Please feel free to contact us for a quote.
Documentation
• A current passport is required, valid six months beyond date of travel
• New Zealand passport holders do not require visas for Namibia (an arrival card is completed at Windhoek Airport)
• A visa for Zimbabwe is required for New Zealand passport holders. This is completed on arrival (USD50)
• No visa is required for Botswana for New Zealand passport holders. However USD30 is required for the Botswana Tourism Levy paid at the border on arrival.
• All other passport holders please ask
Clothing
Subdued colours are best for the game viewing and layering will be the order of the day. The further inland, the greater the range of temperatures, hotter days and cooler nights. It is very unusual for it to rain in August.
Weather / Climate – August
Max | Min | |
Windhoek | 25 | 9 |
Swakopmund | 24 | 7 |
Etosha | 35 | 24 |
Caprivi Strip | 28 | 15 |
Chobe | 29 | 11 |
Victoria Falls | 31 | 18 |
Hwange | 27 | 7 |
No special vaccinations are required for the tour. Walking is an important part of the tour and a good standard of fitness is required.
HIV / AIDS
*HIV / AIDS are prevalent in Namibia and Zimbabwe. We will ask the group to supply their blood group so in the unlikely event of someone needing blood, we may be able to supply our own. We have done this during the past 20 years and thankfully we have never needed to use this information.
• For full terms and conditions please visit our website www.pukekohetravel.co.nz/termsandconditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy
Note:
Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change