Wild Africa - 22 days (Cape Town to Livingstone)

  Botswana

• Other Cities in Botswana: 
Orapa

  Namibia

• Other Cities in Namibia: 
Rural Areas

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

  Zambia

• Other Cities in Zambia: 
Livingstone

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All Year - Please Email Us

Description: Day 1 Cape Town
Welcome to cosmopolitan Cape Town. This vibrant metropolis is well worth exploring, so why not arrive early for a chance to discover its many delights.

Days 2-3 Cedarberg/ Orange River
Paddle along the serene Orange River in a canoe and watch an African sunset over the golden cliffs of the Richtersveld Mountains.

Day 4 Fish River Canyon
Delight in the stark beauty of Namibia's mighty quiver trees en route to dramatic Fish River Canyon, which is second only to the Grand Canyon in size.

Day 5 Sossusvlei
See the heart of the Namib Desert, traversing the Sossusvlei, a huge clay pan surrounded by towering sand dunes.

Days 6-7 Swakopmund
Scale soaring dunes for stunning vistas and experience the absolute silence of the desert. Have the secrets of the sands revealed on a guided desert walk before heading to colonial Swakopmund.

Day 8 Spitzkoppe
Admire the striking granite outcrop of Spitzkoppe and discover ancient paintings hidden amongst these dramatic rock formations.

Days 9-10 Damaraland
Spot the seals of Cape Cross then continue travelling along the Skeleton Coast, passing red rock mesas and the occasional herd of roaming zebra.

Days 11-12 Etosha National Park
Explore the vast Etosha Pan, an immense saline desert that's a haven for black rhinos. The park boasts over 340 bird species and everything from giant elephants to tiny dik-dik antelope.

Day 13 Waterberg Plateau Park
Discover this long snaking sandstone plateau and try to spot blue wildebeest in this unique conservation park.

Day 14 Windhoek
Wander the streets of German-style Windhoek.

Day 15 Ghanzi
Visit the expansive Kalahari and spend some time with the San Bushmen, whose fascinating culture has lasted millennia.

Days 16-17 Okavango Delta
Glide through the Okavango Delta's intricate network of waterways aboard a traditional pole-propelled canoe. Keep watch for antelope, elephants and other animals emerging from the Kalahari Desert, as well as the many bird species that call this astonishing wetland home.

Days 18-19 Caprivi Strip
Relax in the camp's floating swimming pool or enjoy a spot of fishing.

Day 20 Chobe National Park
Spy a wealth of wildlife on a sunset game cruise down the Chobe River, the perfect vantage point to spot hippos, elephants and some of the park's myriad bird species.

Days 21-22 Victoria Falls/ Livingstone
Marvel at the thunderous roar of this spectacular natural wonder.

Highlights: Experience the remarkable culture of the San Bushmen, Witness the mighty crash of Victoria Falls, Cruise along the Chobe River, Spy zebras and ostriches roaming the Namib Desert, Discover ancient rock paintings at Spitzkoppe, Stay in a former German frontier fort, Scout for black rhinos in Etosha National Park, Paddle a traditional canoe through the Okavango Delta

If you're dreaming of seeing southern Africa's unspoiled wilderness, this epic journey will bring you right to its incredible heart. Voyage across four countries, traversing stark deserts, gliding along some of the region's most famous waterways, exploring pristine wilderness and tracking some of the continent's most iconic wildlife. From canoeing in the Orange River to trekking through baobab forests, trying out adrenalin-fuelled activities in Swakopmund and taking a sunset cruise down the Zambezi, there's something for everyone on this quintessential wild Africa adventure.

Cost in US$: Please Email Us For Latest Pricing

Meals
While traveling with us you will experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Generally, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. Please check the 'meal inclusions' section below for details of meals included.
Allow USD $460 for meals not included.

Meal Inclusions
21 Breakfasts, 10 Dinners

Single Travelers
With the exception of our Comfort trips, our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travelers share with people of the same sex for the duration of the trip, in accommodation ranging from twin to multi-share. Please note some of our itineraries have accommodation booked on a mixed gender share basis - where applicable this will be specified in our Trip Notes. On our Comfort trips you have the choice of sharing or paying a single supplement. Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre- and post-trip accommodation will be booked on a single room basis.

Transport
Minibus/safari vehicle, boat, canoe, walking

Our fleet consists of 16 seater safari vehicles, 13 seater minivans and 9 seater landcruisers. Vehicle used will be dependent on the group size.

Even though you have chosen a comfort tour, travelling in Africa can be demanding - long, rough travel days, dusty conditions and all provide a challenge. It is important to us that you are aware when booking that there are some VERY long driving days on all our itineraries and may be very early (pre dawn) morning starts. The step up into some vehicles, while not overly high can become tiring. There are many long hours spent driving on rough roads on all Africa itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate daily distance covered and how long this normally takes to drive in hours so that you can choose the safari experience which is right for you. It is important to know that our itineraries which visit Namibia usually operate in a purpose built safari vehicle. We need to use this type of vehicle to give us the strength and clearance necessary for the sand roads in this country. While definitely not "luxurious" the vehicle is comfortable and will enable you to smoothly traverse Namibian conditions.

Activities Included
This is a list of included activities on this trip. All other activities are optional and at your own expense. For a list of optional activities and sightseeing available on this trip, see the optional activities section below. If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary, the cost will not be refunded.

* Arrival airport transfer
* Half day Canoe Trail - Orange River
* Climbing of desert dunes and desert walk- Soussesvlei
* Visit to bushman paintings - Spitzkoppe
* Visit Cape Cross seal colony - Spitzkoppe
* Entry and game drives - Etosha National Park
* Entrance, mokoro tours and game walks - Okavango Delta
* Game drive Mahango Game Reserve - enroute to Ngepi Camp
* Village walking tour - Ngepi
* Chobe River Cruise - Chobe National Park
* Entrance to Victoria Falls (Zambian side) - Livingstone

Optional Activities
We list the following optional activities for your information. This is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.

They are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by the service provider nor included in price of this trip. If you do any of them, you do so at your own risk and it must be clearly understood that your participation is your own decision and does not form part of your contract with us / the service provider.

- Quad Biking, Swakopmund - US$95
- Sand boarding, Swakopmund - US$40
- Tandem Skydive, Swakopmund - US$250
- Fishing Trip, Swakopmund - US$110
- Aerobatic Flight, Swakopmund - US$240
- Parasailing, Swakopmund - US$70
- Morning or afternoon game drive, Waterberg Plateau Park - US$20
- Scenic flight, Okavango Delta - US$60
- Game drive, Chobe National Park - US$50
- Sunset Cruise, Victoria Falls - US$40
- White water rafting, Victoria Falls - US$135
- Canoeing Zambei (half day), Victoria Falls - US$90
- Bungy, Victoria Falls - US$95
- Kayaking, Victoria Falls - US$150
- Jet boat, Victoria Falls - US$90
- Rhino Walk, Victoria Falls - US$80
- Elephant Ride, Victoria Falls - US$140
- Flight over the falls, Victoria Falls - US$110-220

Activities in Botswana:
Crocodile Farm $10

Physical Rating
You are required to carry your pack on and off trains and buses, up hotel steps, etc. Your itinerary may include easy paced walks or bike rides, but these are on mainly flat ground.

Culture Shock Rating
The trip includes a range of accommodation, such as basic hotels with western facilities or overnight trains. Days of being on the move are well interspersed, communication with the outside world is ever-present and a wide variety of food is commonly available.

Important Notes
Please note this trip is a combination of our Southern Highlights and Bush and Beyond itineraries. The composition of your group and tour leader may change in Windhoek on day 14.

If necessary, hotels used may vary from those described in trip notes. If such changes take place we will use similar accommodation of an equal standard.

Please note that on occasion our houseboat will not be available due to regular servicing and maintenance requirements. If this occurs the program will be replaced with alternate land based accommodation.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

When traveling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader.

If you have credit card insurance your tour leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact telephone number rather than the Bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

Visas
Please note that visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change. It is important that you check for yourself.

Citizens of Australia, UK, and USA do not need visas to visit Botswana as a tourist for up to three months. Citizens of other countries, including most EU countries, should check with the relevant consulates as to whether a visa is required.

Currently visas are not required for most nationalities to enter Namibia, please check there has been no change with the relevant visa office before your departure.

Citizens of Australia, UK, and most EU countries do not need visas to visit South Africa as a tourist for up to three months. Citizens of other countries should check with the relevant consulates as to whether a visa is required.

Zambian visas are required by most nationalities, including from the EU, US and Australia. All nationalities should check with the Zambian Embassy for more information. For most nationalities, Zambian visas are available at the point of entry but if you plan to purchase your visa on arrival, you will need American dollars cash.

Local Payment
A local payment will be collected by your leader on day 1 of your trip. The amount of this local payment varies depending on whether you booked your trip on old or new prices.

New price local payment = USD$800 on day 1.

Most of our trips require a compulsory local payment, which is part of the contract with you (the customer) and the service provider. This amount is the final payment for your trip and is to be paid in the specified currency, in cash to your leader upon arrival. The local payment is non-refundable, and is considered part of the total trip payment.

Departure Tax
Please allow US$20 for departure tax (although it may be included in your international air ticket).

Emergency Funds
Please also make sure you have access to an additional USD$400, to be used when unforeseen incidents or circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster, or an outbreak of bird flu) necessitate a change to our planned route. This change may have to be decided prior to departure. This is a rare occurrence but it is well worth being prepared!

Laundry
Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a small charge. It can be difficult to find time to hand wash clothes, so hotel laundries are usually the best option. If you choose to bring your own laundry detergent, please ensure it is a non polluting/biodegradable soap.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of Varies due to 2 Tours Merging at some point

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

FYI Travel's Mission Statement: Travel is a life-changing experience and FYI Travel will assist those who wish to, providing important information, giving peace of mind and support throughout their journey. FYI Travel is a link between traveller's and ground operators/service providers. We empower those in South Africa and Africa who offer extraordinary experiences. Our goal is to be instrumental in assisting individuals in making their trip a memorable one, being part of the traveller's life experience. We firmly believe that South Africa and Africa have so much to offer. The beauty and character of these countries are unique and should be experienced by everyone on this planet.

Year Founded: 2007