Group trip to Victoria Falls, Okavango, Hwange, Matobos & Chobe NP

Botswana & Zimbabwe “Ivory Route”

Tour Code:
BZac15

Small group safari:
maximum 12 people

countries visited:
Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe

duration:
15 days

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Summary:

• A true journey of discovery through Southern Africa – see and experience everything without having to sacrifice a comfortable bed.
• An interactive safari with fixed accommodation at a reasonable price – overnight stays in chalets, cabins, and a tented camp at the Okavango Delta, right in the heart of the wilderness.
• All-inclusive: cultural encounters, adventure, and wilderness
• Matobo National Park, Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, Moremi Game Reserve, Mahangu Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, and the Okavango Delta.
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The following information is provided by our long-standing partner, Sunway Safaris, and describes their travel philosophy and services.

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Why travel with Sunway Safaris?

We understand that you have certain expectations when it comes to choosing your African trip. We also know that you want to make the best decision for your safari. You are surely asking yourself: "What will I see, and what will I experience?"

When choosing your tour operator, it is therefore of great importance to know what is offered on a safari tour and which services are included as standard.

Here are some Sunway qualities and facts:

• Small groups – Small travel groups of no more than 12 participants make it possible to truly experience Africa and connect with this wonderful continent and its people. This is the key to our success. Our trips appeal to all age groups. The average age is 37, with most guests between 25 and 60. The diversity of our participants contributes to a unique safari experience every time.
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• 2 Sunway expedition leaders – Tour guides are the key to any safari. On a Sunway safari, you will be accompanied by a crew of 2 qualified and registered field guides (FGASA). This ensures maximum knowledge and an informative, engaging journey. Our expedition leaders have a passion for Africa, its people, and its wildlife, and they love sharing their knowledge with our guests.
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• Guaranteed departures – Departures in "bold" are guaranteed. All other departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 people.
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• All-inclusive price – When we plan Sunway routes, we ensure that every itinerary includes the very best highlights. For a tour to Botswana, for example, you should definitely visit the national parks in an open 4x4 vehicle; that is the essence of the Botswanan wilderness. When traveling to Zambia, you should absolutely visit South Luangwa National Park and take a bush walk with a local scout. When you book a Sunway safari, all entrance fees, a variety of activities, and meals are included. We have incorporated all the highlights into our tours so that you can see and experience them without having to pay extra on-site. There are no hidden costs. This should be an important factor in your decision to book a Sunway safari.
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• Safety – Our vehicles are all custom-built. We ensure comfortable and safe travel. Each vehicle was designed by an officially certified passenger vehicle manufacturer according to the latest safety requirements; it features a safety roll cage and every seat is equipped with a seatbelt. This gives you peace of mind while traveling on the often challenging roads with Sunway Safaris.
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• Good2Go - Sunway Safaris is committed to responsible travel and supporting local projects and initiatives in the regions we visit. In our trip descriptions, the Good2Go symbol highlights selected projects or measures associated with each specific journey.
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• Solo travelers – Traveling solo won't break the bank, as our reservations team will pair you with a roommate of the same gender to make the trip more affordable. However, you still have the option to book a single room or tent for a small surcharge.
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• Experience – For 27 years, Sunway Safaris has been dedicated to planning journeys through Southern Africa. As a result, our routes have been perfected over many years, ensuring a seamless tour experience. While we visit many of Southern Africa's highlights, we guarantee that we do not follow the well-trodden tourist path. Our guides have extensive experience both in Africa and around the world.
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• Based in Africa – Sunway Safaris is an African tour operator, which means we live in Africa, we travel in Africa, and our passion lies with this wonderful continent. This makes Sunway Safaris the best choice for your travels.
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• Age restrictions - On all scheduled tours, we accept children aged 12 to 17 when accompanied by an adult. There is no upper age limit. Guests over the age of 65 at the time of travel require a medical certificate confirming they are fit and healthy enough to participate in an adventure group tour. We have many travelers over 65 who are perfectly capable of enjoying every aspect of a Sunway tour, whether camping or staying in lodges. Please contact us for further details.    
  
  

SOS Tree Project – Okavango, Botswana

For hundreds of years, the local people living near the Okavango Delta in Botswana have used the wood of the sausage tree to craft their traditional "mokoros" (dugout canoes). This knowledge has been passed down through generations and has long been a reliable source of income. As the number of visitors to the Okavango Delta increases every year, more mokoros are needed, leading to more trees being felled. Due to the growth in tourism, the sausage trees are unfortunately disappearing from the region. Traditional mokoros must be replaced every 5 years, which puts additional pressure on the dwindling number of sausage trees.

Against this backdrop, Sunway Safaris has launched a project to encourage "polers" (mokoro guides) in the region to purchase fiberglass replicas. These replicas last for 10 years, are significantly more stable, and are produced without any negative impact on the environment. The project's implementation is currently hindered by the cost of these replicas. Although a portion of our tour costs already goes toward this project, further support is needed. We also offer our guests the opportunity to help solve this problem. For more information on the SOS Tree Project or if you would like to make a donation, please contact the Sunway Safaris office. This is a cause close to all our hearts, and we hope for a successful project.

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Local payment

No local payment is required for this safari.

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Recommended reading:

You may want to read the following books before you travel. While these books are not specific to Sunways tours, they provide excellent background information and insight into the countries you will be visiting.

• A Falcon Flies by Wilbur Smith (Fictional story of life in pre-colonial Rhodesia / Zimbabwe)
• Wankie by Davidson Ted (a story about Hwange National Park)
• Selous Scouts Top Secret War by Ron Reid-Daly (an account of the Zimbabwe War of Independence)
• How I found Livingstone by Henry M. Stanley (a factual account of Stanley’s travels in Africa)
• #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 Palgrave and Piet Van Wyk
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Shopping

The selection of souvenirs such as carvings, batiks, paintings, and clothing is best at Victoria Falls, where you will find a wide variety. In Botswana, you can purchase beautiful woven goods.

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Dining

• Most meals on this safari are provided by the lodges.
• We can accommodate special dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarian or allergies).
• All drinks are at your own expense. We do not provide bottled drinking water, but it is available for purchase in many shops along the route.

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Difficulty level

• Anyone who is generally active and in good health should be able to enjoy this trip.
• The total route includes a few long days of driving. Road conditions through the wilderness can sometimes be very poor, and travel can occasionally be slow and dusty.

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What you should know

• All entrance fees and charges for parks, game drives, and the Okavango excursion are included in the tour price.
• You will need a valid passport and visas to enter South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia. Please check your local government's travel advisory website for detailed information on current entry requirements.
• Please keep a weight limit of twelve kilograms in mind when packing, using a soft-sided bag (no hard-shell suitcases). Also, remember to bring a small, lightweight bag for our day trips. On Classic tours, bed linen is provided, so there is no need to bring a sleeping bag or pillow. Most accommodations provide towels, but it is advisable to bring your own small towel for the pool and beach. For tours visiting the Okavango Delta, please bring your own small towel, as they are not provided there.
• Money - We generally recommend bringing Euros, US Dollars, or South African Rand. Please note, however, that in South Africa and Namibia, foreign currency must be exchanged for Rand or Namibian Dollars. Similarly, in Botswana, foreign currency is not accepted in shops, restaurants, or markets; only Botswana Pula are accepted. In Livingstone, individual activities can be paid for with Euros, US Dollars, or credit cards. Traveler's checks can be exchanged in Cape Town, Swakopmund, Windhoek, Maun, and Livingstone. Please also refer to the Sunway guidelines for estimated prices for food, drinks, etc.

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Frequently asked questions about this tour

• Can I buy memory cards for my camera?
  ‍Memory cards and other photo accessories are occasionally available during the tour. A camera with a zoom lens ranging from wide-angle to telephoto, 35-200mm, is recommended for landscape and wildlife photography. Each vehicle is equipped with a 12/24V cigarette lighter socket, but you cannot rely on being able to charge your batteries there, so we recommend bringing a spare battery. Don't forget that you can (almost) always charge your camera when staying in accommodation (SA 220V).
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• Safety?
  South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia are relatively safe, and your guide will do their best to show you the most beautiful sides of the country while diligently looking out for your safety. In the wilderness, your guide will brief you on safety guidelines – please follow them, keep an eye on your personal belongings, and nothing will stand in the way of a magnificent and unforgettable safari.
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• Do I need malaria prophylaxis?
  ‍Yes, the tour passes through malaria areas. Prophylaxis is strongly recommended; please consult your doctor.
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• What should I bring?
  ‍All details are listed in our general tour information (available at www.sunway-safaris.com). However, the essentials are: comfortable clothing for warm days and cold nights, hiking boots, a rain jacket, a hat and sunglasses, swimwear, a small pair of binoculars, which are quite handy, and—indispensably—a sense of adventure.

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