Victoria Falls-Caprivi-Etosha-Sossusvlei-Okavango Small-Group Tour

Namibia & Botswana "Southern Circle"

Tour Code:
NBa21

Small Group Safari:
maximum 12 people

Countries visited:
Botswana, Namibia & Zambia

Duration:
21 days

‍

Summary:

• A true exploration of Namibia and Botswana.
• Package tour featuring cultural experiences, adventure, and wildlife.
• Victoria Falls, Caprivi, Etosha, Damaraland, Namib Desert, Kalahari, Okavango Delta & Chobe.

‍

The following information is provided by our long-standing partner, Sunway Safaris, and outlines their travel philosophy and services.

‍

Why travel with Sunway Safaris?

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

When choosing your tour operator, it is therefore of great importance to consider 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 a maximum of 12 participants make it possible to experience Africa and gain personal insights into 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.
  ‍
• 2 Sunway expedition leaders – Group guides are the key to every safari. On a Sunway safari, you will be accompanied by 2 qualified and registered FGASA field guides who make up your crew. 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.
  ‍
• Guaranteed departures – Departures in bold are guaranteed. All other departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 people.
  ‍
• 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, visiting the national parks in an open 4x4 vehicle is an absolute must—it is the essence of the Botswanan wilderness. When traveling to Zambia, you should definitely visit South Luangwa National Park and take a walking safari 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 the spot. There are no hidden costs. This should be an important factor in your decision to book a Sunway safari.
  ‍
• Safety – Our vehicles are all custom-built. We ensure comfortable and safe travel. Each vehicle has been 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.
  ‍
• 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 that specific journey.
  
• Solo travelers – Traveling alone 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.
  ‍
• Experience – For 27 years, Sunway Safaris has been planning journeys through Southern Africa. As a result, our routes have been perfected over many years, ensuring a smooth and seamless tour. We visit many of Southern Africa's highlights while ensuring we don't just follow the well-trodden tourist path. Our guides have extensive experience in Africa and all over the world.
  ‍
  
• Based in Africa – Sunway Safaris is an African travel agency, which means we live in Africa, we travel in Africa, and our passion is this wonderful continent. That makes Sunway Safaris the best choice for your trip.
  ‍
  
• 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 staying in accommodation or camping. Please contact us for further details.

‍

‍SOS Tree Project – Okavango, Botswana

For hundreds of years, local residents of 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 provided them with a steady livelihood. The number of visitors to the Okavango Delta is increasing every year, which means more mokoros are needed and, consequently, more trees are being felled. Due to the growth in tourism, sausage trees are unfortunately disappearing from this 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 local "polers" (mokoro guides) to purchase fiberglass replicas. These replicas last for 10 years, are significantly more durable, and are manufactured without any negative impact on the environment. The implementation of the project 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.

Local Payment

A local payment is not required for this safari.

‍

Recommended Reading:

Before you travel, you might want to read the following books. These books are not specific to Sunway tours, but they provide good background information and an understanding of the countries you will be visiting.

• Sands of Silence by Peter H. Capstick
• Skeleton Coast by John H. Marsh (Wreck of the Dunedin Star and its survivors)
• The Skeleton Coast by Benedict Allen (A journey through the Namib Desert)
• The Smell of Apples by Mark Behr (Story of a boy in Cape Town during the army's time in Caprivi)
• Etosha by Daryl and Sharna Balfour (A coffee table book of photography)
• Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (Autobiography - Nelson Mandela is one of the great moral and political leaders of our time.)
• The No. 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

‍

‍Shopping:

The best selection of souvenirs such as carvings, batik fabrics, paintings, and clothing can be found at Victoria Falls in Livingstone. In Botswana, you can buy beautiful woven goods. Namibia also offers unique and beautiful keepsakes and handicrafts. If you see something you like, you should buy it right away, as it is rare to find something similar offered anywhere else along the way.

Food:

• We take pride in providing our travelers with high-quality, delicious, and healthy meals three times a day. Exceptions are noted in the itinerary, during which we will try out local restaurants.
• The tour guide handles all shopping and menu planning. Whenever and wherever possible, they will purchase fresh food for the group.
• What you can expect:
• Breakfast: Cereal with milk or bread/toast, jam, and fruit with coffee and tea, or occasionally a full English (cooked) breakfast.
• Lunch: Cheese, cold cuts, fish, fruit, pasta salads, and bread.
• Dinner: Stews, barbecues, roasted meat, or curries prepared over an open fire or gas stoves. We provide all cooking utensils, as well as plates, mugs, and cutlery.
• Of course, we cater to the specific needs of vegetarians and those with allergies. Sunway Safaris provides the following drinks: fruit juices at breakfast and tea or coffee at breakfast and dinner. All other drinks must be purchased by you. Sunway Safaris does not provide bottled drinking water.

‍

Difficulty level:

• Anyone in good general health will be able to enjoy this tour without any problems. Simple wilderness camping is a true joy for nature lovers. You might get a little dusty and sweaty, but that is exactly what Africa is all about!
• The itinerary includes some long days on the road. Roads in remote areas are not always in the best condition, and travel can sometimes be slow and dusty. Border crossings, road damage, or weather conditions can occasionally disrupt a schedule. However, never forget: the journey is the destination! Soak up the diverse, exotic impressions and enjoy the African adventure even when things aren't moving as quickly as planned.
• An important part of a Sunway safari is participation. Loading luggage and equipment in the morning, helping to tidy up, and assisting with meal preparation—all of this is part of the adventure. When everyone contributes a little, the trip runs smoothly. The tour guides prepare all meals themselves, but they do ask for help with the washing up. Team spirit is fun!

‍

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 Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia. Please check your local government's travel advice website for detailed information on current entry requirements.
• When packing, please keep in mind a weight limit of 12 kg, brought in a soft bag (no hard-shell suitcases). Also, remember to bring a small, lightweight bag for our day excursions. 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 none are provided there.
• Money - It is recommended to bring Euros, US Dollars, or South African Rand for personal expenses. In Namibia, only Namibian Dollars and South African Rand are accepted as currency and must be obtained at exchange bureaus within Namibia. In Botswana, only Botswana Pula are accepted and must be obtained at exchange bureaus within Botswana. In Zambia, payments can only be made in Zambian Kwacha, though all major credit cards (MasterCard/Visa) can be used for optional activities in Livingstone and other locations. Further information on the approximate costs of meals and drinks can be found in the Sunway dossier.

‍

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, such as 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 accommodations (SA 220V).
• Safety?
  Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia are relatively safe, and your tour guide will strive to show you the best sides of the country while conscientiously 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.
• Do I need malaria prophylaxis?
  Yes, the tour passes through malaria areas. Prophylaxis is strongly recommended; please consult your doctor.
• 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, and—indispensably—a sense of adventure.

‍