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

Namibia & Zambezi

Tour Code:
NBa15

Small Group Safari:
maximum 12 people

countries visited:
Namibia & Zambia

Duration:
15 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.

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

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Why travel with Sunway Safaris?

We understand that you have specific expectations when 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 crucial 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 – most are between 25 and 60. The diversity of the participants contributes to a unique safari experience every time.
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• 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 field guides (FGASA) who make up the crew. This means maximum knowledge and informative, interesting travel. 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 each itinerary includes the 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 definitely visit South Luangwa National Park and take a walk through the wilderness with a local scout. When booking 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 on-site. Therefore, there are no hidden costs. This should be an important aspect of 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 approved passenger vehicle manufacturer according to the latest safety requirements; it has a safety cage and every seat is equipped with a seatbelt. This gives you peace of mind when traveling on the often challenging roads with Sunway Safaris.
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• Good2Go - Sunway Safaris aims to make travel responsible and to support local projects and initiatives in the regions we visit. In the trip descriptions, the Good2Go symbol points to selected projects or measures related to the respective trip.
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• Solo travelers – Traveling alone won't put a strain on your wallet, as our reservations team will pair you with a roommate of the same gender to make the trip more affordable. You still have the option to book a single room or tent for a small surcharge.
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• Experience – For 27 years now, Sunway Safaris has been planning trips through Southern Africa. As a result, our routes have been perfected over many years. This guarantees the smooth running of every tour. We visit many highlights of Southern Africa, but we ensure that we do not follow the well-trodden tourist path. Our guides have extensive experience in Africa and all over the world.
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• Based in Africa – Sunway Safaris is an African travel agency, which means we live in Africa, we travel in Africa, and our passion belongs to this wonderful continent. This makes Sunway Safaris the best travel option.
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• Age limit - On all scheduled tours, we accept children from 12 to 17 years old when accompanied by an adult. We have no upper age limit. Guests who are over 65 at the time of travel require a medical certificate stating that 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, both in terms of accommodation and camping. For further details, please contact us.

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‍SOS Tree Project – Okavango, Botswana

For hundreds of years, local communities in Botswana’s Okavango Delta have used the wood of the sausage tree to craft their traditional "mokoros" (dugout canoes). This knowledge has been passed down through generations, providing a steady livelihood for the local people. As tourism in the Okavango Delta continues to grow, the demand for mokoros has increased, leading to more trees being felled. Unfortunately, due to this rise in tourism, sausage trees are disappearing from the region. Since traditional mokoros must be replaced every five years, this places even greater pressure on the dwindling number of trees.

Against this backdrop, Sunway Safaris has launched a project to encourage local "polers" (mokoro guides) to switch to fiberglass replicas. These replicas last for 10 years, are significantly more durable, and are produced without any negative environmental impact. The project is currently struggling with the funding required for these replicas. Although a portion of our tour costs already goes toward this initiative, 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 very close to our hearts, and we look forward to a successful project.

Local Payment

No local payment is required for this safari.

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Recommended Reading:

Before you travel, you might enjoy reading the following books. While these are not specific to Sunway tours, they provide excellent background information and insight into the countries you will be visiting.

• Sands of Silence by Peter H. Capstick
• Skeleton Coast by John H. Marsh (The 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 (A story of a boy in Cape Town during the Caprivi border war)
• Etosha by Daryl and Sharna Balfour (A coffee table photography book)
• 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 (A fictional story about life in Botswana)
• Trees of the Okavango by Veronica Roodt (A reference book covering traditional uses and myths)
• Okavango: Jewel of the Kalahari by Karen Ross (A comprehensive description of the Delta's ecology)
• Don’t Run Whatever You Do by Peter Allison (A guide’s perspective on life at a Botswana lodge)
• Okavango: Africa's Last Eden by Frans Lanting (A coffee table photography book)
• 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 best selection of souvenirs, such as carvings, batik fabrics, paintings, and clothing, can be found at Victoria Falls in Livingstone. In Botswana, you can purchase beautiful woven goods. Namibia also offers unique and beautiful keepsakes and handicrafts. If you see something you like, buy it right away, as it is rare to find similar items offered elsewhere along your journey.

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 times we will try out local restaurants.
• The tour guide handles all shopping and menu planning. Whenever and wherever possible, they will purchase fresh ingredients 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 meats, or curries prepared over an open fire or on gas stoves. We provide all cooking utensils, as well as plates, mugs, and cutlery.
• We are, of course, happy to accommodate the specific needs of vegetarians and those with allergies. Sunway Safaris provides the following drinks: fruit juice at breakfast, and tea or coffee at breakfast and dinner. All other beverages must be purchased by you. Sunway Safaris does not provide bottled drinking water.

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Difficulty level:

• Anyone in good general health will have no trouble enjoying this tour. 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 can occasionally disrupt even the best-laid plans. But never forget: the journey is the destination! Soak up the diverse, exotic impressions and enjoy the African adventure even when things aren't moving quite as fast as expected.
• An important part of a Sunway safari is participation. Loading luggage and equipment in the morning, helping to tidy up, and assisting with meal prep—it’s all part of the adventure. When everyone contributes a little, the trip runs smoothly. The tour guides prepare all meals, but they do ask for help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun!

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Good to 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 advisory website for detailed information on current entry requirements.
• Please keep a weight limit of 12 kg 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 recommend bringing Euros, US Dollars, or South African Rand for personal expenses. In Namibia, only Namibian Dollars and South African Rand are accepted, so you will need to exchange currency at local bureaus. In Botswana, only Botswana Pula are accepted, which must be obtained at local exchange bureaus. In Zambia, you can only pay 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 cost of meals and drinks can be found in the Sunway dossier.

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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 it for charging batteries, so we recommend bringing a spare. 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 keeping a watchful eye on your safety. In the wilderness, your guide will explain the 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-prone 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.

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