Namibia & Botswana safari: experience 21 days of nature & wilderness

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

Why travel with Sunway Safaris?

• Small groups – Maximum experience With a maximum of 12 participants per tour, we create space for personal encounters and immersive nature experiences. Our guests are typically between 25 and 65 years old – this diversity is what makes our groups so engaging.
• Two experienced expedition leaders All tours are led by two qualified, registered guides (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa). This means double the expertise, safety, and a more intensive travel experience – not just a driver, but true experts by your side.
• Guaranteed departures Many of our tours – especially those with German-speaking guides – are guaranteed. For others, a minimum of four guests is required for the tour to proceed.
• All-inclusive – no hidden costs Our trips include all entrance fees, many activities, and most meals. What is listed in the itinerary is truly included. This allows you to relax and enjoy your trip on-site instead of constantly paying extra.
• Safety and comfort Our safari vehicles are custom-built and equipped with safety cells and lap belts. We use robust trucks for particularly bumpy routes and comfortable minibuses for other stages.
• Responsible travel Along many of our travel routes, we support selected environmental and social projects. In this way, we aim to contribute to long-term partnerships in the regions we visit.
• Ideal for solo travelers Solo travelers do not pay a surcharge if they are willing to share a room/tent with a person of the same gender. Of course, a single room can also be booked for an additional fee.
• Over 30 years of experience Sunway Safaris has been planning and organizing guided tours through Southern Africa for over three decades – always with the goal of providing immersive experiences off the beaten path.
• Based in Africa Perhaps the most important part of a Sunway Safari is that we are an African company with offices in South Africa and Botswana. We live in Africa, we travel in Africa, and it is our passion for this amazing continent that makes Sunway your best travel option.
• Age restrictions - On all scheduled tours, we accept children aged 12-17 when accompanied by an adult. We have 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 a group tour. We have many guests over 65 who are perfectly capable of enjoying all aspects of a Sunway tour, both in accommodation and while camping.  

SOS Tree Project – Okavango, Botswana
‍For hundreds of years, the local people and nearby 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. This means more "mokoros" are needed, and consequently, more trees are being felled. Due to the growth in tourism, the 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 convince "polers" (mokoro guides) in the region to purchase fiberglass replicas. These replicas last for 10 years, are significantly more stable, and are manufactured without any negative impact on the environment. The implementation of the project is currently struggling with the funding of these replicas. Although a portion of our tour costs already goes toward this project, further support is needed. We also give 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. It 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 tour.

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 photography book)
• Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (Autobiography - Nelson Mandela is one of the great moral and political leaders of our time.)
• #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 on lodge life in Botswana)
• 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 Palgrav, and Piet Van Wyk

Shopping
Handicrafts such as carvings, batiks, paintings, and clothing are best purchased in Livingstone, Zambia, where there is a wide selection of curios. Botswana offers beautiful grass weavings, and Namibia also features unique and interesting curios and crafts. If you see something you like, it is best to buy it, as you are unlikely to see anything similar further along your journey. Handicrafts vary from region to region.

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 food for the group. Here is 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 a wood fire or on gas stoves.
  We provide all cooking utensils, as well as plates, mugs, and cutlery.
• Please note that due to the varying tastes of our guests, we are unable to accommodate individual dietary requests on our group tours. The communal meals we provide depend on available products, and in remote destinations, the selection of ingredients is sometimes limited. However, we do accommodate allergies as well as vegetarian and vegan requirements to ensure that everyone receives a suitable meal.
• 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 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!
• A full itinerary with some long drives, but also plenty of nature activities and some time to relax. This is a long-haul safari through Africa—there is a lot of ground to cover, so expect some long travel days. Routes and schedules may change due to local conditions, border crossings, road detours, and the weather—please keep in mind that this continent runs on its own clock and things work differently here. Stay open-minded and keep your sense of humor—it’s all part of the adventure!
• Everyone is asked to help out with camp duties during the tour. In other words, if everyone spends a little time helping set up camp, preparing meals, and cleaning up, the tour will run smoothly and everyone will have a great time. Participation is key.

What you should know

• Includes park fees, game drives, and the excursion into the Okavango Delta
• You will need a valid passport and a visa to enter Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia.
• Please keep a weight limit of 12 kg in mind when packing, and use a soft bag (no hard-shell suitcases). Also, remember to bring a small, lightweight bag for our day excursions.
• You are joining a camping tour. For this, you will need to bring your own sleeping bag (and pillow) as well as a towel. If you do not have a sleeping bag or do not wish to buy one, you can rent a sleeping bag and pillow from Sunway for 1 Euro per day of the tour. Please book this at the time of your reservation!
• For the wilderness camp in the Okavango Delta, you will need to pack clothing and personal items for two nights into your daypack, as space on the mokoro is limited. Your main luggage will remain in Maun.
• We recommend bringing a small amount of Euros, US Dollars, or South African Rand for personal expenses on this trip. Please note that in Namibia, Euros and US Dollars must be exchanged for Namibian Dollars or South African Rand, as shops, restaurants, and market vendors only accept N$ and ZAR. Please also note that in Botswana, foreign currency must be exchanged for Botswana Pula, as shops, restaurants, and market vendors only accept BWP. Mastercard and Visa credit cards can also be used for restaurants, shops, and optional activities throughout the tour. Zambia requires all services to be paid for in local currency, but major credit cards (Mastercard/Visa) can also be used for optional activities in Livingstone. You can find the approximate costs for drinks, meals, etc., in the Sunway tour dossier.

Frequently asked questions about this tour

• Safety? Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia are relatively safe, and your tour guide knows the countries very well and will do their best to show you the most beautiful areas while looking out for you. In wilderness areas, your guide will inform you of the necessary precautions; follow this advice and you will be fine. Keep an eye on your personal belongings and you will have a great trip! We take every precaution to ensure you have a wonderful vacation.
• Do I need malaria prophylaxis? Yes, the tour passes through malaria areas. Prophylaxis is strongly recommended.
• What should I bring? All details are in our general tour information (available at www.sunway-safaris.com). The essentials are: a warm sleeping bag, comfortable clothing for warm days and cold nights, hiking boots, a rain jacket, a hat and sunglasses, swimwear, and a small pair of binoculars—which are quite handy—but most importantly: a sense of adventure.