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33 dAYs
Day 9/Cape Cross - Spitzkoppe From Swakopmund we drive north along the Skeleton Coast to Cape Cross. This historic European settlement is now the home of over 200,000 Cape fur seals! Turning inland our destination is the community-run campsites set around the base of the 1784-metre-high volcanic Spitzkoppe. Days 10-12/Etosha National Park We drive through the astonishing Damaraland region to reach Namibias premier wildlife reserve Etosha National Park. This vast, dry, salt landscape is punctuated by occasional springs of water that attract the animals and birds of the plains with the force of a magnet. Sitting by these springs and watching the interplay of wildlife, as several species quench their thirst at the same time, is game viewing at its best! Days 13-14/Rundu - Sepupa We travel north to Rundu and visit traditional woodcarvers, before heading into Botswana to set up camp at Sepupa, in preparation for our Okavango Delta excursion. Days 15-17/Okavango Delta The Okavango Delta is an area of divine beauty and a veritable oasis amongst the harshness of the Kalahari Desert. The delta consists of two distinct sections the permanent waters of the northern delta panhandle, and the seasonal water channels that reaches south towards Maun. We explore the panhandle by spending two nights within this pristine area. Travelling by speedboat along the winding flow of the river, we look out for the ever-present hippos and crocodiles as we visit a polers village. We then travel in mokoros (traditional dug-out canoes) to a remote island where we bush camp, before spending a night sleeping on the top deck of our houseboat. While here, we also visit a local school and village as part of our ongoing support of the Okavango Polers Trust. This combines to give you a truly incredible way to experience the exquisite Okavango Delta. Days 18-19/Caprivi Strip - Chobe National Park We re-enter Namibia and travel along the fertile Caprivi Strip before once again entering Botswana. We travel through the length of the elephant-rich Chobe National Park to reach our base at Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River. After enjoying a morning game drive, we take an afternoon river cruise that allows us to experience the remarkable Chobe sunset. Days 20-22/Livingstone & Victoria Falls We cross the Chobe River on a small ferry to reach Zambia and drive along the Upper Zambezi River towards the magnificent Victoria Falls one of the natural wonders of the world. These falls occur at the point where the Upper Zambezi River tumbles over a chasm one mile wide into the tumult of the Lower Zambezi River below. The Zambezi River separates Zambia and Zimbabwe, with Victoria Falls shared by each of these two countries. Our campsite is on the banks of the Upper Zambezi River, only a couple of kilometres from the falls themselves. After two nights in Livingstone, we cross into Zimbabwe for our final night in this region. Days 23-24/Hwange National Park From our base at a private concession area in Hwange, we take morning and afternoon game drives in the national park. With over 40,000 elephants and a resident wild dog population, this park is sure to impress. While here we visit a local primary school; our visit provides funds for much needed supplies. Days 25-26/Antelope Park Antelope Park is a private reserve located near Bulawayo. Here you get to walk with lion cubs in the reserve and also have the opportunity to go
Secrets of the South
If you want incredible wildlife experiences, great opportunities for cultural interaction, spectacular scenery and an insight into five great southern African countries, then this 33-day adventure is for you!
n CAPE TOWN n LANGA TOWNSHIP TOUR n GARIEP (ORANGE) RIVER n FISH RIVER CANYON n NAMIB-NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK n SESRIEM & SOSSUSVLEI n DEADVLEI BUSHMAN WALK n SWAKOPMUND n CAPE CROSS & SPITZKOPPE n ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK n OKAVANGO DELTA n CHOBE NATIONAL PARK n LIVINGSTONE & VICTORIA FALLS n HWANGE NATIONAL PARK n ANTELOPE PARK & WALK WITH LIONS n GREAT ZIMBABWE RUINS n KRUGER NATIONAL PARK n BLYDE RIVER CANYON
game viewing atop an elephant, swim with elephants, or search on foot or on horseback for plains animals! Antelope Park is certain to be one of your most treasured stops on this safari. Days 27-28/Great Zimbabwe Ruins - Tshipse Hot Springs Continuing south from the midlands we reach our final stop in Zimbabwe the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. A series of imposing enclosures, surrounded by great stone walls, over an expanse of several square kilometres formed the heart of a city of an estimated 10,000 people and was the inspiration for the creation of hundreds of other Shona stone palaces in this once powerful region. Driving on to South Africa, we take a relaxing break at the outdoor hot spring pools of Tshipse. Days 29-30/Kruger National Park What better way to complete our wildlife viewing than two days of game viewing in South Africas most celebrated reserve Kruger National Park. The park covers an area of 21,497 square kilometres and is home to a huge array of wildlife. We spend two nights camping within the park, which is a great way to see this diverse area and its great abundance of animals! Day 31/Blyde River Canyon Blyde River Canyon, reputedly the worlds largest green canyon, provides a fitting finale to this amazing safari! After exploring the region and absorbing the breathtaking scenery of the area, we reach our campsite, which sits quite literally perched upon the edge of the escarpment overlooking the Kruger lowveld below. Days 32-33/Pilgrims Rest - Pretoria/Johannesburg After watching the new day break over the lowveld we begin our journey back through Pilgrims Rest the only village in South Africa to be awarded the status of a national monument. It was here in the 19th century that gold fever hit South Africa and prospectors opened up new frontiers. We travel through the aptly named Panorama Region towards Pretoria, where our final night of camping awaits.
Days 1-2/Cape Town - Township Tour - Cederberg Our first night is spent enjoying a traditional South African braai (barbecue) on our hotels rooftop terrace, with stunning Table Mountain in the background. The following morning we travel into Langa Township, created in 1923, and experience the urban lifestyle that many of South Africas black citizens still endure. Exploring on foot we discover its undeniable spirit and absorb its vibrancy. Lunch is enjoyed against an impressive backdrop of Table Mountain rising above Table Bay. Tonight we camp in the Cederberg region. Days 3-4/Gariep (Orange) River - Fish River Canyon Leaving the citrus-rich Cederberg region the road leads north through the barren and rocky Namaqualand, which is transformed by a carpet of wild flowers each spring, to our campsite by the verdant Gariep (Orange) River. Crossing the river and entering Namibia, Fish River Canyon beckons us. From our camp at Hobas, we explore along the canyons edge and perch upon the rim to experience the solitude and beauty of this remote area as the sun sets beyond. Days 5-6/Sesriem & Sossusvlei - Namib-Naukluft National Park There is nothing that quite prepares you for the towering sand dunes that fill Namib-Naukluft National Park. We spend two nights here so that we can experience the many facets of this dramatic sand sea at various times. We explore the vleis and soaring dunes, and walk through Sesriem Canyon. A brilliant walk into Deadvlei with a specialist local guide provides an incredible insight into the Bushmens history of the area, highlighting their great understanding of geography and wildlife. Days 7-8/Swakopmund Another gorgeous drive takes us through the Namib Desert and Kuiseb Canyon to the Atlantic Coast and the holiday town of Swakopmund. This town is amazing German architecture, outdoor cafes and long expanses of beaches. Two nights are spent here so there is plenty of time to try the many adrenalin-filled activities on offer.
ANGOLA
Etosha Cape Cross NamibNaukluft
Rundu
Sepupa
Spitzkoppe Swakopmund
ZIMBABWE Kasane Livingstone Victoria Falls Chobe Hwange Antelope Park Okavango Great Delta Zimbabwe Ruins BOTSWANA
Blyde River Canyon Pretoria/ Johannesburg Kruger
ZAMBIA
NAMIBIA
Sossusvlei Fish River Canyon
Gariep River
SWAZILAND
S O U T H A FRICA
Secrets of the South
Cape Town
Trip info
Group size: Maximum 24. Grade: Moderate. Transport: boat, custom-built safari vehicle, ferry, mokoro, on foot, open 4WD vehicles. Accommodation: 28 nights camping, 1 night houseboat, 1 night lodge, 2 nights bungalows. Meals: 31 breakfasts, 27 lunches, 27 dinners. Other: An experienced driver, guide and a camp cook accompany us on this safari. Local guides join us in Langa Township, Deadvlei, Chobe National Park and Hwange National Park, in the Okavango Delta and at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. Parks: This trip includes 1 day in Deadvlei, Chobe National Park, 2 days each in Namib-Naukluft National Park, Hwange National Park and Kruger National Park, 3 days each in Etosha National Park and the Okavango Delta, half a day at Fish River Canyon, as well as 2 days at a private animal reserve. Local payment: Your tour leader will collect a US$650 local payment in Cape Town on Day 1. Want more? Link this trip with another Geckos adventure: South Africa Explorer, Kruger Breakaway. Tour Code: GASS. Prices: See inside cover Further Info & Trip Notes: www.geckosadventures.co.uk/trips/gass
Start Wed 2007 14-Nov 12-Dec
Finish Sun 16-Dec 13-Jan
2008 09-Jan 13-Feb 12-Mar 16-Apr 14-May
10-Feb 16-Mar 13-Apr 18-May 15-Jun
18-Jun 16-Jul 20-Aug 17-Sep 22-Oct 19-Nov
20-Jul 17-Aug 21-Sep 19-Oct 23-Nov 21-Dec
24-Dec 2009 21-Jan 25-Feb 25-Mar 29-Apr
25-Jan 22-Feb 29-Mar 26-Apr 31-May
www.geckosadventures.co.uk
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