From here it is a short drive to the Lodge which will be your home for the next few nights. This area known as the Green Kalahari, the area of contrasts, where lush green vineyards stand proud in the valley not far from where the Orange River thunders into a deep granite gorge and where wild animals roam free through waving Bushman grass.
Short game drive in the afternoon to see wild animals in the vicinity of the Lodge.
Short game drive in the afternoon to see wild animals in the vicinity of the Lodge.
DAY 2
Spend a full day on a guided tour into the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, an unspoiled ecosystem where it is possible to view large numbers of animals in one of the world’s last truly unspoilt ecosystems. This park forms part of the Kalagadi Transfrontier Park, one of the largest conservation areas in the world and home to 598 different mammal and 298 bird species. The semi-desert savannah is sanctuary to herds of endemic antelope such a gemsbok (oyx), springbok, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest and eland. Black-maned Kalahari lion, leopard and cheetah may also be spotted.
Overnight at the Lodge
Spend a full day on a guided tour into the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, an unspoiled ecosystem where it is possible to view large numbers of animals in one of the world’s last truly unspoilt ecosystems. This park forms part of the Kalagadi Transfrontier Park, one of the largest conservation areas in the world and home to 598 different mammal and 298 bird species. The semi-desert savannah is sanctuary to herds of endemic antelope such a gemsbok (oyx), springbok, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest and eland. Black-maned Kalahari lion, leopard and cheetah may also be spotted.
Overnight at the Lodge
DAY 1
Arrive in Johannesburg where you will be met at the airport by an Annesen Tours representative and transported a short distance to Lanseria for your onward flight to Askham a small town on the outskirts of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.
Arrive in Johannesburg where you will be met at the airport by an Annesen Tours representative and transported a short distance to Lanseria for your onward flight to Askham a small town on the outskirts of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.
DAY 3
Fly from Askham to Uppington, here you will check into a hotel.
Drive a short distance to Kakamas to visit Augrabies Falls National Park where the Orange River is at its most impressive as it thunders its way through a ravine and into a pool walled by sheer granite, creating the world’s sixth largest waterfall.
These falls derived their name from the Khoi word meaning “the place of great noise” which accurately describes the roar as the falls plummet 56 m into the ravine. This arid piece of moonscape-like land is awesome and strikingly beautiful.
Afternoon visit to one of the local wine farms for a tour and wine tasting. It is amazing to see how the arid desert has been turned into a Garden of Eden as a result of water from the Orange River being diverted by a network of canals which now irrigate the vineyards. There is a green belt on either side of the river and the once useless land now produces some high quality wines.
Fly from Askham to Uppington, here you will check into a hotel.
Drive a short distance to Kakamas to visit Augrabies Falls National Park where the Orange River is at its most impressive as it thunders its way through a ravine and into a pool walled by sheer granite, creating the world’s sixth largest waterfall.
These falls derived their name from the Khoi word meaning “the place of great noise” which accurately describes the roar as the falls plummet 56 m into the ravine. This arid piece of moonscape-like land is awesome and strikingly beautiful.
Afternoon visit to one of the local wine farms for a tour and wine tasting. It is amazing to see how the arid desert has been turned into a Garden of Eden as a result of water from the Orange River being diverted by a network of canals which now irrigate the vineyards. There is a green belt on either side of the river and the once useless land now produces some high quality wines.
DAY 4
Fly from Uppington (where you will clear Customs and Immigration) to Keetmanshoop in Namibia. This town has a number of interesting old buildings, which date back to German colonial times.
Check into Birds Mansions where you will overnight.
Afternoon trip to see the Kokerboom (Quiver Tree) Forest. This is an all time favourite for photographers, especially for those with a passion for sunsets. These prehistoric-looking trees with their attractive silhouettes grow up to 7m in height and bear attractive yellow flowers in June and July. The bark varies in colour from silver grey to light gold, and often peels and cracks into diamond shapes adding to the photogenic qualities of this unique tree.
Followed by a visit to nearby Giant’s Playground, an impressive jumble of massive balancing basalt rocks estimated to be between 160 million to 180 million years old.
Fly from Uppington (where you will clear Customs and Immigration) to Keetmanshoop in Namibia. This town has a number of interesting old buildings, which date back to German colonial times.
Check into Birds Mansions where you will overnight.
Afternoon trip to see the Kokerboom (Quiver Tree) Forest. This is an all time favourite for photographers, especially for those with a passion for sunsets. These prehistoric-looking trees with their attractive silhouettes grow up to 7m in height and bear attractive yellow flowers in June and July. The bark varies in colour from silver grey to light gold, and often peels and cracks into diamond shapes adding to the photogenic qualities of this unique tree.
Followed by a visit to nearby Giant’s Playground, an impressive jumble of massive balancing basalt rocks estimated to be between 160 million to 180 million years old.
DAY 5
Morning flight to Ais Ais to see the Fish River Canyon. This awesome natural phenomenon took millions of years of erosion to evolve to its present size and is recognised as one of Africa’s natural wonders, its grandeur is surpassed only by the Grand Canyon in the USA.
Afternoon flight to Solitaire to check into a country Lodge.
Morning flight to Ais Ais to see the Fish River Canyon. This awesome natural phenomenon took millions of years of erosion to evolve to its present size and is recognised as one of Africa’s natural wonders, its grandeur is surpassed only by the Grand Canyon in the USA.
Afternoon flight to Solitaire to check into a country Lodge.
DAY 6
Day trip to Sossusvlei. This is a dune wonderland with dunes towering up to 300m high surrounding a dried up water pan. The dunes extend as far as the eye can see and their rich colours vary from pale apricots to rich reds and oranges. Sossusvlei, situated in the Namib-Naukluft Park, is a unique geological feature that exemplifies the extreme effect of prevailing winds on the desert environment.
Late afternoon flight to Swakopmund. Check into a local Lodge.
Day trip to Sossusvlei. This is a dune wonderland with dunes towering up to 300m high surrounding a dried up water pan. The dunes extend as far as the eye can see and their rich colours vary from pale apricots to rich reds and oranges. Sossusvlei, situated in the Namib-Naukluft Park, is a unique geological feature that exemplifies the extreme effect of prevailing winds on the desert environment.
Late afternoon flight to Swakopmund. Check into a local Lodge.
DAY 7
Spend the morning exploring the city with its strong German influence. Visit the museum and the Oceanarium.
Afternoon tour to Moon Valley to view the eerie and surrealistic landscape, known as the 'Ugab Rock Formations'. This landscape is made up of bizarre rock formations in the Swakop River Canyon. Amazingly, there is a small oasis in the valley - its vivid green vegetation is a startling contrast to the harsh desert landscape. The "Valley of the Moon", otherwise known as the Ugab rock formations was formed by many overlays of earth deposited some 450 million years ago.
Overnight in Swakopmund.
Spend the morning exploring the city with its strong German influence. Visit the museum and the Oceanarium.
Afternoon tour to Moon Valley to view the eerie and surrealistic landscape, known as the 'Ugab Rock Formations'. This landscape is made up of bizarre rock formations in the Swakop River Canyon. Amazingly, there is a small oasis in the valley - its vivid green vegetation is a startling contrast to the harsh desert landscape. The "Valley of the Moon", otherwise known as the Ugab rock formations was formed by many overlays of earth deposited some 450 million years ago.
Overnight in Swakopmund.
DAY 8
Fly from Swakopmund to Maun in Botswana.
Arrive at Maun Airport and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities take a 20 minute flight over the Okavango Delta to Oddballs Camp. This flight offers spectacular views of the Okavango Delta, so have your cameras ready! On arrival at the Oddballs airstrip you will be met by the Guides who will be looking after you during your stay at Oddballs (1 Guide for 2 people).
At Oddballs you will be accommodated in 2m x2 m domed tents set on wooden platforms with mattresses, duvets and pillows, and towels. The tents are not en-suite but bathroom facilities are strategically placed throughout the camp.
After lunch go out with your Guide for either a mokoro (dug out canoe) excursion or a walking safari
Fly from Swakopmund to Maun in Botswana.
Arrive at Maun Airport and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities take a 20 minute flight over the Okavango Delta to Oddballs Camp. This flight offers spectacular views of the Okavango Delta, so have your cameras ready! On arrival at the Oddballs airstrip you will be met by the Guides who will be looking after you during your stay at Oddballs (1 Guide for 2 people).
At Oddballs you will be accommodated in 2m x2 m domed tents set on wooden platforms with mattresses, duvets and pillows, and towels. The tents are not en-suite but bathroom facilities are strategically placed throughout the camp.
After lunch go out with your Guide for either a mokoro (dug out canoe) excursion or a walking safari
DAY 9
An early morning wake-up, and after some coffee an early morning walk in the Moremi Game Reserve, returning after three hours or so for a hearty breakfast. If you are particularly energetic you can go out on a longer walking safari taking a picnic breakfast or lunch with you.
During the heat of the day you can relax in one of the numerous hammocks either in the comfortable lounge area or on the raised viewing platform right on the banks of the river. After lunch another excursion by mokoro into the Moremi Game Reserve.
Complete your day with a dinner served under the star lit canopy of the African sky illuminated by the light of the camp-fire. At Oddballs ALL your meals are included in your Tour; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as well as all your teas and coffees, but you will be required to pay for additional drinks.
An early morning wake-up, and after some coffee an early morning walk in the Moremi Game Reserve, returning after three hours or so for a hearty breakfast. If you are particularly energetic you can go out on a longer walking safari taking a picnic breakfast or lunch with you.
During the heat of the day you can relax in one of the numerous hammocks either in the comfortable lounge area or on the raised viewing platform right on the banks of the river. After lunch another excursion by mokoro into the Moremi Game Reserve.
Complete your day with a dinner served under the star lit canopy of the African sky illuminated by the light of the camp-fire. At Oddballs ALL your meals are included in your Tour; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as well as all your teas and coffees, but you will be required to pay for additional drinks.
DAY 10
Another early morning walking safari, followed by breakfast.
After lunch our Guide will be proud to show you his home and introduce you to his Family, a unique experience, especially if this is your first visit to Africa. Free time to relax and appreciate nature.
Another early morning walking safari, followed by breakfast.
After lunch our Guide will be proud to show you his home and introduce you to his Family, a unique experience, especially if this is your first visit to Africa. Free time to relax and appreciate nature.
DAY 11
Fly back to Maun to clear Customs and Immigration formalities before continuing on to Livingstone in Zambia.
Check into your hotel and after lunch visit the famous Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This can be followed by a visit to the local craft village to purchase curios made by the locals.
Sundowner cruise up the Zambezi River.
Dinner at the hotel.
Fly back to Maun to clear Customs and Immigration formalities before continuing on to Livingstone in Zambia.
Check into your hotel and after lunch visit the famous Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This can be followed by a visit to the local craft village to purchase curios made by the locals.
Sundowner cruise up the Zambezi River.
Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 12
Fly from Livingstone back to Johannesburg to catch the flight back to Europe.
Fly from Livingstone back to Johannesburg to catch the flight back to Europe.
FLYING SAFARI
incorporating
South Africa, Namibia,
Victoria Falls & Botswana
12 Days Ref 124
incorporating
South Africa, Namibia,
Victoria Falls & Botswana
12 Days Ref 124
