GAVA EXPLORATIONS DETAILED ITINERARY (Trip Code: NV)

 

DAY 1: Windhoek to Phantom Farm Lodge

Your guide will collect you from the Windhoek International airport.

Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, is an excellent introduction to Africa. Safe, small and friendly, the city is a melting pot of cultures and peoples. Today you also meet a new friend: your guide/driver who will be with you throughout your stay, teaching you how to see beyond the obvious to the extraordinary, how to identify and capture the subtle beauty of all you are about to experience. Welcome to Africa!

We set off together for Phantom – one of the few successful dual game and cattle farms in Namibia. Also home to Monteiro's hornbill and other endemic bird species.

When the afternoon shadows fall across the grass, we set off on a scenic game drive to try and capture on film some of the classic scenes of Africa - open savannah, scattered with flat-topped Acacia trees. Opportunities for photographing some of the many antelope (kudu, steenbok, gemsbok and hartebeest), on the farm are good. After sunset we return to the farmhouse for a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: Farmhouse rooms with en-suite facilities (full board, drinks xtra)

DAY 2: To Bushmanland

En route to Tsumkwe in Bushmanland, we pass through the town of Grootfontein. Grootfontein (Big Fountain) owes its name to the fountain that has provided water to local people and game for thousands of years. We pass little villages, enjoying a picnic lunch along the way, before overnighting in our camp on the edge of a pan in Bushmanland.

We have a long way to go today. Bushmanland is one of the most remote wilderness areas of Namibia. It is the home of the Ju/'hoansi people (or !Kung Bushmen) who traditionally practiced their hunter gatherer lifestyle in the area. Nowdays most Ju/'hoansi bushman have changed their lifestyle, but some traditional elements remain here.

We pass little villages, enjoying a picnic lunch along the way, before overnighting in our camp on the edge of a pan in Bushmanland.

Accommodation: Camping (full board, drinks xtra)

DAY 3: Bushmanland

The San (Bushmen) were the first modern inhabitants of Southern Africa. Their origin is not certain, but paintings that have probably been done by their ancestors date back for as much as 25 000 years. The San usually have light skins, high cheekbones and slanted eyes. Unfortunately their culture, ways of life and bush knowledge are dwindling at a fast pace. Traditionally they were hunter-gatherers, with the men being responsible for the provision of meat and the women gathered the fruit and tubers that formed the bulk of their diet. The San has always lived in arid regions with very few private possessions, as everything had to be carried along while moving from water source to water source. The San believed that everything was part of a greater scheme and had an equal right to existence. Hunting was therefore an activity that was carried not only honour, but also the duty of sharing with others. It represented a spiritual unification with the dead animal. Modern-day San must confront similar problems to those faced by other aboriginal tribes. Traditional society is disintegrating as competition from dominant cultures increases. Even if the San would like to maintain their traditional lifestyle, the pastoralists have encroached on their traditional lands and their hunter-gatherer nomadic ways can no longer be practiced. The breakdown of traditional society has caused many social problems such as poverty, alcoholism and unemployment. Western education where schools were built and water supplied in villages has lead to a desire for material goods that has never been part of the San culture. Remote areas cannot provide employment to meet the demand of these desires and gradually a steady move to bigger towns in search of work is happening.

 

We visit a village where the hunting is still done by bow and arrow. A walk with one of the elders will show you how rope is made of a local plant, how traps are set for small mammals and birds and which plant can provide water when squeezed. Veld food can be eaten along the way.

Accommodation: camping (full board, drinks xtra)

DAY 4: Bushmanland

Today we visit the Bushmanland Pan System where a variety of game occurs. The scenery around the edges of the Pans is breathtaking. The journey takes us past some of Africa's largest baobab trees, ancient keepers of the forests for more than 3 000 years.

Accommodation: camping  (full board, drinks xtra)

DAY 5: Khaudum Game Park

Our next destination is Khaudum Game Park, south of the Caprivi Strip. The next four days are for the really tough only! As we head north for Khaudum which covers an area of around 3,800 square kilometres. It is a beautiful park and the only area in Namibia where the African wild dog (Lycaeon pictus) still roams freely. This is a hot, harsh and unforgiving corner of Bushmanland that needs to be treated with respect. Woodlands cover the northern section of the park, but in the south we will find more open savannah. Khaudum is truly remote and we may be the only visitors in the park at any given time. Some artificial pumped waterholes afford us the opportunity to watch many different species of animals at our leisure. 

After an early-morning cup of coffee and breakfast, we set off to Sikereti Camp. Khaudum has much to offer as one of Namibia's most remote and least explored wildlife sanctuaries, in which the driving is difficult because of the deep sandy tracks and dense vegetation. It is the only conservation area in Namibia that protects the northern Kalahari sandveld biome and is a stronghold of the country's roan antelope and we hope to get a glimpse of them. Hunted almost to extinction, these antelope are shy and therefore difficult to catch sight of. Elephant, giraffe and predators - lion, leopard, spotted hyena, jackal and wild dog - can also be encountered. There are no fences around the reserve or the campsites at Sikereti and Khaudum, so animals migrate freely and nocturnal visitors are part of the experience. Expect extreme heat and deep, energy-sapping sand that tests power, traction and patience. Welcome to the real Africa and a true wilderness experience.

Accommodation: camping (full board, drinks xtra)

DAYS 6, 7 & 8: Khaudum Game Park

Khaudum is a beautiful park and the only area in Namibia where the African wild dog (Lycaeon pictus) still roams freely. Woodlands cover the northern section of the park, but as we move south we will find more open savannah. Khaudum is truly remote and we may be the only visitors in the park at any given time. Some artificial pumped waterholes afford us the opportunity to watch many different species of animals at our leisure.

After an early-morning cup of coffee, we set off on a game drive. Khaudum is the stronghold of Namibia's roan antelope population, and we hope to get a glimpse of them. Hunted almost to extinction, these antelope are shy and therefore difficult to catch sight of. The second-largest population of lion in Namibia is in the park and we should also see both black-backed and striped jackal, spotted hyena and perhaps even leopard. After brunch there is time to relax, catch up with your journal or do a bit of bird spotting.

Accommodation: camping (full board, drinks xtra)

DAY 9: Drive to Mahangu

Today we head for the Okavango River: the drive will take most of the day, and we'll stop for a picnic lunch under a tree along the way. Our drive today includes a visit to one of the roadside markets of the Kavango people. The population of the Kavango people, close relatives of Owambo, is approximately 140 000 people. The Kavango consist of five tribes: Kwangali, Shambyu, Gciriku, Mbunza and Mbukushu. Each tribe is lead by a chief, assisted by a headman. Like most other groups in northern Namibia, southern Angola and Zambia, the social organization of the Kavango is based on the matrilineal system. The economy in the Kavango is based on combination of horticulture and animal husbandry.
Also originating from central East Africa, the Kavango first settled at Mashi on the Kwando River before moving further west at the end of nineteenth century. They are divided into five tribal groupings at present speaking four different languages (RuKwangari, ShiShambyu, RuGciriku and ThiMbukshu). Some clans take their names from nature and wildlife. Especially in rural areas, the Kavango are a river people subsisting off agriculture, pastoralism, fishing and licensed hunting. They are famed for their uniquely expressive woodcarvings. The Kavango have a rich and complex belief system and mythology. Karunga or Nyambi (Mbukushu tribe) is the Supreme being (same for Owambos). The sun and moon help him to guide and protect people. Stars, ''ntungwedhi'', are Nyambi's fireflies, the ''tutemwesi'', which gather in groups (Milky Way) to give more light during moonless nights. Nyambi is never directly petitioned and he is trusted to send enough rain. It is a society still largely believing in magic, witchcraft, ancestor worship and the evil powers of Shadipinyi, the wicked servant of Nyambi. No prayer or offering is made to the evil one since this will only expose a person's weaknesses.

We should arrive at our lodge during the late afternoon and, if time allows, we may take an afternoon boat ride on the Okavango River.

Accommodation: Mahangu Safari Lodge (full board, drinks xtra)

DAY 10 & 11 – To the Kwando River

Our journey continues along the Caprivi Strip until we reach the Kwando River. We can expect to see herds of elephant and buffalo on our game drives. The Swamp itself is largely overgrown with fragmite reeds, but beautiful riverine forest of Jackalberry and African Mangosteen trees are visible as well.  We explore our surrounding area on early and late afternoon game drives. Looking for hippo, crocodiles and predators can be quite rewarding. We also look for red lechwe and the elusive Sitatunga antelope.

 

Accommodation: Mazambala Island Lodge (full board, drinks xtra)

DAY 12 & 13 – Victoria Falls
On our way to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, we drive through the Chobe National Park in Botswana, which is famous for its huge herds of elephant and buffalo. At the border of Botswana at Kazangula the mighty Zambezi and Chobe rivers come together, and four countries meet at the confluence. A drive through the Zambezi National Park takes us to Victoria Falls. On our way through the park we might see elephant, giraffe or even the elusive sable antelope, and sometimes large herds of buffalo graze at the border crossing.

Victoria Falls is regarded as one of nature's seven wonders: it is at the root of many African legends and truly spectacular to behold. The local name for the falls is "the smoke that thunders", and the spray that rises as this huge mass of water tumbles over the edge of a high, wide cliff does indeed look like a ball of smoke, while the noise can be heard for miles around.

You are free to wander through the town of Victoria Falls at leisure. Curio shops abound, as do the beautiful carvings produced by the local Zimbabweans. A walk to the Falls and the little park that surrounds it is a must.

Accommodation: Lodge B&B (dinner, drinks xtra)

DAY 14 - Return Home
A transfer to the airport in time for your flight either home or on to another destination will conclude this safari. We hope to leave you with Africa resonating in your soul - and a longing in your heart to return to its desolate beauty, its night skies, its rich sounds and scents.

GENERAL INFORMATION

More information will be mailed to you as soon as full payment is received. This will include details regarding the preparation for your safari – a complete and comprehensive day to day itinerary, what to bring along, advice on medical and other important matters to ensure that you will travel in the greatest possible comfort.

BOOKING PROCEDURE AND CANCELLATION

A non-refundable deposit of 20% of the total tour price is due upon making a reservation. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. Your booking will be confirmed when we issue you or your agent with our invoice in receipt of your deposit and indicating the balance outstanding. We will then mail you more details

Cancellation of your booking must be in writing.  Cancellations are only effective on receipt of written notification.  In the event that your cancellation is received after the due date of full payment of your tour fare, charges will be levied as follows:

If you hold a holiday insurance policy and the terms of your cancellation fall within the terms of the policy, the insurance company will refund these charges to you.

INSURANCE

As soon as you have booked your safari, it is essential that you purchase travel insurance to cover yourself against cancellation fees or any other eventualities. Medical insurance is required from the day you start your trip until you return home.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

All passport holders should verify with their travel agency or relevant consulate if any visa and/or health entry requirements for any of the countries visited exist. None of the GAVA Explorations staff or their agents can be held liable for any errors.

 

LUGGAGE

Soft bags are recommended and each person is allowed a medium sized bag plus camera bag. Where small charter flights are included in the itinerary a maximum of 12 kgs of luggage is allowed per person for safety reasons.

HEALTH

We suggest that you use a malaria prophylax for the duration of your stay in Africa. Malaria is prevalent throughout Africa and certain vaccinations are also required. Your physician will be able to advise you as to the appropriate tablets and vaccinations.

If you are on any medication, be sure that you have enough for the duration of your safari.  Drinking water and food supplied during the duration of your safari will be safe!

INCLUDED IN THE COST

• All accommodation.

• Most meals, unless otherwise specified in certain hotels on a bed and breakfast basis.

• Tea, coffee and snacks are provided throughout the safari.

• All camping equipment.

• All mattresses, linen and towels.

• Most activities including boat rides and game drives.

• All park fees.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST

• Drinks and meals in bars and hotels that are specified on bed and breakfast basis.

• Items of a personal nature.

• Curios.

• Personal and medical insurance.

LIABILITIES

Our safaris are planned and routed to expose you to as much wilderness and wildlife as possible. However, because the animals are wild, free and their movements and migrations unpredictable, we may be required to make reasonable changes to the itinerary to ensure your fullest enjoyment and comfort. Comparable accommodation and facilities will be substituted as far as possible. Should such changes occur, adjustments might need to be made to the safari fee with little or no notice.

Most roads travelled on our safaris are mere tracks in the dirt; therefore the journey is often bumpy and rough. Many of the animals and reptiles we will encounter are potentially dangerous. Attacks by wild animals are rare, but we cannot guarantee that such incidents will not occur. Neither GAVA Explorations, nor any of their staff members or agents can be held liable or responsible for any personal damages, accidents or injuries caused by the above-mentioned circumstances.

PLEASE NOTE

That all safaris are conducted in English.  A no smoking policy is adhered to on all our vehicles.

CONTACTS

In case of problems or emergencies, you or your family can contact GAVA Explorations at the following addresses:

Administration & Bookings Office

PO Box 1718

Somerset West, 7129

South Africa

Tel  +27 (21) 852-5221

Fax  +27 (21) 852-8111

Operations Office

PO Box 2129

Otjiwarongo

Namibia

Tel +264 (67) 30-4633 or 30-6441

Fax +264 (67) 30-4633

bookings@gavaexplorations.com

www.gavaexplorations.com