Accommodation: Daan Viljoen Resort
Meals: Lunch & dinner
Included activities: Game drive; Birding with your guide
Optional activities: Hiking

A representative from SafariWise will meet you at Hosea Kutako Airport; travel to the new and upgraded Sun Karros, formerly known as Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve in the Khomas Hochland. It is Namibia’s smallest game park. Nonetheless its’ convenient location to Windhoek (25km) has proved to be an ideal stopover for individual travellers, families and the business community alike. Visitors enjoy the tranquil ‘close to the city’ bush experience, an abundance of highland wildlife and the natural actions and rhythms of the dam. The park and resort is open throughout the year from sunrise to sunset. One of Daan Viljoen’s great attractions is that visitors are allowed to walk around the park (unlike Etosha and several other Namibian game parks where you are confined to your vehicle) and there are two well marked hiking trails. There is also a small route for those wishing to do some game viewing from the comfort of their vehicles. The rebuild and upgrade was completed a few years ago and you will be treated to very stylish accommodation and tasty food at the “new” restaurant. Facilities include a reception complete with an Internet café and Wi-Fi connection.

Birds to look out for includes: Monteiro’s hornbill, Rockrunner, White-tailed shrike, Long-billed pipit, Short-toed rock-thrush, Mountain wheatear, Red-billed, Grey – and Southern yellow billed hornbill, Pririt batis, Pale-winged starling, Red-billed spurfowl, Crimson breasted shrike, Cape bunting, Rock bunting, Orange river francolin, Great sparrow, White-throated canary, Yellow-bellied eremomela, Burnt-necked eremomela, Verreaux’s eagle, Brown snake eagle and Black-chested snake eagle.

Accommodation: Alte Brücke Resort
Meals: All meals
Included activities: Birding with your guide
Optional activities: Quad biking, sand boarding, sky-diving, fishing, sightseeing & shopping

After breakfast we travel to the town of Swakopmund via the Bosua pass. Swakopmund is situated on the west coast of Namibia and surrounded by desert. It offers a wide variety of attractions in an atmosphere unique in its appeal. The influence of German architecture, dating back to the turn of the last century, can be seen. The Crystal Gallery is worthwhile visiting for people interesting in gemstones. Alte Brucke Resort is also situated within walking distance of the beach and is near the aquarium.

Birds to look out for includes: Black chested snake eagle, Martial eagle, Veraux’s eagle, Booted eagle, Augur buzzard, Herero chat, Trac trac chat, Karoo chat, Long billed pipit, African pipit, Ruppells korhaan, Ludwigs bustard, Lapped faced vulture, Common fiscal, Sabota lark, Spike heeled lark, Stark’s lark, Gray’s lark, Burchell’s courser & Double banded courser.

Accommodation: Alte-Brücke Resort
Meals: All meals
Included activities: Birding with your guide
Optional activities: N.A

We will certainly travel through to Walvis Bay lagoon, the lagoon takes pride of place as regards scenic attractions in the area. A tranquil stretch of water, its natural beauty is accentuated by thousands of flamingos, which gather at these rich feeding grounds. Altogether, some 80,000 wading birds can be seen on the lagoon. Pelagic seabirds that can often be seen from Paaltjies: White-chinned petrel, Sooty shearwater, Wilson’s and European storm petrels, Cape gannet, Pomarine- and Long-tailed skua’s. Walvis Bay lagoon has been listed by RAMSAR as a Natural Heritage Site because of the sheer numbers of Palaearctic waders it supports each summer (about 20 000 birds), together with spectacular numbers of both Greater- and Lesser flamingos.

Birds to look out for includes: Ruddy turnstone, Common whimbrel, Curlew sandpiper, White-fronted-, Chestnut-banded-, Three-banded- and Common ringed plovers, Greenshank, Marsh sandpiper, Ruff, Common sandpiper, Grey plover, Sanderling, Cape, Bank, Great & Crowned Cormorant, African black oystercatcher, Hartlaub’s-, Grey-hooded- and Kelp gull, Damara-, Swift-, Caspian-, Common- and Sandwich terns, Tractrac chat, Cape glossy starling, Cape sparrow, White pelican, Greater & Lesser flamingos, Augur buzzard, Pale chanting goshawk, Red-capped lark, Gray’s lark, Bokmakierie, Common fiscal, Acacia pied barbet. We also go in search for the elusive Dune lark.

Accommodation: Omaruru Central Hotel
Meals: All meals
Included activities: Birding with your guide
Optional activities: N.A

After breakfast we depart for Omaruru via the Spitzkoppe. The Spitzkoppe rises 600m above the surrounding plains to a height of 1,728m above sea level. Its resemblance to the famous Swiss mountain earned it the name of the Matterhorn of Africa. The sprawling granite outcrops, valleys and peaks offer many hours of fascinating exploring with some of the country’s oldest rock art to be discovered. The Spitzkoppe is the one place where the endemic Herero chat would be seen with certainty. Rainfall in the arid Namib is extremely variable and this has an enormous effect on the birds that appear in this area. Omaruru Central Hotel is situated in the centre of town. Walking distance to all the amenities. A beautiful cool lapa, stretches of lawn and a lovely swimming pool between the old palm trees and flowers surround the pool.

Birds to look out for includes: Ruppels bustard, Herero chat, Monteiro’s hornbil, Mountain wheatear, Tractrac chat, Karoo chat, Burchell’s courser, Double-banded courser, Namaqua sandgrouse, Benguela long-billed lark, Gray’s lark, Stark’s lark, Red-capped lark, Spike-heeled lark, Fawn-coloured- and Rufous-napped larks.

Accommodation: Taleni Etosha Village
Meals: All meals
Included activities: Game drives with your guide & vehicle; game viewing at floodlit waterhole
Optional activities: N.A.

After breakfast we drive to Taleni Etosha Village. Prime destination for nature lovers combined with excellent service and cuisine! Etosha Village uniquely combines affordability with comfort and delivers the perfect safari style experience in a private and protected reserve directly adjacent to the Etosha National Park, near Okaukuejo. At Etosha Village nature and luxury are in perfect harmony through design and comfort. Besides the 45 accommodation units and camping facilities, Etosha Village has three restaurant seating areas, a unique bar with a big screen television, a sparkling pool plus two kiddies pools as well as a well-stocked utility and curio shop.

The individual luxurious units offer a spacious air-conditioned bedroom and a modern en-suite bathroom with shower. The patio and outside seating area create an ideal space to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. We will enjoy game drives into Etosha National Park. When it was originally proclaimed at the turn of the century the Etosha Park consisted of an area of 100,000 square kilometres. This was the largest reserve on earth but in the 1960’s political pressure resulted in the Park being reduced to its current size. Etosha, meaning “Great White Place”, is dominated by a massive mineral pan. The pan is part of the Kalahari Basin, the floor of which was formed around 1000 million years ago. The Etosha Pan covers around 25% of the National Park and was originally a lake fed by the Kunene River. However the course of the river changed thousands of years ago and the lake dried up. The pan now is a large dusty depression of salt and dusty clay which fills only if the rains are heavy, and even then only holds water for a short time. This temporary water in the Etosha Pan attracts thousands of wading birds including impressive flocks of flamingos.

Birds to look out for includes: African hoopoe, Burchell’s starling, Glossy starling, Yellow-bellied eremomela, Burnt-necked eremomela, Forktailed drongo, Cape shoveller, South african shellduck, Pale chanting goshawk, Blue crane, Burchell’s sandgrouse, Double banded- and Namaqua sandgrouse, Double banded courser, Red-crested korhaan, Northern black korhaan, Kori bustard, Secretary bird, African palm swift & Alpine swift.

Accommodation: Mokuti Lodge
Meals: All meals
Included activities: Birding with your guide
Optional activities: Reptile park

Mokuti is situated two km from the Eastern entrance of the world renowned Etosha National Park in the Northern part of Namibia and is easily accessible by road or by air Mokuti Lodge flaunts a distinctive standard of luxury while appreciating the individual ambience and natural beauty of this unique country All rooms combine European Luxury with traditional African charm, flaunted as thatched-roof chalets. Don’t be surprised to meet a Bontebok or a Giraffe on the way to your room whilst walking through the wide spread and tranquil gardens.

Bird to look out for includes: Carp’s tit, Long billed crombec, Bare cheeked babbler, Fork tailed drongo, Lapped faced vulture, Booted eagle, African paradise flycatcher, Damara hornbill, Monteiro’s hornbill, Spotted eagle owl, African hawk eagle, Bradfield’s swift.

Accommodation: Kaisosi River Lodge
Meals: All meals
Included activities: Birding with your guide; 1 x Boat cruise
Optional activities: Boat cruises

After breakfast your next destination is Kaisosi River Lodge, situated 7kms outside the town of Rundu. The lodge is set on the banks of the perennial Okavango River, and is a convenient stopover for visitors on the way to the Popa Falls and the Caprivi. The Rundu area itself has one of Namibia’s most beautiful landscapes, and its spectacular sunsets and friendly people make it a popular destination for travellers. This is a perfect location for both fishing and bird watching, with many great spots dotted along the banks of the Kavango River. Guided fishing trips and river cruises can be also be organized from the lodge. For the visitor with interests in local culture, guides can take you to a local village and on a market trip. Tribal dances can be arranged in advance.

Birds to look out for include: Giant-, Pied and Woodland Kingfishers, Long tailed Cormorants, Yellow-billed and Cattle Egrets, Rufous bellied and Green backed Herons, Village Weavers, Open billed Storks, Swamp Bou-bou, Hartlaub’s Babblers, Osprey and Black Crake.

Accommodation: Mahangu Safari Lodge
Meals: All meals
Included activities: 2 x Boat cruises; game drives with your guide
Optional activities: N.A.

Our next destination is Mahangu Safari Lodge for a 3 night stay. The Mahangu Safari Lodge lies 22 kms south of the town Divundu, at the western bank of the Okavango River, en route to the Mahango National Park. It is in the western Caprivi region of north east Namibia. It is a convenient stopover en-route to or from Maun, the Okavango Delta in Botswana or the famous Victoria Falls. The word ‘Mahangu’ means ‘food of the local people’. The thatched lodge is built amongst Jackalberry trees and wild date palms. Activities include game drives to Mahango National Park and to the West Caprivi National Park, trips to the nearby Popa Falls, bird and game viewing boat trips on the Okavango River, guided Tiger and Bream River fishing trips and the river areas are a bird watchers paradise. There is no shortage of elephants, crocodiles, hippos and fish eagles in this area. The lodge has 7 boats available for fishing.

Birds to look out for include at Mahangu Safari Lodge: Bradfield’s hornbill, Broad-billed roller, Arrow-marked babbler, Long-toed lapwing, African pygmy goose, Grey-rumped swallow, Brown firefinch, the beautiful Carmine bee-eater and perhaps even the localised Greater swamp warbler. Mahango also marks the western-most limit of several kavango specialities including Wattled Crane, Lesser jacana, Coppery-tailed coucal and Black coucal.

Accommodation: Xaro Lodge
Meals: All meals
Included activities: 2 x Boat cruises
Optional activities: N.A

Absolute privacy, luxury and total peace and quiet – check in to Xaro Lodge if this is your idea of paradise. Xaro Lodge is a sister lodge of Drotsky’s Cabins and is also situated near Shakawe, Botswana, in the western panhandle of the Okavango Delta. Xaro Lodge is a must-visit if you are a birding enthusiast. Species that are spotted regularly include the Pel’s fishing owl, skimmers, carmine Bee eaters, egrets, herons, kingfishers, boubous, etcetera. Besides the prolific number of bird species in the Shakawe region of Botswana, Xaro Lodge ensures that you won’t have to share your viewing space with throngs of other tourists. Xaro Lodge offers boating cruises and on one of these cruises you are guaranteed to see hippos, crocs and you might be lucky enough to sight the elusive sitatunga. You can only reach this luxury private lodge by a pre-arranged boat transfer from Drotsky’s Cabins, so there is no chance that your mother-in-law will be able to drop in unannounced!

Birds to look out for include @ Xaro Lodge: Pied Kingfishers, Martial Eagle, Brown snake Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Bataleur and Tawny eagle, Shikra, Dark chanting Goshawk, Steppe Buzzard, African Golden Oriole, Carmine, Little and Blue-cheecked Bee-eaters, Pygmy Goose, Red Bishop, Golden Weaver, Rufous crowned and Lilac breasted Rollers, Red billed, Yellow billed and Bradfield’s hornbills, Magpie, Lesser grey and Red backed Shrikes, Red crested Bustard, Yellow billed Kite, Grey go-away bird, Tawney flanked Prinia, Lesser striped, Eurasian and Grey rumped Swallows and the elusive Pel’s Owl.

Accommodation: Zambezi Mubala Lodge
Meals: All meals
Included activities: Birding with your guide
Optional activities: N.A

Mubala Lodge is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River only 40kms east of Katima Mulilo and 250kms from the world famous Victoria Falls. The lush savannah area of the region is bordered by the Kwando, Linyanti, Chobe and the Zambezi Rivers, an area steeped in mysterious swamps and never-ending flood plains. First time and return visitors thoroughly enjoy the world-class river fishing, birding, photography, boating and game viewing. The region is teeming with game and hippo, crocs and elephant can often be seen from the camp. The previously known Kalizo Lodge recently taken over by Gondwana group and renamed Mubala Lodge, guests can expect a complete transformation of the accommodation as well as an upgrade to their kitchen, restaurant and bar areas. Relax and unwind in the open-plan, rustic style area on beautiful custom-made furniture with stunning views of the Zambezi River whilst wining and dining. A 46″ LCD flat screen with DSTV has been installed in the bar for sports fans. The pool-side lapa is a favourite with guests of all ages. Self-caterers are welcome to book in for lunch and dinner.Accommodation is pitched right at the waters edge offering peace and tranquillity, with uninterrupted river and sunset views. Electricity is supplied through a generator (Please note that no electrical appliances over 700w may be used.) Buffalo, hippo, crocs, elephant, zebra, antelope, lion, giraffe, puku are common visitors to the area. Sightings of sitatunga, red lechwe, spotted-necked otters, waterbuck, Roan antelope, oribi and African wild dog are also possible.

Birds to look out for include: Dickinson’s Kestrel, Western-banded Snake Eagle, Cuckoo Hawk and Racket-tailed Roller, African Skimmer, Rock Pratincole, African Finfoot, Schalow’s Turaco, Grey Go Away Bird, to name but a few.

Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge
Meals: All meals
Included activities: 2 x game drives; 2 x boat cruises
Optional activities: N.A

This morning we travel to the renowned Chobe National Park, for a 2 night stay at Chobe Safari Lodge. Chobe is one of Africa’s very finest wildlife reserves covering over 11,700 square kilometres of African bush with the Chobe River forming its northern boundary. It was declared a national park in 1968 and today is probably best known for the huge herds of Elephant and Buffalo which often congregate along the Chobe River in the dry season. In the rainy season these large congregations have largely broken up, but one is still sure to enjoy large numbers of mammals along the river, a focus for wildlife throughout the year. This includes Botswana’s only population of Puku, plus Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hippo, Impala, Giraffe, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Spotted Hyenas, Roan and Sable Antelopes, Greater Kudu, Warthog, Baboons and many, many others! Explore Chobe National Park by vehicle in the morning, and take to the water in the evening for a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River.

Birds to look out for include: Long-toed and Wattled Lapwings, Three-banded Courser, White-faced Duck, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, flocks of vultures, including the menacing Lappet-faced Vulture, African Fish Eagle, Lizard Buzzard, White-fronted Bee-eater, Ground Hornbill, Greater Honeyguide, Grey-headed Bush-shrike, and Red-billed Spurfowl. Eagles such as Lesser Spotted, Tawny and Steppe seem to circle endlessly overhead whilst various bee-eaters, shrikes and rollers adorn every lookout.

Accommodation: Camp Nkwazi
Meals: All meals
Included activities: 1 x boat cruise; 1 x Victoria falls excursion
Optional activities: N.A

Camp Nkwazi is a fairly new, breath-taking lodge that opened in 2013 and only after a mere 2 years, was awarded by TripAdvisor with: “Certificate of Excellence – 2015 Winner.” Camp Nkwazi is nestled on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river, +- 20 minutes’ drive from Livingstone and +- 25 minutes from one of the natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls. The river extends the length of the property and there are breath-taking views over the water with the sightings of a variety of game, rich and rare bird life with the likes of Fish Eagle, African Fin Foot, Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Paradise Flycatcher, Horn-Bill, King Fishers, Bee-eaters etc. Fishing is good with the potential of catching a tiger or bream close to your chalet. Camp Nkwazi is located close to the Mosi-Oa Tunya, Chobe and Kafue national parks and right opposite the Zambezi National Park.

Birds to look out for include: Spur-winged, Knob-billed, White-faced, Fulvous and African Pygmy Goose, African Finfoot, Collared Palm-Thrush, African Green-pigeon, Half-collared Kingfisher, Magpie Shrike, Retz’s Helmet-Shrike, Copper Sunbird, Red-headed Weaver, Bronze Mannikin, Cut-throat Finch, Orange-winged Pytilia.

Accommodation: N.A
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Birding with your guide
Optional activities: N.A

After a peaceful breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.