© Nova Fisher 2015

Lodges

Ilala Lodge is within easy walking distance of the falls, and is the closest of all the hotels in Victoria Falls town. You can even see the spray from the falls. Surrounded by quiet gardens wild animals are often seen grazing on the lawns. There is a pool and he restaurant is on a lovely terrace & garden setting with lovely Indian acacia trees. Ongava Lodge is located in the south of the western end of the pan, close to Andersson Gate. It provides deluxe accommodation spread out around a hill., with excellent views across the reserve and waterhole. Communal facilities include a hilltop lounge and dining area, both under thatch, together with a pool offering spectacular views over the plains below. There is also a floodlit waterhole with a hide. Guides - Teacher and Solomon.   Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is scenically located in a broad valley at the confluence of two tributaries of the dry Hoanib River in the northern part of the private Palmwag Concession. The camp consists of seven large tents and one family unit, each having stylish en-suite bedrooms with shaded outdoor decks. Flanked to the east and west by rugged hills, the camp looks out over stunning, starkly beautiful scenery. Execellent Guides - Papa G and Francois Kulala Desert Lodge has 23 thatched and canvas chalets set on wooden platforms. Mattresses can be placed on the rooftop to sleep under the incredible stars of the night sky on a private stargazing platform on top of the room. The main lodge verandah overlooks a waterhole and provides the perfect location to view and photograph the desert sunset.  Excellent Guides - Nduma and Gabriel

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe & Chobe National Park, Botswana

Thurs 5th   BA057 LHR (20:50) arrive into JNB (09:40) on the 6th Nov. Fri 6th BA6285 JNB (11:25) arrive into VFA (13:05) on the 6th Nov. Ilala Lodge (3 nights) Explore Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe ($30 per person).  The information boards at the entrance are worth a read. Drinks at The Lookout Café with views over the Victoria Falls bridge (open 10am to 7pm) Dinner - Palm restaurant, Ilala Lodge - Lovely terrace & garden setting. Fine dining menu with attentive service Sat 7th  Chobe safari – Botwana  Hotel Pick Up: 07h00, drive to Kazungula Border for 08h30 transfer Morning Cruise: 09h30-12h30  /  Lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge: 12h30-13h30  /  Afternoon Game Drive:13h30-16h00  Drop-off at the border:16h30  /  Return to Hotels:18h00 Dinner - The Livingstone Room, Victoria Falls Hotel  -  closed Sundays. Elegant dining in elegant surroundings. They have relaxed the dress code so it is now smart casual. Sun 8th  Zambesi upper river canoeing    07.00 to 14.30  The best way to appreciate the beauty, peace and wildlife of the Zambezi River above the Falls is to paddle slowly downstream in a canoe.  Late afternoon / Sunset   Walk across Victoria Falls Bridge into Namibia. Sundowners at the Royal Livingstone Hotel Dinner - Palm restaurant, Ilala Lodge

Namibia

Mon 9 Nov  Fly from Victoria Falls to Windhoek  (12.30  arrive 14.10 Air Namibia)                         Olive Grove Guest House (1 night) Tues 10 Nov   Fly  in light aircraft (pilots Ulf and Uve) to the game-filled salt-pans of Etosha (120Km W to E and 72km N to S). Ongava Private Reserve (3 nights) Half day excursion into Etosha National Park – stopped at Okaukuejo waterhole and Etosha pans Guided nature walk Andersson’s water hide Ongava hide Morning game drive to Etosha National Plark Game drive on the Ongava Reserve Stargazing with a spotting scope
Fri 13 Nov  Fly in a light aircraft on a spectacular journey to the Hoanib River, an ephemeral river that backs onto the Skeleton Coast, which serves as one of the most important corridors for desert elephant.  Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp (3 nights) Nature drive along the Hoanib River & floodplains, Nature drive to President’s waterhole Drive to Skeleton Coast,  including Klein Oasis Spring dune drives, visiting seal colonies, exploring the coastline and a picnic lunch. (3 to 4 hours drive one way). Fly back to camp Presentation and talks with wildlife researchers - desert lions  and desert elephants Watched the film – Kingdom of the lions (about the desert lions of Hoanib) Walk to the river and then sundowners Very long drive West to Mudorib Spring and south into the Palmwag Concession. ?? Driving tour to learn about the plants. Stargazing Mon 16 Nov  Fly in a light aircraft on a spectacular journey down the Skeleton Coast to Swakopmund.  Hansa Hotel  (1 night) Afternoon – visit to the museum and walk around the town Dinner at The Tug Tues 17 Nov  Travel in 4x4 vehicles to the Kuiseb; a natural barrier to the northern fringes of the great Namib desert where we spent the night with scientists and researchers at the Desert Research Centre in Gobabeb. (1 night) http://www.gobabebtrc.org/ Afternoon lecture with Doctor Goering, followed by a nature walk and an evening scorpion spotting walk Wed 18 Nov  Travel in 4x4 vehicles to Sossusvlei with a lunchtime stop at the home of Boesman .  Kulala Desert Lodge  (2 nights)  Slept overnight under the stars in the rooftop skybed. Thurs 19 Nov   6am explore the dunes of Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei  /  4pm visit the Sesriem canyon Fri 20 Nov   05.35 pick up for a one hour Hot air balloon flight followed by champagne breakfast 12.00   Fly to Windhoek (arrive 1pm) SA077 WDH (17:20) arrive into JNB (19:10)  /  BA054 JNB (21:20) Sat 21st - arrive into LHR (06:35)
Sossusvlei, Namib Desert

Itinerary

Namibia and Victoria Falls  5th to 21st  November, 2015

Namibia Tour  This excellent tour of Namibia was organised by Wildlife Worldwide and our tour leader was Director, Nick Joynes, a frequent traveller to Namibia.  Nick’s Blog
Victoria Falls, Zambesi River
Etosha National Park
Wildlife Worldwide Nick’s Blog