Spend 3 weeks exploring the highlights of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe with us on our Northern Experience guided group tour, experiencing the wildlife, culture, and scenery only Africa can deliver. From witnessing the magnitude of Victoria Falls to marveling at Namibia’s dunes and appreciating the big game interaction, this tour combines all the comforts of hotel and lodge accommodation with an unforgettable safari experience.
Highlights of the Northern Experience Tour
Cape Town
Resting at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, sandwiched between the slopes of the world-renowned Table Mountain and the shimmering waters of Table Bay, the scenic city of Cape Town is in a class of its own. Boasting a rich mix of cultures, vibrant nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere, extraordinary landscapes, and many natural wonders, Cape Town has so much to offer its visitors. It also serves as the gateway to the Northern Experience tour, making it the perfect starting point for an unforgettable adventure.
Windhoek
Windhoek is Namibia’s capital, home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe, and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, including the Alte Feste (Old Fort), the 1896 Christuskirche (Christ Church), and the more contemporary Supreme Court.
Naukluft Mountains
Located in Central Namibia, the Naukluft Mountains cut a fine silhouette against the vast open skies of this beautiful country. Private farms occupy the northern reaches and to the south, there is the spectacular Namib-Naukluft National Park. Rising steeply from the vast plains of Central Namibia, the rugged landscape holds fascinating geology and history, and boasts a variety of deep gorges, caves, small streams, and beautiful waterfalls. These mountains support an array of wildlife including over 50 mammal species such as leopard, mountain zebra, various antelope species, and almost 200 species of bird. Popular activities include game viewing, hiking, bird watching, camping, off-roading in four-wheel drive, and swimming in the wonderful rock pools at the Kudusrus campsite.
Swakopmund
Set along the spectacular Namibian coastline, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide open avenues, colonial architecture, and is surrounded by otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbor for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being ‘more German than Germany’. Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laid-back atmosphere, and cool sea breezes make it a very popular Namibian destination. Visitors can look forward to many exciting activities, such as quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing, and fascinating desert tours.
Etosha South
Located just south of the boundary of Etosha National Park in northwestern Namibia, Etosha South makes up the southern region of this wild paradise. Ogava Private Game Reserve shares the southern boundary with Etosha National Park and offers an array of luxury lodges overlooking picturesque landscapes dotted with abundant wildlife. The national park can be accessed via the southern entrance at Anderson’s Gate. Visitors can catch a glimpse of unique African wildlife species, including lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a multitude of plains game. Popular activities include: game drives, tracking rhinos on foot, guided nature walks, and watching the sunset over this magnificent landscape.
Etosha East
Located in Northwestern Namibia, Etosha East is a protected sanctuary in the eastern part of the world-renowned Etosha National Park, regarded as one of the most accessible game reserves in Southern Africa. Etosha East boasts vast open plains scattered with semi-arid savannah grasslands dotted with watering holes and secluded bush camps. An impressive 5,000-square-kilometer Etosha salt pan makes up a large area of the eastern side of the park, and can even be seen from outer space. This remote area teems with abundant wildlife such as lions, elephants, black rhinos, and giraffes, as well as a variety of birdlife featuring flamingos, ostriches, eagles, hornbills, and owls.
Rundu
Bordering Angola on the banks of the Okavango River in northern Namibia, the town of Rundu serves as the capital of the eastern Kavango region. Rundu is renowned for its local woodcarvers market, and the numerous woodcarvers’ huts dotting the side of the road. The town provides a great stopover to refuel for visitors heading to Katima Mulilo as well as an excellent base from which to explore the lovely surrounding areas. Visitors to Rundu can enjoy the beautiful Popa Falls and Mahangu Game Reserve. Other popular activities include great game viewing, excellent bird watching, and kayaking on the Kavango River.
Divundu
Set roughly 200 kilometers east of Rundu on the southeastern banks of the great Okavango River, the small village of Divundu is a wonderful destination from which to explore the river, game parks, and national reserves of the area. Visitors can enjoy fishing or bird-watching boat safaris, or visit the Mahango Game Park, which is home to herds of elephants as well as hippo, buffalo, giraffe, antelope, and many other wildlife species. The scenic Popa Falls, a dramatic series of cascades, are a popular must-see attraction. Divundu is also the perfect base for adventures in Botswana and the Okavango Delta.
Maun
Set on the banks of the beautiful Thamalakane River in northern Botswana, Maun is the third-largest town in this unique southern African country. Maun is the starting point for most expeditions into the Okavango Delta and as a result, has developed into a bustling metropolis that is considered Botswana’s tourism capital. Area attractions include a riverboat that offers cruises up and down the Thamalakane River, the forest groves of the Maun Game Reserve, and Moremi Game Reserve, home to hippos, lions, and rhinos. Maun also serves as the jumping-off point for many safaris and air charters, as well as 4×4 rentals. Don’t miss the Nhabe Museum exhibiting the local history, art, and culture of the Ngamiland region.
Moremi Game Reserve
Situated in the east of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve ranks as one of the most beautiful reserves in Africa. It covers more than 4,871 square kilometers of pristine wilderness, and the varied terrain includes savannah, winding waterways, and dense forest. This diverse ecosystem supports a broad spectrum of wildlife, ranging from large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra, to the rare sitatunga and lechwe antelope, lion, cheetah, and packs of wild dog in the open grasslands. The birdlife is prolific and includes most of the 550 bird species recorded on Botswana’s national bird list. A range of luxury lodges in the reserve offers visitors the perfect base to experience this corner of paradise.
Nata
Situated 180 kilometers north of Francistown, the small village of Nata is a popular stopover between Maun and Kasane along a road known as the ‘game drive route’ as there is often a chance to catch a glimpse of wildlife along the way. The unique landscape that surrounds the area around Nata features white sand, tall termite mounds, and the Mokolwane palm trees. Nata is a convenient stop for tourists, and serves as an excellent base from which to explore the eastern section of the spectacular Makgadikgadi Pans. The Nata Bird Sanctuary is a highlight for avid bird watchers, where lucky visitors can be rewarded with large flocks of Flamingos and Pelicans, which breed here each year.
Kasane
Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Botswana, on the banks of the famous Chobe River, the scenic little town of Kasane rests on the doorstep of the spectacular Chobe National Park. There are no boundary fences separating the village from the park, and game such as elephant and hippo are often spotted roaming around the town. If on the lookout for elusive game, pay a visit to the Sedudu Valley Road, where large dead trees provide temporary homes for leopards. Within Kasane, an ancient baobab tree stands on display, once serving as a local prison. Visitors can look forward to a multitude of activities including game drives through the park, taking a sunset cruise down the Chobe River, visiting a local village, or jumping on a day trip to the tourist hub of Victoria Falls.
Hwange National Park
Located in western Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park (formerly Wankie Game Reserve) is the largest natural reserve in the country and is famous for its rich diversity of wildlife. Home to one of the biggest elephant populations in the world, as well as approximately 100 mammal species, the park is a wonderland for animal lovers. Several protected animals inhabit the awe-inspiring open landscapes, including the endangered wild dog, critically endangered black rhino, and rare roan and sable – along with lion, cheetah, and about 500 bird species. Adventurers can look forward to guided bush hikes, game drives, and horse-riding safaris, all of which offer excellent photographic opportunities. Hwange boasts several unique natural features, most notably the natural seeps such as Nehimba and Shakwanki animals dig for water.
Victoria Falls
Resting on the southern banks of the Zambezi river at the western end of the eponymous falls, this popular tourist town is compact enough to stroll through and makes an ideal base for travelers exploring the seventh wonder of the world, the mammoth Victoria Falls, where the Northern Experience tour concludes. About two-thirds of the falls can be viewed from the Zimbabwean side and, while the falls are undoubtedly the star attraction, the area provides both adventure seekers and sightseers with plenty of opportunities to warrant a longer stay. Popular activities include scenic flights over the falls in helicopters or micro lights, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, white-water rafting (seasonal), and day trips to Chobe National Park. The town offers some excellent accommodation and restaurant options, as well as an eclectic variety of African curios and authentic art sold by friendly Zimbabwean locals who are wonderfully welcoming and eager to help you enjoy your stay.
