Is anyone looking at travelling to Namibia & Botswana in October on the "Four Country Classic"?
Or has anyone taken this trip in the past?
I'm looking for some feedback as to how you enjoyed the trip.
Thank you,
Carmen
Namibia & Botswana
Re: Namibia & Botswana
Dear Carmen,
Although I have not been on the trip that you going on in October I have recently returned from Africa and went to many of the places that you will be travelling to. Africa is an amazing place that gets into your blood and under your skin in ways that I can not really explain. It
Re: Namibia & Botswana
Hiya Carmen,
As Tammy said, it is an incredible area. I was not on the particular trip you are thinking of, but in the same areas recently. I also camped throughout the trip, save one evening in Swakopmund (bungelows) and the African experience is heightened beyond description. Waking up on the top of the truck, with camera and tripod next to me made for some incredible photo ops. The scenery throughout South Africa and Namibia are breathtaking, and the people a joy to talk with. The wildlife in Botswana is awe inspiring, and of course the Falls in Zimbabwe are amazing. If you go there, make sure you take the time (if you have it) to cross the border into Zambia and view the falls from there, some great trails to wander about! I have some photos on my website if you'd care to take a look, the area is absolutely awe inspiring, and should not be missed. Enjoy your journey! Mark
Re: Namibia & Botswana
Carmen,
I did the Four Countries tour last year, 29th Sept to 21 Oct - we added a few extra days on the end of the tour.
I enjoyed the tour immensely but I have to say you spend an awful lot of time on the road. This of course, is the only way you can visit all the venues listed in the itinerary, but be prepared for hours on end on the road, the very straight road! (who said the Romans built all the straight roads?!) The quality of the roads though was quite surprising. It would be difficult to tell what surface you were travelling on if you had your eyes shut. They can be monotonous though - long and straight and similar scenery at times for miles.
You must try to stay at a lodge [b]inside[/b] Etosha - although we were programmed to, there was an accommodation change (the news given to us on the briefing before the start of the tour) and because of that, we dipped on early morning/evening watches at the water holes. The park does not open the gates until 06:30 in the morning and closes about 18:00. We did not see Rhino because of this. We did not see much in the way of big cats either - just two distant males partially visible when they sat up briefly for a look around. On the other hand, we saw thousands of elephant!
It was only when we got into Botswana that it really began to feel like Africa!
The Okavango Delta and Chobe were my favourite sites, particularly the afternoon riverboat trip at Chobe - it was almost like visiting a zoo with different species every few metres.
Namibia has its own attractions of course, and I would not of missed them for the world. So too has Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls is fabulous (if you book a trip on the Jetboat at Vic. Falls, be prepared for a 110 metres almost vertical climb down to the river bank - they don't tell you about that when you're booking the excursion. There are steps and ladders or strairways but you have to climb up them of course, after the trip! You should use trainers for the climb and leave them on the bank during the jetboat ride. You will be drenched from head to toe but it is great fun and there is a cold drink waiting for you when you make it back up to the top.
US Dollars are accepted just about everywhere but you will be advised on currency during your brief
I hope I have not put you off the tour - the few bad bits are soon forgotten after the trip! Take loads of film!
Re: Namibia & Botswana
Carmen,
Just noticed I did not mention South Africa!! Cape Town is brilliant and I'm pleased we did some extra time there at the end of the trip - only two days though - a week would have been better. We also had four extra days at Vic Falls. You only have a few hours when you get to Vic Falls to do anything on the actual tour - if you are not going to book any excursions, you should decline wasting time at the adventure excursions office they take you to and go straight to the Falls. It is worth having extra days at Vic Falls if you can fit it in. (Unfortunately or not, the only flights we could get back to Cape Town from Vic Falls were business class - nice but pricey!)
By the way, there were 20 of us on the 'Safari Truck' for the entire journey including Dutch, Ozzies, Kiwis and Brits (wot? no Yanks, Japs or Germans!!!)