Check out our 2018 trip video
Three of the world's most exciting countries lie conveniently next to each other at the southern end of the African continent. Namibia, Zambia and Botswana are an adventure seekers dream. We're going to take you on a wild ride around all three of them sliding down some of the tallest sand dunes in the world in the Namib Desert. Searching out Leopards and Cheetahs in the famous Etosha National park. Hippo cage diving on the Caprivi strip. Extreme rafting on the Zambezi River and swimming in the Devil's own jacuzzi at the top of the awesome Victoria falls, Zambia.
You want more?
Take a boat ride with Crocs, Elephants and Hippos - no cage diving here - in Chobe National park, Botswana. Go off grid and off road with the San people in the Kalahari desert, and disappear (not literally) in a canoe through the waters of the unbelievable Okavango Delta.
If Africa rocks your boat - this trip will send you overboard!
Day 1 - Windhoek
We settle into our trip surrounded by German architecture and modern comforts. Enjoy Namibia's sleek modern capital before we head off into the bush to begin the ultimate African adventure. Accommodation - Hostel
Day 2 - Sossuvlei - 4 hours south west and we are in the Namib Desert amongst the biggest sand dunes in the world. Here we camp under the stars for the night and seek out the incredible Dead Vlei. White barren sand littered with dead trees never looked this good. This amazing place really encapsulates what Namibia's landscape is. Peacefully serene, yet incredibly powerful.
Accommodation - Camping
Day 3 - Solitaire - after a visit to the dunes & the Dead Vlei we head up towards the north and stop off at the aptly named Solitaire. A town that seems like it is straight out of the wild West. A one horse town that has been welcoming overlanders on this stretch since the 1940s. For good reason - It is the only place on this stretch! We'd be crazy to stay anywhere else and the drive is truly beautiful.
Accommodation - Camping
Day 4 - Getting closer to the first Safari of our trip, unless you have spotted a desert fox or Hyena already. We make a stop at a wonderful camp with swimming pool to cool us off from the desert heat, before continuing on to the magnificent Etosha Pan National park.
Accomodation - Camping with pool
Day 5, 6 & 7 - Etosha Pan National park - we've only been going a few days and already seen some fantastic landscapes and wildlife but this is something else - one of the world's finest game reserves. Etosha is world renowned for good reason. It houses all the Big 5 as well as hundreds of other fascinating animals including the illusive Black Rhino. We camp inside the park for 3 nights doing self drive safaris each day so no need to shell out extra money for Safaris here. Unless you want to go out at night. But there'll be time for that later. We stay in a wonderful camping site here with all facilities including a pool and bar plus a seating area over a flood-lit watering hole for late night animal spotting. Chances to see virtually every large African animal you can think of (and some small ones too) over the 3 nights and 2 days of Safari here. Does it get any better? Well....maybe.
Accommodation - camping with pool
Park fees apply - £5-£10/day
Day 8, 9,10 - We're headed West towards Botswana and Zambia along the lush green Caprivi strip. We'll make a stop En-route to break up the journey and then head to the marvelous Ngepi Camp half way along the strip. Here on the upper reaches of the Okavango Delta where hippos roam around the camp - watch out - one can look out over the river and see an abundance of more spectacular wildlife.
Loads of activities on offer here from guided walks and game drives to pan-handle boat trips, river rafting, hippo cage diving - wait...what?
And here the Big 5 becomes the Big 6... here be dragons. If you take a Dragon raft down the mighty River running from Angola to the north you must beware of the legendary DiKongoro who, legend has it watches over the river as it passes through the narrow Caprivi strip and into the Okavango.
Accommodation - camping (Upgrades possible for £40/night to Tree houses and Bush huts. Please state when booking.
11, 12, 13 - Livingston, Zambia & Victoria Falls.
So this is maybe what you've been waiting for? If so then just seeing these falls is worth every penny of this trip to be honest. But we can do better than that - if you can handle it.
At the wonderful SafPar you get a chance to do arguably the greatest whitewater rafting experience on earth. You get to Raft the Zambezi. The mighty River running between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Level 5 rapids occur here and this activity is by no means for the faint hearted. But it is truly one of the most amazing days you will have in your life - if you like adrenaline and water that is. If you don't...stay away...stay well away. Or go jump off the bridge with a piece of elastic around your ankles instead. Yes that's right, Livingston is the adventure capital of Zambia, and if those two activities aren't enough for you then may I point you in the direction of the Devil's Jacuzzi. A swimming pool on the edge of the most spectacular waterfalls on the planet. You will not forget this place in a hurry.
Accommodation - Hostel.
Day 14
For those signed up for the 2 week option this is where we sadly say goodbye. But for those who want to delve deeper into Africa's soul we turn around and head into Botswana and towards the Kalahari desert, now getting in touch with the people as well as the wildlife in this part of the world.
Day 14,15- Botswana - Chobe National Park.
Botswana is a glorious gem of a country. True Africa with a real adventurous spirit; this country has it all. We begin in Chobe National park with more Safari tripping, just when you thought you may have seen it all. In this part of the world - never. This park is a bit more wild than others and not so accessible with a minibus so we camp at the incredible Chobe Safari Lodge overlooking the river and take an altogether different type of Safari - by boat. The Chobe river Safari is a perfect way to explore this national park and spot the Crocs, Hippos and Elephants alongside the boat.
Accommodation - Camping
Park fees apply - £8-£10/day
Day 15, 16 - One of the truly wonderful things about Botswana is that everywhere you drive is like being on Safari. You are likely to see Elephants and Giraffe on our drives from one place to another as you spot dogs and cats back home. So keep your eyes open as we set off south to the marvelous and unique - Planet Baobab.
A certain guide book once voted this place in the top ten most unique places to stay in the world. I have to agree. Marked out in the desert by a giant stone aardvark you can't miss it. Set on the edge of the fantastical Makadikadi Salt pans this is an environment of extremes. In the dry months of the summer the pans are a shimmering white and a photographers dream. In the wetter seasons they turn lush and green with more wildlife. In November, the shoulder season, thousands of migrating Zebra come stomping through the pans. So we'll camp amongst the mighty Baobab trees here for 2 nights & wait and see what happens. Here you can also get cultural with the incredible San people who have lived in this desert for over 20,000 years. Visit villages and seek out the legendary Kalahari bushmen. Or take a ride over the unique Makadikadi Salt pans themselves looking out for Meerkat & Desert foxes instead. Something for everyone.
Accommodation - Camping with Pool. Upgrades available.
Day 17,18,19 - Okavango Delta - some would say we save the best until last here. I would say on this trip you cannot choose one. There are simply too many wonders to behold. But Okavango is surely a great contender. The Delta is created where the Okavango River floods into the sprawling Kalahari desert. Attracting thousands of animals and birds to come and gather around the green vegetation. Every season is different here and there is no bad time to visit the Delta. November in particular transforms this area from a great bird watching place to a spectacular one. Not to mention the plethora of other wildlife that call this place home. And now, for a few days, so shall we.
A maze of lagoons & islands create a truly magical landscape. One of the best (and most affordable) ways to explore this is by Mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe. A 2 day trip here costs around £75 and allows you to glide silently around what really is Africa's true last Eden. Camping out amongst the wild sounds of an African night.
Or if you fancy something a bit... higher? A popular trip here is a flight over the Delta 'Out of Africa' style to catch some truly epic shots of the wildlife down below. What a way to finish - almost.
Accommodation - Hostel and Camping
Day 20 - Heading back east across the great desert to Namibia and Windhoek for a final party to celebrate the ultimate African adventure where it all began, 3 weeks and a thousand memories ago.
7th - 28th NOVEMBER 2022
£795 - 2 weeks £995 - 3 weeks Included - Camping and Hostels (Tents not supplied) Transport in 2 minibuses
Reservation by deposit of £195. Second installment due June 2022 Balance due September 2022
The first SAFARI JAM was a wild road trip around South Africa and Lesotho. Spotting Elephants, Lions, Zebra, Giraffe from our vehicles and tracking the odd cheetah on foot. We leapt from bridges into wild rivers. Some leapt from higher bridges with bits of elastic around their ankles. We rafted down rivers and hiked huge mountains. Some took tiny chain ladders up sheer cliff faces and abseiled off massive waterfalls. It was so good that we are doing it all again... With a couple of tweaks of course!
PRICE £795 includes all travel and accommodation (camping and hostels)
*Not including flights.
*****Please note this trip is now postponed until further notice due to COVID-19. Please see our other trips for 2021*****
Day 1/2 - Cape Town without a doubt Africa's coolest city. Climbing Table mountain, watching the penguins on Boulders beach or partying the nigh away in the bars of Long Street or Green Point. This is a city that has more return value than any other I have visited. Walk the paradise that is Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, take a boat trip to Robben Island or a 10 km trail run around the Lion's head. The list goes on. Do as much as you can before we start heading East.
Day 3/4 - Stellenbosch - what better way to be properly introduced to this country than a trip around the famous wine region only 50km from Cape Town. Staying at the legendary Stumble Inn for a night there is the option to do a day tour of the vineyards taking in more than a glass or two as well as getting fed and a trip around the area. (Wine tour approx £36/person)
Day 4/5 - Wilderness - Garden route national park. Loads to do here in one of South Africa's premier national parks. Staying in Fairy Knowe's backpacker hostel either camping in the woods or in a dorm style room. You can choose to Kayak up the river further into the national park or walk down to the beach for more tanning and swimming. There is also an old railway line which makes a wonderful walk as well as a great jumping point into the river. The bridge crosses the sea and is not for the fainthearted - should you head across it.
Day 6/7 -Stormsriver mouth in the Tsitsikama national park. This has to be one of the most stunning camp sites on the planet. Be careful upgrading here beforehand as the tent sites have the best spot! Right on the beach next to the rolling Indian Ocean. A true highlight. 30 mins up the road sits the world's highest commercial bridge Bungy jump - 709 ft. (£55approx) For those of us not mad enough for this there are some incredible treks in the area for all capabilities. As well as kayaking trips from the campsite itself.
Camping (Upgrades available £10/person) NP Fees £9/night
Day 8/9 - Addo Addo Elephant national park - The clue is in the name here and thee animals have to be some of the best to watch! You can take a night Safari here (£20) to see animals in their nocturnal mode ( and better your chances for seeing Lions) or just sit at the water hole with a glass of wine and let the animals come to you - from a distance of course!
Camping (Upgrades available from £15/person) NP Fees £15/night
Day 10/11 - Mount Zebra national park - If you count the Giraffes and Zebras as well as the possible Rhino you by now may have seen then this would be our second real Safari! This park is very different again from scenery you have passed. Mountainous and desolate and a little off the tourist trail. Lions and Cheetah both inhabit this park. If you're up for it you can track the latter of these two cats on foot -with an experienced guide of course! (Cheetah Tracking cost £25)
Camping (upgrades available - £10-£15/person) (NP Fees - £8/night)
Day 12 - GariepDam holiday resort. This is really just a stop off but it's a pretty good one. A wonderful swimming pool in lush green surroundings near the largest dam in South Africa. If you befriend the waiter he may even drive you up there. Or you can rent bikes and cycle the tracks around the area.
Camping (upgrades available - from £10/person)
Day 13/14 - Clarens: an arty and beautifully whimsical little town in the Golden Gate National Park - how many parks is that now?! Staying in 19th century Ox wagons, basic but beautiful! Or a hostel in town. There are opportunities for adventure activities from here or just chill out and take some downtime in this beautiful town. You'll need some energy for what's coming.
Day 15/16 - The High Drakensburg mountains in the Kwazulu-Natal national park has some of the best hiking in the world as well as the most incredible scenery which you can view from anywhere - if hiking up a mountain that includes the infamous 30 meter chain ladder up a sheer rock face isn't for you! But those who dare are in for a treat.
We camp inside Spionkop game reserve which is an unfenced reserve. But don't worry only Giraffes...and Rhinos in here!
Camping in the national park. (Fees - £3)
Day 17,18, 19, 20 - Swaziland, or Eswatini as it is now known. A completely land locked country and a true gem off the beaten track. This is where we have our last adventure. White water rafting down the Great Usutu river in the centre of the country! Prepared to get wet! Swaziland is an adventure paradise so don't stop there. Caving, horse riding, canyoning an quad biking all oon offer here to give you a final adrenaline boost before visiting the cultural villages of the area to wind down before waving goodbye to this promised land.
Day 21- Flying out of Johannesburg.
DATES - February 7th - 28th 2021
PRICE - £795 includes all travel and camping accommodation plus some hostels.*
Food Kitty available
*Not included - Flights, optional activities such as rafting, NP entrance fees)
What to bring:
Tent (Waterproof - storms do occur... big ones)
Sleeping bag
Backpack + one smaller hiking pack
Towel and swim wear
Clothes for hot weather
Clothes for crazy summer storms
ATM card such as Revolut
Torch
South African travel adaptor
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