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Offering an extension to Cape Town
 
Botswana's and Namibia's appeal lies in the pristine wildness of its empty spaces, the friendly unhurried pace of its rural villages, their stable government and above all their un-crowded camps and low number of visitors. Both countries limit the number of visitors and use the revenue to protect their ecosystem, having opted for a low density, higher priced tourism policy.
The camps were chosen for game viewing and that one does not have to jockey for position around a pride of lions. Our commitment to conservation and to etiquette of game-viewing will not only enhance your safari experience but also the preservation of the se unique areas.
 
It is possible to take any part of this program separately
 
Namibia
One of the world's most captivatingly beautiful desert regions, a land of swirling apricot dunes and shimmering white flats, mirages and dust devils, black-faced impala and crimson- breasted shrike. It is the desert which elevates Namibia into the very top echelon of places to visit in this world.
Darmaland is the only place in the world where black rhino still roam free. Our luxury tented lodge is in a prime location on a private concession. From the enormous garnet-tinted dunes of Sossusvlei to the folded-strata mountains of Damaraland Geologists consider Namibia to be one of the most interesting areas on the earth's surface

... and contrasting the desert landscape we go to the watery wilderness of...

 
Botswana
one of the world's last great wildernesses has set aside more land for national parks and game reserves than any other African country. Here the Okavango flows not into the sea but straight into the sands of the Kalahari Desert to create that ecological marvel - the legendary 'Jewel of the Kalahari, The Okavango Delta, a magical area where the mighty river is tamed by the semi-desert and spills its contents over an area the size of Connecticut and then disappears into the thirsty sands.

The Moremi Reserve was once part of the traditional hunting ground of the Batawana tribe who set aside 1800 sq.km. as a wildlife sanctuary.
Chobe National Park in its lush flood plains offers a variety of habitats for huge herds of elephants, buffalos, zebras, lions, hyenas, leopards and cheetahs. Few places in the world can equal Chobe's enormous variety of big game and bird life.
 
Southern Africa is a photographer's paradise, providing a vast array of every kind of subject matter imaginable. From incredible scenic and wildlife close-ups to cultural portraiture this trip will provide photo opportunities like no other as you visit the wilderness areas of Namibia, Botswana and the majestic Victoria Falls.
 
Daily Itinerary:
 
Namibia (Pre-tour option) - 8 days
 
02 April Wed. - Johannesburg - South Africa
Arrival in Johannesburg.
Afternoon visit of the vibrant township of Soweto
Welcome dinner at Lekgotla, bringing you a truly African experience on Nelson Mandela Square.
Overnight at our hotel in fashionable Sandton.
03 April Thu. - Damaraland Camp - Namibia
In the morning transfer to the airport for our flight into Windhoek, Namibia.
Two nights at Damaraland Camp inclusive of all meals, local drinks & lodge based activities

Situated on the northern face of the Huab River valley and looking south toward the imposing Brandberg Mountains, Damaraland Camp offers its guests endless vistas. Early morning mists generated by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, drift inland along the river sand canyon, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region. This comfortable and friendly camp offers walks and drives in one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia. Damaraland Camp is situated where the rare Desert Elephant roams, alongside Gemsbok (Oryx), Springbok, Ostrich and other hardy desert animals. Rare succulent plants somehow manage to eke out an existence in this harsh countryside. Damaraland Camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms, with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water. As a result of water shortages, it is unfortunately not possible to offer a laundry service. The stone living area combines the dining room and pub and an open fire is enjoyed on calm evenings. A feature of the camp is the unique rock pool. Activities throughout the area are in 4x4 vehicles and on foot as well as mountain bikes.






 






05 April Sat. - Kulala Desert Lodge
Light aircraft transfer from Damaraland to Kulala Desert Lodge (Sossusvlei)
Three nights at Kulala Desert Lodge inclusive of all meals, local drinks & lodge based activities

Situated on over 21, 000 hectares of private property and bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, Kulala Desert Lodge lies in the heart of the Namib and offers magnificent views of the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei as well as magnificent mountainous scenery and vast open plains. Fifteen thatched and canvas chalets or "Kulalas" (Kulala in the Namibian language "oshiwambo" means "to sleep") with en-suite bathrooms and showers are set on wooden platforms to provide maximum airflow. An option for outdoor enthusiasts is that bedrolls can be moved to the rooftop to sleep under the stars. The main lodge, with décor inspired by northern Africa, has a lounge, pub, dining area and plunge pool, and offers a wrap-around veranda that overlooks the waterhole and provides a perfect location to view and photograph the desert scenery. Early morning guided nature drives to the spectacular dunes are through a private gate on the Tsauchab River. Nature drives and walks are also offered on the private reserve with incredible views, desert animals and smaller desert fauna and flora. Another option, at an extra cost, is early morning ballooning, beginning at first light - the 60-90 minute balloon safari offers a truly unique experience to soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert, with a champagne breakfast being served at your landing site.
08 April Tue. - Windhoek Country Club
In the morning we fly to Windhoek and transfer to the Windhoek Country Club
One night at the Windhoek Country Club on a bed & breakfast basis

The hotel is a true haven of charm and hospitality, situated on the outskirts of the picturesque Namibian town of Windhoek. A massage therapy studio is situated within the complex and a wide selection of eateries, including an African-theme restaurant and an oriental "alternative dining experience". Cocktails and sundowners can be enjoyed at the beautiful pool bar, set amongst rock formations at the pool.
 
09 April Wed. - Windhoek - Maun or USA
Those ending the tour here will be transferred to the airport for their connecting flight home. Those continuing to Botswana will be transferred to the airport for their flight to Maun to start our Safari in Botswana.
 
Botswana - 11 days
08 April Tue. - Johannesburg
Arrival in Johannesburg.
Afternoon visit of the vibrant township of Soweto
Welcome dinner at Lekgotla, bringing you a truly African experience on Nelson Mandela Square.
Overnight at our hotel in fashionable Sandton.
 
09 April Wed. - Johannesburg - Maun (Botswana)
On arrival in Maun you will be met & transferred by light aircraft to Eagle Island Camp where we will spend two nights inclusive of all meals, lodge based activities & local beverages.
 
Hidden from the world, deep within Botswana's Okavango Delta, is the paradise we call Eagle Island Camp. Situated on the island of Xaxaba and surrounded by Illala Palms, the camp overlooks a lagoon fed by the tranquil waterways of the Delta.
The area offers exceptionally high quality wildlife viewing with prolific birdlife and mammal sightings. It is also the site of one of the most romantic bars in the world, the Fish Eagle Bar, as voted by New York Times.
The camp offers a cool retreat from the African sun and is shaded by a canopy of indigenous trees
Eagle Island Camp Xaxaba is one of the Delta's most pristine natural locations, a region of myriad waterways, palm-tree covered islands and vast flood plains.
Built to blend into its environment, the camps afford guests with a peaceful setting perfect for enjoying the sights and sounds of the Okavango Delta.
The magnificent sunsets can be enjoyed during times of high flood from the camp's most romantic Fish Eagle Bar at Eagle Island or from the raised deck overlooking the lagoon.
 
11 April Fri. - Eagle Nest Camp - Khwai River Lodge
After your morning game activity we will be flown by light aircraft to Khwai River Lodge where we will spend three nights inclusive of all meals, lodge based activities & local beverages.
Nestled on the edge of a leadwood and fig tree forest, overlooking the vast Khwai River floodplains and beyond into the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, sits the luxurious Khwai River Lodge.
Khwai is renowned for its large concentrations of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife from the comfort of your own private deck. As a year round destination for wildlife, predators can regularly be seen in the area, rated as one of the most prolific in Botswana for viewing wildlife. The exceptional location of Khwai makes it a regular host to Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and Wild Dogs. Birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors near the lodge.
This is the perfect location for observing the perennial drama of the African bushveld and provides excellent birding.
At Khwai River Lodge, you are close to Africa's heartbeat and at the centre of a world that has not altered since life began. You can sense this from the moment you arrive. Bush hats and desert boots, tall tales and long drinks, a past redolent of trophies and potent sundowners. For decades, as befits one of the most established game lodges in Botswana, it has hosted guests from all over the world on the safari trail.
 
14 April Mon. - Khwai - Savute Elephant Camp
After your morning game activity we will be flown by light aircraft to Savute Elephant Camp where you we spend two nights inclusive of all meals, lodge based activities & local beverages.

In the heart of the Chobe National Park, sometimes referred to as the elephant capital of the world, is the Savute - an area that personifies the eternal contrast of Africa.
Where our other two camps celebrate water and lush vegetation, Savute is an objective lesson in aridity. Rain is rare and water is precious. You will find yourself in harmony with a unique timeless place, removed from city life. In Savute, you realise that previous little has changed on these dry plains since time began. The realisation dawns that you are fortunate and privileged to be in one of the last corners of the planet governed by nature.
The Savute is a dramatic area to see high concentrations of elephant and lions. Prides up to 40 strong are not uncommon as are sighting of all the other major predators; the endangered wild dog, leopard, cheetah and the hyena.
As this camp is situated in the Chobe National Park, park regulations prohibit night drives and walking, however game viewing activities are offered in the morning and late afternoons in our open safari game viewing vehicles. All the tents, public areas and swimming pool overlook the adjacent water hole so it is not uncommon to see a wide variety of birds and animals from the privacy of your own tent. Savute also offers a "Boma" or "place of eating" where guests can enjoy a traditional alfresco dining experience while being entertained by our members of staff.

 
16 April Wed. - Savute - Livingston/ Victoria Falls (Zambia)
Today we will fly by light aircraft to Livingstone where we will spend two nights at The Royal Livingstone on a bed & breakfast basis.

Two nights at The Royal Livingstone, overlooking Victoria Falls on a bed & breakfast basis including free access to the falls and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

Inspired by the gracious homes in Livingstone, The Royal Livingstone is a 5-star, 173-roomed luxury hotel. Only footsteps from the Zambezi River, the rooms and suites offer a tranquil retreat. The rooms are two-storey clusters and each cluster comprises approximately 10 en suite air-conditioned rooms, offering private balconies or terraces with views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls. Interior furnishings accentuate the influences of Africa. All the rooms have satellite TV, radio and video, mini-bar, mini-safe and telephone with message/wake-up/voice-mail facilities. In-room dining is available. A dramatic view of the river will be enjoyed from the central reception. An ideally positioned bar and lounge under an open-thatch roof is cooled by the swish of punkahs. With its comfortable armchairs and low ottomans the lounge is the place to enjoy an impeccably served high tea or to linger over port and cigars. The a la carte restaurant reflects the same high standard of service and opens onto spacious verandas and luxurious rolling lawns ending at the river's edge. The Royal Livingstone offers the majesties of Africa with all the charms of a bygone era, and an unparalleled level of luxury, service and sophistication in the region.

17 April Thu. - Livingstone
Half day visit to an authentic African Village, where you will be invited to meet the village's head woman who will tell you of the village's history, traditions and culture. You will see the people at work, be invited into their homes and lives!

Chief Mukuni's Village
Mukuni's Village is a Royal village which was founded around the 13th Century. It is home to about 7,000 Leya people. The chief has invited visitors into his village to get a glimpse of how his people have lived for generations and to learn a little about their traditional customs and beliefs. The Chief's guides and the people of the village are more than happy to show visitors their huts and take you inside, explain how they are built and decorated, introduce you to various craftsmen and women at work and ask you to taste some traditional foods and beer. This is a working village, not a purpose built tourist attraction, and it is a privilege to be welcomed into their lifestyle.

18 April Fri. - Livingstone - Johannesburg - Cape Town - South Africa
In the morning flight to Johannesburg to connect with our flight to the US or to Cape Town for our seven days extension to the memorable sites of Table Mountain, The Cape of Good Hope and two nights at fêted wineries of South Africa.
 
Cape Town - 6 days
 
18 April Fri. - Cape Town
Upon arrival in Cape Town we will be met and transferred to the lovely Winchester Mansions Hotel. Four nights including breakfast.

Situated on Cape Town's Platinum mile and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Winchester Mansions is an exclusive, privately-owned 4 star hotel in Cape Town. It sets itself apart among other hotels in and around Cape Town with its spectacular beachfront location, stylish elegance and personalized service.
 
19 April Sat. - Cape Town
Cape Peninsular Tour
The Cape Peninsula is the thin finger of land in the south-western most corner of Africa with the city of Cape Town at its head. As you travel south towards Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, the land gets narrower until the great Indian and Atlantic Oceans combine into one vast southern ocean, with nothing beyond except Antarctica.
This comprehensive tour shows you the best of the spectacular Cape Peninsula. Find out firsthand why it's called the Fairest Cape. Travel past Sea Point and Camps Bay, past the famous beaches of Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno towards Hout Bay. Drive along the breathtakingly scenic Chap-mans Peak Drive, around the Atlantic Seaboard. Pass through Noordhoek, and Scarborough. After lunch we continue to the Cape of Good Hope and imagine in the distance the meetings of the Indian and the Atlantic Ocean. From here we drive along the Indian Ocean coastline, where we visit the beautiful Boulders Beach, where you have the option to sit among the famous colony of Jackass Penguins. Afterwards enjoy a short stop at the naval port of Simons Town
 
20 April Sun. Cape Town
Today a full day visit of the City of Cape Town and some of its fine museums to learn about the history of Cape Town and South Africa. If the weather permits we can also hike or ride up to Table Mountain.
 
21 April Mon. Winelands Tour
We will head off into South Africa's famous wine region with stops at the most prestigious private estates for wine tasting and a visit to Paarl Language Memorial, home of the Afrikaans Language. Overnight at the Franschhoek Hotel and Spa including breakfast.
 
The Franschhoek valley was first settled over 300-years ago by the French Hugenots and the many guesthouses, streetside cafes and award winning restaurants demonstrate a truly French flair. Lying against the backdrop of the majestic Franschhoek and Drakenstein mountains, the town with its picturesque main street showcases antique stores and art galleries rubbing shoulders with bakeries and the chocolaterie. Franschhoek is also home to many festivals from the annual Bastille Day festival (14 July) to cheese, wine and olive festivals at various times throughout the year.

Located in the world famous Cape Winelands, Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa has become one of the most romantic getaways in its class. Capturing the essence of five star luxury, the impeccably appointed Le Franschhoek offers unparalleled views of the Franschhoek Mountains and is the perfect setting for a taste of the legendary Cape Wine Routes.

 
 
22 April Tue. - Winelands Tour
Full day Winelands Tour of Stellenbosch and surroundings with wine tasting.
Overnight The Lanzerac Hotel including breakfast.
 
On the outskirts of the historical university town of Stellenbosch, in the heart of the Cape Winelands, lies the majestic Lanzerac manor and Winery. The second oldest town in South Africa has fondly been called 'Eikestad' or city of oaks and its streets are lined with some of the most beautiful surviving examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture in the Cape. Dorp Street is a national monument and taking the time to walk around this cosy old part of Stellenbosch, with its secluded lanes, water furrows, cosmopolitan restaurants and coffee bistros, with superb views of mountain, vineyards and orchards, is an idyllic morning venture.
The name 'Stellenbosch' is almost synonymous with the wine industry. Not only does it have the oldest wine route in the country, and arguably the most famous, but the town has one of the most modern experimental wineries in the world, and the only viticulture and oenological department in the country at its university.

 
23 April Wed. - Winelands - Airport
Today after some site seeing and wine tasting we will be transferred to the airport for our flight home.
 
Please contact us for costing of this tour
info@cosmopolitanadventuretours.com
(415) 924 4627 - 1-800-569-6228
 
A non-refundable deposit of $1,500.00 per person for each Namibia and/or Botswana option booked is required to book your space. Cape town $300.00 deposit refundable (minus $50.00) till September 10, 2007.
 
Tour price increase for deposits received after August 10, 2007
Namibia $400.00 per person
Botswana $500.00 per person
 
Regional Airfare: Approximately $500.00
 
Costings Includes
Accommodation as per itinerary based on twin share.
One night Johannesburg including breakfast and dinner plus visit to Soweto and transfers.
All meals including lodge based activities and drinks (except premium brands) at all camps.
Charter flights between all camps.
Sunset cruise on the Zambezi and visit to a local town. (Botswana)
Cape Town: daily breakfast, five lunches, four wine tastings, all entrance fees as specified.
Costings excludes
All items of a personal nature such as tips, laundry, telephone calls
International / regional flights and departure taxes
Zambian airport international departure tax of US$25 per person & Zambian domestic airport tax of US$8, to be paid in US$ cash on departure.
Lunch and dinner whilst in Victoria Falls and Windhoek
Visa fees where applicable
Travel insurance
 
*** No special inoculation is required for this trip - Malaria tablets are recommend and guests should consult with their doctor / pharmacist as to which tablets to take and what other medication is advised on individual basis. ***
 
Tour Leaders
 
Susan and Neil Silverman invite you to join them through this spectacular landscape to share with those who fancy their enthusiasm for outdoor photography. They work together in many different fields of photography. Design firms and ad agencies represent their work nationally and internationally. Susan and Neil have traveled just about the world giving workshops and taking outstanding pictures. They are well versed and studied in both digital and film based cameras, studio lighting and as well as natural lighting.
 
Rea Franjetic is the owner of Cosmopolitan Adventure Tours and has conducted and organized tours all around the world. Her personal contacts and special touches throughout our tour will add to the awe and wonder of our safaris.
 



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Cosmopolitan Adventure Tours
Larkspur, CA
1-800-569-6228 or (415) 924-4627, (415) 927-7653 (FAX)
info@cosmopolitanadventuretours.com
CST #1012223-60





  

Members of:
The International Ecotourism Society
The Association of Retail Travel Agents