Current Tours

We asked Dr. Karen Ross, National Geographic acclaimed "Champion of the Okavango" to design an ideal trip, at an ideal time of year. She has also agreed to lead these trips. 

We generally organize one, sometimes two trips per year in April/May.  They tend to sell out quickly.  Our 2025 trip is sold out and our first trip for 2026 sold out within days.   

8 spaces remaining on our 2nd trip in 2026.

• Okavango / Kalahari Trip: 27 April - 10 May 2025 (1 solo woman share)

• Okavango / Kalahari: 13-26 April 2026 (sold out)

• Okavango / Kalahari: 30 April - 13 May 2026 (sold out)

With the help from a wildlife conservation champion of the region (Dr. Karen Ross) and with support from someone with nearly 20 years of experience running a custom tourism company in the region (Glen Stephen at Liquid Giraffe), we’ve assembled the elements of a one-of-a-kind 14 day small group trip to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife destinations.  We've added cultural / historical components which, all told, will give you an authentic taste of Southern Africa.   Most of the places you’ll be experiencing are UNESCO World Heritage sites – they’ve been formally recognized as being of global significance by the international community.   

Specifically, the trip includes:

• Stunning land and seascapes of Cape Town along with the region’s cultural vibrancy (South Africa)
• Rugged semi-desert ecosystems of the Kalahari, guided by local bushmen (Botswana)
• Ancient secrets of Tsodilo Hills (Botswana)
• Magnificent African wildlife of Okavango – both at its panhandle and in the Delta (Botswana)
• Magic and history at the breath-taking Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Why is a Galapagos specialist offering the Okavango and surrounding sites?

This is a fair question. CNH Tours does not organize or sell trips to destinations unless we feel we are intimately familiar with them.  For the first 20 years of our existence, we have been singularly focused on Galapagos for the simple reason that we personally know no other wildlife destination so well.    

It’s only because we were able to bring Karen Ross and Glen Stephen on board that we feel we can offer this particular trip.  We asked them to design this one-of-a-kind custom visit, one they considered would be the best 2 week trip to the region, and to do it during what they considered to be the best time of year to appreciate the diverse attributes of the places you'll be going to.  This trip is the culmination of their work.  

Some places on Earth are of such outstanding natural and cultural significance that the countries of the world have come together to identify and help conserve them.  To do this, they created the World Heritage Convention - a tool that encourages countries to put forth, for the benefit of present and future generations, sites that are of global value. 

This trip will focus on such World Heritage sites in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. 

Because these places are far away and difficult to access, you will likely not be returning anytime soon.  You’ll want to maximize your chances of being exposed to the best of what the region offers, both in terms of wildlife, and in terms of the historical/cultural context.     You’ll be spending a good part of your days outside, on small boats / safari type vehicles or on light to moderate walks in the hills.   You’ll witness a variety of ecosystems and their wildlife.   We feel that at the end of a fascinating, but perhaps a bit tiring day, you’ll appreciate comfortable accommodations. 

To this end, we’ve ensured that you’ll not only be seeing some of the world’s most outstanding places, but that you’ll be able to unwind in some of the most comfortable lodges / camps on offer.    On top of all that, the small group environment will be led by a people having an intimate familiarity with the region.   This will ensure that you’ll have the best possible understanding of how the ecosystems you’re visiting are being conserved in light the challenges they face. 

 

What is the role of a tour leader?

A tour leader is the trip's concierge - someone always on hand to be sure that all is going as swimmingly as possible during your trip.  They are there to address any concerns, issues or problems.  They can act as intermediaries between the guests and the managers of the hotels / lodges / restaurants, ensuring that specific needs are properly attended to. 

While a tour leader is not a guide or local interpreter, they may be able to bring added dimensions to your understanding of a place.  On our trips, each of the destinations we will visit will have their own stable of experienced professional guides, intimately familiar with the ecosystems we will be exploring.  They will accompany you an all the outings, ensuring you get the most out of your outings.   

 

Dr Karen Ross  [1]

Karen was born and raised in Kenya. She has a doctorate in wildlife ecology from Edinburgh University, carrying out her PhD research in Kenya under the supervision of the famous elephant zoologist, Dr Iain Douglas Hamilton.   She was hired by Hugo van Lawick (renowned wildlife film maker - and Jane Goodall’s former husband) on a filming job which led to her work with the BBC, producing the book “Okavango: Jewel of the Kalahari”.  The book was first published as a companion to a BBC three part documentary of the same title.  

Karen’s subsequent work in the Okavango Delta was part of critical conservation activities in Botswana, including the protection of the Okavango Delta from mining threats and upstream water withdrawals from Namibia.  She led the NGO pressure to curtail the proliferation of fences in the Okavango region (fences are harmful to the movement of wildlife), co-founding a forum between different government ministries and between government and civil society. 

During decades of conservation work in Botswana, mainly with Conservation International, it became clear to Karen that overarching protection for the Okavango Delta would be given through UNESCO World Heritage designation, considered by experts to be long overdue. From 2007 Karen motivated the Government of Botswana to consider this important listing. From then she collaborated on this effort with the Government of Botswana, Okavango communities, national and international conservation NGOs, the tourism sector and numerous other stakeholders, including government authorities in neighbouring Namibia and Angola.  

She was a lead editor of the World Heritage nomination dossier[2].  Thanks to this lengthy and intense work, the Okavango Delta finally made it on to the World Heritage list in 2014.  Karen's relentless efforts at conserving this iconic wilderness has led to her being crowned "The Champion of the Okavango" in the National Geographic magazine.

Once you’re booked on the trip, Karen will become your main contact point with CNH Tours.  She’ll be answering emails and helping you best plan for your time in Africa.  

 Karen in an Okavango Delta mokoro

[1] For more on Karen’s background, see:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-s-ross-75528017/ 

[2] The complete dossier contains fascinating information.  It is a huge file, but well organized.  You can find it here: https://whc.unesco.org/en/documents/129548 

 

SUGGESTED BOOKS / READING

CNH TOURS OKAVANGO, KALAHARI, VICTORIA FALLS

There are hundreds of books out there. Your tour leader, Karen Ross, and our local travel partner, Glen Stephen, and CNH Tours have created the following shortlist to start you off. If you've discovered some jewels out there, please share them with us, along with a few comments, and we'll add them to our list.

FLORA

• The Shell Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs of the Okavango Delta. Veronica Roodt, Shell Guides. 1998
• The Shell Field Guide to the Common Wild Flowers of the Okavango Delta. Veronica Roodt, Shell Guides. 1998
• Kirstenbosch: The Most Beautiful Garden in Africa. Brian Huntley. Kirstenbosch is a name that resonates round the world as the home of a uniquely rich flora in a setting of unsurpassed beauty, and in 2013 Kirstenbosch celebrates its 100th anniversary.

FAUNA

• Wild Ways: Field Companion to the Behaviour of Southern African Mammals. Peter Apps and Penny Meakin. 2014 (Glen Stephen’s favourite).
• Wildlife of the Okavango by Duncan Butchart 2000
• Smithers’ Mammals of Southern Africa.   Peter Apps, 2012.  
• The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals. Richard Estes. According to Karen Ross: “For anyone who wants to learn more about the ecology and behaviour of animals rather than just a species description.”
• Roberts’ Bird Guide. Hugh Chittenden, Davies and Weiersbye.
• Sasol's Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa. Ryan Hockey, Sinclair & Tarboton

GENERAL FIELD GUIDE

• Botswana Safari Guide: Okavango Delta, Chobe & northern Kalahari by Chris McIntyre. Bradt Travel Guide Publications

OKAVANGO

• Okavango River – The Flow of a Lifeline. John Mendelsohn, Selma El Obeid, Struik. 2005
• Okavango: Jewel of the Kalahari.  By our very own Karen Ross (Struik) 2003

 

TSODILO HILLS / KALAHARI

• Tsodilo Hills:  Copper Bracelet of the Kalahari. Edited by: Alec Campbell, Larry Robbins and Michael Taylor (Michigan State University Press). 2010.  A well-researched and richly textured description of one of Africa’s most sacred sites. It looks at geological, ecological, anthropological, and historical evidence to construct a chain of interaction that extends for tens of millennia and ties together people and place.
• Kalahari: Life's Variety in Dune and Delta.  Michael Main. 1987. An exploration of the Kalahari, the largest area of continuous sand in the world. It looks at its life, its people, its events past and present and the prospects for the future.

 

NOVELS

• Cry of the Kalahari. Mark and Delia Owens, HarperCollins. 1984; reprinted 1992. Karen Ross says: “Reads more like a novel than a biographical account of their time in the Kalahari – a cracking read!”.
• The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels. Alexander McCall Smith, Abacus. 2003 onwards. About a woman detective who solves cases for wives whose husbands have gone missing, with Botswana almost taking on a full role itself. The novels are as much about the adventures and foibles of different characters as they are about solving mysteries.
• Before The Knife: Memories of an African Childhood. Carolyn Slaughter 2003
• Don’t Run, Whatever you do. Peter Allison. Funny and not so funny tales of an Okavango guide.
• Twenty Chickens for a Saddle. Robyn Scott. A funny and endearing novel about growing up in Botswana.
• Under African Sun.  Marianne Alverson.  This book shares a personal, intimate encounter with a culture, a village, a people in Botswana.  They are real people who display quirks, experience, wisdom beyond our "civilized" grasp, human feelings, and social demands.  Recommended by the author's son Keith, a former UNESCO colleague of CNH Tours' Marc Patry, and a character in the book.  

OTHER / GENERAL

• Livingstone. Tim Jeal.  David Livingstone, from a very poor family in Scotland, to medical doctor, African explorer and Christian proselytizer. The first white man to see Victoria Falls (1855), where a statue still stands in his honour.  This is a comprehensive book - providing a great deal of historical / cultural context to Livingstone's life and journeys.
• The Scramble for Africa: White Man's Conquest of the Dark Continent from 1876 to 1912. Thomas Pakenham. A very comprehensive account of how European nations vied for a piece of the Africa pie. This is a bit beyond the scope of our trip – but nevertheless provides a foundational understanding of what went on in the fairly recent past (recommended by Marc Patry).

 

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE PAGES

The World Hereitage Centre provides rich information on the heritage values for each World Heritage site.  You`ll also find detailed information on the conservation challenges these sites contend with, and the responses applied over the years.      

• Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
• Robben Island (not on our itinerary, but an easy 1/2 day trip for those arriving early)
• Tsodilo
• Okavango Delta
• Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls

 

Terms and Conditions

Booking Terms

1. CNH Tours, through its local partner (Liquid Giraffe) acts as a booking agent for hotels, airlines, air charters, bus companies, ground transportation, boat purveyors or owners, and other independent contractors providing accommodation, transportation, and/or other services.  Each of these companies is an independent business with its own management and is not subject to the control of CNH Tours / Liquid Giraffe.  CNH Tours through Liquid Giraffe has carried out its due diligence in ensuring that these service providers are fully accredited / respect national regulatory frameworks, and it may not be held liable for any errors or omissions on the part of these third party service providers.  
2. The transportation, accommodations and other services provided by the ground operators are offered subject to the terms and conditions contained in the tickets, exchange orders or vouchers issued by them and/or their suppliers.  As CNH Tours / Liquid Giraffe does not have the right to control the operations of the independent operators and their suppliers, it cannot be liable for any personal injury or property damage which may arise out of these services.

Payments

1. Your trip is booked and confirmed on a first come, first served bases only on receipt of a $900 / person non-refundable deposit.  There shall be no binding contract until the deposit has been received by CNH Tours.  Failure to remit your advance payment on time will result in an automatic change of status of any confirmed space to a provisional basis;
2. Unless alternative arrangements are made, a 2nd non-refundable deposit for an additional $2,500/person will be due 1 year prior to the trip start date.
3. The balance is due no later than 125 days prior to commencement of the trip. If the balance has not been received by this date, CNH Tours shall be entitled to treat the reservation as cancelled, and consequently to forfeit such part of the advance payment as determined solely by CNH Tours;
4. Payments for services can be made by cheque, electronic bank transfer or credit card. A charge fee of 2.7% will be applied to credit card payments to cover the transaction cost.

Cancellation, Refunds &  Transferability

1. Any cancellation of a booking must be in writing (email is accepted) and shall only be effective upon its acknowledged receipt by CNH Tours;
2. The 1st and 2nd deposits are non-refundable. Any payment on the balance is refundable up to 120 days prior to trip commencement, after which point it will be non-refundable.   We always recommend you acquire trip cancellation insurance, or cancel-for-any-reason insurance soon afrer having paid your first deposit, to protect yourself against unexpected situations. 
3. Any request to amend or change a booking once it has been confirmed may be accommodated subject to space availability and may incur additional costs;
4. No refunds are given (1) for lost travel time or substitution of facilities, (2) for itineraries amended after departure, (3) for circumstances arising beyond CNH Tours / Liquid Giraffe's control, necessitating alternative arrangements being made to ensure the safety and/or further participation and enjoyment of your safari, (4) if you do not appear for any accommodation, service, sightseeing or trip segment, or (5) if you leave your trip after it has begun, or miss any scheduled sightseeing, activities, meals or accommodations
5. TRANSFERABILITY: The trip is entirely transferable should situations arise that you would have someone else travel in your place.  There may be relatively modest transfer fees associated with the re-assignation of the commercial flights in the region and other such costs. Please inform us as soon as possible of any such changes and preferably no later than 3 months prior to departure, which would keep transfer costs down. 

Insurance

For your safety and general protection, we require that all guests have emergency medical insurance. We strongly recommend that you obtain the following types of insurance, which are commercially available:              

• Loss of personal effects
• Trip cancellation / interruption

All of our guests are automatically covered by our complementary US$200,000 emergency medical evacuation insurance for the duration of the 14 day itinerary.   

Proof of emergency medical insurance to be submitted before your invoice balance is due.  CNH Tours does not sell travel insurance.

 

COVID / FORCE MAJEURE

Testing / vaccination requirements may be in effect for this trip.  CNH Tours cannot guarantee what kinds of national entry requirements will be in place when you embark on the trip.  We strongly recommend that you be prepared to be tested at your expense for border crossings, and that you get vaccinated to reduce the chances of any problems.  CNH Tours cannot be held liable for any disruptions to the trip due to COVID-related problems, or for any other such force majeure situations.  Should the trip be disrupted or need to be cancelled, CNH Tours will do all it can to ensure your investments is protected, but cannot make any guarantees.  We recommend you acquire appropriate travel insurance that reflects your degree of risk tolerance.  

Carbon Neutral

CNH Tours purchases carbon offsets on your behalf, making your in-country travel carbon neutral. We purchase them via The Gold Standard's platform.  For more info, see:  https://marketplace.goldstandard.org/collections/projects.   For more information on carbon offsets, see our guide here.  

Upon booking, you will receive a document with the terms and conditions for your trip.  Should there be any discrepancy between that document and this page, the document will have priority.  

Health and Safety

Is tap water safe to drink?

Tap water is safe for brushing teeth but It’s best to drink bottled water, or water provided by your lodge / hotel. 

Are there stinging or biting insects I need to be concerned about? 

There are bees, biting ants and wasps and such, but the chances of being stung are low.  Please bring insect sprays/roll ons. Mosquitoes tend to be more common around Victoria Falls area.   

Do I need any vaccines?

The countries we will be visiting do not make any vaccine mandatory for entry (see COVID question below for exceptions). Generally, it’s always a good idea to have your typhoid, hepatitis A and B, rabies and tetanus vaccines updated.  But we urge you consult your own tropical medicine advisors at home for professional advice.

Is malaria an issue? 

While we are not visiting during malaria season, the disease does occur, particularly in the Victoria Falls area.  There will be mosquito nets in the lodges.  Wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants, and using repellent at dusk, when mosquitoes are out will also help.  You may want to consider anti-malarial drugs. For more details, see the US Center for Disease Control page on the subject.   Consult your medical professional.  

Is COVID an issue? Are there any vaccination / masking / testing requirements?

South Africa & Botswana:  No requirements for vaccination or testing. 

Zimbabwe (and Zambia, for those perhaps departing from Livingstone): Fully vaccinated people do not need any PCR tests or vaccination certificates to enter the country.  If you are not vaccinated, you will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test obtained within 48 hours of boarding, or crossing into the country.  Things may change and updates will be issued. We recommend you bring proof of COVID vaccination with you  - just in case.  Masks are not mandatory but never a bad idea in busy places like airports.

Should I be worried about wildlife attacks? 

No, your guides are experienced and know how to keep their guests out of danger.  

How fit do I need to be? 

You should be able to walk medium distances and get into and out of large 4-wheel drive vehicles and small boats. 

Is the Tsodilo Hills hike strenuous? 

This is a moderate hike along a trail that is at times rocky, and with occasional steep gradients over short distances.  If you have any difficulties walking under such conditions, you can opt out of the expedition and enjoy outings at the lodge. You can discuss with your tour leader and lodge guides before the hike if you have any concerns. 

Should I worry about sunburn? 

Yes! It’s essential to bring a sun hat (covering your ears, back of your neck, as well as your forehead), sunglasses & lotions. Long sleeves are also a good idea. 

Can I bring a CPAP machine? 

Yes, all lodges have facilities to run them and can provide distilled water for them. Please ensure you have an adapter so that your CPAP machine plug can fit into the local electrical outlets. 

How would a medical emergency be handled in a remote lodge? 

A medical emergency needs to be relayed to a camp manager or via your guide who will radio the camp / prepare.  Guests will be stabilized in camp (staff have first aid training) and if necessary, a doctor or trained nurse will be flown to camp to assess and treat if possible. If required, the guest will be flown by medevac to Maun. If necessary, an onward medevac to a main center like Johannesburg will be arranged.  CNH Tours provides complimentary emergency medical evacuation insurance which covers the costs of taking you to the nearest medical facility considered able to address the problem.  This could be in Maun, or in Johannesburg (which has first rate hospitals).  The costs of actual medical treatment is not covered by emergency medical evacuation insurance.  For this reason, we require that you be covered by emergency medical treatment insurance. 

Should I be worried about my personal safety / being robbed? 

Outside of Cape Town, the risk is extremely low.  In Cape Town, it’s safe along the Waterfront and our hotel area.  While the chances of being robbed outside these areas remains small, it’s best to leave valuables behind and not flash cash or jewelry. Consult with your tour leader or the hotel staff before considering heading out on your own.

Trip Logistics / Before you go / On the trip

What should I pack? 

It will be warm to hot in the day (up to 28C / 82F or more), and mild to cool at night (as low as 8-10C or  46-50F particularly in the Kalahari region - possibly even cooler). Cape Town will be mild in the day time, and fresh in the evenings, with the chance of some rain.  Pack accordingly.  A thick fleece and a light waterproof windbreaker are recommended.  Sun protection is an issue - depending on your sensitivity, bring a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeved shirts, trousers as well, and sunscreen.  Polarized sunglasses are never a bad idea. 

Sturdy walking shoes (no need for big hiking boots) should be sufficient for your outings, including the Tsodilo Hills hike. Feel free to bring a walking stick if you like.  A good pair of binoculars will be appreciated by some.  Mosquito repellent, particularly for Victoria Falls, is a good idea. 

I’m arriving before the trip start date in Cape Town, what do you recommend for a transfer to my hotel? 

Transfers are included only if you arrive / depart on the scheduled trip start / end dates.  You can take a registered taxi or pre-book an Uber from the airport to town. Expect to pay around US$50-US$60. We can pre-book private transfers for you for US$90.

I’m leaving after the trip end date in Victoria Falls  What do you recommend for an airport transfer? 

Your hotel will be able to either you a complimentary transfer, or will help you arrange for reliable transport.  

Extra night’s accommodations - if I arrive earlier / leave later, where should I stay?

You can book extra nights at our hotel / final day's lodge.  Just let us know before your final balance is due.   Otherwise, there are many good establishments from which to choose in Cape Town.  The following is a sample:

• The Bayview Guest House (www.baychris.com) at about US$150-$200/night, depending on the selected room (they require a two night minimum). They are located 2.5 miles / 4km from the waterfront.
• The Garden Court Victoria Junction, a few hundred yards/meters to the water front: https://www.southernsun.com/garden-court-victoria-junction, Priced in the US$150-$200 / range.
• The Himmelblau Boutique Bed and Breakfast at about $120 / night
• The Home Suite Sea Point, at about $150/night, with breakfast.   

Do you have a suggested reading list?  

We’ve assembled a short reading list; some natural history, fiction and non-fiction, which we hope will get you going.   

What is the electrical supply in the region?  Do we need adapters? 

All camps and hotels do have multi plugs. It is advisable to bring your own universal adaptor as the region uses mostly 3 prong round plugs. 

Can we get laundry done at any point in the trip? 

Yes, at every lodge/camp/hotel on your trip apart from Cape Town. Daily laundry (usually hand washed) is offered at all bush camps. 

Is there internet or cell phone service during the trip? 

Internet and telephone reception is available in Victoria Falls and Cape Town. At the bush camps, there is either very limited wifi or a laptop in the main area to use.  Connections are slow and not always reliable due to the remote locations.

Do the lodges have soap / shampoo / hair dryers? 

Complimentary soap and shampoo are provided in the bathrooms.  There is no need to bring a hair dryer.  All our lodges / hotels provide them. The lodges generate their electricity from solar panels and have specially adapted hair dryers that can work with this system.  

Is smoking permitted in the lodges / restaurants? 

Only in designated places outside the main areas.

Do I need a visa to enter any of the three countries we’ll be visiting? 

For Zimbabwe, you'll need to obtain an entry visa (USD30 per person for USA /Canadian citizens and USD55 for British citizens). We will help you get them before crossing the border - so there is no need to get them in advance (in reality, the visas are little more than an entry tax). If you plan on going to Zambia after the trip (on the other side of Victoria Falls), ask us about the multi-entry visa for a modest cost saving.  

How much cash and in what currencies should we bring? 

Bring US dollars cash for tips (approx. US$500 / person).  If you plan on using taxis, bring another $100 or so.  While dollars will be accepted in small road-side shops, more established shops will take a credit card. Bring small denominations of cash for tipping.

What kind of aircraft is used to move between safari camps and lodges? 

Typically a Cessna Caravan, carrying up to 9/10 passengers or Airvans which take 5 passengers.

Are there any luggage restrictions? 

There is a luggage weight limit of 20kg/44lbs which includes small carry on and camera bags. Bags must be soft sided to manipulate into the luggage pods. The bags can have recessed wheels.This is a safety requirement due to the sensitive weight and balance checks on the small aircraft and must be strictly adhered to. Travelers who require additional luggage must pre-book and pay for this. The maximum dimensions of the soft bags is as follows: 25cm (10 inches) high x 45cm (18 inches) wide and 62cm (24 inches) long. 

Are hotel / airport transfers included?

If you are arriving / departing on the standard trip start / departure dates, your hotel/airport transfers are included (please be sure to fill in the international flight details form, which will help us ensure someone is there to pick you up).   If you are arriving or leaving on different dates, you’ll need to make separate arrangements.   Typically, your hotel will be able to do that for you.  Contact us if you require further information. 

Extensions

What kinds of things can we do if we stay longer / arrive earlier? 

People traveling to the region will often spend more time in South Africa, visiting the vineyards or national parks.  Others will add an extension visit the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda.  Namibia is another possibility.  There are all kinds of options. Consult us to start a discussion.  

How do I organize a visit to Robben Island World Heritage site (where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated)?

You can find all the information and book your ticket on-line here:   Robben Island Museum | Cape Town Attraction (robben-island.org.za)   Bookings usually open up about 6 months ahead of time. The tours last 3 hours and there are usually 3 a day.  

Climate

You’ll be traveling to the region in May.  This is equivalent to autumn in the southern hemisphere.   

Cape Town: 

It will be mid-autumn in Cape Town.  Nights will be cool - as low as 10C (50F) while day time temperatures will be in the low 20’s (low 70’s).  We don’t expect much rain, but be prepared for breezy days.  

Botswana / Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe is further north so will be warm in the day and mild at night. Botswana will be cold at night and early mornings - a warm hat and light gloves advised as it could be below 10C (50F), and even a hat could be appreciated.  It will be warm during the day. Layers are the way to navigate these differences.

Food

Do you accommodate vegetarian / vegan / other diets? 

Yes - we will be asking you to indicate any dietary restrictions before you travel.

What kind of food will be served? 

Western style meals with occasional local cuisine on offer.

Will we have the chance to buy snacks / other food items? 

Snacks are offered at high tea at the camps and at The Cape Grace. Most guests find that there is far more food than they can manage. 

Tipping Recommendations

Drivers, guides and your tour leader  will generally appreciate tips.

• USD10-USD15 per person per day to your camp guide
  
• USD10-USD15 per person per day to the camp staff
• USD5 per person per service to drivers and porters 
• Tour leader: at your discretion but USD200 per person is suggested

In total, budget about $500-$600 / person for tips over the course of the trip.

At the safari camps at the hotel in Victoria Falls, you can leave a tip by credit card (Master Card and VISA only).  Tips for your tour leader or any other individual will need to be provided in cash.   There are ATMs in Cape Town (South African Rand only - which is fine for tips) and at Victoria Falls (mostly USD - also fine for tips).  Your tour leader will appreciate tips in USD.

 

Below is a partial list of iconic and less iconic species you are likely to see while on the trip – though nothing is absolutely guaranteed.   You will note that most of the iconic African savanna type animals are on the list, along with many more lesser known, but equally fascinating mammals, birds and reptiles.   You will also have the opportunity to get acquainted with a very wide diversity of plant species.  Plant diversity will be most pronounced during your visit to Cape Town, which is located in one of the world’s richest centres of plant speciation with very high levels of endemism (e.g. plants found nowhere else on Earth).

Site	Mammals	Birds	Trees and Shrubs
Victoria Falls area	Elephant Lion African Buffalo Hippopotamus Nile Crocodile Impala Blue Wildebeest Chacma Baboon	Arrow Marked Babbler Crested Barbet Little Bee Eater Reed Cormorant Coppery Tailed Coucal Black Crake Wattled Crane African Darter Fork Tailed Drongo African Fish Eagle Grey Go Away bird Helmeted Guinea Fowl Hammerkop Squacco Heron Red Billed and Yellow Billed Hornbill Sacred Ibis Pygmy Kingfisher Pied Kingfisher Brown Snake Eagle White Backed Vulture	The mist created by the massive wall of falling water in the Victoria Falls support rainforest type vegetation along its upper edges – species such as  pod mahogany, ebony, ivory palm, wild date palm, batoko plum.  Further back the vegetation reverts to the typical southern African dry woodland of mopane trees and miombo woodland, and an increasingly rare species - the Mukwa tree. Nxamaseri vegetation is typified by Papyrus, water lilies (both blue and yellow night-flowering) as well as the elegant “Tsaro” Date Palm, and the Water BerryTree.   In Tsodilo Hills the Mongongo Tree is prized by San Bushmen for their edible nuts.   Thousands of islands support a classic array of Okavango trees: the Sausage Tree, the Africa Ebony, the Livingston Tree, the Yellow-bark fig, the Baobab and the Hypahene Fan palm . They all have edible fruits that are enjoyed by giraffe, elephants, monkeys, parrots… and people. Waterways are carpeted with water lilies, while parasitic bladderworts on pool edges hint at low nutrient levels in the water. The river edges are framed by bullrushes and Phragmytes reeds that replace the Papyrus of the northern Delta.   Dinaka is situated in the Kalahari and vegetation  is suitably adapted to desert conditions. Prominent species include the Camelthorn acacia, the Shepherds tree and medicinal plants such as the Devilthorn. The brandy or raisin bush is used for bushman bows and arrows and the fruits eaten for their high sugar content. Bulbs are prolific and provide water, as do the Tsama melons – favoured by the San Bushmen.
Nxamaseri / Tsodilo	Vervet Monkey Zebra Impala Mozambique Spitting Cobra
Okavango Delta	Lion Leopard Wild Dog Elephant Giraffe Hippopotamus Spotted Hyaena Red Lechwe Vervet Monkey Sable Antelope Waterbuck Zebra
Dinaka area	White rhino Lion Gemsbok Eland Side Striped Jackal Zebra Greater Kudu Springbok Cheetah	Red Billed Buffalo Weaver Grey Headed Bush Shrike Jameson’s Firefinch Pale Chanting Goshawk Southern Black Korhaan Ostrich Double Banded Sandgrouse Blue Waxbill Emerald Spotted Wood Dove
Cape Town area		African Penguin African Black Oystercatcher	Cape Floristic region is one of the world’s great centres of plant diversity.   It is home to over 9,000 vascular plant species, of which 70% are endemic (found nowhere else on Earth). The entire  Cape Floral Region Protected Areas were designated a World Heritage site in 2004, and includes Table Mountain which extends into Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens. The Fynbos biome is the dominant floral type in the Cape.