Henties Bay to Kasane Expedition

DAY 01:

The group departs from Henties Bay. The route will take us through the Messum Crater. This is one of Damaraland’s most remote natural attractions, which comprises of two concentric circles of hills created by a collapsed volcano in the Goboboseb Mountains. The crater measures more than
20 km in diameter, creating a vast lost world that you will have to yourself.

You will see many Welwitschia plants, on this drive today. The Welwitchia Mirabilis is endemic to the Namib Desert. It is commonly referred to just as Welwitschia but is named after the Austrian naturalist, Friedrich Welwitsch, who discovered this mirabilis (Latin for miracle) in Namibia in 1859. But the name Tree Tumboa is also used, meaning "stump" because of its short trunk. It is called Kharos or Khurub in Nama, Tweeblaarkanniedood in Afrikaans, Nyanka in Damara, and Onyanga in Herero. Informal sources commonly refer to the plant as a "living fossil". These plants are unique, there are no other living plants related to its family. They existed in Namibia 120 million years ago. The ages of some of the plants have been determined by radiocarbon dating – some of the plants are 1 000 years and older.

You will find yourself in an exceptionally beautiful moon landscape. As we drive a blip will appear on the horizon … the Brandberg … and as we proceed it will creep closer and closer. In the early afternoon we descend into the Ugab River, famous for its desert elephants. The Ugab is one of Kaokoland/Damaraland's desert rivers with beautiful nature. Late afternoon we arrive at the White Lady Lodge's beautiful campsites.

O/N Camping: Shared Campsite at White Lady Lodge (possible upgrade to rooms)
Meals included: Dinner prepared by the LTJ team (drinks excluded)

DAY 02:

From White Lady we drive on a beautiful 2-track 4X4 path through the heart of Damaraland in the direction of Twyfelfontein. The Twyfelfontein World Heritage site is small, less than 1 km², but includes some remarkable galleries of rock engravings (pteroglyphs). They were probably made over a period of 2,000 years by local San hunter-gatherers and represent an important aspect of San ritual and belief systems.

The Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes are situated 70 km to the west of Khorixas near Twyfelfontein. The beautiful Organ Pipes are a fascinating geological formation. Strikingly rich rusty colours are portrayed in long columns resembling those of a church organ, some rising up to 5 meters. Just a short walk from the Organ Pipes is a small inselberg named the Burnt Mountain, proclaimed a national monument on 15 September 1956. The reason for its name is best evident in the early mornings and late evenings when the rays of the sun seem to set the mountain ablaze. Rich red colours mixed with shades of black and purple are quite strikingly caused by Manganese coated clay molecules. During the day, however, the inselberg is just a normal black colour as if the morning fire has burnt it to ashes.

O/N Camping: Shared Campsite at Mowani Mountain Camp
Meals included: Dinner prepared by the LTJ team (drinks excluded)

DAY 03:

Today we head East and drive along beautiful Namibian back roads in the direction of Otjiwarongo. We will refuel and stock up on supplies, and then continue in the direction of the Waterberg where we spend the night at the beautiful Tocus campsite on Hamakari Guest Farm.

O/N Camping: Shared Campsite at Tocus Campsite Hamakari Farm (possible upgrade to rooms)
Meals included: Dinner at Guest Farm (drinks excluded)

DAY 04 & 05:

From the Waterberg we continue through a lesser known part of Namibia - Otjinene to Tsumkwe. We will spend two nights at Tsumkwe to allow us to explore the Nxai Nxai Pans, as well as to visit the famous Dorsland Trekker tree. Overnight will be camping at Tsumkwe Lodge.

O/N Camping: Shared Campsite at Tsumkwe Country Lodge (possible upgrade to rooms)
Meals included: Dinner, Bed and breakfast at Lodge (drinks excluded)

DAY 06:

Depart Tsumkwe driving in an eastern direction entering Botswana at the Dobe border post. According to indications, this is by far the border post between Botswana and Namibia that is the least used. Don't be surprised if only a customs TENT will greet you.

The route from Dobe to our wild camping spot is very special seeing that it is not used at all.
You might feel that you are one of the first overlanders driving this 2-track spoor. You will get the feeling that you are off the grid, and that you are really in WILD AFRICA now. We will take some backroads towards Tsodilo Hills. The overnight stop will be “wild camping” enroute, depending on the road conditions and how far we can travel before it gets too late. You must be fully self-sufficient for the 1 night wild camping, as we have no campsite/no facilities, everyone must set up his own camp and arrange his own shower and bush toilet if needed.

O/N Camping: Wild Camping in the bush with NO facilities
Meals included: Dinner prepared by the LTJ team (drinks excluded)

DAY 07 & 08:

After a steaming cup of coffee, we pack up and drive towards Shakawe where we will overnight for 2 nights at a lodge campsite. In the North-Western corner of Botswana, situated on the banks of the Okavango River, in the panhandle of the Delta, you will find the lush green lawns and tall, shady indigenous trees, a paradise called Drotsky’s Cabins. Thirty years ago, Jan and Eileen Drotsky put their roots down here, and today still own and manage the cabins, one of the first lodges in Botswana. The area is a birding and fishing paradise.

O/N Camping: Shared Campsite at Drotsky Cabins (possible upgrade to rooms)
Meals included: Dinner, Bed and breakfast at Lodge (drinks excluded)

DAY 09:

Today we will start our journey to discover a part of Botswana and the Okavango Swamps that is totally undiscovered and off-the-beaten track. We drive via Shakawe and then over the Kavango River on the beautiful Mohembo bridge. This will be something very special. We sleep near Gundingwa on the northern side of the Kavango for the night. Tonight, will be another “wild camping” experience, we have no campsite/no facilities, everyone must set up his own camp and arrange his own shower and bush toilet if needed. Gundingwa is also the last little settlement, and from now on you will see no more people. We obtained special permission to drive the 2-track spoor in an easterly direction.

O/N Camping: Wild Camping in the bush with NO facilities
Meals included: Dinner prepared by the LTJ team (drinks excluded)

DAY 10 & 11:

Today will be a long day. No bush camping is allowed therefore we must cover the distance. We got permission to use lodge service roads and hunting concessions to reach Linyanti where we will camp for 2 nights. Linyanti Campsites offer an unparalleled opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of Chobe National Park. Renowned as the most stunning part of the park, Linyanti captivates visitors with its picturesque landscapes and abundant wildlife.

O/N Camping: Shared Campsite at SKL Linyanti
Meals included: Dinner prepared by the LTJ team (drinks excluded)

DAY 12:

Proceed to Kasane and set up camp for the night at the Lodge. Set on the banks of the elephant-rich Chobe River and neighbouring the world-famous Chobe National Park, Chobe Safari Lodge occupies the best riverfront position in Kasane. Enjoy a sundowner cruise for the last evening with your tour group. The spacious double-decker boats will treat you to some of Africa's best and most up-close game viewing.

O/N Camping: Shared Campsite @ Chobe Safari Lodge (possible upgrade to rooms)
Breakfast, Dinner and drinks excluded - for your own account, a la carte restaurant onsite.

DAY 13:

Stay longer and join the second part of the tour to Beira meeting on evening of 28 April at Chobe safari Lodge, Kasane or say your goodbyes for those who need to depart home.

END OF PART 1.