Climbing Kilimanjaro: Tips To Make It To The Top

Posted on February 26th, 2021 by Overland Africa

Few experiences in Africa can compete with standing at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and gazing down at the continent six kilometres below you. Needless to say, climbing Kilimanjaro is on many people’s bucket lists and up to 30,000 adventurers set out each year to conquer it, making Africa’s highest peak the most climbed mountain in the world.

 

But you may be surprised to learn that although Mount Kilimanjaro – known as Kili by the locals – is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, you can simply walk up it. None of the routes to the top require mountaineering skills, specialised equipment or even previous climbing experience.

 

However, although it’s a relatively simple hike up, hiking to the Roof of Africa is physically and mentally demanding and should not be underestimated, no matter how many people climb Kilimanjaro each year. Altitude sickness can set in above 3,000 metres – sometimes with serious consequences – and there’s no prior indication as to who might suffer from it. It can take up to a week of tough physical exertion to reach the top and you’d better be prepared for climatic extremes from heavy rain and blazing heat to blinding sunshine and freezing temperatures – it may even snow!

 

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a fairly straightforward task. Firstly, you have to engage the services of a licensed guide. There are many specialist operators using seasoned, professional guides and tough-as-teak porters. These companies will take care of the logistics; all you have to do is turn up. You’ll need to arrive properly prepared however – the right clothing, boots and a good sleeping bag are essential – and although it’s an ‘everyman’s mountain’, you’ll need to be reasonably fit and healthy.

 

You’ll be part of a group and it does require a team effort to summit so it’s vital that you work closely with your guides and listen to their advice. Guides are supported by the porters who carry all the heavy gear and supplies up and down the mountain and cook all the meals – you’ll be carrying a day pack and your personal effects.

 

Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of the year, but the rainy seasons (April-June; November-December) make the forest more slippery and the summit might be blocked by snow. September is a great month to climb Kilimanjaro but so are June, July and August if you don’t mind colder temperatures. If you want the best conditions to climb Africa’s highest peak, go during warm and dry January and February.

Read more about the Kilimajaro Routes we have to offer:

 

8 day Marangu Route

8 day Macheme Route

9 day Lemoshu Route

6 day Mount Meru Trek

Let us help you plan Contact Us

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Common Myths About Africa

Posted on December 29th, 2020 by Overland Africa

Africa is a prosperous and varied place. It comprises more than 1,500 languages and 16 percent of the world’s population. To better understand the breadth of this diversity, let us explore 5 myths about Africa:

Myth 1: Africa Is a Country

People often refer to Africa as a single country when it is in fact made up of 54 different countries. Each of these countries is distinct in culture, customs, language, natural environment, politics, history, and size as well as has their own currency, flag, national anthem, food, and identity. Misconceptions of Africa often include the belief that it is its own country or made up of only a few countries. The continent of Africa is vast, and it is the second-largest continent in the world. The people of Africa’s countries speak a great variety of languages, Arabic being the most popular with about 170 million speakers. Besides Arabic, the people of Africa speak English, Swahili, French, Portuguese, Spanish and many more languages. About 25 percent of the languages spoken in African countries are not recognized anywhere else in the world, which is a testament to its diversity and fullness.

Myth 2: It is Always Hot in Africa

Southern and East Africa typically claim fantastic weather. Like any country, there are generally four seasons and weather variations across a range of landscapes. In Southern Africa, you will experience a hot/warm summer, a cool and temperate autumn and spring, and a cooler winter in June, July and August. Snow falls in some of the mountainous regions, like Drakensburg, Lesotho, regions of Western Cape. And while the mornings and evenings can get cold (0°C or 32°F, sometimes colder), the days are beautiful and warm up to the late teens and even early 20’s (or mid 60s to low 70s in Fahrenheit). Closer to the equator, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania experience fewer extreme seasons. June, July and August (their winter months) can still be chilly in the morning and at night, especially at high altitudes. Otherwise, you can expect warm to hot weather and a rainy season.

Myth 3: Dangerous animals roam free

In rural/remote villages and towns, you may see some chickens or cows or other livestock grazing around the town but not wildlife. In some of the coastal areas like Durban and Cape Town and just outside some reserves you might come across a vervet monkeys or baboons running around looking for food. There have been reports of leopards living in remote, mountainous areas taking livestock from neighbouring farms but it would be highly unlikely that you’d ever encounter one of those. But, for the “big 5” you’ll only see them in national parks and game reserves.

Myth 4: Africa is just about Safaris

Yes, Africa does boast the best wildlife sighting in their natural environment but there are also the magnificent savannahs in some regions of Africa, vibrant cities, idyllic beaches, talented artists (street art, wood carvings, bead work, sculptures) ‘historic ancient monuments and landmarks (Apartheids Museum, Robben Island, Kigali Genocide Memorial).  One region of Africa is not the same to another making it an perfect destination to explore! Africa is far more than a safari! Don’t just scratch the surface; dig deep and discover the cultures, history, and people that make Africa such an incredible destination.

Myth 5: It is unsafe to visit Africa

It is always recommended to take customary precautions when visiting a country that is foreign to you. One of the most common myths about traveling to Africa is that it is not safe. As with many destinations, there are areas that should be avoided and situations where you should take precaution. However, these instances should not stop you from visiting all the other incredible countries that Africa has to offer. And no matter where you travel in the world, you should always be aware of your surroundings, use your common sense, be vigilant with your belongings and valuables, and take local advice on any areas to avoid.

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Where Are the Best Places to See the Big 5?

Posted on November 17th, 2020 by Overland Africa

Members of the Big 5 are found in different concentrations across Africa. If you want the best chance of seeing them all on a single safari – sometimes, if you’re really lucky on a single game drive or in a single day – then head to the following places:

 

How to Photograph the Big 5

African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

The classic way to watch elephants in Chobe is by boat. This gives you great sightings of them swimming, wallowing and spraying themselves with water. 

Male African elephants are the world’s largest terrestrial animal reaching heights of four metres / 13 feet and weighing up to 7 000kg / 15 000lb. Their incisors grow into tusks, which they use to move objects, dig and as weapons, while their famously large ears help control their body temperature. Related females live in family groups with their calves, while mature males live alone or in bachelor herds. Elephants are gregarious with multiple family groups socializing together.

Where to see big herds:

How to get the shot:

Use a wide-angle lens to contextualize them in the natural landscape. Choose a zoom lens to capture intimate physical characteristics, like their tusks, trunks or wonderfully expressive eyes. Emphasize their size by shooting from different angles, for example from ground level if you can get into a hide.

 

Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)

Buffalo on the move can be a formidable sight – this determined herd was spotted in Hwange. 

The African or Cape buffalo is a large, horned bovine found in South and East Africa. Both males and females have horns that form a continuous bone shield across the top of their skulls. Buffalo are very unpredictable and quite fearless, which explains why buffalo have never been domesticated. They are not the ancestors of domestic cattle and are only distantly related to other bovines, like the Asian water buffalo. Only lions have the group strength to hunt buffalos and these bovines are no easy meal – they are quite capable of defending themselves and will gore predators to protect their herd mates. A herd of buffalo can easily intimidate a pride of lions and there is footage of a resolute buffalo putting its head down and simply ‘walking off’ attacking juvenile lions.

Where to see big herds:

How to get the shot:

Buffalo are tricky to photograph because the darkness of their hides is a constant challenge to your exposure. However, a backlit herd on the move with dust clouds kicked up around them offers one of the most atmospheric scenes to photograph. Lone bulls offer great character studies too with their huge horns and inscrutable expressions. Bulls love to wallow in mud, which makes for superbly textured black and white images. Look out too for small birds known as oxpeckers that nibble ticks and fleas out their ears, which can make for interesting images as the delicacy of the birds contrasts with the looming bulk of the buffalo.

African Lion (Panthera leo)

An exclusive sighting in the Sabi Sands as this lion surveys his territory. 

About 10 000 years ago, lions were among the most widespread large land mammals after humans. Today, they are a vulnerable species with most of the world’s wild lions living in sub-Saharan Africa. Lions are unusually social compared to other cats – a pride consists of related females, their cubs and a handful of adult males. Prides spend their days dozing in comfort and hunt in the dark hours between dusk and dawn. Females typically hunt together and are considered apex predators.

Where to see them:

How to get the shot:

Capturing an extraordinary lion image depends as much on your patience as on your ability to observe them when they are resting during the day, preparing to hunt at dusk or on a kill at dawn. Only private reserves and concessions offer night drives, which offer the chance to capture a pride in a playful mood before hunting or after feeding. If you are lucky enough to witness lions feeding, don’t forget to shoot some wides of the action happening around a kill, like incoming vultures, sniffing hyenas or skulking jackals. Cubs are wonderful subjects and often more active during the day than adults. A tight zoom makes the most of all their adorable features, from oversized paws and ears to kitten-like growls.

Leopard (Panthera pardus)

A leopard limbers up from the safety of her tree before sauntering off to see what the Masai Mara holds. 

Leopards are smaller and lighter than jaguars with similar rosettes on their fur and, like jaguars, melanistic leopards are called black panthers. Leopards are solitary creatures that make excellent use of camouflage and are strong enough to drag their prey up into trees, away from rival predators and scavengers. Leopards are one of the fastest big cats, able to reach speeds up to 58km / 36mi per hour. Leopards are masters of camouflage, naturally shy and nocturnal, which is why they are so hard to find and observe in the wild. If this is the creature you most want to see, definitely let your consultant know so that your game viewing takes place in reserves where leopard sightings are regular and the population of these cats is healthy and stable.

Where to see them:

How to get the shot:

Triple check your settings and review your images between shots to make sure your exposure is good when shooting leopard. If your leopard is in a tree with a bright sky background, use your camera’s spot meter function to get the best possible reading of the light where the leopard is – not the sky – then either manually plug in the values or use your Auto Exposure lock function to prevent your leopard from being underexposed. In low light, bump up your ISO and set your aperture at its widest – your depth of field will be very shallow, so take a moment to think about the focal point in the image you’re composing. Some of the most evocative leopard images make a focal point of their wonderfully enigmatic eyes.

 

Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis and Ceratotherium simum)

A lucky shot in Phinda: adult rhinos aren’t bothered by a single lion as their horns could easily gore him to death. 

Rhinos range in colour from pale grey to medium brown – it’s not their colour but the shape of their upper lip that determines which sub-species is which. ‘Black’ rhinos have a hooked, pointed upper lip while ‘white’ rhinos have a broad, square upper lip. The species is classified as critically endangered: rhinos are killed to supply the demand for their horns in Asia. A rhino horn is made of keratin – the same substance as our hair and nails – which means it will re-grow if cut. However, the illegal trade values the base of the horn under the skin, the harvesting of which results in such severe wounds that rhinos that might have survived the initial assault invariably die of shock and blood loss when their horns are removed by chainsaw or machete.

Where to see them:

How to get the shot:

Like elephants, the sheer massive bulk of rhinos make for a rich variety of composition options. A wide angle delivers context while a zoom allows you to focus on the fascinating aspects of their prehistoric-looking bodies. Their ears and eyes are particularly expressive and the bouncing antics of young calves more than makes up for the fairly sedentary habits of the adults. Rhinos lend themselves to compelling compositions featuring a lone individual in a wide-open landscape as well as hopeful images of youngsters whose horns have yet to grow.

If you’d like to help the rhino survive, we support Rhinos Without Borders because we believe their approach has the best chance of success. You can help them move rhinos from poaching hot spots in South Africa to safety and security in Botswana, a mammoth operation involving helicopters, vets, trucks and special bomas.

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Our 10 Favourite Destinations in Namibia

Posted on November 3rd, 2020 by Overland Africa

1. Sossusvlei

The mesmerising sand dunes of Sossusvlei  in the Namib Desert are often referred to as the highest dunes on the planet. Situated in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the biggest conservation area in Africa, Sossusvlei is one of the most spectacular sights in Namibia and delivers incredible photographic opportunities – best around sunrise and sunset.

Why Go

2. Etosha National Park

Considered by many safari aficionados as one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves, Etosha is situated in northern Namibia and is a self-driver’s paradise – thanks to its great roads. Weighing in at 22 270 square kilometres (8 600 square miles), it’s home to four of the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, lion and leopard), as well as giraffe, cheetah and an abundance of plains game.

Etosha aptly means ‘Great White Place’ as it’s dominated by a colossal mineral pan, Etosha Pan, four times the size of Los Angeles. During Namibia’s dry season (May to October), the temporary water holes around Etosha Pan host animal numbers of biblical proportions and is undoubtedly the best time for a safari in Namibia.

Why Go

3. Damaraland

Arguably one of the most scenic parts of Namibia, Damaraland is a massive, untamed and ruggedly beautiful region. If you’re the intrepid kind, this incredible hinterland offers an adventure beyond compare. Prehistoric water streams with wide-open plains and grassland, granite hills and deep gorges are par for the course with Damaraland. The geography changes dramatically to the west: endless sandy wastelands eventually meet the turbulent Atlantic Ocean at the Skeleton Coast.

Damaraland is home to very unique animals that have adapted their lifestyles to survive in one of our planet’s harshest environments. Small populations of desert-adapted elephant, black rhino, giraffe, ostrich, oryx and springbok (gazelle) can be seen here. Desert-adapted elephants can travel up to 70 kilometres (40 miles) a day through the desert in search for food and water – and unlike their savannah cousins, they don’t destroy any trees in their quest for nourishment.

Highlights

The Brandberg

The ‘fire mountain’ is the highest peak in Namibia at 2 573 metres or 8 440 feet. It’s named after the effect that the setting sun creates on its western face, causing it to resemble a burning slag heap. The Brandberg harbours one of the world’s richest collections of ancient rock paintings (including the famous ‘White Lady’) and is considered Africa’s biggest open-air art gallery. The area also has a number of archaeological sites and a fascinating variety of rare plant species.

Twyfelfontein

Twyfelfontein (‘doubtful fountain’) is a World Heritage Site of about 2 000 ancient rock engravings and paintings, one of the biggest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. A visit to this alluring valley will reveal artwork produced by San hunters of the early Stone Age. The San people are members of different indigenous hunter-gatherer groups that are the first nations of Southern Africa and were likely drawn to the area’s only perennial spring during this prehistoric period.

The Petrified Forest

This prehistoric relic is located in the southern part of Damaraland, an area that was subjected to immense volcanic action. About 200 000 years ago, huge tree trunks were washed down ancient rivers and deposited in rich alluvial soils. These tree trunks became fossilised through a process called silicification that transforms wood into stone. Erosion has exposed many of the giant logs that can be seen in the area today.

The Organ Pipes

The Organ Pipes are a distinctive series of dolerite pillars and another well-known geological feature in Damaraland. Located near Twyfelfontein, The Organ Pipes were formed about 150 million years ago by the intrusion of liquid lava into a slate rock formation.

4. Kaokoveld

Considered one of the last remaining wilderness areas in Southern Africa, Kaokoveld is an otherworldly and mountainous landscape of rugged beauty. Like Etosha, the region is a refuge for rare desert-adapted elephant, black rhino, giraffe, oryx and even lion. Silent, huge and for the most part empty, Kaokoveld is truly off the beaten path and best experienced as a fly-in destination.

Kaokoveld has a population density of only one person per two square kilometres (0.8 square miles) and about a third of the region’s inhabitants are the Himba: a semi-nomadic and pastoral people noted for their ability to survive in an arid and unforgiving environment.

Why Go

5. Skeleton Coast National Park

Usually associated with famous shipwrecks and fables of sailors walking for hundreds of miles in search of food and water, the Skeleton Coast is a mysterious place where the dunes of the world’s oldest desert meet the turbulent Atlantic Ocean to form one of the most dramatic coastlines on our planet. The San Bushmen called it ‘The Land God Made in Anger’ and the Portuguese explorers knew it as ‘The Gates of Hell’, but it’s believed to be named after all the bones that lined the beaches from old whaling operations and seal hunts.

The one-of-a-kind Shipwreck Lodge is the only property situated in the Skeleton Coast National Park. Here you can track desert-dwelling animals on 4×4 excursions or go on guided beach walks to explore the debris from centuries-old ships that fell victim to the Skeleton Coast’s shifting sandbanks, dense fog and perilous currents.

Why Go

  • 4×4 excursions into the Namib Desert and Hoanib River Delta
  • Track desert-dwelling elephants, the elusive desert-adapted lion and brown hyena
  • See the rich birdlife – nearly 250 species
  • Scenic flights over a hauntingly beautiful coastline

6. Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip)

Considered by many as Namibia’s answer to the Okavango Delta, the Caprivi offers an incredible water-based safari experience within its riverine forests and vast wetlands. The region’s big drawcard is that it’s surrounded by four perennial rivers – Chobe, Kwando, Linyanti and Zambezi – which makes it a haven for elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile. The birdwatching is also superb: the region has recorded a staggering 600 plus species. Caprivi is home to several intimate game reserves with excellent lodges that offer boat safaris and fantastic sunset cruises.

Why Go

  • Outstanding bird-watching destination
  • Fantastic game drives, boat safaris and fishing excursions
  • Excellent safari lodges in serene riverside settings

7. Swakopmund

The quaint seaside holiday town of Swakopmund blends its German colonial heritage with a distinctive African character, one of Namibia’s most surreal and unique destinations. Its palm-lined streets, seaside promenades and pleasant summer climate make Swakop a great stop-over during a Namibia safari and the perfect place for self-drivers to restock and get some rest.

Swakopmund has become Namibia’s leading adrenaline destination and offers a wide range of activities like sandboarding, quad biking and 4×4 driving in the dunes. If that’s not your cup of tea, you can also enjoy boat excursions to look for seals and dolphins or simply explore Swakop’s restaurants, cafés, art galleries and museums.

Why go

  • A great stop-over during your safari moving between Skeleton Coast or Etosha and the Namib Desert
  • Explore quaint cafés, restaurants and art galleries
  • Namibia’s adrenaline capital – enjoy activities like sandboarding and quad biking
  • Guided tour to see the Little 5 of the Namib Desert: Namaqua chameleon, sidewinder snake, Namib dune gecko, Fitzsimons burrowing skink (a legless lizard) and the white lady dancing spider

8. The Fish River Canyon

Located in the south of Namibia, the Fish River Canyon is the world’s second largest canyon and features a colossal ravine of about 160km (100 miles) long, up to 27km (17 miles) wide and almost 550 metres (1 805 feet) at its deepest. The immensity of this magnificent landscape is truly breath-taking: a flat plateau that suddenly drops half a vertical kilometre into a twisting kaleidoscope of hues formed over millions of years by erosion.

This spectacular environment provides refuge for mammals and an abundance of reptiles, insects and fish. Natural hot springs on the canyon’s floor form pools of water which also attract many types of water birds. Other canyon residents include mountain zebra, kudu, oryx and gazelle that attract predators like leopard, jackal, brown hyena and bat-eared fox.

Why Go

  • Explore the world’s second largest canyon on foot or by horseback
  • Visit the popular Ai-Ais: natural hot springs on the canyon floor
  • Some of the best hiking trails in Southern Africa

9. Kolmanskop

The country’s most famous ghost town is situated in the Sperrgebiet (‘forbidden territory’) of southern Namibia. After a diamond was discovered in the area during the early 1900s, fortune hunters moved into Kolmanskop causing a huge and frantic diamond rush. The small town soon developed into a bustling centre featuring elegant houses, a hospital, ballroom, school, casino and an ice cream factory. Development reached its pinnacle in the 1920s, but the town started declining after World War One when diamond prices crashed.

Within a period of 40 years, Kolmanskop flourished and died. The Namib Desert is slowly but surely swallowing this ghost town’s crumbling ruins which bear very little resemblance to its former affluent glory. Today, Kolmanskop delivers eerily beautiful photographic opportunities and is a popular destination for film shoots.

Why Go

  • Take a tour through a real-life ghost town
  • A one-of-a-kind photography experience

10. Okonjima Nature Reserve

konjima lies halfway between Windhoek (Namibia’s capital) and Etosha National Park, making it a convenient stopover between the two. The reserve is well known for its fantastic cheetah and leopard sightings, and it’s home to The AfriCat Foundation – a non-profit organisation that makes significant contributions to the long-term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores like leopard, cheetah and brown hyena in their natural habitat.

Why Go

  • One of the best places to see leopard in Namibia
  • Track cheetah and brown hyena on game drives
  • Fantastic birdwatching destination

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Travelling in a time of COVID-19

Posted on October 21st, 2020 by Overland Africa

Travelling in a time of COVID-19

As we head into, what has always been our traditional “ booking season “, we need to address the question on everyone’s mind… How will overland ensure guest safety on tour? 

Crew responsibility

To reduce the risk of infection, each crew member will be required to take the following steps.

Wear a cloth mask when in the presence of any other person

Maintain a safe distance wherever possible – 1.5m or more

Sanitize regularly – you should sanitize whenever you have come in physical contact with a surface or object that may have been touched by another person

If you need to cough or sneeze – ensure to do this away from other people. If this is not possible then do this into the bend of your elbow.

Each staff member will be issued with a cloth mask to be worn when required

Each person will also be provided with a small spray type sanitizer for his or her own personal use.

 

Our trucks and vehicles will be sanitized and cleaned once a day at the end of the days travel, and before the next day’s travel.

 

Vehicle sanitizing checklist – completed by our crew

Sweep inside of truck

Mop inside with provided cleaning agents

Spray all seats with liquid sanitizer

Wipe all USB charging points with sanitizer

Wipe handrails at entrance to the truck

Wipe all window catches

Wipe door handles to entrance

Wipe down all armrests

Wipe all safety belt clips and buckles

Clean out rubbish bin

 

Departure points

At each departure point, it will be the responsibility of the driver to perform health checks on all clients.  The temperature of all guests be will be recorded before they are allowed to board the vehicle.  A lead in mat will be provided, sprayed with sanitizer, all clients are to wipe their feet on the mat when walking in to the truck.

There will be a sanitizer dispenser mounted at the entrance to the truck, all clients must sanitize when entering the vehicle. Clients are required to sanitize their hands each time they enter into the vehicle to depart a location.

 

Daily Checks

Crew are to take temperatures once a day of all clients and themselves, at the time of departure.  If the tour is not scheduled to depart that day, all temperatures will be recorded at breakfast.

 

Food preparation

We have always had a strong focus on hygiene when cooking, but never before has it been as important as it is now.

Our crew will ensure that all surfaces and utensils are wiped down properly before use.  At the end of the day/evening, crew will have to make sure that all items are rinsed in a sanitizing solution that will be provided.   It is of the utmost importance that all foodstuffs continue to be washed before use.

 

We would like to stress that the well-being of participants is everyone’s responsibility and our crew are there to enforce the protocols which have been put out.  These protocols have been adapted from various regulatory institutions including the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Putting these measures in place will add additional pressure on our crew and we ask that you ensure that your clients are aware of these measures that will (by law) be required to be followed.  Any guest refusing to follow or adhere to these guidelines could face being expelled from the tour.  It is in everyone’s interest to play their part in ensuring the safety on tour.

 

This is a territory that is new to all of us and it may be necessary from time to time to adapt the protocols.  We of course will continue to share information with you as we make it available.

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Which Side is the Best for Vic Falls: Zimbabwe or Zambia?

Posted on October 6th, 2020 by Overland Africa

Which Side is the Best for Vic Falls: Zimbabwe or Zambia?

This depends entirely on your vacation wishes. Both sides offer magnificent views of the Falls, but it’s your accommodation preferences and choice of activities that might influence your decision.
If you want the best of both worlds, you can easily get across the border via Victoria Falls Bridge. All you’ll need is your passport and a double / multiple entry visa, which you can purchase at the border control (your guide or transfer agent generally expedites this for you). This means that if you’re staying on the Zambian side and want to view the Falls from the Zimbabwean side, you can do so comfortably on a day trip – and vice versa.

Which Side Has the Best Views?

Zim has the lion’s share of vantage points, as about three quarters of Vic Falls lie within the country. Take a stroll down Victoria Falls National Park’s footpaths, meandering through drizzling rainforest and out onto gorge-edge viewpoints where you’ll be greeted head-on by the glorious Main Falls – thundering down into the rocky chasm below, causing tremors in the ground beneath your feet.

Want to get really close to the cascades of water?

Then head to the Zambia side of Vic Falls. Walk along the paved paths on the edge of the Falls and cross the heart-racing Knife-Edge Bridge during High Water Season – an exhilarating (and soaking!) walk along the edge of the precipice, about 100m / 328ft above the gorge.
During the low-water season, head down the footpath that leads to the Boiling Pot – a massive whirlpool at the base of the waterfall. Look up and marvel at the sheer magnitude of this natural wonder.

Zimbabwe Side

Zambia Side

The good news is, no matter which side you stay on, you can easily cross the border to explore the other or to undertake activities like white-water rafting, gorge swinging, bungee jumping, visiting Livingstone Island or having dinner on an old-fashioned train. Your Africa Safari Expert will make all the arrangements for the transfers and activities – just have your passport ready for the border crossing.

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Victoria Falls Seasons – Zimbabwe

Posted on September 29th, 2020 by Overland Africa

Victoria Falls Seasons,  Zimbabwe – When Scottish explorer, Dr David Livingstone first laid eyes on the Falls in 1855, little did he know that it would be confirmed as the world’s largest waterfall, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, and a World Heritage Site.

Little has changed since people discovered Mosi-oa-Tunya thousands of years ago – what you see now is the same astonishing view that awed Livingstone and everyone else lucky enough to see the Falls.

 

Victoria Falls Seasons:

  • High-water season is from about February to July – expect the most spectacular views of the Falls and prepare to get a little wet.
  • Low-water season is from about August to January – this is the best time for white-water rafting and swimming in  Devils Pool.
  • Safari high or peak season is from about June to October – a good time to combine a safari with a visit to Vic Falls. Bear in mind that the later you visit, the drier the Falls will be. The ‘sweet spot’ for a good safari and great views is generally about July and August, which is also a very popular time to visit. Reservations should be secured well in advance.

During high-water season, more than 17 million cubic feet (481 386 cubic metres) of water fall over the edge every single minute – that’s almost 200 times more than an Olympic swimming pool or 12 000 pools in an hour!

When to Go: Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls

It might be the largest waterfall on earth and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, but it’s also the mild winters and hot summers that make Victoria Falls a popular year-round destination.

Quick Advice:

Like almost everything else in Africa, the spectacle at the Falls is entirely dependent on rainfall. When you choose to travel will have a massive impact on your experience at Vic Falls. It is a wonderful destination to visit year-round, but if there are specific sights and activities that you’d like to include in your Falls itinerary, keep these travel seasons in mind:

Rain may vary from year to year. Always ask your Africa Safari Expert about current and projected water levels for when you want to travel to avoid disappointment.

The rule of thumb is: any activity on the water is best when water levels are at their lowest, otherwise the current is too strong. Any activity on land or in the air is best when water levels are higher, so you can enjoy the most dramatic views.

 

Summer: November to April

Expect dramatic and short afternoon thunderstorms, hot and humid weather conditions, and spectacular sunsets. The Zambezi River is usually low during December, rising steadily as the rain water starts to arrive from the Angolan highlands. The rainy Green Season revitalises Southern Africa between December and April.

Winter: July to August

The moderate winter months in Southern Africa are sunny and dry, and a great time to combine your tour to Victoria Falls with a wildlife safari in the superb national parks of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana or South Africa.

TIP: October is the hottest month of the year in Vic Falls (around 34°C / 93°F), and one of the very best months for safari. The animals don’t stray far from the little remaining water, but the Falls are at their very lowest and the Zambian side will the completely dry. Be sure to choose which is most important to you – game viewing or the Falls – if you’re travelling around this time.

 

High-water Season

Between February and July, the mighty Zambezi River is in full flood and the Falls are at its most thunderous – usually peaking between March and April. Dazzling clouds of mist can float 1 312ft (400m) above the Falls! Expect to get drenched by spray at most of the vantage points on the Zim and Zambia sides.

TIP: You can rent or buy a poncho or an umbrella at the Falls.

 

Best time for:

The Falls’ lunar rainbows or ‘moonbows’ are rare atmospheric phenomena that occur when the bright glow of a perfect full moon reflects and refracts off the mist created by the waterfall. Niagara Falls also used to produce colourful lunar rainbows, but sadly the light pollution in the area has eliminated these beautiful occurrences.

 

Low-water Season

The Zambezi’s water levels are low from August to January, and at its lowest from October until the rains start again.

 

Best time for:

 

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Volunteer and Safari Combo at N/a’ankuse Wildlife Sanctuary

Posted on September 22nd, 2020 by Overland Africa

Volunteer and Safari Combo at N/a’ankuse Wildlife Sanctuary

The internationally acclaimed N/a’ankuse Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in 2007 to care for Namibia’s orphaned, sick, injured and abused animals, from predators to primates and everything in between and at any one time you can expect to encounter anything from baboons to cheetah to lion to aardvark and more.

 

N/a’ankuse aims to rehabilitate and release all animals that come to the sanctuary, however for those that can’t be released they provide a safe and secure sanctuary to enjoy the rest of their life. From humble beginnings, N/a’ankuse has gone on to become one of Namibia’s, and the world’s most well-known wildlife sanctuaries with the addition of the Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 2017 to care for orphaned and injured rhino and elephant through funding from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, loyal supporters of N/a’ankuse.

 

The sanctuary is run on a day to day basis by a dedicated team of conservationists, with the help of a team of volunteers to make sure all animals are fed, monitored and enclosures kept clean to name a few jobs.

 

N/a’ankuse, which means ‘god will protect us’ in the local San Bushman language,  also aims to assist and benefit the often-marginalised San (Bushman) people of Namibia through the Clever Cubs School offering free private primary education, the LifeLine Clinic offering medical assistance to the Epukiro community as well as offering employment and training at N/a’ankuse to the San community.

 

POST COVID-19 TOURISM SPECIALS

In addition to day visits to the wildlife sanctuary, N/a’ankuse also offers visitors the chance to actively participate in conservation by volunteering on their wildlife conservation project. This allows guests the opportunity to be involved in all day to day tasks of animal conservation for those residents that are not able to be released. This includes exercising the animals daily, preparing food, cleaning enclosures and checking enclosure perimeter fences as well as more preventative conservation duties such as monitoring free roaming carnivores through GPS data, analysing camera trap photos, game counts and more. No day is ever the same or ever boring and volunteers are rewarded with incredible memories of Africa that will never be forgotten. Volunteers do not require any special skills, just a passion for animal conservation and willingness to get their hands dirty and have a great time. Spend a week getting you hands dirty doing important wildlife conservation before exploring Namibia on one of our volunteer and safari combinations below!

Click the below for our combo offers:

Volunteer and Safari Combo – 12 day N/a’an ku sê, Etosha & Swakopmund

Volunteer and Safari Combo – 13 Day N/a’an ku sê, Skeleton Coast, Sossusvlei & Canyons

Volunteer and Safari Combo – 14 day N/a’an ku sê & Dunes & Wildlife

Volunteer & Safari Combo – 15 Day N/a’an ku sê, Wildlife & Himba

 

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Updated African Travel Restrictions Due to COVID-19 – Malawi

Posted on September 10th, 2020 by Overland Africa

 – Updated 26 January 2021 –

Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, is open for international commercial and charter flights.

Open for international travel

  • Yes

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

  • Provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, conducted within 10 days before arrival in Malawi. Any passenger arriving without a negative test result will be denied entry into the country.
  • Complete a health declaration form, undergo basic screening, and requested to self-monitor for any virus symptoms for 14 days.
  • Only passengers and airport staff will be allowed to enter the terminals and are required to wear face masks and maintain social distancing at all times.

Mandatory quarantine

  • Not required.

Airlines flying into the destination

  • Kenya Airways
  • Ethiopian Airlines

 

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Updated African Travel Restrictions Due to COVID-19 – Madagascar

Posted on September 10th, 2020 by Overland Africa

-Updated 26 January 2021 –

Madagascar announced that the island of Nosy Be will reopen for international travel on 1 October 2020. Travel will be limited to Nosy Be and the surrounding archipelagos – no travel to the mainland of Madagascar will be allowed. Fascene Airport on Nosy Be will be ready to welcome international visitors and perform the necessary health checks and testing. Domestic travel within Madagascar resumed in September 2020, with international travel expected to resume when Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo reopens for international visitors.

Open for international travel

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

Mandatory quarantine

Countries allowed to travel to the destination

Airlines flying into the destination

 

 

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Updated African Travel Restrictions Due to COVID-19 – Zimbabwe

Posted on August 24th, 2020 by Overland Africa

 –  Updated 26 January 2021 –

Zimbabwe announced the reopening of the country’s local tourism sector on 3 September 2020. Domestic flights resumed on 21 September 2020 with Air Zimbabwe and Fastjet, in advance of 1 October 2020: the reopening date of Zimbabwe’s international airports.

The government instituted a 30-day national lockdown from 2 January 2021. Air travel remains open for leisure travellers, but land borders are closed until further notice. Inter-city and inter-provincial holiday travel, as well as visiting national parks and designated tourism facilities are allowed between 06:00 and 18:00. Visitors who are travelling between destinations are required to provide documentation of bookings at national parks and other designated tourism facilities. Hotels and lodges in Zimbabwe are exempted from the mandatory lockdown business closures.

Open for international travel

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

Mandatory quarantine

Airlines flying into the destination

 

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Updated African Travel Restrictions Due to COVID-19 – Uganda

Posted on August 24th, 2020 by Overland Africa

  – Updated 26 January 2021 – 

 

Uganda has released a tentative phased reopening schedule for all its land borders and the resumption of international passenger flights to Entebbe International Airport, effective 1 October 2020.

Open for international travel

Health screening & COVID-19 protocols on arrival

Arriving passengers:

Departing passengers: 

Mandatory quarantine

Airlines flying into the destination

 

Contact us here for more information or any other tours

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