Trip Destinations: Windhoek (1), Sesriem (2), Walvis Bay (1), Swakopmund (2), Spitzkoppe (1), Damaraland (2), Etosha (3), Divundu (2), Chobe (2), Victoria Falls (1)
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transport
- Passports and visas
- Health/Vaccinations
- Physical Level
- Special Requests
- Insurance
- What to pack
- Travel companions
- The adventure with us
- How to book your spot
Accommodation
The accommodation on this tour is a combination of camping adventure (10 nights) and good quality, lovely establishments (7 nights) specially chosen for their location, uniqueness, value for money, or excellent activities.
All rooms and tents on this trip are shared with two people in each room/tent. You’ll have the option of a double bed or two single beds. Rooms vary slightly by layout and view and will be assigned based on booking order.
Solo travelers will be paired up with another participant. If you explicitly wish to have your own room/tent, or if we cannot find another participant to share that room/tent, there will be an extra surcharge as stated in the booking form.
Camping is indispensable to Namibia like pizza is to Italy. We will be staying inside the national parks not to waste time traveling between places so that we can maximize the experience; though camping in the parks is usually more expensive than a ‘lodge’ outside the park boundaries. You should not miss the experience of falling asleep under the African starry sky, hearing the hyenas or lions roaring in the distance, and being woken up in the morning by the unique African sunrise. However, to ensure that comfort is not neglected, accommodation with proper beds is planned whenever feasible, so we will have the best of both worlds.
All camping gear will be provided by our local partners. However, MAHO On Earth recommends you bring your own sleeping bag for the sake of comfort and hygiene. We will provide you with a packing list as part of your pre-departure information pack.
On camping days in Namibia, your active participation in setting up and breaking down the tent is required. Don’t worry though, the tents are easy to set up, and even if you’re new to camping, you’ll master the task very quickly. In Namibia, we will usually have access to a swimming pool and a bar, as well as a small shop with drinks and snacks at the campsites, with the exception of Damaraland and Spitzkoppe campsites.
When camping in Botswana, the tents and camp will be set up by the crew, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday. The bush camping is a truly authentic experience in exclusive wilderness areas with no other campers, no power and limited facilities (rustic open air bucket showers and long drop-style toilets).
Please note that this is Africa and one cannot expect the western standards in the places visited. Especially with respect to service, expect a lovely “laid back, unhurried” environment.
Meals
17 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches and 12 Dinners are included in the tour price as outlined in the itinerary.
On camping days, most meals will be prepared by our guide/cook. You will be surprised by what delicious food our guide can prepare over the campfire, including BBQ, stews, and pasta dishes. Lunches will generally be in the form of picnics/sandwiches, consisting of cold meat, cheese, fruits, and salads.
To even out the meals, whenever suitable, we exclude lunch and/or dinner to give you the freedom of choice and diversify the options. Our guides will be happy to recommend good restaurants on the days when lunch or/and dinner are not included.
Vegetarians can be catered for if you inform us upon booking, however, note that the options are extremely limited in Namibia. For other dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.), please contact us to discuss the best course of action for you.
Transport
During the trip in Namibia we will use a 4×4 tour vehicle with a pop-up roof and climate control with a maximum capacity of 10 passengers. In Botswana, we’ll use 4×4 safari vehicles. Transfer to Victoria Falls will be in a van.
Passports and Visas
For the countries visited on this trip, your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months beyond the planned date of entry. Additionally, when entering Namibia and Botswana there must be at least three blank pages in the passport, meaning a total of 4 blank pages at a minimum.
Holders of ordinary passports issued by most EU and Commonwealth nationalities can enter Namibia and Botswana without a visa for a maximum stay of 90 days. Citizens of 42+ countries can obtain a visa on arrival (e.g. Mexico, Turkey) for a fee (currently ca. US$ 70). Some nationals must apply for a visa in advance (e.g. China). Please consult the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy/Consulate in your country of origin/residency.
Zimbabwe grants a 30-day visa on arrival for most EU and Commonwealth nationalities for a fee of US$ 30 single entry, or US$ 45 for double entry. The fee is higher for passport holders of UK, Ireland, Canada and China ranging from US$ 55 to US$ 90.
You must ensure that passports and visas are valid for the countries visited. If your passport is in its final year, you should check with the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
Health/Vaccinations
Disclaimer: The following information is intended as a guide only and is not intended to replace professional advice. We, at MAHO on Earth, cannot guarantee that the following information is complete, up-to-date, accurate, or error-free.
As of the publishing date, there are no mandatory vaccinations to enter Namibia, Botswana, or Zimbabwe if entering directly from EU. However, since the information may change quickly, we advise you to follow up on the latest travel updates and/or contact your local embassy. If you are entering the country from a yellow-fewer region, you may need to present proof of yellow-fewer vaccination. Please consult with your local authorities.
Most places visited on this trip within Namibia pose a very low risk of Malaria (first 12 days). In Caprivi Strip, Chobe and Victoria Falls, where water is abundant, the risk is higher. We do highly recommend that you obtain professional travel health advice at your doctor or an institute of tropical medicine with respect to your individual needs and your intended travel, including advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and other medications based on your past vaccination history, your present medical condition, and your intended itinerary.
Physical Level
To join this trip, you’ll need to have a reasonable level of fitness. While not too strenuous, the tour involves somewhat long journeys on gravel roads (this is Africa), a fair amount of walking, early-morning wake-up calls, being in the sun in potentially hot temperatures, cold desert nights, and other similar scenarios.
Special requests
This trip may not be suitable for people with special needs such as reduced mobility due to local conditions and activities. If in doubt, please contact us.
Please do not send sensitive information (such as health, accident or other highly personal information) through our contact form. You may want to get in touch with us directly via phone instead.
Insurance
We do strongly recommend you take out travel insurance as soon as you make your deposit to ensure the most coverage. Your travel insurance policy should at least cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, activities you intend to do, and repatriation in the event of an accident or illness. We will reach out and collect your travel insurance and emergency contact details shortly before the departure date. Your trip price with us does not include any travel insurance. Travel insurance policies are generally speaking more economical when taken out locally in your country of origin.
What to pack (Cash & Co)
While your trip with us cover most of the expenses, things such as alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, snacks, laundry, visa fee, meals not included are examples of a few additional costs that might arise during your trip. Any optional activity is mentioned clearly so that you don’t have to worry about hidden costs.
The countries visited on this trip accept the USD or EUR for tourism. While credit cards are accepted, there is usually an additional fee. ATMs are scarce outside of bigger towns. We recommend carrying some cash and budgeting around $20 – $50 USD per day for incidental expenses and tips.
Please note: Our tour price does not include tips/gratuities for the local guides, as tipping is discretionary and should be based on your satisfaction with the service provided. It is however customary to express your appreciation for a job well done, and guidelines will be given on tipping local guides.
Further details and recommendations on what to pack will be provided prior to departure.
Travel Companions
We care about getting to know our fellow travelers, hence we keep our groups small and intimate. Our tours usually run with 12 or fewer participants and require a minimum of 8 participants to take place. It will be an international group and the main language will be English. We also speak German and Turkish.
People from all walks of life and nationalities, singles, couples, friends, and families with a sense of adventure, an open mind, and an open heart can join our tours. We consider each trip as an opportunity to cultivate our travel persona with humility, curiosity, and respect, what we call a “Mindful Adventure”.
The Adventure with us
This trip is handcrafted by Maho and peer-reviewed by Tom, and they will be present to ensure a smooth operation on the ground as well as share their passion for authentic experiences, unparalleled adventures, photography and more with you. Designing a trip is engineering work, and this is not a cookie-cutter tour. Maho and Tom, founders and owners of MAHO on Earth, curated this immersive itinerary to make the best use of your hard-earned bucks and vacation days with lots of wonderful handpicked activities and locations included!
We want you to have the most rewarding experience possible. We take care of all the hassle of planning, and you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind, not least because we support social projects and NGOs, and partner with the best local enterprises.
Join us on this Mindful Adventure, Highlands to Oceans in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe!
How to book your spot
To reserve your spot, please use our booking form or send us an email at team@earthmaho.com!
When booking for multiple persons, the first named person is the lead participant in charge. If you are booking for a party with individual requests (e.g. single room, triple room etc.), please use the booking form and add a note dully. We’ll then send you the amended invoice.
Please note, the minimum age to participate in this tour is 18. Payment plan is outlined at this link: https://earthmaho.com/payment-terms
Once we have received your deposit, we will send you another email to confirm your spot on the trip, a deposit receipt, and an invoice for the balance payment. Your confirmation will include appropriate information on local health services, authorities and consular support.
This trip requires a minimum of 8 participants to run. We will notify you when it is a guaranteed departure! Please do not make any non-refundable airfare bookings or additional arrangements just yet.
Once we have reached the minimum number of participants, we’ll reach out to confirm the departure, and send you your pre-departure information pack to help you prepare for the trip. You can then book your flights and get excited about your upcoming adventure!
Should you need any support with your pre or post-tour travel arrangements, we are here to help.
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Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if you’re ready to make your Africa dream a reality.
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