Day 1 – Windhoek
Welcome to Namibia, “the land of the wide open spaces".
Today is the first day of what could become one of the most exciting holidays of your life.
Upon your arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport you are met by your guide or make your own way to your hotel in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax after your long flight, or to explore the city. Dinner tonight is at the most famous restaurant in Namibia - Joe's Beerhouse
Accommodation: Windhoek
Day 2 – Kalahari Desert region
Today we leave Windhoek behind to start our Namibian adventure.
We travel south from Windhoek, and then east into the vast Kalahari Desert.
Our Lodge is set in a secluded valley between red sand dunes and hidden amongst ancient camelthorn trees. Each air-conditioned room has an en-suite bathroom with all modern conveniences.
The expanse of the Kalahari is characterized by ancient parallel red dunes sparsely covered by unique vegetation.
Also included this afternoon will be a sunset safari game drive in open jeeps.
Accommodation: Kalahari Anib Lodge or similar (1 night)
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis
Days 3/4 – Sossusvlei region
We travel further west via the towns of Mariental and Maltahohne to bring us closer the Namib desert, the oldest desert in the world.
After a long drive we will settle at our beautiful desert lodge for two nights.
We take a full day (day 4) to explore the area.
We enter the park at Sesriem gate and travel to Dune 45 where we will climb to the top of the dune to take in the magnificent scenery.
We then make our way deeper into the dunes all the way to Sossosvlei.
Sossusvlei is situated right on the edge of the sand sea of the Namib Desert and allows travellers to experience the solitude and silence in the harsh desert environment.
We take a short hike to the dead camelthorn trees of Dead Vlei which make magnificent photos, casting jagged silhouettes against the velvet textures of sand.
We end our experience with a visit to the small but fascinating Sesriem canyon.
Accommodation: Namib Desert Lodge or similar (2 nights)
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis
Days 5/6 – Swakopmund
Our route continues past the famous Solitaire through the barren semi-desert landscape to the cold Atlantic Ocean were we will reach Namibia’s biggest harbor at Walvis Bay and later end our day at Swakopmund, a perennial Namibian favourite, a place to which travellers happily return.
Swakopmund’s appeal lies in the contrast of a small but sophisticated coastal resort, with old German architecture predominating, set amongst the harsh dunes of the Namib Desert.
Included (2nd) during our stay will be an exciting excursion into the nearby dunes with Tommy’s Desert Tours to see the amazing adaptations that the desert requires. Oryx survive at temperatures that kill other mammals, dune lizards perform a dance to cool down their feet, and the head-standing ‘tok-tokkie’ beetle drinks condensation that runs down its back towards its mouth.
There will also be some time at leisure to walk along the beach, or explore the fascinating museum, tourist shops and town on your own.
Accommodation: The Delight Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Bed & breakfast basis
(Dinner for your own account)
Day 7 – Damaraland area
Today we travel further north along the road to the Skeleton Coast and visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. A trip to Cape Cross is not just an opportunity to see Namibia’s largest seal colony, with between 80,000 and 100,000 seals. It is also a journey through history. Diego Cao first landed here in 1482, perhaps attracted by the wild beauty of the area, and erected a cross to commemorate his visit, a replica of which can still be seen at this wild and desolate place.
We travel further via Uis and if time allows we enjoy a guided tour of the Twyfelfontein rock art site near Khorixas.
It offers travellers a glimpse of the historical record of the people who roamed this valley thousands of years ago.
Habitation of the Twyfelfontein site has been dated to 6,000 years ago, and some of the rock art is recognised to be about 10,000 years old. A visit to the rock art site entails a guided walking tour, during which the traveller sees rock engravings and rock paintings.
We continue to our beautiful lodge located in the region known as Damaraland.
Accommodation: Damara Mopane Lodge or similar(1 night)
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis
Day 8 – Etosha National Park
Today the route continues east via Outjo and then north to the famous Etosha National Park. Etosha National Park, ‘the place of dry water’ is one of Africa’s best-known, parks and is regularly featured on television channels such as National Geographic, Animal Planet and Discovery. Once inside the Park, excitement will mount as we start seeing some of the numerous animals that inhabit this magnificent wildlife sanctuary.
The drive takes us to the main camp of Okaukuejo where there is a permanent waterhole. Here a wide diversity of wildlife congregates and interacts. The spectacle starts at dawn, with animals coming in large numbers to quench their thirst, with the activity continuing throughout the day.
We leave the park in late afternoon and continue to our beautiful safari lodge near the Anderson entrance gate.
Accommodation: Etosha Safari lodge (Outside the park) or similar (1 night)
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis
Day 9 – Etosha National Park
Today we re-enter the Park and travel east in open safari jeeps to the centrally located Halali Restcamp, more or less halfway between Okaukuejo and Namutoni.
The Etosha Pan, a vast 5,000 square km salt pan that dries out during summer, is an additional ‘must-be-seen’ feature of the 22,270 square km park.
We get dropped off at lunch time and can either relax at the camp or do another afternoon safari drive with our van
Accommodation: Halali Restcamp (Inside the Park)(1night)
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis
Day 10 – Etosha National Park to Zambezi region(Caprivi)
Still travelling further east inside the Park, game-viewing as we go.
En-route we will visit the restcamp of Namutoni, located in the eastern side of Etosha National Park. It centers on an old German Fort, overlooking the King Nehale waterhole.
We continue our long drive today and leave the Park travelling south-east through the typical Namibian towns of Tsumeb, Grootfontein before turning north to our lodge on the Kavango river, which forms the border between Namibia and Angola.
Accommodation: Kaisosi River Lodge (1 night)
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis
Days 11/12 – Caprivi region to Okavango Panhandle
Today we leave Namibia’s Caprivi Region (nowadays Zambezi region) and cross into Botswana at the Mohembo Border post before continuing our journey southwards past Shakawe to Sepupa.
We will explore two regions of the world famous Okavango delta, namely the Panhandle and an area deeper in the central part of the Delta
We arrive at our lovely bush lodge surrounded by lush gardens and have a relaxing afternoon.
Tomorrow we enjoy the peacefulness of the Okavango with included mokoro rides and aslo a picnic lunch served in the outdoor wilderness by our polers (guides).
Accommodation: Swampstop or similar (2 nights)
Dinner, bed & breakfast basis + activities mentioned above
Days 13/14/15 – Okavango delta
Today we are heading towards the town of Maun, the gateway to the Delta.
Here we will leave our van and large suitcases and board a small plane and enjoy a magnificent flight over the delta en-route to our camp deep in the delta for the next 3 nights/4days.
This will be the highlight of our safari because this is unfenced African wilderness with elephants, hippos and wild antelopes roaming around our camp.
We have plenty time to enjoy this absolute beautiful and special corner of Africa which is a paradise for mammals and birds and the one of the best wildlife destinations.
We spend our days with twice daily mokoro rides and nature walks enjoying the sounds,sights and peace of nature.
We end our days watching the sunsets and listening to the lion’s roar around the campfire .
Accommodation: Oddballs Camp or similar (3 nights)
Dinner,Lunch, Bed & breakfast basis and all activities(full board)
Days 16/17 – Makgadikgadi region
We leave the beautiful Delta this morning with a flight back to Maun where we will get our van and continue east to the drier area of the Makgadigadi Salt Pans.
On the way we will see some magnificent Baobab trees at Gweta
We overnight in the beautiful Palm tree oasis of Nata Lodge in spacious comfortable luxury safari tents and enjoy a love peaceful evening eating under the stars.
Acommodation: Nata Lodge or similar (1 night)
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis
Day 18 – Chobe region
After a lovely breakfast we head north to the town of Kasane on the banks of the Chobe river, another wildlife paradise and prime wilderness area in Botswana.
The Chobe national park attracts huge numbers of elephants especially during the dry winter months when the river is the only source of water for the elephants, crocodiles and hippos.
While we are visiting in the summer there are still lots of wildlife near and in the river like the rare puku antelope, buffaloes, hippo and elephant.
In the afternoon we go on another highlight, a photographic safari but this time on a boat cruise.
This boat cruise is a wonderful way to enjoy the Chobe river and get close to the animals and birds on the islands and see the spectacular sunsets which the Chobe are famous for.
We stay at a beautiful safari lodge on the banks of the river were we can enjoy the many birds in the lush gardens and a some more of the peacefulness that Botswana is famous for.
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (1 night)
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis
Included afternoon boat cruise
Days 19/20 – Victoria Falls
In the morning there is time for an optional jeep safari and afterwards we depart to the border and cross into Zimbabwe at the Kazungula border post.
After a 80km drive will will reach the lovely town of Victoria Falls which the locals call “Mosi-o ya tunya” translated into the ‘Smoke that thunders”.
After settling into our hotel accommodation we spend the rest of the afternoon visiting the Falls to witness this great mass of water from the Zambezi river tumbling over the 100 meter high and 1.6 km wide cliff spraying its mist high into the air and onto the surrounding rainforest.
Tomorrow we have the day at leisure to explore more of this tourist town enjoying the shops and restaurants and maybe a some of the exciting optional activities on offer like a helicopter flight over the Falls.
We end our day with a relaxing sunset cruise (included) on the wide, beautiful and mysterious Zambezi river enjoying another stunning African wilderness experience.
Accommodation: Cresta Sprayview Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Bed & breakfast basis
Day 21 – End of Safari
The morning is at leisure until you are collected and transferred to the Victoria Falls International airport in time for you flight back home.
The tour price includes:
• Accommodation as specified at 12 lodges/hotels.
• Meals as specified (18 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 16 dinners)
• All transport in air-conditioned vehicle with luggage trailer.
• All excursions, sight-seeing and game viewing activities as described in the itinerary.
• Botswana local return flight to Delta camp, entry fees, park fees, conservation levies and border fees as described in the itinerary.
• The services of a qualified and registered safari guide.
The tour price excludes:
• Meals not specified (14 lunches)
• Drinks, gratuities, telephone calls & other items of a personal nature.
• International flights