Through epic terrain, visit some of Namibia’s finest national parks, in addition to reserves in Botswana and Zimbabwe, following herds of elephant and the rich diversity of wildlife that thrives here.
Following an evening in Windhoek to get over your flights, the journey begins in the absolutely stunning Namib Desert where under vast azure skies, unique wildlife and majestic oryx sashay over Sossusvlei's deep red dunes and the arboreal skeletons of Dead Vlei cannot fail to impress. Camel thorns give way to quiver trees as you move towards the Atlantic town of Swakopmund, the start of the revered Skeleton Coast. Here, flamingos and pelicans side step sidewinder adders in the morning mist.
Continuing on to Damaraland, a ruggedly beautiful area dominated by sweeping vistas, mountains, and mysterious rock art, it's here that you can scout for desert elephants, and other hardy species, that have triumphed over the elements, learning to survive in extremely arid and seemingly inhospitable conditions.
Up next, it's time to safari in iconic Etosha National Park, one of Africa's largest protected areas and a shimmering sea of salt, where venerated predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah seek prey in an ongoing game of cat and mouse. Elephants dust bathe in the distinctive white soil, creating ghostly illusions that they're larger than ever, and black rhinos take the limelight at floodlit waterholes.
Further north, over 400 species of birds take centre stage as you criss-cross the Caprivi Strip, jumping borders between Namibia and Botswana before luxuriating in a few days of utter solitude in the world-famous Okavango Delta. Waterborne activities on the Kwando and Chobe Rivers complete the picture before the trip concludes at the spectacular Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Soak up the spray and views from rainforested paths (especially in April and May when the falls are at their height – the water levels diminish the further into the year you go) at the end of an unforgettable tour of Southern Africa.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
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Day 2:
Arrive Windhoek
Welcome to Africa! On arrival, you're transferred from the airport to your overnight accommodation in Windhoek. The rest of the day is at your leisure to spend how you wish.
Accommodation: Utopia Guesthouse, 1-night
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Day 3:
Transfer to the Namib Desert
Let your holiday really begin this morning with an early welcome meeting, during which you meet your two tour leaders and fellow travellers.
Afterwards, you’ll no doubt be eager to hit the road for your day-long transfer to the fabulous Namib Desert towards Sossusvlei and Naukluft National Park. Breathe in the African wilderness as huge, timeless landscapes unfold during the scenic drive and civilisation gives way to nature. Keep your eyes open for birds and passing wildlife that may include baboon, klipspringer, ostrich, kudu and Hartmann’s mountain zebra as you descend the central escarpment to the desert plains below.
Stop for unexpected apple pie in the tiny settlement of Solitaire, and then, on arrival at your stunning lodge in the Namib Desert, breathe in the serenity and vast landscape that lies before you just waiting to be revealed. Be warned, the combined desert and mountain vistas can be quite heady!
Accommodation: Elegant Desert Lodge, 2-nights
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Day 4:
Explore Namib Naukluft Park
Unforgettable experiences await as today is spent exploring the staggering beauty and magnificent landscape of the Namib Naukluft Park. Watch the sun rise from the top of ‘Big Daddy’, the first of many towering dunes to be discovered during the course of the day, as you appreciate the immense panoramas of deep orange and red dunes set against azure skies. If majestic oryx just happen to pass by during your visit, that will be the icing on the cake!
The magnificent sandscapes of Sossusvlei follow, then Dead Vlei too, where the almost century old skeletons of camel thorn trees rise out of the white clay pan, making a striking, photographic fantasy. There's also a visit to Sesriem Canyon, carved out by the Tsaochab River, and a source of year-round natural water for the area’s hardy wildlife.
This evening, gather around the fire pit, exchanging highlights of the day and taking in the celestial sky above. With no light pollution and virtually guaranteed clear nights, the Namib is considered one of the finest stargazing areas in Southern Africa.
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Day 5:
Swakopmund
Travelling north-west towards Swakopmund, you cross the Tropic of Capricorn and, time permitting, go birding in Walvis Bay en route to the Atlantic Ocean and the start of the revered Skeleton Coast. Scenic flights, sightseeing, and a host of other optional activities may be arranged this afternoon to help you get the most out of your visit and observe the magnificent landscapes along the Skeleton Coast. A desert wildlife excursion is highly recommended to search for sidewinder adders, palmato geckos, Namaqua chameleon and more.
Accommodation: Hotel A La Mer, 1-night
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Days 6-7
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Brandberg Massif
Rugged, desolate, alluring and deceptively scenic, venture into Damaraland this morning, heading specifically towards the Tsiseb Conservancy for the mighty Brandberg Massif – a mountainous granite outcrop. Namibia’s highest mountain completely dominates the surrounding area, standing around 2,600 metres above sea level. Its caves and crevasses shelter in excess of 45,000 rock paintings, with the ‘White Lady’ being perhaps the most famed. Discover ‘her’ (she’s a he!) for yourself on an afternoon walk through an ancient water course, viewing rock hyrax, rock agama, and a plethora of bird species along the way.
Watch the sun burnish the surrounding mountains orange from the kopje behind your lodge, that supports local communities well. Tuck into scrumptious food (your stay here's on a full-board basis) and dodge the habituated meerkats that call this place home!
An undisputed highlight during your time in this area is a game drive searching for rare desert elephants. Although not genetically different from their savanna loving cousins, they've adapted over time to this incredibly harsh environment, moving seasonally with the rains. Your quest for these mysterious giants won't be easy, they're wild elephants, far ranging and elusive, with sightings far from guaranteed, but if travelling between July and December, you’ve got absolutely nothing to lose. Black rhino, springbok, oryx and kudu may also be seen along with Monteiro’s hornbill, mountain wheatear, swallow-tailed bee-eater and herero chat.
Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady Lodge, 2-nights
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Day 8:
Transfer & Afternoon Game Drive to Etosha National Park
The adventure continues today as you reach Namibia’s premier national park, the extraordinary Etosha, where the action revolves around Etosha Pan, a vast salt lake which dried out thousands of years ago. There's so much more to see besides, so let Namibia's wildlife well and truly shine as the quest for magnificent creatures of all shapes and sizes gets underway with an afternoon game drive. Glorious wildlife stretches as far as the eye can see with lion, leopard and cheetah seeking prey in an ongoing game of cat and mouse. Discover the incredible camouflage that provides protection against predation, yet it doesn’t work for all. There's a veritable smorgasbord of meal options to choose from with black-faced impala, blue wildebeest, Plain’s zebra, giraffe, red hartebeest, eland, springbok, Damara dik-dik, kudu and oryx all well represented.
Afterwards, return to camp and settle down to experience that most quintessential of Etosha experiences, an evening spent around a flood-lit waterhole. Sit quietly, observing and contemplating animals interacting as they come down to drink. Marvel at the unfolding spectacle as black rhino take centre stage, sharing the scene with elephants and more. Store this in your bank of unforgettable experiences, it's truly a privilege.
Accommodation: Okaukuejo Rest Camp, 1-night
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Day 9:
Safaris in Etosha National Park
Spend today relishing a full-day vehicle safari as you navigate east towards Namutoni Rest Camp for your second night in the park in search of the region's prolific wildlife. The highlight of any trip here are the elephants, which are often coated in white salt dust from the pan and make for fantastic photographs. At dawn, lion, leopard and spotted hyena are winding down after an evening of hunting and territorial patrols, while in contrast, cheetahs are gearing up for the day, stretching, scent marking and using vantage points to search for unsuspecting prey.
As the heat of the day intensifies, raptors and vultures will rise, soaring the thermals as you make your way towards various waterholes, once again watching a myriad of animals crowd together, some bold, some cautious, but all united in the need to quench their thirst. Double-banded courser, Northern black korhaan, purple rollers and secretary birds give birdwatchers a thrill and as the sun slowly descends towards the horizon, find yourself firmly ensconced at Namutoni’s waterhole for another evening under the stars with Namibia’s elephants and other wildlife.
Accommodation: Namutoni Camp, 1-night
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Day 10:
Morning Game Drive in Etosha & transfer to Grootfontein
Soak up the safari experience on a final morning game drive in Etosha before driving on to your overnight accommodation near Grootfontein. Break the journey with a visit to Hoba, site of the largest-known meteorite in the world at over 60 tonnes, estimated to have hit earth almost 80,000 years ago.
Accommodation: Roys Rest Camp, 1-night
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Day 11:
Explore Kavango River
A change of scene is in store as you journey to the Caprivi Strip towards tonight's accommodation, situated along the Kavango River. This river flows from Angola, across the Caprivi and feeds the Okavango Delta. Receiving comparatively higher rainfall than the rest of Namibia, lush, subtropical vegetation spans riverine forests, open woodland and floodplains, sustaining an abundance of wildlife. Birds are particularly well represented, with over 400 species recorded, including several endemics. From late September, nesting migratory southern carmine bee-eaters are a real highlight, so grab your binoculars, take a seat, and spend the afternoon birding from the comfort of your beautiful riverside lodge.
Accommodation: Nunda River Lodge, 1-night
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Days 12-13
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Okavango Delta
Before departing for Botswana’s infamous Okavango Delta, there's time for a morning game drive through Mahango National Park. This area is part of a trans-frontier park, which allows wildlife to move freely across the area, and makes this region a hidden gem. Elephant and buffalo, drawn to the park's water, are likely to be seen alongside a wide variety of antelope, with sable, roan, tssessebe, common reedbuck and red lechwe of particular note. Waterfowl are prevalent, as they are once you cross the border and arrive in the delta itself. With two nights in this renowned watery paradise ahead, it's time to rest and relax …!
During the course of your stay in this verdant land, indulge in a mokoro safari, gliding through crystal-clear lily-pad strewn water in a traditional dugout canoe. Slow down and hone your wildlife watching skills as you notice dragonflies, butterflies, reed frogs, spotted-necked otters, and a sensational myriad of birds frolicking around you. A speed boat excursion brings yet more species to the fore from kingfishers and warblers, to cormorants, herons, ibis, openbills, other storks, hamerkop, pelicans, egrets, ducks, geese, and more besides.
Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Camp, 2-nights
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Day 14:
Caprivi Strip & Afternoon Boat Safari on the Kwando River
A full day’s travel sees you back in Namibia across the Caprivi Strip for a final evening overlooking the wildlife-rich Kwando River. Take to the water this afternoon for a relaxing few hours watching elephants, honking hippos, basking crocodiles, secretive bushbuck, endearing waterbuck and once again, plenty of bird life. Look especially for long-toed lapwing and swamp boubou.
Accommodation: Camp Kwando, 1-night
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Day 15:
Chobe National Park
Leaving Namibia for the last time today, your destination is Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River, the northern boundary of Chobe National Park. Expect feeding, socialising and even swimming elephants to come to the fore on another afternoon river cruise, as you scout the banks and channels for other mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians in their natural habitat. African skimmers may zoom past into the sunset as water thick-knees repeat their distinctive call time and time again. Other wildlife you may encounter include lion, giraffe, blue wildebeest, bushbuck, impala, spotted hyena, roan, sable, warthog, greater kudu, puku, red lechwe and huge numbers of hippo. As the setting sun silhouettes all manner of wildlife, commit the scene to memory to be re-lived in years to come.
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge, 1-night
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Day 16:
Victoria Falls
Your final country, Zimbabwe, lies in store today with the ultimate destination, Victoria Falls, just across the border. Sightseeing options abound here and the curio shopping is superb, but first, a trip to the waterfalls themselves, a natural wonder of the world, is in order. Follow in the footsteps of Livingstone and marvelling at the gorge, cascade of water, and resulting lush rainforest in which you find yourself. Grey-headed bushshrike, grey-headed and Meyer’s parrot and the reclusive African finfoot may show themselves if you’re lucky.
Accommodation: PheZulu Guest House, 1-night
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Day 17:
Departure
As your incredible holiday draws to its conclusion, you’re transferred to the airport for your onward or homeward-bound flights.
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Day 18:
Arrive UK
Please note: It's of course possible to extend your holiday with a few nights on the mighty Zambezi River. We offer a wonderful array of beautiful lodges in serene environs, should this be of interest. Alternatively, fly on and explore other destinations within Southern Africa, Zambia, Botswana or South Africa to but name a few. Contact us to discuss your travel plans.
