This 22-day tour takes you through from the deserts of Namibia, to the elephants of the Chobe River in Botswana, and finally the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
In Namibia alone, you will see a wide range of landscapes. Your tour will start with the famous Sossusvlei dunes and Deadvlei, then you will travel north via the western side of the country, through varying desert scenery and mountains such as Spitzkoppe and the highest of them all, Brandberg. You will then head east towards Etosha National Park for a few days of safari. Your guide will be vital during this time to take you to all the best spots to see lions, rhinos, and elephants. Travel through the Caprivi strip where everything becomes so much greener and water is more abundant until you arrive in Botswana. Here you will explore the Chobe riverfront in the national park where you will see hundreds of elephants and buffalo. Finally, end your tour at Victoria Falls - one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
This tour includes accommodation in a mix of campsites and comfortable lodges, all camping equipment, transport and fuel, select meals, an English speaking guide and park entrance fees.
Itinerary
Day 1: Our handover agent will be the first friendly Namibian face you see at the airport as they greet you at arrivals. A free transfer from the airport to your 4×4 pick-up will be provided. Learn how to use the 4×4 mode and keep the car in the best condition possible on the dusty Namibian roads.
Lodge: Your first night will be in a lovely area of Windhoek at Villa Moringa Guesthouse. Basis: BB
Day 2: Today will be your first day on the Namibian roads and you will soon see why you are warned about the dust! The adventure begins! As the road takes you further southwest you will get your first sights of the Namib desert. Being conveniently close to the park you could already go in the late afternoon to see the last rays of sunlight over the dunes
Lodge: Perfectly situated just outside of the park gates, tonight you sleep at Desert Camp. Basis: DBB
Day 3: This morning you will wake up extra early to head into Sossusvlei before the sun even rises. Climb to the top of Dune 45 to see the first rays light up the highest dunes in the world. Then head over to the famous trees at dead vlei, maybe climb Big Daddy then finish the morning at Sesriem Canyon. After a spot of lunch at Sossusvlei Lodge head over to Solitaire to see the old cars and grab a coffee and piece of apple pie.
Lodge: Watch the sunset behind the mountains from your room at Rostock Ritz. Basis: DBB
Day 4: Continue north today via the Kuiseb Canyon and Gaub pass with a quick stop at the Tropic of Capricorn. Arrive on the cool misty coast and get a few photos of the Walvis Bay flamingos before going to the quirky town of Swakopmund where you will spend the night. We recommend having a plate of fresh fish for dinner by the ocean.
Lodge: Swakopmund Guesthouse will be your home for the next two nights. Basis: BB
Day 5: Today you have a large choice of things to do. Swakopmund and Walvis Bay both offer a wide range of activities from boat rides to see dolphins and otters, to quad biking in the dunes or even skydiving. One of our favourite activities is a full day at Sandwich Harbour with a guide to see where the dunes meet the ocean.
Lodge: Swakopmund Guesthouse. Basis: BB
Day 6: This morning make the most of the town and buy a few souvenirs if you wish, You will not see any other real towns for quite a few days. A short drive, mainly on tar road, will take you to the epic Spitzkoppe. Stop on the way to have a look at the wide range of crystals, gems, and semi-precious stones at the crystal market just as you turn off the main road. With a souvenir in your pocket, follow the dirt road with the mountain looming in front of you. Once you have arrived, soak in the views from the lodge or walk around and admire the bush paintings amongst spectacular landscapes.
Lodge: Sleep amongst rocks that will take you back in time at Spitzkoppen Lodge. Basis: DBB
Day 7: Make the most of a last walk around Spitzkoppe this morning if you wish, maybe head on over to the arch or see if there is any water in the rock pools. The lodge also offers a guided tour of all the best paintings. Then head directly north into Damaraland and an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Twyfelfontein. This area has an incredible collection of rock engravings dating back thousands of years. Hundreds are on display and many more still lay hidden in between the rocks. A friendly local guide will show you around and interpret their meanings.
Lodge: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge is your stopover for tonight. Basis: DBB
Day 8: Drive north a bit further and you will enter into the heart of Damaraland, the Palmwag concession. Due to natural water sources in the area you are likely to see giraffe, mountain zebra, springbok, and oryx here. This is a wild and rugged area and one of our favourite regions of Namibia. Let us know if you are feeling adventurous and want to transform these next couple of nights into luxury wild camping in the concession with a guide.
Lodge: On the edge of the Palmwag concession, and along the dry river bed favoured by elephants, Palmwag Lodge. Basis: DBB
Day 9: No destination in view today! A second night at Palmwag allows you to go into the day visitor area of the concession slowly to search for desert-adapted elephants, giraffe, zebra, springbok, and if you are very lucky even a black rhinoceros. Either take a picnic with you and spend the full day in the concession or head back to the lodge to relax around the pool
Lodge: Palmwag Lodge. Basis: DBB
Day 10: This morning get back on the roads to start heading west. Be prepared for more incredible landscapes as you drive over the Grootberg pass. Take it slow as this road can be tricky but the views from the top are worth it. Stop at Kamanjab for lunch and to stock up on some fresh items if needed, then follow the tar road north to the Hobatere reserve. Enjoy a sundowner at the restaurant overlooking the waterhole.
Lodge: Hobatere Lodge will provide you with a bit of luxury just west of Etosha National Park. Basis: DBB
Day 11: A full day of safari awaits you in the infamous Etosha National Park. Wake up early and leave as soon as the sun rises to get the best chance of seeing lions on the move. Head east to Okaukuejo but not before stopping at all the waterholes along the way. As it is your first day in the park your camera’s memory card is sure to fill up quickly. Each waterhole is different, and you never know what you might see.
Lodge: Okaukuejo Camp in the center of Etosha National Park. Basis: DBB
Day 12: Last night you probably didn’t sleep much as you made the most of the floodlit waterhole at Okaukuejo. But do your best to head out early as the animals do not wait! The roads around Okaukuejo have lots of great waterholes and this region is very popular with wildlife. You will probably spend a lot of time at Nebrowni waterhole as there is very often lions and elephants there. Enjoy a slow pace, wandering through the open plains, so that you can see even the smallest of creatures the park is home to.
Lodge: Okaukuejo Camp. Basis: DBB
Day 13: Continue east to Von Lindequest gate via Halali today. On the eastern side of the park, you have great chances of seeing black rhino and cheetahs. We recommend heading to Chudop waterhole, a favourite for elephants. Grab some lunch at Halali along the way and make sure to drive right onto the pan at the lookout point. It is not to be missed as you feel like you are on another planet.
Lodge: Mushara Bush Camp will probably be one of the most luxurious lodges you visit. Basis: DBB
Day 14: Today you get back onto the main roads to start the drive northeast into the Caprivi Strip. The road is long today but in excellent condition. It is also interesting as you will see an incredible change in scenery as you cross north over the veterinary line (this stops diseases from spreading). South of the line, as you will have seen up until know, there are many farms with high fences around. North of the line the fences disappear, and the cattle, donkeys, and chickens roam free. The way of life is more traditional but also harsher in this region with most living in traditional huts. We encourage you to stop at the craft stands by the side of the road and support the local community.
Lodge: Hakusembe River Lodge just opposite Angola will be a beautiful change in scenery for the night. Basis: DBB
Day 15: Not far to drive today! Head to the large town of Rundu and make sure you fill up on fuel as it is often scarce through the Caprivi. You will see that Rundu is a very busy town as there is not much else around. People travel from far to get their essentials here. Continue along the main tar road until you turn off at the almost non-existent town of Divundu and follow the river to Mahangu Safari Lodge. You will probably have time to enter the Mahango National Park this evening. The wildlife in this region is very different to that of Etosha thanks to the presence of lots of water and humidity.
Lodge: Mahangu Safari Lodge is always a pleasure to stay at due to its warm hospitality. Basis: DBB
Day 16: This morning a special treat awaits you, a boat cruise on the Cubango river. This is the perfect way to see hippos and crocodiles up close. You will not have seen these animals elsewhere in Namibia due to the dry climate in all the other regions. Then spend the afternoon in the Mahango National Park and see if you can spot the rare roan antelope. Buffalo, lechwe, and lots of mischievous vervet monkeys can also be found here.
Lodge: Mahangu Safari Lodge. Basis: DBB
Day 17: The adventure through the Caprivi continues. You can either use the nice tar road to get to the lodge quickly today and make the most of the lodge’s beautiful open restaurant along the river and large rooms; or take the slower path through the Bwabwata national park. We do advise caution here as the roads are sandy and you shouldn’t get too close to the elephants. If you are not sure just ask for a guided safari from the lodge, or even better, another boat cruise!
Lodge: Namushasha River Lodge is a beautiful large and open lodge right along the river. Basis: DBB
Day 18: This will be your last day in Namibia. Head to Katima Mulilo, the most eastern large town on Namibia and a crossroads for those travelling from Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Fill up on fuel, you will probably need it by now, then travel to the border post to leave Namibia and enter Botswana. You will still have all afternoon to slowly make your way to Kasane via the beautiful Chobe National Park.
Lodge: Make the most of a fantastic view across the Chobe river at River View Lodge in Kasane, Botswana. Basis: DBB
Day 19: If you got to spend a few hours in Chobe yesterday, we know you will want to go back today! The park has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa and lions and leopards are regularly seen here. Stick to the road along the riverfront to see an incredible array of birds, from pelicans to waders to fish eagles… The river also attracts all the wildlife from the park so this is the best place to be. You will quite likely see herds of hundreds of buffalo, that are often followed by a pride of hungry lions.
Lodge: River View Lodge. Basis: DBB
Day 20: Wake up early this morning as you have an exciting day ahead. A staff member will come and collect your car here so you do not have to pay the exorbitant fees to take it into Zimbabwe. Then a private shuttle will come and collect you to take you across the border into Zimbabwe and into the town of Victoria Falls. The town offers many great places for lunch but we recommend the stunning Victoria Falls Hotel. Then discover the natural world wonder that is Victoria Falls. Take your time to see it from every angle and depending on the time of the year cover up well as you will likely get wet!
Lodge: Your last accommodation is the beautiful Batonka Guest Lodge in the quiet suburbs with rooms looking onto pretty gardens, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Basis: BB
Day 21: Today is your last day in Zimbabwe and you will have a transfer from your hotel to the airport. If you have time, book one of the many activities available around the falls. We recommend the Flight of Angels to see the Falls from above in a helicopter.
Prices from 50600 NAD per person
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