Namibia and Botswana Explorer

The group will meet in Livingstone Zambia, at 14:00 where we have 2 days to explore Victoria Falls, a natural wonder of the world and one of the most enthralling sights in Africa. The mighty Victoria Falls plunges into the Zambezi Gorge and adventure activities abound, you can take part in some of the many optional activities (own expense) on offer in the adrenalin capital of Africa. Overnight chalet. NB: No meals today are included and will be at your own expense.

Meals:  Nil

Today is a free day to visit the Falls, browse the local markets, simply relax or to experience some of the many optional activities including white water rafting, airplane or helicopter flights over the Falls, kayaking and more. (These are optional activities and at your own expense). Overnight chalet. NB : Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch & Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at the lodge or a local restaurant).

Meals:  B

Crossing out of Zambia into the Caprivi strip, we spend two days travelling west through this game rich area. Near Katima Mulilo we explore by boat a permanent lake flooded by the Zambezi River, where we'll witness extraordinary birdlife, and we’ll game drive in the Mahango Game Reserve on the flood plains of the Kavango River. Overnight chalet. NOTE - Driving distances/times - Day 3 - (230 kms, 4 hrs); we travel via Kazungula and Ngoma, crossing briefly through Botswana (the most efficient route). Two border crossings & a lunch stop mean we expect a total travel day of ±5.5hrs. Day 4 - (410kms; 6 hrs); en route we stop for a village walk and expect a travel day of ±8hrs. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a morning enjoying the abundant birdlife that surrounds the camp, our road takes us along the Kavango River. Villages of grass huts and local wooden crafts and carvings a common sight. We stop for the night at our riverside lodge in Rundu and enjoy a spectacular sunset. Overnight chalet. NOTE - Driving distance/time (240 kms, 3.5 hrs); with a couple of stops it's a travel day of less than ±4.5hrs. NB: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at the lodge).

Meals:  B,L

We head deeper into Namibia to the Etosha National Park. The National Park surrounds the Etosha Pan and is locally named “the great white place of dry water”. Waterholes surround the pan and attract game. Etosha is known for great sightings of elephant, antelope and lions. Our lodge lies on the boundary of the park and we spend our mornings and afternoons on game drives. Overnight lodge. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (620 kms, 8 hrs); day 6 is a long transit travel day of ±9.5hrs. The following full day is set aside for game drives in Etosha NP. Day 6 : Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Days 7 & 8: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals:  B,L,D

Our journey covers some beautiful desert landscapes as we move south towards the Brandberg Mountain. Our lodge is situated in the dry Ugab River which is home to the rare desert elephants. We take a walk with a local guide to view the famous White Lady rock painting in the area. Overnight lodge. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (445 kms, 6 hrs); and with a couple of stops on the way it’s a long and varied day of ±9hrs to our overnight stop. NB: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals:  B,L,D

We cross flat open plains to the coast where we visit the Cape Cross seal colony. Further south is the coastal town of Swakopmund where we have a day free to explore the town or try sea kayaking or dune boarding (own expense). German colonial influences are strong in the town of Swakopmund as is reflected in the restaurant menus and the architecture. Overnight guesthouse. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (350 kms; 5 hrs); after a morning walk we have travel day of 8hrs including a visit to Cape Cross. Day 10: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant). Day 11: Breakfast will be provided by the guesthouse; Lunch & Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant).

Meals:  B,L

The parched Namib Desert has endless orange dunes blown into sharp ridges by the sand-shifting wind and at Sossusvlei, they form a gateway into the Namib Desert. We will walk to Sossusvlei (approx 4km), explore Sesriem Canyon and from the comfort of our lodge outside the national park watch dramatic sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes. (If you prefer not to do the 4km walk to Sossusvlei, there is an optional own expense 4WD transfer each way). Overnight lodge. NOTE - Driving distance/time (360 kms, 5 hrs); the desert scenery is varied but the road is rough gravel, so with a few stops it’s a long travel day of ±7hrs. Day 12 : Breakfast will be provided by the guesthouse; Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 13: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals:  B,L,D

Windhoek is the capital and largest city in Namibia, its charm lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people and an interesting mix of modern and German colonial era influenced architecture. We arrive late in the day and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense). Overnight guesthouse. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (345 kms, 5 hrs); starting the day on rough gravel roads we climb the escarpment for a travel day of ±6hrs. NB: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant).

Meals:  B,L

Crossing into Botswana we overnight in huts in the heart of the Kalahari. We take a walk with the local Bushmen to learn fascinating bush skills. Overnight chalet. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (535 kms, 6.5 hrs); an early start, good tarmac road but it's a long way and with border formalities we expect a total travel day of ±7.5hrs. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the guesthouse; Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals:  B,L,D

We head to Maun where we have an evening meal at a local restaurant (own expense). Overnight lodge. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (340 kms, 5 hrs); on a good tarmac road to Maun. After a morning walk, the drive and supply shopping in Maun, it's a travel day of ±6.5hrs. NB: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant).

Meals:  B,L

The Okavango Delta is the only inland delta in the world: the annual flood of fresh water spreads over 15000sq km of the Kalahari sand in a maze of lagoons and channels. We journey into the delta on mokoro (dugouts) - an experience not to be missed. We have 2 nights in our tented camp on a remote island and enjoy game walks, swimming and the birdlife in this pristine wilderness area. Overnight wilderness tented camping - 2 nights tented camp in the Okavango. Each tent has twin camp beds with linen and an en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire. Tents have built-in insect nets. We need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild tented camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. The wilderness tented camp supplies all linen blankets and pillows. The camp chairs have a backrest. You will need to bring your own towel. No Wifi. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (50 kms, 2 hrs); drive to mokoro station. Mokoro ride to camp is dependent on campsite location so overall travel time for the day of ±6.5hrs. Day 17 : Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 18: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals:  B,L,D

The shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi are the size of Switzerland and most of the time appear as a glaring, white, endless plain. When the rain comes a dramatic change takes place as the pans come to life with frantically feeding water birds and great herds of zebra, wildebeest and springbok. Overnight tented lodge or chalet. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (360 kms; 5.5 hrs); Starting with a mokoro ride, a 4x4 transfer and then repacking into the safari vehicle it's a big travel day of ±8hrs. NB: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at the lodge).

Meals:  B,L

We turn north through the Chobe Forest Reserve to Kasane where we settle into our lodge. Chobe National Park is famous for large herds of elephant and buffalo. Our afternoon is spent on an exciting wildlife boat cruise on the Chobe River. Overnight chalet. NOTE - Driving distance/time: (335 kms; 4.5 hrs); We leave early and aim for a midday arrival. Total travel for the day of ±5hrs. NB: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at the lodge).

Meals:  B,L

This morning we transfer across the Zambezi River to Livingstone where the tour ends upon arrival after 12:00 noon. We do a free drop off at Livingstone airport on day 21 at around 12:00pm so you can book your flight out for the last day of the tour. NOTE - Driving distance (70 kms; 1 hr). It's not a long way, but the border can be busy and slow so we anticipate a total travel day of ±3hrs. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch & Dinner are not included and will be at your own expense.

Meals:  B