Namibia & Botswana: Dunes to Delta
Itinerary
Day 1-2 – Overnight flight from the UK – Windhoek
After your international flight, you will usually arrive in Windhoek in the morning. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation, which will take around 45 minutes. On your journey, you will get your first glimpse of Namibia’s open and arid landscapes, winding through wide stretches of savannah grasslands until you start to see the distant mountain ranges that surround Windhoek. You will spend your first night in a small, charming hotel set in serene gardens where you will be given a walking route to the local area. If you’re in the mood for exploring, the route takes you past colonial buildings and traditional coffee shops, but if you’d rather rest and recover from your flight, of course, you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings by the pool and settle into Namibia.
Day 3 – Windheok – Sossusvlei
After a traditional Namibian breakfast, you’ll meet our local representative who will give you an extensive information package for your trip with tips and answer any questions before you set off. They’ll tell you all about the roads, driving on gravel, excursion options and most importantly – the best restaurants. Then you’ll receive your rental car and it’s time to set off.
You will drive around 5 hours from Windhoek to Sossusvlei, one of the most iconic landscapes in Africa. To truly immerse yourself in the unique surroundings, you’ll be staying at an eco-friendly desert camp with 360-degree views of the vast desert landscape. Your accommodation is a self-catering lodge, including a kitchenette and barbeque area, with the bonus of a swimming pool. Enjoy a traditional home-cooked African dinner tonight as the sounds of the desert buzz around you.
Day 4 – Exploring the dunes and wine-tasting
If you want to experience the Sossusvlei at its best, make sure you are at the entrance before sunrise. It is an early rise, but the morning sun painting the desert in a deep red glow creates an incredible visual effect that’s well worth the effort. You won’t see the sunrise from the top of the dunes, however, the sunlight on the dunes is a magical sight. Explore the towering dunes, some of which are the tallest in the world, as their colours switch from deep red and orange to light pink and experience the striking contrast against the central white clay pan. Between the dunes lies the area named Deadvlei, famous for its bizarrely shaped trees that have been dead for over 900 years but are unable to decompose due to the extreme dryness of the desert. This surreal sight creates a hauntingly beautiful landscape which is one of the most photographed places in the world.
After experiencing the dramatic landscapes of the Sossusvlei, it’s time to relax with a good glass of wine…tonight, you’ll be staying on a wine farm. First, it’s time for a tour of the wine cellar, with lots of tasting opportunities of course! Wine tasting here is a celebration of Namibian hospitality and food, often pairing the drinks with local dishes or snacks.
Day 5 – Sossusvlei – Swakopmund
After driving for around five and a half hours, passing magical moonscape-like scenes, you’ll arrive at the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, where the former German colonial influences are still clearly visible with apple strudel and street signs being prime examples of this. There’s no need for the car while you’re here, as everything is easily reachable by foot. You’ll be staying at a small, homely B&B within walking distance of the town centre and the beach. Swakopmund is known as the ‘adventure capital’ of Namibia and is renowned for outdoor activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, skydiving and many other water-based activities. Enjoy a relaxed evening exploring the local area before getting adventurous tomorrow.
Day 6 – Kayaking with sea lions
Today you’ll be heading out onto the water in search of the huge colony of sea lions located just off the coast. There are around 15,000 of these playful mammals, so spotting them is almost guaranteed. Sea lions are curious creatures and they will often swim up to your kayak to greet you but don’t be alarmed they’re well used to interactions with humans and your experienced guide is there to keep you safe with minimal disturbance to the wildlife. In addition to sea lions, there’s a chance you may also spot dolphins and seabirds and, during migration season, you may even be lucky enough to encounter whales.
Swakopmund is truly the place to be for outdoor activities in Namibia. We have some optional tours at the bottom of this page if you fancy another adventurous excursion. Join a catamaran dolphin tour, try sandboarding through the dunes or explore a local township and visit a lively market.
Day 7 – Overnight stop in Brandberg
As the next destination of Damaraland is quite a long drive away, we will plan an overnight stay to break up the journey. This is in the Twijfelfontein/Brandberg region. Not only does this prevent a long travel day, but there are a few nice stops along the way that you would otherwise not have time for. Soon you’ll spot the huge Brandberg Mountain looming in the distance, at 2,500m high this is Namibia’s highest peak and as you get closer, you will notice the blackened rocks. You will spend the night in a rustic retreat, nestled at the foot of Brandberg Mountain. We use various lodges here that are particularly special because of their location in the rocky desert. Don’t be surprised if a family of elephants comes to visit.
Day 8 – Travel to Damaraland
Today you will be journeying around four hours through Namibia’s varied terrains, from the vast open plains of the Namib Desert, passing rolling hills and dry riverbeds, before arriving in rugged Damaraland. On arrival into this region, you will be met with dramatic landscapes, rolling plains, and striking mountains. You’ll pass through a green mountain pass to reach the ‘Grootberg’ which is the highest point in the area. Here, you will find your accommodation for the next two nights – a stone bungalow on top of the mountain. From your veranda, you can look out over the Kilp River Valley and enjoy the incredible panoramic views.
Day 9 – Elephant trekking
This morning you will enjoy an early breakfast, before heading off in search of the African desert elephant. These magnificent creatures travel enormous distances in search of food and water and they can be difficult to find in this vast landscape. Therefore, we will arrange for two rangers to go ahead of you and track the elephants, while you take a game drive through the desert where there is plenty of other wildlife to observe. Once the trackers locate the elephants, you will leave the 4×4 and go into the bushes on foot with the rangers, this way you can observe the elephants in their natural environment without disturbing them. When the leaves rustle and your guide gives you the nod, you’ll find yourself just meters away, seeing and hearing these impressive animals up close. Sightings are never guaranteed, but there is always a high chance. You will explore the local farms and villages and learn more about the local people and their way of life, before enjoying a tasty lunch and heading back to your accommodation.
Day 10 – Onto Etosha National Park
Enjoy your final breakfast and soak in the incredible views one last time, as you will be leaving Damaraland today and heading on to your next destination. You will be travelling around four hours to the largest national park in Namibia, where you will stay within the park for the next two nights. Your accommodation is known as the hub for wildlife enthusiasts and has a floodlit waterhole that attracts a huge range of animals, especially during the dry season that you can observe day and night. You can buy a map from the park’s entrance and go in search of roaring lions and graceful giraffes from the comfort of your rental car. In the scorching midday sun, most animals seek shelter in the shade which is a great opportunity to take a dip in the swimming pool at your camp. At the end of the day, many animals enjoy visiting the waterhole for a drink so this can be a great time for wildlife spotting after your swim and into the night as the waterhole is illuminated.
Etosha is very popular, and the camps in the park can get booked up very far in advance. If there is no room in the park, we will reserve both nights in our small-scale lodges outside the park.
Days 11-12 – Safari in Etosha National Park
It’s worth setting your alarm early this morning, to catch the first light, when the animals are at their most active. You have two full days to search for the big 4, so take it slow and explore the unpaved roads, looking out for any movement in the bushes. If you’re travelling during the dry season (our autumn), large herds of game gather at the waterhole and if you’re lucky you will witness an incredible moment where all species come together (although most animals make way for the elephants to show themselves, just to be on the safe side).
At the end of day three, you will check out of your safari camp and head to the east of the park, where you will stay in a beautiful safari lodge just outside Etosha National Park. The lodge is smaller than the previous nights, and family-run which makes for a more homely, intimate atmosphere for your final night in this region.
Day 13 – Arrival at the homestead
Next, you will drive two hours north to the ‘inhabited’ world of Namibia where more than half the total population lives, passing villages where local people lead a self-sufficient life in a traditional way and goats, zinc huts, bars and food stalls line the streets. In the afternoon, you will arrive at your small-scale African lodge with a private bathroom. The lodge borders directly with a homestead that was set up by an Owambo couple keen to introduce you to their community and tomorrow you will help with their daily activities and learn more about life here. Your dinner is included so end the day with a tasty meal and a cold beer at the local shebeen, a colourful pub where you will soon bond with the friendly Owambos.
Day 14 – Helping out on the homestead
Rise early this morning and after enjoying a hearty breakfast, you will be helping the owner of the lodge with whichever activities are needed that day. One of the most important jobs of the Owambo is pounding maize for porridge and herding cattle, but you can also help with pottery or basket weaving. If you choose to take part in the latter, you may even get a souvenir to take home with you.
If you still have energy left in the tank after the morning’s activities, you can visit the local arts & crafts market in a nearby village or visit a bottle recycling project where 450 orphans are being cared for. Spend the evening enjoying another tasty dinner and relaxing around the campfire.
Day 15 – Head north to Rundu
Today, set off on a five-hour drive to the vibrant town of Rundu on the Okavango River. Rundu is known for its wood carvings, particularly masks, animal figures and traditional utensils and the Rundu Open Market is a great place to find these handmade crafts and connect with the local people. You will spend the night at an intimate lodge with a thatched roof and a private veranda from which you can see Angola across the river. Enjoy taking a dip in the swimming pool, or cruising on the river by boat.
Day 16 – Caprivi village walk
This morning, after a tasty breakfast, you will drive into the Caprivi in search of the real Africa. You will pass traditional African huts made of mud, wood and reeds, and local artists weaving baskets and creating wood carvings. With a local guide, you’ll explore the village and learn about rural life, connecting with locals as they go about their daily lives. Afterwards, you can try one of the local beers in a nearby shop. Tonight, you will stay in a lodge near Popa Falls, on the banks of the river, surrounded by lush vegetation and the soothing sounds of the flowing river. If you have time you can visit the nearby falls, to see the river cascading over the rocks and if you’re lucky you may even spot a grunting hippo or a crocodile drifting along the river’s edge.
Mahango National Park is also nearby and well worth visiting for its rich diversity of wildlife, and a more secluded atmosphere compared to the larger reserves. If you would like to explore the park, we recommend staying another night, which we can arrange for you.
Day 17 – Travel to Kasane
Today you will drive along a dusty road until you reach the small town of Kasane, on the edge of Chobe National Park and the meeting point between Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. For the next three nights, you will be staying in a charming family-owned guest lodge, under a thatched roof, right on the Chobe River. We won’t make any plans for the rest of today, so you’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy a drink by the river – you might even see elephants bathing.
Day 18 – Chobe National Park and sunset boat cruise
Today it’s time to head out and explore Chobe National Park. As one of Africa’s most prominent wildlife destinations, Chobe has an incredible amount of animals, including one of the largest populations of elephants in Africa (more than 50,000). As this park puts nature first, you won’t find asphalt roads, fences and few checkpoints. Chobe always prioritises low-impact, high-value tourism, ensuring conservation and maintaining the natural environment. You will be given an extensive map that helps guide you through the park, taking you along the river to Savuti, a dried-up swamp transformed into a vast grassland. You may find zebra, wildebeest and buffalo here, and, if you’re lucky you may spot one of the many lions that live in Savuti.
Tonight, you will experience a memorable boat cruise on the Chobe River for a completely different perspective of the area. As the sun sets behind you, the river banks come alive with wildlife, herds of elephants gather for a drink, and hippos emerge from the river for their evening forage. Get your camera ready, as close encounters are more common here(the animals are often more relaxed by the river).
Driving a 4×4 vehicle through Chobe and Moremi
It’s important to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, as you need it here. Driving through the parks is an adventure in itself and an extremely rewarding way to explore Botswana’s incredible landscapes and wildlife. However, as you will be driving on unpaved roads, through loose sand and roads with large holes, it’s important to be confident with these conditions. Depending on the season you are travelling, the ground can also be very wet and unstable (after the rainy season April-June). If you’d prefer a private driver to navigate the roads for you, we can arrange this, just let your travel specialist know.
Day 19 – Kasane – Victoria Falls
You will be collected from your lodge in Kasane and travel over the border into Zimbabwe, where you will be visiting the mighty Victoria Falls. What feels like just a river crossing, is actually a land border and it can get quite busy, but the journey to the border usually only takes around 20 minutes. After paying $30 USD for your Zimbabwe visa and $50 USD for your park entrance fees, your Zimbabwean guide will be waiting for you. He will take you to the ‘Smoke that Thunders’ where you will be introduced to one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls. During the rainy season, the falls release over 500 million litres of water per minute, which as you can imagine, creates a huge amount of spray which can be seen for miles (hence the name). After exploring this incredible natural wonder, you’ll be taken back to Kasane and spend another night at the same lodge.
Day 20 – Kasane – Okavango Delta
Today you will travel to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. The town is fairly touristy due to its location between Moremi and the delta, however, the atmosphere is relaxed and travellers are all excited to share their safari experiences. You will stay in a homely eco-lodge located on the river banks, just outside the centre. The lodge is built in safari style with a thatched roof and there is a bar and restaurant with a river view which is ideal for watching boats sailing towards Chobe National Park while enjoying a drink. Enjoy a relaxed evening at the restaurant or head out and explore one of the restaurants on the main street, where you can soak in the enthusiastic atmosphere with other travellers.
Day 21 – Okavango Delta Mokoro tour and scenic flight
Today you will explore the largest delta on the African continent by traditional mokoro (canoe). For hundreds of years, the mokoro has been used as a means of transport, therefore it’s the perfect way to travel along this wetland. Your guide will use a long pole to push against the river bed and manoeuvre you through the shallow water. Along the way, you will stop for a picnic lunch and a short walk where you might be lucky enough to spot zebra or giraffes. The tracks can get quite muddy and swampy in some places so bear that in mind when deciding on footwear for this excursion, it’s all part of the fun.
This afternoon, you’ll trade solid ground for a unique perspective of the Okavango Delta on a scenic flight. Witness the winding network of channels, lagoons and floodplains that create beautiful patterns below. As the plane is designed for low altitude, you’ll likely spot wildlife including elephants, buffalo, giraffes and hippos crossing the waterways which is a breathtaking sight.
Day 22 – Okavango Delta – Ghanzi
Before heading back to Windhoek, there is one final stop to break up your journey: a private game reserve in the western Kalahari Desert. Here, you’ll stay in a homely lodge surrounded by lush gardens and vast stretches of savannah grasslands, 10 minutes from the small town of Ghanzi. While you’re here you can arrange a hike with the local San Bushmen, where you will discover how they use plants for food and medicine, learn about their traditional dancing and get an insight into the indigenous way of life – a truly immersive cultural experience.
Day 23 – Ghanzi – Windhoek
This morning you will start your drive back to where it all started – Windhoek. You will spend the night in a small, charming hotel set in serene gardens where you can explore more of the local area. If you’re looking to relax before your flight tomorrow, you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and soak in your last moments in Namibia. The following day you will drive to the airport to return your trusty hire car and catch your international flight back home, full of gratitude and memories that will last forever.
Accommodation
