ACCOMMODATED SAFARI: Travel overland from Livingstone in Zambia to Swakopmund on Namibia's Skeleton Coast. Visit the spectacular Victoria Falls and ride a mokoro through Botswana's beautiful Okavango Delta. Cruise the Chobe River and spot wildlife on game drives in Chobe and Etosha National Park. Take a bushwalk with the San Bushmen, admire iconic Spitzkoppe and more, on this 12 day African adventure.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Welcome to Zambia!
Welcome to Livingstone! Today we enjoy an included visit to Mosi Oa Tunya National Park to see the spectacular Victoria Falls. It's one of Africa's finest natural wonders and you can feel the spray even when standing quite far away! You may have time for some optional activities in Livingstone, such as river cruises on the Zambezi and white water rafting - make sure to arrive a few days early if you would like to enjoy these activities.
Please note: Please arrive in Livingstone at least one night before your tour, to ensure you have time to visit Victoria Falls. There will be a pre-departure meeting at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. Refer to the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. We can book a Livingstone Airport arrival transfer and pre-tour accommodation upon request.
Overnight: Livingstone
Chobe River Cruise
Livingstone - Chobe National Park (Botswana). Say goodbye to Zambia as we cross into Botswana today and make the short journey to Kasane, gateway to Chobe National Park. Botswana's premier game reserve is home to all of the Big Five as well as abundant bird life, including the rare African Fish Eagle. This afternoon we enjoy a cruise on the Chobe River, hoping to see elephants, hippos, and crocodiles on the river banks.
Overnight: Kasane | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park - Nata. This morning we enjoy an open vehicle game drive in Chobe National Park, where we hope to spot not only elephants that are so prolific in the park, but also lion and different antelope species.
Bidding farewell to Chobe, we travel south into the Nata region of Botswana. We're likely to spot species such as buffalo as we drive through this sparsely populated region. Our campsite tonight is unfenced, meaning local wildlife is free to wander through camp - our groups often enjoy some of their best wildlife experiences here.
Overnight: Nata Region | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Maun
Nata - Maun. Today sees us travelling to Maun, our base for exploring the famed Okavango Delta. If time allows, there is the opportunity for you to take a scenic flight over the delta - if we haven't got time today then this opportunity will be offered on day 30 instead.
Overnight: Maun | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Okavango Delta
Maun - Okavango Delta - Maun. On day 5 we enjoy our overnight excursion in specialized safari vehicles into the Okavango Delta. The delta is a natural wetland spread out over more than 1.6 million hectares, home to an incredible diversity of life. Reaching the mokoro polers station, we transfer to these traditional canoes and paddle along the waterways of the delta to our campsite, which is located in the delta itself.
Day 6 sees us enjoying another mokoro ride back out of the delta before returning to Maun, where there is time for the optional scenic flight if we didn't have time for this on day 4.
Overnight: Okavango Delta (1), Maun (1) | Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2
Hello, Namibia
Maun - Gobabis (Namibia). Boarding our overland truck, we travel to the Namibian border via Ghanzi, skirting the edge of the barren Kalahari Desert. Having crossed the border, we reach our campsite, and there is an included bush walk with the local San Bushmen, during which we can learn about the way of life for this ancient tribe and discover how they work with, rather than against nature - something we can all learn from! Please note this activity may take place on day 8 instead, depending on our arrival time.
Overnight: Gobabis region | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Windhoek
Gobabis - Windhoek. Today we arrive in Namibia's charming capital. Windhoek is a tiny capital by global standards, with a population of just 470,000 people. It has lots of German architecture, a reminder of Namibia's early colonial past. Our camp is located on the edge of the city, and it is easy to head in to grab a bite to eat and have a wander around if you wish. We recommend a drink at Joe's Beerhouse, perhaps the most famous restaurant in Namibia. Please note that some group members may be starting their tour in Windhoek.
Overnight: Windhoek | Breakfast, Lunch
Etosha National Park
Windhoek - Etosha National Park. The next two days will be spent exploring Namibia's iconic Etosha National Park. This 20,000 square kilometre reserve is dominated by a salt pan, which floods seasonally but is also home to a select few watering holes all year round. Wildlife is easy to spot as the animals tend to gather around these scarce water sources.
We spend two nights in the park, and our itinerary is flexible depending on the conditions and the location of wildlife. We'll generally enjoy a short game drive on day 9 before spending our first night at a camp with a floodlit watering hole. Here you may be lucky enough to spot elephants, giraffe, hyenas and even lions.
Day 10 is spent on a full day's game drive across the park, stopping whenever we see anything of interest. We will either return to our first camp, or perhaps a different one, depending on your tour leader's decision.
Overnight: Etosha National Park | Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2
Spitzkoppe
Etosha National Park - Spitzkoppe. Leaving Etosha, we head into the Damaraland region and our destination - Spitzkoppe. At this mountain peak, you can see incredibly well-preserved bushmen paintings and spectacular rock formations reaching 1800 metres above sea level. As the sun moves across the sky, the rocks change colour, a sight that is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. We'll be staying at a campsite at the base of the mountain, so you can enjoy this sunset with a refreshing drink.
Overnight: Spitzkoppe | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Swakopmund
Spitzkoppe - Swakopmund. This morning we drive to Swakopmund, a German colonial town located on Namibia's famous Skeleton Coast. Our tour ends upon arrival, early this afternoon.
Please note: We recommend spending at least one night in Swakopmund. Post tour accommodation and a transfer to Walvis Bay Airport can be arranged through your tour leader locally or booked in advance. There's also lots of optional activities available in Swakopmund including quad-biking, sand boarding, skydiving, and dolphin-watching cruises. See the Trip Notes for further details.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departures are guaranteed to operate when there are 6 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are applicable to solo travellers, who will share a room with another traveller of the same sex. All accommodation is on a twin share basis.
Local payment - $390pp, paid in USD
Please note that this is payable locally on day 1 of your trip in the currency specified.
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
The Victoria Falls Waterfront (chalets), Livingstone
Just a few kilometres from one of Africa's finest natural wonders and found within Mosi oa Tunya National Park, The Victoria Falls Waterfront is an excellent base for discovering the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. Basic chalets are located beside the Luangwa River, in the gardens of the Victoria Falls Waterfront. Boasting air-conditioning, mini-bar, TV, and ensuite facilities with private verandah. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the property, an outdoor pool, restaurant, bar and activity centre offering different experiences at the falls.
Thebe River Lodge (chalets), Kasane
Overlooking the Chobe River, this lodge complements the surrounding bush with its rustic design. Its guestrooms are nestled around a courtyard and offer free WiFi, air conditioning and an ensuite. Guests will also enjoy the swimming pool and hearty meals at the Thebe Restaurant. With both covered and al fresco dining areas, this restaurant boasts a wood-fire pizza oven and one of the best breakfasts in town. The bar’s buzzing atmosphere draws both visitors and locals, serving cold beverages alongside a satellite TV for you to catch up on the latest international news and sports.
Elephant Sands (chalets), Nata Region
Set on an unfenced 16,000-hectare private conservancy, this bush lodge brings you face to face with some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife. View elephants as they come to drink from the natural waterhole just meters away. The guestrooms are arranged in spacious chalets and equipped with ensuite bathrooms. A restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a bar offering a range of local and international wines, beers and exotic cocktails. You can also enjoy the small outdoor pool, where you can cool off and enjoy the peace and serenity of the African bush.
Delta Rain's Sitatunga Camp (chalets), Maun
A series of chalets located in shaded gardens away from the hustle and bustle of Maun. Delta Rain's Sitatunga Camp offers travellers an a la carte restaurant, shared lounge, bar and sun terrace. There is free Wi-Fi in communal areas. Chalets come with ensuite bathrooms, ceiling fans and some have air-conditioning. There is also a communal swimming pool for guests to enjoy.
Elephant Camp (permanent tents), Okavango Delta
Located on the boundary of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Elephant Bush Camp is a rustic base for exploring the wildlife-rich Delta. There is an onsite dining area and pool, but the real charm here is the location, with elephants and other wildlife known to get very close to camp. 12 permanent tents form the accommodation, with ensuite bush bathroom including bucket showers. Optional activities including game walks and mokoro canoe trips can be booked onsite.
Zelda's Guest Farm (chalets), Gobabis
Situated 25km from the border with Botswana, Zelda's Guest Farm houses 16 simply furnished ensuite chalets. Facilities available to guests include a restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Resident Nharo San families can also introduce guests to their traditional culture. There's a small watering hole onsite and additional game drives and bushman walks can be booked at reception.
Urban Camp (permanent tents), Windhoek
Centrally located in Windhoek (a short walk from the legendary Joe's Beerhouse restaurant), Urban Camp combines city convenience with a quiet getaway. Free Wi-Fi and a sparkling pool all contribute to an oasis of calm. Permanent tents come with a private patio and BBQ area with garden views. Nearby is a small shopping centre for amenities, and for sightseers looking to explore the history and architecture of Windhoek, the city centre is less than 2km away.
Okaukuejo Camp (chalets), Etosha National Park
Featuring a large number of ensuite chalets, the highlight of Okaukuejo Camp is probably the floodlit watering hole, where it is possible to see all manner of animals close up, including elephants, black rhino and antelope. There's also an onsite swimming pool, shop, bar and restaurant serving daily buffet breakfast and other meals. Ensuite rooms feature a fridge as well as tea and coffee-making facilities.
Namutoni Rest Camp, Etosha National Park
Refurbished in 2007, Namutoni Rest Camp offers a luxury camp within Etosha National Park. Rooms are tastefully decorated all with private terraces to the front and rear. Namutoni is home to the famous German fort which overlooks the King Nehale waterhole. There are also a number of shops and restaurants for guests to enjoy. On an evening why not head up the wooden walkway to the water hole and watch the animals come down to drink. This resort can be found on the eastern side of world famous Etosha National Park.
Spitzkoppe Community Rest Camp (campsite), Spitzkoppe
Staying in the shadow of the dramatic Spitzkoppe rock formations is a memorable experience, and at the Spitzkoppe Community Rest Camp you can enjoy this experience knowing that the proceeds from your stay go straight to supporting the local community. Although there is no electricity or Wi-Fi at this remote camp, guests can enjoy hot showers and there are shared bathroom facilities. There is a small onsite bar and restaurant, and braai BBQ facilities are also provided.