Namibia to Botswana & Vic Falls Safari Adventure
Summary of this Budget Safari Package
In just 15-days this Windhoek to Victoria Falls Tour swoops from Namib Desert to magnificent falls on a fully serviced camping adventure.
The game viewing highlights – famous Etosha and Chobe national parks; the scenic treasures – Sossusvlei and Spitzkoppe; the cultural experiences – Windhoek, Swakopmund and traditional Caprivi villages. The top wildlife and wilderness gem – the wild Okavango Delta.
Travel from enigmatic red sands and surreal pans to rugged coastline and open plains, before exploring pristine waterways and scenic rivers – Kavango, Kwando, Chobe and lastly, the mighty Zambezi River.
Itinerary for this Tour
Tour Highlights:
- Exploring Sossusvlei Dunes in the Namib Desert
- Optional activities in Swakopmund & Vic Falls
- Game drives in Etosha National Park
- Mokoro trips & walks in the Okavango Delta
- Sunset game viewing cruise on Chobe River
Day 1: Windhoek – Namibia
Let the adventures begin – this afternoon our Namibia to Botswana & Vic Falls Safari kicks off in Windhoek.
Spend the afternoon visiting attractions and seeing the sights of Windhoek, Namibia’s modern and charming capital city. There is plenty to do and see in the small city of Windhoek, with it’s unique blend of European and African cultures.
- Overnight: Hotel accommodation
Day 2 & 3: Namib Desert (Sesriem & Sossusvlei) – Namibia
On day two we meet up in the hotel reception area at 10h00 and set off for the ancient Namib Desert.
We spend the next two nights at a camp on the fringes of the ancient Namib Desert, one of the oldest and largest deserts in the world. Sunsets in the Namib are usually spectacular, so we end the day off with a sunset walk in the dunes around our camp.
We get an early morning start on day three, heading into the red-orange dune fields of Sossusvlei. Driving deeper into the Namib Desert we get to watch the shifting shadows and changing hues of the undulating dunes in the early morning light. Our drive is followed by a 5km walk to Deadvlei and Sossusvlei – the most iconic landscapes of Namibia. Spend some time taking photos and soaking up the surreal scenery of the striking pans dotted with skeletal trees amid tall ochre dunes. The arid dunes of Sossusvlei are amongst the tallest in the world – a remarkable sight!
In the afternoon we enjoy a short hike in the Sesriem Canyon, a narrow gorge where age-old sedimentary rock layers are revealed.
- Overnight: Serviced Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Swakopmund – Namibia
Leaving the endless sand dunes of the Namib Desert behind we make our way to Walvis Bay, on the coast of Namibia. Here we pause for lunch at the lagoon which attracts an array of birdlife, often including large flocks of flamingoes.
This afternoon you are free to begin exploring Swakopmund – Namibia’s prime beach holiday destination. Swakopmund has been dubbed ‘the adventure capital of Namibia given the impressive mix of adventure activities on offer in and around the coastal town.
The following morning is also set aside for sightseeing and optional adventure activities in Swakopmund. You can explore the town on foot, taking in the colonial German architecture and cultural influences, sampling the local cuisine and relaxing at a sidewalk cafe. Or visit a few of the historic attractions, museums and the aquarium, walk along the beach or embark on a dolphin cruise. For the more adventurous spirit options include scenic flights, sand boarding, quad biking and skydiving.
- Overnight: Guesthouse accommodation
- Breakfast & Lunch
Day 5: Spitzkoppe – Namibia
From Swakopmund we travel northeast to the Spitzkoppe Massif, arriving in time for lunch. After setting up camp amid the granite boulders you can take a walk in this stark and remote area.
Spitzkoppe is one of the most famous landmarks of Namibia, protruding from the flat plains in a striking group of ochre rock formations.
- Overnight: Serviced Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 6 & 7: Etosha National Park – Namibia
On day six we make our way into Etosha National Park, game viewing en route to our overnight camp – Okaukuejo Restcamp. This evening you can watch wildlife at the floodlit watering hole which attracts elephants, rhinos, lions, hyenas and various antelopes, amongst others.
Day seven is spent searching for wildlife in Etosha, one of Africa’s top game reserves. Vast parts of Etosha consist of the dry, salt pan the national park is named after, providing a dramatic setting for wildlife spotting.
On our morning and afternoon game drives wildlife sightings include zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, lions and elephants, as well as antelope species, such as blue wildebeest, springbok and kudu. We spend our second night in Etosha at Namutoni Restcamp, also featuring a floodlit waterhole visited by animals and birds.
- Overnight: Serviced Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Rundu & Kavango River – Namibia
Today we are up early for a final game drive in Etosha Park. Leaving Etosha we drive northeast to the town of Rundu, located along the Kavango River. Tonight we camp on the lush banks of the Kavango River in the far north of Namibia.
- Overnight: Serviced Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9 & 10: Okavango Delta – Botswana
We drive to the fringes of the Okavango Delta today, passing through part of the fertile Caprivi Strip on our way into Botswana. Then we take a boat ride to Pepere Island, lasting between two and three hours.
On day 10 we venture into the wild delta in mokoro canoes, motorboats and on foot. Local guides pole you along the waterways in these traditional-style dugout boats – a relaxing way to enjoy the unspoilt scenery and spot wildlife, birds and other creatures. We take a nature walk in Pepere and the smaller islands nearby, zooming in on the flora and fauna of the diverse Okavango Delta.
In the delta we sleep in permanent safari tents (meru-style) with shared ablution facilities. Simply being in the untamed delta environment is a unique and memorable experience, so slow down and enjoy mother nature in peace.
- Overnight: Permanent Tented Accommodated
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Kwando River – Namibia
Time to leave the watery Okavango Delta; transferring back to the vehicle by boat and returning to the Caprivi region of Namibia overland.
Our drive takes us via a few traditional villages in rural Caprivi, enabling us to browse and buy handwoven goods. Reaching the winding Kwando River in central Caprivi, we set up camp for the night.
- Overnight: Serviced Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12 & 13: Chobe River – Botswana
On to our last wilderness area – Chobe National Park, back in game-rich Botswana. Chobe is best-known for its large elephant herds, hosting one of the densest populations in Africa. The national park is also renowned for its game viewing boat cruises, spectacular sunsets and lovely landscapes. Travelling through Chobe Park we look out for wildlife as we head to the Chobe River where we camp for the night.
You have the option of beginning day 13 with a morning game drive (extra cost) – an excellent opportunity to see animals and birds further from the river. On the afternoon of day 13 we embark on a laid-back boat cruise along Chobe River, taking in the riverine scenery, bird watching and game spotting. Hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalos, warthogs, baboons and various antelopes are frequently seen on the boat cruises, as well as an impressive array of birds, including African fish eagles, goliath herons, bee-eaters, marabou storks and kingfishers.
- Overnight: Serviced Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
Breakfast on day 14 is followed by our last drive, which takes us into Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, we head to our final stop – the legendary Victoria Falls.
There are no scheduled group activities at the world famous Victoria Falls, leaving you free to choose how to enjoy your time here. A visit to the massive Victoria Falls waterfall is a must – an unforgettable experience!
You can walk around the historic town of Victoria Falls and visit the local markets, or get your heart racing on various adventure activities (extra cost). Top choices include white water rafting on the Zambezi River, bungee jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge and taking scenic flights over the waterfall in a helicopter, microlight or small plane.
- Overnight: Hotel accommodation (or similar)
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 15: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
On day 15 we have breakfast together and say our farewells, having shared a remarkable journey from the Namib to Vic Falls.
- Meals included: Breakfast
Please Note:
This tour also runs in the reverse order from Victoria Falls to Windhoek (following the same itinerary, but in the opposite direction), for the same price, but on different dates.
Pre-tour accommodation in Windhoek and post-tour accommodation in Victoria Falls, as well as return airport transfers can be pre-booked through African Budget Safaris. For more details contact us.
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