Namibia and Botswana Safaris l Lodge Tour

Introduction:
The Namibia and Botswana Safaris are 12 day sections of the 20 day Cape Town to Victoria Falls tour. If you prefer a bit more comfort while traveling around Africa, this is the tour for you!

This overland group tour departs from Swakopmund in Namibia and ends in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. This tour offers a great combination of wildlife safaris, pure nature and diverse cultures.

Highlights include: Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe, Brandberg, safaris in Etosha National Park, the Bushmen tribe, the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and of course Victoria Falls.  

  • This tour is offered in two travel styles:

1. Accommodated (hotels/ lodges): Clients overnight in a comfortable twin rooms or permanent safari tents, mostly with en-suite bathrooms. As described below

2020 Tour dossier

2. Camping: Clients mostly overnight in comfortable two-man dome tents, with built in mosquito nets and of course a mattress… and a couple of nights are upgraded to budget rooms. Click the link for all the info.

  • The basics:

Hotel/ Lodge option How much
Tour price ZAR 30 750
Single supplement (for single clients) ZAR 4750
Okavango Delta upgrade (optional, see day 7) ZAR 15 460
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How long 12 days
Group size 20 clients max
Start point Swakopmund, Namibia
End point Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Meals Breakfast x 11, Lunch x 11, Dinner x 11
Countries Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe

Included: Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary, transport, registered guides and selected activities as per itinerary.
Excluded: flights, all items of a personal nature, alcohol, snacks, souvenirs, tips and optional activities etc.

  • Day to day description l Namibia and Botswana Safaris l Lodge Tour

Day 1 Swakopmund to Brandberg via Spitzkoppe
Our Namibia and Botswana lodge tour start in Swakopmund, Namibia. Leaving early, we make our way to the massive granite formations of Spitzkoppe which tower 700 metres above the desert plains below. The presence of rock art indicates their significance to the San people who lived here many years ago. We will enjoy a walk with a local guide and have the opportunity to view some examples of the San’s rock art before setting off for our overnight stop for the evening.

Day 2 Brandberg and the White Lady
The Brandberg (meaning Burning Mountain) are regarded as the highest mountains in Namibia and home to the famous White Lady, one of more than 45000 rock paintings in the area. This morning we will make the 1-hour hike to visit the painting that is said to be around 2000 years old. (Please be advised that the hike does traverse rough terrain along the gorge of the normally dry Tsisab River). After exploring the area, we continue our tour to the area of Kamanjab. 

Day 3 Etosha National Park Safari
We rise early this morning and drive to the Etosha National Park. Etosha National Park is the venue for some of the most unique safari experiences in Africa. This afternoon we reach the park and begin with our first game drive (looking for wild animals) as we make our way to the rest camp.

Day 4 Etosha National Park Safari
Our second day in Etosha allows for a full day to continue our safari tour of the park. No day on safari is ever the same and the suspense before that special sighting is the motivation that keeps our eyes wide open. We explore the edges of Etosha Pan in search of the abundant wildlife that occurs in the park.

Day 5 Windhoek
Today we depart for Windhoek. Upon arrival in Windhoek, we will take a short walk through the city centre and have the opportunity to view some its better known landmarks. We overnight halfway between the city and the airport.

Day 6 Ghanzi - Botswana
Today we continue to travel east and make our way to neighbouring Botswana and the Kalahari Desert. Very different to the Namib Desert after which Namibia is named, the Kalahari desert is no less dramatic and covers over 900 000 square kilometres. The San people have long been associated with this harsh environment and tonight we enjoy a dance evening that provides an insight into their culture of song, dance and story-telling.

Day 7 The Okavango Delta
Before we leave Ghanzi, we will enjoy an informative guided walk with the San community. After our walk, we head towards Maun, where upon arrival in Maun this afternoon, you will have the opportunity to go on an optional scenic flight over the Delta (time and weather permitting). This evening our guide will prepare us on what to expect on our full day excursion into the Okavango Delta.

* Those guests who have pre-purchased the Okavango Delta upgrade package will be transferred into the Delta upon arrival in Maun and will re-join the group on the morning of day 9. See all the details here

Day 8 Okavango Delta Excursion
The most rewarding and enjoyable way to explore and experience the beauty and serenity of this intricate system of lily covered channels and lagoons is by mokoro (dugout canoe).  Heading out early, we will be transferred by safari vehicle to the poling station (approximately 1 hour transfer) where we will meet the polers who will be escorting us into the Delta. The polers will steer us through the serene area of narrow, reed lined channels which open out onto beautiful lagoons. Reaching one of the many islands, a nature walk may be taken with your poler. After the walk, we return by mokoro through the channels back to the poling station. While the mokoro trail is not primarily a game viewing activity, a variety of game may be spotted in this pristine wilderness area, including elephant, giraffe, kudu, impala and zebra.

Day 9 Nata
We leave the Okavango Delta and Maun behind us this morning (and re-uniting with those that chose the upgrade package) we make our way towards the town of Nata. We will spend most of the day in our truck as we journey across the northern reaches of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Our activity package will afford us the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon guided game drive (safari) to the Nata Sanctuary, which forms the breeding ground for a host of water birds including pelicans and flamingo in their thousands.

Day 10 Chobe National Park
It's another early morning as we continue north to our lodge on the banks of the Chobe River. This afternoon is set aside for exploring the Chobe National Park. We begin our exploration in 4x4 vehicles, which allows us an up close and personal experience with the many elephants that frequent the river in the afternoons. The afternoon ends with a leisurely boat cruise and a meal served around the campfire. 

Day 11 Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe
With the memories of our wildlife encounters firmly etched in our minds, we cross the border into Zimbabwe this morning and travel the short distance to Victoria Falls. Today you will have the opportunity to visit the spectacular Victoria Falls at your leisure, also known by the local name of “Mosi-oa Tunya” (the smoke that thunders). While much of today is dedicated to viewing the mighty Zambezi River as it drops into the Batoka Gorge below, the bustling adventure town of Victoria Falls also offers a range of optional activities for those wanting a dose of adrenaline in the afternoon. For the more relaxed traveller there are craft markets and coffee shops on offer as well.

Day 12 Victoria Falls
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast and with the many activities on offer in Victoria Falls, today is the perfect day for the adventure that most suits your style. Whether rafting the mighty Zambezi River or enjoying a flight over the Falls, this is your day to enjoy the many attractions on offer in Victoria Falls.

Interested in this tour?


How do I get back home after this tour?

  • Option 1: The day after the tour ends, the overland truck will start a 2 day long Transfer from Victoria Falls, through Botswana, back to Johannesburg. You can then book your international flight back home from Johannesburg.
  • Option 2: Book a flight from Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) to Johannesburg (South Africa). This flight takes around 2 hours. From Johannesburg it should be easy to get an international flight back home.

Before and after the tour services
To help with the planning of your trip, you are more than welcome to book these hotels before and/ or after your tour through us. These hotels are either the starting or end point of your tour, or it will be conveniently close to it. These hotels also offer airport transfers. For information on prices, just click "Hotels and Transfers" at the bottom of this page.

Namibia and Botswana group tour departure point

The Amanpuri Lodge in Swakopmund is a peaceful oasis on the edge of the Namib desert. Enjoy the comfortable beds, spacious rooms, hot showers and free wifi. Amanpuri Lodge is a short 15 minute walk to the center of town and there is a small shop right next to the lodge…

The Namibia and Botswana group tours end in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

The Rainbow Hotel is situated 4km from the town centre of Victoria Falls, far enough away to enjoy the peace and quiet of the bush, but close enough to get into town quite easily if required. There is a complimentary shuttle that operates between the hotel and the town of Vic Falls…