Namibia & Botswana: Dunes & Delta

The tour starts in Windhoek. Those on group flights will be picked up at the

airport and we will drive into town for an hour or so. In town everyone will

have a chance to change money and pick up any supplies they may need. We will

then drive to our lodge. The afternoon can be spent exploring or relaxing.



*Arebbusch Lodge or similar*

Leaving Windhoek behind, we drive east towards Botswana. Our destination

today is Ghanzi, a small town located in the middle of the Kalahari Desert.

Late in the afternoon we join San bushmen on a two hour walk into the bush

and learn first-hand how to survive in this arid environment. In the process

will learn more about San culture and the wildness that they live in.

(driving 530kms/6.5hrs)

Today we travel into the Okavango Delta. Following lunch and a welcome

briefing, we board mokoros and make our way to our camp in the delta

(depending on water levels we may drive in a 4x4). You will need to pack

light for the next three days as all luggage will go to camp using mokoros.

Camp will be set up and ready for us on arrival and we will meet the local

staff who will be our hosts for the next few days. The camp is made up of

dome tents fitted with camp beds and en suite bathrooms as well as a mess

tent. Camping allows us to experience Africa at its fullest, with the sounds

of the delta all around us and some of the best views of the Milky Way that

you are likely to see. (driving 300kms/3.5hrs)

The Okavango Delta is one the largest inland deltas in the world and unusual

because the water never reaches the sea. Instead the Okavango River empties

onto open land, creating a unique and ever-changing wetland wilderness.

Year-round the delta is home to a vast array of animals including elephants,

lions and hippos though numbers reach their peak during the drier winter

months.



We get up early this morning for breakfast and then spend the rest of the day

exploring the waterways and islands by mokoro and on foot. This evening we

can enjoy sundowners and following dinner, relax around the camp fire looking

back on a day well spent.

After another early start, we enjoy one final explore of the surrounding

delta before returning to our collection point by mokoro. Following lunch, we

drive to the town of Maun where we have a free afternoon to relax or enjoy

one of the many optional activities that are available here such as scenic

flights or helicopter rides.

Today we have a relaxed morning before heading to the northern part of the

Okavango Delta. Leaving our vehicle behind again, we take a 4x4 transfer to

our lodge which is located on the banks of the delta. The area is a bird

watchers’ haven and there is also the option of a boat ride in the

afternoon. (driving 480kms/5hrs)

We continue our journey north and cross back into Namibia through the Mohembo

border post. From here we travel in Mahango National Park which is home to a

variety of wildlife including elephants, which can commonly be seen from the

side of the road. Our drive along the Caprivi Strip will then take us to the

small town of Rundu, situated on the Okavango River close to the Angolan

border. This town will be our home for the evening. (driving 400kms/5hrs)

Our destination for today is Etosha National Park. We should arrive at Etosha

in time for a late afternoon game drive before heading to our accommodation

for the night. While we are here, we typically stay within the park on some

or all of the nights (subject to availability) and some of these are located

next to waterholes. These camps also offer optional night drives which you

can book and pay for on arrival. (driving 450kms/5hrs)

In complete contrast to the Okavango Delta, Etosha National Park is a

relatively arid wilderness of mixed forest and grassland centred around a

large salt pan. Etosha is scattered with waterholes where the park’s great

variety of animals congregate to drink, making them fairly easy to find.

Zebra, giraffe, cheetah, elephant and lion are all present and the park is

also home to a number of black rhino. Additionally, Etosha is a good place

for birds, with plenty of water birds on the lakes and weaverbirds and

hornbills in the trees.

Leaving Etosha behind, we stop by the small town of Outjo before continuing

our journey towards Namibia’s highest mountain, Brandberg, in Damaraland.

The Damaraland area is famous for the desert elephants which roam in the Ugab

River. Star gazing is normally spectacular from this remote area. (driving

380kms/5hrs)

We begin our day with a short drive to Brandberg, where we will enjoy a walk

through valley 45 for approximately 1.5 hours. Along the way we will view

beautiful, granite rock formations and a variety of birdlife. The valley

takes us to the famous ‘White Lady’ rock painting which, along with a

number of other small paintings and engravings, are thought to have been left

by Bushmen at least 2000 years ago. Afterwards we head towards the Atlantic

Ocean to the coastal town of Swakopmund, a small German colonial resort town

with quaint cake shops and coffee houses and a centre for adrenaline

activities. (driving 300kms/5.5hrs)

Today is a free day to enjoy one of the many optional activities on offer in

and around town. At sea you can go deep-sea fishing, in the desert you can go

sand-boarding and quad-biking and in the sky you can fly over the skeleton

coast. Or if none of these appeal you can spend the day enjoying the

fantastic Viennese style cakes, walk along the beach or in the nearby dunes

or just enjoy watching the world go-by in this town which seems strangely out

of place in Africa.

After breakfast we visit nearby Walvis Bay where we should hopefully see

flamingos. Our journey then takes us through the Namib-Naukluft National Park

– home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on Earth. The park contains

some spectacular desert scenery and there will be photo opportunities along

the way. (driving 340kms/5hrs)

We have an early start this morning so we can see the tallest sand dunes in

the world in the morning light. We also have the opportunity to climb one of

the dunes for fantastic views of the surrounding area. Afterwards, we can

either walk to Hiddenvlei or take a transfer (optional extra) to Deadvlei

where ancient acacia trees in the desert form an eerie scene. If we’re

lucky we may see gemsbok or ostrich among the sand dunes. In the afternoon we

take a walk in Sesriem Canyon before returning to our accommodation and in

the evening we enjoy our final dinner together. (driving 200kms/3hrs)

We typically have an early start this morning as we have a long drive back to

Windhoek where the tour ends. (driving 220kms/4hrs)



*Please note:* Clients must not book flights leaving before 3PM.