Sossusvlei is an area of enormous sand dunes | Andrew Thomasson
Sossusvlei is an area of enormous sand dunes  | Andrew Thomasson
Wildlife viewing around Savuti Camp in Chobe National park  | Jez Hollinshead
Colours of Deadvlei  | Peter Walton
Wildlife viewing in Etosha National Park  | Peter Walton
Makoro, dugout canoes in the Okavango Delta  | Peter Walton
Vast expanses of the Namib Desert  | Nick Lefebvre
Zebras at Etosha National Park  | Peter Walton
Breathtaking sunset in the Okavango Delta  | Sue Badyari
Elephants enjoy a dip in the Okavango Delta  | Jez Hollinshead
Photographic opportunities abound at Victoria Falls  | Peter Walton

Southern African Desert Rivers and Wildlife

All encompassing itinerary with excellent accommodation

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 15 reviews

14 Days from

$4250 USD

Trip Code: TKS
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement 2025
$850 USD
Single Supplement 2026
$1020 USD

Duration

  • 14 Days

Activities

  • Wildlife Safari

Accommodation

  • 13 nights hotel/lodge/guesthouse

Meals

  • 10 Dinners
  • 13 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

2 / 10

Adventure touring

Trip highlights

  • Be captivated by the magnificent Victoria Falls
  • Watch a magnificent sunrise from the top of the Sossusvlei sand dunes
  • Experience game drives in Etosha National Park and Chobe National Park
  • Experience the Okavango Delta by traditional canoe (mokoro)
  • Game viewing cruise on the Chobe River

Overview

Travelling in a comfortable, custom-built expedition vehicle and staying in well-appointed accommodation with plenty of local charm, this journey offers an abundance of stunning scenery, unique wildlife and cultural encounters. The vastness of both Namibia and Botswana become apparent with wide open spaces far outnumbering people. A shorter version of our African Wildlife Explorer trip, this overland journey commences from Windhoek, Namibia's capital city. Ascend the highest sand dunes in the world at Sossusvlei; and enjoy cosmopolitan Swakopmund with its relaxed cafe culture and wide, tree-lined streets. Search for wildlife in the contrasting environments of Etosha National Park and the Kavango River before being enchanted by a Chobe River sunset and still more wildlife in the Okavango Delta. The trip concludes in Zimbabwe with the unforgettable sight of tons of water hurtling over Victoria Falls into the chasm of the Zambezi Gorge.

Itinerary

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On arrival this afternoon in Windhoek, you have free time to explore the capital city of Namibia. Overnight: Arebbusch Lodge (or similar accommodation).

Meals: Nil

Our journey takes us north through ever changing scenery to our accommodation located on the edge of the Namib Desert. The following morning is an early departure for Sossusvlei, stopping in the dune belt to witness the changing colours of the world’s highest sand dunes. We undertake a 5km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. In the afternoon we enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon. Overnight Desert Quiver Camp (or similar)

Meals: B,D

Today we travel through the Kuiseb canyon, site of the famous book by Henno Martin, The Sheltering Desert before we stop off at Walvis Bay to view the flamingos (seasonal). The Walvis Bay wetlands - the lagoon, mudflats, shoreline and salt works - constitute the single most important coastal wetland in southern Africa for migratory birds. The wetland therefore serves mainly as a dry-season and drought refuge for migrating species like the Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Plover, Grebe and African Black Oystercatcher. We drive to Swakopmund (33 kms), a quaint beach town with a strong German influence and with a sizable part of its population still German-speaking today. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is German for "Mouth of the Swakop" as it is at the mouth of the Swakop River. We spend the afternoon exploring this German colonial town. Overnight: The Delight (or similar).

Meals: B

We leave the coast behind and drive inland through the Damaraland region. Damaraland was a name given to the north-central part of Namibia and inhabited by the Damara people, an ethnic group who make up 8.5% of Namibia's population. Thought to be a remnant of southwestern Africa's hunter-gatherers, have no known cultural relationship with any of the other tribes anywhere else in Africa. The region is a vast and rugged terrain with mountain ranges intercepted by wide gravel plains, which run into sandy, vegetated riverbeds and hot, dry valleys. Be on the lookout for the slightly smaller, desert-adapted elephants found predominantly in the Kaokaland and Damaraland regions. The Desert Elephant belongs to the savanna elephant and are a protected species. Consider yourself lucky if you see the elusive desert elephant or desert rhino, as these animals were subjected to poaching in the 1980's and numbers have diminished significantly. Our lodge is located on top of a mountain with spectacular views of the surrounding area. We spend the afternoon taking in the incredible setting or simply relaxing by the pool. Overnight Ugab Terrace Lodge (or similar).

Meals: B,D

Today we proceed to Etosha National Park where we enjoy our first game drive in open 4x4 vehicles from our lodge located just outside the park entrance. The park’s main characteristic is a salt pan so large it can be seen from space. Yet there is abundant wildlife that congregates around the waterholes. Overnight Etosha Village (or similar).

Meals: B,D

Etosha National Park is one of the most important reserves and game sanctuaries in Africa with thousands of wild animals such as blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion and elephant make this area their home. The day is spent on game drive in open 4x4 vehicles from our lodge located just outside the park entrance. Overnight Etosha Village (or similar).

Meals: B,D

We enter the Caprivi Strip (Zambezi region) where we spend the night set amongst the lush vegetation overlooking the Kavango River. Sunset from the deck is sensational. An optional afternoon boat cruise on the river is available (own expense). Overnight Hakusembe River Lodge (or similar).

Meals: B,D

Continuing into the Caprivi we cross into Botswana and travel by road to our lodge on the edge of the Okavango Delta. The following day we transfer by boat 30 minutes into the Delta. We do mokoro and boat excursions in the back channels of the Nxamasire area of the Delta. Game walks are also done on the smaller islands in the area subject to water levels of the delta. Lunch is included on Day 11 only. Overnight Swampstop chalets (or similar).

Meals: B,D

Crossing into Botswana via Chobe National Park we overnight on the banks of the Chobe River. Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of wildlife and birdlife. The National Park has one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa. Where the Chobe river flows into the Zambezi River the two rivers form the borders between Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. One of the few places in the world that four countries border on each other. The following day we take in a morning Game Drive and relax on a sunset game-viewing cruise on the Chobe River. Overnight Chobe Safari Lodge (or similar).

Meals: B,D

We travel across the Zimbabwe border to view Victoria Falls - one of the most revered and spectacular sights in Africa. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (otherwise known as Victoria Falls) is a UNESCO world heritage site. The Park covers 66 km2 from the Songwe Gorge below the falls in a northwest arc along about 20 km of the Zambian riverbank. Two countries - Zambia and Zimbabwe, share the magnificent falls. Nothing can compare to viewing the awesome power of 'The Smoke that thunders" for the first time. Days are spent at leisure to browse the local markets, to experience the many optional activities on offer including white water rafting, bungi jumping, microlighting/ airplane or helicopter flights over the Falls, and to visit the actual Falls (own expense). Overnight Sprayview Hotel or Waterfall Lodge (or similar).

Meals: B

Our tour ends today after breakfast.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

  • 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 10 dinners
  • 13 nights in 3-4 star hotels, lodges and guesthouses on a twinshare basis
  • English speaking local guide
  • Private transport in custom built expedition vehicle
  • Chobe River game cruise
  • Game drives and sightseeing as listed in itinerary
  • National park and conservation fees valued at US$55
  • Okavango Delta excursions
  • Arrival and departure transfers are included in Windhoek and Victoria Falls on Days 1 & 14. (NB - Victoria Falls Airport Zimbabwe (VFA) only; and NOT Livingstone Airport Zambia).

Not included

  • International flights
  • Optional activities
  • Entrance into Victoria Falls National Park
  • All lunches and any dinners not noted in the itinerary
  • Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
  • Tips
  • Airport and departure taxes
  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance
  • Arrival and departure transfers to/from Livingstone Airport (LVI) Zambia, or on any other day other than Days 1 or 14, are NOT included
  • Local cash payment of 2500 South African Rand payable to tour guide on day 1 of all trips

Adventure Highlighted Video

Desert Rivers and Wildlife in Comfort

Reviews (15)

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