Namibia & Botswana: Dunes & Delta

Depart London

Day 2

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*

Day 3

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)

*Thakadu Bush Camp or similar*

Day 4

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)

*Okavango Delta Wild Camp*

Day 5

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.

*Okavango Delta Wild Camp*

Day 6

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.

*Sitatunga Camp or similar*

Day 7

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)

*Guma Lagoon Lodge or similar*

Day 8

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)

*Nkwazi Lodge or similar*

Day 9

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)

*Namutoni Lodge or similar*

Day 10

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.

*Okaukuejo Lodge or similar*

Day 11

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)

*Brandberg White Lady Lodge or similar*

Day 12

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)

*Hotel Europa Hof or similar*

Day 13

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.

*Hotel Europa Hof or similar*

Day 14

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)

*Weltevrede Guest Farm or similar *

Day 15

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)

*Weltevrede Guest Farm or similar *

Day 16

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.

Day 17

Arrive London.