WINDHOEK to VICTORIA FALLS (14 days) Family Adventure

Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for the start of your trip. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in before we have a pre-trip meeting at 6pm and introduction to our crew and the overland expedition vehicle which will be our home for the next two weeks.

After breakfast we will set off south to the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The drive will take us through stunning desert and mountain landscapes serving to constantly distract you from the roads! Camping that evening in a scenic location close to the dunes of Sossusvlei, within the Park boundaries which contains the worlds highest sand dunes and is home to one of the world’s greatest salt pans.

This morning we have the opportunity to climb the massive sand dunes at Sossusvlei which are one of Namibia’s main attractions and on all tourist posters. Kids can race their parents to the top where you will be met with stunning views of a ‘world of sand’ which stretches as far as the Atlantic, 50 miles away. The kids have the chance to whoosh back down, sliding down the sand which is always a popular choice as breakfast awaits at the bottom.

After breakfast we will drive north to the west coast of Namibia, passing through stark, remote desert scenery to arrive at the oasis of Swakopmund, Namibia’s favourite holiday destination. With so many family and adrenaline activities as well as the beach it is easy to see why. This costal resort is in complete contrast to all the land-based wildlife activities when taking the kids to Namibia. It offers the opportunity for families to hop onboard a catamaran cruise to spot dolphins, flamingos and even whales from Walvis Bay further up the coast, or kayak with playful and inquisitive seals at Pelican point. Older kids will love the sand boarding, fat biking or the 4x4 or quad biking expeditions in the nearby dunes allowing them to take to the wheel and explore. If adrenaline and sports are not your cup of tea the town offers plenty to see and do as well as numerous cafes, art galleries and museums to discover. You'll have 2 free days here to participate in optional activities of your choice.

Leaving Swakopmund our adventure continues north along the skeleton coast to Cape Cross, a nature reserve that is renowned as one of the largest settlement of these animals in the world, the colony of Cape fur seals at Cape Cross marks the spot where the first European explorer set foot on the coast of Namibia in 1486. Kids can lose themselves in this noisy hubbub, viewing the captivating interactions of the seal colony from an extensive walkway, separated from the mass of seals by a low wall. Strolling along the breadth of the colony, they have the opportunity to pick up interesting details about the lives of the seals at information points scattered around the grounds, or gaze up at a modern replica of Diego Cao’s historical cross.

Continuing in-land we continue on to our overnight camp which is a small family operated site in the middle of the Namibian desert whose efforts serve to support the local Himba people and provide schooling for the children. Whilst there we will hopefully gain the opportunity to meet some of the local tribe members to learn more about their culture, traditions and way of life in the bush.

If you have enjoyed the desert scenery and wildlife so far it is now time for a classic safari as we head north to the southern gate entrance of Etosha National Park, which is famed for offering some of the most unique game watching experiences in Africa. We will reach Etosha in the afternoon, and in the evening we'll enjoy our first game drive. Later in the evening we'll be able to watch wildlife coming to a nearby floodlit waterhole.

Etosha is considered by many safari aficionados as one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves it covers 8,600 square miles, hosts a colossal salt pan (which is four times the size of Los Angeles and is so large that it is can be seen from the moon!!). It is also home to 4 of the ‘Big Five’ (elephant, rhino, lion and leaopards). Being the countries leading wildlife attraction what better way to enjoy it than looking out from a truck as we drive along, stopping where and when is needed along the various watering holes. Kids can enjoy being David Attenborough by spotting species such as giraffes, zebra, wildebeest and elephants meandering around or even lions resting on the side of the road. With 114 different animal species and more than 300 bird species, the kids should be kept on their toes as animal spotters. Turning off the engine as needed we will have the chance to enjoy the spectacle of herds of zebra lapping, impala and many others congregating around the watering holes which during the dry season (May to October) host animal species in biblical numbers making August undoubtedly the best time for a family safari visit.

After a couple of days in Etosha, we again head north after breakfast towards the extreme northwest of Namibia to the south banks of the Okavango river which borders Angola. Being an administrative capital Rundu is a bustling lively town which provides a great insight into a thriving African town where we are able to stock up on provisions. Once settled in our overnight camp we aboard a cruise along the Kavango floodplain where we gain the experience of watching the sunset whilst enjoying the local bird and wildlife.

As a communal business for the local people of the Kavango, this sustainable project means they are able to preserve their traditional culture and to generate an additional income. An essential part of the interactive program of the Living Museum is the demonstration (and preservation) of the fishing and land cultivating culture of the Mbunza. The traditional presentation covers everything from everyday life (traditional cuisine, fire making, basket and mat weaving, etc.) to bushwalks and fishing and finally to highly specialised techniques like blacksmithing, pottery and the making of drums. As with all Living Museums in Namibia the main focus of the Mbunza Living Museum is to provide visitors with a detailed and authentic insight into the traditional, pre-colonial culture which especially appeals to the younger travellers in the group.

Following on from here we find ourselves heading to the Caprivi strip which is considered Namibia’s answer to The Okavango Delta, this area offers an incredible water-based safari location. Being sandwiched between Angola, Zambia and Botswana near the tip of Zimbabwe the region is surrounded by 5 perennial rivers – Chobe, Kwando, Linvanti, Okavango and the Zambezi – which makes it a haven for elephants, hippo, crocodile and buffalo. The bird watching is also unrivalled, with the region recording an incredible 660 different species. All of which offers families an endless number of activities including game viewing by boat, sunset cruises and canoeing adventures which are also a great way to relax and reconnect. The Caprivi Strip represents the gateway into Botswana and Zimbabwe where our adventures take us onto next.

You have a free day today on the Okavango River where a multitude of optional activities are available.
On the optional Mokoro cruise local poler guides will navigate the extensive waterways using canoes similar to their traditional Mokoros (dug out canoes). This is a great experience - and a good way to get a hippo's eye view of the surroundings.
There are also a number of other optional safaris including game walks and game drives with the specialist guides - giving you the chance to see elephant, crocodile and hippo up close and personal.

The Okavango Delta is one of the world's largest inland waterways and its calming serenity will leave those who experience it feeling supremely relaxed.

Leaving Namibia our journey takes us across the Botswana border into the region of Kasane located along the Chobe River. Chobe is most famous for its elephant and buffalo populations, both of which can herd in epic proportions. With an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 elephant, these gentle giants constantly surround you. We are there during the dry season when the Chobe River sees thousands lining the banks and crossing the water towards our campsite, giving the kids the chance to view them close up an unforgettable experience and a lifelong memory. Our evening river cruise provides excellent photograph opportunities and never fails to keep you captivated throughout, it really is a lovely way to see the sun setting over the horizon.

There is the option for a final game drive into Chobe National Park early this morning (not included). Today's final drive then takes us again over a border crossing into Zimbabwe and on to our final destination, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls, which statistically speaking is the world’s largest waterfall. Victoria Falls known as the “Smoke that thunders” in the local Tonga language, is the largest single curtain of falling water in the world and 70% of the exquisite views are seen from the Zimbabwe rain forest, from here the falling water’s impressive roar can sometimes be heard from 40 kilometres (25 miles) away. At its peak, the volume of water coming over the falls is around 150 million gallons per minute. This amount of water is just incomprehensible…a good size bath holds 40 gallons, so 1 million gallons would equate to 25,000 baths… making the high-water mark of 150 million gallons equate to 3.75 million (the entire population of Liverpool and Manchester combined) bathtubs of water thundering over the falls every single minute. That’s a lot of water!

The rain forest surrounding it, which has constant rain 24/7 from the never-ending spray of the Falls, has a unique ecosystem. It is a botanists dream and bird lovers’ paradise. There are species here that don’t occur anywhere else, and families are strongly recommended to look just a little beyond the 2 km pathway and the numerous viewpoints towards the overgrowth to try and spot them. One of the great things about the falls is that the area has not become over commercialised. In fact, once you are standing by the Falls your view will not be much different to that of David Livingstone’s who first saw the Falls in 1855. Following our visit to the falls our journey ends (for now at least!!) The ultimate experience to end the trip.

You have the day free to explore this natural wonder at your leisure until your departure flight. There are a range of optional adventure activities to enjoy, such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, gorge swing or evening horse riding. If you're looking to relax, there are various craft markets and coffee shops to enjoy. An airport transfer to Victoria Falls international airport is included. Extra nights can be added here if you wish.