NRN12W:  Namibia + Okavango + Chobe

Day 1

You will be met at Windhoek Airport and transferred by shuttle through the ever-changing landscapes to the great Namib Desert - a 5-hour drive through dramatically beautiful scenery.

The terrain becomes more arid as you travel past the Naukluft Massif towards Sossusvlei, whose great mountains of sand are a monument to the extreme forces of nature.

Check in to your desert lodge in the great Namib Desert.

Day 2

On today’s full day excursion to Sossusvlei, an early start is imperative as this is not only the coolest part of the day but the best for photography, as you travel by 4x4 vehicle into the famous Sossusvlei, a clay pan surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes in the world – an endless sea of reddish sand stretching all the way to the distant horizon.

Its monumental star shaped sand dunes, some up to 1,000 ft (325m) when measured from the base, were formed by strong multi-directional winds. The warm tints of sand ranging from apricot to orange, red and maroon, contrast vividly with the stark white surface of the clay pans at their base. This provides photographers with a spectacular display of images to capture.

Climbing one of these dunes affords the energetic traveller with an unforgettable experience of endless vistas across a sea of dunes.

Time will also be taken to explore the impressive conglomerate gorges of the Sesriem Canyon, with its rock pools fed by the Tsauchab. The erosion of many centuries has resulted in a narrow gorge, which in rainy season sometimes fills the rock pools. The name Sesriem is derived from the six “rieme” (leather thongs) that early pioneers used to draw water from these pools.

Day 3

Today you will be transferred by shuttle to the charming seaside town of Swakopmund, a scenic 4-hour drive through the Namib Desert, with several stops to enjoy the desert landscape.

Swakopmund is Namibia’s premier holiday resort, with easy access to the sand dunes and activities of the Namib Desert. Situated on the Atlantic Coast where the cold Benguela Current sweeps up from Antarctica, no moisture is released into the prevailingly onshore winds – hence the very low rainfall and desert conditions of Namibia. However the cold current is highly oxygenated, resulting in teeming marine life. Fog is common in the early mornings and late afternoons, giving life to the desert-adapted flora and fauna of the region.

Check in to your hotel, settle in and relax on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 4

Today enjoy a 3-hour Marine Cruise from the harbour in neighbouring Walvis Bay. We start with a cruise around the harbour, where you will see abundant marine bird life, including large flocks of flamingos, pelicans and terns. Continue to the seal colony at Pelican Point, where schools of dolphins and seals are year-round residents and migrating whales can be seen in season (August to October).

Balance of day free to explore Swakopmund on foot.

Day 5

Transfer by shuttle back to Windhoek today.

Balance of day free to explore the capital city of Namibia with its charming German architecture on foot, or relax by the hotel swimming pool under warm Namibian sun.

Day 6

Transfer to Windhoek Airport for your 2-hour flight to Maun in Botswana.

After passing through customs formalities in Maun, connect with your light aircraft flight to your small luxury safari camp situated in the heart of the permanent Okavango Delta.

Check in to your lodge and settle in and relax in this pristine water wilderness under spectacular blue African skies

Please note that only soft sports bags are allowed on light aircraft flights with a strictly enforced luggage limit between 12kg-20kg, depending upon the size of the aircraft.  Surplus luggage can be stored by prior arrangement.

Day 7

The seasonal Okavango Delta is flooded annually by the great Okavango River, which flows inland from Angola into the vast Kalahari Desert – never finding the sea but instead forming a great inland delta, whose waters are absorbed by the dry Kalahari Desert, making it one of the great natural wonders of the world and an amazing water wilderness and wetlands ecosystem.

Comprising 6,000 square miles of crystal clear channels, serene lagoons and a myriad of islands, the Okavango Delta is a natural oasis in the middle of the Kalahari for a vast variety of wildlife and birds of all descriptions.

Activities at your lodge centre on game viewing and bird watching expeditions, all conducted by experienced resident naturalist guides and included in your package. These include exploring the delta by mekoro canoe and river craft, as well as guided nature walks on the islands of the delta to track some of the larger species that inhabit this water wilderness such as buffalos, hippos and elephants.

Optional angling for ferocious tiger fish and wild bream is available at an extra charge.

In the evening, relax by the bar before dining in the boma around a blazing fire under balmy African skies.

Day 8

Depart Okavango Delta for your 1-hour light aircraft flight to Chobe.

You will be met at Kasane Airport and transferred 15-minutes to your luxury game lodge overlooking the great Chobe River.

Check in to your safari lodge, settle in and relax in Botswana’s premier wildlife reserve – surrounded by vast landscapes, open plains, baobab trees and the abundant river-based wildlife of Chobe National Park.

In the late afternoon enjoy an open-top game drive in this famous national park and wildlife conservation area.

Day 9

Chobe National Park is set on the banks of the perennial Chobe River, overlooking the fertile flood plains of both Botswana and Namibia across the river.

It is home to vast herds of buffalo and elephant, as well as numerous other species which roam in profusion and diversity. During the dry season, vast elephant herds migrate from both south and north to congregate in their thousands along the Chobe River – the largest concentration of elephants in the whole of Africa!

Land-based game drives are conducted twice a day (early morning and late afternoon) by experienced lodge rangers in open-top safari vehicles. River-based game viewing is also offered in small shallow draft boats to give a completely different wildlife perspective, as well as river walks and walking safaris. Optional angling for ferocious tiger fish and wild bream is also available.

Each evening relax on the outdoor terrace whilst watching a spectacular sunset over the river.

Day 10

Enjoy a final early morning game drive in Chobe National Park before breakfast.

Then transfer 1-hour by road and ferry across the Botswana border at Kasane, where after completing immigration formalities you will continue to Livingstone in Zambia and on to your Victoria Falls hotel on the banks of the Zambezi River.

Check in, settle-in and relax whilst you catch your first glimpses of the magnificent Smoke That Thunders first discovered by Dr. David Livingstone and still one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. The flow of water over the Victoria Falls is greatest during the wet months (February to June) but the falls are a magnificent sight at any time of year.

Day 11

Today explore on foot the mighty Victoria Falls, situated close to your hotel and offering magnificent views.

Later relax by the swimming pool and enjoy the many pleasures of your hotel.

In the late afternoon enjoy a Sunset Cruise on the Zambesi River to see hippos, crocodiles and the abundant bird life.

Day 12

At leisure to explore Victoria Falls.

Adrenalin seekers can participate in many adventure activities, such as canoeing in the gentler rapids above the falls; white water rafting in the turbulent gorge below the falls (grade 5) or watch bungi jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge! There is also an interesting local craft market.

Alternatively participate in one of the many local activities, such as a helicopter flight over the falls or an elephant-back safari.

Day 13

Return transfer to Livingstone Airport for your flight home.