Hornbill Tour (22 Days Namibia-Botswana-Zimbabwe)

Upon arrival at the Namibian Hosea Kutako International Airport outside Windhoek you will be met by your tour guide and will be taken on a Windhoek city tour. Thereafter we will commence our exploration of the surrounding rugged Khomas Hochland on our way to the accommodation - a nearby local birding spot, Daan Viljoen Game Park.

After breakfast we will begin the journey south across the Central Highlands of Namibia. Roadside birding is always rewarding and the scenery is dotted with large Social weaver nests. After settling at the lodge, we will spend time birding this remote part of the Kalahari on foot or by vehicle.

After a hearty breakfast, we leave the red dunes of the Kalahari and drive South for a visit in the past. The Mesosaurus fossil site is located approximately 38 kilometers Northeast of Keetmanshoop. On the farm there is, besides the Mesosaurus fossils, a large quiver tree forest consisting of about 5000 trees.

Afterwards we continue to our accommodation, the Canyon Roadhouse, which is only a few kilometers from the entrance to the Fish River Canyon Park. At this nostalgic accommodation you are reminded of ancient times: you can admire the antique objects and old cars during the evening meal.

We continue through the Namib Desert to the border of the Sperrgebiet to ​​Klein-Aus Vista.

In the afternoon we will take some beautiful pictures during our visit of the Wild Horses of the Namib at Garub, and understand the fascination thousands of visitors have with these animals.

During sundowner you can reminisce and revisit the impressions of the day.

On the way to Lüderitz, we will stop in the middle of the desert in the ghost town; Kolmanskop. Here where the streets are buried in the sand and the only sound is the howling of the wind, you will visit dilapidated and spectacular houses of this old diamond mining town. In the museum in the former casino of the town you will learn a lot about the diamond mining in this region.

The harbor town of Lüderitz on the Atlantic Ocean is characterized by its magnificent art nouveau buildings. Also worth a visit are the Waterfront and the more than 500 year old Diaz Cross.

We head north-west through the Namib Rand Nature Reserve.

The Desert Homestead Lodge is located approximately 30 km south-east of the entrance of Sesriem.

The lodge has 26 guest houses and a restaurant with bar. A cozy terrace with views of the dunes and a pool invites you to linger.

As an optional activity, we recommend to take part in the Sundowner ride in the open off-road vehicle, or ride with the horses. Enjoy this unique dune landscape of the Namib Desert.

We leave early to Sossusvlei to experience the first rays of the sun with its unique play of light and shadow in the apricot colored dunes. The dunes at Sossusvlei are counted among the highest in the world. Here you can attempt to climb the dunes. As soon as you walk through the Dead Vlei with its more than 500 years old acacias, you know that it is rightly bearing its name.

On the way back we visit the 30m deep Sesriem Canyon.

Afterwards, we head back to our accommodation. The sunrise and sunset is particularly impressive overlooking the spectacular landscape of the Namib Desert. Photographers have excellent light conditions and photo opportunities.

We will start with an early morning guided walk on the grounds of the lodge and then cross the immense Namib Naukluft Park down to the coast. What a picture! To the right the dunes, to the left the sea. In the afternoon we reach our accommodation in Namibias harbor town Walvis Bay, with time enough to settle in before a brief birding session by foot at the lagoon. In the evening a delicious seafood dinner awaits us at a nearby restaurant.

In the morning you will go on a "Dolphin Cruise" boat trip. During this boat trip chances are good to be joined by seals, some dolphins and and amongst others White Pelicans, Cape Gannets, Kelp Gulls, Common Redshank, Chestnut-banded Plover, Damara Tern and White-fronted Plovers can be discovered. On the way we will enjoy snacks and fresh Atlantic oysters and South African sparkling wine.

In the afternoon we will head towards Swakopmund.

The rest of the afternoon is spent at your own leisure in Swakopmund. At dinner we meet up to enjoy the excellent seafood cuisine.

Today we will leave the coast and head inland, past the Spitzkoppe to the Erongo mountains. The Erongo Wilderness Lodge is located southwest of Omaruru at the foot of the Erongo Mountains and surprises with an enormous expanse as well as wonderful silence.

Erongo Wilderness Lodge has an abundance of bird life. From the raptors to the tiniest of sunbirds, the viewing of birds in the area is superb. Walking the area surrounding the Lodge is highly encouraged and is the best way to experience the beauty of the Erongo Mountains.

Today we head towards Etosha National Park. The Etosha Safari Lodge is just a stone's throw away from the Andersson Gate (near Okaukuejo), making it the ideal starting point for extended visits to the Etosha National Park. On the elevated deck you will not only find the pool, but also a great view over the wide bush.

In the afternoon we will take a first game drive through the Etosha Park. This eastern part of the Etosha National Park, which was founded in 1907, lies in a mixed forest, mainly consisting of open savannah and broadleaved woodland comprised mainly of Mopane trees, acacia trees, leadwood trees and grassy fields.

Time for a full-day animal and bird watching game drive in the Etosha National Park. This 22,270 km² huge game reserve consists of different habitats and includes some watering holes, pans and different vegetation forms and therefore produces a variety of special bird species. Most of the time, we will keep close to watering holes and observe oryx , ostrich, zebra, giraffe and even lions and elephants. Just before sunset we leave the park to our lodge for the night.

The Mokuti Etosha Lodge is located on its own 4000-hectare nature reserve. The lodge promises you a warm Namibian welcome, and a stay during which you will be hosted in a relaxed, uncomplicated manner.

This intimate lodge has 82 rooms, 8 luxury rooms and 8 luxury family rooms. After an African dinner served in the boma, there are open fires to gather around and tell stories. And when you eventually return to your room along winding pathways, do not be surprised to encounter the resident herd of placid bontebok or a giraffe. And look forward to the little squirrels insisting on sharing your breakfast the next morning.

Early in the morning we return to the Etosha National Park to observe the coming and going of the game.

Afterwards drive to the Fiume Lodge near Grootfontein. Here you can explore the bush and it's inhabitants on a 1.5 to 2hr game drive.

An abundance of bird species has been observed and recorded in the region.

Drive from Grootfontein along Rundu along the Okavango to the east to the Popa Falls, rapids caused by a rock ridge in the Okavango. On the way to Rundu we pass the "red line", a veterinarian fence, which crosses Namibia from east to west. The Riverdance Lodge is located in the Caprivi downstream of the Popa Falls right on the banks of the Okavango River. Inspiration was drawn from birds' nests and each unit is safely tucked between the trees and is totally private and secluded. There is a restaurant, a bar and a large swimming pool.

The calmness and serenity of the river is reflected in the lodge. Sitting on the large deck or on your own terrace, under high trees, at sundowner and watching the sun emerge into the Okavango is a wonderful experience in Africa.

With the optional offered boat trip at sunset, crocodiles and hippos can be observed in the Okavango and there is a nice view of the Popa Falls from the water.

Today we have an extensive drive through the former Mahango National Park, now part of the Western Bwabata Park. At the great Baobab we can with some luck see elephants swimming through the river and listen to the Hippos grazing in the reed.

Passing the border post we will continue driving along the Okavango Delta Panhandle at Shakawe. Drotsky’s Cabins is situated about 10 km south of Shakawe on the Maun road in Okavango.

The ten luxury cabins as well as the restaurant area at Drotsky's Cabins have been built on stilts, so if the annual floods occur, the lodge could be surrounded by water. The cabins are set amongst indigenous thorn trees.

Today you drive to Thamalakane River Lodge which is located 19 km outside of Maun in a beautiful landscape. Huge trees lining the banks of the nearby Thamalakane River determine the picture here. There is a large restaurant overlooking the garden as well as a pool. The rooms have views of the river. Each room has a small veranda.

We head out early for a full day game drive in the Moremi Game Reserve spotting plenty of wildlife and birds along the way. Moremi Reserve is the best place to experience excellent views of savannah game as well as bird-watching on the lagoons.

Today we drive to Nata. On the way to your lodge you will drive past the northern outreaches of the Makgadikgadi salt pans.

The Nata Lodge is located between native palm trees and large Marula trees. The main building, which also serves à la carte dinner, has a generous and open layout. This creates a special "bush" atmosphere, which gives rise to the safari mood. This continues in the stylish, thatched-roof bungalows and the built-up, rustic, big house tents with en-suite bathrooms. Well known as a bird and bird friendly property, this lodge clearly invites you to birdwatch.

In the afternoon we will visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary that is operated by the local community.

From Nata we continue to the Chobe National Park in Kasane. We will reach the Chobe Bush Lodge at noon. The Chobe Bush Lodge is located on the banks of the scenic Chobe River, directly next to the Chobe National Park, known for its large buffalo and elephant herds. The rooms are stylishly furnished. Air conditioning, telephone and satellite TV are provided. From the private small terrace you can enjoy the view of the garden or the river in a private atmosphere.

During the morning game drive through the wilderness of the Chobe National Park you will experience the Chobe Park and its wild inhabitants. Return to your lodge for a hearty breakfast.

In the afternoon, you join a Chobe River sunset cruise, in the open river landscape hippos and crocodiles are quite easy to spot. Many antelopes come to drink on the banks of the river in the late afternoon. We might witness a very special spectacle: elephants taking their bath in the river. A large number of large and small birds can also be seen from the boat.

In the distance you can hear the cries of the African Fish Eagle before falling asleep at the Chobe Bush Lodge

The morning after is not easy. It could be that your private terrace with the great view over the river landscape of the Chobe has become your favorite spot from which it is now time to say farewell.

We will drive to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Just ten minutes drive from Victoria Falls, adjacent to the Zambezi National Park, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is located on a plateau. In this large complex the typical African ambience was preserved. The buildings are thatched and the rooms very comfortable and tastefully decorated. The small swimming pool, the bar and the open restaurant overlook the nearby waterhole. Every day at 1 pm, the Buffalo Bar of the lodge offers a free vulture feeding. Meat gets put out right under the decks of the bar and the hotel and you can witness the incredible spectacle of hundreds of vultures and other birds of prey. At the same time, you can enjoy your lunch or some drinks.

In the afternoon we will visit the waterfalls, a highlight of every African safari, in the best photography light. Many claim that the Victoria Falls are the most impressive natural phenomenon on earth. The spray of 10 million liters of water per second has created a ghostly cloud forest around the waterfall. We will be hiking through it with new, fantastic views of the Zambezi at each look out point. Waterproof clothing and moisture protection for your camera are indispensable.

On your last day enjoy the morning atmosphere of southern Africa. Jump in the pool, or buy the last souvenirs before your tour guide takes you to the airport from Victoria Falls. From there you start your journey back home boarding the plane and taking a bag full of memories with you.