You will be met by your guide on arrival in Windhoek. Receive your travel package with map and extras. A friendly face, meet your guide. He'll be with you for the duration of your holiday until in Maun.
When you're there: City tour of Windhoek with your guide (if time permits depending on your arrival time). The remainder of the day can be spent getting some rest after the long haul flight or pop into town for some things you may need and want on your trip. Your guide will assist. Tonight head into town for a bite to eat at one of Windhoek’s many restaurants. Your guide can make a recommendation and reservation for you.
After breakfast and a 4 to 5 hour drive you will be congratulating yourself on a tour well-chosen when you arrive in Sossusvlei. And this is just the beginning.
On the way: Frequent photo stops as you traverse scenic passes and plains through the world's oldest desert. Your guide knows the best places to stretch your legs and take in the incredible views. Ask questions. Let him share with you the wonder of the Namibia beyond what meets the eye.
When you're there: Arrive and check in. Then there's time for the swimming pool and a cool drink. There are loads of things to do here and your guide will fill you in on the schedule and possibilities so you can decide in which order you wish to do them. There are walking trails; afternoon nature drives; visits to fossilised dunes; and of course Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon.
The first morning on your full day here will be an early one to get the best light at the Sossusvlei dunes. It's about an hour's drive into the protected area of the park; spend the morning exploring the towering and endless sand dunes and the dry pans. Make sure you have enough space on your camera and that the battery is charged. Snap away. Make memories.
Visit Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Elim Dune and Sesriem Canyon (inside the park entrance gates).The best time is early morning at sunrise. Go when the gates open so it's an early start but well worth it. The dunes come to life at dawn and it's cooler if you are planning to climb some of the world's highest. Be sure to visit Dead Vlei first for the best photographic opportunities as the sun comes up over the dunes and the sheltered pan of hundred-year-old petrified trees is still in shadow. Climb Big Daddy or Dune 45 and look out over a sea of sand. This is an area known for the beauty of the ancient desert landscapes.
Pack a hat, wear closed walking shoes and remember sunscreen, water and a jacket for the early morning and later afternoon which can be chilly. In the middle of the day, when the sun is at it's hottest, relax and enjoy the air-con in your room or sip on something poolside.
Today you are off to Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. From the heat of the desert to the cool coastal breeze. You may experience all seasons in one day here but you'll enjoy the change of weather.
On the way: Stop in Solitaire. If you blink you'll miss it. Don't worry though your guide will point it out. It's really just a small settlement that is made up of a service station, hotel and a small shop. Try the fresh baked goods. You're on holiday and eating is a part of it. Go for the famous apple strüdel. If you're still thinking about whether you should or not. We'll remind you that you just climbed some of the world's highest dunes. If you didn't, just eat it anyway. You'll thank us for the tip.
Take a picture at the Tropic of Capricorn. Through some scenic passes and then the landscape flattens out to the gravel plains. The moonscapes support the crazy welwitscha plant. Let your guide take you on a detour to see them.
When you're there: Swakopmund is a German-influenced town on the cool Atlantic coast. It's where all the Namibians from inland go on holiday so you know it's good. Head to Walvis Bay, a South African-influenced harbour town with a natural lagoon. Spend two days here exploring the dunes, the lagoon and the historical and cultural attractions of which there are many.
Activities and things to do in the area are many and varied. City and township tours with your guide. Take a stroll on your own through town. Muse the many art shops, jewellery stores, museums and galleries. Restaurants are plenty and the food is good. Choose a spot overlooking the sea. Your guide can make recommendations and reservations for you.
Explore the coastal desert. Head to the dunes - go quad biking or sand boarding. Explore the cold Atlantic - go kayaking or on a dolphin boat cruise. Swakopmund is your oyster, as the saying goes. Talking about oysters. You should definitely eat some. They're good. Real good in these parts.
Drive along the Skeleton Coast to Cape Cross and then make your way inland to the incredibly scenic Damaraland region of Namibia. It's all about the wide open spaces, the mountainous backdrops and large granite boulders.
On the way: Stop at Cape Cross for a look at the Cape Fur Seals breeding colony. Let your guide tell you about the possibly routes for today's drive. One offers more of the spectacular barren coast. The other heads inland. Both are magic.
When you're there: Damaraland is all about the scenic landscapes. The animals and plants that have adapted to life in the desert. Go in search of the desert-adapted elephants. Let your guide take the lead, he knows the area and some locals. They'll know when and where last they were spotted.
Your guide will also take you to the sights in the area. The ancient rock art sites, Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes. Go on a nature walk.
From Damaraland, it's a relatively short drive to the southern side of Etosha National Park. Now you're in for some serious safari and amazing game viewing.
On the way: The scenic mountains of Damaraland unfold into the great plains of the Etendeka Plateau. Doesn't really sound all that interesting, but take our word for it. It is. Namibia is a land of landscapes and the drive today is no different. Your guide will divulge all the secrets along the way.
When you're there: Game viewing, game viewing and more excellent game viewing is the order of the day. Guided game drives with your private guide and vehicle means your own pace and your own schedule. Enjoy the waterholes and the wildlife your way.
On the way: A full day drive through the park today takes you from south to east. Explore the park. Let your guide take you to his favourite spots. There's good reason they're his favourites.
When you're there: Go on guided sunrise and sunset game drives; spend a whole day in the park. There are 30-plus waterholes in Etosha. Spend time watching an incredible variety of animals come and go. Birding is excellent and if you aren't all that clued up on birds, your guide will point them out. If you know your birds, put in a special request and maybe you'll be luck enough to spot that special one.
After your fill of wildlife in Etosha, head to the Caprivi - Namibia's wetlands. More safari. Excellent birding and river cruises. Splendid!
On the way: Stop to view Hobas Meteorite if geology is your thing. It's the largest in the world. Stretch your legs. It's a long day on the road. Your guide will have arranged a packed lunch. Enjoy a stop en-route to munch.
When you're there: There is loads to do in the Caprivi. Game drives, birding, walking safaris (at some places) and boat cruises on the river. Now that's a change from everywhere you've been so far. Thinking back you'll have to remind yourself you're still in the same country to the likes of Sossusvlei and Damaraland. See we told you Namibia was diverse.
Sundowners in these parts are a must. The sunsets are spectacular over the water and you have more of that planned as you head into Botswana next. Anyway, there's time for that. Back to the Caprivi. It's all sub-tropics with broad-leafed woodland plains, wide rivers and proud wildlife stalking the open spaces.
On the way: An early start this morning. Ask your guide to wake you. If time allows it's an early morning drive in the Mahango Game Park before you start on the drive to Maun. It's not a boring drive, but there's also not much to stop and see on the way.
Here you bid your guide farewell and the remainder of your tour is by road and light aircraft transfers.
When you're there: Relax at your lodge, enjoy a swim and a sundowner - tomorrow you head into the Okavango Delta.
On the way: Your lodge will transfer you to the airstrip from were you will fly to your Okavango Delta lodge for the next two nights. Your lodge is situated in the Xaxanaka Region of Moremi Wildlife Reserve, the eastern segment of the Okavango Delta. Moremi combines mopane woodland and acacia forests, floodplains and lagoons and has a vast variety of plant, bird and animal life, creating one of the most magnificent and welcoming wildlife sanctuaries in all of Africa.
Today's charter flight is incredible. You could well say this was the activity for the day and it would be a day well spent, but it's only a short flip and then you're there. Sad but also not really because now you're in the heart of safari land.
When you're there: Water safaris, birdwatching, guided mokoro rides (traditional poled dugout canoes), walking safaris, game viewing: the quintessential delta experience. Wildlife is prolific and the scenery is wonderful.
*Your stay is booked on a fully inclusive basis which includes your scheduled camp activities with lodge guides
On the way: Game drive transfer back to the airstrip. Either a morning activity or a chilled breakfast and then you will take a charter flight to Kasane Airport. Welcome to Chobe National Park - home to the largest concentration of elephants in the world. You would have seen elephants by now, but it never gets old especially seeing so many of them together.
When you're there: Seeing that Chobe Game Reserve is one of the most famous game reserves in Africa, you can be sure you're in for some more great game viewing. The river teems with birdlife and animals in abundance. Enjoy river cruises on the Chobe River and game drives in open safari vehicles in the park.
Park entrance fees & Activities
On the way: Your lodge will transfer you to your lodge in Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side where the views are spectacular. It's really just a transfer but crossing the border is in itself an activity. Don't fret your driver will assist at the border.
When you're there: Explore the wonder and might of Victoria Falls. Walk through the rain forest on your own or with a guide. Head into town to explore. Buy some trinkets. Go for lunch overlooking the gorge. Dinner at The Boma Restaurant (it's an all authentic experience of local cuisine and cultures).
Do things at your own pace. There's loads to do. Ask the lodge reception to assist with activity bookings. Go on a sundowner cruise. Flip over the falls in a helicopter. Go bungee. Zip line. Whatever you feel like there's no shortage of things to do to keep you busy.
After breakfast squeeze in a morning activity if time allows before your transfer to the airport. What an adventure. Let's do it again! Ok maybe not right now, but we know you'll be back again. It gets everyone.
