16 day Marvels of Southern Africa – Small Group Safari

Day 1 | Windhoek

Distance approx. 50 km; driving time approx. 1 hour

Arrival at Windhoek International Airport no later than midday. You will be picked up by a driver who welcomes you to Namibia and takes you to your guesthouse in Windhoek. You have time to relax and refresh before you meet your guide in the afternoon. On a city tour around Windhoek, your guide will introduce you to the capital of Namibia and show you sights such as the Christ Church, the parliament known as ink palace as well as Independence Avenue. At the extravagant Joe’s Beerhouse, you have dinner with your fellow travellers (own expense).

Overnight : Vondelhof Guesthouse.

Day 2 | Windhoek – Namib Desert

Distance approx. 250 km; driving time approx. 4 hours

After breakfast, your journey begins. You make your way south, leave the tarmac road behind and continue on dirt roads across beautiful landscapes and over mountain passes towards the Namib Desert. Your destination today is the Agama Lodge. Take your time settling in and enjoy the view across the nearby Naukluft Mountains, glowing purple in the evening light. When night sets in you can see the stars twinkle in the sky. From your private roof top terrace, you have the best views of the night sky. If you wish, you can even sleep out on your terrace (at an extra cost) – an unforgettable experience!

Overnight: Agama Lodge

Day 3 | Sossusvlei
Distance approx. 220 km; driving time approx. 4 hours

In the early hours of the morning, you set off to the Namib Naukluft Park. Look forward to a morning in the dunes of the Namib! Walk to the top of the famous Dune 45 and enjoy the unforgettable view across the seemingly endless sea of dunes – the somewhat challenging and sandy walk up is certainly worth it. You visit the well-known Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, where the colour contrast of the white clay pan, rust-red dunes, and dark blue sky is spectacular. You also stop by the Sesriem Canyon. During dry season you can take a walk through sections of this canyon. After an exciting morning, you slowly return to your lodge. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the swimming pool and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight: Agama Lodge.

Day 4 | Namib Desert – Swakopmund
Distance on day 4: approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 5-6 hours

You make your way towards the Atlantic Ocean. Together with your guide, you drive past the Bloedkoppie, along the Welwitschia Drive and to the viewpoints that will allow you to gaze over the Moon Landscape, south-east of Swakopmund. This alien but at the same time fascinating landscape with its bizarre, rugged rock formations fascinates nature lovers. You now reach the charming coastal town of Swakopmund. On a walk, learn about the town’s history and visit the old train station as well as the Woermannhaus.

Overnight: Swakopmund Guesthouse.

Day 5 | Namib Desert – Swakopmund

You can spend the day at your leisure. Stroll around town and along the promenade or browse the shops. Or join one of the many activities offered: go on a boat cruise or desert safari tracking the Little Five (optional). At night, join your fellow travellers for dinner (own expense) at one of the many restaurants to choose from.

Overnight: Swakopmund Guesthouse.

Day 6 | Swakopmund – Twyfelfontein

Distance approx. 370 km; driving time approx. 5-6 hours

After an early breakfast, you’ll be on your way. Along the coast, you drive to the Zeila wreck, one of the many stranded shipwrecks, where you stop for a photo and viewing break. You leave the coast behind and continue inland, past the great Brandberg Mountain to the beautiful Damaraland. Your destination is Twyfelfontein. This UNESCO world heritage site is known for its historical and well-preserved rock engravings. You take a short walk to learn about these valuable cultural treasures. In the late afternoon, you arrive at Malansrus Tented Camp. Enjoy a delicious dinner and fall asleep to the sounds of Namibia’s great outdoors.

Overnight: Malansrus Tented Camp

Day 7 | Twyfelfontein – Etosha National Park

Distance approx. 310 km; driving time approx. 4-5 hours

In the morning, you visit the nearby Damara Living Museum, where you can gain an insight into the traditions of the Damara, one of the oldest tribes in Namibia, and their age-old survival techniques. Then it’s time to head to the next highlight of your tour: Etosha National Park. The coming days are all about safari in one of the most popular national parks in Southern Africa. Together with your guide, you look for elephants, lions, rhinos, zebras, and different kinds of antelopes. Stop at waterholes to watch the animals quench their thirst, while your guide shares their in-depth knowledge about the fascinating world of wildlife with you. When the sun begins to set, you make your way to Etosha Village, your accommodation for the night, just outside the borders of the national park.

Overnight: Etosha Village

Day 8 | Etosha National Park

After sunrise and a hearty breakfast, you go on more game drives. No day on safari is ever the same so you can look forward to an exciting day in nature. Watch out for herds of impalas, wildebeest, oryx, and zebras that roam the plains and marvel at the vast Etosha Pan stretching for kilometres on end in eastern direction. You stop at waterholes to watch the animals and learn about their habitat and behaviour from your guide. In the late afternoon, you leave Etosha National Park through the eastern gate and continue to the nearby beautiful Mushara Bush Camp

Overnight: Mushara Bush Camp

Day 9 | Etosha National Park – Grootfontein
Distance approx. 220 km; driving time approx. 3 hours

You head out on one more morning game drive in Etosha National Park where, with some luck, you can perhaps come across the animals which you may have missed over the past couple of days. With many great safari memories in tow, you continue your journey, leaving the Etosha area around lunch time. Heading north-east, you will reach the Fiume Lodge, close to Grootfontein, your home for the night.

Overnight: Fiume Lodge

Day 10 | Grootfontein – Kavango Region

Distance approx. 400 km; driving time approx. 5 hours

You continue north. Thatched clay huts line the road, the vegetation turns thicker and greener. A quick shopping stop is made in Rundu, the economic centre of the Kavango Region. Experience the bustling activity of the market where local fishers and farmers offer their produce. You continue to reach your home for the night, a little oasis at the Okavango River. Enjoy a cold Rock Shandy at the island bar and relax before you go on a sunset cruise on the river. With a little luck watch hippos and crocodiles and let the magical scenery sink in. For dinner expect a traditional braai, a BBQ. Enjoy the evening around the campfire and listen as the nightly bush concert begins.

Overnight: Mobola Island Lodge.

Day 11  | Kavango Region – Zambezi Region

Distance on day 11: approx. 260 km; driving time approx. 3-4 hours

You continue through the Caprivi Strip into the Zambezi Region, passing fishing and farming villages. You might even spot big game crossing the road. Your destination is the idyllic Namushasha River Lodge, a truly magical place. Make yourself at home and relax a bit before you explore the area on a three-hour boat ride in the afternoon. The Kwando River meanders through the wide plains and offers habitat for many animals, such as hippos, elephants, buffaloes, lions, African wild dogs and antelope species such as lechwe, reedbuck and sitatunga which can only be seen in this region. You can also look forward to very diverse bird life!

Overnight: Namushasha River Lodge.

Day 12 | Kavango Region – Zambezi Region

On the next day, an exciting game drive in the Bwabwata National Park awaits you, promising good wildlife sightings. In the afternoon, you have enough time to relax at your lodge. Take a dip in the pool or get comfy with a good book on the viewing deck at the riverfront. And do keep an eye on the riverbanks – you never know which animals you might spot.

Overnight:  Namushasha River Lodge.

Day 13  | Zambezi Region – Kasane – Chobe National Park

Distance on day 13: approx. 260 km; driving time approx. 3-4 hours

It’s time to leave Namibia and cross the border into Botswana. Around noon, you check in at a charming lodge located on the banks of the Chobe River. After a light lunch, you focus once more on wildlife sightings. In the afternoon, as well as over the course of the following day you will explore the wildlife of the Chobe National Park by boat and on extensive game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle. With more than 40,000 elephants, Chobe National Park is home to one of the largest populations of these gentle giants in Southern Africa. You can even spot all of the Big Five. Look out for large buffalo herds, prides of lions, leopards, and other big game, while exploring the different areas of the park. Change your perspective and look for crocodiles and hippos on your boat safari as well as for animals coming to drink at the river.

Overnight: Kubu Lodge.

Day 14  | Zambezi Region – Kasane – Chobe National Park

You will explore the wildlife of the Chobe National Park by boat and on extensive game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle. With more than 40,000 elephants, Chobe National Park is home to one of the largest populations of these gentle giants in Southern Africa.

Overnight: Kubu Lodge.

Day 15 | Kasane – Victoria Falls

Transfer time approx. 2 hours

After breakfast, we will take you across the border to Zimbabwe. The town of Victoria Falls is your destination. On a leisurely walk, you explore the ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’, the smoke that thunders. The Victoria Falls are the second largest waterfalls in the world. The mighty Zambezi thunders across a width of nearly two kilometres, down more than 100 metres – an impressive spectacle. Afterwards, you can explore the famous souvenir market or stroll around town. For your last dinner of the tour, you visit a restaurant in town (own expense).

Overnight:  Pioneers Lodge

Day 16 | Victoria Falls

Exciting memories on your mind your trip ends today. Say your goodbyes to your guide and fellow travellers before we take you to the airport. From here you can either return back home or continue your travels.

We are happy to assist you in organising your onward travels in the region.

END OF ITINERARY