Itinerary:
Experience Southern Africa through the major sites of Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. Begin at Victoria Falls before heading to Chobe National Park. See the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and explore the Okavango Delta. Learn about the people of the Kalahari Desert then go to Etosha National Park. Enjoy the seaside at Swakopmund before crossing dunes to see Deadvlei. End the trip with a tour of Windhoek.
1st Day: US - Night on board. Arrive at your US departure airport ready to check-in for a flight* to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Night on board.
*If your outbound flight leaves at dawn (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the selected departure day.
2nd Day: Victoria Falls
Arrive at Victoria Falls. Named for Queen Victoria by the Scottish explorer David Livingstone, these impressive waterfalls are just one of the many gifts that nature has given to southern Africa. Touch down and transfer to the hotel. Get comfortable, unpack, and perhaps explore your new surroundings at your leisure. Overnight stay in Victoria Falls.
Accommodation
one of our selected hotels
Insika Lodge or similar
3rd Day: Victoria Falls
Breakfast at the hotel. Next, a guided tour of the falls! This massive sheet of falling water and the spray that it produces is mesmerizing, to say the least. One of the largest waterfalls in the world, walk through its rich rainforest to learn about its flora and fauna. Listen to thundering water as you feel the mist around you.
In the afternoon, put your feet up and relax. Or, make use of the hourly courtesy shuttle to the city center and wander down to the local craft market with local soapstone carvings, masks, jewelry, and Batik fabric. If you haven't seen enough of the falls, try the optional helicopter experience* for an amazing aerial view. Or you could go on an optional safari** in the Zambezi National park. Overnight stay in Victoria Falls.
*Optional flight of the Angels Helicopter Experience: Get the best possible view of Victoria Falls, appreciating the grandeur and scale of this natural wonder as never before.
**Optional Zambezi National Park Safari: Take your first chance to see the famed African wildlife at this enormous park that lies just upstream of the falls.
Important note: these optional activities take place at the same time, so you will only be able to book one of them.
one of our selected hotels
Insika Lodge or similar
full selection of Activities
included:
Wild Horizons Tour of the Falls - Zimbabwe sideActive
Optional:
Afternoon Game drive in Zambezi National ParkLight
or
Flight of the Angels 13' Helicopter Experience (Zimbabwe)Light
4th Day: Victoria Falls - Kasane
Breakfast at the hotel. Say goodbye to Zimbabwe and catch your road transfer to the Chobe National Park in Botswana, enjoying a scenic drive. En-route, keep a lookout for buffalos, giraffes, elephants, and other wildlife.
Tuck into a tasty lunch (at your own expense) at the lodge's restaurant area followed with some time to relax and take in the breathtaking views of the Chobe River. In the late afternoon, cruise down the Chobe River with a drink in hand and enjoy the sunset. Watch for pods of hippos and some of the biggest crocodiles in Africa. Dinner and overnight stay in Kasane.
one of our selected hotels
Chobe Safari Lodge or similar
1
Activities
included:
Chobe Boat CruiseLight
See more
5th Day: Kasane - Chobe National Park - Kasane
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for an exciting day of 4x4 game viewing, and observe majestic elephants, buffalos, lions, hyenas, and even African wild dogs. The Chobe is truly a paradise for nature lovers: Spot native birds from herons to fish eagles.
While in the safari park, take a few moments to unwind–perhaps with a dip in the pool or some time on the stunning viewing deck with a drink or a good book. Dinner and overnight stay in Kasane.
one of our selected hotels
Chobe Safari Lodge or similar
Activitiy
included:
Chobe Game Viewing Light
6th Day: Kasane - Makgadikgadi Pans - Nata
Breakfast at the hotel. Take in the scenery from the deck one last time before heading south towards the renowned Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana’s dry savannah.
Arrive at the lodge. After settling in a bit, take off for an afternoon excursion to see the salt flats, a uniquely barren landscape that paradoxically supports a complex ecosystem during the rainy season. Dinner and overnight stay in Nata.
one of our selected hotels
Nata Lodge or similar
included:
Afternoon Makgadikgadi Salt Pan DriveModerate
See more
7th Day: Nata - Maun
Breakfast at the hotel. Prepare for another travel day and head west towards Maun, our base for exploring the Okavango Delta. Get settled in the village and get to know your surroundings. Take your time to explore the lodge and rest in the midst of calm natural beauty. Overnight stay in Maun.
Accommodation
one of our selected hotels
Thamalakane River Lodge or similar
Maun Orientation TourLight
8th Day: Maun
Breakfast at the hotel. Get an early start for a full-day excursion through the waterways of the Okavango Delta on traditional mokoro boats. Glide swiftly through the water and get an up-close view of this untouched landscape and the diverse creatures who inhabit it. Enjoy a delicious packed picnic lunch included as part of this activity. Overnight stay in Maun.
Note: Children of all ages are welcome to this activity, but they must be under constant adult supervision.
one of our selected hotels
Thamalakane River Lodge or similar
Activity
included:
Full Day Mokoro TourModerate
9th Day: Maun - Ghanzi
Breakfast at the lodge. Today, head to Ghanzi to spend a night in the heart of the Kalahari Desert.
Spend the afternoon learning the skills necessary to survive in this harsh but majestic landscape from the local San people, who have honed fascinating survival techniques over generations. Continue bonding over fire, dance, and songin the evening, observing ritual ceremonies performed by both men and women. Overnight stay in Ghanzi, Kalahari desert area.
one of our selected hotels
Ghanzi Trail Blazers or similar
included:
Guided Bushmen ExcursionModerate and
Bushmen Dance ExperienceLight
10th Day: Ghanzi - Windhoek
Breakfast at the lodge. Head west and cross the border into our final country of the tour: Namibia. Continue until we reach the capital: Windhoek, the economic and cultural center of the country with notable influence from the Nama and Herero tribes as well as Afrikaner and German settlers.
Check in to the hotel and use the rest of the day as you like to relax or explore the city on your own. Overnight stay in Windhoek.
one of our selected hotels
Safari Court or similar
11th Day: Windhoek - Etosha National Park
Breakfast at the hotel. Escape the bustling city and head back towards the famous Etosha National Park, one of the largest on the African continent and the first ever in Namibia, dating back to 1907. If time allows, enjoy a visit at the local wood carvers market in Okahandja to stock up on souvenirs that will last you a lifetime. Set up camp at our lodge just outside the park, take the rest of the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps with a dip in the pool or some time on the stunning viewing deck with a drink or a good book. Overnight stay in Etosha.
one of our selected hotels
Etosha Safari Camp or similar
included:
Okahandja Craft MarketLight
12th Day: Etosha National Park
Breakfast at the lodge. Prepare for a full day of safari adventures within the park, guided with an open 4x4 truck. The area is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, even several threatened and endangered species such as the famed black rhinoceros. Spend the day learning about this amazing natural ecosystem and observing the majestic creatures who inhabit it. Overnight stay in Etosha.
Accommodation
one of our selected hotels
Etosha Safari Camp or similar
included:
Full Day Etosha Game DriveModerate
13th Day: Etosha National Park - Himba Village - Swakopmund
After breakfast, set off for a visit to Omapaha, a Himba village. This indigenous community is one of the last nomadic tribes left in Namibia, known for their distinctive traditional clothing and hairstyles. Broaden your perspective as you understand more about this unique culture.
Continue west towards the coastal city of Swakopmund. This beach resort characterized by charming colonial architecture is known as “Namibia’s Playground.” Arrive in the afternoon and take the evening to enjoy dinner at your leisure – your guide can happily recommend a restaurant nearby in town. Overnight stay in Swakopmund.
Note: For the visit to the Himba Village, a mandatory fee of NAD 450.00 in cash must be paid at the destination.
one of our selected hotels
Swakopmund Plaza Hotel or similar
included:
Omapaha Himba Village VisitLight
14th Day: Swakopmund
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is a free day to spend as you wish in Swakopmund, whether you prefer relaxing by the water, exploring the old town, or going on more optional adventures outside the city limits. In the morning, check out an optional cruise* through Walvis Bay with drinks and food included. After lunch (at your own expense), you have the option of doing a 4x4 excursion** in the Namib Desert. Overnight stay in Swakopmund.
*Optional Walvis Bay cruise: Take a leisurely cruise along the coast, enjoying fresh oysters and champagne as you observe the aquatic ecosystem replete with dolphins and sea turtles.
**Optional Sandwich Harbor 4x4 Excursion: Set off on an adventure through the Namib Desert, traversing sky-high sand dunes that have impressive views over the vast blue ocean beyond.
Note: Guests are able to participate in both optional activities, as they take place at different times.
one of our selected hotels
Swakopmund Plaza Hotel or similar
Optional:
Dolphin & Seal Cruise in Walvis BayModerate
Half Day 4x4 Excursion Tour of Sandwich HarbourModerate
15th Day: Swakopmund - Solitaire - Sossusvlei
Enjoy your final breakfast in Swakopmund before we drive off once again towards Solitaire, one of the most isolated settlements in the world and the only available stopping point on this long journey. On the way, stop at the Tropic of Capricorn as marked by colorful road signs.
Pass through the stunning Kuiseb and Gaub passes, with extraordinary views of the canyons below that occasionally flow with running water. Overnight stay in Sossuvlei.
one of our selected hotels
Solitaire Country Lodge or similar
16th Day: Dune 45, Deadvlei & Sesriem Canyon
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on an early adventure where you will truly familiarise yourself with the magnificence of Namibia. Start by exploring the Namib Naukluft National Park at sunrise to watch the first rays of light colour the mountains in beautiful apricot, red and orange hues—the perfect opportunity to immortalise this moment on film. Next, make your way to captivating Deadvlei, home to some of the highest dunes on Earth and Sossusvlei, where the dry Tsauchab River ends abruptly amongst dunes. Take this opportunity to walk up one of these majestic dunes to admire the desert landscape beneath. Finally, you will visit the Sesriem Canyon, a life sustaining natural phenomenon in the heart of the Namib Desert. Overnight stay in Sossuvlei.
Note: This activity is done in the morning (before sunrise) in order to avoid extreme heat. There are no set pick up times as these vary according to sunrise. At your lodge, please consult your guide the day before to confirm the pick up for this activity. This activity is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility due to the nature of the excursions and the terrain.
one of our selected hotels
Solitaire Country Lodge or similar
included:
Half Day Sossuvlei Excursion (Challenging)
17th Day: Sossusvlei - Windhoek
Enjoy one last breakfast in Solitaire and depart for Windhoek, passing through either the Remhoogte Pass or the Spreetshoogte Pass depending on weather and road conditions. Both offer incredible views of the valleys below.
Arrive around midday and take advantage of your final full day in Africa with a city tour, visiting the SchwerinsburgCastle and the historic Christ Church. Continue to The Ink Palace (Tintenpalast), currently the seat of the NationalAssembly and Parliament Gardens, containing Namibia’s first post-independence monument. Visit the controversial Rider Memorial, the Cape Dutch-style Railway Station, and the Old Fort, designed to serve as headquarters of the imperial German army during the colonial era. Overnight stay in Windhoek.
one of our selected hotels
Safari Court or similar
included:
Mid-day Windhoek City Tour Moderate
18th Day: Windhoek - Night on board
Breakfast* at the hotel. Unfortunately, it’s time to end your journey though Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. At the specified time, meet for your transfer to the airport and get on your way back home to the US or onward to your next destination.
*Note that your departing flight may require an earlier departure, in which case you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast at the hotel.
Read more
19th Day: USArrive in the US and end your trip.
Experience Southern Africa through the major sites of Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. Begin at Victoria Falls before heading to Chobe National Park. See the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and explore the Okavango Delta. Learn about the people of the Kalahari Desert then go to Etosha National Park. Enjoy the seaside at Swakopmund before crossing dunes to see Deadvlei. End the trip with a tour of Windhoek.
1st Day: US - Night on board. Arrive at your US departure airport ready to check-in for a flight* to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Night on board.
*If your outbound flight leaves at dawn (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the selected departure day.
2nd Day: Victoria Falls
Arrive at Victoria Falls. Named for Queen Victoria by the Scottish explorer David Livingstone, these impressive waterfalls are just one of the many gifts that nature has given to southern Africa. Touch down and transfer to the hotel. Get comfortable, unpack, and perhaps explore your new surroundings at your leisure. Overnight stay in Victoria Falls.
Accommodation
one of our selected hotels
Insika Lodge or similar
3rd Day: Victoria Falls
Breakfast at the hotel. Next, a guided tour of the falls! This massive sheet of falling water and the spray that it produces is mesmerizing, to say the least. One of the largest waterfalls in the world, walk through its rich rainforest to learn about its flora and fauna. Listen to thundering water as you feel the mist around you.
In the afternoon, put your feet up and relax. Or, make use of the hourly courtesy shuttle to the city center and wander down to the local craft market with local soapstone carvings, masks, jewelry, and Batik fabric. If you haven't seen enough of the falls, try the optional helicopter experience* for an amazing aerial view. Or you could go on an optional safari** in the Zambezi National park. Overnight stay in Victoria Falls.
*Optional flight of the Angels Helicopter Experience: Get the best possible view of Victoria Falls, appreciating the grandeur and scale of this natural wonder as never before.
**Optional Zambezi National Park Safari: Take your first chance to see the famed African wildlife at this enormous park that lies just upstream of the falls.
Important note: these optional activities take place at the same time, so you will only be able to book one of them.
one of our selected hotels
Insika Lodge or similar
full selection of Activities
included:
Wild Horizons Tour of the Falls - Zimbabwe sideActive
Optional:
Afternoon Game drive in Zambezi National ParkLight
or
Flight of the Angels 13' Helicopter Experience (Zimbabwe)Light
4th Day: Victoria Falls - Kasane
Breakfast at the hotel. Say goodbye to Zimbabwe and catch your road transfer to the Chobe National Park in Botswana, enjoying a scenic drive. En-route, keep a lookout for buffalos, giraffes, elephants, and other wildlife.
Tuck into a tasty lunch (at your own expense) at the lodge's restaurant area followed with some time to relax and take in the breathtaking views of the Chobe River. In the late afternoon, cruise down the Chobe River with a drink in hand and enjoy the sunset. Watch for pods of hippos and some of the biggest crocodiles in Africa. Dinner and overnight stay in Kasane.
one of our selected hotels
Chobe Safari Lodge or similar
1
Activities
included:
Chobe Boat CruiseLight
See more
5th Day: Kasane - Chobe National Park - Kasane
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for an exciting day of 4x4 game viewing, and observe majestic elephants, buffalos, lions, hyenas, and even African wild dogs. The Chobe is truly a paradise for nature lovers: Spot native birds from herons to fish eagles.
While in the safari park, take a few moments to unwind–perhaps with a dip in the pool or some time on the stunning viewing deck with a drink or a good book. Dinner and overnight stay in Kasane.
one of our selected hotels
Chobe Safari Lodge or similar
Activitiy
included:
Chobe Game Viewing Light
6th Day: Kasane - Makgadikgadi Pans - Nata
Breakfast at the hotel. Take in the scenery from the deck one last time before heading south towards the renowned Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana’s dry savannah.
Arrive at the lodge. After settling in a bit, take off for an afternoon excursion to see the salt flats, a uniquely barren landscape that paradoxically supports a complex ecosystem during the rainy season. Dinner and overnight stay in Nata.
one of our selected hotels
Nata Lodge or similar
included:
Afternoon Makgadikgadi Salt Pan DriveModerate
See more
7th Day: Nata - Maun
Breakfast at the hotel. Prepare for another travel day and head west towards Maun, our base for exploring the Okavango Delta. Get settled in the village and get to know your surroundings. Take your time to explore the lodge and rest in the midst of calm natural beauty. Overnight stay in Maun.
Accommodation
one of our selected hotels
Thamalakane River Lodge or similar
Maun Orientation TourLight
8th Day: Maun
Breakfast at the hotel. Get an early start for a full-day excursion through the waterways of the Okavango Delta on traditional mokoro boats. Glide swiftly through the water and get an up-close view of this untouched landscape and the diverse creatures who inhabit it. Enjoy a delicious packed picnic lunch included as part of this activity. Overnight stay in Maun.
Note: Children of all ages are welcome to this activity, but they must be under constant adult supervision.
one of our selected hotels
Thamalakane River Lodge or similar
Activity
included:
Full Day Mokoro TourModerate
9th Day: Maun - Ghanzi
Breakfast at the lodge. Today, head to Ghanzi to spend a night in the heart of the Kalahari Desert.
Spend the afternoon learning the skills necessary to survive in this harsh but majestic landscape from the local San people, who have honed fascinating survival techniques over generations. Continue bonding over fire, dance, and songin the evening, observing ritual ceremonies performed by both men and women. Overnight stay in Ghanzi, Kalahari desert area.
one of our selected hotels
Ghanzi Trail Blazers or similar
included:
Guided Bushmen ExcursionModerate and
Bushmen Dance ExperienceLight
10th Day: Ghanzi - Windhoek
Breakfast at the lodge. Head west and cross the border into our final country of the tour: Namibia. Continue until we reach the capital: Windhoek, the economic and cultural center of the country with notable influence from the Nama and Herero tribes as well as Afrikaner and German settlers.
Check in to the hotel and use the rest of the day as you like to relax or explore the city on your own. Overnight stay in Windhoek.
one of our selected hotels
Safari Court or similar
11th Day: Windhoek - Etosha National Park
Breakfast at the hotel. Escape the bustling city and head back towards the famous Etosha National Park, one of the largest on the African continent and the first ever in Namibia, dating back to 1907. If time allows, enjoy a visit at the local wood carvers market in Okahandja to stock up on souvenirs that will last you a lifetime. Set up camp at our lodge just outside the park, take the rest of the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps with a dip in the pool or some time on the stunning viewing deck with a drink or a good book. Overnight stay in Etosha.
one of our selected hotels
Etosha Safari Camp or similar
included:
Okahandja Craft MarketLight
12th Day: Etosha National Park
Breakfast at the lodge. Prepare for a full day of safari adventures within the park, guided with an open 4x4 truck. The area is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, even several threatened and endangered species such as the famed black rhinoceros. Spend the day learning about this amazing natural ecosystem and observing the majestic creatures who inhabit it. Overnight stay in Etosha.
Accommodation
one of our selected hotels
Etosha Safari Camp or similar
included:
Full Day Etosha Game DriveModerate
13th Day: Etosha National Park - Himba Village - Swakopmund
After breakfast, set off for a visit to Omapaha, a Himba village. This indigenous community is one of the last nomadic tribes left in Namibia, known for their distinctive traditional clothing and hairstyles. Broaden your perspective as you understand more about this unique culture.
Continue west towards the coastal city of Swakopmund. This beach resort characterized by charming colonial architecture is known as “Namibia’s Playground.” Arrive in the afternoon and take the evening to enjoy dinner at your leisure – your guide can happily recommend a restaurant nearby in town. Overnight stay in Swakopmund.
Note: For the visit to the Himba Village, a mandatory fee of NAD 450.00 in cash must be paid at the destination.
one of our selected hotels
Swakopmund Plaza Hotel or similar
included:
Omapaha Himba Village VisitLight
14th Day: Swakopmund
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is a free day to spend as you wish in Swakopmund, whether you prefer relaxing by the water, exploring the old town, or going on more optional adventures outside the city limits. In the morning, check out an optional cruise* through Walvis Bay with drinks and food included. After lunch (at your own expense), you have the option of doing a 4x4 excursion** in the Namib Desert. Overnight stay in Swakopmund.
*Optional Walvis Bay cruise: Take a leisurely cruise along the coast, enjoying fresh oysters and champagne as you observe the aquatic ecosystem replete with dolphins and sea turtles.
**Optional Sandwich Harbor 4x4 Excursion: Set off on an adventure through the Namib Desert, traversing sky-high sand dunes that have impressive views over the vast blue ocean beyond.
Note: Guests are able to participate in both optional activities, as they take place at different times.
one of our selected hotels
Swakopmund Plaza Hotel or similar
Optional:
Dolphin & Seal Cruise in Walvis BayModerate
Half Day 4x4 Excursion Tour of Sandwich HarbourModerate
15th Day: Swakopmund - Solitaire - Sossusvlei
Enjoy your final breakfast in Swakopmund before we drive off once again towards Solitaire, one of the most isolated settlements in the world and the only available stopping point on this long journey. On the way, stop at the Tropic of Capricorn as marked by colorful road signs.
Pass through the stunning Kuiseb and Gaub passes, with extraordinary views of the canyons below that occasionally flow with running water. Overnight stay in Sossuvlei.
one of our selected hotels
Solitaire Country Lodge or similar
16th Day: Dune 45, Deadvlei & Sesriem Canyon
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on an early adventure where you will truly familiarise yourself with the magnificence of Namibia. Start by exploring the Namib Naukluft National Park at sunrise to watch the first rays of light colour the mountains in beautiful apricot, red and orange hues—the perfect opportunity to immortalise this moment on film. Next, make your way to captivating Deadvlei, home to some of the highest dunes on Earth and Sossusvlei, where the dry Tsauchab River ends abruptly amongst dunes. Take this opportunity to walk up one of these majestic dunes to admire the desert landscape beneath. Finally, you will visit the Sesriem Canyon, a life sustaining natural phenomenon in the heart of the Namib Desert. Overnight stay in Sossuvlei.
Note: This activity is done in the morning (before sunrise) in order to avoid extreme heat. There are no set pick up times as these vary according to sunrise. At your lodge, please consult your guide the day before to confirm the pick up for this activity. This activity is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility due to the nature of the excursions and the terrain.
one of our selected hotels
Solitaire Country Lodge or similar
included:
Half Day Sossuvlei Excursion (Challenging)
17th Day: Sossusvlei - Windhoek
Enjoy one last breakfast in Solitaire and depart for Windhoek, passing through either the Remhoogte Pass or the Spreetshoogte Pass depending on weather and road conditions. Both offer incredible views of the valleys below.
Arrive around midday and take advantage of your final full day in Africa with a city tour, visiting the SchwerinsburgCastle and the historic Christ Church. Continue to The Ink Palace (Tintenpalast), currently the seat of the NationalAssembly and Parliament Gardens, containing Namibia’s first post-independence monument. Visit the controversial Rider Memorial, the Cape Dutch-style Railway Station, and the Old Fort, designed to serve as headquarters of the imperial German army during the colonial era. Overnight stay in Windhoek.
one of our selected hotels
Safari Court or similar
included:
Mid-day Windhoek City Tour Moderate
18th Day: Windhoek - Night on board
Breakfast* at the hotel. Unfortunately, it’s time to end your journey though Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. At the specified time, meet for your transfer to the airport and get on your way back home to the US or onward to your next destination.
*Note that your departing flight may require an earlier departure, in which case you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast at the hotel.
Read more
19th Day: USArrive in the US and end your trip.