Dunes, Delta & Falls Safari
Includes: Sossusvlei, Etosha, Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls
The Dunes and Delta is a 12 day budget camping safari, that as it's name suggests first visits the sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Swakopmund on the Namibian Atlantic coast, before finishing in the Okavango Delta. In between it heads north to the famous Etosha National Park and the safari continues with an overnight stop at a Bushman/San community. After visiting the Okavango Delta, the safari ends in the town of Livingstone, on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls
This safari is designed for the adventure traveller; one who enjoys pitching in to help, yet does not mind the discomfort of bush camping. Transfers back to Windhoek after the safari are possible, and alternatively there are regular bus services and flights back to Windhoek or Johannesburg, to connect with onward international destination of your choice.
Highlights include:
- A walk on the sandy side through Sossusvlei, a distinct vlei, located at the end point of the ephemeral Tsauchab River.
- The Walvis Bay Lagoon – a protected RAMSAR wetland site, famed for it's water-birds, with nearly 80 different species.
- The quaint Atlantic seaside town of Swakopmund, Namibia's premier seaside resort. A pleasant place of colonial-style buildings, well-stocked shops and fine restaurants.
- Etosha National Park – experience one of the greatest wildlife spectaculars on earth – herds of elephant, lions and the world's largest populations of the rare black rhino.
- Tracking with San Bushmen to collect food.
- Swim in a river, 'hippo and croc big cage swimming pool.'
- Enjoy the river life, including elephant and buffalo, of the Okavango Delta from a dug-out canoe.
- Day 1: Windhoek - namib Desert
- Travellers will be collected from their Windhoek accommodation at around 08h00. The drive heads southwards through the town of Rehoboth, established in the early 1870's by Baster settlers who moved up from the Cape. There follows a full mornings scenic drive en-route to the lovely Agama Camp, with arrival time scheduled just in time for lunch. After lunch there is some free time to enjoy a dip and a splash in the swimming pool or to just chill around the camp. Later in the afternoon, your guide will accompany you on a short sunset walk, or you can join the (optional) Agama Camp sundowner drive. Dinner is prepared and cooked by the tour's guide and camp assistant. An early night is recommended!
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Agama Camp - Day 2: Sossusvlei
- A pre-dawn departure from camp is essential with a 65km drive towards Sossusvlei, watching the incredible sunrise as the drive continues along the ephemeral Tsauchab River Valley, (Tsauchab is derived from the the Nama language and refers to the 'river where there are many Salsola bushes) dwarfed by huge star dunes on either side. The last 5km from the 2x4 car park is either by 4x4 (shuttle) vehicle or the energetic might like to walk the rest of the way on the sand. The largest dune at Sossusvlei is affectionately known to the locals as Big Mama, and when you reach the top it's time for a short rest. It's a great spot to take some photographs and there is so much more to see when you look around. To the left is Naravlei, named after the many !Nara plants found on and around the pan. South of Big Mama is Cessna Pan, visible over the dunes, and Witberg (White Mountain), with its rocky ridges creating a beacon for travellers in the desert.
South of Sossusvlei, and at the foot of Big Mama, is Dead Vlei or Dead Pan, with its large expanse of bleached cracked clay and scattered skeletal camelthorn trees, (some over 600 years old) surrounded by towering red dunes on three sides. After the exploration of this dramatic and desolate landscape has been enjoyed to the full, it's time for a well-earned mid-morning brunch, before returning to camp for a welcome splash and a dip in the pool. The afternoon's drive is to the nearby Sesriem Canyon, also carved by the Tsauchab River, and the walk down is a welcome relief from the desert heat. There is another chance to enjoy a spectacular sunset, and dinner will be prepared and cooked by the guide and camp assistant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Agama Camp - Day 3: Namib Desert - Swakopmund
- Another early morning departure as the tour says farewell to Agama Camp, stopping at the one horse town of Solitaire on the way for refreshments, but not leaving before sampling 'Moose' McGregor's famous apple pie, a must before continuing through the desert. The morning's drive continues with endless views across the pastel-coloured gravel plains, to the port town of Walvis Bay. The lagoon is a bird watchers paradise, (a protected RAMSAR wetland site,) where many species of birds can be spotted including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, avocets, plovers and the endemic Damara tern. There is a scheduled lunch break here, before continuing onto Swakopmund, a quaint coastal town, full of historic buildings and Teutonic culture. The afternoon is an ideal time to shake the desert dust out of your boots and relax around the town or on the beach. Swakopmund has a wide and decent range of banking and medical facilities, shops, restaurants and bars. Overnight is in comfortable twin & double rooms with an en-suite bathroom close to the town centre. (Laundry facilities are available here.) This evening's meal is a group dinner in a local restaurant. (On own account.)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: A Guest House in Swakopmund - Day 4: Swakopmund - Windhoek
- After breakfast, the morning is at leisure to enjoy optional activities or to simply just explore the town & beach or enjoy a coffee & cake in one of the many cafe's. Departure time to Windhoek is after lunch (on own account) via the small town of Okahandja, (The Garden Town of Namibia) with a visit to the woodcarvers market. Arrival in Windhoek is expected to be late afternoon. Evening meal at own expense.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Guest House in Windhoek - Day 5: Windhoek - Etosha
- After stopping briefly at Otjiwarongo for fresh supplies lunch is held at the entrance to the Etosha National Park, Namibia's prime game viewing destination. A game drive to camp and if time permits enjoy another game drive before sunset. Overnight camping. Dinner prepared by the guide and camp assistant and evening is spent around the campfire or at the floodlit waterhole by the camp, which is often visited by endangered black rhinos coming to quench their thirst after sunset
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Okaukuejo
- Day 6: Etosha National Park
- The sunrise departure from camp ensures a full morning's game drive, transiting across the park visiting various waterholes along the way. This is a great area from a game viewing perspective, and the look out for the many species of animals can be an exciting one. The hottest part of the day is spent at Halali camp where lunch will be served, and you can splash in the pool or enjoy an ice-cream. The waterhole is a very popular attraction here, set amongst beautiful Moringa trees. A late afternoon game drive to Namutoni follows, via the famous Etosha Pan, a vast depression which can even be seen from space, as the white shimmering haze disappears into the horizon. Apart from the historical interest and architecture of the old fort, the area has a very interesting bird population, especially during the spring when the Namib coral tree is in full bloom, and the fruit on the fig trees are ready to be cooked up as jam! Dinner is prepared by the guide and camp assistant. Spend the evening around the campfire or chill out at the floodlit waterhole.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping: Namutoni Camp - Day 7: Etosha - Grootfontein Area
- After breakfast and a short game drive out of the camp, the tour heads towards Grootfontein. There is a brief stop at Lake Otjikoto, a natural sinkhole into which German troops dumped weapons and ammunition prior to their surrender in 1915. The stop at Tsumeb is to collect fresh supplies and a short lunch stop is taken at the Hoba Meteorite - the world's largest single meteorite, before the journey continues through to Grootfontein itself to refuel before entering the Kalahari. Arrival time at Roy's Camp is scheduled for just after lunch.
The afternoon activity centres around a drive to a Bushman Village. Highlights include heading out with a San tracker to collect bush food, experiencing how the San people live, and how they survive in today's modern world. There is an opportunity to buy some original Bushman artifacts direct from the craftsmen and women of the village. Return to the campsite is scheduled for late afternoon, and Roy's camp has a great reputation for a warm welcome and a charmingly laid back atmosphere. The lodge is an interesting mixture of rustic African design, set against a highly imaginative and unconventional artists mind! Overnight camping with dinner prepared by your guide.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Camping: Roy's Camp - Day 8: Grootfontein - Ngepi Camp
- After breakfast the safari departs for the pleasant town of Rundu, set on the banks of the Okavango River and the administrative centre for the region. Fresh supplies will be taken on board and there will time to see the going's on at the local market before setting off. The overnight stop is Ngepi Camp, set amongst flooded plains and swampy backwaters, in a region teeming with wildlife. There is time in the afternoon to relax on the wooden deck and explorers and adventurers can dive into the Ngepi Camp river, 'hippo and croc big cage swimming pool.' Optional activities include overnight Mokoro and houseboat safaris, boat cruises, river rafting and fishing trips. (Catch and release only!) Overnight camping and evening meal prepared by the guide.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping: Ngepi Camp - Day 9: Ngepi - Guma Lagoon (Botswana)
- This morning, and just after breakfast, there is a drive to Mahango Game Reserve. This small 'jewel of a game reserve' is home to the rare roan and sable antelope, buffalo, large herds of elephant, and hippo. There is also a wide variety of aquatic birds, not normally found in many areas of Namibia. Arrival at the camp is just in time for lunch and after setting up the tents, there is some leisure time to enjoy the views from the deck that overlook the beautiful lagoon of the Okavango Delta. Overnight camping and evening meal prepared by your guide.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Guma Lagoon - Day 10: Guma Lagoon
- After an early breakfast each guest will take 1 small day pack and meet up with a motor boat, before transferring to a Mokoro. (Dug-out canoe.) You relax whilst your polers push you through this beautiful, lush and serene region, enjoying the river life and tranquility of the Okavango Delta. There will also be an opportunity to take a game walk and learn about this fragile and unique ecosystem on the way. More game walks and Mokoro rides are planned, before returning to the camp in the early afternoon. Overnight camping and evening meal prepared by the guide.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Guma Lagoon - Day 11: Guma Lagoon - Susuwe
- An early start to cross the border back into Namibia and on to Mahango Game Reserve, leaving the park for lunch overlooking Popa Falls, before continuing through the Caprivi Strip to Susuwe in the Babwata National Park. This is a wild park, camping without fences and spending an exhilarating night listening to the night sounds of the animals, with the possibility for 'close-up' bush encounters. Overnight camping and evening meal prepared by the guide.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping: Susuwe Park - Day 12: Livingstone (Zambia)
- Enjoy breakfast and a short game drive before heading through to Katima Mulilo. This busy and bustling fast-developing town is the last frontier of Namibia, before getting a glimpse of the mighty Zambezi River. There will be cross-border documentation into Zambia, with lunch at a scenic location along the roadside. Arrival time in Livingstone is scheduled for mid-afternoon, with travellers being dropped off at their respective accommodation in Livingstone.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
- Mode of transport
- Minibus or Safari Truck
- Number Of Participants
- Maximum of twelve
- Included
- All transport
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Tea & coffee in camp
All camping equipment
Park entrance & accommodation fees
Guide
Pick-up and drop-off at accommodation in Windhoek - Excluded
- Beverages
Sleeping Bag (can be hired)
Tips
Travel Insurance - Route & Accommodation
- The itinerary above is a guideline only and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances when it may change - for example weather and/or road conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on occasion may be altered from those indicated.