Delta and Dunes Safari

You will be met at Windhoek International airport (or your accommodation in Windhoek) by your safari guide. Once our group is assembled we head out northeast, across the cattle country around Gobabis, towards Botswana. We will stop for lunch on the way before crossing the border into Botswana, where our camp for the evening will be close to the town of Ghanzi where we stay at camp Xaragu. After the long drive, it’s a pleasure to relax and enjoy the first evening around the campfire. Lunch and dinner are included.

Driving time approx. 6.5 hrs. (530 km).

After breaking camp, we drive into Ghanzi and make a short stop for those wishing to exchange money and purchase drinks. We continue across the Kalahari and up to the western side of the Okavango Delta to our camp, situated on the edge of a lovely lagoon in the heart of the Okavango. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Driving time approx. 6hrs. (430 km).

Today we leave our vehicle behind and travel by motorboat into the Delta. We exchange motorboat for a mokoro (dug-out canoes) and this will be our transport for the next two days, poled along by the local people. The mokoro allow us to travel further into the Delta, a marvellous way to enjoy the many waterways and to see this unspoiled part of Africa. After setting up our bush camp on one of the many islands in the Delta we will go for a short walk to see our surroundings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

We start the day with an early morning game walk – a great opportunity to see some wildlife at close quarters. One of the real attractions of the Delta is seeing how the people and animals share the land as they have done for hundreds of years. We return to camp for a big brunch and a bit of relaxation. The local people can take us to a safe place to bathe in the fresh clear water. We will go for a shorter walk later in the afternoon and after dinner chat with the local guides and learn something of their way of life. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Today we have a slower start to the day as we break camp and load our mokoro. As we wind our way back out to the edge of the Delta, we can view the wildlife and huge variety of birds found in this unspoiled part of Africa. One of the real attractions of the Delta is seeing how the people and animals share this area as they have done for hundreds of years. This will be our final evening in the Okavango Delta. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

We depart this morning and head north towards the frontier with Namibia. After crossing the border we go directly into the Mahango Game Reserve, a stunning little park on the edge of the Okavango River. We have lunch here and do some game driving with the possibility of seeing antelope such as roan or sable. Our route then takes us west to our camp near Rundu, again on the banks of the Okavango. Dinner tonight is at the lodge at your own expense. In the evening, you can enjoy the singing and dancing of the local people before heading to bed.

Driving time approx. 4 hrs. (350 km).

A short drive brings us to Rundu where there is time to explore the local market before continuing down through the Kavango Region. There are a few breaks along the way at various kraals to see the local crafts and woodcarvings. We then travel west across farmland and enter the Etosha National Park, just as the sun is setting. We set up camp and prepare dinner. Later, it is always worth spending some time at the floodlit waterhole. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Driving time approx. 5 hrs. (450km).

Today there is a full day of game driving starting at dawn as the camp gates open. We stay at Namutoni for two nights and go out all morning and then again in the afternoon to see as much of the prolific animal and bird life as possible. After our morning drive we have a big brunch and relax either around the pool or at the waterhole.

Game driving.

After loading the vehicle, we start off across Etosha. There is an abundance of wildlife. Lunch is at Halali, the most central of the camps. We rest for a couple of hours and can have a refreshing swim. We then continue our game drive heading to the western camp, Okaukuejo, where we spend the next two nights. This camp also has a floodlit waterhole, and is a popular drinking place for both the white and black rhino.

Game driving.

We are now on the western side of the Park and we have the full day to do game drives in this area. There is also time to relax during the middle of the day, maybe enjoying a swim around lunchtime. For those that choose, there is a game drive in the afternoon or maybe you would prefer to relax by the nearby waterhole with a sundowner and watch the sun setting.

Game driving.

We leave Etosha today and head to Damaraland. Our safari takes us through some picturesque farm country and the capital of the region, Khorixas. From there we go on to Twyfelfontein, a fascinating area where we will take a tour to view the hundreds of rock engravings, and imagine the life which must have been here hundreds and even thousands of years ago. We continue through Damaraland to our campsite and enjoy the peace and solitude of this beautiful area. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Driving time approx. 5hrs (400km).

After skirting the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest peak, we cross the gravel plains of the Namib Desert. Soon, we see the Atlantic Ocean and our first stop is Cape Cross. This is a breeding site for Cape Fur seals and numbers can reach 100,000 seals, which is an incredible sight. We then head south along the Skeleton Coast to the coastal resort of Swakopmund. Here we are staying in chalet accommodation and we go out to supper to one of the many excellent restaurants. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Driving time approx. 6 hrs (400km).

We go back to the Namib Desert today. Our journey takes us through varied and fascinating desert scenery to Sesriem, the gateway to some of the world’s largest sand dunes. Our camp is spread out under enormous and ancient camelthorn trees and there is a swimming pool to cool off in, after our trip through the desert. There should be time for us to visit the nearby Elim dune before sunset, too. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Driving time approx. 5.5 hrs (420km).

We rise well before dawn to drive into the heart of the dunes. As the pre-dawn light blushes the dunes, the full impact of this incredible scene begins to hit you and, with dawn, it becomes breathtaking. We walk into Sossusvlei, the end of an ancient riverbed, and climb some of the dunes. We also learn about the flora and fauna that survive in such a harsh environment. We return to our camp during the hottest part of the day. Later in the afternoon we can visit Sesriem Gorge, a small but fascinating gorge where the desert has been cut by the force of floodwaters. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Driving time approx. 2hrs (120km).

Today, unfortunately, is the last leg of our safari. We bid the dunes farewell and travel back to Windhoek. Our route takes us across the Central Highlands, and after a stop for lunch we arrive in Windhoek with enough time to see some of the Capital City before our trip finishes.