This itinerary details the route as travelling north first, however you may well travel to the south first, covering exactly the same ground but in reverse order to the text here.  The Okavango Delta section is always the final section of the safari.

This safari has a guaranteed departure nearly every Friday of the year, with a minimum of 2 people.  There is no single supplement, and the price is virtually fully inclusive of everything you will need whilst travelling with us.  The style is limited participation, assisted camping.  Included in the price of the trip there are three accommodated nights, (day 7,day 13 & day 14). 

Collection time, from anywhere within the Windhoek city limits is between 08:30 & 09:00 for the first northern section, (to Okonjima), of the trip, between 07:30 & 08:00 for the second southern section, (to the Quiver Tree Forrest), and between 07:30 & 08:00 for the final section of the trip, (to Botswana).

Windhoek – Okonjima (300 km) (LD) (camping)

You will be collected between 08:30 & 09:00

We will travel north, stopping at small towns along the way including Okahandja, where we have time to visit Namibia’s largest wood carving market.  The market is operated on a local co-operative basis and is one of the best places to shop for truly Namibian souvenirs. 

Continuing north, passing through farmland, we aim to arrive at Okonjima during the middle afternoon, giving us time to set up our camp and to relax in the shade for a while before heading out on to the property to take part in the afternoon’s activities.

Okonjima is the home of the Africat Foundation, a specialist conservation concern that centres its operations around the African Big Cats, particularly cheetah. 

This afternoon you will be taken on a tour during which you will be able to meet, close-up-and-personal, some of the cheetah that are going through the Africat rehabilitation programme. 

Most of the animals currently living at Okonjima have been rescued from various desperate situations, being orphaned or caught in a trap, and the aim of rehabilitation process is to attempt to re-introduce them into the wild.

After our educational tour we will return our accommodation and prepare for dinner under the African stars.

Day two

Okonjima - Namutoni / East Etosha region (300 km) (BLD) (camping)

An early start and continuing north we pass through some small towns, making short stops for fresh supplies and fuel. 

Continuing on to our East Etosha, Namutoni region camp we again aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving us time to relax before heading into the park during the cool of the late afternoon for our first game drive. 

Day three 

East Etosha region – Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park (BLD) (camping)

A full day's game driving.  We again leave early to enjoy the cool morning air as we game drive our way through Etosha to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park.  Along the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan.  The game viewing is usually excellent and we have the chance to tick off a few new species that are not normally seen on the Namutoni side of the park. 

We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch.  There is time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our way and game driving down to Okaukuejo. 

Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole, which has been described as one of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa".  Situated on the doorstep of our accommodation, black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are usually seen.

Day four

Okaukuejo – Oase Himba Village, Kamanjab (300 km) (BLD) (camping)

Leaving Etosha we begin our journey south with a relatively short drive to the small town of Kamanjab where we will make a short stop here before continuing on to find the Himba Tribesmen.

This is the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia These tribes-people have migrated here, lifestyle and customs intact, and are following their traditional way-of-life in their village on a farm.  Oase Village is located about 15 to 20 km outside Kamanjab, the exact location of the site varies as the Himba occasionally roam to a new location.

During the afternoon we will be invited into Oase Village and will meet with the locals.  We will have a specialist guide for the time we are there, who will be able to translate for us and will introduce us to this “alternative lifestyle”.  We will learn about marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the local religion, “Holy Fire”.

Day five

Oase Village – Brandberg Mountain (400 km) (BLD) (camping)

Today we head into one of the most beautiful desert regions in Namibia, Damaraland.  We drive south to the capital of this region, the small town of Khorixas, and then take a detour to the west to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontien.  At this location we will have a local guide to conduct us on a short guided tour.

From here we head deeper into the desert to Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m).  Brandberg Mountain is an ancient Bushman spiritual site and tonight we will sleep under the shadow of this giant granite monolith.

Day six 

Brandberg Mountain – Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast (250 km) (BL) (chalet accommodation)

Starting early to enjoy the cool of the morning we will hike, “into” the mountain with our guide to see the world famous “White Lady” rock painting.  Attributed to the Bushman artists, the white lady panel is believed by some to be in excess of 20 000 years old.

Back on the road for more beautiful Damaraland scenery and we make our first stop in the small town of Uis, an old mining town, and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones, for which Namibia is famous.  Here, rough Amethyst, Tourmaline etc can be found at bargain prices. 

From here we turn directly west and cross the “gravel plains” on our way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast.  Meeting the ocean at Henties Bay, we first head north along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross.  Here at certain times of the year there can be as many as 100,000 Cape Fur seals in attendance. 

The next destination is Swakopmund, following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia's premier seaside town.  We aim to arrive in the late afternoon giving us time to explore the town on foot before sunset.

Tonight we take the chance to sample one of the excellent restaurants.  The seafood in Swakopmund is superb.  Your guide will offer to organise a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening.  Participation is recommended but by no means required. 

Dinner this evening in not included in the price of the safari and will be for the client’s own account

Day seven 

Swakopmund - Windhoek (BL) (350 km)

The drive back to Windhoek today will take about 4 and a half hours.  We will only depart after lunch,

giving us time to spend the morning relaxing in Swakopmund.  Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market.  There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund. 

Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can be arranged.  These include aeroplane and microlight flights over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing, bird-watching and many other activities are available.  

Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival.  (N.B.  All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients’ own risk and expense).

This is the last day of our trip and after lunch we will transfer back to the capital city where you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

This night’s accommodation is included in the price of the safari but dinner tonight will be for the client’s own account in a local restaurant.

Day eight

Windhoek – Quiver Tree forest (500 km) (BLD) (camping)

You will be collected between 07:30 & 08:00

We start our long journey south on the main B1 highway, travelling through the thin strip of Kalahari Desert that protrudes onto the eastern side of Namibia. 

Stopping at small towns along the way including Rehoboth, traditional home of the Baster people, we aim to arrive at the Quiver Tree Forest in the middle afternoon. Located just north of the southern centre of Keetmanshoop, (officially the sunniest town in the world), we make camp and have time to explore the area on foot.

Quiver trees are not in fact trees, they are a type of aloe, (Aloe Dichotoma), so called because the branches fork “dictomously”.  These weird looking plants dot the landscape in this part of the world and are locally common, however they are one of the world’s rarest flora species.

Day nine

Quiver Tree Forest – Fish River Canyon (250 km) (BLD) (camping)

Before leaving the Keetmanshoop area we visit another local site of interest this morning, the Giants Playground”, an area filled with massively eroded dolerite rocks that are precariously balanced in tottering towers.  We then head to the Town of Keetmanshoop, the capital of the South, for a short stop.

Leaving the town behind, we travel west and over the Fish River, our first sight of this famous river.  Our journey takes us off the tarmac road and onto gravel roads and south to reach our night’s destination, close to Fish River Canyon.  This area is on the North West side of the Canyon and opposite the traditional viewing point of the Canyon. 

Day ten

Fish River Canyon – Klein Aus Vista, southern Namib, (250 km) (BLD) (camping)

It’s an early start to make the most of the morning and our visit to the Canyon.  Viewing from the top we can see the river sparkling in the sunlight far below us, and can barely imagine how many millennia it took for the forces of erosion to carve such a magnificent vista. 

It’s possible to make our way into the canyon and to the bottom of this the second largest Canyon in Africa.  We have lunch and a dip in the cool waters before making our way out and back to camp.  Time to pack up camp and move on to our next destination, the tiny town of Aus. We sleep tonight at Klein Aus Vista, a private reserve, beautifully located in the Aus Mountain Range, (Huib-Hoch-Plateau region).

Day eleven

Klein Aus Vista – Luderitz – Klein Aus Vista (250km) (BD) (camping)

We are up with the dawn this morning for the short drive to Luderitz, we travel on the main road and keep a sharp look out for the unique Namib wild horses.  These horses are the only feral horses in Namibia and have, very unusually, become adapted to an existence with very limited water. 

Where they originated from is un-clear, some people think they are the descendants of the horses used by the German cavalry during the First World War.  Another theory is that they originally came from a horse farm that used to be run by a German Barron, (von Wolff), in the very early colonial days.

We arrive in Luderitz in time to join an optional extra excursion, a trip on an old wooden sailing ship, “The Sedina”.  We take a cruise around Luderitz bay and, weather permitting, to Halifax Island to see the Jackass Penguins.  If the weather conditions are suitable we turn off the engines come back to Luderitz under sail. 

Straight after the Sedina trip we drive out to Kolmanskop, a desert ghost town about 20 km out of Luderitz.  It was built in the 1920's during the diamond rush and was abandoned when bigger and better diamonds were found further along the coast.  The area is still abandoned and the desert has encroached over the entire town, giving an eerie feeling and real meaning to the word “ghost”.

Lunch today is not included in the programme, this is to allow everybody as much flexibility with their time as possible and to give us the opportunity to sample some of the excellent local cafes.

During the middle of the day there is time to explore Luderitz Town with its traditional German architecture and later we will take a drive out to Diaz Point to see the bird life, hopefully a few seals and the stone cross replica, originally erected by the Portuguese mariner Bartholomew Diaz. 

Returning to Klein Aus Vista in the late afternoon, the road takes us through the “forbidden Zone” so named because in years gone by, the alluvial diamonds found in Namibia were simply scattered across the desert and we again have time to enjoy sunset over the mountains.

N.B:  The “Sedina” excursion is subject to availability and, if undertaken, will be for the clients own risk and expense.

Day twelve

Klein Aus Vista – Namib Desert Camp, outside of the Namib Naukluft Park   (350km) (BLD) (camping)

Turning north, we once again head deep into the ancient southern Namib, travelling on small gravel roads and passing some tiny rural communities along the way.  The scenery is harsh, and sometimes forbidding.  The process of erosion in these areas is well advanced and we pass time rounded “koppies” arid terrain and outcrops of tortured rock.

Traversing this bleak yet beautiful landscape, the terrain begins to change and we cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain begins to give way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib.  We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and watch the colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east.

Day thirteen

Namib Desert Camp – Sossusvlei - Namib Desert Camp, outside of the Namib Naukluft Park   (camping) (BLD)

A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. After passing through Sesriem, the gateway to the dunes and driving into the heart of the dune field, we reach Sossusvlei itself by walking the last 5 km through the dunes. 

The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert.  Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect. 

We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting dune 45, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch to escape the heat of the afternoon.  As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.

Day fourteen

Namib Desert Camp - Windhoek (350 km) (BL)

After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and along scenic roads, back to Windhoek.  We will travel over the Naukluft Mountains and also the Khomas Hochland Range, through beautiful mountain passes on our way back to civilization.

We are due back into the city around 16:00 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return.

This night’s accommodation is included in the price of the safari but dinner tonight will be for the client’s own account in a local restaurant.

Day fifteen

Windhoek – Ghanzi, Kalahari, Botswana (600 km) (BLD) (camping)

You will be collected between 07:30 & 08:00

A long drive today, making use of the Trans Kalahari Highway, a relatively new road that provides an invaluable communication link between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.  The road takes us first to the small town of Gobabis, one of the main livestock farming centres of Namibia, and then on to the border with Botswana.

After completing the immigration formalities we continue, through rural Botswana to the town of Ghanzi, located in the centre of cattle farming Botswana.  Ghanzi is located almost in the middle of the Kalahari Desert and was almost unknown before the Trans Kalahari Highway.

Day sixteen

Ghanzi – Okavango Delta (450 km) (BLD) (camping)

An early start and a quick stop in Ghanzi to collect any last minute supplies before continuing west, traversing the linear dunes of the Kalahari and passing through small towns along the way.

A change in vegetation heralds our arrival on the very western edge of one of the natural wonders of the world, the Okavango Delta.  Here we turn north for some way before again pointing our wheels west as we enter the Delta proper.  We see our first glimpse of the crystal waters through the lush vegetation and we make our camp on the banks of a pristine African lagoon.

Day seventeen

Okavango Delta (BLD) (camping)

We are in the territory of the River People, so this morning we leave our vehicle behind and travel in a more appropriate fashion, first by motor-boat and then by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), deep into the Delta.

Mokoro’s will be our main form of transport.  These amazing traditional craft are perfectly designed for the narrow waterways of the Okavango and allow us to travel further into the Delta than if we were using more modern forms of transport.  Mokoros carry three people, two seated passengers and one driver.  The driver stands in the rear of the canoe, (a real feat of balance), and uses a long wooden pole to propel and steer the mokoro through the twisting channels.  It really is the only way to travel. 

Back to camp in the late afternoon for another night by the Okavango waters.

Day eighteen

Okavango Delta – Caprivi, Namibia (350 km) (BLD) (camping)

Back on the road today, destination Namibia.  Passport formalities completed we go directly into the Mahango Game Reserve, a small but excellent park right on the edge of the Okavango River. 

We game drive our way through Mahango and have the chance to spot rarely seen Namibian species such as roan the majestic sable antelope. 

Our camp for tonight is just outside the Game Reserve, and we are again beside the Okavango, but this time the main river, on its journey from the Angolan highlands, through the pan handle to waters end, the delta.

Day nineteen

Caprivi, Namibia (200km) (BLD) (camping)

The Caprivi Strip is a long narrow stretch of territory running along the Botswana’s northern border.  It is a landscape of broadleaf forest with many small communities dotted along our route.  The locals in this area are the Kavango people and we make a cultural visit to a local community.  The people here have taken the initiative to establish a traditional “kraal” which will be opened for us and we will give a guided tour. 

We have the chance to gain a significant insight into the local customs and culture, including demonstrations of traditional medicine and superstition.

From here it is only a short drive to our camp for the night, also operated as a community project, located on the banks of the Kwando River in a beautiful setting.  There is a craft market nearby where you can shop for truly Namibian souvenirs.

Day twenty

Caprivi Strip – Kasane, Botswana (300 km) (BLD) (camping)

We finish our long transit of the Caprivi region this morning when we arrive in Namibia’s easternmost town, Katima Mulilo.  A short break here before crossing back across the border into Botswana.  The road takes us directly into the world famous Chobe National Park.  Chobe has the world’s largest population of African Elephants and the chances of seeing some big game are very good as we transit through the park to the small town of Kasane.  We make camp in the grounds of a local lodge, right on the banks for the Chobe River. 

Time to relax in the afternoon before joining a river boat cruise, back into the park.  From the boat we will have the chance to see a huge amount of wild game, both on the river banks and in the waters swirling around us. 

Crocodiles and hippos abound in the forbidding Chobe River and on the land side there is often a kaleidoscope of different antelope and species such as elephant, buffalo and even the Big Cats come to the river banks for their sundowner drink.  The Chobe River provides a very broad habitat for bird life and it is possible to see many beautiful species of our feathered friends.

Day twenty one

Kasane – Livingstone, Zambia (100 km) (BL) (camping)

Another border crossing today, we drive out of Kasane to Kazangula ferry depot and complete our Botswanan exit formalities.  We cross the Chobe on the local ferry boat, enter Zambia and from here it is a short drive to the town of Livingstone.  Named after the famous British missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone, the town is a bustling African centre.  We make our camp on the banks of the Zambezi River and have time to explore the town and to visit the might Victoria Falls.

The views of the waterfall from the Zambian bank are fantastic, there are many small paths and lookout points to explore.

This afternoon your guide will help you organise the many optional activities available in Livingstone.  These include white water rafting, bungi jumping, other excursions on the river and scenic flights to mention but a few.

Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant at the client’s own expense.

NB:  All extra activities are subject to availability and are done at the clients own risk and expense.

Day twenty two

Livingstone (B)

After breakfast the safari is finished.  Your guide will be able to offer advice on other travel plans you have in this region.  We pack up our campsite.

Only for clients transferring back to Windhoek tomorrow this is a free day for you to explore the area or to take part in optional activities.  Lunch and dinner are not included in the price of the trip.  Your guide will arrange a time to collect you for the return journey in the morning.

Day twenty three

Livingstone – Rundu, Namibia (700 km) (BLD) (camping)

An early start and a long drive.  We are in transit only and will not be stopping to take in the sights along the way.  We will traverse the Caprivi Strip and will spend the night near the small town of Rundu in northern Namibia.

We camp in the grounds of a lodge on the banks for the Okavango River, looking into Angola on the far river bank.

Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge and is included in the price.

Day twenty four

Rundu – Windhoek (800 km) (BL)

Another early start and another long drive.  We head south through Kavango Province, down through the towns of Grootfontien, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja before reaching our final destination, Windhoek. 

There will be stops at some of the local woodcarving stalls as well as the market at Okahandja before arriving in the city.

You will be dropped off at your accommodation.

It is strongly recommended that you purchase comprehensive personal travel insurance before you embark on your safari.  Travel insurance is for your own protection and we consider it to be an essential part of modern international travel.

1.  All transport                                                                        1.  Sleeping bag (can be hired)

2.  Three meals a day (unless differently specified)                     2.  Alcoholic beverages

3.  Tap drinking water                                                              3.  Soft drinks

4.  Tea & coffee in camp                                                          4.  Personal travel insurance

5.  All camping equipment

6.  Park entrance fees                                                              Useful items to bring with you:

7.  Camping fees                                                                       1.  Two litre water bottle

8.  Professional guide                                                               2.  Torch

9.  Camp Assistant                                                                    3.  Towel

10. Pick up & drop off from accommodation in Windhoek             4.  Sun hat      

                                                                                                5. Pillow

The tents are dome type, which are easy to assemble and your mattresses are approximately 5 cm thick with your own mattress cover, and everyone has a camp chair with a backrest. 

Clients are limited to one soft, barrel type bag per person with maximum weight of 15kg, one medium sized hand luggage bag, one medium sized camera bag and a sleeping bag.

We suggest a sleeping bag range of “3 – 4 season”.  Sleeping bags can be hired by prior arrangement for a cost of N$: 80.00 per 8 day trip and N$: 100:00 per 10 day trip.  When packing your clothing please be aware that Namibian summer temperatures (December - March) can reach 45*C, and winter temperatures (June - September) can be as low as -5*C.  The rainy season is between December and April. 

All evening meals on camping safaris, (unless stipulated), are cooked on an open fire by your guide.  Salads and fresh vegetables will be served where possible, but please note in some areas this is not necessarily every day.  Fresh fruit will also be supplied when possible. Vegetarians can be catered for but please notify us prior to safari departure. 

Namibia, Botswana and Zambia are all technically malarial areas and we recommend that you seek professional medical advice on malaria protection before travelling.

Tap water in Namibia, Botswana and Zambia has been purified or comes directly from boreholes and is safe to drink.  We supply tap drinking water but bottled mineral water is easily available at shops and rest camps should you prefer to drink this.

The Namibian Dollar (N$) is tied permanently 1-1 to the South African Rand (SAR).  SAR, notes and coins are legal tender in Namibia.  In Botswana it will be necessary to carry some of the local “Pula” currency and in Zambia it is necessary to carry some of the local “Kwacha” currency.

Please make sure that passports and visas are valid for the duration of the safari as the Company cannot be held liable for any necessary visas or other travel documents not held by the clients.  Please also note that if your passport requires a visa for Namibia and/or Botswana, it should be a multiple entry visa for the purpose of this trip. 

Airport transfers and pre-and-post safari accommodation can be arranged on request

It is customary to tip in Namibia, usually, around 10% at restaurants.  Your guide and assistant can be tipped at your own discretion but we ask that the guide be tipped separately from your assistant.

Important: Before you travel please check your Tour Voucher and Arrival Information for the latest joining instructions. This will be sent to you upon receipt of final payment.

 Prices for - Namibian Safaris