This educational and cultural unforgettable safari will invite wildlife enthusiasts, passionate bird watchers and
photographers who fall in love with the truly amazing wildlife area in Namibia and Botswana get educated more in their
beautiful ecosystem and cultural allure dazzle you. Meet people and follow their way of traditional living combined with the
traditional highlights of the nomadic Himba culture, San bushmen and explore the treasures of Damaraland and also
immersed into the coastline life of Swakopmund and you will experience Namib Desert in its diversity and its endless
horizons while visit Sossusvlei, Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon and Deadvlei. The other best highlight adventure place of visit
will be Etosha National Park which offers excellent game viewing opportunities include lions, giraffe, hyenas, elephants,
rhino, cheetah and various species of antelope, while in the Bwabwata National Park you will come to meet animals that
inhabit the river landscapes, such as crocodiles, hippos, buffalo and fascinating birdlife include fish eagle. Visit also the
Chobe National Park which is known for its large buffalo and elephant herds, which you encounter during game viewing
excursions on land and on water. To top off this truly magnificent trip you will finish it off with a visit the most famous
Victoria Falls, which are among the world’s seven natural wonders. Whether it’s the feeling of the spray on your face or
the usual sight of a rainbow emerging from the Falls, Victoria Falls will surely be a sight worth remembering.
Detailed Itinerary Daily Information
Welcome to Namibia! Your Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe adventure safari starts when you touch down at Hosea Kutoka
International Airport and after you have collected your baggage, you will meet your African Bushwalker Tours representative at
the arrival hall with your name on a signboard, then you will be escorted to your accommodation for a well-deserved moment of
relaxation. Later, you will join your guide for a comprehensive briefing about the exciting safari ahead, ensuring you are fully
prepared for the adventure. Afterwards, unwind and indulge in a delicious dinner before retiring for a restful overnight stay.
Enjoy homely food with a variety of drinks from the in-house cooks and pub, or head out to Joes’ Beerhouse for a unique
Namibian dinner experience own guest account.
Accommodation At: The Elegant Guesthouse or similar
Meal Plan and Drinks: meals and drinks own guest account
After a hearty breakfast, we leave Windhoek behind and drive along winding roads through the Auas Mountains, Rehoboth, and the Naukluft Mountains into the Namib Desert. The dust of the road awakens your sense of adventure, and your thoughts drift away as you gaze at the vast grasslands. A pitstop drive to Neuras Wine Estate. Tour the vineyards and learn about wine production, followed by tasting. Later, continue south to Sossusvlei, marked by towering red sand dunes, surreal landscapes, and an incredible splash of dazzling colours. Later proceed to Namib Desert for check-in procedures at your lodge.
Accommodation At: Elegant Desert Lodge or similar
Meals and Drinks: Breakfast and Dinner provided (lunch, drinks own guest account)
This morning demands an early start and we will meet at the lobby where we will have coffee/tea and rusk. The earlier we leave to join the queue to the entrance for Sossusvlei the better. We will stand the chance to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft, and the shadows accentuate the towering shapes and the curves of the dunes. View star-shaped Dune 45. Perhaps, climb to the upper ridge of Big Daddy dune, or walk over the dunes to reach Deadvlei. Here, admire the majestic dunes, and see unique plants, and wildlife that survive in the harsh terrain. In the afternoon, visit Sesriem Canyon, a narrow 100-foot deep gorge carved into the rock by the Tsauchab River. Spend time exploring Sossusvlei before returning to the Lodge approximately 5½ hours later in time for lunch (lunch own guest account)
*Climbing the Big Daddy dune can be challenging and the walk to reach Deadvlei is an active hike.
Excursions and Visits: Visit Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon Hike, Sossusvlei
Accommodation At: Elegant Desert Lodge, Sesriem or similar
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast and dinner provided (lunch, drinks own guest account)
After satisfying breakfast, we will move from desert to sea, with a pitstop at the Tropic of Capricorn and traversing the Gaub and Kuiseb passes. As we climb out the dry river bed at the bottom of Kuiseb Canyon, a spectacular desert landscape unfolds before us. We will stop over in Walvis Bay to visit the lagoon. The Walvis Bay lagoon is one of the richest and most important wetlands in southern Africa. It is home to many water birds including Great and Lesser flamingos, Damara terns, pelicans and avocets. We will also visit the salt works. We continue to Swakopmund along the scenic coastal road, with dunes on one side and the cold Atlantic on the other.
Excursions and Visits: Tropic of Capricorn, Walvis Bay Lagoon, Walvis Bay Salt Works
Accommodation At: Swakopmund Sands, Swakopmund or similar
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast provided (lunch, dinner and drinks own guest account)
After a delicious breakfast, we drive into the stunning rocky desert landscapes of Damaraland, famous for its desert elephants and other desert-adapted wildlife. Together, you will set off in a 4x4 vehicle in search of Namibia's native desert elephants, which roam the vast area between the Huab and Ugab rivers. At the majestic Brandberg, you can still find rock carvings by the early humans who settled the area. Rugged mountain ranges, a campfire under a rock overhang, the distant roar of a lion, a clear starry sky, and a herd of desert elephants digging almost silently for water in the Omuramba (dry riverbed) – this is what Namibia must have felt like 10,000 years ago.
Excursions and Visits: Desert Elephant Tour
Accommodation At: Ondjamba Hills lodge or similar
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast and Dinner provided (lunch, drinks own guest account)
Start your day with mouth-watering breakfast, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein. Head to the remarkable petroglyphs* of wild animals including rhinos, elephants, giraffes, and zebras were created over 2,000 years ago by ancient hunter-gathers. Then, onto Damara Living Museum to gain insight into one of the oldest traditional nations in Namibia. Along the way, visit a Himba tribe dwelling; these semi-nomadic pastoralists live in homes built of palms, and mud in scattered settlements throughout the region. Learn first-hand about their history, proud culture and unique traditions. The Himbas are colourfully adorned with shells and jewellery made of iron and copper and clothes cut from goatskin, with ochre glazed skin to protect them from the harsh desert climate.
Continue to Etosha National Park in the vast arid space of Northern Namibia. One of the most important reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries in Africa, the park is centred on the white salt Etosha Pan that dominates the landscape. In the afternoon, embark on an open vehicle game drive. Observe the perennial springs and waterholes within the park that allow the predominant desert environment to support an incredible diversity of wildlife
Excursions and Visits: Twyfelfontein, Damara Living Museum, Himba Tribe and Afternoon Game Drive
Accommodation At: Toshari Safari Lodge or similar
Meals and Drinks: Breakfast and Dinner provided (lunch, drinks own guest account)
After a hearty breakfast, we will explore the home to 4 of the big 5, there are no buffalos here, but there is a huge array of wildlife to spot and a great number of waterholes to make viewing a little easier game safari tour in the Etosha National Park. Etosha is desert landscape and water are the scarcest natural resource. There are however numerous waterholes here, both natural and man-made, and our game driving technique is to take in as many as of these possible. Here we hope that the game will come to us as the animals attend for an early morning drink. Along the way we will make a pitstop lunch at Halali Camp. The name for Halali is taken from a bugle refrain that was originally used during sport hunting with horse and hounds in Europe. The bugler would sound the Halali to signify that the hunt was over. This was considered appropriate for Etosha as inside the protection of the park, the hunting of animals is over forever. The evening is for leisure at the lodge where you can relax.
Excursions: Full Day Game Drive and Game Viewing
Accommodation At: Gabus Garm Range or similar
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast, Dinner provided (lunch, drinks own guest account)
After a satisfying breakfast, we set our course for Rundu, located in the southwestern corner of the Kavango region. This area is predominantly home to the Okavango people, offering a fascinating cultural contrast to the landscapes we have explored so far. En route, we will pitstop at the Ju/'Hoansi-San community, where you will have the unique opportunity to learn about the San people the original nomadic inhabitants of Namibia and gain insight into their traditional way of life and rich cultural heritage. Continuing on, we arrive at the serene banks of the Okavango River, where we will spend the night at the charming Hakusembe River Lodge. Nestled right on the river's edge near Rundu, the lodge offers comfortable chalets with picturesque river views. Guests can unwind on the floating deck, take a dip in the swimming pool, or enjoy delicious meals and refreshing drinks at the on-site restaurant and bar – all while soaking in the tranquil ambiance of the Okavango.
Excursions: Visit Ju/'Hoansi-San community, Hoba meteorite
Accommodation At: Hakusembe River Lodge or similar
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast, Dinner provided (lunch, drinks own guest account)
After our delicious breakfast, our journey continues eastwards along the scenic Okavango River and most part of Namibia which is arid; however, this area is lush, the soil rich and the wildlife plentiful. It is a lively hotbed where one can see subsistence and cattle farming and the well-known traditional wood carvings. From the banks of the Okavango River directly at the footsteps of our lodge, we have a magnificent view onto the Popa Falls and also located close to the Mahango National Park where the following two nights are spent along the lush vegetation. Our rooms overlook the uninhibited Buffalo Park across the river where we can enjoy an optional boat cruise or village walk.
Optional Activity: Boat Cruise or Village Tour
Accommodation At: Ndhovu Safari Lodge
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast, Dinner (lunch, drinks own guest account)
After an early breakfast, we travel into the Mahango National Park. Being Namibia’s smallest but most densely populated National Park, the visit will be rewarding in terms of wildlife and bird watching. The Mahango Game Park has a high number of elephants, as well as fair numbers of antelopes which are scarce or not seen in other parts of Namibia. These include the roan and sable antelope, tsessebe, the red lechwe and several sitatungas.
Excursion & Visits: Morning and Afternoon Game Drive & Game Viewing
Accommodation At: Ndhovu Safari Lodge
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast, Dinner (lunch, drinks own guest account)
After a scrumptious breakfast, we meander through the spectacular Caprivi Strip in northwest Namibia, the Kwando River, rises from the central Angolan highlands forming the boundary between Namibia, Zambia and Angola. Kwando River, home to the Mafwe people. A visit to this living museum offers insights into the pre-colonial culture, traditional way of life, and crafts of these masters of the river. The area surrounding the Kwando River is known for its protected game reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. It offers excellent game viewing with the perennial waters of the river attracting plentiful wildlife including large herds of elephant, hippos, crocodiles, red lechwe, zebra, impala, spotted-necked otters and over 400 species of bird.
Excursions and Visits: Visit to the Mafwe, Boat Safari
Accommodation At: Zambezi Mubala Lodge or similar
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast, Dinner (lunch, drinks own guest account)
After a mouth-watering breakfast, we will bid farewell to Namibia and cross the border into Kasane, Botswana. A small and bustling town on the edge of the Chobe National Park. After a comfortable siesta you enjoy a boat cruise on the Chobe River. Hippos and crocodiles are fairly easy to track in the open river landscape. In the late afternoon many antelopes come down to the river to quench their thirst and the elephants come to take a bath. Even from the boat a variety of large and small birds can be observed - especially the African fish eagle with its distinctive cry.
Excursions and Visits: Afternoon Boat Safari and Game viewing
Accommodation At: Tlou Safari Lodge or similar
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast, Dinner (lunch, drinks own guest account)
Enjoy the atmosphere and the sumptuous breakfast before leaving Botswana and departing for Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and our guide will escort us to the Kazungula border and stop for immigration formalities, and continue to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe where we will head off to Victoria Falls Rainforest. Witness the full power and beauty of Victoria Falls on both sides of the border. Whether you begin in Zambia or Zimbabwe, this guided tour seamlessly connects two distinct perspectives - Zambia’s intimate paths and striking gorges, and Zimbabwe’s sweeping vistas and iconic viewpoints. This dual-nation journey gives you the most complete and compelling way to witness the majesty of the Falls. Guests are recommended to bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and a waterproof bag for valuables.
The Boma dinner at Victoria Falls is an enchanting culinary experience that tantalizes the senses and celebrates the rich traditions of Zimbabwean culture. As guests enter the open-air Boma, they are greeted with the rhythmic beats of traditional music and the warm glow of crackling fires. The atmosphere is vibrant and inviting, with the scent of grilled meats wafting through the air. Seated around a central fire pit, adorned with tribal artefacts and decor, diners are treated to a feast for both the palate and the soul.
Excursions & Visits: Unguided tour the spectacular Victoria Falls both Zambia and Zimbabwe
Accommodation At: Victoria Falls Oasis or similar
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast and Boma Dinner will be provided (lunch own guest account)
NB: The KAZA UniVisa is a single, US$50 visa for tourists from eligible countries, granting access to both Zambia and Zimbabwe for up to 30 days and allowing for day trips into Botswana at the Kazungula border. Available at major border posts and airports, and also online for certain entry points, it simplifies travel within the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) by eliminating the need for separate visas for these two countries.
After some days in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, we have explored some of their most enticing, evocative, and unforgettable landscapes. Today, you commit them to memory and your driver-guide will transfer you to Victoria Falls International Airport, in time to connect with your international departure flight and the friendly reservation team from our office waiting to hear all about your past journey experience through their incredible package by filling their feedback form handed to you.
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast served at Lodge (lunch, dinner, and drinks own guest account)
DETAILED TOUR INFORMATION:
In a Nutshell
– A true African experience (wild and free)
– All detailed inclusive Itinerary with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife.
Trip Rating & Style – Easy and Moderate and cater to adventure enthusiasts seeking authentic experiences.
Countries visited – Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Activities – Animal Tracking | Cultural Mozaic Experience | Scenic Drive | Game drive
Transportations – transport for most of this safari you will travel in air-conditioning minibus. Seats in the 12-seater minibuses can be compared in size to an airplane seat – if that setup is uncomfortable for you then please enquire about a private tour where different vehicles can be used. Some game safaris may be carried out using 4×4 jeeps/safari vehicles – see your tour itinerary for details. These may be open-roofed or enclosed. You must not leave the vehicle or lean out through windows without express permission from the guide.
Our “luggage trailer” is specifically designed for each passenger to have one suitcase and one carry-on sized piece of luggage – a laptop bag, backpack, or similar. Suitcase size is limited to the dimension of 67 cm (26 in) by 45 cm (18 in), and carry on is limited to the dimension of 48 cm (19 in) by 32 cm (13 in). There are generally no porters or staff available to assist with luggage – luggage should be of a size and weight you can comfortably manage yourself. Hard or soft suitcases are fine.
Accommodation Considerations – while we make every effort to stick to the accommodations listed, please note that they serve as guidelines, and adjustments may occur. We recommend obtaining the latest version of the itinerary at least one week before departure to stay informed of any changes.
Tour leaders – a fully qualified driver/guide will run the tour and do both the driving and guiding. The guides have a wealth of knowledge about the places you will be visiting and travelling past, and many travellers note them as one of the highlights of their tour.
Travelling Responsibility – remember you are more than a tourist in this place. You are part of the team of global citizens, embracing diversity and committed to lifelong learning. Stay open to opportunities, contribute where you can, and connect with the many people you meet along the road.
Plan Ahead – now your chance to book any optional activities, chat with the reservation team and get planning
Life on Land – contribute to any initiative that aims to halt biodiversity loss and promote the sustainable use of ecosystems
Experience – we have more than 23 years’ experience touring throughout East and Southern Africa. As such, our itineraries and routes have been perfected over many years ensuring that your tour will run smoothly. We visit the highlights of East and Southern Africa but ensure that you do not follow the well-trodden tourist track. All of us at African Bushwalker Tours have extensive travel experience in Africa, and throughout the world. Being adventure travellers ourselves, we know how to plan trips that give you a broad experience of the countries that you will visit.
Credit Card Payments:
– Credit card payments will attract a 4% handling fee of the value of the transaction.
Based in Africa – probably the most important part of an African Bushwalker Tours is that we are an African company with offices in Tanzania and Zimbabwe. We live in Africa; we travel in Africa and it is our passion for this amazing continent that makes African Bushwalker your best travel option.
Age Policy – on all small group scheduled tours, we accept children 12-17 with accompanying adult and tailor-made tours, we accept children 5 – 17 with accompanying adult. We have no upper age limit. Clients older than 65 years of age at the time of travel require a medical certificate stating the client is fit and healthy to join an adventure travel group tour. We have many clients over 65 years of age, who are perfectly capable of enjoying every aspect of African Bushwalker Tour.
Weather – this Africa overland tour spans half a continent and you can expect it to be warm for the duration of the trip with minimal rainfall. Be prepared for the warm weather and you will enjoy this trip.
Drugs & Alcohol – please be aware that drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are illegal in most countries in Africa and they could enforce severe punishment for being caught in possession. NEVER carry illegal drugs on your person or on the vehicle during this tour as you would not only jeopardise your own freedom but also the well-being of the entire group if you are caught in possession. If you are caught in possession of illegal drugs on this tour you will be asked to leave the tour immediately and no refund will be given. Any such inconsideration can lead to the tour being cancelled and innocent people arrested. We will not hesitate to remove someone if we have to. Aggressive or abusive drunk behaviour will not be tolerated during this tour and if anyone is constantly abusing alcohol and causing trouble we will not hesitate to remove them from the tour and no refund will be given.
Travel Insurance – it is compulsory that every person who travels with African Bushwalker Tours obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour.
Visas and Passports – please ensure you have 6 blank pages in your passport in order to accommodate all the visas and stamps, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your tour end date.
Common questions about this trip
– Do I need malaria tablets? Yes, the trip passes through malaria areas and prophylactics are recommended.
– What do I need to bring? – Please keep all your luggage for the Safari to a maximum of 15kgs per person packed in a soft duffel bag, not big suitcase.
We recommend you pack the following for your Safari – comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, headtorch, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, first aid kit, personal toiletries, jackets or sweaters for the evenings, yellow fever vaccination certificate, a small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly – a sense of adventure!
About Drones – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or “drone” technology has quickly become affordable and is increasingly popular with recreational users. While some countries have clear, established drone laws, others do not, or existing regulations are undergoing review and change. Travelers who wish to bring a drone on their trip are responsible to research and abide by the laws and regulations of the countries they are visiting, as well as to check with their airline(s) regarding their rules for transporting drones. Please note that tours are unable to extend the length of scheduled visits and stops to accommodate use of drones.
Suggested Tipping
Gratuities – Tipping is always a matter of personal discretion. For your convenience, please refer to the summary below as a guideline for recommended gratuity amounts. Gratuities may be paid in local currency or US dollar equivalent where accepted. On some itineraries, you may encounter multiple drivers and local guides throughout. We recommend keeping small bills on hand for tipping.
Please be aware that many locals consider tipping to be a customary part of their compensation, and some may approach you for additional “compensation.” There is no need to feel intimidated by these requests, nor should you feel pressured to tip beyond the suggested amounts. If you become uncomfortable by any behaviour you encounter, please advise your tour manager, or contact our office (numbers are provided in your documents).
Tour Manager/Driver: US $5 per person per day
Note: Tips for hotel porters, wait staff, and for activities on your own, gratuities are appreciated and expected for good service in restaurants and other places that cater to tourists, as well as on safaris. Hotels and restaurants that are frequented mostly by tourists will often add a gratuity to your bill and additional tipping is at your discretion.
BOOKING – To make your booking, please make sure you have the correct names, nationalities and date of birth of all travelers – as per their passport. African Bushwalker Tours will hold an option of 14 days from the time African Bushwalker Tours have confirmed a tour, before the cancellation rules apply. If our service or a tour is booked less than 14 days prior to the service is rendered or the tour commences, cancellation rules will apply immediately. If you need longer time, please let us know. If a tour or hotel is fully booked African Bushwalker Tours will try to offer you an alternative property of a similar standard and location.
PRICES – All prices are based on costs at the time of publication. African Bushwalker Tours reserves the right to change the prices, in reasonable circumstances, at any time before a booking is made. African Bushwalker Tours will confirm price changes, if any, together with our confirmation of your booking.
For trips in Namibia & South Africa rates given in a currency other than respectively NAD (Namibian Dollar) and ZAR (South African Rand) are subject to change in case of substantial variation of the exchange rate. For trips in Kenya & Tanzania rates given in a currency other than in USD (American Dollars) are subject to change in case of substantial variation of the exchange rate.
PAYMENTS – 40% of the total booking value within 14 days of African Bushwalker Tour’s confirmation of the booking. The remaining 60% no later than 60 days from the trip starting date.
CANCELLATION – If the customer cancels a tour up to 61 days prior to departure the deposit will be lost. If cancellation is made within 60-31 days prior to departure, a penalty fee of 65% of the total price of the tour will be levied. For any cancellation made within 30-16 days before departure, a penalty fee of 85% will apply. In the case of cancellations made less than 16 days before the start of the tour we are unable to offer any reimbursement. No refunds will be given by African Bushwalker Tours for no-shows.
The payment of bank fees for bank transfers are the responsibility of the customer and are strictly non-refundable.
The trip may be cancelled with no penalty charge should war, a life-threatening epidemic, or any other natural catastrophe or similar event occur within 14 days prior to departure. This will however be on the condition that your government advises against travelling to the specific area, and that the situation in question has arisen after the booking of the tour was made.
Cancellations must be made in writing and delivered either by hand, post, fax or electronic mail.
In the case of death or serious illness, of the person for whose benefit the tour has been arranged, no cancellation fee will be charged if African Bushwalker Tours is presented with an officially-approved death/sickness certificate.
Price Includes/Excludes
Price Includes
- - Transfers and ground transportation mentioned in the itinerary
- - 13 Nights’ accommodation on comfort accommodation and meals as per program as per itinerary
- - Enjoy activities as per program
- - Entry/admission as per activities as per program
- - Meet & greet services at the Airports
- - Drinking water during safari drives and, on the bus, (Guest will receive a reusable steel water bottle (supporting “TOSCO” – Tourism supporting Conservation)
Price Excludes
- - Gratuities, Baggage Handling
- - Personal, Medical and Travel Insurance
- - All airline tickets and applicable airport fees and taxes
- - Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
- - Visa fees if applicable to Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe
- - Extra Entrance fees to tourist attractions, activities or attractions not mentioned in itinerary
- - Extra optional activities while in the game reserves
- - All costs of a personal nature: Telephone calls, bar bills, drinks, room service, laundry, refreshments, snacks, curios, gifts, etc. unless otherwise stated as included in the daily itinerary
- - All levy/fee increases (Conservation, Bed, gate etc...) Our Company reserves the right to pass along these increases from quoted costs if they occur
