Namibia & Botswana: Dunes & Delta

The adventure starts in Windhoek, capital of Namibia. In town, we have the chance to change money and pick up any supplies we may need. We then drive to our lodge and spend the afternoon exploring or relaxing. Stay: Arebbusch Lodge (or similar) (B).

Leaving Windhoek, we drive east towards Botswana. Our destination today is Ghanzi, a small town in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Late in the afternoon, we join indigenous San people on a 90-minute walk into the bush to learn first-hand how to survive in this arid environment. In the process, learn more about San culture and the wildness they live in. Total drive: 330mi (530km), 7hrs 30mins Stay: Ghanzi Trailblazers (or similar) (B/L/D).

Today we travel into the Okavango Delta.

Following lunch and a welcome briefing, we board mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) and head to our Delta camp (depending on water levels we may drive in a 4×4). Pack light for the next three days, all luggage goes to camp by mokoro. Camp is ready for us on arrival and we meet the local staff who are our hosts for the next few days. The camp is made of dome tents fitted with camp beds, a mess tent and bathrooms that have a bush-shower and toilet. Camping allows us to experience Africa at its fullest, with the sounds of the Delta around us and some of the best views of the Milky Way you are likely to see. Total drive: 185mi (300km), 4hrs Stay: Okavango Delta wild camp (B/L/D).

The Okavango Delta is one the largest inland deltas in the world and unusual because the water never reaches the sea. Instead, the Okavango River empties onto open land, creating a unique and ever-changing wetland wilderness. Year-round, the Delta is home to a vast array of animals including elephants, lions and hippos, though numbers reach their peak during the drier winter months. We get up early this morning for breakfast and then spend the rest of the day exploring the waterways and islands by mokoro and on foot.

This evening, we can enjoy sundowners and, following dinner, relax around the campfire looking back on a day well spent. Stay: Okavango Delta wild camp (B/L/D).

After another early start, we enjoy one final exploration of the Delta before returning to our collection point by mokoro.

Following lunch, we drive to the town of Maun where we have a free afternoon to relax or enjoy one of the many optional activities available, such as scenic flights or helicopter rides. Stay: Sedia Riverside Hotel (or similar) (B/L).

We have a relaxed morning before heading to the northern part of the Okavango Delta. Leaving our vehicle behind, we take a 4×4 transfer to our lodge, which is located on the banks of the Delta. This area is a birdwatcher's haven, there is also the option of an afternoon boat ride. Total drive: 220mi (350km), 5hrs 30mins Stay: Guma Lagoon Lodge (or similar) (B/D).

We continue our journey north and cross back into Namibia through the Mohembo border post. From here, we travel in Mahango National Park, which is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, which can commonly be seen from the roadside. Our drive along the Caprivi Strip takes us to the small town of Rundu, situated on the Okavango River close to the Angolan border. This town is our home for the evening. Total drive: 250mi (400km), 6hrs 30mins Stay: Nkwazi Lodge (or similar) (B/D).

Our destination today is Etosha National Park. We should arrive in time for a late afternoon game drive before heading to our accommodation. We typically stay within the park on some or all of the nights (subject to availability) and some of these are located next to waterholes. These camps also offer optional night drives, which you can book and pay for on arrival. Total drive: 280mi (450km), 8hrs Stay: Namutoni Lodge (or similar) (B).

In complete contrast to the Okavango Delta, Etosha National Park is a relatively arid wilderness of mixed forest and grassland centred around a large saltpan. It is scattered with waterholes where a great variety of animals congregate to drink, making them fairly easy to find. Zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, elephants and lions are all present, while the park is also home to several black rhinos. Additionally, Etosha is a good place for birds, with plenty of water birds on the lakes and weaverbirds and hornbills in the trees. Stay: Okaukuejo Lodge (or similar) (B).

Leaving Etosha, we stop by the small town of Outjo before continuing our journey towards Brandberg,the highest mountain in Namibia, in Damaraland. The Damaraland area is famous for the desert elephants that roam the Ugab River, while stargazing is normally spectacular from this remote spot. Total drive: 235mi (380km), 6hrs Stay: Brandberg White Lady Lodge (or similar) (B/D).

We begin our day with a short drive to Brandberg, where we enjoy a walk through a valley for approximately 1hr 30min. Along the way, we view beautiful, granite formations and a variety of birdlife. The valley takes us to the famous White Lady rock painting which, along with a number of other small paintings and engravings, are thought to have been left by indigenous San people at least 2,000 years ago (please note, if elephants walk into this area then it might be too dangerous to do the walk – in this case we typically go on a game drive looking for elephants).

Afterwards, we head towards the Atlantic Ocean and the coastal town of Swakopmund. This small German colonial resort town has quaint cake shops and coffee houses and is known as a centre for adrenaline activities. Total drive: 185mi (300km), 4hrs 30mins Stay: Prost Hotel (or similar) (B).

Today is a free day to enjoy one of the many optional activities on offer in and around town. On the water, you can go deep-sea fishing; in the desert, you can go sandboarding and quad-biking; and in the sky, you can fly over the Skeleton Coast. Or if none of these appeal, spend the day enjoying fantastic Viennese-style cakes, walk along the beach or nearby dunes, or just watch the world pass in this town that seems strangely out of place in Africa. Stay: Prost Hotel (or similar) (B).

After breakfast, we visit nearby Walvis Bay where we hopefully see flamingos. Our journey then takes us through the Namib-Naukluft National Park – home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on Earth. The park contains spectacular desert scenery and there are photo opportunities along the way. Total drive: 210mi (340km), 5hrs 30mins Stay: Weltevrede Guestfarm (or similar) (B/D).

We have an early start so we can see the tallest dunes in the world in the morning light. We also have the opportunity to climb one of the dunes for fantastic views of the area. After, we can either walk to Hiddenvlei or take a transfer (optional extra) to Deadvlei, where ancient acacia trees in the desert form an eerie scene. If we're lucky, we may see gemsbok or ostriches among the dunes.

In the afternoon, we take a walk in Sesriem Canyon before returning to our accommodation.

In the evening, we enjoy our final dinner together. Total drive: 125mi (200km), 3hrs 30mins Stay: Weltevrede Guestfarm (or similar) (B/D).

We typically have an early start this morning as we have a long drive back to Windhoek where the tour ends. If you'd like to spend a bit longer in Namibia, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay. Total drive: 210mi (340km), 6hrs Please note: The group transfer back to Windhoek is scheduled to align with a chosen flight to London, UK; therefore, you should not book flights leaving before then. Please contact your sales representative for the timings of this flight (B).