21-Day Lodge Safari through Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls

• On arrival at Windhoek Airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation, Avani Windhoek Hotel.

• The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure.

• This evening, you will meet your guide and the rest of your group at the lodge at 18h00 for your pre-departure meeting.

• Accommodation: Avani Windhoek Hotel or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar)

• Lunch: For your own account

• Dinner: For your own account

Moving south, we make our way towards the Namib Naukluft National Park and our accommodation for the next two nights, Agama Lodge. The park contains what is considered to be the oldest desert in the world.

• Distance: 280 km

• Departure: 07h00

• Accommodation: Agama Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

• Breakfast: At Avani Windhoek Hotel or similar

• Lunch: Lunch pack prepared by Avani Windhoek Hotel or similar

• Dinner: At Agama Lodge or similar

The next morning, we need to wake up early to visit the world's highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. These dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 m, are absolutely spectacular and provide a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake). We also stop to view Sesriem Canyon, which was carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River.

• Distance: 230 km

• Departure: 06h00

• Breakfast: Breakfast pack from Agama Lodge or similar

• Lunch: Lunch pack prepared by Agama Lodge or similar

• Dinner: At Agama Lodge or similar

The day is spent driving through the Namib Naukluft National Park on our way to Swakopmund. The Namib-Naukluft Desert is an ancient land with an ageless spirit. It is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world. Sightings of the unique fauna and flora are a must on a Namibian safari. The animals of this harsh landscape include the oryx, springbok, and Hartmann's Mountain Zebra. En route, we make a stop in the small town of Walvis Bay, where you may spot a variety of birds, including flamingos in the lagoon. We arrive at the charming coastal town of Swakopmund in the afternoon, where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

• Distance: 296 km

• Departure: 07h00

• Accommodation: Hotel Pension à la Mer or similar (luxury rooms with en-suite bathrooms)

• Breakfast: At Agama Lodge or similar

• Lunch: In Swakopmund

• Dinner: For your own account

The following day, you will have the opportunity to partake in optional activities or alternatively just soak up the atmosphere of this little quaint German town and enjoy its beauty and beaches.

• Breakfast: At Hotel Pension à la Mer or similar

• Lunch: For your own account

• Dinner: For your own account

Leaving the cold Atlantic coastline behind us, we continue our journey towards Namibia's best-known highlight of the north - Etosha National Park. The first night is spent at our lodge neighbouring the park, situated on an outcrop of dolomite rocks and overlooking a forest of Mopane and white Seringa trees. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the pool, or take a leisurely stroll through the natural bush and gardens. Optional game drives are also available.

• Distance: 494 km

• Departure: 08h00

• Accommodation: Etosha Safari Lodge or similar (chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar)

• Breakfast: At Hotel Pension à la Mer or similar

• Lunch: For own account

• Dinner: At Etosha Safari Lodge or similar

After breakfast, we enter Etosha National Park via the Andersson Gate, named after Karl Johan Andersson, one of the first European explorers to come across the Etosha Pan, which means "Great White Place" in the Ndonga dialect of the Ovambo tribe. We fill the next two days with game drives in the hopes of spotting lion, leopard, elephant, and rhino, as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, and the numerous types of antelope the park has to offer. Our nights are spent at the flood-lit waterholes or viewpoints, encountering the park's various nocturnal animals that come to drink. Etosha was declared a National Park in 1907, and it is home to approximately 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species, and, surprisingly, one species of fish.

• Distance: 162 km

• Departure: 07h00

• Accommodation: Namutoni Resort or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

• Breakfast: At Etosha Safari Lodge or similar

• Lunch: For own account

• Dinner: At Namutoni Resort or similar

• Distance: 80 km

• Departure: 07h00

• Breakfast: At Namutoni Resort or similar

• Lunch: For own account

• Dinner: At Namutoni Resort or similar

Departing from Etosha, we drive further north to the town of Rundu. Here we visit the Mbunza Living Museum, a traditional cultural school and communal business for the local Kavango people who make a living from fishing, tending cattle, and cultivating crops. After this cultural interaction, we make our way to Kaisosi River Lodge on the banks of the Okavango River. We will arrive in the late afternoon to relax by the pool with a sundowner, listening to the sounds of Mother Nature.

• Distance: 450 km

• Departure: 08h00

• Accommodation: Kaisosi River Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

• Breakfast: At Namutoni Resort or similar

• Lunch: Lunch pack prepared by Namutoni or similar

• Dinner: At Kaisosi River Lodge or similar

This morning, we travel eastwards to our camp in the western Caprivi region, Nunda River Lodge. Before departure, however, there will be time for optional activities such as an early morning boat cruise at the lodge. Continue to your lodge situated on the banks of the Okavango River. In the late afternoon, you will enjoy a sunset cruise to Popa Falls.

• Distance: 210 km

• Departure: 08h00

• Accommodation: Nunda River Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

• Breakfast: At Kaisosi River Lodge or similar

• Lunch: At Nunda River Lodge or similar

• Dinner: At Nunda River Lodge or similar

In the morning, we drive to Mahangu, meaning 'food of the local people', which is situated next to the Okavango River. Enjoy a morning game drive in the Greater Bwabwata National Park, which extends from the Kavango River in the west to the Kwando River in the east and incorporates the Mahangu Game Reserve. Elephant, roan, kudu, and buffalo are amongst the animals likely to be seen, as well as prolific birdlife. In the afternoon, return to your lodge and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

• Distance: 50 km

• Departure: 08h00

• Accommodation: Nunda River Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

• Breakfast: At Nunda River Lodge or similar

• Lunch: At Nunda River Lodge or similar

• Dinner: At Nunda River Lodge or similar

We leave the Caprivi and travel south to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve. The name Maun is derived from the San word "maung", which means "the place of short reeds". The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, either relaxing next to the pool at the lodge or, if you are keen for some excitement, booking a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.

• Distance: 430 km

• Departure: 07h00

• Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge or similar (chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

• Breakfast: At Nunda River Lodge or similar

• Lunch: Lunch pack from Nunda River Lodge or similar

• Dinner: For your own account

After breakfast, we will be picked up by our local Botswana guides and take a short drive to the mokoro station. From here, we will float in these traditional dugout canoes through the thick vegetation of the Okavango Delta, discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without ever reaching the coast. After this spectacular excursion, we make our way to Camelthorn Bush Camp, which is situated on a private concession in the Greater Moremi region. Once settled, we will enjoy dinner and embark on a night game drive in the private concession - a fantastic opportunity to spot some nocturnal animals that are more difficult to encounter during the day.

• Distance: 100 km

• Departure: 08h00

• Accommodation: Camelthorn Bush Camp or similar (safari tents with bucket showers, washbasins & toilet). Please note that there is limited solar power at the camp.

• Breakfast: At Thamalakane River Lodge or similar

• Lunch: Lunch pack from Thamalakane River Lodge or similar

• Dinner: At Camelthorn Bush Camp or similar

We have the opportunity to spend the day on game drives. In our open 4x4 vehicle, we will explore the Moremi Game Reserve on morning and afternoon game drives, hopefully spotting a variety of game that frequent this region. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals, and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of year, you may see different species in different areas. The best time for game viewing is the end of the dry season or spring from August to November. During this season, in order for us to offer the best game viewing possible, extra driving may be required due to the animals migrating closer to the river. In the summer, birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors.

• Distance: 150 km

• Departure: 07h00

• Accommodation: Camelthorn Bush Camp or similar (safari tents with bucket showers, washbasins & toilet).

• Breakfast: At Camelthorn Bush Camp or similar

• Lunch: At Camelthorn Bush Camp or similar

• Dinner: At Camelthorn Bush Camp or similar

We leave the bush behind and travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, once a large river-fed lake; however, the pans are now saline and empty. In the afternoon, we visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary, where we get the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view over the Sowa Pan, which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans. Please note that a visit to the pans is subject to road conditions, time constraints, and water levels during the dry season, as this restricts the number of birds in the area.

• Distance: 420 km

• Departure: 08h00

• Accommodation: Nata Lodge or similar (safari tent with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

• Breakfast: At Camelthorn Bush Camp or similar

• Lunch: For own account

• Dinner: At Nata Lodge or similar

This morning, we head north to Kasane, the gateway to Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second-largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephant found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in a number of optional activities or to relax by the pool.

• Distance: 320 km

• Departure: 08h00

• Accommodation: Chobe Marina Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

• Breakfast: At Nata Lodge or similar

• Lunch: For your own account

• Dinner: At Chobe Marina Lodge or similar

The next day, you will get to see the wildlife of Chobe National Park on a morning game drive, with the hope of spotting big game up close and also the possibility of an encounter with one of the large predators. In the afternoon, we go on a cruise on the Chobe River, a truly unforgettable experience and one of the best ways to view the animals as they come down to drink, as well as the spectacular African sunset.

• Breakfast: At Chobe Marina Lodge or similar

• Lunch: For your own account

• Dinner: At Chobe Marina Lodge or similar

Today, we make our way into Zimbabwe to Robins Camp, situated in the northwest corner of Hwange National Park, the largest national park in Zimbabwe, covering an area of approximately 14 650 km2. Named after a local chief, Hwange is situated in the northwest corner of the country about one hour south of Victoria Falls. Due to its close proximity to the Falls, Hwange boasts an incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna, and a plethora of African wildlife. There are over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species recorded here. Upon your arrival, you'll have the afternoon at leisure.

• Distance: 193 km

• Departure: 08h00

• Accommodation: Robins Camp or similar (chalets with en-suite bathroom, swimming pool & bar area)

• Breakfast: At Chobe Marina Lodge or similar

• Lunch: At Robins Camp or similar

• Dinner: At Robins Camp or similar

The following morning, you will be accompanied by an experienced guide on a game drive where you will discover a variety of animals, including some predators among them. The multifaceted landscape allows you to experience everything that the park has to offer. To end off the day, you will get the opportunity to experience a sunset game drive to continue your search for African wildlife.

• Breakfast: At Robins Camp or similar

• Lunch: Lunch pack from Robins Camp or similar

• Dinner: At Robins Camp or similar

Continuing our trip, we turn northwards to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Your guide will take you on a tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya - "the Smoke that thunders". In the afternoon, we have a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, basking in the afterglow of the day. The rest of the day may be spent at leisure or partaking in one of the many optional activities on offer (at own expense).

• Distance: 111 km

• Departure: 09h00

• Accommodation: Ilala Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

• Breakfast: At Robins Camp or similar

• Lunch: For your own account

• Dinner: For your own account

Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures.

• Breakfast: At Ilala Lodge or similar