Travel to ancient deserts, remote wilderness areas, scenic rivers, and Big Five game parks of Namibia and Botswana en route to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, staying in comfortable lodge accommodation.
This easy-paced Deserts, Rivers & Wildlife African Safari is designed for budget-conscious travelers over the age of forty.
During this trip, you are likely to come across activities that encourage tourists to participate in lion, elephant or other wildlife interaction. This includes walking with lions, riding elephants, and any other tourist operation putting travelers in close contact with animals that would normally live wild and separate from human contact.
We absolutely do not encourage or endorse this type of wildlife interaction operation. For more information on why this is not good for Africa's wild animals, please see our detailed blog post on the subject.
This 14-Day Deserts, Rivers & Wildlife African Safari starts in the capital city of Namibia, Windhoek.
Spend the first afternoon exploring this charming city on foot and visiting some of its numerous sights and attractions. Windhoek features a unique mix of African and German influences, with its distinct colonial feel and many old German-style buildings. Sit at a street-side cafe, browse the local markets, and do some shopping, easing yourself into African time.
On the second day of this Budget Senior Tour, we begin our journey, setting off from Windhoek at 10:00 am in the morning.
Our next overnight accommodation is located on the outskirts of the vast Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world.
Day three is spent exploring the dramatic scenery of this massive desert region, visited by photographers from across the planet. We rise early in the morning to make our way to the Sossusvlei Dunes area of the Namib Desert. Along the way, we stop in the dune fields to admire some of the world’s highest sand dunes, as the sunlight changes the shades of the sand under shifting shadows.
Then we embark on a 5km walk to the famous Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, taking in the stark contrasts and deep silence of this ancient desert terrain. Later in the afternoon, we venture into Sesriem Canyon to explore this geological gem on foot.
Today we travel north to the coastline of Namibia visiting Walvis Bay, where we pause to have lunch and watch the numerous waterbirds and flamingos at the lagoon.
After viewing the flamingo flocks we continue our drive north to coastal Swakopmund. The afternoon and following morning are free for you to explore Namibia's top holiday resort town. Enjoy the colonial German-influenced architecture and atmosphere of quaint Swakopmund, or experience some of the numerous optional adventure activities (own expense) available here.
Activities in Swakopmund, the adventure capital of Namibia, include sandboarding, skydiving, kayaking, quad biking, dolphin boat cruises, hot air balloon rides and scenic flights over the expansive Namib Desert.
On day five of our Wildlife African Safari, we depart from Swakopmund at lunchtime. Saying goodbye to the west coast of Africa we head inland to the remote Damaraland area in the Kunene Region of Namibia.
This striking semi-desert region consists of a combination of open plains and rugged mountains. The dramatic landscapes range from gravel-covered plains to arid valleys and sandy riverbeds scattered with vegetation.
In the afternoon you are free to explore the Damaraland area or unwind at the lodge pool. Our next overnight safari lodge is located on a mountaintop overlooking the surrounding area.
Today Budget Senior Tour takes us to Etosha National Park, Namibia's top game park and one of Africa's finest wilderness areas.
From our lodge just outside of Etosha, we make our way into the national park in open 4x4 safari vehicles. We explore the 'Great White Place', as Etosha is known, in search of the abundance of large mammals and birds found here. Our 4x4 game drive takes us to the waterholes that attract wildlife and birds in search of water in this arid land.
This morning we return to Etosha and make our way east through the wilderness. Most of day seven on our budget lodge safari is spent game viewing in Etosha Park, stopping to photograph wildlife at waterholes and in the bush. Etosha Park is dominated by the large flat expanse of the Etosha Salt Pan, a wide-open space where spotting wildlife in the dancing mirages of the African heat is easy. Etosha is considered one of Africa's most important wildlife reserves, providing sanctuary for thousands of wild animals, including wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, lion, cheetah, leopard and elephant.
Later this afternoon we exit the park and proceed to our overnight safari lodge nearby.
On day eight we travel northeast into the narrow part of Namibia lying between Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola. We drive along the uncharacteristically fertile Caprivi Strip of Namibia, spending the night in a lush setting overlooking the Okavango River.
This afternoon on our budget African safari you can embark on a sunset boat cruise along the Okavango River (own account), or relax at the lodge in the rural Caprivi area.
Next, we travel further east, making our way through the fertile Caprivi Strip region before crossing into Botswana. In Botswana, we drive to the edge of the Okavango Delta where our next lodge is located.
We spend day 10 of this Wildlife African Safari exploring the pristine oasis that is the Okavango Delta. In the morning we travel deeper into the delta by motorboat and continue our adventure by mokoro and on foot. Our local guides (reminiscent of the gondoliers of Venice) pole the dug-out mokoro canoes along the peaceful channels of the Nxamasire area while you sit back and enjoy the ride. If water levels allow then we embark on guided walks on the smaller islands in the area. We may encounter large mammals on our mokoro rides and walks but our time here is more about experiencing the wild magic of the delta. The bush walks are perfect for getting a close-up look at the unique and fascinating creatures, plants and animals of the delta ecosystem.
On day 11 of our Budget Senior Tour, we drive north and cross back into the Caprivi Strip of Namibia. Then we travel east and cross back into Botswana. Back in Botswana, we drive south through Chobe National Park to our next safari lodge. Our next overnight stay is on the banks of the Chobe River, the only permanent water source in Chobe Park during winter.
Chobe Park is renowned as one of the best places in Africa to see elephants and is also famous for its lovely scenery. The game park hosts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. In Botswana's Chobe game park, you can expect spectacular sunsets and outstanding game viewing.
On day 12 we embark on a morning game drive in Chobe Park, known for its outstanding game viewing. Later we take a relaxing sunset game-viewing cruise on the Chobe River, keeping our eyes open for the abundance of wild animals and birds found in Chobe Park.
Crossing into Zimbabwe on day 13 of this Wildlife African Safari, we head to our final destination, Victoria Falls. The town of Victoria Falls is located on the Zimbabwean side of the famous Victoria Falls - one of the most unforgettable natural wonders in Africa.
Visit the largest sheet of falling water in the world to see why the impressive Victoria Falls waterfall is called the 'Smoke that Thunders" (own cost).
Spend the last day on safari, exploring Victoria Falls and browsing the local markets, as well as experiencing some of the exhilarating adventure activities on offer here (optional extras). Optional activities available at Victoria Falls, the adrenalin capital of Africa, include white water rafting on the Zambezi, bungee jumping, micro lighting, airplane or helicopter flights over Victoria Falls, bush walks, and trips to local villages (own expense).
Today our memorable Deserts, Rivers & Wildlife African Safari from Windhoek to Victoria Falls ends after breakfast in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Pre-tour and post-tour accommodation can be pre-booked for Windhoek and Victoria Falls through African Budget Safaris. Arrival & departure transfers in Windhoek & Victoria Falls are included
The Deserts, Rivers & Wildlife African Safari makes stays at comfortable 3-4 star lodge accommodations with private en-suite facilities. The selected lodges are small and intimate with scenic locations. A knowledgeable and experienced guide leads the senior tour which consists of 16 clients at most.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does not take children.
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