Botswana and Namibia Safari Explorer

Beginning at the mighty Victoria Falls, this two week African Camping Safari takes you to top game parks in Southern Africa.

Explore Botswana's Chobe National Park home to Africa's Big Five animals, camping in the bush.

Journey to the maze of waterways, secluded islands and canals of the untamed Okavango Delta. Camp in the remote wilderness of the Delta, where you fall asleep to the sounds of the African wilderness.

Travel into Namibia where we visit the Etosha National Park. Etosha's waterholes attract a host of African animals including a number of cats, as well as elephant, rhino and buffalo.

This Botswana and Namibia Safari Explorer trip ends in Namibia's coastal town of Swakopmund. Explore the town and have some fun, enjoying a number of optional activities including sky diving, quad biking and sand boarding.

DAY 1: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

On the first day of this Botswana and Namibia Safari Explorer you are free to relax and explore Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. This gives you some time to take advantage of the fantastic Optional Adventure Activities at Victoria Falls.

Named after the famous World Heritage Site and Waterfall, the town of Victoria Falls is located along the Zambezi River, surrounded by the Victoria Falls National Park.

Our safari campsite is conveniently situated in the centre of Victoria Falls town, within walking distance of the local restaurants, shops and booking agents for adventure activities.

A 20 minute walk takes you to the entry point for viewing the spectacular Vic Falls, falling between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), was named by the explorer David Livingstone and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Victoria Falls is the world's largest sheet of falling water at 1700 m wide and about 100 m high. An awesome and memorable sight on any African Safari!

Optional Excursions include elephant back safaris, horseback safaris, walking with lions, a visit to the crocodile ranch, boat cruises and golf at The Elephant Hills Resort. 

Adrenalin junkies can bungee from the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia or abseil down the Batoka Gorge - neither activity is for the faint hearted! 

Flights over Vic Falls in fixed wing, micro light and ultra light aircraft or helicopters provide an aerial perspective of this magnificent World Heritage Site, all year round. White water rafting on the Zambezi River is world class. In addition to the excitement of the Grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats," where there is time to admire the towering cliffs and occasional wildlife on the Zambezi riverbanks.

DAY 2: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park – Botswana (B / L / D)

This morning we enjoy breakfast before we make our way across the Botswana border to the town of Kasane where we set up camp along the banks of the Chobe River keeping an eye out for the resident hippos!

The Chobe River forms a natural border between Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. Chobe National Park is regarded as one of Botswana's top National Parks and is best known for its large herds of elephants.
 
We sleep out in the Chobe National Park - an exciting overnight adventure inside the Chobe. On the way to setting up camp in the bush you will get to spend the afternoon watching wildlife.

The game-watching afternoon will be followed by a night of camping inside Chobe.

In the evening we enjoy the wild African bush surroundings, listening to the noises and calls of local wildlife at night. We continue exploring Chobe Park in the morning rejoining the group in Kasane, before continuing onwards to our next African safari destination.

DAY 3: Chobe National Park – Botswana (B / L / D)

Back at our camp there is some free time to put your feet up and relax, before we take a boat cruise in the late afternoon on the Chobe River. We keep an eye out for the wildlife and wondeful birdlife, while enjoying another spectacular sunset as only Africa can offer.

DAY 4: Chobe National Park to Maun – Botswana (B / L / D)

Today we head in south-westerly direction to the the Botswana town on Maun, gateway to the southern part of the Okavango Delta.

Tonight we prepare for our two night optional excursion into the untamed Delta of Botswana. We suggest that you bring a smaller daypack on your trip to use on this short excursion.

Your safari leader will brief you on what is needed, and what to expect on your trip into the Delta. In the morning we will set off from Maun on our journey into the Okavango Delta.

DAY 5: From Maun to the Okavango Delta – Botswana (B / L / D)

The Okavango Delta is famous for its incredibly rich variety of bird species and wild animals. This huge expanse of water is unique to Southern Africa being home to a plethora of bird life and animals and with its source in the Angolan highlands. The Delta runs down from the highlands spreading out over the plains.           

Day five on the Botswana and Namibia Safari Explorer presents the chance to take a 3-Day and 2 Night drive and Mokoro trip into the Okavango Delta.

This optional excursion entails a drive from Maun up north for a couple of hours reaching the Mokoro polers' station. The dug out Mokoros are traditional canoes that local guides "pole" through the reeds and winding waterways. The guides locate a suitable site for camping and in the afternoon we set off on a game walk to get up close to the wilderness that is the Okavango Delta.

The alternative to the optional excursion exploring the Delta is to take it easy at the campsite, lazing by the swimming pool or playing a fun game of volleyball. The nearby crocodile farm also admits visitors from the campsite to witness the spectacle of feeding times. The driver and cook stay in Maun during the Delta excursion.

DAY 6: The Okavango Delta – Botswana (B / L / D)

On day six of this Budget African Safari we will be based at the remote Delta camp. This day of rest is for relaxing and exploring the Okavango Delta, before we continue on our exciting safari adventures.

You can take a game walk, go swimming (water levels allowing), enjoy a Mokoro cruise and even try your hand at poling a mokoro on the waters. Or just sit back and soak up the sounds of nature and take a nap at camp.

DAY 7: Okavango Delta to Maun – Botswana (B / L / D)

Last chance to take a game walk in the unspoilt Delta bush before we head back to Maun. We leave the Okavango Delta by Mekoro and then transfer to a safari vehicle for the rest of the journey back to Maun.

Arriving in the early afternoon we have time for a fantastic optional scenic flight over the Delta at sunset.

DAY 8: Maun to Rundu – Namibia (B / L / D)

We follow the Kavango River and enter Namibia in the North.  After a quick top up on supplies in Rundu we settle into our lovely campsite. This open-air camp is set on the banks of the Kavango River with the occasional hippo chomping on the lawns.

DAY 9: Rundu to Etosha National Park – Namibia (B / L / D)

From Rundu, we drive southwest to Etosha National Park. Etosha covers around 20 000 km² and is Namibia's premier game park.

The national park is set around the Etosha Pan teaming with a large variety of wild animals, insects and bird life. The extensive network of gravel roads enables visitors to access some of the most remote areas of the Etosha Park.

In the cooler hours of the day, after lunch, we embark on a game drive in the northern area of Etosha Park. Keep an eye out for the striking Oryx and Springbok, endemic to desert National Parks!

After dinner you can enjoy more game viewing at one of the floodlit waterholes of Etosha. Here you can observe the wild animals as they come to quench their thirst in the evenings.

DAY 10: Etosha National Park – Namibia (B / L / D)

Witness one of Africa's greatest wonders, Etosha's herds of desert antelope, Springbok and Oryx, roaming the plains of Namibia.

Crossing some 150 km of the Etosha Game Park, we see different types of vegetation as we drive, as well as the changing animal and bird life that these varying habitats support. 

Enjoy a full day of game viewing and take in the African bush scenes, before we leave Etosha National Park via the Anderson gate. We make our way to our safari campsite just 10kms away from Etosha, arriving in time for a refreshing dip in the pool before dinner. 

In the evening we relax and unwind at the camp, which has a very interesting bar.

DAY 11: Etosha National Park to Cheetah Park – Namibia (B / L / D)

Today we drive to the Otjitotongwe Cheetah Park where we meet the resident cheetahs and enjoy the wildlife photo opportunity of a lifetime! The Cheetah Park is a private farm for conserving the cheetah population of Namibia.

Namibia has a high population of wild, free roaming cheetahs even though cheetahs are endangered in Africa. A number of local farmers have created a wildlife sanctuary for cheetahs that have been trapped, or injured in the area. 

DAY 12: Cheetah Park to Spitzkoppe – Namibia (B / L / D)

Next up on our safari itinerary is Spitzkoppe.

Leaving the Cheetah Park behind we find our way to the 'Matterhorn of Namibia'.  The Matterhorn is an impressive granite structure about 1728 m high.

This rock formation is one of the most famous landmarks in Namibia, famed as an ancient San sacred site. We have the option of exploring the surrounding area and admiring the striking views or visiting the famous San rock paintings with a local guide. 

The night is spent at our bush camp under the African skies, studded with stars.

DAY 13: Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund – Namibia (B)

Swakopmund, on the coast of Namibia, is our final safari stop on this Budget Camping Safari.

Swakopmund is Namibia's prime holiday resort offering a fine selection of coffee shops, bars and restaurants to keep visitors entertained.

Swakopmund has some fine beaches for taking a pleasant stroll if you have had your fill of shopping and sightseeing. There is a lovely museum, an aquarium and various galleries to visit, as well as craft shops selling Namibian curios.

The town of Swakopmund has a distinct colonial flavour to it, speaking of its history of being founded in 1892 by the Germans. Our Swakopmund accommodation consists of dormitories, but you can upgrade if there is room available.

DAYS 14: Swakopmund – Namibia

Today, after breakfast, this memorable Botswana and Namibia Safari Explorer comes to a close in Swakopmund.

Optional activities in Swakopmund include the following: sky diving, horse riding, quad biking, sand boarding, scenic flights over the desert, cruises with the dolphins, fishing trips, golf, and others. On arrival in Swakopmund an activity briefing will be held.

Please Note:

This Botswana and Namibia Safari Explorer starts in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and travels south through Botswana and Namibia, ending in Swakopmund, Namibia.

The Budget Camping Safari departs from Victoria Falls on Sunday mornings. Should you wish to explore Victoria Falls, an earlier arrival is recommended. Accommodation can be booked through African Budget Safaris. 

This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions.

All prices & Local Payments are subject to change. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the safari trip.