Experience an extraordinary wilderness and wildlife adventure on this budget-friendly Botswana Safari.
This Africa Overland Tour travels from Victoria Falls to Namibia in a custom-built safari truck staying at comfortable safari lodges along the way.
This Victoria Falls to Namibia Lodge Overland Tour starts at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe where your overland tour guide will give you a brief overview of what to expect on this budget-friendly African safari ahead.
The day is yours to explore the globally renowned Victoria Falls. This is your chance to immerse yourself in the mist that has earned this waterfall its local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, translating to 'the Smoke that Thunders'. The spectacle of the mighty Zambezi River cascading over 100 feet into the chasm beneath, forming a colossal curtain of falling water that stretches 1.7km wide, is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The towering plume of mist, reminiscent of smoke, ascends up to 400 meters high over Victoria Falls, making it visible from an astounding distance of 50 km away!
You have the option to book a multitude of adventure and sightseeing activities in and around Victoria Falls. The section of the Zambezi River below Victoria Falls is famed for its thrilling whitewater rafting experiences. Bungee jump into Batoka Gorge or take an exhilarating zip-line ride. Explore upriver on a boat trip to Livingstone Island or take a helicopter or microlight flight for breathtaking aerial views of ‘Vic Falls’.
You may prefer to just explore the charming town of Victoria Falls, or simply unwind at the hotel's pool and bar. We spend our first night in comfortable en-suite rooms at a hotel located very close to the Falls.
This budget Botswana Safari departs from Victoria Falls on Day 2. We recommend that you arrive a few days before the overland tour departs to give yourself time to explore Victoria Falls and participate in the numerous adventure activities available. Adding a few days before the tour gives you extra time to enjoy optional activities such as White-Water Rafting, Flights over Victoria Falls, Bungee Jumping, Zambezi Sunset Cruises, Tram & Bridge Tours, Game Viewing, and more at Victoria Falls.
Start your day at leisure, perhaps exploring the markets in town or booking more thrilling activities at Victoria Falls.
After lunch, we join on our overland vehicle and begin our journey into Botswana. Once border formalities are complete, we travel to the town of Kasane which is uniquely located near the intersection of four countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Kasane serves as the entrance to the famed Chobe National Park, celebrated for its abundant elephant population. In the afternoon, we'll embark on a boat cruise along the Chobe River, watching out for the famed elephants, hippos, birds and the many animals drawn to the lush riverbanks.
Tonight, we'll be lodging at a safari lodge nestled on the Chobe River's banks, adjacent to Chobe National Park.
On Day 3 of our Botswana Safari from Victoria Falls we journey south into the dry savannah of northeastern Botswana, heading towards the Makgadikgadi Pans. Despite its barren nature, this enormous salt flat, spanning 16,000 square kilometers, supports a surprising array of wildlife during the rainy season. We'll be lodging at an oasis amidst the Mokolwane Palms on the edge of Nata Pan, one of the string of salt pans that make up Makgadigadi. In the afternoon, we'll drive to the pans to experience this surreal landscape.
On Day 4 of our Lodge Overland Tour, we drive west, skirting the edge of the Makgadigadi Pans to reach Maun, our base for the two-day excursion into the Okavango Delta. In Maun, you have the option to take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, a unique ecosystem of waterways and islands. (If time allows. There will also be an opportunity on our return from the Delta.)
We are then collected in smaller 4x4 safari vehicles to travel into the Okavango Delta. Our journey takes us through the delta backroads to the Khwai River Conservation Area. Here, we'll stay in permanent safari tents with en suite bathrooms, offering splendid views of the Khwai River floodplains.
After settling in, we'll head out for a sunset excursion into the Okavango Delta waterways on traditional mokoro boats. As your mokoro glides silently through the tranquil waters of the Okavango Delta network of waterways you are able to experience the unforgettable blend of serene beauty and raw nature.
Today our Africa Overland Tour ventures into the Moremi region of Okavango Delta. We spend the day in Moremi Game Reserve, named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe, who were concerned about the rapid depletion of wildlife in their ancestral lands because of uncontrolled hunting and cattle encroachment. This makes Moremi one of the first reserves in Africa to be established by local residents.
With both permanent water and drier landscapes, Moremi provides the perfect habitat for a variety of wildlife, from the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros), to cheetah, zebra, giraffe, various species of antelope including the red lechwe adapted to surviving in marshy conditions, jackals, hyena, and the endangered African Wild Dog. The park is also home to a rich variety of birdlife, making it a paradise for bird watchers.
This morning, we bid farewell to the delta and drive back to Maun. Once back in Maun, you have the rest of the day at your leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the village atmosphere of Maun. You have the chance to take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (time and weather permitting). Viewing the Okavango Delta from above reveals the grand scale and beauty of this unique ecosystem, allowing you to spot wildlife from above.
On Day 7 our Victoria Falls to Botswana & Namibia Safari travels northwest as we bid farewell to Botswana and journey through the untouched backroads of the delta, venturing into our next African destination - Namibia. After border formalities it’s a short drive to the village of Divundu on the banks of the Kavango River in Namibia's Kavango East Region. Our accommodation for the night is a lodge on the outskirts of town with an inviting swimming pool that offers panoramic views of the Kavango River, complimented by two expansive sunset decks overlooking the river.
As dusk falls, we set off for a boat cruise along the Kavango River, immersing ourselves in the stunning landscapes and spotting wildlife gracing the riverbanks. Keep an eye out for hippos and crocodiles that often make an appearance. (Note: Depending on circumstances, this cruise might be scheduled for the tomorrow morning).
Our journey overland continues as our road follows the course of the Kavango River before heading southwest into more arid terrains. Our destination is Etosha National Park, Namibia's premier wildlife sanctuary. This colossal park, spanning over 18,000 square kilometers, is defined by the Etosha Pan which lies at its heart, a vast salt pan visible even from space.
As we enter Etosha National Park, our wildlife adventure begins. Our overnight camp is situated within the confines of the national park, known for its abundant wildlife sustained by a network of waterholes scattered throughout. Be on the lookout for lions, elephants, cheetahs, jackals, giraffes, and numerous antelope species, including the striking oryx, unique black-faced impala, and the petite Damara dik-dik.
We will overnight in en-suite accommodation at one of the rest camps in Etosha, which features floodlit watering holes offering excellent game viewing opportunities right from the comfort of our camp. After sundown, head to the waterhole to watch for nocturnal animals and unwind around the campfire, serenaded by the nocturnal harmonies of the African bush.
We have a leisurely start to the day on the final morning of our Africa Overland Tour. After lunch, we take a final drive through Etosha National Park keeping a lookout for any final wildlife sightings. We head through rural Namibia landscapes on your ride to the capital of Namibia, Windhoek.
Our Victoria Falls to Botswana & Namibia Safari comes to an end upon arrival in Windhoek.
We recommend booking your incoming and onward flights at least one day before and after this Victoria Falls to Windhoek Safari is scheduled. It is advisable to arrive the day before departure from Victoria Falls and fly out the day after the overland tour ends in Windhoek to allow for delays and changes.
Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre-tour and post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.
This Botswana Lodge Safari from Victoria Falls to Namibia is also available as the Botswana Safari from Namibia to Victoria Falls. This is the same lodge overland tour traveling in the opposite direction. Both of these Botswana lodge overland tours are available as cheaper Botswana camping overland tours that follow the same routes.
For more details contact African Budget Safaris
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
There is a minimum age limit of 8 years of age, for travellers on scheduled departures, however, children aged 8 and 9 years of age are accepted on a request basis only.
A maximum of 4 children, aged between 10 - 15 years will be allowed per scheduled tour departure date.
Should there already be 4 children confirmed on a tour, any further children requests will be dealt with on a request basis only.
Age restrictions may apply to certain items listed in the respective tour activities and it is important that you are aware of these restrictions prior to confirming children on tour.
Please contact African Budget Safaris for further information.
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