Travel from Swakopmund to Victoria Falls on this budget-friendly Namibia & Botswana Safari.
In Namibia, this Overland Tour takes you to Cape Cross Seal Colony, Twyfelfontein San Rock Art & a Petrified Forest, before going on safari in Etosha National Park for two days. Then travel to Namibia's northern border and go game viewing on a Kavango River boat cruise. Next, this camping Africa Overland Tour explores the Okavango Delta in a mokoro and takes you on a 4x4 game drive in the wildlife-rich Moremi National Park. After the delta, see the surreal Makgadigadi Pans and enjoy a boat cruise on the Chobe River at Chobe National Park. Lastly, cross into Zimbabwe and drive to mighty Victoria Falls, the adventure capital of Africa.
This Namibia & Botswana Camping Safari will leave you with lifelong memories of Africa's marvels.
This Namibia & Botswana Safari departs from the charming coastal town of Swakopmund on the first morning. We drive north following the coastline where the hot sands of the desert meet the icy waves of the Atlantic Ocean. En route, we make a stop at the charming seaside holiday town of Wlotskabaken and admire the picturesque views, before heading to the nearby Lichen Fields. A local guide will tell us more about these fascinating organisms which thrive in harsh environments.
We continue to Cape Cross, known for its seal colony, one of the largest in the world with over 200,000 seals gathered on the rocks, a cacophony of sounds and smells! Cape Cross is also known as one of the historic landing points for Portuguese explorer Diego Cao in 1486. (Note that at certain times the seal colony is closed to visitors which may prevent us from visiting),
The road then heads inland towards our first overnight stop, the town of Khorixas where our first campsite is situated.
On day 2 of our overland camping tour, we begin by exploring the ancient wonders of the Khorixas area. The area was inhabited by the Khoi San for 6,000 years and it is rich in their rock art, made by shamans during rituals. Over 2,500 rock art pieces have been found in the area. Our local guide shows us around this impressive site. Then on to the nearby Petrified Forest, the remains of ancient trees that were washed down an ancient river, their remains forever captured in time.
We then get back on the road headed northeast to Namibia’s premium wildlife destination, Etosha National Park. The park is dominated by a vast salt pan visible from space – the word Etosha means ‘great white place’. Etosha National Park covers an area of 18,000 square kilometres and is home to an impressive variety of plants and animals. On entering the park, we enjoy our first game drive keeping a lookout for animals that cross our path.
We make our way to one of the comfortable park rest camps where we will overnight. We will camp for three nights in the park, at two of the rest camps.
The next two days of our Namibia & Botswana Safari are devoted to exploring this rugged wild region, hosting an amazing abundance of large mammals, birds, and other creatures.
On our game drives, we explore the open plains and acacia woodlands surrounding the Great Salt Pan. Etosha Pan was once a massive inland lake, but today the flat expanse stands almost entirely dry, except for the shallow waters that sometimes collect during rainy seasons. When shallow pools form in the pans large flocks of birds can be seen and when short grasses sprout after the rains grazers make an appearance.
We stop in at the watering holes where wildlife watching is often particularly rewarding, given the congregation of herbivores and predators drawn to the precious water sources. Etosha is known for its dramatic wildlife sightings, not only because of the stark landscapes but also due to the intense competition that unfolds in its harsh environment, especially at the waterholes. With some luck, we are likely to encounter lions, rhinos, and leopards. The chances of sighting elephants, zebras, giraffes, gemsbok, springbok, and other antelopes are excellent.
Our evenings and between game drives are spent relaxing at the rest camp. Each Etosha rest camp has a floodlit watering hole where you can watch wildlife at close range from the comfort of camp.
On Day 5 of our Africa Overland Tour, we are up early again, for one last game drive in Etosha National Park. Last chance to spot the wild animals of Etosha and absorb the wide-open landscapes.
Leaving Etosha we head northeast towards the Caprivi Strip. Eventually, the arid landscape becomes lusher as we near the mighty Kavango River basin. We follow the river to our next overnight stop, a campsite on the banks of the Kavango River. Enjoy a spectacular sunset over the river.
We start the day with a boat cruise on the Kavango River keeping a lookout for the wildlife which is drawn to the riverbanks to drink. Our boat weaves through groups of wallowing hippos and the occasional crocodile can be spotted lurking near the river banks.
Next, it's time to journey into the next country on our budget African safari - Botswana! Once border formalities are complete, we skirt the edge of the Okavango Delta towards the town of Maun, the gateway for all exploration of the Okavango Delta region.
We overnight at a riverside campsite in Maun and prepare for our two-day excursion into the Okavango Delta tomorrow. We will need to pack smaller overnight bags as we travel in smaller 4x4 safari vehicles. There may be time to take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (weather and time permitting), which provides a spectacular perspective over this water wonderland sitting in the middle of the desert!
This morning our Swakopmund to Victoria Falls Africa Overland Tour heads into the pristine Okavango Delta in Botswana. The Kavango River has no outlet to the sea, emptying into the sands of the Kalahari Desert and irrigating some 15,000 square kilometres of land. This water-rich environment supports an incredible array of plants and animals making it one of the most spectacular wilderness areas on earth.
Early birds may have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight. Then you are collected for the drive to the Khwai River Area where we spend the next two nights camping at a comfortable tented camp on the Khwai River floodplain.
After lunch, we drive to a nearby Mokoro polers station where local guides will take us out on the delta waterways on traditional dugout Mokoro boats. Each mokoro takes one passenger and the guide who expertly leads the boat through the water channels. You make a stop on one of the delta islands and your guide will lead you on a walk to learn more about the life of this fascinating area. Enjoy a spectacular sunset over the water as you glide back to the base.
Day 8 on safari, a full day is devoted to exploring the beautiful Moremi Game Reserve. This reserve lies at the heart of the delta, named after Chief Moremi of the local Batwana tribe who were instrumental in the protection of this pristine area.
Moremi Game Reserve has diverse landscapes, with water-filled pans, floodplains, and lagoons dotted with grasslands, acacia trees and dense mopane woodlands. Our game drive will encounter an impressive variety of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes such as kudu, red lechwe, tsessebe, and impala. The Okavango Delta is a birding paradise with more than 450 bird species recorded here, amongst them several rare and endangered species. You are really in for a game-viewing treat!
Today we leave the Khwai River Area and head through the delta backroads to reunite with our overland vehicle in Maun.
Our overland tour then heads out of Maun, and the landscape becomes more arid as we head into the Kalahari Desert. The next destination on our Swakopmund to Victoria Falls Africa Overland Tour is the surreal landscapes of the Makgadigadi Pans. The area once held a giant lake, Lake Makgadigadi, which had evaporated over time to leave a string of salt pans.
We will stay at a campsite near the town of Nata, named after the river which flows into this dry crusty area during the wet season, covering the otherwise arid landscape with new growth which attracts herds of herbivores. With the standing waters come large flocks of flamingos and pelicans. This afternoon we take a drive into the pans to take in the surreal landscapes and keep a lookout for any birds or animals that may cross our path (depending on the season).
Our Botswana safari continues through the arid desert with the landscapes slowly becoming greener as we near the Chobe River which forms the border with Zimbabwe. Our destination for the night is the town of Kasane which lies close to the intersection where four countries meet, namely Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. We will stay at a riverside campsite overlooking the Chobe River.
After lunch, we embark on a boat cruise along the Chobe River and Chobe National Park. From the water, we get close to animals such as hippos and crocodiles wallowing in the waters, and animals like antelopes, buffalos, and elephants grazing on the banks. Chobe National Park covers 11,700 square kilometers of diverse habitats from lush plains and wooded grasslands to dense forests and swamps. The river is the lifeblood of this otherwise arid region, attracting large numbers of wildlife. The park is renowned for its huge population of migratory elephants and large buffalo herds.
Today we cross into the final African country on our overland camping tour - Zimbabwe! It is a short drive to our last stop: the world-famous Victoria Falls. We will spend our last night at a campsite located very close to the falls.
Reaching Victoria Falls town, you are free to enjoy the many activities on offer. Visit the natural wonder of Victoria Falls waterfall up close to feel the power of the world's largest sheet of falling water that plummets 108 meters to the gorge below causing a mist that rises above the falls and is visible many miles away. The locals call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates as 'The Smoke that Thunders'.
You are free to unwind at the campsite, explore the markets, sights, and food options of Victoria Falls town, or jump into an adventure activity. Your guide can help you to select and book activities at Vic Falls, with a plethora of options available – white water rafting, bungee jumping or gorge swinging, helicopter/small plane/microlight scenic flights, boat cruises or game drives.
Our Namibia & Botswana Safari comes to a close this morning after breakfast at the safari campsite in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Spend the day participating in adventure activities and exploring the old colonial town on your own. There are so many exciting activities on offer that we recommend spending an extra night or two at Victoria Falls after your Africa Overland Tour.
We recommend booking your incoming and onward flights at least one day before and after this Namibia & Botswana Camping Safari is scheduled. It is advisable to arrive the day before departure from Swakopmund and fly out at least a day after the overland tour ends in Victoria Falls to allow for delays and change, and to enjoy the exciting adventure activities available at Vic Falls.
Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre-tour and post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.
This northbound Namibia & Botswana Safari is also available in the opposite direction as the Victoria Falls to Botswana & Namibia Safari (Camping Overland Tour), starting in Victoria Falls and ending in Swakopmund.
This Camping Overland Tour is also available as a Lodge Overland Tour – Namibia & Botswana Lodge Safari which follows the same itinerary but stays at comfortable lodges instead of camping
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.
An excellent 4-day Victoria Falls Tour in Zimbabwe including hotel accommodation, a Zambezi River Sunset Cruise, canoeing trip, Chobe Park Safari, helicopter flight and village tour.
An exciting short Victoria Falls Tour Package staying at an affordable luxury hotel. Activities on this Zambia Safari Adventure include a Sunset Cruise, Canoe Trip, Chobe National Park Safari, Helicopter Flight, Victoria Falls and Village Tour.
More on Victoria Falls Tour Package - Zambia Safari Adventure
Experience Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park, private reserves and Botswana's Chobe National Park on this short Big 5 Zimbabwe Safari (lodge tour).
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