21-Day Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Small Group Safari

Day 1: Windhoek – Namibia

Travel Highlights:

• City tour of Windhoek with German colonial architecture
• Local market visit

Your budget-friendly 21-Day Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Small Group Safari begins in Windhoek, Namibia's capital city. Settle into your comfortable guesthouse and have a briefing from your guide before embarking on a city tour exploring the city's colonial architecture and local market. Enjoy a relaxed evening with a local restaurant dinner (own expense).

• Meals Included: None
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin rooms with en-suite bathroom
• Included Activities: City Tour

Day 2 & 3: Namib Desert – Namibia

Travel Highlights:

• Scenic drive south into the ancient Namib desert with stop at Solitaire
• Iconic desert scenery
• Visit Sesriem Canyon, Sossusvlei & Deadvlei

Your epic Small Group Safari heads south, traveling through expansive scenery as you head into the Namib, the world's oldest desert. Stop in Solitaire, famous for its apple tart, for refreshments (own expense) before continuing to your desert lodge to relax for the rest of the day. In the morning, head to the iconic red dunes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, exploring surreal landscapes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei with ancient dunes and clay pans.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner x2
• Accommodation: Two sharing chalet with en-suite bathroom
• Distance/Time: 320 kilometers; 4.5 hrs excl stops
• Included Activities: Entrance fees to Sesriem Canyon and Naukluft National Park

Day 4: Swakopmund – Namibia

Travel Highlights:

• Stop to visit the flamingos at Walvis Bay Lagoon & a photo stop at the Tropic of Capricorn
• Overnight in vibrant Swakopmund on the Atlantic coastline

Your Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Safari heads towards the coast, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and visiting Walvis Bay to see flamingos. When you reach Swakopmund, your time is free for a beach walk or exploring this seaside town. Enjoy dinner in town (own expense).

• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom
• Distance/Time: 350 kilometers; 5 hrs excl stops

Day 5: Brandberg Massif – Namibia

Travel Highlights:

• The stark plains of Damaraland and the towering, rugged Brandberg Mountains
• Visit the ancient White Lady rock painting

Your journey continues away from the coastline and into the rugged expanses of Damaraland to the Brandberg Massif. Take a guided walk to the famous White Lady rock painting and enjoy sunset views at the lodge.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin chalet with en-suite bathroom
• Distance/Time: 330 kilometers; 5 hrs excl stops
• Included Activities: Entrance to San Rock Art

Day 6 & 7: Etosha National Park – Namibia

Travel Highlights:

• Game drives through incredible Etosha salt pan scenery
• Diverse wildlife sightings

Your affordable Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Safari travels on, arriving at Etosha National Park in time for a late-afternoon game drive before heading to a nearby lodge for the night. Day 7 is a full day spent on safari inside Etosha National Park, waiting at waterholes for thrilling wildlife encounters.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner x2
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin rooms with en-suite bathroom
• Distance/Time: 370 kilometers; 6 hrs excl stops and game drives
• Included Activities: Entrance fee to Etosha National Park, Safari Game Drives

Day 8: Rundu – Namibia

Travel Highlights:

• Scenic drive to the lush Kavango region on Namibia's northern border
• Riverside sunset

Travel northeast through changing landscapes and local villages. The landscape becomes more lush as you head towards the mighty rivers lying on Namibia's northern border. Enjoy the sunset at your riverside lodge at Rundu.

• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin chalets with en-suite bathroom
• Distance/Time: 610 kilometers; 8 hrs excl stops

Day 9: Caprivi – Namibia

Travel Highlights:

• Game drive in Mahangu National Park
• Relaxing riverside safari camp by the Kavango River

Your Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Small Group Safari follows the Okavango River into Namibia's Caprivi Strip region. Visit the Mahangu National Park for an afternoon game drive in search of the elephants, lions, roan antelopes, and the other animals that call this landscape home. Later, unwind at your beautiful safari camp set on the river’s edge.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin tree houses with en-suite bathrooms
• Distance/Time: 240 kilometers; 3.5 hrs excl stops and game drive
• Included Activities: Entrance fees and Game Drive in Mahangu National Park

Day 10: Maun – Botswana

Travel Highlights:

• Cross the border into Botswana
• Journey through rural villages to Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta

Cross the border into Botswana and skirt the Okavango Delta to Maun, considered the gateway to the magnificent Okavango Delta. Enjoy the evening preparing for your Okavango Delta adventure tomorrow.

• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin chalet with en-suite bathroom
• Distance/Time: 460 kilometers; 7.5 hrs excl stops and border crossing

Day 11 & 12: Okavango Delta – Botswana

Travel Highlights:

• Glide through the delta waterways on a mokoro dugout canoe excursion
• Two nights camping amidst beautiful Delta landscapes with magnificent wildlife and birdlife
• Enjoy guided game walks
• Optional scenic helicopter flight over the Delta

Setting off early, your Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Safari journeys into the Okavango Delta. En route, there is a chance to enjoy an optional scenic helicopter flight (own expense) for an unforgettable aerial view of the delta and its intricate channels and floodplains.

On arrival, board traditional mokoro canoes, guided by local polers who lead us through reed-lined waterways to our remote wilderness camp. Gliding silently through this pristine ecosystem, we encounter diverse wildlife—including red lechwe, elephants, buffalo, and vibrant birdlife. The next day, enjoy a full day immersed in this unique environment with morning and afternoon guided walks in search of the incredibly diverse wildlife and bird species.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner x2
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin tents with linen, en-suite chemical toilet & shared hot shower
• Distance/Time: 50 kilometers; 2 hrs excl stops and mokoro ride
• Included Activities: Entrance fees to Okavango Delta, Guided game walks
• Optional Activities: Scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta

Day 13: Moremi Game Reserve & Khwai River – Botswana

Travel Highlights:

• Mokoro ride back to the vehicle
• Game drive en route to Moremi Game Reserve
• Wildlife sightings in a private reserve

Depart the camp by mokoro, then transfer to a 4x4 game viewing vehicle to travel north towards the renowned Moremi Game Reserve at the heart of the delta. Spend the rest of the day exploring Moremi Game Reserve and its surrounding private concessions, renowned for exceptional wildlife sightings, including elephants, hippos, buffalo, painted dogs, leopards, and lions. After a thrilling safari game drive, head to tonight's tented camp overlooking the Khwai River.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Two sharing permanent tent with en-suite facilities
• Distance/Time: 120 kilometers; 4 hrs on rough 4x4 routes, excl game viewing
• Included Activities: Entrance fees to Moremi, 4x4 Safari Game Drive

Day 14: Mababe Private Reserve & Maun – Botswana

Travel Highlights:

• Morning game drive in Mababe Private Reserve
• Return to Maun

Today, your excellent value Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Safari criss-crosses the Mababe Private Reserve on another thrilling safari game drive before returning to a comfortable lodge in Maun.

• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin rooms with en-suite bathroom
• Included Activities: Game drive in Mababe Private Reserve

Day 15: Makgadikgadi Pans – Botswana

Travel Highlights:

• See the surreal, vast salt flats of Makgadigadi Pans
• Visit Nata Bird Sanctuary in search of flamingos, pelicans, and other migratory birds (seasonal)

Head east out of the waters of the delta and into the desert and the vast flats of Makgadikgadi Pans. Visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary for views across the surreal salt flats and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
• Accommodation: Twin share luxury tents with en-suite facilities
• Distance/Time: 360 kilometers; 5 hrs excl stops
• Included Activities: Entrance to Makgadikgadi Pans

Day 16 & 17: Matobo National Park – Zimbabwe

Travel Highlights:

• Cross the border into Zimbabwe
• Matobo National Park Game Drive & Rhino tracking on foot
• Visit San rock art site & Rhodes’ grave at World’s View

Crossing into Zimbabwe, your Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Small Group Safari settles into a lodge near Matobo National Park, enjoying sundowners and sweeping views of the dramatic granite landscape. The next day, explore the park on a game drive and then head out on foot to track the resident rhino. Later, visit Cecil John Rhodes’ grave at beautiful World's View and discover ancient San rock art that reveals the area's deep cultural and spiritual roots.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner x2
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin en-suite chalets
• Distance/Time: 320 kilometers; 5 hrs excl stops and border crossing
• Included Activities: Entrance to Matobo National Park, Game Drive, Rhino Tracking

Day 18 & 19: Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe

Travel Highlights:

• Two nights in renowned Hwange National Park, the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe
• Full-day 4x4 safari game drive promising elephant herds and predator sightings

Journey northwest to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national park, known for its elephant herds. Settle into your lodge on the outskirts of the park. The next day, explore Hwange on a full-day safari game drive with an expert local guide in search of the famous elephants, lions, and other iconic African species.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner x2
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin chalets with en-suite bathroom
• Distance/Time: 340 kilometers; 5 hrs excl stops
• Included Activities: Entrance to Hwange National Park, Full-day 4x4 Safari Game Drive

Day 20: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

Travel Highlights:

• Visit the Painted Dog Sanctuary to learn about the endangered African Wild Dogs
• Marvel at magnificent Victoria Falls on a guided tour

Conclude your Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe adventure at magnificent Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Visit the Painted Dog Sanctuary (African Wild Dogs) on the way.

On arrival at Victoria Falls, enjoy a guided walk through the rainforest created by the mist formed by the power of the falling water. Stop to view the falls from different viewpoints. The rest of the day is yours to try optional activities like a Zambezi River sunset cruise, bungee jumping, or a scenic “flight of angels” for a spectacular aerial view. In the evening, you may wish to join the group for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant (own expense).

• Meals Included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Two sharing twin en-suite rooms
• Distance/Time: 190 kilometers; 3 hrs excl stops
• Included Activities: Visit Painted Dog Sanctuary, Entrance to Victoria Falls
• Optional Activities: Sunset cruises, bungee jumping, scenic flights, more

Day 21: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

Travel Highlights:

• Final breakfast

Enjoy a last breakfast before your epic Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Small Group Safari adventure comes to a close.

• Meals Included: Breakfast

Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Safari Tour Notes

• This is a small group safari, travelling with a maximum of 12 people. Solo travellers will be matched with another same-gender traveller to share accommodation. Should you request a single room or tent, a single supplement will be payable.
• This is a Limited Participation tour, so some participation is required, from carrying your own bag to packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure.
• We recommend booking your incoming and onward flights at least one day before and after this Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Small Group Safari is scheduled. It is advisable to arrive the day before departure from Windhoek, Namibia, and fly out the day after the overland tour ends in Victoria Falls, to allow for delays and changes. Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre-tour and post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.

Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Safari Tour Meals

• Of the 20 breakfasts, 18 lunches & 13 dinners included, 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners are provided by the lodges. The remaining meals are provided by the tour crew and enjoyed around the campfire at the truck.
• This is a limited participation tour, so where tour leaders provide meals, we ask that clients help (on rotation) with the washing up.

Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Tour Transport

Transport for the majority of this safari is in a custom-built truck with 12 forward-facing seats. There are some long distances to cover and a few early morning starts.
For the game drives in Moremi/Mababe, Hwange, and Matobo and the transfer into the Okavango, we use local open-sided 4x4 vehicles with local guides.

For more information, contact African Budget Safaris.