Three countries in lodge comfort

This 15-day overland journey links the highlights of three countries in one route: the red dunes of Sossusvlei, the Atlantic coast at Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein's rock art, Himba culture in Kaokoland, two days in Etosha, the wild rivers of Namibia's Zambezi Region, Chobe in Botswana and finally Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Mid-range lodge accommodation

You stay in comfortable mid-range lodges and resorts, including Okaukuejo and Namutoni inside Etosha, with riverside lodges on the Okavango, Kwando and Chobe. Properties are named “or similar” and confirmed at booking.

Meals

Meals are included as selected for the itinerary. In Swakopmund and Victoria Falls only breakfast is included, and lunch and dinner are at your own cost.

Good to know

Minimum two travellers; this tour is not available to solo travellers. Expect long driving days on gravel roads and three border crossings. Visas for Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, if required, are your responsibility. Optional activities are available on request.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Windhoek to the Namib Desert

Morning hotel pickup in Windhoek and a scenic drive of about 350 km, mostly gravel, through mountains, savannah and desert to the Sossusvlei area. Watch for oryx, springbok, ostrich and mountain zebra.

Stay: Elegant Desert Lodge or similar.

Day 2 – Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and Sesriem Canyon

Pre-dawn start through Sesriem Gate to climb Dune 45, walk among the ancient dead acacias of Deadvlei and visit Sesriem Canyon. Optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight.

Stay: Elegant Desert Lodge or similar.

Day 3 – Across the Namib to Swakopmund

Cross the Kuiseb River, the Tropic of Capricorn and the Namib-Naukluft Park to the Atlantic coast town of Swakopmund (about 5 hours). Breakfast only; lunch and dinner at own cost on the coast.

Stay: Alte Brücke Resort or similar.

Day 4 – Free day in Swakopmund

A coastal day for optional activities on request: Moon Valley and welwitschia, quad biking, sandboarding, kayaking with seals, dolphin cruise and Sandwich Harbour, township cycle tour or skydiving. Breakfast only.

Stay: Alte Brücke Resort or similar.

Day 5 – Cape Cross and Twyfelfontein

North along the coast to the Cape Cross seal colony, past the Brandberg to Damaraland and the UNESCO-listed Twyfelfontein rock engravings (about 360 km). Optional Damara Living Museum visit.

Stay: Damaraland Lodge or similar.

Day 6 – Kaokoland and the Himba

Continue to Opuwo in Kaokoland (about 300 km, gravel) and, time permitting, visit a traditional Himba village (otherwise the next morning).

Stay: Opuwo Country Lodge or similar.

Day 7 – Into Etosha via Galton Gate

Enter Etosha through the western Galton Gate and game-drive to Okaukuejo (about 380 km), ending at its floodlit waterhole.

Stay: Okaukuejo Resort or similar.

Day 8 – Full-day Etosha game drive

Sunrise-to-sunset game viewing across Etosha's waterholes and pans to Namutoni, then night viewing at the camp waterhole. Optional ranger-led night drive.

Stay: Namutoni Resort or similar.

Day 9 – To the Okavango River at Divundu

Travel about 560 km north-east through rural villages to a riverside stay on the Okavango. Optional sunset cruise.

Stay: Nunda River Lodge or similar.

Day 10 – Bwabwata National Park

Three-hour morning game drive in Bwabwata's Buffalo Core Area, known for buffalo, elephant and some 500 bird species, then continue along the Zambezi Region to the Kwando River.

Stay: Camp Kwando or similar.

Day 11 – Mudumu and Kwando game drives

Morning and afternoon game drives in Mudumu National Park and the Kwando Core Area, an unfenced elephant migration corridor between Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia.

Stay: Camp Kwando or similar.

Day 12 – Botswana: Chobe river cruise

Cross into Botswana, check in at Kasane and enjoy a two-hour afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River.

Stay: Thebe River Lodge or similar.

Day 13 – Chobe game drive and Victoria Falls

Three-hour morning game drive in Chobe National Park, lunch in Kasane, then cross into Zimbabwe for a guided visit to Victoria Falls. Breakfast only from here; lunch and dinner at own cost.

Stay: Shearwater Explorers Village or similar.

Day 14 – Free day at Victoria Falls

Explore the town at leisure or add optional activities such as a sunset cruise, helicopter flight or white-water rafting (price on request). Breakfast only.

Stay: Shearwater Explorers Village or similar.

Day 15 – Departure

Breakfast, then transfer to Victoria Falls International Airport.