Dunes, Deltas & Falls Discoverer
18 days
From
$ 4349
Duration18 days
This 18-day journey through four African countries hits the highlights and is perfect for the adventurer who wants to discover the region’s diversity. Explore the Okavango Delta by traditional mokoro canoe, marvel at some of the highest sand dunes in the world in the Namib Desert, and meet the San Bushmen of the Kalahari. Your knowledgeable CEO will take care of the hassles and planning while you recharge in hotels, local lodges, and camps for a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience you'll forever treasure.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 18 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Light
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Victoria Falls
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Your accommodation is in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and NOT Livingstone (Zambia). Please make sure you have the necessary visa.
Day 2: Victoria Falls/Kasane
Drive to the border and cross from Zimbabwe into Botswana. Continue to the Kasane area, outside the gates of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa.
Opt to check out one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos on a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River.
There are options here for a casual cruise to enjoy the scenery with a cocktail or a photo safari by boat, with the opportunity to capture some great shots with instruction, a professional camera, and zoom lens. Evening is a great time to be on the river.
Opt to check out one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos on a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River.
There are options here for a casual cruise to enjoy the scenery with a cocktail or a photo safari by boat, with the opportunity to capture some great shots with instruction, a professional camera, and zoom lens. Evening is a great time to be on the river.
Cross the border into Botswana, and stay in Kasane, just outside of Chobe NP. Try to spot the elephants, crocodiles, and hippos this region is famous for during an optional sundowner cruise or photo river safari.
Travellers have the option to prebook either the Evening Photo Safari on the Chobe River, OR Chobe Sunset Cruise for this evening. Please note that the Morning Photo Safari on the Chobe River is also pre-bookable the following morning at sunrise.
Meals: B
Day 3: Kasane/Nata
Prebook the Morning Photo Safari on the Chobe River at sunrise for one last chance to see the "big five".
Opt to rise early for a sunrise safari on the Chobe River. Travel to Nata. Opt for a bush walk or sunset wildlife safari drive in the area. Watch elephants drink from the camp's watering hole at night.
End place: Nata
Meals: B, D
Day 4: Nata/Maun
Start place: Nata
Travel to Maun, the biggest town in the Okavango Delta area, pick up any supplies needed, and prepare for the journey into the Okavango Delta.
You can pre-book the Okavango Delta Flight extra on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
In the evening, watch a traditional dance group performance on the poolside terrace.
You can pre-book the Okavango Delta Flight extra on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
In the evening, watch a traditional dance group performance on the poolside terrace.
Prepare for a 1-night/2-day journey into the delta. Opt to take a scenic flight over the delta.
If you pre-booked the Okavango Delta Flight, you will be flying today.
End place: Maun
Meals: B
Day 5: Okavango Delta
Start place: Maun
The excursion begins with a drive in customized safari vehicles for about 1-2 hrs to the "dock" to board a mokoro (canoe) that takes us deep into the delta. After a 1-2 hrs in the mokoro, arrive to the basic bush camp.
Enjoy wildlife walks, traditional mokoro excursions, and birding. Learn the ways of the bush from the local polers.
Camping equipment, a mattress and bedding are provided, but if you would like to bring your own sleeping bag, you can.
End place: Delta de l'Okavango
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Maun/D'kar
Start place: Maun
Enjoy the sunrise in the delta before travelling back to Maun by mokoro. Travel along the northern portions of the Kalahari Desert throughout the day – this is a severely arid and barren landscape, though very beautiful.
Arrive in the late afternoon and camp close to D'kar. Enjoy a traditional local meal before settling in for the night.
Arrive in the late afternoon and camp close to D'kar. Enjoy a traditional local meal before settling in for the night.
Traverse the Kalahari Desert. Spend the night at the G Adventures supported Dqae Qare San Lodge, and meet the local San Bushmen on a walk to learn their desert survival skills.
End place: Dekar
Meals: B, D
Day 7: Dekar/Windhoek
Start place: Dekar
Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Travel to Windhoek, the German-influenced capital city of Namibia.
Meals: B
Day 8: Windhoek/Etosha National Park
Leave Windhoek and head north through the Namibian countryside to Etosha National Park.
Visit Etosha National Park on a wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle. Keep an eye out for lions, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and antelopes.
After sunset, some animals may head to the watering holes near the campground.
Opt to head out for more wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle to make the most of your time here.
Visit Etosha National Park on a wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle. Keep an eye out for lions, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and antelopes.
After sunset, some animals may head to the watering holes near the campground.
Opt to head out for more wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle to make the most of your time here.
Visit the G Adventures supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, just outside of Windhoek, to pick up a tasty packed lunch, then continue up to Etosha National Park. Enjoy an afternoon wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle, then opt to explore more on an open vehicle night drive.
Meals: B, L
Day 9: Etosha National Park
Enjoy another wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle and keep your eyes peeled for some of the famous wildlife.
Day 10: Etosha National Park/Swakopmund
Watch the beautiful desert landscape go by en route to western Namibia.
Spend two nights in the area exploring this historical town or trying some of the numerous activities available, such as sandboarding or a skydiving.
Swakopmund has bizarre lunar landscapes, unforgettable sunsets, and prehistoric Welwitchia plants.
Spend two nights in the area exploring this historical town or trying some of the numerous activities available, such as sandboarding or a skydiving.
Swakopmund has bizarre lunar landscapes, unforgettable sunsets, and prehistoric Welwitchia plants.
Drive to the historical city of Swakopmund.
Day 11: Swakopmund
You can pre-book your sky dive on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Spend a day exploring all the area has to offer. Optional activities include sandboarding, skydiving, and a township tour.
Day 12: Swakopmund/Namib Desert
Get a real feel for the Namib Desert as we spend hours crossing this empty region.
En route, take a coffee break in Solitaire, a mystical village consisting of a filling station, a general dealer/coffee shop, and a small mechanical workshop. Drive through Walvis Bay, the only town on the Namibian coastline that boasts a deep sea harbor.
Arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert.
En route, take a coffee break in Solitaire, a mystical village consisting of a filling station, a general dealer/coffee shop, and a small mechanical workshop. Drive through Walvis Bay, the only town on the Namibian coastline that boasts a deep sea harbor.
Arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert.
Travel into the beautiful Namib Desert, stopping at Walvis Bay on the way.
End place: Namib Desert
Meals: D
Day 13: Namib Desert
Start place: Namib Desert
Enjoy a visit to Sossusvlei, a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes, up to 300m (984 ft) high. Here, use some free time to enjoy the sand dunes on your own. Visit the Sesriem Canyon, a small canyon typical of the area.
Visit Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon. Opt to climb up breathtaking Dune 45.
End place: Namib Desert
Meals: B, D
Day 14: Namib Desert/Fish River Canyon
Start place: Namib Desert
Spend the evening relaxing in the healing waters.
Continue south through the Namib Desert to the Fish River Canyon. Enjoy the beautiful view from the canyon lookout point, before finishing the day at the Ai-Ais.
Meals: B
Day 15: Ai-Ais/Orange River
After a relaxing morning in the hot springs, continue on to the banks of the Orange River with time to swim or just relax. Enjoy the beautiful scenery in this part of the country.
End place: Orange River
Meals: B
Day 16: Orange River/Lambert's Bay
Start place: Orange River
We head towards the coast again and on to Lambert’s Bay, a picturesque town on the west coast of South Africa.
In the afternoon, opt to visit the well known Bird Island where you can find more than 25,000 blue-eyed gannets at certain times of the year. Penguins also gather on this island for breeding between August and October.
Opt to stroll through this lovely town, visiting unique artisan shops and boutiques.
In the afternoon, opt to visit the well known Bird Island where you can find more than 25,000 blue-eyed gannets at certain times of the year. Penguins also gather on this island for breeding between August and October.
Opt to stroll through this lovely town, visiting unique artisan shops and boutiques.
Cross the border into South Africa and continue down the coast to Lambert's Bay, stopping along the way. Opt to visit Bird Island or stroll through this charming town.
Meals: B
Day 17: Lambert's Bay/Cape Town
While travelling towards Cape Town, through Namaqualand, keep an eye out for fields of Namaqualand daisies (in season August and September).
Cape Town has many different options should you book extra time to explore after the tour.
Visit Table Mountain, explore Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope), or join a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch (45 min drive). Visit the old French Huguenot town of Franschoek and surroundings (1 hr drive). For the truly adventurous, try skydiving, abseiling, or even cage diving, for a close encounter with the great white sharks.
Opt to wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa (Botanical Gardens and Parliament Gardens), or visit the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and numerous other small museums and theaters.
Cape Town has many different options should you book extra time to explore after the tour.
Visit Table Mountain, explore Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope), or join a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch (45 min drive). Visit the old French Huguenot town of Franschoek and surroundings (1 hr drive). For the truly adventurous, try skydiving, abseiling, or even cage diving, for a close encounter with the great white sharks.
Opt to wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa (Botanical Gardens and Parliament Gardens), or visit the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and numerous other small museums and theaters.
Continue on the last stretch of the trip to lovely Cape Town. Stop at the G Adventures supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre along the way, then get ready to explore the vibrant streets of this scenic coastal city.
Please note that we arrive in Cape Town in the early afternoon, you might not have time to participate in lengthy activities or see many sights. If you would like to see or do anything, we recommend booking an extra night or two before your return flight home.
Meals: B
Day 18: Cape Town
We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully enjoy this city.
Depart at any time.
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, Windhoek Your G for Good Moment: !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, Swartwater Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Swakopmund Your Wellness Moment: Ai-Ais Hot Springs visit, Ai-Ais Hot Springs
- Okavango Delta overnight bush camping excursion
- Local traditional dinner
- Etosha National Park entrance with wildlife safari drives
- Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon entrance
- Fish River Canyon entrance
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Air-conditioned touring vehicle, Safari vehicle, Walking, Mokoro -
Accommodation
Hotels (6 nts), Lodge/chalet (4 nts), Guesthouse (1 nt), Basic camping (1 nt), Adventure tents (1 nt), Participation camping (4 nts)