Epic Wildlife + Desert Landscapes
Get the best of both worlds in this 14-night Botswana and Namibia adventure. Begin with time spent exploring the waterways of the Okavango Delta and setting off on game drives to spot the region's diverse wildlife, including lion, leopard, and elephant. Then make your way to Namibia to immerse in the country's spectacular scenery. Hike up red sand dunes, quad bike across desert landscapes, and even soar above the terrain in a hot air balloon. You'll find yourself instantly in awe of these countries' activities, vistas, and animals, be they desert adapted or water-based. You'll come back with memories to last a lifetime.
offering recommendations for places and experiences that best fit your style. We are sharing this itinerary to inspire and provide an example of what a trip to Botswana and Namibia might look like. To further paint the picture, take a look at the accompanying video! When you are ready to design a trip just for you, please let us know.
Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will be escorted to the InterContinental Hotel, located just across the street from the airport. Enjoy your evening at leisure.
Intercontinental Hotel Meals: N/A
This morning after breakfast, you will be walked back to the Johannesburg Airport for your commercial flight to Maun, Botswana. Upon landing, you will complete airport formalities and proceed to check in for your flight to Little Vumbura located in a private concession within the Okavango Delta.
Your home for the next three nights, camp is nestled on a picturesque island and surrounded by water. Only accessible by boat, guests are immediately immersed in the Delta’s ecosystem. This afternoon, you can set off on a shared safari activity and dinner will be served at camp.
Little Vumbura Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
On safari! Enjoy two days of exploring the Okavango Delta and participating in the wide variety of activities available. Hop into a jeep and set off for a game drive, keeping a lookout for elephants, zebra, lions, and leopards. You can also venture onto the water for a boat cruise or mokoro ride. Navigate the narrow channels and encounter many of the birds and other species who are part of this marine ecosystem. All meals will be served at camp.
Little Vumbura Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today, at a time to be advised by camp management, you will to transferred to the airstrip for a shared light aircraft flight to Maun. Upon arrival, you will check in for your commercial flight to Windhoek, Namibia. Here, you will complete airport formalities and be transferred to Galton House, where you will stay for one night.
Spend the afternoon relaxing by the property’s pool or head into town to visit the craft markets. Dinner can be served at the house or enjoyed in Windhoek.
Galton House Meals: Breakfast
This morning after breakfast and checkout, you will be transferred to the Windhoek Airport for your light aircraft flight to Sossusvlei.
Upon your arrival at the airstrip you will be transferred to Little Kulala. Located in the 66,000-acre Kulala Wilderness Reserve, this camp is the ideal setting from which to explore and appreciate the magic that is the Namib Desert. Every lodge activity brings guests into the stunning landscape and with its own private gate, visitors have early access to the Namib-Naukluft National Park to explore Sossusvlei and its extraordinary surroundings.
During the afternoon you can explore the area on one of the scheduled excursions as arranged by the lodge or you can just relax and soak in the scenery.
Little Kulala Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Enjoy your morning and afternoon desert activities. This area boasts some of the world’s largest free-standing dunes, which you will have the chance to explore both on foot and by vehicle. One particular activity of interest is a half-day visit to the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
In the park, you’ll find Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, which are clay pans set amid monstrous piles of sand known as star dunes that can reach the height of a 70 story skyscraper. A deathly white against red sands, the pans are the endpoint of a usually dry river, Tsauchab, in the interior of the Great Sand Sea. While here, you can opt to climb up the Big Daddy dune and then walk directly down into Deadvlei, home to ancient acacia trees, believed to have died over 300 years ago.
As you head back to camp, you can also visit Sesriem Canyon, where centuries of erosion have incised a narrow gorge about 1km in length. At the foot of the gorge, which plunges down 100 – 130 feet, are pools that become replenished after good rains. Sesriem derives its name from the time when early pioneers tied six lengths of rawhide thongs together to draw water from the pools.
Upon returning to camp, you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure or set off on an afternoon walk or scenic drive.
Little Kulala Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
This morning you will depart Little Kulala before sunrise, and be transferred to the take-off area for your thrilling hot air balloon adventure. Over the course of about an hour, you will experience the wonders of Sossusvlei and its towering dunes from the sky. Take in the stunning desert landscape as the sun washes it in incredible light. Upon landing (wherever the wind has taken you) you will delight in a champagne breakfast, after which you will enjoy a lovely nature drive back to the take-off point. (Ballooning is strictly weather permitting).
The rest of the day is at leisure and you can relax at the lodge, explore the surrounding area or take part in any of the activities as offered by the lodge.
Little Kulala Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today, at a time to be advised by camp management, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight to the Skeleton Coast. Upon arrival, you will be met by a lodge representative and enjoy a scenic drive en route to Shipwreck Lodge. Along the way, you will stop to observe the seal colony at Möwe Bay, to walk along the beach, and to explore a handful of wreckages, both from planes and boats.
Shipwreck Lodge itself is located in the famous Skeleton Coast Central Concession and on the southern bank of the Huarusib River Mouth. With spectacular white dunes sprawling behind and the Atlantic Ocean extending in front, the property boasts a stunningly unique setting in which desert runs directly into water. Morning fog only adds to the region’s mystique.
If time allows, you can participate in a sundowner up in the dunes, after which dinner will be served at the lodge.
Shipwreck Lodge Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Spend two days enjoying the shared lodge activities! Drive up into the Hoarusib River and watch the landscape change. Visit the Clay Castles, a striking geological formation, and keep your eyes open for the elusive desert-adapted elephants, brown hyenas and lions. You might also spot oryx, springbok, baboons, and various bird species.
Hop onto a quad bike and drive into the massive dunes just behind the lodge. Before long, you will find yourself entirely surrounded by towering white sand, which sparkle in stunning contrast to the crystal blue sky. You might also try your hand in dune boarding, an activity during which you lay on your stomach, atop a wooden sled, and fly down the mountains of sand.
You might also enjoy a leisurely walk, a BBQ lunch down on the beach (weather permitting) and incredible sundowners.
All meals not provided during an activity will be served back at the lodge.
Shipwreck Lodge Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
This morning, you will be transferred back to Möwe Bay for your light aircraft flight to the Ongava Private Reserve, located along the border of Etosha National Park. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Little Ongava, where you will stay for three nights.
Perched on the crest of a hill, Little Ongava boasts magnificent views of the plains stretching for miles to the horizon and is the perfect base from which to explore the reserve and national park. The camp has only three suites, each of which is quite spacious– with a plunge pool, lounge, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Its common areas overlook an active watering hole, where elephants, rhinos, and various antelope come by for a drink.
After lunch, you can participate in an afternoon activity in the Ongava Reserve. Dinner will be served at camp.
Little Ongava Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
On safari! Over the course of two days, participate in the many activities available, including day and night game drives, visiting photographic hides that overlook watering holes, setting off on nature walks, and even approaching white rhinos on foot. All are done in the company of experienced guides, who can share stories and information about the region. Those interested can also enjoy game drives and day trips into nearby Etosha National Park. All meals will be served at camp.
Little Ongava Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today, at a time to be advised by camp management, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Windhoek Airport. Upon arrival, you will check in for your international flights home.
Overnight Flight Meals: Breakfast
