15 Day Desert to Falls Safari
From N$73350
per person
Join us on the ultimate African safari from the Namib Desert to the mighty Victoria Falls and everything in between!
This private guided safari starts in Namibia and heads straight into the Namib Desert. Unlike your average Namibian safari, start your Namib Desert experience with a guided 3 day / 2 night hike through the breathtakingly beautiful wilderness area of the Namib Rand Nature Reserve. Sleep out, under the milky way and spend 3 days hiking through some of Namibia’s most pristine conservation area. After experiencing the Namib Desert in this truly unique way, head north and spend 1 night in the Namib Naukluft Park to explore Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and Dune 45 before continuing through to the coastal town of Swakopmund and Namibia’s adventure capital.
After 2 nights in Swakopmund and a full day to enjoy a range of optional activities, head north through to Etosha National Park, one of Southern Africa’s premier game reserves. Teeming with wildlife during the rainy season, Etosha is unmissable for any wildlife enthusiast as multiple species gather around the waterhole together to clench their thirst during the heat of the day. Keep your camera at the ready as incredible wildlife moments are around every corner.
From the dry plains of Etosha, head north east into a completely different part of Namibia where rivers flow and lush green forests are the norm. This is the Kavango and Zambezi regions and whilst the scenery is completely different the experience is equally as exciting. Here, spend 2 nights wild camping with local expert guides, cruising the river systems and observing as pods of hippo, herds of hundreds of elephants and buffalo meander down to the river for their sunset drink. Watch out for big cats too as this area is not only dense with prey, but also predators lurking in the greenery.
From here, head straight through to the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the worlds 7 natural wonders! Here your guide will say goodbye and you can enjoy 2 nights back in ‘civilisation’ exploring the quaint town of Victoria Falls and enjoying the Zimbabwean culture and hospitality.
Of course there are many more destinations that are worth stopping to see along the way, so if you have more time to spare on your Namib Desert to Victoria Falls adventure, then let us know and we can add in a few days in Damaraland & Kaokoland experiencing some of Namibia’s cultural diversity, or a visit to the iconic Spitzkoppe for those that appreciate incredible landscapes!
| Minimum people | 1st Jul 2022 – 31st Oct 2022 | 1st Nov 2023 – 30th Jun 2023 | 1st Jul 2023 – 31st Oct 2023 |
| 2 people | from N$102,400 per person | from N$102,600 per person | from N$112,100 per person |
| 4 people | from N$83,800 per person | from N$84,200 per person | from N$92,700 per person |
| 6 people | from N$74,400 per person | from N$73,350 per person | from N$79,100 per person |
1
Review
Departure/Return Location
Windhoek, Namibia / Vic Falls, ZimbabweDeparture Time
8:00amReturn Time
Approximately 5:30 PMIncluded
AccommodationActivities as per itineraryGuideMeals as per itineraryNational park entry feesTransportWaterNot Included
DrinksInternational FlightsItems of personal natureOptional ActivitiesPersonal travel insurance
From our gallery
Tour Plan
1
Day 1: Elegant Desert Lodge
On arrival at Windhoek International Airport, you will be met by your guide and then start your journey. The first stop is Windhoek and a chance to collect anything we might have forgotten as well as some snacks & drinks for the road. From Windhoek, we head south via Rehoboth, home of the Bastaar people, and then south-west, past the Naukluft Mountains and into the Namib Desert. Option to make a stop at Neuras Wine Farm, the only winery in the Namib Desert. Arrival at Elegant Desert Lodge mid-afternoon where you can join any of the optional activities or just relax and take in your first Namibian sunset.
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom at Elegant Desert Lodge
Meals: Dinner
Included activities: -
Optional activities: Sundowner drive / Afternoon 2hr Quad biking excursion
Distance travelled: ±340kms
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom at Elegant Desert Lodge
Meals: Dinner
Included activities: -
Optional activities: Sundowner drive / Afternoon 2hr Quad biking excursion
Distance travelled: ±340kms
2
Day 2 & 3: Tok Tokkie Trails
A leisurely morning today give you the chance to join an optional morning quad bike tour or take a walk with your guide to explore the area on foot before departing no later than 11h00. We aim to arrive on the NamibRand Reserve where from where we start our 2night/3 day hike.
The NamibRand Nature Reserve, located in southern Namibia, is a private nature reserve established to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert. Conserving the pro-Namib, the area along the eastern edge of the Namib Desert, is critically important in order to facilitate seasonal migratory wildlife routes and to protect biodiversity. It is probably the largest private nature reserve in southern Africa, extending over an area of 215,000 ha. The Reserve shares a 100km border with the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the west and is bordered in the east by the imposing Nubib Mountains. Virtually all facets of the Namib Desert are represented on the Reserve – sand and gravel plains and stretches of savanna alternate with mountain ranges, inselbergs and vegetated dune belts.
Accommodation: Camping - Tok Tokkie Trails (Camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner / Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included activities: Hiking
Optional activities: Morning 1.5hr Quad biking excursion
Distance travelled: ±120kms / 0kms
The NamibRand Nature Reserve, located in southern Namibia, is a private nature reserve established to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert. Conserving the pro-Namib, the area along the eastern edge of the Namib Desert, is critically important in order to facilitate seasonal migratory wildlife routes and to protect biodiversity. It is probably the largest private nature reserve in southern Africa, extending over an area of 215,000 ha. The Reserve shares a 100km border with the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the west and is bordered in the east by the imposing Nubib Mountains. Virtually all facets of the Namib Desert are represented on the Reserve – sand and gravel plains and stretches of savanna alternate with mountain ranges, inselbergs and vegetated dune belts.
Accommodation: Camping - Tok Tokkie Trails (Camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner / Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included activities: Hiking
Optional activities: Morning 1.5hr Quad biking excursion
Distance travelled: ±120kms / 0kms
3
Day 4: Dead Valley Lodge, Sesriem
We end our hike around 11h00 and from here, we head north through to Sesriem where we can check in to our rooms and grab some lunch before heading straight into the National Park to explore Deadvlei & Sossusvlei in the late afternoon.
Situated in the largest conservation area in Africa (The Namib Naukluft National Park), Sossusvlei is easily one of Namibia’s most spectacular attractions, characterized by the large red dunes surrounding bleached clay plans. The dunes in this area are some of the highest in the world, measuring almost 400m, and offering some of the most incredible photographic opportunities particularly around sunrise. Make sure you add a short visit to the nearby Sesriem Canyon before departing the park, a small (in comparison to Fish River) canyon, but of vital importance to the local area.
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom - Dead Valley Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included activities: Morning hike & Afternoon excursion to Sossusvlei
Optional activities: -
Distance travelled: ±120kms
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom - Dead Valley Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included activities: Morning hike & Afternoon excursion to Sossusvlei
Optional activities: -
Distance travelled: ±120kms
4
Day 5 & 6: The Delight, Swakopmund
This morning enjoy an early morning optional hot air balloon flight over the Namib Desert, or choose to return to Dune 45 for sunset, or instead opt for a lie in to recover after many early starts. Departure for Swakopmund should be no later than 12noon with a long drive ahead through the Namib Desert with stops at Solitaire, Tropic of Capricorn, Kuiseb & Gaub Passes before reaching the coast and visiting the Walvis Bay Lagoon to get a glimpse of the greater and lesser flamingos. From there, it’s just a short drive through to Swakopmund, home for the next 2 nights.
The following day can be as busy, or relaxing as you choose, with a range of different optional activities on offer, from sky diving and sand boarding to a Dolphin Cruise, or Sandwich Harbour excursion, to a Living Desert tour or a scenic flight. Instead, opt to relax and explore Swakopmund on foot.
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom at The Delight
Meals: Breakfast / Breakfast
Included activities: Visit to Walvis Bay Lagoon
Optional activities: as above
Distance travelled: ±350kms / 0kms
The following day can be as busy, or relaxing as you choose, with a range of different optional activities on offer, from sky diving and sand boarding to a Dolphin Cruise, or Sandwich Harbour excursion, to a Living Desert tour or a scenic flight. Instead, opt to relax and explore Swakopmund on foot.
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom at The Delight
Meals: Breakfast / Breakfast
Included activities: Visit to Walvis Bay Lagoon
Optional activities: as above
Distance travelled: ±350kms / 0kms
5
Day 7 & 8: Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park
Today is a long drive as we leave the coast and head north to Etosha National Park. Should we wish to enjoy a more scenic drive and meet some local people, then leave Swakopmund no later than 7h30 and head north to Henties Bay and then inland through Damaraland on the C35. This route gives us the chance to meet the Himba, Herero & Damara people that call this region home. Alternatively we head inland and stick to the tar road which will get us to Etosha much faster and enable us to do a proper afternoon game drive.
The following day is a full day of game driving, exploring one of Southern Africa’s premier game reserves. The park itself covers 22,270 kms², and gets its name from the salt pan that makes up approx. 23% of the park. Once a massive lake, the Etosha Pan is now mostly dry, with the exception of good rainfall years when the pan fills up enough to become a breeding ground for flamingos that migrate between Walvis Bay and Sua Pan in Botswana.
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom - Okaukuejo Rest Camp
Meals: Breakfast / Breakfast
Included activities: Afternoon game drive in Etosha National Park
Optional activities: Night drive in Etosha National Park
Distance travelled: ±550kms / 150kms
The following day is a full day of game driving, exploring one of Southern Africa’s premier game reserves. The park itself covers 22,270 kms², and gets its name from the salt pan that makes up approx. 23% of the park. Once a massive lake, the Etosha Pan is now mostly dry, with the exception of good rainfall years when the pan fills up enough to become a breeding ground for flamingos that migrate between Walvis Bay and Sua Pan in Botswana.
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom - Okaukuejo Rest Camp
Meals: Breakfast / Breakfast
Included activities: Afternoon game drive in Etosha National Park
Optional activities: Night drive in Etosha National Park
Distance travelled: ±550kms / 150kms
6
Day 9: Onguma Bush Camp, outside Etosha National Park
Another early departure this morning, aiming to have breakfast and check out by sunrise, starting our game driving as early as possible. Depending on the game viewing, we can stop for lunch at Halali or Namutoni, before exiting the park and checking in to Onguma Bush Camp. The Onguma private reserve borders Etosha National Park, and if home to large numbers of animals, including predators so good idea to keep our eyes peeled here.
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom - Onguma Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included activities: Full day game drive in Etosha National Park
Optional activities: Visit to hide
Distance travelled: ±250kms
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom - Onguma Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included activities: Full day game drive in Etosha National Park
Optional activities: Visit to hide
Distance travelled: ±250kms
7
Day 10: Divava Lodge & Spa, Kavango
Today is another long drive, heading from central Namibia into the Kavango region. Here we will notice a distinct change in landscape as we reach the Kavango where dry savannahs turn into lush green forests with rivers that flow. Tonight we are at Divava Lodge and perched on the banks of the Kavango River, the main tributary for the Okavango Delta in neighbouring Botswana. Here we can spend the evening on the banks of the river, enjoy a totally different Namibian landscape from what we have seen before.
Recommended tonight to repack bags for the 2nights with Mashi River Safaris. Aim to limit luggage so 1 soft bag between 2 people, only taking what we need.
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom - Divava Lodge & Spa
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included activities: -
Optional activities: Sunset River cruise
Distance travelled: ±650kms
Recommended tonight to repack bags for the 2nights with Mashi River Safaris. Aim to limit luggage so 1 soft bag between 2 people, only taking what we need.
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom - Divava Lodge & Spa
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included activities: -
Optional activities: Sunset River cruise
Distance travelled: ±650kms
8
Day 11 & 12: Mashi Rivers Safaris, Zambezi
Another early start this morning as we leave Divava no later than 7h30 to travel across to the Bwabwata region where we start our adventure with Mashi Rivers Safaris.
Our safari starts with a cruise downriver to Njazanga island taking in Bwabwata NP, full lunch on river including drinks. Arrive at island mid-afternoon to pitch camp and after snacks and refreshments either afternoon guided walk on island or afternoon game cruise or both (clients choice). Dinner is on island prepared on open fire including wines and local beer.
The following morning we rise early with coffee and rusks followed by activity of client’s choice. Return to camp around 9h00 for full cooked breakfast Pack up camp and begin the cruise upriver toward campsite 2 with possibilities for swimming, birding, game viewing, fishing and walking along the way. Arrive at camp 2 mid-afternoon and pitch tents. Lunch followed by relaxation time. Afternoon game cruise with sundowner drinks. Return to island camp for evening meal cooked on an open fire.
Accommodation: Camping - Mashi River Safaris (Camping)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner / Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included activities: Boat Cruise & guided walk
Distance travelled: ±225kms / 0kms
Our safari starts with a cruise downriver to Njazanga island taking in Bwabwata NP, full lunch on river including drinks. Arrive at island mid-afternoon to pitch camp and after snacks and refreshments either afternoon guided walk on island or afternoon game cruise or both (clients choice). Dinner is on island prepared on open fire including wines and local beer.
The following morning we rise early with coffee and rusks followed by activity of client’s choice. Return to camp around 9h00 for full cooked breakfast Pack up camp and begin the cruise upriver toward campsite 2 with possibilities for swimming, birding, game viewing, fishing and walking along the way. Arrive at camp 2 mid-afternoon and pitch tents. Lunch followed by relaxation time. Afternoon game cruise with sundowner drinks. Return to island camp for evening meal cooked on an open fire.
Accommodation: Camping - Mashi River Safaris (Camping)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner / Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included activities: Boat Cruise & guided walk
Distance travelled: ±225kms / 0kms
9
Day 13 & 14: Shearwater Explorer Village, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Yet another early start this morning for coffee and rusks followed by early boat cruise. Return to our campsite for full breakfast before breaking camp and departing for Mavunje Disembark mid-morning.
From Mavunje, we hit the road, travelling via Katima Mulilo, then arriving in Kasane. Here, we say goodbye to our guide as he returns to Namibia and take a private transfer on to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Our journey today is not a long drive in terms of distance, but with 2 border posts it will take time. We aim to arrive in Victoria Falls in the late afternoon and can check in to our accommodation, our home for the next 2 nights.
Victoria Falls is known not only for it’s majestic waterfalls, but also it’s abundance of adventure activities. Should we wish, we can enjoy anything from a bungee jump or gorge swing to white water rafting, or a scenic river cruise on the Zambezi.
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom - Shearwater Explorer Village
Meals: Breakfast / Breakfast
Optional activities: Guided tour of Victoria Falls, white water rafting, helicopter flights and more...
Distance travelled: ±350kms
From Mavunje, we hit the road, travelling via Katima Mulilo, then arriving in Kasane. Here, we say goodbye to our guide as he returns to Namibia and take a private transfer on to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Our journey today is not a long drive in terms of distance, but with 2 border posts it will take time. We aim to arrive in Victoria Falls in the late afternoon and can check in to our accommodation, our home for the next 2 nights.
Victoria Falls is known not only for it’s majestic waterfalls, but also it’s abundance of adventure activities. Should we wish, we can enjoy anything from a bungee jump or gorge swing to white water rafting, or a scenic river cruise on the Zambezi.
Accommodation: Private room with en-suite bathroom - Shearwater Explorer Village
Meals: Breakfast / Breakfast
Optional activities: Guided tour of Victoria Falls, white water rafting, helicopter flights and more...
Distance travelled: ±350kms
10
Day 15: Flight- End of services
Check out today from Shearwater and transfer through to Victoria Falls International Airport in time for your onward flight. End of services.
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Airport drop off
Distance travelled: ±10kms
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Airport drop off
Distance travelled: ±10kms
Tour Review
Our Review Summary
Superb
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Michael P
Gregory was our guide during an amazing trip in July/August 2017. I believe one of the reasons it turned out so great was his presence. We gave him quite the tough job organizing a trip for a big group of 12 people from different countries with different wishes and he managed to make it an unbelievable experience for all of us!