Namibia & Botswana Safari Adventure with Victoria Falls - 11 Days

Day 2: Fly to Sossusvlei & Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sunset Dunes Drive

Return to the airport this morning and board a flight south to Sossusvlei. Arguably Namibia's most famous natural attraction, this red desert clay pan is located within Namib-Naukluft National Park. At 19,215 square miles (49,768 sq km), it's the largest conservation area in the country. Among other wonders, it's home to the iconic red dunes of Namibia, which are a photographer's dream. These distinctive dunes rise up to 1,300 feet (400 m), making them some of the highest in the world. They're particularly attractive around sunrise and sunset.

You'll touch down at the luxurious Dead Valley Lodge, where you'll spend the next two nights. In the afternoon, meet your driver/guide for a three-hour ride around the dunes and nearby canyons, stopping to do some nature photography. This memorable experience culminates at sunset when the dunes change color in the fading light. Afterward, you'll return to the lodge in time for dinner.

Day 3: Sunrise Balloon Safari, Explore the Dunes & Salt Pans of Sossusvlei 

It's an early wake-up call this morning as you rise before dawn for a spectacular hot-air balloon flight. Hop in the basket and take to the skies, enjoying sunrise views of the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei. Waiting for you back on terra firma is a Champagne breakfast, which will set you up for a day of touring the dunes and salt pans of Sossusvlei with your private guide. 

With the help of a 4WD vehicle rugged enough to handle the desert back roads, you'll drive around the national park, stopping at landmarks like petrified dunes, plus take short hikes to do some wildlife spotting. Your expert guide will point out exotic desert specimens like scorpions, lizards, and snakes. Cross a dry riverbed home to some of the planet's tallest dunes, including Elim, Dune 45, and the 1,000-foot-tall (300 m) Big Daddy. As the light changes throughout the day, these towering sand masses transform into shades of orange, red, and gold.

You'll also get to see Sossusvlei's famous salt pan. Deadvlei (Dead Marsh) is a popular photo spot featuring dozens of skeletal dead camelthorn trees stranded in the chalk-white ground. Continue to Sesriem Canyon, which was formed up to four million years ago by the Tsaugab River. Early settlers used ses (six) riem (leather rope straps) to lower a bucket into the 100-foot (30 m) deep canyon to collect water, hence the name.

Day 4: Fly to Etosha National Park, Optional Activities

This morning, you'll board a small plane for the flight north to Etosha National Park. Namibia's premier wildlife sanctuary is located in the Kunene region and spans 8,600 square miles (22,270 sq km). It's one of Africa's largest national parks, celebrated for its diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and shimmering salt pans. The park's wooded savannas and open plains offer excellent wildlife viewing year-round, and it's a prime spot for safaris.

You'll experience the wonders of Etosha soon enough—for now, a driver will pick you up at the airstrip for the ride to neighboring Ongava. At 125 square miles (323 sq km), this is one of the largest private game reserves in Namibia, and the luxe Ongava Lodge sits within its boundaries. Once here, you'll get settled in, then opt to spend the afternoon relaxing in your private chalet or exploring the surrounding reserve on a game drive. Spot an astonishing variety of wildlife, like lions, black and white rhinos, elephants, giraffes, and several species of antelope, including the rare black-faced impala. 

Day 5: Full-Day Game Drive in Etosha National Park

Venture into Etosha National Park this morning for a full day of safari fun. Etosha is known by the Indigenous Ovambo people as "the great white place" for its 1,900-square-mile (4,920 sq km) salt pan, which is visible from space. During the dry season (May-Oct), sparse watering holes dot this pan, drawing various animals and birdlife looking for a refreshing drink. Set off with your guide in search of the park's iconic wildlife residents, which include plains game like gazelles and antelopes, two kinds of zebras, big cats, colorful birdlife, and even endangered black rhinos.

Day 6: Morning Game Drive in Etosha, Fly to Windhoek

Today, you'll say goodbye to Etosha—but not before another thrilling game drive. Hop back in the open-topped safari vehicle this morning to marvel at more wildlife, which includes hundreds of lions and giraffes, plus thousands of elephants. After the game drive, you'll return to the airstrip for the one-hour flight back to Windhoek. A driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your guesthouse. After settling in, take the rest of the day to relax and enjoy dinner in town.

Day 7: Fly to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Sunset Cruise

Bid farewell to Namibia as you head to the airport in the morning to catch a flight to Victoria Falls. This charming town in western Zimbabwe serves as a gateway to the iconic waterfall of the same name, which is also the largest falls in the world. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to your hotel, where you can settle in and relax.

Later in the afternoon, head to the jetty and jump on a boat for a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River, the fourth-longest river in Africa. Relax with local wines, beers, soft drinks, and snacks while you watch the sun slowly set around you. Before it gets too dark, you can spot abundant wildlife along the shores, like elephants, hippos, and crocodiles. 

Day 8: Victoria Falls Tour & Helicopter Flight, Dinner & Drum Show

This morning you're off to see Victoria Falls from both the land and the air. It begins when you meet your driver and hit the road toward the falls. Before arriving, you'll stop at the Big Tree, a towering baobab tree over a thousand years old and with a circumference of 72 feet (22 m).

Continue to the David Livingstone statue, dedicated to the Scottish missionary who named the falls after Queen Victoria. Finally, you'll arrive at the astonishing waterfall, where you'll embark on a brisk 1.8-mile (3 km) hike through the rainforest, stopping at various viewpoints along the way. Enjoy the best vistas of Victoria Falls when you reach Danger Point. From here, you'll be treated to unobstructed views of the river plunging over the edge, forming the world's largest curtain of falling water.

After an up-close look at the falls, you'll get a bird's-eye view with a 12-minute helicopter ride. Rise above the river and watch as the cascading water plummets into the deep gorge below. Dinner this evening will be served at the outdoor patio of a local restaurant, accompanied by a dinner and drum show. This wildly fun spectacle involves a four-course Zimbabwean meal paired with nonstop entertainment and interactive drum performances featuring traditional song and dance.

Day 9: Fly to Okavango Delta (Botswana), Afternoon Game Drive

At the appropriate time, say your goodbyes to Zimbabwe and take a short charter flight to Botswana's Okavango Delta. The remote Okavango ecosystem is interesting in that it's an inland river delta that, rather than emptying into an ocean, dissipates at an inland basin in northern Botswana. During seasonal flooding, these grassy plains turn into wetlands that are a haven for exotic wildlife.

Upon arrival, you'll get settled at Okuti, a luxury tented lodge right on the plains. Then, hop in a 4WD vehicle with your expert guide and head off into the delta wetlands. Because of Okavango's remote location, there are very few safari vehicles in the area. That means you'll have a more intimate experience and enjoy the wildlife and scenery without mass tourist crowds. Each game drive is an adventure as you traverse narrow wooden bridges and splash through shallow crossings in your open-topped safari vehicle.

Set out in search of the delta's diverse wildlife, including rare antelope species like the elegant red lechwe. Look for apex predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and African wild dogs as you scan the open woodlands for sable antelopes, giraffes, and zebras. On the edges of the delta, marvel at herds of elephants bathing in the shallow channels. You can also opt to continue the adventure into the night. These nocturnal wildlife encounters allow you to glimpse other rare animals, like the armored pangolin. After the safari, you'll return to your lodge.

Day 10: Okavango Delta Walking Safari

Today, you'll eschew the 4WD vehicles and instead join your expert guide for a memorable safari bush walk. As you follow the paths and trails through the wetlands, your guide will reveal the fundamentals of animal tracking. In doing so, you'll learn to identify certain animals just by their footprint, whether that print is in the soil or grass. You'll also learn to interpret the sights and sounds of the bush as you sample wild herbs and learn about the medicinal uses of native plants.

Besides the exotic land animals, during this walk you'll be well-positioned to observe the delta's magnificent birdlife. Spot the rare go-away bird, the iridescent lilac-breasted roller, the brown snake eagle, and the grey-headed kingfisher. After the walk, you'll return to the lodge and have the afternoon free.

Day 11: Fly to Johannesburg (South Africa), Depart

Return to the airstrip this morning, where you'll board a 1.5-hour flight to Johannesburg, South Africa's biggest city, to connect with your departing flight. Safe travels!

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