In this 21-day trip, we’ve lassoed all the highlights of Namibia and Botswana together, from Namibia’s famous Sossusvlei dunes to Botswana’s epic game reserves. Soak up Victoria Falls before crossing into arid Namibia’s Etosha National Park. Climb the Namib Desert dunes, then bush walk in Botswana with the San Bushmen. Dug-out canoes take you deep into the Okavango Delta, and a cruise caps things off in Chobe National Park.
ADVENTURES: 2-3 Star accommodation, Limited participation with helping out with chores, Guides prepare the meals.
21 Day Tour Livingstone to Livingstone US$4,196.- pp sharing, Single Supp US$683.- Price valid 2024.
We run approximately 3-4 departures per month in the high season, some guaranteed departures. Please inquire bout dates.
Single supplement: (If you are travelling on your own, we will “room” you with another same gender client. You do not pay extra when booking as a single person. If however you request a single room, then you’ll pay the single supplement.)
Style: Accommodated Adventure: 2-3 Star accommodation, Limited participation with helping out with chores, Guides prepare the meals
Small group safari maximum: 12 travellers
Travel through: Namibia & Botswana
Safari length: 21 days
21 Day Full Circular Route DEPARTS: LIVINGSTONE on Sunday at 14:00pm
ENDS: LIVINGSTONE on Saturday at +/-12:00noon
Highlights
* Victoria Falls – A natural wonder of the world
* Etosha NP – game viewing
* Damaraland– rock paintings
* Namib Desert – walk Sossusvlei dunes
* Kalahari – bush walk with San Bushman
* Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion and bush walks
* Chobe NP – sunset boat cruise on Chobe River
Overnight 18 nights on safari at small lodges (including tented lodges), with en suite facilities. 2 nights tented camp in the Okavango. Each tent has twin camp beds with linen and en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire.
Meals 20 breakfasts, 17 lunches & 11 dinners included. Of which 9 breakfasts are provided by the lodges. The remaining included meals are provided by the crew and meals will be enjoyed around the campfire at the truck.
Transport for the majority of this safari you travel in custom-built Safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats. On 5% of tours we may use Mercedes Sprinter minibuses with 12 forward facing seats and air conditioning. There are some long distances to cover and a few early morning starts. For the transfer to the Okavango, we use open-sided 4WD vehicles with local guides.
Limited participation An essential part of your safari is some participation. From carrying your own bag to packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure. Where the tour leaders provide meals we ask that clients help (on rotation) with the washing up.
Day 1 – 2 LIVINGSTONE [chalet Bx1–]
(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Tour departure meeting at 14:00pm. Victoria Falls is one of the natural wonders of the world and we take 2 days to explore this area. Adventure activities abound, white water rafting on the mighty Zambezi, helicopter flights or an 111m bungee jump (own expense).
Day 1: Breakfast is not included
Day 1: Lunch is an own expense meal
Day 1: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant
Day 2: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 2: Lunch is an own expense meal
Day 2: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant
Includes: Entrance to see the Victoria Falls.
Distance/time: N/A
Optional Activities: White water rafting, sunset cruises, scenic flights & many more.
Overnight: Victoria Falls Waterfront – Twin share Adventure Village chalet with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. (Or Maramba Lodge, twin share chalet with en-suite facilities). Wifi available in main area only.
Day 3 – 4 CAPRIVI [chalet BLD]
Crossing out of Zambia into the Caprivi strip, we spend two days travelling west through this game rich area. Near Katima Mulilo we explore by boat a permanent lake flooded by the Zambezi River, where we’ll witness extraordinary birdlife, and we’ll game drive in the Mahango Game Reserve on the flood plains of the Kavango River.
Day 3: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 3: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 3: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 4: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Includes: Entrance fees, boat cruise & game drives.
Distance/time: Day 3: ±230km, 4h00 actual driving time, we travel via Kazungula and Ngoma, crossing briefly through Botswana (the most efficient route). Two border crossings & a lunch stop mean we expect a total travel day of ±5h30.
Day 4: ±410km, 6h00 actual driving time, en route we stop for a village walk and expect a travel day of ±08h00.
Overnight: Caprivi Mutoya Lodge – twin share permanent tents and chalets with en-suite facilities. (Note different room types so lodge will allocate rooms on arrival). Swimming pool, bar, restaurant. Limited wifi available at reception.
Ngepi Camp – twin share tree houses with en-suite facilities. Swimming cage in the river, bar & restaurant. Wifi available at restaurant.
Day 5 RUNDU [chalet BL-]
After a morning enjoying the abundant birdlife that surrounds the camp, our road takes us along the Kavango River. Villages of grass huts and local wooden crafts and carvings a common sight. We stop for the night at our riverside lodge in Rundu and enjoy a spectacular sunset.
Day 5: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 5: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 5: Dinner will be an own expense meal provided by the lodge
Includes: N/A
Distance/time: ±240km, 3h30 actual driving time, with a couple of stops it’s a travel day of less than ±4h30.
Overnight: Inkwazi Lodge – twin permanent chalets with en-suite facilities, Swimming pool, bar & restaurant. No wifi.
Day 6, 7 – 8 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK [lodge BLD]
We head deeper into Namibia to the Etosha National Park. The National Park surrounds the Etosha Pan and is locally named “the great white place of dry water”. Waterholes surround the pan and attract game. Etosha is known for great sightings of elephant, antelope and lions. Our lodge lies on the boundary of the park and we spend our mornings and afternoons on game drives.
Day 6: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 6: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 6: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 7, 8: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 7, 8: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 7, 8: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Includes: Entrance fees to Etosha National Park, 2 x full day game drive in Etosha NP.
Distance/time: ±620km, 8h00 actual driving time, day 6 is a long transit travel day of ±9h30. The following full day is set aside for game drives in Etosha NP.
Overnight: Tarentaal Guest Farm – private working farm outside Etosha National Park. Twin rooms with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar & telephone. (35km/25min from Anderson Gate to Etosha). Wifi available in main area only.
Day 9 BRANDBERG [lodge BLD]
Our journey covers some beautiful desert landscapes as we move south towards the Brandberg Mountain. Our lodge is situated in the dry Ugab River which is home to the rare desert elephants. We take a walk with a local guide to view the famous White Lady rock painting in the area.
Day 9: Breakfast provide by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 9: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 9: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Includes: Entrance to the Brandberg rock art.
Distance/time: ±445km, 6h00 actual driving time, and with a couple of stops on the way it’s a long and varied day of ±9h00 to our nest overnight stop.
Overnight: Brandberg White Lady Lodge – twin share chalets with en-suite facilities, bar, restaurant & swimming pool. Wifi available with data limit
Day 10 – 11 SWAKOPMUND [hotel pension Bx2 Lx1 -]
We cross flat open plains to the coast where we visit the Cape Cross seal colony. Further south is the coastal town of Swakopmund where we have a day free to explore the town or try sea kayaking or dune boarding (own expense). German colonial influences are strong in the town of Swakopmund as is reflected in the restaurant menus and the architecture.
Day 10: Breakfast provide by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 10: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 10: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant
Day 11: Breakfast will be provided by the hotel
Day 11: Lunch will be an own expense meal
Day 11: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant
Includes: Entrance to Cape Cross seal colony.
Distance/time: ±350km, 5h00 actual driving time, after a morning walk we have travel day of 8h00 including a visit to Cape Cross.
Optional Activities: Sand boarding, Skydiving, Ocean canoe safari, Scenic flights & many more.
Overnight: Hotel Pension a la Mer – twin share standard rooms with en suite facilities. Telephone & restaurant. Wifi available.
Day 12 – 13 NAMIB DESERT [permanent tent BLD]
The lunar landscapes surround the town of Swakopmund and we visit these as we leave and head into the Namib Desert with its towering red sand dunes. We will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and from the comfort of our lodge outside the national park watch a dramatic sunset over the world’s highest sand dunes.
Day 12: Breakfast will be provided by the hotel
Day 12: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 12: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 13: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 13: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 13: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Includes: Entrance fees to Sesriem Canyon and Naukluft National Park.
Distance/time: ±360km, 5h00 actual driving time, the desert scenery is varied but the road is rough gravel, so with a few stops it’s a long travel day of ±7h00.
Optional Activities: On arrival at Sossusvlei the guide will walk with the group into Sossusvlei (+/- 3.5km). For those who do not want to walk, there are 4WD vehicles that can drive you in. The 4WD, is an own expense and is optional.
Overnight: Namib Desert, Desert Camp – twin share permanent tents with en suite facilities. Restaurant, swimming pool & bar. Wifi available in main area only.
Day 14 WINDHOEK [guest house BL-]
Windhoek is the capital and largest city in Namibia, its charm lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people and an interesting mix of modern and German colonial era influenced architecture. We arrive late in the day and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense).
Day 14: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 14: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 14: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant
Includes: N/A
Distance/time: ±345km, 5h00 actual driving time, starting the day on rough gravel roads we climb the escarpment for a travel day of ±6h00.
Overnight: Capbon Guesthouse – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar. Wifi available.
Day 15 KALAHARI [chalet BLD]
Crossing into Botswana we overnight in the heart of the Kalahari. We take a walk with the local San Bushmen to learn fascinating bush skills and get an insight into how these incredible people survive in this desert environment. Our overnight lodge is owned and operated by the community.
Day 15: Breakfast provided by the guest house
Day 15: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 15: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Includes: Nature walk with local San bushman and translator.
Distance/time: ±535km, 6h30 actual driving time. An early start on all tarmac roads, but with a border crossing and lunch stop we expect a total transit day of ±7h30 into the Kalahari.
Overnight: Ghanzi Trail Blazers chalet – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool. No wifi but there is mobile network
Day 16, 17, 18 OKAVANGO DELTA [tented camp x2 BLD] [tented lodge BL-]
An annual flood of fresh-water spreads into the Kalahari Desert creating the reed lined channels of the Okavango Delta. Our first night is spent in Maun in preparation before journeying deep into the delta on mekoro (dugouts) – an experience not to be missed. We have 2 nights in our tented camp on a remote island and enjoy game walks, swimming and the birdlife in this pristine wilderness area.
Day 16: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 16: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 16: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local
Day 17, 18: Breakfast provided by the guest house x 1, by the tour leaders with the help of the group x 1
Day 17, 18: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 17, 18: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Includes: Entrance to Okavango Delta, morning and afternoon game walks with local guides.
Distance/time: Day 16: ±340km, 05h00 actual driving time on a good tarmac road to Maun. After a morning walk, the drive and supply shopping in Maun, it’s a travel day of ±6h30.
Day 17: ±50km, 2h00 actual driving time to mekoro station. Mokoro ride to camp is dependent on campsite location so overall travel time for the day ±6h30.
Optional Activities: Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.
Overnight: 1 x night Maun Island Safari Lodge, twin share bedrooms with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. Wifi available in main area only.
2 x nights Okavango Delta – wilderness tented camping – 2 nights tented camp in the Okavango. Each tent has twin camp beds with linen and an en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire. Tents have built-in insect nets. We need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild tented camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. The wilderness tented camp supplies all linen blankets and pillows. The camp chairs have a backrest. You will need to bring your own towel. No Wifi.
Day 19 MAKGADIKGADI PANS [permanent tent BL-]
Feel the vastness of Africa under a big sky sunset. After the rains, the pans fill with water and attract thousands of water birds and herds of zebra, wildebeest and springbok.
Day 19: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 19: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 19: Dinner will be an own expense meal
Includes: Entrance fees to Makgadikgadi Pans.
Distance/time: ±360km, 5h30 actual driving time. Starting with a mekoro ride, a 4×4 transfer and then repacking into the safari vehicle it’s a big travel day of ±8h00.
Overnight: Nata Lodge – twin share luxury tents with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. (or Pelican Lodge, – chalets with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone). Wifi available at restaurant.
Day 20 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK [chalet BL-]
We turn north through the Chobe Forest Reserve to Kasane where we settle into our lodge. Chobe NP is famous for large herds of elephant and buffalo. Our afternoon is spent on an exciting wildlife boat cruise in the Chobe NP.
Day 20: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 20: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 20: Dinner will be an own expense meal
Includes: Sunset game viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River.
Distance/time: ±335km, 4h30 actual driving time. We leave early and aim for a midday arrival. Total travel for the day of ±5h00.
Overnight: Thebe River Safaris – twin chalets with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. Wifi available in main area only.
Day 21 ZAMBIA – VICTORIA FALLS [- B–]
This morning we transfer across the Zambezi River to Livingstone where the tour ends at +/-12:00 noon.
Day 21: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 21: NA
Day 21: NA
Includes: N/A
Distance/time: ±70km, 1h00 actual driving time. It’s not a long way, but the border can be busy and slow so we anticipate a total travel day of ±3h00.
Overnight: N/A
We do a free drop off at Livingstone airport on day 21 at 12:00 so you can book your flight out for the last day of tour
Please note: The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and photo stops!
Please note: That the accommodation specified above and in the itinerary, is a guide only and is subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard, and accommodation changes will be made without notice.
Special Interest: The Namib Desert, at 55 million years old, is one of the oldest deserts in the world and covers an area of over 80, 00km². It is home to several unusual species including Stenocara gracilipes beetle which survives by obtaining water from morning fog settling on its raised body.
Sustainable Tourism: The sausage tree is the traditional tree cut down to make mokoro (dugouts) used in the Okavango Delta, but sadly these trees are disappearing from the region. Sunway has set up a project to encourage the local community polers to buy fiberglass replica mekoros. Sponsorship for each mokoro is needed. If you would like to contribute, please talk to your guide.
In a nutshell
- A true exploration of Namibia, Botswana – see it all!
- All inclusive trip with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife.
- Victoria Falls, Caprivi, Etosha, Damaraland, Namib Desert, Kalahari, Okavango Delta & Chobe.Why travel with us on Value Tours:We understand that there are several options available to you when choosing your African safari. We also know that you want to make the most informed decision about your safari, what you get, what’s included and what you see and experience. So these are just a few of the qualities and facts:
- Small groups – by travelling with a maximum of 12 people, you are able to witness Africa and have first-hand contact with this amazing continent and its people without being a negative influence. This has been a key factor in our continued success. Our trips appeal to a wide demographic of traveller. Our clients range in age from 25 to 65+ with the average being 45. The range of travellers gives a variety of perspectives which adds to the experience of each safari.
- 2 tour guides – group leaders are the key to any safari. On our safari you will travel with 2 qualified and registered field guides (Field Guides Association of SA). Two guides as crew, not a guide and a driver, means interesting trips with maximum knowledge and information. Our guides have a passion for Africa, her people and her wildlife, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with you.
- Guaranteed departures – departure dates on each itinerary shown as bold are guaranteed departure dates. All other departures operate with a minimum of 4 clients.
- All inclusive price – when we travel ourselves, we always feel that if we’re in a country we should find and see the best it has to offer. So when planning the routes we ensure that each trip provides the best inclusions and experiences. For example, if you go to Botswana – you have to visit the national parks in an open 4WD – it is the essence of the Botswana wilderness. If you tour Zambia, then you must visit South Luangwa NP and do a game walk with a local scout. When booking our Safari there are no hidden costs. All of the entrance fees are included, and a wide range of activities, and most meals. We have included many highlights in our tours, so that you will see and experience the highlights without having to pay extra when you get there. So when you decide on which safari company to book with, look carefully at what you’re actually getting. You may only visit a place once, make sure you get the most out of it.
- Safety – our fleet of vehicles are custom built to ensure comfortable and safe touring. Each is constructed, by an authorized passenger vehicle builder, to the latest safety requirements, with a safety shell, and every seat has a lap belt. This gives you peace of mind when travelling with our Safaris on the often demanding African roads.
- Responsible travel – Our commitment to sustainable & responsible tourism is reflected in our low impact travel style where all we take is photographs and all we leave is our footprints. Being an African company we have the grassroots contacts to make a real difference in the lives of the people whose lands we visit.
- Solo Travellers – going it alone won’t make your holiday more expensive; our reservations staff will match you up with another same-gender traveller to keep your holiday affordable. If however you request a single room or tent these are available, with a price supplement
- Experience – Local operator has more than 28 years experience planning tours throughout Southern Africa. As such, our itineraries and routes have been perfected over many years ensuring that your tour will run smoothly. We visit the highlights of Southern Africa, but ensure that you do not follow the well-trodden tourist track. All of us have extensive travel experience in Africa, and throughout the world. Being adventure travellers ourselves, we know how to plan trips that give you a broad experience of the countries that you will visit.
- Local Operator in Africa – probably the most important part of our value safaris is that our operator is an African company with offices in South Africa and Botswana. They live in Africa, and travel in Africa and it is their passion for this amazing continent that makes them best travel option.Age Policy – On all scheduled tours, we accept children 12-17 with accompanying adult. We have no upper age limit. Clients older than 65 years of age at time of travel require a medical certificate stating the client is fit and healthy to join an adventure travel group tour. We have many clients over 65 years of age, who are perfectly capable of enjoying every aspect of a Sunway tour, both accommodated and camping.
SOS trees project – Okavango Botswana
- For hundreds of years, the local communities in and around Botswana’s Okavango Delta have used the wood of the sausage tree to craft their traditional mokoro (dugout canoes). The knowledge and skill have been passed down from generation to generation and, up until recently, has been a sustainable practice. With increasing numbers of people visiting the Delta each year, more mokoro are needed and as a direct result, more and more sausage trees are being felled and the sausage tree is sadly disappearing from the region. A traditional wooden mokoro will have to be replaced every five years, thereby placing increased pressure on the dwindling sausage tree supply.
We have established a project to encourage polers in the local communities to buy replica fiberglass mokoro’s, which have a lifespan of approximately ten years, are more stable and are produced without any negative affect to the environment. As such, sponsorship for each fiberglass mokoro is needed, and a portion of the tour cost will be donated to the project, but we also will offer our clients the opportunity to contribute to this worthwhile cause. Please feel free to contact the our office for more information on the SOS trees project or if you would like to make any contributions towards this project. It is something that is close to all of our hearts and we hope that it will be successful.
Local Payment
- A local payment is required on some safaris and this will be collected by your tour leader on departure. The local payment forms part of your overall tour cost, and must be taken into consideration when booking your safari. It will be used by your tour leaders to pay for some of the operational costs incurred on safari.
We prepay by bank transfer, as many of the tour costs as possible. However, in many cases, a cash payment is the only option: certain of the destinations that we visit, only accept cash. For example entry fees to most national parks, some of the campsites and also local food markets (and even some shops) are only payable in cash. In addition, each vehicle has a garage card but these are only accepted in South Africa and parts of Namibia, therefore in all other countries, fuel must be paid for in cash. Due to the remoteness of some departure points, having a local payment system enables us to manage tour funds effectively. The efficiency of this system helps keep the overall tour prices down.
For these reasons, it is necessary for us to charge a local payment. It also ensures that a portion of the tour costs goes directly into the country you are visiting, thereby benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the areas we visit. This is all part of our ongoing effort to operate sustainable safaris that make a real difference.
E&OE