Wildlife Wonders of Southern Africa

22 Days & 21 Nights | Group of Six or More | Priced Per Person

The Wildlife Wonders of Southern Africa delves into the National Parks of Etosha, Chobe, and Moremi. It offers an incredible variety of experiences, from striking desert landscapes to wildlife encounters and natural wonders across multiple countries, namely Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

This tour highlights the Etosha National Park in Namibia, Chobe National Park in Botswana, and Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana, which are some of the most iconic wildlife destinations in Southern Africa. It sneaks in a turn to the ancient Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and two elephant sanctuaries. Together, they showcase the region’s biodiversity and dramatic landscapes.

Itinerary Overview

The Etosha National Park known for its vast salt pans, offers unique desert landscapes and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and the rare black rhinoceros. The Etosha Pan itself is a stunning natural spectacle, especially in the rainy season when it briefly fills with water, attracting thousands of flamingos. The Chobe National Park, located in northern Botswana, is famous for its large elephant herds and the Chobe River, where boat safaris provide close-up views of elephants, hippos, and crocodiles. It’s also a fantastic place for birdwatching, with a variety of species thriving along the river. The Moremi Game Reserve, situated in the Okavango Delta, offers a unique mix of landscapes, from swamps and floodplains to mopane forests. Known for its rich wildlife and diverse ecosystems, the Delta attracts predators like lions, leopards, and wild dogs, making it an extraordinary safari destination

The tour passes by Victoria Falls, offering awe-inspiring views at the magnificent Victoria Falls, locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya; and a detour though Nata, a small town strategically located near the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The journey ends with two last stops back across the Namibian border at Okambara Elephant Lodge in the Okambara Conservancy; and Onjala which offers stargazing at their observatory, creating a well-rounded safari experience with a touch of luxury.

Day 1: Arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek

Upon arrival and check-in, you’ll have the option of either a restful afternoon to unwind or a guided city tour of Windhoek, depending on your preference and arrival time. Windhoek offers a mix of colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and cultural sights, making it a charming introduction to Namibia. Dinner plans are flexible and can be tailored based on your guide’s recommendations. He can help you reserve a table at one of Windhoek’s popular restaurants, allowing you to enjoy local cuisine and get a taste of Namibian hospitality.

Accommodation Basis: Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Central Highlands

The Central Highlands of Namibia offer a unique blend of landscapes, wildlife, and cultural richness. This region is characterized by rugged, rolling hills, expansive grasslands, and granite outcrops. The landscape here is varied, transitioning between scrubby bushveld and savanna. Private game reserves around Omaruru have emerged as ideal sanctuaries for wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism. Conservation efforts often focus on protecting endangered species and maintaining biodiversity, with many reserves featuring wildlife rehabilitation programs and anti-poaching initiatives.

The reserves offer immersive safaris, where guests can experience the unique flora and fauna up close. The experience in these reserves is intimate, prioritizing small group sizes, eco-friendly accommodations, and activities that harmonize with the natural environment. In addition to game drives, visitors can enjoy bird watching, guided bush walks, and sometimes even cultural excursions to meet local communities.

Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 5: Otavi Triangle

Grootfontein (English: “Big spring”, named after the nearby hot springs) is one of the three towns in the Otavi Triangle and is located on the federal highway leading from Otavi to the Caprivi Strip. It serves as a restful stopover as one travels to Rundu and Divundu. The giant Hoba meteorite lies 24km west of Grootfontein. At over 60 tons, it is the largest known meteorite on Earth and the largest naturally occurring mass of iron known to exist on the planet’s surface.

Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 6: Rundu - Kavango East

Serving as a local service hub, Rundu has amenities like a hospital and supports livestock farming in the surrounding area. This quiet, small town offers a peaceful setting for relaxation. Travelers journeying from the Namibian coast to Rundu will notice a dramatic change in scenery—from the arid yellow sand dunes of the coastal regions to Rundu’s lush green fields and tree-lined landscapes.

Stop at Rundu in the Kavango East region, then travel to Divundu on the Okavango River. Enjoy peaceful river scenery, cultural encounters, and the diverse ecosystems along the Okavango. Positioned at the edge of the Caprivi Strip, Rundu is an ideal stopover for breaking up longer journeys, making it a convenient and essential rest point for travelers in the region.

Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 7: Divundu Divava Okavango Resort and Spa

Divundu is a village on the southeastern bank of the Okavango River in the Kavango East Region, Namibia. With a population of around 5,430 people, it is home to the local Mbukushu kings. Game drives in the nearby Bwabwata National Park are known for their diversity of wildlife in typical riverine and swamp areas. There are boat trips to Popa Falls and guided village tours to the local Kamutjonga village.

Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 9: Kazile Island

Kazile Island Lodge offers a secluded retreat within Namibia’s spectacular Kazile Island, a pristine haven where the natural world thrives undisturbed. Set in the heart of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, this private island lodge provides guests with a unique experience immersed in nature. Buffalo and elephants roam freely across the wet, verdant plains, and rare sitatunga antelope are frequently sighted in the island’s swamps and floodplains.

Guests stay in comfortable, tented rooms overlooking the Kwando River, surrounded by breathtaking views and abundant wildlife. As dawn breaks, the island comes alive with vibrant birdlife, creating an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts who come to explore this lush and remote paradise.

Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 10: Chobe National Park

Kasane, located in the northeastern corner of Botswana, sits at the intersection of four countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This strategic position makes Kasane a prime gateway to Chobe National Park, renowned for its large herds of elephants that gather along the Chobe River during the dry season, creating a stunning spectacle of wildlife.

The town is also home to the Caracal Biodiversity Center, which provides sanctuary for rescued wild animals and offers educational opportunities for visitors. Nearby, the Chobe Crocodile Farm allows visitors to observe and learn about crocodiles up close. To the east of Kasane, the Kazungula ferry crosses the Zambezi River, linking Botswana with Zambia and serving as a key route for travelers exploring the region.

Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 12: Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, a city in western Zimbabwe, serves as the gateway to the spectacular waterfall of the same name, where the Zambezi River cascades over a cliff, plunging into the Boiling Pot before continuing its journey through a series of dramatic gorges. The area’s famous Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity pool at the edge of the falls, offers adventurous visitors a unique view of the steep drop. The historic Victoria Falls Bridge, constructed in 1905, spans the Zambezi River, linking Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Surrounding the falls, Zambezi National Park provides a rich habitat for wildlife, including white rhinos and elephants, making this region a hub for both natural wonders and safari experiences. A visit to the Falls is a must.

Accommodation Basis: Bed and Breakfast

Day 14: Nata at Makgadikgadi

Nata is a village in the Central District of Botswana, located on the Nata River, which flows to the Makgadikgadi Pans, a seasonal hypersaline lake, in the rainy season.

Elephant Sands Bush Lodge is located 53 km north of Nata on the main road to Kasane and offers tents and chalets, each with a unique view of the waterhole frequented by numerous elephants. The unfenced 16,000 hectare private nature reserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife. The campground and lodge are not fenced and all animals roam freely, meaning you can expect to see various wildlife.

Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 16: Moremi in the Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta in northern Botswana is a breathtaking inland delta renowned for its expansive grassy plains, which transform into a lush wildlife sanctuary during seasonal floods. This vibrant ecosystem is home to the Moremi Game Reserve, where travelers can explore diverse habitats by traditional dugout canoes, gliding past hippos, elephants, and crocodiles. On land, the area hosts an incredible variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, giraffes, and rhinos.

Nestled along the legendary Gomoti River, Gomoti River Lodge offers a truly immersive eco-lodge experience. Guests can savor close encounters with nature, from watching elephants bathe near their terraces at dawn to enjoying a sundowner at the bar to the sounds of grazing hippos. Evening campfires bring unforgettable moments as the roar of a lion echoes across the landscape, heightening the sense of adventure in this extraordinary wilderness.

Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 18: Ghanzi in the Kalahari

Ghanzi is a historic town set in the heart of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert, rich with cultural and historical significance. Its name is derived from the Naro word “Gaentsii,” meaning “gigantic swollen buttocks,” originally referring to antelope and later cattle that congregated around local water pans.

The town’s first known African settler was the charismatic Hendrik van Zyl, who, after crossing the Kalahari in 1870, amassed wealth in the ivory trade through his hunting and trading ventures. Significant Boer migrations to Ghanzi followed in the late 1890s, shaping the town’s development.

Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 19: Okambara Elephant Lodge

Okambara Elephant Lodge is a family-owned guest farm across the border in Namibia, offering an authentic and welcoming oasis surrounded by pristine landscapes. Covering a vast 15,000 hectares, this game farm provides a true taste of Namibian beauty and wildlife.

Guests can enjoy a variety of experiences, from thrilling game drives to spot elephants and other native wildlife, to unwinding by the lodge’s serene pool with panoramic views of the savanna. With its warm hospitality and diverse activities, Okambara Elephant Lodge captures the essence of Namibia, making it an ideal getaway for both adventure seekers and those looking to relax in nature.

Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 21: Stargazing at Onjala

Onjala Lodge, located just 75 km northeast of Windhoek and only 45 km from Hosea Kutako International Airport, is a perfect choice for beginning or ending a Namibian adventure. The lodge offers a unique stargazing experience with its private observatory, equipped with a high-quality Zeiss refractor telescope. Guests can marvel at Namibia’s pristine night skies, discovering constellations, planets, and other celestial wonders in a tranquil setting. Onjala Lodge combines convenience with an unforgettable view of the stars, creating a memorable and serene close to any Namibian journey.

Accommodation Basis: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 22: Departure Day

As your incredible journey through Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe concludes, you’ll carry home not only countless photos but also unforgettable memories of breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and warm encounters with local cultures. With a “trunk full” of these memories, you’re sure to relive the magic of Africa’s Wonders long after you return home, keeping its beauty and spirit close for a lifetime. Safe travels!

Departure from Hosea Kutako International Airport.

Why Choose This Tour?

Covering Namibia, Botswana, and nearby Zimbabwe, this tour would offer not only diverse landscapes but also encounters with some of Africa’s most iconic species. The inclusion of natural wonders and cross-country exploration makes it a comprehensive way to experience Southern Africa’s wilderness.

Services

The tour package covers a range of services and activities. For specific inclusions and exclusions, see our Terms of Service.

Accommodation

Namibia offers a diverse range of accommodations to suit every travel style. Establishments are selected according to preference, proximity to attractions and availability.

Travel Preparations

To ensure your needs and preferences are taken care of, it is essential to know about the places you will visit and planned activities. For more information, see our Travel Preparations page.

Bookings and Payments

To secure a booking, a deposit is required at the time of booking confirmation. For more details on bookings, see our Terms of Service.

FAQs

Browse our FAQ page for answers to common questions from guests.