15-Day Southern Africa Adventure: Wildlife & Culture Tour

Namibia

Description

15-Day Southern Africa Adventure Overview

Experience an authentic 15-Day Southern Africa Adventure, carefully operated by Knap Tours. This journey takes you across Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, combining wildlife, culture, and iconic natural wonders into one seamless safari experience. It is designed for travelers who want variety, comfort, and expert-guided exploration across multiple countries.

Big Five Wildlife Encounters

During your 15-Day Southern Africa Adventure, you enjoy unforgettable game drives in world-famous reserves such as Kruger, Chobe, and Etosha National Park. Expert local guides lead each safari, helping you spot the Big Five—lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo. In addition, you encounter giraffes, zebras, antelope species, and rich birdlife. Each park offers a different landscape, which keeps every game drive fresh and exciting.

Okavango Delta Exploration

You also explore the Okavango Delta, one of the most unique ecosystems in Africa. Here, you glide through narrow waterways by mokoro canoe and boat. This peaceful experience brings you close to birds, hippos, and other wildlife. As a result, the Delta adds a calm and scenic contrast to your safari journey.

Victoria Falls and Cultural Highlights

The itinerary includes a visit to Victoria Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. You explore viewpoints and enjoy the powerful sight and sound of the falls. In addition, you discover local communities and cultural traditions along the route, gaining deeper insight into Southern Africa’s people and heritage.

Comfortable Accommodation and Travel

Throughout the 15-Day Southern Africa Adventure, you stay in comfortable lodges and camps. Each location offers relaxation after full days of exploration. Moreover, expert guides ensure smooth travel, safety, and informative experiences throughout the journey.

A Complete Southern Africa Safari

Overall, this adventure combines wildlife, landscapes, and culture into one unforgettable multi-country safari experience.

Itinerary

In the morning, we will pick you up from any hotel in Windhoek & on the way to Sossusvlei, one of the most amazing and fascinating places on Earth, situated in the very heart of the sandy dunes. The Namib is considered to be the oldest desert in the World and recently the ‚ Sand Sea’ was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Traveling through the surreal, diverse and changing regions, from bare desert-land, through African bush, grassy savanna to sandy dunes. Experiencing thrill of being surrounded by the world of mountains, rocks and sand. Sheer feast for passionate photographers – capturing nature with the eye of camera! Good chance of spotting ostriches, antelopes, baboons and zebras. Break for lunch at the small oasis Solitaire. Opportunity to taste famous Solitaire apple pie, served at the desert bakery. Arrival at the lodge late afternoon, rest and relaxation after the trip. Meals: as selected. Distance: around 350 km (gravel road). Accommodation: 2 nights in Namib Desert at Agama Lodge or similar.

Early morning before sunrise, drive towards Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei – a place of the highest dunes in the World, set in the midst of the World’s oldest desert. Unique chance for spectacular landscape photography! Climbing scenic Dune 45, while enjoying incredible desert vistas and ever changing scenery of the Namib. Off-road trail takes us to Dead Vlei where ancient, dried up acacias stand amidst the orange dunes creating surreal landscape. Optional hiking the ‚Big Daddy’ dune and afterwards visit to Sossusvlei with optional hiking the ‚Big Mama’ dune. After lunch, hike through spectacular rock formations of the Sesriem Canyon.

Optional Activities:

Helicopter flight over the dunes

2 nights in Namib Desert at Agama Lodge or similar.

After breakfast, we are travelling through the Namib Desert and Namib-Naukluft Park – venturing north-west to small town-oasis Swakopmund, set on the Atlantic coast. En route, crossing Kuiseb River dry bed, traveling through vast regions of Savannah and desert. Good chance of sighting ostriches, springboks, mountain zebras and oryx grazing in their natural habitat. While crossing iconic Tropic of Capricorn, time for break, stretching legs and short photo-moment. On arrival at the coast, short visit to Walvis Bay Lagoon to observe flocks of Greater & Lesser Flamingos, After arrival at the coast short visit to Walvis Bay Lagoon to meet Lesser & Greater Flamingoes.

Recommended optional activity:

Scenic flight from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund over the Namib Desert & Skeleton Coast.

Today is time of rest & exploring Swakopmund and the coast on your own. Optional activities:

Visit to the ‚lunar landscape’ and Welwitchia Mirabilis trails – botanic attraction, known as the ‚living fossil’; considered to be one of the oldest and most original plants on Earth.
Quadbike ride into the dunes and rolling hills of the Namib.
City tour of Swakopmund and visit to the Crystal Gallery.
Visit to National Marine Aquarium.
Snake Park.
Street-craft-market.
Bicycle tour of the Mondesa township.
Skydiving
Fishing offshore.
Early morning dolphin cruise can be combined with Sandwich Harbor Excursion making it full day activity.

2 nights in Swakopmund at Royal Sea Star Guesthouse or similar

ravelling along the Atlantic coast, on the salt road to Twyfelfontein in scenic Damaraland. En-route visit to Cape Cross and seal colony, then admiring mountainous Brandberg Massif, one of the most magnificent and majestic places in Namibia while passing by Damara villages in the communal areas; chance to spot ostriches, jackals, hyenas and springboks. Ethnic experience with the Damara tribe and their disappearing culture at the ‚Living Museum’. You are treated to traditional dances, village presentation and can try fire-making with just two sticks. We are surrounded by fascinating nature, wildlife, rock formations and magnificent, scenic landscape of Damaraland.

1 night at Twyfelfontein Lodge or similar.

Discovering beauty of Twyfelfontein rock engravings, UNESCO World Heritage site – one of the largest concentration of petroglyphs in Africa. You can admire most interesting petroglyphs, out of over 2000 works, created centuries ago in the rusty-orange rocks by San people, Bushmen inhabitants of these regions. The site forms a coherent, extensive and high-quality record of ritual practices relating to hunter-gatherer communities in this part of southern Africa and eloquently illustrates the links between the ritual and economic practices of hunter-gatherers. After visit, venturing further north-west, into magnificent Kaokoland, region inhabited by semi-nomadic Himba people. Himba are one of the few, remaining tribes in the World, continuing to live as they did centuries ago and nearly completely separated from the civilization. After arrival in Opuwo if time permitting visit to Himba Village for unforgettable cultural experience Meeting Himba people and unforgettable visit to the village, learning about ancient, nomadic way of life. Unique opportunity to observe exotic culture and customs as well as chance for ethnic photography. Himba people are a tribe of nomadic pastoralists who inhabit the Kaokoland area of Namibia. The Himba have clung to their ancient traditions. Beautiful Himba women are noted for their intricate hairstyles and traditional jewellery. Both Himba men and woman wear few clothes apart from a loin cloth or goat skinned mini-skirt, they rub their bodies with red ochre and animal fat to protect themselves from the sun that gives their appearance a rich red colour. Himba jewellery is made from iron or shell, and due to their intricate designs have become very popular amongst tourists.

1 night at Opuwo Country Lodge

After breakfast, on the way to Etosha National Park – wildlife sanctuary and treasure of Namibia, considered to be one of the most loved and most visited game parks of Africa! Entrance through Galton’s Gate on the western border of Etosha. Driving through the park to Okaukuejo camp: admiring variety of magnificent animals: antelopes, giraffes, zebras, lions, elephants (largest in Africa), rhino, leopards, cheetah and hyenas roaming through the bush. In the evening, relaxing dinner served in the thrilling atmosphere of the wild. At the camp’s waterhole, thirsty animals gather for the drink of water, while you are invited to watch the ever-changing ‘theater of nature’ till late!

1 night at Okaukuejo Resort or similar.

Wildlife adventure while visiting waterholes, natural springs and viewpoints of the park. Nighttime game viewing at the waterhole ( optional activity, can be booked the same day at camp's reception: park organizes nighttime game drives in an open vehicle, only with park rangers)

1 night at Namutoni Resort or similar

Today traveling north-east to Divundu in the Caprivi Region. On the way to Divundu, you will be passing by villages in the rural areas. In the late afternoon arrival at the lodge situated on the banks of the Okavango River. Optional activities:

Sunset Cruise on the Okavango River

1 night in the Caprivi region at Nunda Lodge or similar.

In the morning 3 hour game drive in Buffalo Core Area of Bwabwata National Park, famous for it’s healthy population of Buffalos & Elephants. Wonderful opportunity for birding on the Okavango River with around 500 different birds species found in this area. After game drive moving along the Caprivi Strip inside Bwabwata NP, with occasional wildlife sighting, this is very smooth drive.

Experience an unforgettable day of wildlife adventure with morning and afternoon game drives in the pristine Mudumu National Park and the Kwando Core Area. Explore diverse habitats, spot elephants, lions, hippos, and countless bird species, and enjoy the thrill of observing animals in their natural environment. Expert guides provide fascinating insights, ensuring a memorable safari experience filled with excitement, breathtaking scenery, and incredible photographic opportunities.

2 night at Namushasha Lodge or similar.

In the morning travelling towards Botswana border, after crossing the border, we are checked in to the lodge in Kasane. In the afternoon 2 hour game boat cruise into Chobe National Park for wildlife experience on the river. Opportunity for wildlife photography.

1 night at a Mid-range Lodge – Thebe River Lodge or similar

In the morning 3 hour game drive in Chobe National Park. Short brake for lunch in Kasane and after lunch crossing the border to Zimbabwe. Arrival at the small town of Victoria Falls situated near world-famous Victoria Falls, after arrival visit to the falls, one of the ‚Seven Natural Wonders of the World’, locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya ‚smoke that thunders’. Victoria Falls was discovered for the first time by the Europeans, by Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone, who wrote in his journal: ‚No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes; but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.’ Quick Facts about Victoria Falls: Since 1989 the falls are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Formed as the full width of the river plummets in a single vertical drop into a transverse chasm 1708 meters (5604 ft) wide, carved by its waters along a fracture zone in the basalt plateau. The depth of the chasm, called the First Gorge, varies from 80 meters (260 ft) at its western end to 108 meters (354 ft) in the center. The only outlet to the First Gorge is a 110 meters (360 ft) wide gap about two-thirds of the way across the width of the falls from the western end, through which the whole volume of the river pours into the Victoria Falls gorges. Accommodation: 2 nights in Victoria Falls at a Mid-range Lodge – Shearwater Explorer Village or similar.

2 nights in Victoria Falls at a Mid-range Lodge – Shearwater Explorer Village or similar.

Today is free day for your individual exploration of the town and many optional activities

After breakfast, our guide will take you for your flight to Victoria Falls international airport.

Included/Excluded

Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Durations

15 Days

Languages

English

Day and Place

Botswana & Zimbabwe

15-Day Southern Africa Adventure: Wildlife & Culture Tour

Description

15-Day Southern Africa Adventure Overview

Big Five Wildlife Encounters

Okavango Delta Exploration

Victoria Falls and Cultural Highlights

Comfortable Accommodation and Travel

A Complete Southern Africa Safari

Highlights

Itinerary

Day 1 - Windhoek to Sossuvlei

Day 2 - Dune 45, Sossuvlei and Deadvlei

Accommodation

Day 3 - Namib Desert and Swakopmund

Day 4 - Optional Activities

Accommodation

Day 5 - Twyfelfontein UNESCO World Heritage Site

Accommodation

Day 6 - Kaokoland and Himba People

Accommodation

Day 7 - Etosha National Park

Accommodation

Day 8 - Etosha National Park

Accommodation

Day 9 - Divundu and Okavango River

Accommodation

Day 10 - Caprivi Strip

Day 11 - Mudumu and Kwando Area

Accommodation

Day 12 - Botswana and Chobe National Park

Accommodation

Day 13 - Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

Accommodation

Day 14 - Victoria Falls

Day 15 - End of Tour

Included/Excluded

Durations

Languages

Day and Place

Tour's Location

Owner

Simone Van Wyngaardt

Information Contact

Email

Website

Phone

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