Namibia & Botswana: Southern Circle - 21 Days

(Small Group Tour)

Enjoy a stunning circuit from Victoria Falls into Namibia and back through Botswana on this fully accommodated semi-participation small group tour. A brilliant way to enjoy the highlights of the region, from the falls to the game-viewing havens of the Etosha National Park in Namibia and Botswana's Okavango Delta and Chobe River, as well as the scenic majesty of the Namib and Kalahari Deserts and the Caprivi wetlands.

Livingstone (Zambia) - Caprivi - Rundu - Etosha - Brandberg - Swakopmund - Namib Desert (Sossusvlei) - Windhoek - Kalahari - Okavango Delta - Makgadikgadi Pans - Chobe National Park (Waterfront) - Livingstone (Zambia)

Departs: Livingstone, Zambia (Sunday, 14:00pm)
Ends: Livingstone, Zambia (Saturday approx. 12 noon)

**You can also end this tour in Windhoek if you'd prefer - 15 Days

Set Tour Departures 2025
*Bold dates: guaranteed departures (other dates guaranteed with minimum 4 people)

5 Jan
9 Feb
23 Mar
18 May
22 June, 29 June
6 July, 13 July, 20 July, 27 July
10 Aug, 17 Aug, 31 Aug
7 Sept, 21 Sept, 28 Sept
12 Oct, 19 Oct
2 Nov, 9 Nov
7 Dec, 21 Dec

From AUD$6,070 per person twin share
From AUD$7,095 per person single

*Single travellers are able to travel at twin share rate if willing to share with another single traveller of the same gender. If no additional traveller of the same gender can be found to share a room with you, you will receive a single room at the twin share rate.

Tour costs if ending in Windhoek - 15 Days:

From AUD$4,820 per person twin share
From AUD$5,590 per person single

This small group tour includes the following:

Maximum: 12 people
Professional Safari Guides
Transport in minibus / safari truck
16 nights staying in small 2-3 star lodges and guesthouses with en-suite facilities

Limited Participation: An essential part of your small group tour is participation. From carrying your own bag to your room to packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure. Your tour leaders will do the meal preparation when required but you are asked to help (on rotation) with the washing up. There are some long travel days which means early morning starts so everyone needs to get involved to make the day run efficiently.

Namibia and Botswana small group tour map

Detailed itinerary

Your tour starts at 14:00pm. Victoria Falls is one of the natural wonders of the world and you have 2 days to explore this area. Adventure activities abound, including sunset cruises, white water rafting on the mighty Zambezi, or an 111m bungi jump (own expense).

Includes: Entrance to see the Victoria Falls.
Optional Activities: White water rafting, sunset cruises, scenic flights & many more

Stay at:
Victoria Falls Waterfront chalet or similar (1 breakfast)

Distance/time:
Day 3: ±230km, 4h00 actual driving time, travel via Kazungula and Ngoma, crossing
briefly through Botswana (the most efficient route). Two border crossings & a lunch stop
mean you can expect a total travel day of ±5h30.
Day 4: ±410km, 6h00 actual driving time, en route stop for a village walk and expect a
travel day of ±08h00.

Crossing out of Zambia into the Caprivi Strip, you spend two days travelling west through this game rich area. Near Katima Mulilo witness extraordinary birdlife as you explore by boat a permanent lake flooded by the Zambezi River, and in the Mahango Game Reserve you'll game drive on the rich flood plains of the Kavango River.

Includes: Entrance fees, boat cruise & game drives.

Stay at:
Caprivi Mutoya Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Ngepi Camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Distance/time: ±240km, 3h30 actual driving time, with a couple of stops it's a travel day of less than ±4h30.

After a morning enjoying the abundant birdlife that surrounds the camp, your road takes you along the Kavango River. Villages of grass huts and local wooden crafts and carvings a common sight. Stop for the night at a riverside lodge in Rundu and enjoy a spectacular sunset.

Stay at:
Inkwazi Lodge (breakfast, lunch)

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.

You will now head deeper into Namibia to Etosha National Park. The national park surrounds the Etosha Pan and is locally named as “the great white place of dry water”. Waterholes surround the pan and attract an amazing diversity of game. Etosha is known for great sightings of elephant, antelope and lions. Your lodge lies on the boundary of the park and you spend mornings and afternoons on game drives.

Includes: Entrance fees to Etosha National Park, 2x full days in Etosha NP.

Stay at:

Tarentaal Guest Farm (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners)

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 your next overnight stop.

You journey through some incredibly beautiful desert landscapes as you move south towards the Brandberg Mountain. Your lodge is situated in the dry Ugab River which is home to the rare desert elephants. Take a walk with a local guide to view the famous White Lady rock painting in the area.

Includes: Entrance to the Brandberg rock art.

Stay at:
Brandberg White Lady Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Distance/time: ±350km, 5h00 actual driving time, after a morning walk you have a travel day of 8h00 including a visit to Cape Cross.

Cross flat open plains to the coast where you visit the famous Cape Cross seal colony. Further south is the coastal town of Swakopmund where you 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.

Includes: Entrance to Cape Cross seal colony.

Stay at:
Hotel Pension a la Mer (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch)

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.

Visit the lunar landscapes surrounding the town of Swakopmund as you head into the Namib Desert with its towering red sand dunes. During your time in the Namib you will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and from the comfort of your lodge outside the national park watch a dramatic sunset over the world’s highest sand dunes.

Includes: Entrance fees to Sesriem Canyon and Naukluft National Park.
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.

Stay at:
Namib Desert, Desert Camp (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners)

Distance/time: ±345km, 5h00 actual driving time, starting the day on rough gravel roads you will climb the escarpment for a travel day of ±6h00.

Journey on to Windhoek, the capital and largest city in Namibia. Its charm lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures, the friendliness of its people and an interesting mix of modern and German colonial era influenced architecture. Arrive late in the day and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense).

Stay at:
Capbon Guesthouse (breakfast, lunch)

Distance/time: ±535km, 6h30 actual driving time. An early start on all tarmac roads, but with a border crossing and lunch stop, expect a total transit day of ±7h30 into the Kalahari.

Crossing into Botswana you overnight in the heart of the Kalahari. Take a walk with local San Bushmen to learn fascinating bush skills and get an insight into how these incredible people survive in this desert environment. Your overnight lodge is owned and operated by the community.

Includes: Nature walk with local San Bushman and translator.

Stay at:
Ghanzi Trail Blazers (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

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.

An annual flood of fresh-water spreads into the Kalahari Desert creating the reed lined channels of the amazing Okavango Delta. Your first night is spent in Maun in preparation before journeying deep into the delta on mekoro (dugouts) - an experience not to be missed. You have 2 nights in a tented camp on a remote island and will enjoy game walks, swimming and the birdlife in this pristine wilderness area.

Includes: Entrance to Okavango Delta, morning and afternoon game walks with local guides.
Optional Activities: Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.

Stay at:
1 night Island Safari Lodge, Maun (breakfast, lunch)
2 nights Wilderness Tented Camp, Okavango Delta (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners)

Distance/time: ±360km, 5h30 actual driving time. Starting with a mekoro ride, a 4x4 transfer and then repacking into the safari vehicle it's a big travel day of ±8h00.

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.

Includes: Entrance fees to Makgadikgadi Pans.

Stay at:
Nata Lodge (breakfast, lunch)

Distance/time: ±335km, 4h30 actual driving time. Leave early and aim for a midday arrival. Total travel for the day of ±5h00

Turn north through the Chobe Forest Reserve to Kasane and settle into your lodge. Chobe National Park is famous for large herds of elephant and buffalo. Your afternoon is spent on an exciting wildlife boat cruise on the Chobe River.

Includes: Sunset game viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River.

Stay at:
Thebe River Safaris (breakfast, lunch)

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