12-Day Desert and Delta Express Adventure Camping Tour from Livingstone

12-Day Desert and Delta Express Adventure Camping Tour from Livingstone

From Livingstone/ Victoria Falls to the Atlantic coast, visiting the tranquil wilderness of the Okavango Delta, and prime game reserves at Etosha and Chobe and skirting the Kalahari - this is a superb insight into southern Africa. Marvel at the thundering Victoria Falls, sublime Chobe and waterways of the delta before heading to Namibia and the wonders of Etosha - a truly epic Desert and Delta adventure tour.

Itinerary

Day 1: Livingstone, Zambia

Stop At: Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Livingstone 10101 Zambia
This tour starts with a visit to the Victoria Falls, at various times of year the spray from the ‘Falls’ can be seen from up to 20 or 30 kilometres away, hence the local name ‘Mosi oa Tunya’ – the ‘Smoke that Thunders’. Don’t forget your raincoat to keep you and your camera dry!

We highly suggest booking a few days pre-tour accommodation in order for you to explore the Victoria Falls area to the full. Activities available in the region (typically these include rafting, canoeing, bungee, abseiling, gorge swinging, scenic flights, river cruises), allowing you to plan your time accordingly.

Apart from the adventure activities already mentioned, check out the markets and fascinating museum in nearby Livingstone, volunteer a day in a local project, go on a day trip to Victoria Falls Township in Zimbabwe, or simply relax on the beautiful campsite deck and watch the Zambezi River flow quickly past on its way to Victoria Falls.

Our campsite is surrounded by the Mosi oa Tunya National Park so for those wanting more game drives these are available on your doorstep! Elephants crossing the Zambezi River from Zimbabwe can be seen as well as giraffe, buffalo, white rhino, eland, warthog, hippo as well as a variety of different monkey species.

Duration: 1 day

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at The Victoria Falls Waterfront Lodge, Livingstone Zambia

Day 2: Livingstone – Kasane, Botswana

Stop At: Chobe National Park, Chobe National Park, North-West District
Moving on from Livingstone, we travel a short distance to the Botswana border and on to the town of Kasane - the gateway to Chobe National Park. By size, Chobe is the third largest park in the country and is the most diverse - home to elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo and abundant birdlife, including the famous African fish eagle. We take a Fish Eagle cruise on the Chobe River – a great opportunity to see hippo and perhaps elephant or buffalo coming to the river to bathe and drink. The Chobe River is a major watering spot for large breeding herds of elephants, as well as families of giraffe, sable and buffalo. The flood plains are the only place in Botswana where the puku antelope can be seen. Birding is also excellent here. When in flood, spoonbills, ibis, and various species of stork and other waterfowl flock to the area.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Thebe Camp, Kasane, Botswana

Day 3: Chobe National Park – Elephant Sands, Nata

Stop At: Elephant Sands, Farm PP1, Nata Ranches, Nata, Botswana
This morning we head out to explore the Chobe National Park in an open vehicle game drive where we may have the opportunity to spot not only elephant that are so prolific in the park, but also lion and different antelope species. Moving on from Chobe we continue south and may still encounter elephant and buffalo alongside the road. We arrive to our camp in the afternoon. There are no fences and wildlife roams freely. Many groups report seeing elephant and antelope at close proximity from the campsite - a very relaxing way to view wildlife!

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Elephant Sands Camp, Nata, Botswana

Day 4: Elephant Sands, Nata - Maun

Stop At: Maun, Maun, Ngamiland East, North-West District
We leave Elephant Sands and make our way to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Maun is an eclectic mix of modern buildings and native dwellings. Although officially still a village, Maun has developed rapidly from a rural frontier town to a community that has spread along the wide banks of the Thamalakane River. This is an area where red lechwe antelope can still be seen grazing alongside local donkeys, goats and cattle. Since Maun's founding in 1915 it has had a reputation as a hard-living 'Wild West' town helping the local cattle ranching and hunting operations. Maun today is a thriving tourist town famous for its donkey population and to a lesser extent, goats. These animals can be seen standing around town as they are used by local traders and farmers alike to transport their wares to sell on the curb side.

NB: If time allows, we have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the Delta in the afternoon.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Delta Rain's Sitatunga Camp, Botswana

Day 5: Maun - Okavango Delta

Stop At: Okavango Delta, Okavango Delta, North-West District
Leaving the campsite in Maun we begin our excursion into the Okavango Delta in an open 4x4 truck to the mokoro station. Here we will be introduced to the local Tswana Polers who will be our guides for our overnight expedition. We travel by mokoro (dugout canoe) amongst the giant lily pads, tall grasses and labyrinthine channels in search of resident wildlife, making our way to our tented camp. The Okavango is a natural wetland spreading over some 1.6million hectares and offers a perfect habitat for the many species of wildlife that roam here freely. The Okavango River rises in Angola (farther to the north) and flows south, dividing repeatedly after crossing into Botswana to form an intricate floodplain of channels, which spread out into a broad flat inland delta – the only one of its kind in the world. We enjoy the afternoon wilderness experience and overnight listening to the sounds of the African night - an unforgettable experience!
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Elephant Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Day 6: Okavango Delta - Maun

Stop At: Okavango Delta, Okavango Delta, North-West District
This morning we take an easy paced mokoro ride out of the Okavango Delta back to the polers’ station from where we will drive back to Maun. We aim to get back to camp around lunch time to allow for the opportunity to enjoy an optional scenic flight over this spectacular UNESCO world heritage site. Alternatively, the afternoon can be spent at leisure at the camp’s pool.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Delta Rain's Sitatunga Camp, Botswana

Day 7: Maun - Ghanzi

Stop At: Omaheke Region, Omaheke Region
We leave Maun to make our way to Ghanzi, which skirts the Kalahari Desert and cross into Namibia........................................................ Here, in this midst of (seemingly) barren terrain - we meet the San/Bushman and have a guided bush walk for a cultural experience and insight into these ancient people’s way of life. We learn how they work with nature and manage the renewable resources found in their natural surroundings without damaging the fragile balance of this ecosystem - something we can all learn from. Your support of this ecotourism venture gives the San/Bushman a sustainable income and helps keep their culture alive.

Around the campfire at night, you can experience the ancient dance rituals of the San/Bushman. On special occasions this could be a healing or trance dance, which can continue all night, and is an intense spiritual experience for participants and visitors alike.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Zelda's Guest farm, Omaheke Region, near Gobabis, Namibia

Day 8: Omaheke Regions, near Gobabis – Windhoek, Namibia

Stop At: Windhoek, Windhoek, Khomas Region
Today we travel to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Situated in a basin between the Khomas Highland, Auas and Eros Mountains, Windhoek (population approx 200,000) is small capital by global standards. The city centre is characterised by a proliferation of German style buildings, a lasting reminder of Namibia's early colonial history. Take the opportunity to enjoy a night out at one of the local restaurants or visit the famous 'Joe’s Beer House'
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at Urban camp, Windhoek, Namibia

Day 9: Windhoek – Etosha National Park

Stop At: Etosha National Park, Etosha National Park, Oshikoto Region
We make our way north to Etosha National Park, a vast reserve of over 20,000 sq km surrounding a central salt depression or pan. The pan is seasonally full of water but specially managed waterholes sustain some 114 mammal and 340 bird species throughout the rest of the year. We spend two nights here, usually making camp near a floodlit waterhole. Observers frequently see a range of night visitors including elephant, giraffe, zebra, even lion and hyena, making it one of the most memorable wildlife encounters in Namibia - a truly African experience and a highlight of any trip to Namibia. We have a short afternoon game drive on entering the park on our way to the camp.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at one of the main camps - Okaukeujo/Halali/Namatoni inside Etosha National Park, Namibia

Day 10: Etosha National Park

Stop At: Etosha National Park, Etosha National Park, Oshikoto Region
Today, we enjoy a full day game driving in this magnificent animal kingdom - taking in the park’s main characteristic, the salt pan. Despite the dry nature of the terrain, the park sustains a wide variety of bird species including the large kori bustard, secretary bird and many other seed & insect eaters, as well as birds of prey.

After a full day game driving we return to camp, or onto the next camp and enjoy our last evening around the floodlit watering holes, observing natural animal behaviour at its best.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at one of the main camps - Okaukeujo/Halali/Namatoni inside Etosha National Park, Namibia

Day 11: Etosha National Park – Spitzkoppe

Stop At: Spitzkoppe, Namibia
We game drive out of Etosha National Park and turn south making our way to the beautiful Damaraland region where we explore the eerie Spitzkoppe where ancient bushman paintings are still visible. The giant boulder-like rock formations reach a peak at some 1800m above sea level and create a spectacular view. Take your time to explore the area and its delightful calmness. Keep an eye on the ever-changing colour of the rock, especially during sunrise and sunset, when they acquire intense red shades. The most impressive rock painting is “Bushman Paradise” and the natural rock bridge is a favourite viewpoint.

NB: Please take care if climbing onto the rocky outcrops. The surfaces have been smoothed by aeons of sun, wind and blown dust: they can be extremely slippery especially if you are not wearing suitable footwear.

The Spitzkoppe Rest camp lies at the base of the mountain and is owned and maintained by the local community to which all proceeds from our visit to Spitzkoppe go.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Spitzkoppe Bush Camp, Namibia

Day 12: Spitzkoppe - Swakopmund

Stop At: Swakopmund, Swakopmund, Erongo Region
Departing the granite infused Spitzkoppe, we make our way to the Atlantic coast and to Swakopmund. Swakopmund makes for a refreshing change with cooler Atlantic sea air, a taste of civilization and a swathe of exciting things to do and places to explore. Your tour ends on arrival, but we highly recommend staying a few more days in the area in order to explore the town and partake in the many adventure desert-based activities like quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving (weather permitting). For those seeking a quieter life, enjoy the other side of Swakopmund: shops, restaurants, museums, the aquarium, art galleries or simply walk along the promenade admiring the ocean, the quaint German-style architecture and indulge in the town’s café culture.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.