Current as of: March 12, 2025 - 22:58
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
Explore Botswana and Namibia, two of the top wildlife destinations in Africa. Our journey takes us into the wilderness: voyage by dugout canoe on the hippo-populated waters of the Okavango Delta, search for lions, elephants and giraffes in Etosha National Park, and spend nights by waterholes where animals congregate. The adventure continues beyond the fauna: we also climb the highest dunes in the world at Sossusvlei and stargaze at our remote camp in Damaraland. This is Africa at its most wild.
Highlights
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.
Journey times: We cover a lot of ground, visiting some of the best places in Botswana and Namibia. Many of the drives take between four and five hours, with a maximum drive time of approximately eight hours on a combination of paved and gravel roads. On the gravel roads of Namibia, conditions are dependent on how they are maintained at the time and, on occasion, can be poor. This can have an impact on journey times and comfort. Drive times to and from Etosha National Park vary depending on the camps we use within the park. Within Etosha National Park, journeys double as game drives. Drive times listed in the itinerary are approximations and vary with road conditions. They also do not include any stops we take along the way.
Early starts: There are a few days where we have to get up before sunrise, but this allows us to get the most from our days (for example, the game drives in Etosha where we are more likely to see wildlife in the early mornings before it gets too hot).
Accommodation: We stay in lodges and hotels and occasionally in permanent tented camps (which also have beds and private bathrooms) apart from the two nights in the Okavango Delta, which are in our wild campsite, allowing for a different experience of Africa. This is a safari for people who want to see wildlife and get immersed in nature but do it in more comfort.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 4
Max group size: 16
Depart London
The adventure starts in Maun, Botswana, gateway to the Okavango Delta. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring or relaxing, with a chance to change money and pick up any supplies you may need (such as snacks and drinks).
The tour leader meets you this evening at the hotel for dinner and a welcome briefing, a chance to ask any questions you may have. Tonight is a good time to pack your overnight bag for the Okavango Delta; pack light as we travel to camp by canoe (your larger bag is left with the driver and stored safely).
Accommodation: Cresta Maun/Sedia Hotel (or similar)
The tour starts in Maun. Our destination today is Ghanzi, a small town in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Late in the afternoon, we join indigenous San people on a 60 – 90-minute walk into the bush to learn first-hand how to survive in this arid environment. In the process, learn more about San culture and the wildness they live in.
Accommodation: Cresta Maun (or similar)
Relax at the hotel this morning or head into town to pick up any last-minute supplies. After lunch, we journey to the Okavango Delta, where we board mokoros (traditional dugout canoes helmed by an expert local poler) and head to our Delta camp (depending on water levels we may drive in a 4×4). Camp is ready for us on arrival, and we meet the local guides who are our hosts for the next few days.
The camp is made of dome tents fitted with camp beds, a mess tent and bathrooms that have a bush-shower and toilet. Camping allows us to experience Africa at its fullest: swimming in shallow pools, listening to the sounds of the Delta (particularly birdsong and hippo grunts!), and enjoying some of the best views of the Milky Way you are likely to see.
Total drive: 19mi (30km), one hour
Accommodation: Okavango Delta wild camp
Rise early for breakfast and spend the rest of the day exploring the waterways and islands by mokoro and on foot. Year-round, the Delta is home to a vast array of animals, including elephants, lions and hippos.
We return to camp for lunch and, this evening, enjoy sundowners. Relax around the campfire after dinner looking back on a day well spent.
Accommodation: Okavango Delta wild camp
Rising early, we enjoy one final exploration of the Delta before returning to our collection point by mokoro. Return to Maun after lunch, where we have a free afternoon to relax or enjoy one of the many optional activities available, such as scenic flights or helicopter rides.
Accommodation: Sedia Riverside Hotel (or similar)
Relax this morning before our transfer to the northern part of the Okavango Delta, enjoying views of the Botswana bush as we go. Reaching a landscape of thick sand that’s inaccessible to our vehicle, we are collected by a 4×4 vehicle and transferred to our lodge on the banks of Guma Lagoon.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy the peaceful waterside property or there is the option of an afternoon boat ride.
Total drive: 220mi (350km), five hours
Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Lodge (or similar)
After breakfast, continue the journey north and cross into Namibia through the Mohembo border post. From here, we travel through Mahango Game Park, where we hope to see elephants and other animals. We then drive along the Caprivi Strip (a thin protrusion of Namibia bordered by Botswana, Angola and Zambia) to the small town of Rundu, which is situated on the Okavango River close to the Angolan border.
Total drive: 250mi (400km), 6hr 30min
Accommodation: Halali, Namutomi, Okakuejo (or similar)
Today we travel to Etosha National Park, the premier safari sanctuary in Namibia. In contrast to the Okavango Delta, Etosha is a relatively arid wilderness of mixed forest and grassland around a large saltpan. It is scattered with waterholes where a great variety of animals congregate to drink, making them fairly easy to find.
We should arrive in time for a late afternoon game drive before heading to our accommodation. We typically stay within the park on some or all the nights (subject to availability) and some of these are next to waterholes. These camps also offer optional night drives, which you can book and pay for on arrival.
Total drive: 280mi (450km), eight hours
Accommodation: Halali, Namutomi, Okakuejo (or similar)
Today we embark on an essential Namibian experience: a three-hour game drive in Etosha National Park. Zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, elephants and lions are all present, while the park is also home to several black rhinos. Additionally, Etosha is a good place for birds, with plenty of water birds on the lakes and weaverbirds and hornbills in the trees.
The wildlife watching continues at our camp, which has a waterhole where animals gather to refresh and you can take a cooling dip yourself in the swimming pool. After sunset, a spotlight helps us to watch the nightly activity at the waterhole.
Accommodation: Halali, Namutomi, Okakuejo (or similar)
Leaving Etosha, we head to the Damaraland region, driving past Damara huts, Herero houses and cattle. We stop en route in Outjo, a small town with a nice German bakery for coffee, cake or an early lunch.
Our destination is a remote lodge at the foot of Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia. Here, it’s often possible to see desert elephants roaming the Ugab River, while stargazing is normally spectacular from this isolated location.
Total drive: 235mi (380km), six hours
Accommodation: Halali, Namutomi, Okakuejo (or similar)
Begin the day with a short drive to Brandberg, where we walk (1hr 30min) through a valley seeing beautiful, granite formations and a variety of birdlife. The valley takes us to the White Lady rock painting which, along with a number of other small paintings and engravings, are thought to have been left by indigenous San people at least 2,000 years ago (please note, if elephants walk into this area then it might be too dangerous to do the walk – in this case we typically go on a game drive looking for elephants).
After, we head to the Atlantic Ocean and the coastal town of Swakopmund. This small German colonial town has quaint cake shops and coffee houses and is known as a hotspot for high-adrenaline activities.
Total drive: 185mi (300km), 4hr 30min
Accommodation: Prost Hotel (or similar)
Today is free to enjoy one of the many optional activities on offer in and around town. On the water, you can go deep-sea fishing; in the desert, you can go sandboarding and quad-biking; and in the sky, you can fly over the Skeleton Coast. Alternatively, spend the day enjoying fantastic Viennese-style cakes, walking along the beach or nearby dunes, or just watching the world pass in this town that seems strangely out of place in Africa.
Accommodation: Prost Hotel (or similar)
Visit nearby Walvis Bay after breakfast, where we hopefully see flamingos. Our journey then takes us through the Namib-Naukluft National Park – home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on Earth. The park contains spectacular desert scenery and there are photo opportunities along the way. We take a long gravel road into the desert, going through two small passes and towards Soltaire, where we stop for lunch, before continuing to Sesriem.
Total drive: 210mi (340km), 5hr 30min
Accommodation: Weltevrede Guestfarm (or similar)
Rise early to see the Sossusvlei dunes, the tallest in the world, in the gorgeous morning light. We can also climb one of the dunes for fantastic views of the area.
We then witness an eerie desert landscape strewn with dead 900-year-old camelthorn trees, either taking a 2.5mi (4km) walk to Hiddenvlei or, if you’d prefer not to walk, a transfer (optional extra) to Deadvlei. If we’re lucky, we may see gemsbok or ostriches among the dunes. In the afternoon, take a 30 to 45-minute walk in Sesriem Canyon before returning to our accommodation. In the evening, we enjoy our final dinner together.
Total drive: 125mi (200km), 3hr 30min
Accommodation: Weltevrede Guestfarm (or similar)
We typically have an early start this morning as we have a long drive back to Windhoek where the tour ends. If you’d like to spend a bit longer in Namibia, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Total drive: 210mi (340km), six hours
Please note: The group transfer back to Windhoek is scheduled to align with a chosen flight to London, UK; therefore, you should not book flights leaving before then. Please contact your sales representative for the timings of this flight.
Arrive London.
For our time in Botswana and Namibia, we spend 11 nights in lodges/hotels and two nights full-service camping. Occasionally, we stay in permanent tented camps. These are comfortable rooms, in part made of canvas, with private bathrooms and are a quintessential African safari experience. Properties are comfortable, well located for our activities and some have swimming pools. Below are a few of the standouts.
Okavango Delta: Wild camping (nights 2-3)
The highlight stay on this trip for many is our two nights of wild camping in the Okavango Delta. Our neighbours, which you’ll likely hear shuffling around at night, include hippos, elephants and lions, while our away-from-it-all location normally allows us to see a night sky illuminated with stars. To make things easier, our camp is set up for us and all equipment is provided. We sleep in spacious, two-person tents fitted with thick foam mattresses and there is a bush shower and toilet, while dinner is taken around our atmospheric campfire.
Etosha National Park: Lodges (nights 7-8)
In Etosha, we stay within the national park itself – a huge plus for any animal lover. The resorts we use are either Halali or Namutoni. Both have a restaurant, swimming pool and bar but the highlights are the flood-lit waterholes where wildlife regularly stops to drink and bathe.
Brandberg: Brandberg White Lady Lodge (night 9)
Our Brandberg stay is in the middle of nowhere. From the viewpoint, you will not see another property, just the ruggedly beautiful landscape of Damaraland and possibly some desert elephants in the distance. There’s a dining area, well-stocked bar, lounge, and two swimming pools.
Worth knowing
Single supplement from USD 735
13 breakfasts, two lunches and seven dinners are included.
For meals not included, please allow the equivalent of approximately £12.50/US$15 per meal per person. Some meals are in restaurants or the lodges while others are prepared by the crew. Camp meals are freshly cooked over the campfire. They are wholesome and plentiful, but do not expect cordon bleu cuisine and please note it is not always easy to get fresh meat. However, the standard of food is generally good.
Vegetarians are well catered for on this trip though sometimes options might be more limited.
The vehicle normally used for this trip, including for safari in Etosha, is a specially modified safari truck with up to 16 seats for guests. Seating is forward facing and the windows are large and easy to open. Smaller groups may be in a Toyota Hilux/Land Cruiser. People are expected to move around to permit everyone a chance to have a window seat. All vehicles have a reference library and icebox. Please note, it is not safe to stand when the vehicle is moving, please remain seated until the vehicle stops, even on game drives.
Entering the Okavango Delta is done by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe that sits low in the water and is poled by one of the expert polers from the local community.
All gamed drives in Etosha on all tours is done in our vehicles and any one is free to take an open option game drive. (These are not always available and only booked on arrival.)
Botswana
There is no best time to go for game viewing or conditions in the Delta as the Delta flows year-round despite flood periods. The wettest season is January and February when travel on dirt roads becomes difficult. March to September, although dry and bright, can be cold at night (in June and July it really can be chilly on occasions so bring appropriate gear). October and November are the hottest months, and midday temperatures can be uncomfortable. The rains normally start slowly in late November. December can be wet, but it does not rain for long periods and should definitely not put anyone off travelling as there is always plenty of sunshine.
Namibia
June, July and August, while clear and warm during the day, can get cold at night, even reaching freezing point.
Between September and May, it is considerably warmer with October to March being the hottest, getting up to the high 30Cs (around 100F). However, it is always a dry heat, and the temperature does drop at night. The wet season is between November and February, but this is not a bad time to go as the desert blooms after rainfall, there is plenty of birdlife to see and it never rains for very long.
Start hotel: Cresta Maun, lekawen drift, Maun, Botswana
Phone: +267 686 3455
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today
Airport: Maun International Airport (MUB)
The start hotel is approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
The last night of the trip is spent in the Sesriem and the tour finishes in Windhoek. The group transfer back to Windhoek is scheduled to align with a chosen flight to London, UK; therefore, you should not book flights leaving before then. Please contact your sales representative for the timings of this flight. Free airport departure transfers are only available for return flights departing after the chosen flight route to London – from our Windhoek hotel (if you have booked post tour accommodation) to the airport.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Maun
Location end: Windhoek
Water included
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burnt. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. On this trip, the tap water is safe to drink throughout most of Namibia but not Botswana; however, the vehicle has a water tank. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. During the drier months, tap water may not taste as nice. If you prefer the taste of bottled water, it is possible to purchase and refill from 5l bottles throughout the itinerary.
Pack for a Purpose
If you find a spare bit of space while packing please be sure to check with our partner Pack for a Purpose (www.packforapurpose.org) to identify items needed locally by schools and medical clinics. Your tour leader can assist with donating the items.
Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.
Until the end of March 2025, travellers from the UK, US, Canada and some EU states normally do not need a visa to enter Namibia. From April 1, 2025, travellers from the UK, US, Canada, and some EU states, will need a visa to enter Namibia (see the full list here).
Visas can be obtained online (https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/) or on arrival for 1,600 Namibian dollars (about US$89), though we recommend applying online as lengthy waits are expected for visas on-arrival.
Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
If you are transiting through South Africa and are a non-UK passport holder you may require a transit visa. Please check before travelling. Please note that if flying via South Africa you will probably have to pass immigration there.
Passports: To enter Namibia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least six months after the date you arrive. It must also have at least one blank page. If you’re travelling to South Africa, you will need an additional two blank pages.
Travelling with children: In addition to valid passports, parents travelling with children (under 18) should always carry the original or certified copy of the unabridged birth certificate (listing the child’s and both parents’ details). Adults travelling with children where they are not the biological or legal guardians of those children, should be in possession of an affidavit statement from the child’s parents giving consent for their travel. If a child is travelling with only one parent, the other parent should give consent for travel in the form of an affidavit.
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Botswana. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
Please note, if you are transiting through South Africa and are a non-UK passport holder you may require a transit visa. Please check before travelling. Please also be aware that children under the age of 18 must provide a full birth certificate (a short one won’t be accepted) as well as a valid passport. If the child is travelling with only one parent or with another adult, the missing parent (or parents) will have to provide an affidavit giving their consent for the child to travel. If flying via South Africa, you may have to pass immigration between flights and the same regulation is needed for entry into South Africa.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements.
Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A.
Malaria prophylaxis is essential and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take.
Vaccination against Yellow Fever is necessary if you are coming from a country with Yellow Fever, and you must bring a valid certificate of vaccination (Namibia was not on this list at the time of writing – September 2019).
Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A.
Malaria prophylaxis is essential and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take.
Bilharzia is known to occur in some of the lakes or rivers visited on this itinerary, we therefore advise all to take advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim.
Namibia's time zone: Africa/Windhoek (UTC +02:00)
Botswana's time zone: Africa/Gaborone (UTC +02:00)
Namibia’s electricity: Plug type M (three round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Botswana’s electricity: Plug types M (three round pins) and G (three rectangular pins) – 230V, 50HzBots
Namibia's currency: Namibian dollar (NAD), though South African rand (ZAR) is widely accepted
Botswana's currency: Botswana pula (BWP)
There are ATMs in the main towns and at the airport, but you should not rely on these for all your money. Credit cards are widely accepted, including at hotels, shops and restaurants.
All major denominations, including but not limited to, Pound Sterling (GBP), US dollars (USD) and Euros (EUR), are accepted at currency exchange establishments, available in all major towns and at Windhoek airport (seven days a week). If you prefer to exchange money before your arrival, it is recommended to buy South African rand.
Allow approximately £12.50/US$15 per person per day for meals and snacks not included.
Optional excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes)
There are several optional activities in Namibia and Botswana, such as ocean fishing, quad‐biking(ATV’s), boat rides and scenic flights but there’s plenty to occupy you if you don’t participate. These prices are approximate and to be paid in local currency or card in Namibia and in local currency, US dollars or card in Botswana.
Swakopmund
Brandberg
Etosha
Windhoek
Okavango
These prices are subject to change.
If you feel your leader and support team have performed well, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a guide we suggest the equivalent of around £1.25-£2.50/US$1.50-US$3 per person per day. For the two nights in the Okavango Delta, we recommend a tip of approximately 250 pula (£16.50/US$20) per person for our polers. For other staff such as porters, we recommend that you budget for a further £4.10-£6.60/US$5-US$8.
In most restaurants and bars, an average of tipping 10 percent is common in both Namibia and Botswana but be sure to check. This tip is voluntary and can be declined if service was unsatisfactory.
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Optional activities and excursions
If you would like to join an optional activity or excursion outside those listed in the itinerary, your leader may be able to assist with selecting a provider. However, Exodus has not assessed the safety standards of activities or excursions that are not listed in the Trip Notes. All optional activities or excursions are undertaken at your own risk.
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.