Windhoek to Victoria Falls Elephant Track Safari
15 Days
Pack your trunk: this classic journey goes in search of elephants in Namibia and Botswana. Desert elephants are a rare sight in Damaraland, but there are plenty more in Etosha National Park, the Okavango Delta, and then Chobe National Park, where there are jumbos galore.
Non-participation:
On the Classic Journeys, the team, and the various accommodation staff will look after the operational side of the safari. Your holiday time is exclusively yours to enjoy your safari and get the most from your travel experience. Where porters are available they’ll help with your bags, but sometimes you’ll need to carry your own bags. Please remember that this is still an adventure tour, travelling by vehicle, so the more you put in the more rewarding your experience will be.
from NZD $6665pp
Home » 15 Day Windhoek to Victoria Falls Elephant Track Safari
Itinerary Highlights:
- Walk the iconic Sossusvlei Dunes in Namib Desert
- Marvel at the power of Victoria Falls, a natural wonder of the world
- Discover ancient rock paintings in Damaraland
- Enjoy the wildlife sightseeing on game drives in Etosha and Chobe National Park
Itinerary Overview:
- Day 1-2: Windhoek - Namib Desert
- Day 3: Swakopmund
- Day 4-5: Brandberg Massif
- Day 6-7: Etosha National Park
- Day 8: Grootfontein
- Day 9: Kavango River
- Day 10-11: Okavango Delta
- Day 12: Caprivi
- Day 13: Chobe
- Day 14: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
- Day 15: Tour Ends
Day 1-2: Windhoek - Namib Desert
Meet your safari leader at 08:00am for a departure briefing. We then drive through the rolling hills south of Windhoek and drop down the escarpment onto the desert plains to stop at Solitaire for the world’s best apple tart (own expense). This afternoon we travel to our lodge and enjoy the vast open spaces of the Namib desert.
The following day we visit the Namib Nauklauft National Park to witness the amazing landscapes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. The vleis are clay pans formed by the occasional flooding of the Tsauchab River. Sossusvlei is dotted with ancient Camel Thorn trees (Acacia erioloba) while the trees on Deadvlei are lifeless and stark against the surrounding tall orange sand dunes.
Meals: [lodge Breakfast x1 - Dinner x2]
Day 3: Swakopmund
Swakopmund lies on the Atlantic coast, and the relative cool sea breezes will be a welcome change from the hot desert days. The town lies at the mouth of the Swakop River which flows infrequently, but forms the northern boundary of the relentlessly northward migrating sand dunes.
Optional scenic flights from Swakopmund offer spectacular desert landscapes as they fly along the skeleton coast (own expense).
Day 4-5: Brandberg Massif
We head inland to the Tsiseb Conservancy and the Brandberg, a mountainous granite outcrop. Standing at over 2,600m it towers above the surrounding plains and is visible from a great distance. The Tsisab Ravine at the foot of the mountain contains more than 1000 rock shelters and some 45,000 rock paintings including the famous “White Lady”, which is a short 40 minute walk up the ancient watercourse.
Our lodge, situated in the dry Ugab River valley, is ideally situated to explore the area in search of the rare desert elephants and we’ll join a local guide on a 4WD excursion. Being far ranging and elusive, a sighting of the elephants cannot be guaranteed, but with the knowledge of our local guide the day will be fascinating.
Day 6: Etosha National Park
Today we head to Etosha National Park, and stay one night in the south-west part of the park. The salt pan in Etosha is the remnants of a large lake that dried up thousands of years ago. This “Great White Place” is 120km wide and forms the central attraction in the National Park. Natural springs and waterholes around the edges provide life-giving water that sustains the wildlife in this otherwise arid area.
Day 7: Etosha National Park
We travel across Etosha to our next overnight stop in the eastern part of the park.
Elephants coated in the white salt dust from the pan make for extraordinary photos. Our camp is located on the edge of a floodlit waterhole allowing us to get a glimpse of the nocturnal animals that come to drink, including the rare black rhino, lion and possibly leopard. We enjoy the evening sitting at the waterhole in anticipation.
Day 8: Grootfontein
We spend most of today in the Etosha National Park, before moving to our overnight lodge in the Grootfontein district. En route we’ll stop at the Hoba meteorite. At over 60 tons, it is the largest known meteorite on Earth.
Day 9: Kavango River
Driving north east we enter the Kavango region, our lodge is situated on the banks of the Kavango River which flows from Angola, across the Caprivi and feeds the Okavanga Delta. Excellent bird watching opportunities.
Day 10-11: Okavango Delta
We explore the Mahango Game Reserve on a morning game drive in our tour vehicle before we cross into Botswana at the Mohembo border and head south to our lodge in the Okavango Pan handle. From our rustic lodge, we’ll explore the Okavango by mokoro and motor boat. Tranquil reed lined rivers, crystal clear water and abundant bird life. Time to rest, relax and enjoy the views of the Okavango Delta.
Day 12: Caprivi
We cross back into Namibia and cross part of the Caprivi Strip. A narrow piece of land annexed to the German South West African colony in 1890, allowing access to the mighty Zambezi River and a trade route to the East coast of Africa and the then German Tanganyika. We enjoy an afternoon boat cruise exploring the game rich area.
Day 13: Chobe
Heading east we cross the Caprivi and enter Botswana at the Ngoma Border and drive across the Chobe National Park to the small town of Kasane. The Chobe River attracts an abundance of wildlife. Our afternoon activity is an incredible experience on the Chobe River where we head out by boat into the park and get close to the elephants as they quench their thirst. We leave the park as the golden sun slips below the horizon.
Day 14: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
The Zambezi River rises in Zambia before flowing through Angola and along the border of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, before plunging 100 metres over the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. The spray billowing up from the gorge creates a lush rainforest that surrounds the falls. With our local guides, we explore the National Park where we walk to the very edge of the falls and marvel at the power of the water that created this wonder.
Day 15: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Tour Ends
This classic journey ends at 08:00am at the lodge.
Dates | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|
19 Oct 2024 - 02 Nov 2024 | NZD $6665pp | Contact us |
09 Nov 2024 - 23 Nov 2024 | NZD $6665pp | Contact us |
23 Nov 2024 - 07 Dec 2024 | NZD $6665pp | Contact us |
25 Jan 2025 - 08 Feb 2025 | NZD $6846pp | Contact us |
22 Mar 2025 - 05 Apr 2025 | NZD $6846pp | Contact us |
12 Apr 2025 - 26 Apr 2025 | NZD $6846pp | Contact us |
03 May 2025 - 17 May 2025 | NZD $6846pp | Contact us |
21 Jun 2025 - 05 Jul 2025 | NZD $6846pp | Contact us |
26 Jul 2025 - 09 Aug 2025 | NZD $6846pp | Contact us |
02 Aug 2025 - 16 Aug 2025 | NZD $6846pp | Contact us |
13 Sep 2025 - 27 Sep 2025 | NZD $6846pp | Contact us |
18 Oct 2025 - 01 Nov 2025 | NZD $6846pp | Contact us |
08 Nov 2025 - 22 Nov 2025 | NZD $6846pp | Contact us |
22 Nov 2025 - 06 Dec 2025 | NZD $6846pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Suggested Accommodation
City | Accommodation |
---|---|
Namib | The Elegant Desert Lodge or similar |
Swakopmund | Hotel A La Mer or similar |
Brandberg | Brandberg White Lady Lodge or similar |
Etosha National Park | Okaukuejo Resort Camp or similar |
Etosha National Park | Namutoni Camp or similar |
Grootfontein | Roy's Rest Camp or similar |
Caprivi | Nunda River Lodge or similar |
Okavango Delta | Guma Lagoon Camp or similar |
Caprivi | Camp Kwando or similar |
Chobe National Park | Chobe Safari Lodge or similar |
Victoria Falls | Phezulu Lodge or similar |
Whats included?
- Accommodation in camps or hotels and lodges
- Park/entrance fees
- Activities as specified
- Services of a professional guide
- Land transportation
- Meals as specified
What’s not included?
- Airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Optional activities (please ask us for full details)
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Any items not listed as included
Notes
- Non-participation:
On the Classic Journeys, the team, and the various accommodation staff will look after the operational side of the safari. Your holiday time is exclusively yours to enjoy your safari and get the most from your travel experience. Where porters are available they’ll help with your bags, but sometimes you’ll need to carry your own bags. Please remember that this is still an adventure tour, travelling by vehicle, so the more you put in the more rewarding your experience will be.