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DAY 1: ARRIVE IN WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA

You are met on arrival in Windhoek and transferred to your hotel. This evening, we will meet for dinner and your orientation. 
Overnight in Windhoek.

DAY 2: TO SESRIEM

This morning we drive south towards Sesriem, gateway to the world's highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei. Upon arrival at our lodge, we will enjoy some time to relax in the afternoon.

The area around Sossusvlei is the most accessible part of the 300 km long and nearly 150 km wide sand sea that covers 32,000 sq km of western Namibia.
Overnight near Sesriem.

DAY 3: SOSSUSVLEI - WORLD'S HIGHEST SAND DUNES

Today we visit the world's highest and most picturesque sand dunes at Sossusvlei. Sossusvlei itself is a huge ephemeral pan set amid red/orange sand dunes which tower as much as 300 meters over the underlying strata. It would not be unusual to see gemsbok and ostriches roaming over the sand. The best way to get a feel for this "sea of sand" is to climb one of the dunes. The view will leave you in awe. Before leaving the park, we will visit Sesriem canyon and enjoy lunch at a local lodge. Dinner tonight will be under the blanket of Namibian stars.
Overnight near Sesriem.

DAY 4: SCENIC FLIGHT OVER THE SKELETON COAST TO SWAKOPMUND

After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to the airstrip for our scenic flight to Swakopmund. 

We enjoy lunch in Swakopmund whereafter the afternoon is set aside for leisure. With palm-lined streets, seaside promenades and friendly locals, Swakopmund offers a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Dinner will be enjoyed at one of the many local restaurants.
Overnight in Swakopmund.

DAY 5: SWAKOPMUND - LIVING DESERT

This morning we will have the opportunity to experience an exciting educational tour that explores the local dunes between Swakopmund and Walvisbay, and the abundance of life therein. Geckos, rolling spiders, scorpions, lizards, snakes, chameleons and skunks are some creatures to be found on this exciting tour. A scenic panorama drive across the dunes allows you to absorb and enjoy a variety of the beautiful dune landscapes while adding a little excitement to the tour. We have the afternoon at leisure to enjoy the seaside town.
Overnight in Swakopmund.

DAY 6: SWAKOPMUND TO ONDJAMBA HILLS

After a leisurely start in the morning, we depart and travel along the coastline to visit the Cape Cross Seal Reserve before heading inland to Damaraland, with its dramatic rugged terrain, one of the most picturesque areas in Namibia. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon, nestled on a small ridge above the Ugab river, with views of riverbeds, mountain massifs and granite Kopjes.
Overnight in the Ondjamba Hills

DAY 7: ONDJAMBA HILLS, DESERT ELEPHANTS

On an early morning scenic nature drive, through at times untouched wilderness area, we head out towards the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain. This is the best time to capture the perfect light of sunrise and catch the last mist engulfing the mountain. We continue down into the dry Ugab riverbed, which we follow back towards the camp. Stopping under one of the majestic camelthorn trees we enjoy a light picnic lunch. On our drive along the meandering river, we might encounter the elusive desert elephant that roam the dry riverbeds of the Damaraland, feeding on the nutritious pods of the trees lining the riverbanks. Arriving back at the camp we have enough time left to enjoy the scenery or follow one of the walking trails.
Overnight in the Ondjamba Hills

DAY 8: TWYFELFONTEIN, DAMARA LIVING MUSEUM TO KAOKOLAND

Early morning departure from the lodge to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein, Africa’s largest open-air museum. Afterwards, a true cultural experience awaits us by visiting the Damara Living Museum to gain insight into one of the oldest traditional nations in Namibia. We continue our journey into Kaokoland.
Overnight in Opuwo.

DAY 9: LOCAL TRIBAL VILLAGES - ZEMBA TRIBE

Travelling with a local Herero speaking guide, we visit local tribal villages. Although their culture and language are similar, each tribe has maintained its own ethnic traditions and attire. Many still have little contact with the modern world. The Herero women wear multi layered long dresses with distinctive cloth headwear. The Zemba villagers are also distinctive in their body decorations. We will visit with these friendly but shy people for a glimpse into a way of life that has changed little over the centuries. As our guide translates for us, we learn about their lifestyles and culture. To thank the villagers for their hospitality, we provide them with a donation of food.

Overnight near Opuwo.

DAY 10: TOWARDS ETOSHA

Departure from Opuwo in a southerly direction towards the lesser-known part of the Etosha National Park. We enter the park through the Galton Gate and travel via various waterholes towards Okaukuejo where we will exit the park in the late afternoon.
Overnight just outside Etosha.

DAY 11: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

This morning we will drive a short distance into Etosha National Park in our open vehicle. Once we pass the park gates we will be on the watch for wildlife, stopping whenever they are close - we may even have to stop while they cross the road in front of us - wildlife has the right of way! We will enjoy a picnic lunch in the park rest stop and continue back to our lodge.
Overnight just outside Etosha National Park

DAY 12: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, we enjoy a morning game drive in open vehicles where we will enjoy lunch in the park. Thereafter our journey continues through the park in the touring coach, exiting the northern gate. Arrival at our next lodge in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Etosha National Park.

DAY 13: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

We enjoy a full day open vehicle game drive in Etosha National Park. In the afternoon, we depart to the private waterhole where you can come face to face with Etosha’s wildlife in the safety and comfort of the hide. We will enjoy a late afternoon sundowner.
Overnight in Etosha National Park.

DAY 14: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

This morning we visit the Nakambale Museum before travelling to our next destination.

The museum aims to introduce the history of the Church and the Finnish Mission of the North to the public, with respect to both the past and present. The mission house displays exhibitions on various topics including the old missionary architecture, the Rautanen family, Olukonda, the development of the church, everyday missionary life, traditional musical instruments, decorations, toys, household utensils, livelihoods, the political history of Ovamboland and the kings of the North.
Overnight near Tsumeb

DAY 15: TOWARDS GROOTFONTEIN, HOBA METEORITE

This morning we head toward Grootfontein, where we will visit the Hoba Meteorite. With a mass estimated at more than 60 tonnes, it is considered the largest known Iron meteorite (as a single piece) and the most massive naturally occurring piece of iron known at the Earth's surface. From here, we make our way to our lodge where the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight on the banks of the Okavango River.

DAY 16: SCHOOL VISIT, SUNSET CRUISE

This morning we will have the opportunity for a visit to the local school where we meet the students and teachers and visit one of the local family compounds that dot the area around the town and river’s edge. These mud, stick and thatch buildings with their fenced enclosures contain living quarters for both the family and the animals as well as storage areas, gardens and outdoor cooking facilities. We can see how they dry their produce for storage, gather water for their fields and perhaps even how they set fish traps in the river.

This afternoon, we will enjoy a sunset cruise along the Kavango River, which is the natural border between Namibia and Angola. One evening at the lodge, we will enjoy a visit from a traditional dance troup.
Overnight on the banks of the Okavango River.

DAY 17: BUSHMEN VILLAGE, OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA

Today we depart for the Okavango Delta. On route, we visit local Bushman village. This cultural visit offers a fascinating impression of the ancient hunter-gatherer culture of the San. The village consists of some traditional gras huts around which the pristine way of life and pre-colonial culture of the Khwe is illustrated. Visitors experience traditional dances, receive an insight into the ancestral world and see, smell and feel the historical life of the Khwe. Hereby emphasis is put on presenting the old hunter-gatherer culture as authentic as possible.

Our lodge is located on the western region of the Delta and serves as our home base for the next 2 days. We transfer to our lodge located deep in the Delta's marshes. Depending on water level, we may transfer by 4X4, motor boat and/or barge. Nguma Lodge offers peace and tranquillity with a spectacular and exclusive view over the Lagoon, one of the largest Lagoons in the North West of the Delta. The lodge is situated on the banks of the beautiful Lagoon bordered by Palm trees, Papyrus and Reed beds.
Overnight in the Nguma Lagoon.

DAY 18: OKAVANGO DELTA

Our time in the Delta is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), speed boats and barges. The Okavango Delta is often described as the "river which never finds the sea." It is an extraordinary environment of channels and islands that seem cut off from the western world, and it abounds with bird life and other wildlife that covers an area the size of Switzerland.
Overnight in the Nguma Lagoon.

DAY 19: FLY OVER THE DELTA TO CHOBE N.P.

This morning we enjoy a flight over the Okavango Delta to Kasane, where we are then transferred to Chobe National Park. After lunch, we travel into the park in open safari vehicles to search for the famous Chobe elephants. The park is reputed to have some of the largest concentrations of game in Africa so expect an exciting afternoon!
Overnight near Kasane.

DAY 20: CHOBE NATIONAL PARK GAME DRIVES

This morning we again travel in our small open safari vehicles into the park in search of elephants, giraffe, sable antelope and Cape buffalo, as well as the many other species found here. We will be able to access the small tracks and quiet areas in the park allowing us excellent game viewing possibilities. 

We return to our lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River watching for the hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes and impala which come to the water's edge to drink. The sun will set over the river as we make our way back to the dock and return to our lodge for dinner.
Overnight near Kasane.

DAY 21: TO VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

After breakfast, we make our way into Zimbabwe as we cross the Zambezi River. After completing immigration formalities, we continue to our hotel, located within Victoria Falls National Park.

After a light lunch, we set off to visit the majestic Victoria Falls and walk through the mists for a close up sight of the "Smoke that Thunders". The world-famous falls are 1.7 km (1.1 miles) wide and drops between 90 meters (295 feet) and 107 meters (351 feet) into the Zambezi Gorge. 

We return to our lodge with time to relax before we enjoy a traditional Boma Dinner.
Overnight in Victoria Falls National Park.

DAY 22: VICTORIA FALLS - STANLEY & LIVINGSTONE HISTORIAN/STORYTELLER, ZAMBEZI SUNSET CRUISE

After breakfast you have a free morning to relax poolside, while overlooking the famous watering hole at our lodge. 

Following lunch at our hotel, we shall enjoy hearing about the life and legacy of 2 of Africa's greatest explorers, personalities and humanitarians - Stanley & Livingstone, as well as Livingstone's closest friends, Chuma and Sussi, who Livingstone spared from a life of slavery. Enjoy the fascinating and animated storytelling from a well-known local historian and storyteller.

In the late afternoon we will enjoy a delightful cruise along the Zambezi River. The river's edge offers a lush refuge for wildlife, including birds and hippos. We will have the opportunity to feel the tremendous power of the river as it rushes towards the falls and enjoy the sunset on this magical and historical river before we return to the lodge for our farewell dinner.
Overnight in Victoria Falls National Park.

DAY 23: DEPART VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

Today we say goodbye to Africa and transfer to the airport to connect with our international flights homeward.