10 Days Wildlife and Waterfalls
Price
Package Features
- 10 Days / 9 Nights
- Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe
- Starts: Windhoek
- Ends: Victoria Falls
Overview
Spend 10 days travelling across Southern Africa, from West to East, and see the dry desertscapes of Namibia, the wonderful watery wilderness of Botswana and its iconic Okavango Delta, and the cascades of Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls. This 10-day tour will give you the best of some of Southern Africa’s lesser-walked terrain, and along with your guide and some of the best lodges, it makes for one epic getaway.
Tour Features
- An overland route through 3 countries: Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe
- A traditional mokoro glide through the Okavango Delta
- A guided walk through the rainforest at the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
- A sunset cruise along the Chobe River, home to one of the largest concentrations of elephants on the African continent
- A breakfast cruise on the Okavango River
- Game viewing within the lesser-known Mahangu National Park
- An optional visit to the Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the "Louvre of the Desert"
- Comfortable, country-appropriate vehicles throughout, with an experienced guide by your side
Activities and Transport
Activities: A breakfast boat cruise on the Okavango River, a guided game drive through Mahangu National Park, a traditional mokoro excursion along the delta’s quiet channels, a sunset cruise on the Nguma Lagoon, a boat cruise on the Chobe River, and a guided rainforest walk to the Victoria Falls.
Optional Activities
- Tsodilo Hills excursion (UNESCO World Heritage Site
Transport: A comfortable, country-appropriate vehicle for the full tour, accompanied throughout by a dedicated and experienced guide, with fuel, insurance and all border formalities included.
A private transfer from Windhoek is included on arrival, with the tour concluding by road transfer to Victoria Falls International Airport.
Rates
Rates (Valid Until 31 October 2027)
| Paying Guests | Rate per Person Sharing |
|---|---|
| 2 paying guests | N$ 91 990 |
| 3 paying guests | N$ 72 800 |
| 4 paying guests | N$ 68 250 |
| 5 paying guests | N$ 59 950 |
| 6 paying guests | N$ 57 300 |
| 7 paying guests | N$ 53 500 |
| 8 paying guests | N$ 52 450 |
| 9 paying guests | N$ 50 580 |
| Single Supplement | N$ 5 975 |
Accommodation and Meals
The first night of this tour is spent at the Minen Hotel in the historic mining town of Tsumeb, followed by 2 nights on the banks of the Okavango River at Rainbow River Lodge (or someplace similar).
Following that, there’ll be 3 nights at Nguma Island Lodge (or someplace similar), set deep within the delta itself, before spending a night beside the Kwando River in Namibia’s Zambezi Region.
The route then leads into Botswana and on to Kasane, with a night at Cresta Mowana Lodge (or similar) on the banks of the Chobe River, before the tour draws to a close with a final night in Victoria Falls town.
Breakfasts are included across the tour, together with dinners, with meals left open in Kasane and Victoria Falls so you may explore the local dining scene at your own pace and taste.
Route
- Day 1 - Tsumeb
- Day 2 - Okavango
- Day 3 - Okavango
- Day 4 - Botswana/Skegau
- Day 5 - Botswana/Skegau
- Day 6 - Botswana/Skegau
- Day 7 - Kongola
- Day 8 - Kasane
- Day 9 - Chobe
Day By Day
Day 1 – Windhoek & Tsumeb
You’ll meet your guide in Windhoek and immediately set off north, travelling along beautiful dusty roads as you make your way through some of Namibia’s most spectacular landscapes as you head towards Tsumeb.
With the city falling away behind you, and nothing but the open road ahead, you can start to get a real feel for what the next few days will look like.
Heading north, you’ll pass through Okahandja, a historic town beloved for its lively woodcarving markets and deep-rooted cultural heritage.
From here, the route will take you to Otjiwarongo, a spirited farming town cradled by rolling bushveld and landscapes rich with wildlife.
The first day of the tour continues onward through Otavi, where fertile farmland, dolomite hills and pockets of greenery create a fascinating patchwork look across the land.
By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Tsumeb, a former mining town known for its storied past, beautiful gardens, and easy atmosphere.
There is time to settle into your room before dinner.
Day 2 – Okavango River
The day starts with a laid-back breakfast before the road takes you north towards Namibia’s spectacularly green Kavango Region.
The land suddenly changes from grassy savannah into greener surroundings, with huge old trees, fertile farmland, traditional villages and colourful roadside markets giving you quick glimpses into local life.
The closer you get to the mighty Okavango River, the more the scenery becomes wonderfully lush and almost tropical. The river creates a life-giving oasis, attracting abundant birdlife and wildlife to its banks, making this region an exceptional place for a few days spent on safari. The Okavango River is one of the world’s few major rivers that spills inland rather than reaching the ocean.
When you arrive at your lodge, much later in the afternoon, you’ll spend the rest of your day enjoying the peaceful river setting. This is the perfect place to relax and get into the slower pace of northern Namibia.
Dinner will be served at the lodge later in the evening, and an early night is encouraged because tomorrow you’ll be setting out early on a game drive.
Day 3 – Mahangu National Park
There’s nothing quite like starting your day to the peaceful sounds of nature. Waking up without an alarm to the brilliant sound of African birdsong is one of the best parts of being on safari.
Breakfast today will be on board a boat on the Okavango River.
As you glide along the water and enjoy a delicious meal, you will watch the park come to life around you. You’ll want to keep your eyes on the riverbanks, as you might just spot a crocodile warming itself on the sand, elephants slowly walking out from the reeds or a fish eagle perched high above the water.
Later in the afternoon, you’ll head into Mahangu National Park for a guided game drive.
The park is very small, covering just over 25 000 hectares, but its location along the Okavango floodplains makes it wildlife-rich.
The water attracts large herds of elephant and buffalo, while the floodplains are particularly important habitats for red lechwe, an elegant antelope perfectly adapted to life around the water, and for sable and roan antelope, two of Mahangu’s most sought-after sightings.
One of the greatest pleasures of Mahangu is that you never quite know what will appear around the next bend.
Your guide will help you read the tracks, listen for alarm calls and spot the smaller signs of wildlife that you might otherwise miss.
As the afternoon sun starts to sink low in the sky, you’ll make your way back to the lodge as you catch sight of the dramatic skies. There’s nothing quite like an African sunset to round off a perfect day in the bush.
Later, back at the lodge, you’ll have dinner followed by a quiet evening spent just as you please.
Day 4 – Okavango Delta
The day starts with breakfast and soon afterwards it’s time to leave the peaceful Kavango as you continue east, travelling into Botswana and one of Africa’s most extraordinary landscapes: the Okavango Delta.
Once you’ve passed through the border are behind you, the land around you will start to take on an even wilder look, as you begin to approach the Okavango Delta.
The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest inland deltas. The annual floodwaters arrive during Botswana’s dry winter, when wildlife is most reliant on the delta, making the months of May to August particularly great times to book a tour. In the delta you’ll come across an exceptional variety of wildlife, including elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog and hippo.
When you arrive at your lodge, much later in the afternoon, you’ll have time to settle in, and you can spend the rest of the afternoon watching the wetlands for signs of animals, listening to the birds and enjoying the view as the light slowly changes, before having dinner.
Day 5 – Okavango Delta
You’ll start your morning early, when the Delta is at its most peaceful and the wildlife sightings at their very best.
After breakfast, you’ll make your way to the mokoro station, where you’ll climb aboard one of these traditional dugout canoes.
With a local poler at the helm, you’ll be guided through the waterways, following routes that only the poler knows are there.
The mokoro moves almost silently through the narrow channels which are bordered by reeds and water lilies.
Without an engine or the rush of a vehicle, you’ll become much more aware of the little things like a dragonfly skimming the water, a bird calling from the reeds, or the sudden movement of something beneath the surface.
Your poler will share stories of the Delta and point out the plants, wildlife and waterways that make this ecosystem such a unique place.
As the afternoon draws to a close, you’ll make your way back to the lodge for dinner and the most relaxing night.
Day 6 – Okavango Delta
There is something wonderfully different about mornings here in the Okavango Delta. The distant call of birds, the movement of the water, and just knowing that the day ahead could be full of excitement.
You’ll enjoy a morning doing what you please, or you can join the optional activity, which is a visit to Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most important cultural places.
Known as the “Louvre of the Desert,” Tsodilo is home to thousands of ancient San rock paintings, some of which are believed to date back thousands of years. The hills also have a deep spiritual significance for the San people.
Later in the afternoon, you’ll head out for a sunset boat cruise.
As you glide across the water, keep an eye on the banks and reed beds for wildlife coming to drink, while your guide points out the smaller details of life in the Delta.
When the sun starts to set, the waterways turn into shades of gold, pink and deep orange, reflected almost perfectly in the still water. With a drink in hand and little more than open sky and wilderness around you, it’s an idyllic way to end the day.
The day comes to an end with dinner back at the lodge.
Day 7 – Zambezi Region
You’ll be up early and have a slow, hearty breakfast before you leave the waterways of the Okavango and make your way back into Namibia.
The long road will take you through northern Botswana before you cross into the Zambezi Region, a part of Namibia that feels worlds away from the country’s more famous desert landscapes.
The Zambezi Region was once known as the Caprivi Strip, and the name is still commonly used by travellers and locals. It is one of Namibia’s wettest regions, and several major rivers, including the Kwando, Zambezi, Chobe and Linyanti, run through or past it, giving the region life.
By the time you reach Kongola, the tour slows down again, as you arrive at your lodge.
The lodge sits beside the Kwando River, and it is surrounded by thick vegetation and the peaceful sounds of the bush.
You can settle in, take a drink down to the water to watch the sunset, and enjoy the simple pleasure of having nowhere else to be. Dinner will be served later on in the evening.
Day 8 – Chobe National Park
The bright new day begins with breakfast. While enjoying your delicious meal, you’ll look out over the beautiful Kwando River. You’ll then climb aboard the vehicle and head east, into the Zambezi Region, and then into Botswana.
Your first destination is Kasane, a small tourist town, close to the point where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet.
The town is also perhaps better known as the town that will give you access to Chobe National Park, a conservation reserve well-known for being home to massive elephant populations, the biggest on the continent.
Following a morning out on the road, you’ll arrive at the lodge and have time to rest before you travel to the Chobe River for a sunset safari, where you’ll see elephants, crocodiles, hippos, antelope, zebra and, if you are lucky, predators like lions and leopards.
With the sun setting, creating a golden glow on the water, the boat will start making its way back to shore, and after that you’ll return to your lodge for a peaceful night. Dinner will be on your own account this evening.
Day 9 – Victoria Falls
The scenery changes completely today as, after a good breakfast, you’ll be crossing the border into Zimbabwe to see the always majestic Victoria Falls.
The drive today will be short, and it’ll take you to the lively town of Victoria Falls, where you’ll settle into your hotel. There’s no time to waste today, and as soon as you’ve put your bags down, you’ll be heading to the falls.
Of all the beautiful attractions in Africa, this is one place you’ll want to take your time seeing.
One of the best ways to see the falls is to follow the rainforest paths and stop to enjoy the sights at the different viewpoints. Each stop will give you a whole new perspective of the enormous curtain of water as it disappears into the gorge below.
The local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, translates beautifully as “the smoke that thunders”, and it is a fitting description when you first see the spray rising high above the Zambezi and hear the tremendous roar of the water.
The day ends with dinner, and tonight you can decide where to eat.
Day – Departure
There’s just enough time for one last look at the Victoria Falls after breakfast, before your transfer to Victoria Falls Airport, marking the end of this incredible 8-day adventure.
This tour ends in Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe.
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions
- 9 overnights in comfortable, locally standard accommodation
- 9 breakfasts and 7 dinners (Kasane and Victoria Falls excluded)
- Transport in vehicles suited to the region, together with fuel and insurance
- An experienced tour guide for the full trip
- All national park entry fees as per the itinerary
- A breakfast boat cruise on the Okavango River
- A guided game drive through Mahangu National Park
- A traditional mokoro excursion in the north-western Okavango Delta
- A sunset boat cruise on the Nguma Lagoon
- A boat cruise on the Chobe River
- A guided walk through the rainforest paths of Victoria Falls
Exclusions
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Optional and recommended Excursions
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Visa fees (where applicable)
Getting There
This tour begins in Windhoek, Namibia, which is well connected by regular flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town, along with long-haul connections from European cities such as Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Your first day starts with a pick-up from your Windhoek accommodation, from where the tour heads north towards Tsumeb.
The tour comes to a close in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. From there, Victoria Falls International Airport connects you onward to Johannesburg, Cape Town and other regional hubs for your flight home.
Offered By
Kurt Safari is a Hazyview-based company founded by Kurt Schultz, who spent 7 years as an overland guide, working in East and Southern Africa, before returning home to the Kruger.
Over the past 17 years, Kurt Safari has grown into one of the park’s most established tour operators, staffed by local guides from the Greater Kruger region, and providing clients with a long list of tour options, some of which extend into Namibia.
Rated the top Kruger Park safari company on TripAdvisor for 9 years running, and backed by SATIB insurance and SATSA accreditation, Kurt Safari’s approach to every safari is to make the experience as authentic and wild as possible.
Been on this safari? Share your experience and help other travellers plan their trip.
Write a review10 Days Wildlife and Waterfalls
Do I need a visa to visit Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Many visitors from the UK, US, EU and Commonwealth countries can obtain a visa on arrival or travel visa-free for short stays, though Zimbabwe’s KAZA UniVisa is worth asking about if you would like the option of a day trip into Botswana or Zambia. It is best to confirm the latest requirements with your travel consultant or the relevant embassy before you depart.
Is this route through Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe a malaria area?
Yes. The Zambezi and Kavango regions of Namibia, the Okavango Delta and Chobe in Botswana, and the Victoria Falls area of Zimbabwe all fall within malaria zones, particularly during the wetter summer months. Antimalarial medication, a good insect repellent and covered clothing at dawn and dusk are all worth packing, and it is sensible to speak with a travel doctor before you leave.
What currency should I bring for this tour?
Namibia’s currency is the Namibian dollar, which is pegged to the South African rand, and both are widely accepted. Botswana uses the pula, while Zimbabwe’s tourism industry runs largely on US dollars alongside the local Zimbabwe dollar. A little US cash on hand is useful for tips, small purchases and border fees along the way.
When is the best time of year for wildlife along this route?
The dry winter months, roughly May to October, tend to give the finest game viewing, as animals gather close to the permanent waters of the Chobe River and Okavango Delta. If your heart is set on gliding through the Delta by mokoro, the winter flood, usually at its fullest between June and August, is a particularly beautiful time to travel.
What should I pack for a multi-country safari like this one?
Light, layered clothing in soft neutral tones works well, with a warmer layer for cool desert mornings and evenings. Comfortable closed shoes will serve you well on game drives and the rainforest walk at Victoria Falls, alongside insect repellent, sun protection and a passport with several blank pages and at least six months of validity remaining for your border crossings.
