Embarking on a safari adventure across Namibia and Botswana is a journey into the heart of untamed beauty. In Namibia, the vast landscapes of Etosha National Park unfold, revealing herds of elephants, giraffes, and lions against the backdrop of its iconic salt pan. Botswana's Okavango Panhandle region offers a unique water-based safari, navigating through winding channels teeming with hippos and crocodiles. This life-changing tour culminates with a visit to the spectacular Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Begin your journey with an exploration of the vast, majestic Namibian desert. From here you’ll be embarking on a safari adventure across Namibia and Botswana; a journey into the heart of untamed beauty.
Arrival into Windhoek, where you’ll meet your local representative and be transferred to your hotel where you’ll be spending the afternoon and evening at leisure – relaxing after your flight.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast at your hotel you’ll be travelling to the majestic Namib Desert to begin your African adventures. On arrival the afternoon will be at leisure.
Breakfast & Dinner
Today you’ll be taken on an excursion across the Namib Desert where you’ll experience Sossusvlei's mesmerizing red dunes, the eerie beauty of Dead Vlei's white clay pan, and the rugged beauty of Sesriem Canyon.
Breakfast & Dinner
This morning you’ll continue your journey to the settlement of Solitaire on the edge of the Namib Naukluft National Park before travelling via the desolate, rolling hills of the Kuiseb Valley towards the Atlantic Ocean. The afternoon is set aside for leisure to explore Swakopmund and its palm-lined streets, seaside promenades and relaxed atmosphere.
Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast you’ll be taken on a morning cruise to spot dolphins and seals and the rest of the day will be at leisure where you can enjoy Swakopmund’s delightful blend of coastal charm and adventure – from exploring rolling dunes to savouring seaside cuisine.
Breakfast
This day is the end of your pre-extension. Travel from Swakopmund to Etosha National Park where you will mean your tour group. Etosha National Park is famous for its vast amount of wildlife and stunning landscapes. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.
Breakfast & Dinner
This morning, meet your expert local guide and set off on an exhilarating full-day safari through Etosha National Park. As you traverse its diverse landscapes, keep your eyes peeled for iconic wildlife, from towering giraffes and mighty elephants to stealthy lions and herds of grazing antelope. With every turn, the park’s breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife promise an unforgettable safari experience in one of Africa’s most remarkable natural reserves.
Breakfast & Dinner
Today you will set out on another thrilling full-day safari, offering even more opportunities to witness Africa’s most revered wildlife up close. Journey across the vast landscapes of Etosha National Park, encountering a diverse array of animals in their natural habitat. As the day unfolds, soak in the beauty of this extraordinary reserve before concluding your adventure with a stay at a second lodge in the northern region of the park, where a well-earned dinner awaits.
Breakfast & Dinner
Today you’ll be travelling via the rural Ovamboland and traditional villages to Divindu, located on the edge of the Mahango National Park. Here, there’ll be an optional afternoon boat cruise on the Okavango River, or you could choose to walk around the local village instead.
Breakfast & Dinner
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Mahango National Park, a true paradise for birdwatchers and wildlife lovers. Home to a rich variety of fauna, from elephants and antelopes to rare bird species, this hidden gem offers a serene yet exciting safari experience. Later, cross the border into Botswana, where your journey continues into the Panhandle of the Okavango Delta, a region teeming with natural beauty and wildlife.
Breakfast & Dinner
Begin your first morning in Botswana with a tranquil 'mokoro' trip along the serene waterways of the Okavango River. Gliding silently through the reeds in a traditional dugout canoe, you'll have the rare opportunity to observe wildlife undisturbed in their natural habitat, from vibrant birdlife to grazing antelope along the banks. In the afternoon, opt for another unforgettable experience with a boat cruise, offering a different perspective of this breathtaking ecosystem.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Set off for the Tsodilo Hills, a breathtaking landscape near the Namibian border. These towering quartzite rock formations rise dramatically from the surrounding desert, standing as silent witnesses to over 100,000 years of human history. Known as the "Louvre of the Desert," the hills are home to over 4,500 ancient rock paintings, offering a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural traditions of the region’s early inhabitants. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich in archaeology and folklore, before enjoying a packed lunch amid this awe-inspiring setting.
Breakfast & Dinner
This morning takes us back into Botswana and the world-renowned Chobe National Park. The following two nights are spent in a special corner of the African wilderness, where two mighty rivers meet; a wetland paradise that is a haven for nature and wildlife – it has the largest concentration of elephants found anywhere in Africa.
Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast at the lodge you’ll be guided on an early morning safari across the Chobe National Park, enjoying captivating panoramas and the chance to see elephants and lions in their natural habitat. Spend the afternoon on a stunning sunset cruise along the Chobe River, offering a serene escape into Botswana's wilderness – offering a chance to see a diverse range of wildlife thriving along its banks.
Breakfast
This morning journey across the Botswanan border into Zimbabwe, where a warm welcome awaits. Upon arrival at your hotel, take the afternoon to unwind and soak in your surroundings at your own pace. Whether you choose to relax by the pool, explore the local area, or simply enjoy the hotel's amenities, this is the perfect opportunity to recharge before your unforgettable visit to the breathtaking Victoria Falls tomorrow morning.
Breakfast & Dinner
Take part in an excursion to the famous Victoria Falls which will immerse you in the awe-inspiring grandeur of its cascading waters, misted rainbows, and the vibrant energy of this natural wonder. The afternoon will be spent at leisure and in the evening you’ll be treated to a traditional Boma dinner by way of a fond farewell for this unforgettable safari experience.
Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, or to continue on to your chosen extension.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 3 blank pages.
Namibia visa requirements
You will need to purchase a visa for Namibia on arrival. The cost of this is approximately NAD 1,600 (approximately £70). Please note that you will need to have at least three completely blank page in your passport for the Namibian visa to be issued. Alternatively, you can apply for your visa online at https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries.
**Botswana visa requirements **
British passport holders are not currently required to obtain a visa to travel to Botswana.
Zimbabwe visa requirements
British passport holders are required to obtain a visa to travel to Zimbabwe. You can apply for an e-visa online prior to travel or you can purchase one upon arrival. If purchasing a visa upon arrival, please ensure you have the correct amount of cash as change isn't always available. The cost of a single entry visa is approximately $55.
We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. When calling the Travel Visa Company, they will advise you of any changes to the fees or the procedure, they will also advise you of all information they will require in order to apply for the visa. We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding these.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, or your General Practitioner.
All our tours feature a “Tour Pace” to help find the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights, climb stairs and get on and off coaches and boats. The tour pace of A Southern African Odyssey is rated Active. A good level of fitness is required as you will have early mornings, and some long days driving on uneven terrain. You will be walking around the sights (some have long distances to reach them or stairs to climb) and getting on and off coaches and boats and walking on uneven terrain. You will stay in variety of hotels throughout the tour that may have stairs or uneven walkways. Our guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
The currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar. The South African Rand is also widely accepted. Cash machines will also be available throughout your stay in Namibia to withdraw money in the local currency.
The currency in Botswana is the Botswana Pula (BWP) but US Dollars are also accepted in most hotels/lodges and big shops. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATM’s are available in most cities.
The Zimbabwean dollar is no longer valid currency, with all transactions are currently conducted in US dollars ($). We recommend having cash before you travel as credit card machines and ATM’s are available but unreliable.
We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. Some local banks will not change money back into Pound Sterling, so do not exchange too much. It is advisable to carry smaller note denominations as some outlets and vendors may not accept the larger notes.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, any meals not included in the itinerary as well as drinks and any additional snacks. We recommend you bring along a minimum of £400-£500 per person to change to local currency. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases.
It is at your discretion to tip both your driver and guide.
We would recommend tipping approximately $5 per person per day for the guide. $5 per person for the external rangers. This is a total of $90 per person to budget for tips on your trip.
Tips are accepted in the local currency.
This is an escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will be joined by a local guide in Botswana during you activities, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. If your group consists of 6-9 people, you will have a Driver Guide accompany you. If your group consists of 10 or more people, then you will have a Driver and a Guide accompany you.
This is an escorted extension, meaning the you will have the services of an English speaking guide during each excursion ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels or lodges. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. Scheduled power outages, commonly referred to as load shedding, can be a common occurrence in South Africa. While most hotels and lodges are equipped to mitigate the effects of load shedding, ensuring that your comfort and convenience are maintained to the best of our ability, it's important to acknowledge that not all establishments may be fully functional during these times. As a result, you may experience temporary disruptions to certain amenities such as air-conditioning, television services, the operation of electric kettles, etc. The hotels/lodges and your guide however, will do their utmost to minimize any impact on your stay. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs
Western and international food will be served however some establishments will serve traditional meals giving you a chance to experience local flavours. Vegetarian and Vegan options available, please request prior to departure. Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. Bottled water will be available at shops and hotels/lodges.
On your arrival you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Sense of Africa Namibia, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Sense of Africa Namibia representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.
Please find below the emergency contact details for Sense of Africa Namibia Telephone number 24 hr: +264 (0)81 127 0102. E-mail: etosha@tourvestdm.com
