Namibia and Botswana safari vacation

Our bestselling overland expedition mixes wild camping with local-lodges, exploring the best wildlife-rich areas, including the Kalahari, Okavango and Etosha. All under the care of our partners who live in Africa and actively contribute to conservation.
Livingstone Victoria Falls Rafting on Zambezi River Caprivi Strip Kwando River Etosha National Park Brandberg Mountain Desert elephants Swakopmund Cape Cross seal colony Namib Desert Sossusvlei Windhoek Kalahari San Bushman walk Dugout canoe ride on Okavango Delta Makgadigadi Pans Chobe National Park Kasane Optional: Sea kayaking, dune boarding
Price
US $4485ToUS $4835excluding flights
Duration
21 Days
Countries
Botswana, Namibia
Type
Small group
Group size
Up to 12 people
Reviews
More info
Entrance fees, transport while on safari, meals as per itinerary, professional guides & Okavango Delta mokoro excursion.
Single supplement: USD 831
Last minute
We still have a few spots left on December 2026 departures - inquire now!
Make enquiry

Description of Namibia and Botswana safari vacation

Map

Price information

US $4485ToUS $4835excluding flights
Entrance fees, transport while on safari, meals as per itinerary, professional guides & Okavango Delta mokoro excursion.
Single supplement: USD 831
Make enquiry

Check dates, prices & availability

Travel guides

Wilderness
Learn why protecting these havens of biodiversity is so critically important and how your visit can encourage that.
Wildlife tracking on foot
‘Take only photographs, leave only footprints’ is never truer than here.

Vacation information

Our top tip:
Tap water is drinkable across much of southern Africa; bring a refillable bottle to keep costs - and plastic waste - down.
Trip type:
Small group safari, max. 12 people.
Activity level:
Moderate.
Accomm:
18 nights in chalets, permanent tents and guesthouses. 2 nights in tented camp.
Solos:
Solo travelers welcome. Single rooms available with surcharge.
Included:
Accommodation, most meals, transport, safari guided, sleeping bags, listed activities.
Meals:
20 breakfasts, 17 lunches, 12 dinners.
'Free from' food:
We can cater for Vegans, Vegetarians, gluten free and celiac. We will just need to know this ahead of time when the bookings are being made.
LGBT:
With experience of personally guiding tours through a large number of African countries, and having previously led groups including LGBT travelers through those countries, I have not experienced any issues in accommodations or during the trip as a whole to date. The important thing is to know the local laws and gain an understanding of local points of view before you travel – we can advise you on these and the UK Foreign office FCO also has lots of country-specific information on local laws and customs. If a country is on the conservative side, generally being careful not to openly show affection in public for example is enough to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. All our guides are welcoming of LGBT travelers and will be happy to give advice on the trip when/where needed.

Reviews

41 Reviews of Namibia and Botswana safari vacation

4.5 out of 5 stars
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Reviewed on 14 Jul 2026 by

I think the tour operator really have got it right with their choice of guides, accommodation and daily itinerary that made it such a special adventure. Thank you guys - keep going! Read full review

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026 by

Very good. Making a lot of new friends on the tour, early evening boat rides, sandboarding on Namibian sand dunes and seeing 30 elephant swim in Chobe. Was great not to stay in international hotel chains, etc. Read full review

Reviewed on 07 Sep 2026 by

A fantastic though tiring trip. Max, the driver was exceptional. Victoria falls from both Zambia and Zimbabwe side. Etosha national Park. Okavango Delta and Chobe N.P. All accommodation was very good. Read full review

Reviewed on 17 Nov 2025 by

We loved this trip from start to finish. It was challenging at times, and we found there to be very little down time, but we would do it again in a heartbeat! Communication in the planning phase with both Responsible Travel and the host company was excellent and we felt in good hands throughout the trip, both on the ground, with our guide and driver who were competent, careful and very informative, and back at base where we felt we would have good back up in the event of any incident. There were opportunities to see amazing wildlife and incredible scenery but also to meet so many wonderful people. This variety helped make the trip unforgettable. Read full review

Reviewed on 21 Sep 2025 by

Getting up close to so many amazing animals. Brian Maundo and TJ Langer were excellent guides. Read full review

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025 by

An excellent trip which I can unreservedly recommend. Read full review

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025 by

Full on and absolutely fabulous. The participation level was more than was suggested in the brochure, but everyone getting involved brought our group together making us all good friends. Read full review

Reviewed on 18 May 2025 by

The guides who were knowledgeable, patient, humourous and kind - made our group into a family. It was everything we hoped for and more! Great accommodation, lots of opportunity to experience Africa. Read full review

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025 by

Very good opportunity to get a flavour of Namibia and Botswana, packs in a lot of destinations en route so time spent at each location is limited. Itinerary does not include the unique flora and fauna of the Namib desert which is a ‘must see’ for any keen naturalist. Read full review

Reviewed on 20 May 2025 by

Okavango Delta experience and climbing up Namib sand dunes. Overall experience was great (...). Guides were great, so was our small group. We became one family. Read full review

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025 by

5 stars Read full review

Reviewed on 28 Sep 2024 by

10 out of 10. In fact it exceeded my expectations. It was an amazing experience. The variety of things we did was great. Being so close to the animals in real life. Meeting new people and sharing our experiences. Read full review

Reviewed on 08 Sep 2024 by

A life changing experience! Read full review

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2024 by

Unforgettable Read full review

Reviewed on 15 Apr 2024 by

The most memorable part of the vacation was wild camping in Okavango delta / rafting on Zambezi river. Read full review

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2023 by

The whole experience was amazing, though we have always wanted to visit the Okavango....and it didn't disappoint! Read full review

Reviewed on 05 Oct 2023 by

Best vacation of my life.....The game drives, definitely the walking safari in the Okovango delta and the Chobe river cruise. Read full review

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2023 by

Without doubt the natural landscapes and wildlife parks of Namibia were the most memorable. The distances between them might be vast (+6 hours per day travel time on average) but there was still plenty to see between the major destinations. Read full review

Reviewed on 12 Sep 2023 by

Desert Elephants most memorable Read full review

Reviewed on 01 Dec 2022 by

Five stars. I could have spent the rest of my life on the truck traveling around Africa. Read full review

Reviewed on 24 Nov 2021 by

Totally amazing. Every day was different, varied and exciting. So, impossible to order them. Fish river canyon, Sossusvlei, the Okavango, Chobe, Vic falls, all amazing. Read full review

Reviewed on 28 Nov 2019 by

Every day was another adventure. We loved seeing all of the animals and birds and the landscapes were spectacular. Read full review

Reviewed on 04 Nov 2019 by

It was not a vacation it was an adventure. Read full review

Reviewed on 01 Nov 2019 by

The most memorable part of the vacation was seeing the big African animals and birds in their natural environment. Read full review

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2019 by

The whole trip was great and the days very varied. Read full review

Reviewed on 06 Aug 2019 by

The most memorable part of the vacation was having the guide/driver share their passion for the countries we visited and their people. Also sharing their in depth knowledge about the wildlife. Food the guides cooked was delicious ! Great variety of safari, river cruises, desert, delta and village life. Be prepared for early starts and some long days. Read full review

Reviewed on 07 Feb 2019 by

Exceeded all our expectations... Sleeping in a bamboo tree-house with a deck overlooking the river and listening to the hippos as you fall asleep takes some beating. Read full review

Reviewed on 09 Oct 2018 by

The wonderful variety of wildlife and the magnificent beauty of the Namib desert Read full review

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2018 by

Truly excellent! There was a good mixed group of people, but overall our guides, Jeff & Tawanda, really made the trip as good as it was. They worked hard, were up first, and to bed last. Always cheerful and smiling, full of information about the regions we were traveling through, the animals and people. Read full review

Reviewed on 06 Nov 2018 by

I enjoyed the vacation and felt it was good value for money. Read full review

Reviewed on 09 May 2018 by

Worthwhile. I will go again, perhaps to a different location at a different time of the year to complete my sightings of the Big 5. Read full review

Reviewed on 15 Apr 2018 by

There were many memorable moments - rainstorm in the desert. Climbing Dune 25 and Safari cruise in Nata. Itinerary good. Guides knowledgeable. Bilingual aspect impacted on enjoyment. Safety concerns as only one driver who drove for far too long in my option. Read full review

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2017 by

We enjoyed the whole experience but particularly enjoyed the Chobe River trip, because we saw such a variety of wildlife at close quarters. The plane trip over the Okavango Delta was also a highlight because it gave a wonderful overview of the area. Read full review

Reviewed on 08 May 2017 by

The Okavango Delta was incredible, but so was Victoria Falls, Etosha game drives, Dune 45 - and of course the quad biking! All of it was terrific! I absolutely loved every minute of it! Read full review

Reviewed on 23 Sep 2017 by

So many memorable parts! Victoria Falls, Etosha National Park, Namib deserts, Sossusvlei, Okavango Delta, Chobe.... what a wonderfully diverse collection of geographic experiences. Read full review

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2016 by

The guides were excellent - organised, knowledgeable and above all fun. We spent three weeks laughing. Their willingness to share their knowledge of Africa and stories told around the campfires made the areas we visited come alive. Read full review

Reviewed on 24 Oct 2016 by

Excellent. Far exceeded expectations and one of the best vacations we have been on. Read full review

Reviewed on 11 Sep 2016 by

Best bits: Chobe national park.... unbelievable. Dune 45 and Deadvlei in Namib desert. Rafting and Devil's pool in Victoria Falls... and of course Etosha park Read full review

Reviewed on 30 Nov 2015 by

Best bits: There were so many memorable moments it's hard to pick just one: walking up Dune 45 early in the morning, watching the animals at the water holes in Etosha, staying in a tree house! Read full review

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2015 by

We had fantastic animals encounters in several places including Mosi oa Tunya, Mahango, Etosha and Chobe. The walking safari in Mosi oa Tunya was very special, we got great views of giraffe and white rhinos on foot. The landscape and animals at Etosha are just breath taking, we saw lions there and many other animals and birds. Read full review

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2015 by

Fantastic! We loved every minute of it. Guides were lovely people, very good at their job and we enjoyed the team working aspect of group participation in cooking and camp activities. Read full review

Responsible Travel

As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) vacation so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your vacation to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.

Planet

Small Group Travel
We specialise in small group safaris, with a maximum of 12 and a minimum of 4 clients per tour. Traveling together means transport and activities are shared between a limited number of travelers, while our experienced guides manage the driving and logistics.

Fuel Use
Our purpose built safari trucks average approximately 25L/100km. With an average of 9.5 clients on board, this equates to approximately 2.6L/100km per passenger. For comparison, a typical 4WD rental using 12L/100km and carrying two people uses around 6L/100km per passenger. Actual fuel use varies according to the vehicle, route, road conditions and passenger numbers.

Waste and Water
We follow a leave no trace approach and collect waste for disposal at appropriate facilities. At our workshop, we recycle used oil and containers, use oil traps and use biodegradable cleaning products wherever practical. Our safari vehicles carry tanks of clean, safe tap water, which clients can use to refill reusable bottles, reducing the need for single use plastic water bottles.

Resources and Wildlife
Where practical, we use gas rather than wood or charcoal for cooking, particularly in remote areas where firewood is limited. We also ask clients to use water thoughtfully, especially in the drier regions we visit. Our guides follow established wildlife viewing practices, including maintaining appropriate distances, avoiding unnecessary disturbance and never feeding wild animals.

Okavango SOS Trees Project, Botswana
For generations, mokoros in the Okavango Delta have been made from sausage trees. As tourism has increased, so has demand for mokoros. To reduce the need for new trees, the host company supports the use of fibreglass mokoros, which are more durable than traditional wooden mokoros. A portion of the tour fee contributes to this project, and guests can also make additional donations. Since the project began, more than 30 traditional mokoros have been replaced with fibreglass versions, while local poler communities continue to benefit from mokoro based activities.

People

Local Crafts and Markets
When visiting curio markets, we encourage clients to buy locally made crafts and to consider smaller wooden items rather than large pieces. This supports local artisans while reducing the amount of timber required for larger carvings. When bartering, we encourage clients to do so respectfully and remember that even a small purchase can be meaningful to a local vendor.

Tours for Young People, South Africa
We run educational trips to South Africa’s national parks for young people aged 14 to 18 from Johannesburg, in partnership with the PEN Organisation. Many participants have never visited a protected area or experienced wildlife in the wild. The trips provide an opportunity to learn about nature, conservation and careers in tourism.

National Park Fees
National park entry fees contribute towards the operation and management of protected areas. Depending on the park, these funds can contribute to infrastructure, conservation activities and services for park staff and surrounding communities. Clients can ask their guide about the park fees included in their safari and how they are used.

Locally Owned Accommodation
Where practical, we use locally owned lodges, guesthouses, B&Bs and tented camps. Staying at locally owned properties means that our accommodation spend contributes to businesses operating in the areas we visit, including through local employment and the use of local services and suppliers.

Local Guides and Community Experiences
Our safaris include two professional Sunway guides, and we also use local guides and community experts for specific activities. Their knowledge provides a direct connection to the places we visit, while the activities provide income and employment within local communities.

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