2027 Namibia & Okavango Delta Odyssey

An early morning departure for Perth from Auckland. On arrival in Perth, we transfer to our flight to Johannesburg, arriving this evening. After clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel near the airport.

After breakfast, we are transferred back to the airport in time to join the flight to Windhoek, Namibia.

Upon arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, you will be met by your tour guide who will transfer you to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital where we will undertake a short orientation tour of the city. Windhoek, with it’s colonial legacy is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste (Old Fort), the 1896 Christuskirche (Christ Church), and the more contemporary Supreme Court. Tonight we have our group welcome dinner.

Begin your day with an early morning departure from the hotel to Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary. Experience an up-close look at the inner workings of a wildlife sanctuary and this incredible Conservation Foundation. During this immersive visit, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the N/a’an ku sê world, the day-to-day operations of the sanctuary, and the diverse animal species under care. Meet the adorable sanctuary orphans, including the charming baby baboons—an experience that is truly unforgettable. Return to the hotel early afternoon, with the afternoon at leisure before dinner at a local restaurant.

Today we journey south from Windhoek, traveling along roads that wind through the mountains encircling the basin where the city lies. Our route takes us through Rehoboth, home to Namibia’s Baster community, before heading toward the iconic Namib Desert and one of the country’s most celebrated attractions: Sossusvlei, with its striking red dunes. We will reach Sossusvlei Lodge in the early afternoon, where we will spend the next two nights. After settling in, there’s time to refresh before an optional nature drive around the lodge’s property. As the day winds down, enjoy dinner beneath the vast, starlit Namibian sky.

An early start this morning promises a spectacular reward: a breathtaking display of 50 or more shades of red. After an early coffee, we board our coach for an exhilarating day exploring Sossusvlei. Home to some of the tallest dunes in the world, these monumental star-shaped dunes are a paradise for photographers and artists alike. As the sun rises, the colours shift dramatically, from deep apricot to fiery red and every shade in between. We leave the coach a few kilometres from the vlei and transfer to a 4×4 shuttle, giving you the chance to climb the awe-inspiring dunes and explore iconic sites such as Deadvlei and Dune 45. Our journey continues to the dramatic Sesriem Canyon before returning to the lodge for a relaxing afternoon.

After breakfast head toward the coast and the cooler, refreshing climate of Swakopmund. Our journey takes us along the northern edges of Namib-Naukluft Park, where we will encounter the remarkable Welwitschia mirabilis, a plant that can live for over 2,000 years and produces only two leaves in its entire lifetime.

We also stop at the Moon Landscape, where ancient Damara granites were pushed through the Earth’s crust some 500 to 460 million years ago. Once a towering mountain range, it has been gradually eroded over time, with the Swakop River further sculpting the area over the past two million years into a dramatic ‘Badlands’ terrain.  We continue to arrive in Swakopmund, a charming desert town perched between sand and sea and

established by the German colonists in 1892.

This morning, we set off on our journey to the renowned Etosha National Park. The drive takes us through Namibia’s striking landscapes, offering glimpses of open plains, distant mountains, and the occasional wildlife along the way. It is a long but scenic journey, giving you the chance to relax, enjoy the passing scenery, and soak in the unique atmosphere of the Namibian countryside. We arrive at our lodge in the afternoon with the remainder of the day is at leisure before dinner at the lodge tonight.

An exciting day ahead! We enjoy a full day of game viewing in our touring vehicle today, calling at the various waterholes in search of wildlife. The park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, boasting hundreds of species of mammals, birds, and reptiles, including several threatened and endangered species such as the black rhinoceros. Return to the Lodge for lunch before another full afternoon in the park.

Today offers another exciting opportunity to explore the wonders of Etosha National Park, as we make our way toward the eastern side of the park, where we will exit later this evening. Established as a game reserve on March 22, 1907, Etosha spans an impressive 22,270 square kilometres (8,600 sq. mi.) and is named after the vast Etosha Pan, which lies almost entirely within its boundaries. This is a day to immerse yourself in the unique beauty of Etosha and experience the thrill of encountering its diverse inhabitants up close.

It is a long day’s driving today as we make our way eastwards of the Etosha National Park, then via Otjiwarongo and Okahandja south towards Windhoek.  In Okahandja, the traditional home of the Herero people of Namibia, we will call at the local wood carvers’ market where we have the opportunity to buy some of these crafts before continuing to Windhoek.  Upon arrival, we will have time to freshen up before meeting up for a final dinner as a group.

Transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport for your flight Windhoek to Maun. From Maun, you will have a light aircraft transfer from Maun to Mma Dinare Lodge, where we will stay for 2 nights.

Today is a full day of game activities. You can choose from a guided mokoro (dugout canoe) excursion, a traditional game drive or a walking safari led by experienced guides who will share their knowledge of the region’s unique flora and fauna with you. You can expect close encounters with elephants, lions, hippos, and a dazzling array of birdlife, all set against the serene backdrop of winding channels, papyrus reeds, and seasonal floodplains.

This morning we will transfer by light aircraft to Splash Camp where we will spend the next 3 nights.

Enjoy two full days of game activities in this incredible part of the Okavango Delta. Splash Camp specializes in mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions, where you will quietly glide through narrow channels, observing hippos, elephants, and a spectacular array of birdlife up close. Traditional game drives in open 4×4 vehicles allow for sightings of lions, leopards, and other big game across the surrounding plains, while guided walking safaris offer a closer look at the delta’s flora, smaller wildlife, and tracks, accompanied by expert guides sharing local knowledge.

This morning we have a light aircraft transfer to Kasane Airport where we will connect our flight to Johannesburg. On arrival, we will

Arrive Sydney late this afternoon to connect with our flight to Auckland arriving late this evening.