Chameleon Holidays & Travel for Safaris & Vacations in Africa | Namibia & Botswana Deserts of Namibia to Floodplains of Okavango Delta Namibia and Botswana

13 Day Deserts of Namibia to Floodplains of Okavango Delta
3-4* Accommodated Self Drive and Botswana Fly In - Honeymooners - Gold Level 

Day 1&2    Bagatelle Game Ranch, Kalahari Desert
Upon arrival from your flight you will collect your vehicle and drive from the airport into the heart of the Kalahari Basin.  For the first two nights of your holiday you will be based in this 7,000ha game reserve.  Formerly a sheep and cattle farm it is now home to various species of game such as kudu, giraffe, springbok and also cheetah – the cheetah are part of a conservation programme run by CCF – Cheetah Conservation Fund and will give you a chance to see these elegant cats at close quarters.  There is also a family of meerkats living close to the lodge and their antics are guaranteed to entertain you.  The main lodge has an excellent library, dining area and lounge as well as a swimming pool to relax around.  Activities include nature and sunset drives, visits to the cheetah reserve and nature walks.  Overnight is based in a double room with en-suite facilities on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Days 3&4            Wolwedans Dunes Camp
Your drive today takes you across to Wolwedans, set in the NamibRand Nature Reserve and overlooks the desert plains and mountains.  Upon arrival you will be taken to your en-suite tent and have time to relax before joining a sundowner excursion later in the afternoon - activities are included but of course, you may choose to relax and not join them. Sundowner drives are of about 1-2 hours duration travelling about 10km into the dunes where drinks will be served to enhance the wonderful sunsets.  The return drive is in the dark and brings you back just in time for dinner.  Try out one sunset in the dunes and on at the lodge/camp. Morning or afternoon drives cover a distance of about 40-50km and take 3-4 hours.  Afternoon scenic drives are often combined with sunset in the dunes.  A day drive is a truly memorable excursion - covering a distance of about 120km it offers the highest degree of diversity as well as a better understanding of the dimensions of the NamibRand Conservancy.  Also a delicious picnic lunch is served in the middle of nowhere!  The day drive leaves after breakfast and returns approximately an hour before sunset.  You'll be able to discuss your options when you arrive. Overnight is in a double/twin room on a fully inclusive basis

Days 5&6         Desert Homestead, Namib Naukluft Park
With just 1-2hours drive to your next destination today there is ample opportunity to laze around in bed or take another walk before departing. However, the landscape along the way changes dramatically as you leave the flat topped mountains and descends to the desert floor with huge open plains and endless vistas. The lodge has a large terrace with a rock garden and a beautifully refreshing swimming pool, each of the chalets are private and welcoming with their own verandah overlooking the desert.   he interiors are simple to look at but nevertheless stylish and elegant.  From here you can explore Sossusvlei and the incredible sand dune sea that Namibia is notorious for.  This can be seen with an optional activity run by the lodge or alternatively you can drive yourselves.  These towering dunes stand around 250-300m above the plains and are part of the oldest desert in the world, a fascinating variation of plant and animal life survive in this harsh environment.  It’s worth the early morning to see the colours change in the desert as the sun rises over the horizon casting shadows first thing before softening to pastel colours during the heat of the day and best explored before the scorching sun makes it too hot.  Nearby Sesriem Canyon is also worth a visit before you return to the lodge later.  Desert Homestead also offers sunset horse rides for those more adventurous.  Overnight is on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Day 7             Amani Lodge, outside Windhoek
Leave the desert behind and drive high into the mountains, Amani Lodge is located just 45minutes drive from Windhoek and is the highest lodge in Namibia at around 2150m with panoramic views of the mountains and amazing sunsets.  Arrive by lunchtime (it will take around 4.5-5hours) and this afternoon you will join an excursion to visit their unique big cat experience, here you will see the cheetah that are part of a Cheetah Conservation Fund project, where it is hoped these predators will form a coalition so they can be released and survive successfully in the wild, you will also have the chance to see lion and leopard. Overnight is in a double/twin room with en-suite facilities, bed and breakfast and a Big Cats Tour activity included.

Day 8            Olive Grove Guesthouse, Windhoek
After a leisurely start, drive to Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia where you can head out to buy some last minute gifts or explore the city, you may choose to simply relax by the pool or enjoy a massage at Olive Grove.  Overnight is based in a double room with en-suite on a bed and breakfast basis.  Additional meals at own expense. Olive Grove: A small, upmarket accommodation establishment situated close to the Windhoek city centre in a quiet, peaceful area. Each room has a large verandah with tables and chairs for al fresco dining. There’s an open-air lounge, spa bath, plunge pool and tranquil garden so each guest can unwind and relax under Namibia’s open skies.  The inside lounge is tastefully decorated, with comfortable chairs and a fireplace in front of which to relax along with an open plan kitchen creates a homely feel while providing tasty meals.  A wellness room offers a selection of massages and professional services to help guests relax and de-stress after a long flight or for just the perfect end to an adventurous holiday

Days 9-12            Okavango Delta, Botswana
                             -2 nights Moremi Crossing fully inclusive
                             -2 nights Pom Pom Camp fully inclusive
This morning you will drive to the airport where you will drop your vehicle and take your onward flight to Maun.  From here you will be collected and join a 4-night safari, your adventure starts with a scenic flight from Maun and takes in the magnificence of the winding, papyrus fringed channels that make up one of the worlds greatest wetland regions. You will be able to see some of Africa's most celebrated animals from a bird's eye view –500 FT above the ground. Overlooking the legendary Chiefs Island and bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Moremi Crossing is a new 16 tented camp built on a palm fringed island surrounded by the Moremi's game-rich seasonal floodplains and overlooking Chief's Island.

Moremi Crossing - is a new style safari camp combining luxury with simplicity. This is a 100% eco-friendly development featuring the latest in solar and waste disposal technology. Accommodation consists of 16 en-suite and spacious tents on raised decks, each with their own verandah. There is a family tent and a honeymoon tent.  The main building consists of a large open plan deck that has a spectacular view over the Boro River onto Chief's Island. This crescent-shaped area is built on different levels to give you the feeling of space. The dining room, bar and lounge are covered by a large thatched roof that hugs the tree line. Various small private lounge areas have been created for comfort, privacy and spaciousness. Within the tree line you will find a nice shaded decked area that leads to the pool.  Activities on offer are half or full day mokoro trips with game walks, island camping and sunset motorboat cruises.  Fully inclusive basis.  You will take a charted flight from Moremi Crossing to PomPom Camp. 

Pom Pom Camp -The camp is located on Pom Pom Island in a private concession situated in the heart of the Delta and has nine luxury safari tents in a true safari style.  All of the tents have full en-suite semi open ablution facilities to appreciate the full beauty of the region.  The main building is constructed of thatch and canvas and comprises of a lounge, dining, bar and pool area, as well as a gift shop and boma area.  Activities include game drives, night drives, mokoro trips and walks.  You will have the chance of seeing all major predators, a variety of big and plains game, as well as an abundance of bird life including noisy plovers, knob-billed ducks, saddle-billed storks and a whole variety of colourful kingfishers and a wealth of other residents.  Overnight is in luxury tents on a fully inclusive basis – please note that this section of the itinerary may be reversed.  Fully inclusive with chartered flights

Day 13                        Maun
You will be flown back to Maun this morning where you can take your onward connection. End of services