Why this route.
- Sunrise excursion to the towering red dunes and ghostly camelthorn trees of Deadvlei, plus Sesriem Canyon
- Living Desert tour and coastal light on the Atlantic at Swakopmund
- Desert-adapted elephant tracking and the UNESCO-listed Twyfelfontein rock engravings in Damaraland
- Mokoro poling and game drives in a private Okavango Delta concession
- Extreme landscape contrast — towering desert dunes against the Delta's lush waterways in a single trip
- Efficient light-aircraft routing linking Namibia's desert coast to Botswana's wetlands
Perfect for.
Day by day.
Sample camps shown below — your consultant can substitute alternatives in the same region and tier.
- Day 1The Olive ExclusiveWindhoek, Namibia
- Days 2–3Wilderness Little KulalaSossusvlei, Namibia
- Days 4–5The Delight SwakopmundSwakopmund, Namibia
- Days 6–7Damaraland CampDamaraland, Namibia
- Days 8–10Jao CampOkavango Delta, Botswana
- Day 11DepartureVia Maun airport
On the map.
Photo gallery.
Includes & excludes.
Includes
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- All meals, tea & coffee at each camp
- Activities as specified — dune excursions, Living Desert tour, elephant tracking, mokoro poling, game drives, walking safaris
- Select locally-branded drinks at select properties
- Light-aircraft transfers between Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland and the Okavango Delta
- Road transfer, Windhoek → Sossusvlei
- Park & concession fees
Excludes
- International & regional scheduled flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Optional activities — Sandwich Harbour or marine excursions from Walvis Bay, scenic flights
- Personal expenses & premium-brand drinks
Handy hints.
What to pack
Lightweight, neutral-tone clothing for hot desert days, a warm layer for cold pre-dawn dune starts and chilly Swakopmund mornings, sunglasses, sun hat and comfortable walking shoes for soft sand. Full packing list on our Client Planning Reference.
Malaria
Namibia's desert regions on this route (Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland) are not malaria areas; northern Botswana and the Okavango Delta are — consult your physician or medical advisor before departure.
Gratuities
Tipping your guide and tracker is customary but never obligatory. See our full gratuities guidance.
Currency
US dollars are widely accepted at camps and lodges across both Namibia and Botswana on this route.
Detailed itinerary.
Arrival — Windhoek
Arrive into Windhoek and overnight at The Olive Exclusive, a boutique city hotel, to acclimatise before heading into the desert interior.
Transfer to Sossusvlei
Drive south to Sossusvlei, checking in to Wilderness Little Kulala on the edge of the NamibRand Nature Reserve, with private balloon-window views straight onto the dune sea.
Sossusvlei — full day
Pre-dawn departure for the red dunes and the ghostly camelthorn trees of Deadvlei, followed by a visit to Sesriem Canyon carved through ancient river sediment.
Transfer to Swakopmund
Fly or drive to the Atlantic coast, checking in to The Delight Swakopmund in this quirky German-colonial seaside town.
Swakopmund — full day
Living Desert tour tracking the "little five" across the gravel plains, with the option to add a Sandwich Harbour dune-and-ocean excursion or a marine cruise from nearby Walvis Bay.
Transfer to Damaraland
Drive north to Damaraland, checking in to Damaraland Camp on communal conservancy land run in partnership with the local community.
Damaraland — full day
Desert-adapted elephant tracking across dry riverbeds, and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Twyfelfontein rock engravings, among the largest concentrations of rock art in Africa.
Transfer to the Okavango Delta
Fly via Windhoek to Maun, then a light-aircraft transfer into a private Okavango Delta concession, checking in to Jao Camp on its own private island.
Okavango Delta — full day
Mokoro poling through papyrus channels and game drives across mixed floodplain and island habitat — a striking contrast to the desert landscapes of the preceding week.
Okavango Delta — leisure
A further morning game drive or walking safari, with afternoon leisure time at camp before departure preparations.
Departure
Light-aircraft transfer to Maun for onward or homeward flights.