The second EarthCruiser overseas Adventure, this trip begins in the capital of Namibia, Windhoek. If you are just joining us, EarthCruiser Adventure staff will be available to aid participants in arranging for the shipment of their vehicles to Africa along with providing guidance in customs, insurance, visas and paperwork for the Adventure.
This trip is designed for wildlife lovers and those who truly want to get off the beaten path and into the wilderness of Africa. After spending time with the first peoples of the Kalahari, the San Bushmen, we’ll visit the Makgadikgadi Pans area before heading into the heart of the Okavango Delta. Our days in the Delta region will be spread between four protected areas – Moremi, Savuti, Linyati and Chobe. Each region offers its own driving challenges and unique wildlife spotting opportunities. We will cross rivers and navigate deep sandy tracks while surrounded by Africa’s iconic animals – elephants, giraffe, lions, leopards and more. We end in the town of Livingstone, Zambia near the legendary Victoria Falls.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Somewhat challenging. Mostly camping, mix of campgrounds with shower/toilet facilities and some with no facilities. Dusty conditions, wet conditions and bumpy roads at times. Hot in the day, cool at night. Very few services are available most days. Language and cultural barrier, some unfamiliar foods. Wildlife frequently in campsites at night.
Challenging. Able to drive over gravel and dirt roads, basic recovery and winching necessary, familiarity with backroad navigation. Some river crossings, deep sand. Driving on left side of road, unfamiliar traffic rules and road markings. Driving near wildlife.
EarthCruiser founders Lance and Michelle fell in love with travel at a young age, and eventually with each other after meeting on a deep jungle expedition. Their experiences together, coupled with Lance’s decades of overlanding lifestyles experience and technical know how, have set the tone for the care and attention to detail that goes into every EarthCruiser off the lot. That love spills over to the company, the crew, and our appreciation for our customers.
Ellen Wayte has spent over a decade working in tourism as an overlanding tour leader, scuba instructor, naturalist, park ranger, and concierge. As a tour leader, she has led adventure holidays through over 40 countries on five continents. She has guided clients on expeditions from Cape Town to Cairo, across the Silk Road, throughout South America, and the Indian subcontinent. She is passionate about wildlife and can often be found with binoculars in hand.
Day 1 – Windhoek, Namibia, Saturday, September 16, 2023
We’ll meet at 6pm at our campground tucked into central Windhoek for our pre-departure meeting and dinner. We will go over the logistics of the trip, everything from what to expect, to safe driving protocols and what you will need to prepare for the next few days. We will assist in changing money, if needed, and ensuring all your paperwork is in order for our trip.
Meals included: Dinner
Optional Activities: Namibia Craft Center, National Museum, Botanic Garden, Trophaendienste Taxidermy
Day 2 – Ghanzi, Botswana, Sunday, September 17, 2023
Today we drive east through the rugged landscape of the Kalahari, entering Botswana where EarthCruiser staff will be on hand to assist with border procedures. We’ll spend the evening at a cute campground surrounded by wildlife. We’ll take an evening trip to the “vulture cafe” to see the birds eating prepared food in order to aid in their conservation and enjoy evening entertainment by local Bushmen, the first peoples of the Kalahari.
Inclusions: Vulture Café visit, San Bushmen Dance Performance
Meals included: Dinner
Day 3 – Makgadikgadi, Botswana, Monday, September 18, 2023
Today is a big drive day across the countryside, skirting the bottom of the Okavango Delta to where its waters disappear into the Makgadikgadi Pans, the world’s second largest. We overnight at a funky lodge on the edge of the pans dotted with incredible baobab trees.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 4 – Maun, Botswana, Tuesday, September 19, 2023
This morning we’ll head out in an open safari vehicle to visit a group of wild meerkats for a photography opportunity you’ll never forget. In the afternoon we will drive back to Maun for groceries and supplies, before spending the evening at a campground tucked into the woods just outside the Delta.
Inclusions: Meerkat safari
Meals included: Dinner
Days 5 – Moremi, Botswana, Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Today we head into the wilds of the Okavango Delta ecosystem. We enter the park by the South Gate and set up camp. In the evening we’ll go on game drives in search of lions, elephants, zebra, giraffe and buffalo. These are the best maintained roads in the park and the driving is relatively easy, offering a gentle introduction to the adventure ahead.
Inclusions: Moremi Entry
Meals included: Dinner
Optional Activities: Scenic flight over the Delta
Day 6 – Moremi, Botswana, Thursday, September 21, 2023
Today we go deep into the Delta, crossing multiple rivers, sometimes via bridges, sometimes via fords. Along the way we’ll have a good chance of seeing some fantastic wildlife as this is some of the wildest parts of the park where lions, wild dogs, elephants and buffalo frequent. We’ll camp deep in the interior of the park tonight.
Inclusions: Moremi Entry
Meals included: Dinner
Day 7 – Moremi, Botswana, Friday, September 22, 2023
Another fantastic day of game drives, river crossings and wild Africa. This evening we’ll camp at a site known for its frequent lion and wild dog sightings – sometimes within the campground.
Inclusions: Moremi Entry
Meals included: Dinner
Day 8 – Savuti, Botswana, Saturday, September 23, 2023
This morning we’ll head out of Moremi and into Sauvuti/Chobe. The drive gets deep and sandy today and getting temporarily stuck is a possibility – a great opportunity to practice our recovery skills. We’ll keep an eye out for wildlife as we help each other. Sauvuti is legendary for its huge prides of lions, known to hunt elephants.
Inclusions: Savuti/Chobe Entry
Meals included: Dinner
Day 9 – Linyati, Botswana, Sunday, September 24, 2023
We next head north through some of the driest sections of the park. Deep sand can continue to make traveling slow. Tonight we camp along the Linyati River, just across the border with the Caprivi Strip section of Namibia. This campsite is known for a local group of elephants who like to walk through the campground to access the river.
Inclusions: Linyati/Chobe Entry
Meals included: Dinner
Day 10 – Chobe, Botswana, Monday, September 25, 2023
Following the Linyati river, we will look for wildlife as we head east towards Chobe and the town of Kasane. We’ll spend evening camping in the grounds of a gorgeous lodge on the Chobe River. At night we’ll have dinner at the lodge’s restaurant with the opportunity to relax and unwind.
Inclusions: Chobe Entry
Meals included: Safari Lodge Dinner
Day 11 – Chobe, Botswana, Monday, September 26, 2023
Today is a day to relax, go into town to resupply, chill by the pool or take an optional guided safari into the park. This afternoon enjoy a boat cruise down the Chobe river. This is an absolutely spectacular sunset trip where you’ll cruise the river, sundowner cocktails in hand, watching elephants, hippos and crocodiles.
Inclusions: River Safari
Meals included: Dinner
Optional Activities: Safari Drive, Caracal Biodiversity Center
Day 12 – Livingstone, Zambia, Tuesday, September 27, 2023
Today we leave Botswana and enter Zambia. We’ll have the afternoon free to book activities in the Livingstone area including white water rafting, horseback riding, fishing, scenic flights and more. In the afternoon we’ll go to see “the smoke that thunders,” Victoria Falls. In the evening we’ll enjoy a meal at a safari lodge, overlooking the river, to toast the end of our trip.
Inclusions: Visit to Victoria Falls
Meals included: Dinner
Day 13 – Livingstone, Zambia Wednesday, September 28, 2023
We’ll meet in the morning before sending everyone off either back home or on to the next leg of their adventure. For those returning home, you’ll have the option of driving your vehicle to the port town of Walvis Bay to load for shipping, driving back to Cape Town for shipment there, or having one of our staff drive your vehicle to your choice of shipping port so that you may return home. For those continuing on for independent travel in Africa we are available to consult on itinerary planning, accommodation and activities booking and the hiring of local guides or fixers.
*Please note that the itinerary listed here represents the intended route and day to day schedule. EarthCruiser Adventure reserves the right to make any itinerary changes with or without notice, which may become necessary, as is the nature of overlanding.
Camping (12 nights)
EarthCruiser or Terranova purchased new from EarthCruiser, used via EarthCruiser’s pre-owned program, or used via a third party with membership to the Cruiser Crew program.
Spare tire and full set of Maxtrax recovery board
Basic recovery gear including Snatch Block, Tree Saver, one pair each hard and soft shackles, and gloves.
You will be asked to purchase local vehicle insurance for Namibia, Botswana and Zambia as well as all vehicle paperwork fees and personal visas. Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend all travelers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24-hour emergency contact number has been confirmed by your leader.
Minimum 50% deposit required for booking. The remaining balance will be automatically charged 30 days before your adventure begins.
