3-Week Botswana and Namibia Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Botswana And Namibia tour itineraries

Compiled by

NinaBotswana and Namibia travel expert at TourRadar

• 21 Days in Southern Africa, incl. Victoria Falls and Cape Town

  Over 10 days, float down Chobe River watching elephants, paddle through Okavango Delta by mokoro, and track wildlife in Etosha National Park. Nights spent under ancient baobabs and desert stars while covering 1,500km of diverse landscapes.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Victoria Falls

    Begin your Southern Africa adventure at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. "The falls were absolutely breathtaking - get there early around 8am before it gets too hot and crowded." Book activities like helicopter rides well ahead of time. Try whitewater rafting ($150) in the morning when water conditions are best.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Chobe & Gweta

    Cross to Botswana and visit Chobe National Park with its incredible elephant populations. An evening boat cruise ($50) offers prime wildlife viewing when animals gather at the water. Head south to Gweta near the Makgadikgadi Pans and sleep under ancient baobab trees. Bring warm clothes for the surprisingly cold desert nights.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Okavango Delta & Kalahari

    Start in Maun before taking mokoro rides into the Okavango Delta. You'll need good balance for the 2-hour canoe trip. Pack cameras in waterproof bags. "Camping in the Delta was surreal - hearing hippos grunt at night while stars filled the sky." Visit D'kar in the Kalahari to experience San Bushmen culture.

    
  • Days 8-11

    Namibia's Wildlife

    Enter Namibia and stop at Waterberg Plateau on your way to Etosha National Park. Spend two days watching wildlife, especially at waterholes during dry season (May-December). "Bring binoculars and sit quietly at Okaukuejo waterhole after sunset - we saw rare black rhinos."

    
  • Days 12-14

    Adventure Coast

    Travel to Swakopmund through the otherworldly Spitzkoppe landscape. Book popular activities like skydiving and sandboarding ahead of time. Start early to avoid intense midday heat and pack lots of water.

    
  • Days 15-16

    Ancient Desert

    Visit Namib-Naukluft Park to see the world's oldest desert. Start climbing Dune 45 by 5:30am for sunrise views without crowds or extreme heat. Wear proper shoes for the hot sand and explore Sesriem Canyon early.

    
  • Days 17-18

    Fish River & Orange River

    Watch the sunset at Fish River Canyon before heading to the Orange River at the South African border. Try some beginner-friendly canoeing in the peaceful waters.

    
  • Days 19-21

    Cape Town

    Travel through the Cederberg Mountains and their rooibos farms to reach Cape Town. "Book Table Mountain cable car tickets online and go first thing - the queue can be 3+ hours long later in the day." Save time to explore the Cape Peninsula and nearby wine regions.

    

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• 21 Day Southern Africa Itinerary, incl. Cape Town and Victoria Falls

  The massive Fish River Canyon and towering dunes at Sossusvlei await in Namibia before heading to Botswana's wildlife-rich Okavango Delta. Spot elephants in Etosha National Park, glide on traditional mokoro rides, and sleep under stars at Spitzkoppe during this 21-day adventure.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Cape Town & Cederberg

    Begin your journey in Cape Town. Previous travelers suggest hitting the wine regions in the morning when tours are quieter and more intimate. Take a 5-hour drive north to the Cederberg Wilderness Area through the scenic Western Cape. Visit the !Khwa ttu San Culture Centre to explore indigenous heritage. Spend the night camping in the vineyard area with an option to taste local wines.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Orange River & Fish River Canyon

    Make the 6.5-hour drive to cross into Namibia at the Orange River border. You can take a sunset canoe trip - many travelers say it's the best way to see the dramatic landscape. The next day is a 5-hour drive to Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa. Plan to be there for sunset when the light makes for incredible photos.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Namib Desert & Sossusvlei

    The 10-hour drive to the Namib Desert is long but rewarding with its massive red dunes. Get up early to climb Dune 45. One visitor advises: "Start the Dune 45 climb by 5:30 AM - it gets brutally hot by 8 AM and the sand becomes too hot to walk on barefoot." You can also visit the striking Deadvlei clay pan.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Swakopmund

    Travel 7 hours to Swakopmund, a town with German colonial roots. You'll have two nights to try various activities. A recent traveler notes: "The morning skydiving slots have better visibility before the coastal fog rolls in." Other options include sandboarding, scenic flights or cultural tours.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Spitzkoppe & Etosha National Park

    Set up camp near Spitzkoppe's impressive granite peaks. Walk to view ancient rock art and enjoy the night sky. Next, visit Etosha National Park for wildlife viewing. One visitor suggests: "Position yourself at the Okaukuejo waterhole after sunset. This is when the endangered black rhinos often come to drink."

    
  • Days 11-13

    Waterberg Plateau & Windhoek

    Take time to hike the Waterberg Plateau trails before going to Windhoek. Visit local spots like the Penduka Village Restaurant. A traveler mentions: "The local craft markets in Windhoek are better value than airport shops - budget time here for souvenirs."

    
  • Days 14-17

    Botswana & Okavango Delta

    Enter Botswana and stop at the San Bushmen community in D'kar. Travel to Maun to access the Okavango Delta. Spend two days exploring by mokoro with overnight bush camping. One reviewer suggests: "Pack light for the delta excursion. You can only bring bare essentials in the mokoros."

    
  • Days 18-21

    Chobe & Victoria Falls

    Go on game drives in Chobe National Park to see its famous elephant herds. End your trip at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. A traveler recommends: "Book the morning helicopter flight over the falls - the rainbow effects are most visible then." You can also try white water rafting or bungee jumping.

    

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• 21 Days in Southern Africa, incl. Cape Town and Victoria Falls

  Namibia and Botswana's diverse landscapes unfold over 21 days. Scale Sossusvlei's dunes, track wildlife in Etosha, and paddle the Okavango Delta by mokoro. The route covers 15 destinations including Fish River Canyon, Spitzkoppe's granite domes, and Makgadikgadi's vast salt pans.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Cape Town & Cederberg

    Start in Cape Town by visiting Hout Bay then head to Cape Point Nature Reserve. Visit Boulders Beach penguin colony before 10 AM to beat the crowds. The next day, drive to the Cederberg Mountains to hike among unique sandstone formations. Bring sturdy shoes since the terrain is rocky and slippery.

    
  • Days 3-6

    Namibian Desert Adventures

    Enter Namibia and spend a day at the Gariep River. You can go canoeing in the morning when the water is calmer. Visit Fish River Canyon in late afternoon for the best photos. Spend two days exploring the red dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert. Start climbing dunes before 7 AM while the sand is cool and the lighting is perfect for photos.

    
  • Days 7-10

    Coastal Namibia & Ancient Art

    Stay in Swakopmund for two days of activities like dune boarding and sea kayaking. Take a coastal drive to Cape Cross seal colony but bring a windbreaker. Visit Spitzkoppe and Brandberg to see ancient rock art. Good hiking boots are essential on the uneven paths.

    
  • Days 11-13

    Wildlife & Urban Break

    Spend two days in Etosha National Park watching wildlife at the waterholes. The lit waterhole at Okaukuejo Camp is great for nighttime viewing, especially elephants. Stop in Windhoek for a night and try some local game meat at Joe's Beerhouse.

    
  • Days 14-18

    Botswana's Natural Wonders

    Take a walk with San Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert. Then spend three days in the Okavango Delta on mokoro trips and bush walks. Bring quick-dry clothes since you'll get wet. Visit the Makgadikgadi Pans, which fill with wildlife after the rains.

    
  • Days 19-21

    Victoria Falls Finale

    Finish your trip at Victoria Falls. Go in the morning to see rainbows in the mist. Book a helicopter ride early to get the best aerial views. A sunset cruise on the Zambezi River makes a perfect ending to your trip.

    

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