top of page

BOTSWANA|NAMIBIA

guided self-fly expeditions

HIGHLIGHTS

 

Explore some of southern Africa’s greatest wildernesses from above and on the ground on our tailor-made Botswana and Namibia expedition.

The below 17 day itinerary for exploring Namibia and Botswana is just a suggestion of what is on offer and we look forward to handcrafting a flying expedition that ticks all your boxes of what you would like to experience when exploring these exceptional countries from above.

 

  • Immerse yourself in the sparkling jewel of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, one of the most pristine wilderness areas on earth and be awed at the untouched beauty and diversity of wildlife this unique national park has to offer.

  • Enjoy one of the most incredible game viewing experiences on earth from the deck of a boat on the Chobe River. This region holds one of Africa’s highest concentration of elephant and a profusion of other wildlife including African wild dog, leopard, lion and the illusive puku antelope

  • Get up close and personal to the endangered black rhino in Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s greatest parks in both size and diversity of wildlife.

  • Experience the Namib Sand Sea; A UNESCO world heritage site and ogle at some of the oldest and largest dunes in the world.

  • Explore the spectacular coastline of the Dorob and Naukluft National Parks where the giant dunes that sweep down to meet the icy Atlantic Ocean to spectacular effect.

  • Wander the ethereal shores of the Skeleton coast and discover ancient wrecks, glimpses of the illusive sand wolf, visit one of the biggest colonies of Cape Fur Seals in the world and be awed by the isolation and solitude of this savage yet beautiful coastline.

Bottom%202_edited.jpg

GETTING READY

DAYS 1-3

On arrival in Johannesburg and once settled in, we will give a briefing on what to expect on this once-in-a-lifetime journey. During the next two days we will assist you in obtaining your South-African pilot license validation and successfully completing your validation flights. We will be with you every step of the away to ensure the process of obtaining your validation is as seamless as possible.

Your training and assistance will be provided by Sling Aircraft or, if prior requests were made, we will use a variety of pre-approved flights schools if you wish to obtain your validation in another aircraft.

Depending on the time required to obtain the above, we will schedule excursions to the Apartheid Museum, a tour of the fascinating township of Soweto, or a tour of the Origin of Mankind, Maropeng.

There will be detailed daily briefings on what to expect on our Expedition and ensure you are 100% prepared for the days ahead.

Johannesburg has various accommodation options of which you will be informed before your booking is finalized.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

DAY 4 : MAUN (BOTSWANA)

Departing Johannesburg early on the morning of Day 4 we take a leisurely flight to Pilanesberg, a small town in the North West Province of South Africa and our launch pad into Botswana. Here we will clear customs and refuel before heading over the border.

 

Expect an easy 4-hour flight over the deep African bushveld that characterizes the arid Kalahari of southern Botswana before landing at Maun, a frontier village on the edge of the Okavango Delta where we will spend the evening on the banks of the Thamalakane River.

 

Here we will enjoy an iced cold lager or a chilled glass of wine as we listen to the abundant bird calls and spot the odd hippo and crocodile cruising down the river from the veranda, before feasting on traditional Motswana cuisine.

Accommodation options: Thamalakane River Lodge* 

Included: Bed & Breakfast, Avgas**

 

* depending on availability or similar. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.

** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)

THE EDEN OF AFRICA

DAYS 5 : THE OKAVANGO DELTA (BOTSWANA)

 

 

After an early breakfast we return to the Maun airfield to refuel and then head off for a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta en-route to our camp for the evening. Flying over a maze of meandering water, papyrus fringes banks and floating islands teeming with wildlife we enter the heart of the Delta.

We will land on a private dirt airstrip and be transferred to our lodge by open safari vehicle where we will enjoy a delicious lunch under the spreading limbs of ancient fig and acacia trees before heading off for a late afternoon game drive and sundowners in the wild. We return to camp for a sumptuous dinner under the stars.

Rising early on the morning of the 6th day we will head out into the Delta on open safari vehicles and enjoy a full mornings game drive before returning for lunch.

After lunch we head north over a maze of sparkling lagoons and meandering channels of the Delta, spotting herds of elephant and graceful herds of red lechwe as we head to the Chobe National Park on the Namibian border and the elegant Chobe Safari Lodge that will be our base for the next few days.

Accommodation options: Camp Okavango* | Camp Xakanaxa* ( https://vimeo.com/desertanddelta )

Included: All meals and activities | Avgas **

* depending on availability or similar. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.

** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)

ELEPHANT MOMENTS

DAYS 6-7 : THE CHOBE (BOTSWANA) 

Chobe Safari Lodge is situated on the bank of the Chobe River with elevated boardwalks and viewing decks that offer endless panoramic views over the river where one can watch the ever-changing wildlife parade across the river, on the islands and surrounding floodplains.

The Chobe is home to the largest concentration of elephants on the African continent and a veritable haven for bird enthusiasts. For the next two days we will enjoy the diversity morning and afternoon game drives with specialist interpretive guides viewing a profusion of wildlife that we leave you in awe.

Arriving on Day 6, we will relax by the pool, and then end the evening with a sumptuous authentic African dinner.

On the morning of Day 7, we will embark on a riverboat cruise on the Chobe River, an experience to remember as we watch hundreds of elephants come down to the banks to drink.

 

After lunch and some relaxation time, we will head out on an evening game drive, viewing some of the spectacular wildlife and Big 5 that Chobe has to offer.

Accommodation options: Chobe |Chobe Safari Lodge or similar. Dependent on availability *

Included: All meals and activities | local wine and beer | Avgas **

* depending on availability or similar. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.

** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)

IN SEARCH OF THE BLACK RHINO

DAYS 8-10 : ETOSHA

After an early breakfast and clearing customs at Kasane in Botswana, we head west following the Kavango river to the Caprivi at Katima Mulilo, our entry point into Namibia. From here we fly south west over the dense bushveld and endless white plains to our camp for the next two nights, the quaint Etosha Village nestled in the spectacular green and gold Mopani forests surrounding Etosha National Park.

Arriving at lunch time, we will get settled in, with a choice of afternoon activities including a sundowner game drive, a bush-walk or quiet relaxation by the swimming pool followed by a roaring fire and dinner in the boma.

The following morning we embark on a full days game drive exploring the Etosha National Park, lunching at one of the watering holes.

Etosha is one of Africa’s great wildlife parks and Namibia’s prime wilderness conservation area. It consists mostly of grassy plains around a huge salt pan, which becomes a beautiful lake after heavy rains and attracts enormous flocks of Flamingo and Pelican.

 

Other than being known for its big cat and elephant sightings, Etosha also holds one of the largest population of black rhino in the world, as well as giraffe, and rare and unusual species like the black-faced impala, Hartmanns mountain zebra and the smallest antelope in the world, the Damara dikdik

Accommodation options: Etosha Village, Etosha Safari Lodge, Onkoshi, Dolomite.

Included: Full Board, Game drives, Avgas**

 * depending on availability. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.

** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)

WHERE THE DUNES MEET THE SEA

DAYS 9-11 : Swakopmund

DAY 10: After breakfast we head out on a spectacular flight to the small desert town of Swakopmund. Leaving Etosha behind us we will embark on a 3 hour flight heading south east across the vast Damaraland mountain ranges and sand rivers finally reaching the ethereal coastline of the Skeleton Coast and over the Cape Cross seal colony.

The charming little seaside town on Namibia’s western coast retains a strong German flavour – from the cobbled streets and picturesque buildings down to the typical German restaurants and pubs and is an ideal place to relax and sample some of the finely-brewed local beer and renowned Swakopmund fare such as fish, lobster and the utterly delicious Swakopmund oysters.

DAY 11: After breakfast we head south to the coastal village of Walvis Bay for a full day tour of the Dorob National Park wetlands by catamaran and then the rolling coastal dune fields by 4x4. This Marine Dune day gives you the ultimate combination of leisure cruise and big dune driving exploring the breathtaking Sandwich Harbour of the Namib Naukluft National Park.

Eat oysters and drink Champagne on a half day ocean cruise exploring the oceanic wonderland of this tidal lagoon. Explore the Cape Fur Seal colonies, spot dolphins, whales and the illusive sun fish. Get up close and personal to the incredible birdlife that breeds in profusion on one of the most important wetlands in Africa, including thousands of flamingo and other wading birds, including a host of endangered and endemic species.

After the cruise, you will be picked up by a 4x4 and head south through the Kuiseb River Delta over the rolling dunes towards Sandwich Harbour, where you will be served lunch on the edge of a high dune with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Expect to see some unusual desert dwelling species of flora and fauna such as the black-backed jackal, fog-basking beetle, dancing spider, springbok, oryx, brown hyena and ostrich.

We return to Swakopmund at around 18:00 for a shower before heading off for dinner at one of the delightful restaurants on offer.

Accommodation options: Various accommodation options available*

Included: Bed & Breakfast, Excursion to either the inland desert or Conception Bay, Avgas**

 * depending on availability. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.

** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)

THE TOWERING DUNES

DAYS 12-14 : SOSSUSVLEI (NAMIBIA) 

After breakfast we head out on what must be one of the most beautiful flights on earth. Leaving Swakopmund behind us we will embark on a 2.5 hour scenic flight heading south along the Atlantic coastline spotting shipwrecks, seal colonies and vast flocks of flamingo.

 

At Conception Bay we head inland across the vast and indescribable Namib Naukluft sand sea and watch the dunes grow in stature and size reaching their zenith at over 230m high at the achingly beautiful Sossusvlei, our destination for the next 2 nights.

 

Here we will explore one of the oldest, driest and most pristine areas on Earth, the Namib Naukluft National Park and the NamibRand Nature Reserve which together form one of the largest protected wilderness spaces on earth.

 

The spectacular dunes at Sossusvlei, arrayed in magnificent hues of orange, tower over a vast, dry pan. Over 230 metres (750 feet) high and constantly twisted and shaped by the wind, these breathtaking dunes are among the highest in the world.

Sossusvlei is a belt of giant dunes that extends from the small frontier village of Sesriem deep into the Namib Naukluft National Park, and culminates around the surreal white clay pans of Deadvlei and Sossusvlei that during unusual wet sessions can periodically fill with water.​

For the next two days, we will explore these other worldly landscapes from above and on the ground.

Early on day 13, we will embark on a 1.5 hour scenic flight, exploring the spectacular Dune fields of Sossusvlei and Namibrand from above. From your birds-eye perspective, be captivated by the rolling dunes, marvel at the fields of inexplicable fairy circles and craggy mountain ranges. Spot herds of Oryx running across the red dunes and Zebra, Ostrich and Springbok roaming the desert plains

Here we will also explore the dunes by 4x4 and on foot, be enchanted by a star feast each and every night – complete with our resident astronomer, walk across ancient sands and climb the heights of ‘Long Dune’, and be mesmerised in morning or late afternoon desert drives that continue after nightfall.

We will step back in time and bring to life the history of the area and its people. Strap on our walking shoes and roam back to the ancient San Bushmen era.

Accommodation options: *Sossusvlei Dessert Camp (Budget) | *Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (Luxury)

Included: Full Board, Excursion to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, Avgas**

* depending on availability or similar. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.

** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)

HOMEWARD BOUND 

DAYS 14-16

Departing after a leisurely breakfast we head north east to the capital of Namibia, Windhoek where we will spend the afternoon exploring the sights and dining at one of the fantastic restaurants on offer.

Departing very early the following day we clear customs in Windhoek before flying back to South Africa entering at Pilansberg International and our final destination Tedderfield airfield near Johannesburg.

Accommodation options: Windhoek (Various)*

Included: Bed & Breakfast, Avgas**

 

* depending on availability. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.

** Avgas for set number of hours (confirmed before all bookings)

IMG_6141 (1).jpg

Price Guide for 15 night Botswana & Namibia self-fly expedition

$USD 630 -850*

Per person, per day ( 2 people sharing an aircraft and accommodation)

Single Supplement (accommodation per person per night):  $USD 100-132*

Single Supplement (aircraft per person per day): $USD 95

* Price dependent on accommodation options (mid-range to high-end)

Total estimated flying time: 30 hours (including 4.5 hours scenic flights)

Included:

Sling TSi Aircraft Hire (or similar depending on availability)

Pilot License Validation and flights

Meals - as indicated

Avgas (30 hours) - additional Avgas will be available

Airfield pick-up and drop-offs

Excursions - as indicated

Taylor make your journey...

 

This unforgettable journey showcases just a few of our favorite experience combinations in this iconic destination. 

It is merely an example from which you can use to start dreaming and creating your own adventure.

We build the itinerary around you. The time you have available and the things you want to experience dictate how we plan and execute your bespoke safari. All expeditions are personally guided by one of our top professionals. Our network of specialist guides, photographers, chefs, animal behaviorists, wildlife researchers and local guides are on hand to help build your personal safari experience.

Various accommodation options are available at the different locations.

Choice of accommodation depends on availability and budget.

 

We have provided a price range for each safari as the final price is dependent

on your choice of accommodation options.

 

We will recommend options depending on your requirements, budget and availability.

bottom of page