£1930 plus $350 local payment
Why not combine our popular Book Bus project with an exploration of wild South Western Africa - Encounter iconic wildlife in Chobe National Park, Camp out in the lush Okavango Delta, See animals come to drink at Etosha National Park's waterholes, Experience the San Bushmen's hunter-gatherer traditions, Feel the thunder of Victoria Falls, Slither down a slippery sand dune in the Namib Desert, relax at Fish River Canyon.
This awesome itinerary mixes volunteering on the Book Bus project with an overland adventure from Livingstone to Cape Town via the vast Namib desert and endless expanse of Etosha National Park.
Your adventure begins in Livingstone with 2 weeks volunteering on the Book Bus. The Book Bus is a mobile library and book distribution service. Click here to find out more.
After 2 weeks promoting reading and story telling with children in Livingstone on board the Book Bus you will join an adventure tour travelling through Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
Experience the extremes of southern Africa's landscapes as we navigate unbelievably lush waterways in the enigmatic Okavango Delta, cruise past elephants and birds on the Chobe River and spot big cats, rhinos, zebras and antelopes on Etosha National Park's arid plains. Climb giant sand dunes and camp to the sounds of Africa's wildlife. You'll also meet the people who make their homes here, from cheerful delta mokoro polers to the San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert. Join us on this unforgettable journey of contrasts.
Days 1-15 The Book Bus project
Climb on board and promote reading and story-telling as we travel to community schools and remote villages. Find out more >>
You can extend your time on board the Book Bus.
Day 16 Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls
Today we visit the spectacular Victoria Falls National Park. As we stay in Victoria Falls tonight, you have sufficient time to explore the falls and visit all the view-points for some great photo opportunities. Optional Activities: White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Elephant Excursion
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 – Botswana - Chobe National Park
We depart Victoria Falls and head towards Kasane. Upon arrival at Kasane we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. This afternoon we enjoy a scenic sunset boat cruise in Chobe National Park. Elephants, Hippo, Crocodiles, Eland and many other creatures reside in Chobe so keep your cameras ready. Optional Activities: Chobe NP game drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 Maun
An early start and our journey takes us to Maun. We spend the night here and prepare for our 2-night bush-camping experience. Your guides will provide you with a briefing about the next few days’ activities and the community run tourism operation. Optional Activities: Scenic Flight over Okavango Delta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19 Okavango Delta
After breakfast we board our local 4x4 truck transport for the 2 hour trip into the Okavango Delta, where we meet with our local guides and polers for our mokoro (traditional canoe) trip to our remote bush camp. In the afternoon there is a nature walk with a local guide which gives a great chance to view wildlife on foot. Tonight is spent swapping stories around the camp fire and enjoying the serenity of the Delta.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 20 Okavango Delta
There is normally an early morning nature walk with your local guides, splitting up into small groups so there is a better chance of seeing the wildlife. This is followed by breakfast and a relaxed day around the camp site. Often there is the chance to swim in the clear water. Test your skills as a mokoro poler, it’s not as easy as the locals make it look!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 21 Delta to Maun
Another early morning walk before breakfast, then it’s time to board our mokoro canoe for the trip back to the truck (depending on the water levels). Then we say good bye to our local guides and journey back to the Maun campsite for
lunch and a relaxing afternoon. Do not be alarmed if we are joined at camp by a local dairy cow later in the evening as they sometimes roam through the back of the camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 22 Ghanzi
Another early start and we drive to Ghanzi. Once at camp we will meet with a local Bushmen community and experience some traditional Tribal Dancing. There are also some traditional bushman huts that you have the opportunity to stay in for a nominal fee. Optional Activity: Guided Gathering/Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 23 Windhoek, Namibia
Today is a long driving day to the Namibian border and on to Windhoek in the centre of Namibia arriving in the early evening. On arrival in Windhoek our guide will take us on a short city tour in our truck. Tonight there is an optional dinner out in town at Joe’s Beer House, definitely a feast for all the senses. Optional Activities: Dinner out at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 24/25 Etosha National Park
Leaving the city sights behind, we travel north into Namibia’s barren northern area. On the way we stop at a popular craft market where you can barter for handmade gifts to take home. We enter Etosha National Park and game drive through to our campsite for the night. On the 2nd day, more breathtaking game viewing en-route to a different campsite. Etosha National Park is the venue for some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. We will go on various game drives, and spend our evenings at the water holes for some excellent game photography.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 26 Himba Tribes
Leaving Etosha we drive towards Kamanjab. The Himba are a pastoral people and predominantly breed cattle or goats. They are easily recognisable by their unique style of dress. Today you have the chance to visit the Himba camp and see how these interesting people live. The facilities at our camp site are minimal, so its best to treat this as bush camping, however there are basic outdoor showers and toilets.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 27 Spitzkoppe
From culture to creation we travel to the mysterious Spitzkoppe, known as Namibia’s Matterhorn. A huge rocky outcrop where we set up camp in the wild, beneath the mountain. This afternoon there is an included walk to explore the unique rock formations. For the more adventurous traveller you may want to venture up the mountain behind camp before dinner for some stunning views of the landscape.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 28 Swakopmund
Today we travel to Namibia’s Atlantic coast and Swakopmund, Namibia’s adventure capital. You will be briefed on the optional activities available here. At night there is an optional dinner at a local restaurant where you can try different types of local dishes. Optional Activities: Quadbiking, Sandboarding, Sky Diving, Dolphin Cruise, Scenic Flights, Fishing, Dinner etc.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 29 Swakopmund
Today is your chance to experience the adrenalin filled atmosphere that Swakopmund offers. Most activities include a pick up and drop off service to/from your hostel. You can also take time to go to the internet or wander through the shopping streets.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 30 Sesriem
After the adventure and adrenaline rush of Swakopmund, we drive south into the mysterious Namib Desert.
We arrive at camp in the afternoon and go on a short hike at Sesriem Canyon. Tonight we enjoy dinner around the campfire, do a little star gazing and listen to the calls of the Jackals and barking geckos.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 31 – Sossusvlei Dunes
Today is our earliest start as we wake before dawn for one of the highlights of the trip, hiking up Dune 45 to watch the sun rise. After breakfast we join a local expert on a guided tour explaining the desert ecosystem and how the bushmen survived in the harsh desert conditions.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 32 Fish River Canyon
Today we travel south to the Fish River Canyon where we hike along the edge of the canyon and see the amazing sunset. (It is possible that you may see the sunrise at the canyon next morning instead due to the road conditions or time of year you are travelling)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 33 – Gariep Orange River
We leave early on our last day in Namibia travelling south to the border with South Africa at the Gariep Orange River. Our campsite lies on the banks of the Orange River on the South African side. In the afternoon there is an optional canoeing activity on the River or you can just chill out at the campsite and go for a swim. Optional Activities: GariepOrange River canoeing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 34 – Citrusdal
Today is a long drive through the Northern Cape to the fruit producing area in the Cederberg mountains of South Africa. After setting up camp we go on a guided walk (weather permitting) to see Bushmen paintings and learn about the native fauna, flora and interesting creatures that inhabit the area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 35 Cape Town
Our final day on tour, we head to the mother city, Cape Town. Travelling along the coast road we stop at Table View for a magnificent view of Table Mountain from the other side of the bay. This is the spot from which the most photographs are taken of Table Mountain.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Please note this tour is operated by Nomad Tours
Trip Dossier
Pre Departure Information