Delta & Deserts


Livingstone to Cape Town
18 Days
From
US$ 2,017
+ Local Payment of US$660.00A journey through some of southern Africa’s most popular countries, ending in the diverse and exciting Cape Town, nestled under Table Mountain. Feel the spray of the thunderous Victoria Falls, watch wildlife along the Chobe River, listen to the sounds of the Okavango Delta, far away from civilisation and bury your feet in rolling sand dunes in Namibia. This tour is packed with wildlife and unique eco-systems, all to be discovered
About this tour
- Type of Travel: Overland Truck
- Group Size: Normally 4-29. Average 18.
- Recommended Age: 18-65
-
Physical Rating:
- Country: Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa
Itinerary


Day 1 to 1 - Arrive Livingstone
Welcome to Livingstone, the town, named after the great 19th century Scottish missionary explorer Dr David Livingstone. Once the bustling capital of Northern Rhodesia, Livingstone changed it face and became a quiet town following the Capital’s relocation to Lusaka in 1935.
Wonder the craft markets and pick up some unique souvenirs or chose from one of the many optional activities available in this area. Whether it be sunset cruises down the Zambezi, a visit to the Mukuni Cultural Village, riverboarding, white water rafting, canoeing, horse riding, abseiling, quad biking, kayaking, helicopter or microlight flights over the falls there is something for everyone.
Optional Excursions
Half/full day white water rafting – US$160-185 (Zambezi rafting is generally possible between June and January and is closed throughout the rest of the year) • Half/full day river boarding – US$165-175 • Chobe National Park day trip – US$190 (excluding visas) • Bungee jumping – US$157 • Abseiling – US$162 • Gorge swing – US$95 • Livingstone Island – US$150 • Microlight ride - 15 mins – US$174 • Helicopter ride over Victoria Falls (15 mins) – US$185.60 • Horse riding, 2.5 hours – US$75 • Canoeing - full day – US$155 • Jet boat – US$95 • Zambezi boat cruise – US$60. Enjoy a beer on this sunset cruise along the Zambezi to watch the animals at the end of their day.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Fawlty Towers Hotel or similar
Day 2 to 2 - Kasane & Chobe National Park
From Zambia we head to Botswana to continue our adventure. We stay close to Chobe National Park which is home to the most diverse wildlife in Botswana. 11,000 square kilometres of wilderness, floodplains, forests and swamps support all manners of animal and birdlife. To gain a different perspective on of the animals we embark on a sunset cruise along the Chobe River. Wildlife is plentiful and common along the water’s edge; as we glide by you may see elephants, buffalos, kudu, bushback, hippo, giraffe and sable.
Located in north west Botswana, Chobe is a diverse area spanning from the border at the Chobe River, to the now dry Savute Channel and beyond to the borders of the Moremi Game Reserve and Okavango Delta. The park is divided into four distinctly different eco systems: Serondela with its lush plains and dense forests in the Chobe River area, the Savuti Marsh, the Linyanti Swamps and the dry hinterland and it is famous for having one of the largest game concentrations in the African continent.
Please note: You will be required to pay a Tourism Levy of U$30 when entering Botswana. This is payable by cash or credit card.
Approximate Travel Time: Four hours depending on border
Included Excursions
Sunset game cruise down the Chobe River in Chobe National Park
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Thebe River Safari Lodge or similar
Meals
1 Basic Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 3 to 3 - Elephant Sands
Our next stop is spent in a very unique location. You will be staying at Elephant Sands, a bush lodge set on private conservancy in the north-east part of Botswana. It is home to a huge amount of wildlife that roams free, especially elephants. You can enjoy the swimming pool and if you are lucky catch a sighting of one of these gentle giants! Elephant Sands is located near two waterholes which are only a few feet away.
You will be staying in stilted tented camps and can enjoy a cocktail or two in the Elephant Sands bar.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in tented camps at Elephant Sands or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es)
Day 4 to 4 - Maun
Driving across the top edge of the Kalahari Desert we reach the town of Maun, which will be our gateway for visiting the Okavango Delta, Africa's largest freshwater wetland.
Approximate Travel Time: A full day drive
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Sedia Hotel or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es)
Day 5 to 5 - Maun & Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is a huge area of very slow flowing water fed by the Kavango River. The water fans out from the river into a labyrinth of channels, lagoons and palm-covered islands before evaporating over the sands of the Kalahari Desert.
Today we will take a day trip to the small islands in the bush. We will travel by hand-crafted mokoros (small boats with shallow drafts similar to canoes) through the delta. The canoes glide silently along the reed-fringed waterways, steered by stealthy polers who earn their living transporting travellers along the delta. We will also have walking safaris through the bush and a chance for a swim before returning to the hotel in Maun.
Included Excursions
Day trip to the Okavango Delta with walking safaris and a mokoro ride included
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Sedia Hotel or similar
Meals
1 Buffet Breakfast(s)
Day 6 to 6 - Divundu
Departing Maun we drive through Botswana towards Namibia and cross the border through a narrow strip of land known as the Caprivi Strip. Keep your eyes peeled as we drive through Mahongo Game Reserve as you may be lucky enough to spot zebra, giraffe, gazelle and elephants among other wildlife.
Please note: A yellow fever vaccination is required if you are travelling to/from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission in Africa; this includes transiting through a yellow fever risk country. The Majority of our tours in Africa require a yellow fever certificate therefore we highly recommend that you obtain this prior to travel. Please make sure that on arrival you have a valid yellow fever certificate ready for inspection by local customs or health authorities, otherwise you could be refused entry or quarantined.
Approximate Travel Time: Six hours depending on the border
Accommodation
1 night(s) in basic huts at Rainbow River Lodge or similar
Meals
1 Buffet Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es)
Day 7 to 8 - Etosha National Park
We will spend two nights staying in or around Etosha National Park. Where possible we try to stay at the lodges inside the park for one or more nights. Etosha National Park is one of the most memorable places you will visit on this trip with huge amounts of wildlife visiting the waterholes to drink. We have a full game drive to make the most of the fantastic wildlife-spotting opportunities.
Etosha National Park is one of the best places in Africa to spot cheetah and the endangered black rhino. Keep your camera lens ready for rare antelope species, the Burchell's zebra and black-faced impalas which roam the wild savannah. You may spot the odd giraffe or two chewing through thorny acacia trees in the woodland areas. Etosha National Park is a bird watcher's paradise with some 340 species inhabiting the park at different times of the year. For a short period after seasonal rains Etosha's vast salt pan is covered by a layer of water which attracts massive flocks of pelicans, flamingoes and other wading birds. While the pan is dry it is notable for the way it dramatically changes colour during the early morning and late afternoon sun.
Included Excursions
Full day trip to Etosha National Park with a game drive in the Tucan Travel truck
Accommodation
2 night(s) in lodges
Meals
1 Local Breakfast(s), 1 Breakfast(s), 2 Lunch(es), 2 Dinner(s)
Day 9 to 9 - Otjiwarongo & The Cheetah Sanctuary
This morning we leave Etosha and make our way towards Otjiwarongo. We travel through the Namibian landscape for around four hours to reach the Cheetah Sanctuary where we will stop for a few hours. After arrival to the sanctuary we will enjoy an introduction to the centre and the work that they do, including a tour of the centre, museum, clinic and creamery. You will witness the cheetahs being fed and also meet the other livestock that live in the centre.
Following this you can enjoy an optional Cheetah drive excursion where you have the opportunity to witness these beautiful creatures up close.
Later in the afternoon we have a short drive to our final destination for the night, Otjiwarongo.
Please Note: The Cheetah Sanctuary is included for all tours departing after the 17th February 2019. If you are travelling on AFHA 5th January, AFSL 27th January, AFDD 9th February or AFBN 9th February this will not be included.
Optional Excursions
Cheetah Game Drive Excursion N$ 550
Accommodation
1 night(s) in lodges at C'est Si Bon Lodge or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es)
Day 10 to 11 - Swakopmund
Our next stop will be the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, a historic colonial German town surrounded by desert and sweeping sand dunes which meet with the Atlantic Ocean. It is Namibia's most popular holiday destination. We spend two nights here, so you can to wander around town viewing the colonial architecture or perhaps enjoy a cold locally brewed beer or two. If you would prefer to fuel your thirst for adrenaline then there is a wide range of optional excursions available. The town also has a good selection of bars and restaurants to cater for every taste. The seafood here is great!
Approximate Travel Time: 6 hours
Optional Excursions
Sunset Boat Cruise – From US$15 • Quad Bike Tour – From US$35 • Camel Ride – From US$20pp • Sandboarding – From US$30 • Tandem Skydiving- US$210
Accommodation
2 night(s) in hotels at Dunedin Star Guesthouse or similar
Meals
2 Local Breakfast(s)
Day 12 to 12 - Windhoek
From the coast we head inland again, making our way east towards Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city. At an elevation of 1650 metres, Windhoek lies in a beautiful valley and is surrounded by the Eros Mountains in the north and the Auas mountains to the south. This is the only city in Namibia and is home to a population over 250,000 inhabitants.
Like in Swakopmund there is a noticeable German influence here. German is still widely spoken and it is common to find traditional breads, sausage, and other delicacies, they even hold annual beer festivals.
No tourists visit to Windhoek is complete without paying a visit to Joe’s Beerhouse, a bar and restaurant providing a mix of warm Namibian and German hospitality. This place is full of old relics from ‘Joe’s’ travels and creates a great atmosphere for socialising and reminiscing about your journey so far. Here you can also opt to sample some delicious game meats or try out one of the many craft beers on offer.
Approximate Travel Time: Six hours
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Roof of Africa Hotel or similar
Meals
1 Local Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es)
Day 13 to 13 - Sesriem
Departing the capital we drive towards the Tropic of Capricorn where we make a stop so that you can get that obligatory picture with the sign. From here we continue on to Solitaire, a small settlement in the Khomas Region of Central Namibia, close to the Namib-Naukluft National Park. This small desert community has only a gas station, post office, bakery and general store. As you step off the truck you will feel as though you have stepped back in time onto a movie set, surrounded by cacti and old vehicle carcasses partially submerged in the sand.
We arrive in Sesriem staying just outside Sesriem Canyon park.
Approximate Travel Time: Full day with stops along the way
Included Excursions
Stop in the town of Solitaire and the Tropic of Capricorn,Sesriem Canyon
Accommodation
1 night(s) in basic huts
Meals
1 Buffet Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 14 to 14 - Fish River Canyon
This morning you have the option to hike to the top of Dune 45 for incredible views over the Namib Desert. We will also visit incredible Sossusvlei and Deadvlei where the dark camel thorn trees against the white floor provide fantastic photo opportunities. This place really is a photographer’s paradise.
Approximate Travel Time: Eight Hours
Included Excursions
Sossusvlei & Dead Vlei
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Seeheim Hotel or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 15 to 15 - Orange River
We continue south to Orange River, known locally in Afrikaans as Oranjerivier. This is South Africa’s longest river and runs along the border of Namibia and South Africa. En-route to Orange River we stop at Fish River Canyon which is one of the world's largest canyons and it is quite breathtaking in its immensity; it is rivalled only by the Grand Canyon in North America for sheer grandeur. We will park at the viewpoint overlooking the canyon and can take a short walk along the canyon rim, stopping along the way for photos.
The Fish River running through the bottom of the canyon is one of Namibia's few permanent rivers and while the flow is seasonal, beautiful turquoise pools can be seen in the distance during the dry season. As you walk and enjoy the colours of the strata and rugged scenery, you may be lucky enough to spot hardy mountain animals in the distance, as well as numerous bird species. Weather depending we will have lunch at the viewpoint.
Approximate Travel Time: Eight hours
Included Excursions
Fish River Canyon
Accommodation
1 night(s) in basic huts at Felix Unite Camp or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es)
Day 16 to 16 - Cederberg
As we head towards to Cape Town we make a stop in the Cederberg wilderness area with its rugged landscape crisscrossed by streams, waterfalls, cool pools and amazing natural rock formations. Here you will get to sample some of the local wines on our included wine tasting tour.
Approximate Travel Time: Six hours depending on the border
Included Excursions
Wine Tasting
Accommodation
1 night(s) in basic huts at Highlanders Lodge & Camp or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 17 to 17 - Cape Town
Situated on the south western tip of Africa and set between the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town is recognised as one of the most beautiful cities on Earth.
There are dozens of amazing sightseeing opportunities to enjoy in Cape Town and in the surrounding area. You can tackle a trek up Table Mountain or take the cable car to the top for spectacular views of the city. If you have a good head for heights you can enjoy the scenery looking over Camps Bay then rather than taking the cable car, abseil 112 metres down again, but this option is not one for the faint hearted!
The V&A Waterfront is the very epitome of African chic and offers a unique shopping and entertainment environment where you can soak up the cosmopolitan vibe of the city. Be sure to sample some of South Africa's famous wines with dinner and sit back with a hot cup of rooibos herbal tea afterwards.
From Cape Town, you can visit Robben Island where former South African President and Nobel Laureate Nelson Mandela was incarcerated among other political prisoners. Once a blight on the nation's history, the island is now seen as a national symbol of triumph over adversity and has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. If you want to arrange this activity, it is advised that you book in advance to avoid disappointment. Excursions to the island are weather dependant.
Just 60 kilometres away from the centre of Cape Town you can visit Cape Point, which is part of the Table Mountain National Park. The peninsula is a largely unspoilt wilderness and home to several species of antelope, including the eland, as well as many beautiful plants species. There are two lighthouses on Cape Point which can be reached by a funicular known affectionately as the Flying Dutchman.
Approximate Travel Time: Three hours
Optional Excursions
Table Mountain – From US$20 • Wine Tasting Tour – From US$60 • Robben Island (Weather dependent) – US$30
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at The New Tulbagh Hotel or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 18 to 18 - Depart Cape Town
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Meals
1 Buffet Breakfast(s)
What you need to know
- We will try to run your tour as close to the itinerary as conditions will allow. On very rare occasions, local events may affect the way your itinerary operates. We ask for your flexibility and understanding in these situations.
- Many countries have strict rules on the age and quality of foreign cash. We therefore recommend you bring only new, unmarked and undamaged bank notes. This includes your Local Payment on tours where required.
- The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. You will meet your Tucan Travel rep at 18.00 for the pre-departure meeting. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre-tour accommodation.
- A yellow fever vaccination is required if you are travelling to/from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission in Africa; this includes transiting through a yellow fever risk country. The majority of our tours in Africa aside from Morocco, require a yellow fever certificate therefore we highly recommend that you obtain this prior to travel. Please make sure that on arrival you have a valid yellow fever certificate ready for inspection by local customs or health authorities, otherwise you could be refused entry or quarantined
- This tour includes a compulsory Local Payment that needs to be paid to the Tour Leader on Day 1 of your tour. For more information on our Local Payments please click here.
What's Included
Excursions & Activities
- Sunset game cruise down the Chobe River in Chobe National Park
- Day trip to the Okavango Delta with walking safaris and a mokoro ride included
- Full day trip to Etosha National Park with a game drive in the Tucan Travel truck
- Stop in the town of Solitaire and the Tropic of Capricorn
- Sesriem Canyon
- Sossusvlei & Dead Vlei
- Fish River Canyon
- Wine Tasting
Accommodation
9 night(s) in hotels, 1 night(s) in tented camps, 4 night(s) in basic huts, 3 night(s) in lodges
Transportation
Overland Truck
Meals
1 Basic Breakfast(s), 12 Lunch(es), 6 Dinner(s), 8 Breakfast(s), 4 Buffet Breakfast(s), 4 Local Breakfast(s)
Other
Tucan Travel tour leader, Tucan Travel driver
What's Not Included
- Visas and travel insurance
- Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
- International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes
- Tips on excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.
- Optional excursions - On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone's taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don't hesitate to ask your tour leader.
- Airport transfers and pre and post tour accommodation
Select Dates & Book
2019
Extra Services
Reviews

