Venture with your family to a land of stunning contrasts. Where soaring charter flights lead to down-to-earth hikes, from flame-colored dunes to mist-shrouded Victoria Falls. Where mighty elephants roam and springbok leap. Where luxurious retreats nestle amid raw nature. And impossibly blue skies turn into a blanket of stars. Where? Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Days
1-2 Hike the dramatic Namib Desert, with its vivid pink-to-orange dunes 
Spot hearty desert wildlife, like oryx, springbok and ostrich Marvel at petrified dunes, where sand has transformed back into rock Our local San Bushman guide sheds light on the desert's resilient flora and fauna The stars are unbelievable! Join an astronomer for an extraordinary night of stargazing.
Day
3 Charter flights seamlessly connect varied African landscapes Walk with your family across the bright red-orange sands of the Sossusvlei Dunes Climb the enormous dunes—among the highest in the world—for sweeping desert views Gain insight into traditional and contemporary culture on a guided twilight walk As the sun slips below the horizon, sip refreshing sundowners and enjoy dinner alfresco.
Days
4-6 Track rare desert-dwelling elephants and black rhinos Discover remote Damaraland, a ruggedly beautiful region of vast arid plains, granite outcrops and deep gorges Tonight, relish a magical bush dinner under the stars In Etosha National Park, a scenic game drive offers the chance to see four of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant and rhinoceros Another stunning landscape unfolds on a walk in Onguma Game Reserve.
Day
7 Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls, a breathtaking explosion of thunder and spray, is a sight to behold Watch the mighty Zambezi River surge down a narrow and zigzagging chasm On a guided hike, learn about this World Heritage site's fascinating history Savor an unforgettable dinner on the Zambezi riverbank.
Days
8-9 Cruise along a sprawling stretch of the Zambezi keeping your camera ready for hippos, crocodiles and a plethora of birdlife Get to know the Zimbabwean bush—a true feast for the senses—on a walking safari through Matetsi Private Game Reserve Relax and rejuvenate under a canopy of mangosteen trees at our magnificent river abode.
I've been living and traveling in southern Africa for over 25 years, and as compelling as each and every region is, nothing is quite like Namibia. Its wild and vast landscapes juxtapose contemporary life in a stunningly beautiful way. Namibia is one of the few places that make me genuinely feel 'way out there.' And by balancing that with Zimbabwe's incredible energy and magnificent Zambezi River, this trip offers a sweeping experience of some of Africa's most exceptional and unique landscapes.- Africa
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A tranquil oasis surrounded by sand dunes and mountains in the Namib Desert. (pool, spa)
Sensational views abound at this desert safari camp, nestled amid massive sandstone boulders. (pool)
View abundant wildlife directly from the deck of this opulent game lodge, designed to resemble a classic Moorish fort. (pool, spa)
This luxurious retreat is set on an exclusive, shaded stretch of the Zambezi River above Victoria Falls. (pool, spa)
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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Comments about Namibia & Zimbabwe Family Breakaway Safari Walking & Hiking Tour:
I've been living and traveling in southern Africa for over 25 years, and as compelling as each and every region is, nothing is quite like Namibia. Its wild and vast landscapes juxtapose contemporary life in a stunningly beautiful way. Namibia is one of the few places that make me genuinely feel 'way out there.' And by balancing that with Zimbabwe's incredible energy and magnificent Zambezi River, this trip offers a sweeping experience of some of Africa's most exceptional and unique landscapes.
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The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
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| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | Settlers Solace Ridge Hike (3–4 Hours) | |||||||||
| 2 | Petrified Dunes Guided Hike (3 Hours) | |||||||||
| Afternoon Hike or Nature Drive (3 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 3 | Sossusvlei Dunes Guided Hike (2.5 Hours) | |||||||||
| 4 | Damaraland Guided Hike & Game Drive (4 Hours) | |||||||||
| Afternoon Guided Hike (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | Scenic Game Drive to Track Desert Rhino (1 Hour) | |||||||||
| Desert Rhino Guided Walk (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
| Afternoon Sundowner Walk & Game Drive (3 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | Etosha National Park Game Drive (4 Hours) | |||||||||
| Afternoon Guided Hike (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 7 | Morning Game Drive (2 Hours) | |||||||||
| Victoria Falls Walk (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 8 | Morning Game Drive & Walk (3.5 Hours) | |||||||||
| Afternoon Zambezi River Wildlife Cruise & Game Drive (3.5 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 9 | Morning Game Drive & Walk (2.5 Hours) | |||||||||
Note: The terrain on this trip includes rocky, sandy desert trails with some fairly steep sand dunes in Namibia, as well as bush trails with rough dirt and exposed roots in Zimbabwe.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from a large selection of dates for your group of 8 or more. Call us for date availability. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or if your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
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Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
