Namibia & Botswana Circuit Self–Drive

Day 1 Windhoek

Upon arrival in Windhoek collect the vehicle and drive to your guesthouse, here you’ll meet one of our tour consultants, who will go through your travel plans and answer any last–minute questions you may have. Depending on the time of your arrival perhaps choose to wander into the city centre, relax by the pool, or alternatively join an optional township tour, sunset horse ride, or head out for a birding trip.

Day 2–3 Sossusvlei area

Driving today to the mesmerizing desert and sand sea of the Namib. The following day rise early venturing into the dune fields of the famous Sossusvlei dunes, wander around on foot, climb to the top of one to reveal an endless sea of sand and enjoy this remarkable and unique area – it’s no wonder this is one of Namibia’s highlights and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Perhaps treat yourself to a hot–air balloon flight first thing in the morning for a completely different perspective.

Day 4–5 Swakopmund

Drive through the desert to Swakopmund today, perhaps stop at Walvis Bay to visit the lagoon, a protected RAMSAR wetland site, and search for some of the species of birds including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, avocets, plovers and the endemic Damara tern. From here, it is a short coastal drive to the historic and adventure seaside town of Swakopmund, where you can join optional activities on offer, perhaps take part in a dolphin cruise and experience the thrill of dolphins leaping out of the water along the boat. There is a safe beach for swimming, an interesting aquarium and quartz museum or you may want to sit back and relax with a coffee and cake and watch the world go by.

Day 6 Twyfelfointein area

Depart from Swakopmund after breakfast and drive north along the stark Skeleton Coast, stopping at a shipwreck south of Henties Bay, before continuing onto Cape Cross seal colony, where over 100,000 congregate during breeding season – it’s noisy and smelly! Your destination today is the Twyfelfontein area, a very vulnerable and delicate ecosystem renowned for some of the best rock engravings in Southern Africa. Interesting rock formations and remainders of prehistoric volcanic action can be seen in the nearby Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain, among the most prominent geographic features.

Day 7–8 Etosha National Park

Journey to Etosha, Namibia’s prime game reserve and spend the next three days exploring the park and searching out for some of the wildlife found in what is often regarded as one of the largest and best reserves in Africa. Days can be spent on game drives, with evenings sitting at the floodlit waterhole watching to see what ventures in to drink. Look out for herds of elephants, prides of lion, rhino, hyena and huge herds of plains game. For upgraded versions of this trip you’ll be staying in beautiful private reserves adjacent to the national park and enjoy premium accommodation, service and food, along with superb game viewing

Day 9 East Etosha National Park

Enjoy more exhilarating game viewing experiences as you drive across to the east side of Etosha

Day 10   West Caprivi/Bwabwata National Park – camping & mid–range accommodation options

An early morning for your drive through to Divundu and onto on the banks of the Okavango River that flows to the famous Okavango Delta. This region is more fertile than other areas of Namibia and huge trees offer shade from the scorching sun. Enjoy optional activities such as a boat trip or game drive to the nearby Mahango National Park where you may see buffalo, sable, red lechwe – animals that need plenty of water and aren’t found in parks such as Etosha. Upgraded option: Just one night is spent at a beautiful lodge near to Rundu in superior accommodation.

Day 11 West/Caprivi/Bwabwata National Park – camping & mid–range accommodation options

Enjoy a further night here, perhaps explore the wilderness Buffalo Park, or Mahango Reserve in game drives or boat cruise, or visit a nearby village

Day 12  Kwando River – camping & mid–range accommodation

Keep your eyes open for animals such as elephants that may cross your path. Tonight overlook Botswana and this afternoon you might wish to enjoy a game drive into the Mamili National Park. Alternatively, visit a local village to learn about their way of life, a boat trip, or simply relax on the deck overlooking the river, it’s a beautiful spot

Day 11&12  Nkasa Rupara National Park – superior/luxury version

For upgraded version of this tour, 2nights are spent inside the wilderness park of Nkasa Rupara (formerly Mamili) on the Linyanti River lagoons and floodplains that border Botswana and a perfect base where you can join optional activities such as game drives or boat cruises in the region to spot predators such as lion, leopard and hyena

Day 13–14 Chobe Safari/Bush Lodge, Chobe River Front

Cross the border into Botswana, driving through Chobe National Park. The lodge is situated on the river near Chobe, you can enjoy optional activities such as a boat cruise or game drive into the park to search for wildlife such as hippo, crocodiles and huge elephant herds, Chobe has one of the largest amounts of elephant to any park in Southern Africa and if you are lucky then you can see them bathing and crossing the river. The park is also renowned for great birdlife, including many water birds – this lush region is very different to any of the game parks in Namibia and worth the time spent here. It is also very close to the famous Victoria Falls and there’s the highly recommended option of a guided day trip.

Day 15–16 Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and surrounds

Located on the edge of the famous huge saltpans of Botswana, you can enjoy optional activities such as sleeping out on the pans, quad bike excursions and the chance to see meerkats – guaranteed to entertain you with their mischief and character

Day 17–18 Okavango Delta

Drive to Maun and from here the Okavango Delta, a paradise of wetlands from lagoons to islands, papyrus beds, woodlands, delta channels and flowing rivers. Each year, the waters ebb and flow depending on the rains received in Angola and slowly trickle their way through the rivers to revitalize the lands. It is one of the greatest wildlife destinations in the world, where game viewing can be enjoyed from the quietness of a gliding mokoro, a motorised boat cruise, guided game drives or game walks. Simply thrilling.

Day 19  Ghanzi – camping/mid–range accommodation options

After an activity this morning, return to Maun and from here drive to Ghanzi, a community based lodge and camp with the chance to meet and interact with the Bushman – a fascinating and ancient tribe – your visit will ensure they directly benefit and a bush walk to learn how historically they would hunt and forage for food in the veld will give you an appreciation of how hard life would have been

Day 20 Voigtland Guestouse or Auas Safari Lodge, Greater Windhoek, Namibia – camping/mid–range accommodation options

Drive across the border back into Namibia and onto your accommodation, just 1 hour from the international airport, making it easy for tomorrow’s departure. Voigtland – enjoy high tea with giraffe feeding; Auas – relax or join an optional game drive

Day 19  Kalahari Bush Breaks – superior/luxury option

Today you will fly out of the Delta and start your journey back to Namibia, cross the border and Bush Breaks is set in the Kalahari basin – note this is 3* only but limited options in the are

Day 20  Omaanda, Zannier Reserve – superior/luxury option

For your final night in Namibia, drive to the beautiful Omaanda, located just 30minutes from the international airport and renowned for not only its savannah–covered landscapes but for its wlldlife and home to the Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary providing a refuge for injured or abandoned animals such as baboons, rhino and elephants.

Day 21 Departure

Return to international airport today to drop off your vehicle and take your onward connection. Recommend no flights prior to mid–afternoon