Namibia & Beyond to Victoria Falls Self–Drive

15 Day Self Drive Safari

Safari Description:

Take in the highlights of Namibia including the quintessential Sossusvlei dunes and Namib Desert before continuing to the picturesque seaside town of Swakopmund. Visit Etosha for game viewing and abundant wildlife, then drive through the Caprivi and onward to Chobe where elephants frolic in the river with a final two nights in Victoria Falls – a Natural Wonder of the World. Camping, mid–range and luxury accommodated options are available and can be tailored to suit you.

Safari Highlights:

Namib–Naukluft Park – Sossusvlei, Sesriem, Dead Vlei & Dune 45, Swakopmund coastal town, Twyfelfontein for rock painting; Etosha National Park and game drives, Caprivi/Zambezi Strip, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Main Attractions:

Botswana: Chobe
Namibia: Etosha Park, Sossusvlei, Damaraland, Swakopmund

Map & Short Itinerary:

Camping

Day 1&2 Sesriem/Sesriem Oshana Campsite for Sossusvlei
Day 3&4 Cornerstone /Namib Guesthouse Swakopmund
Day 5 Madisa Campsite Damaraland
Day 6&7 Okaukuejo/Halali Campsite Etosha
Day 8 Namutoni Campsite Etosha
Day 9 Hakusembe Campsite nr Rundu
Day 10&11 Camp Kwando Kwando River
Day 12 Chobe Safari Lodge/Campsite Kasane  Botswana
Day 13&14 Cresta Sprayview Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Day 15 Transfer to airport/end of services

Map & Itinerary
Accommodated

Day 1&2 Namib Desert Lodge Namib Desert for Sossusvlei
Day 3&4 The Delight Hotel Swakopmund
Day 5 Twyfelfontein Country Lodge Damaraland
Day 6&7 Okaukuejo/Halali Resort Etosha
Day 8 Onguma Bush Camp Onguma Reserve for Etosha
Day 9 Hakusembe Lodge nr Rundu
Day 10&11 Nkwasa Lepala,Kwando River/Mamili
Day 12 Chobe Safari Lodge Kasane Botswana
Day 13&14 Pioneers Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Day 15 Transfer to airport end of services

Map & Itinerary
Luxury

Day 1&2 Kulala Desert Lodge Kulala Reserve for Sossusvlei
Day 3&4 Strand Hotel Swakopmund
Day 5 Mowani Mountain Camp Damaraland
Day 6&7 Ongava Lodge Ongava Private Reserve for Etosha
Day 8 Onguma Tented Camp Onguma Private Reserve  for Etosha
Day 9 Taranga River Lodge nr Rundu
Day 10 Divava Okavango Lodge West Caprivi
Day 11&12 Chobe Water Villas Chobe River Front Namibia
Day 13&14 Ilala Lodge Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Day 15 Transfer to airport/end of services

Map & Itinerary
Length 15 days
Safari Type Self Drive Safari
Price From NAD 0
Countries Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe
Accommodation Accommodation, Camping, Luxury
Group Size Minimum 1 people
Single Supplement Yes
Please Note Subject to availability of accommodation
Departures On Request

Comfort Level:

Accommodation Comfort3 Star4 Star
Camping Comfort1 Star2 Star
Luxury Comfort4 Star5 Star

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1–2 Sossusvlei area

Collect your vehicle first thing after breakfast and from Windhoek, the start–point of your trip, drive through the stunningly rugged mountain landscapes and onto the desert. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sossusvlei and the incredible sand dune sea in early morning light when shadows are mesmerizing. The stark beauty of the Namib Desert makes this one of Namibia’s highlights yet desert–adapted animals manage to survive – look out for springbok, oryx and ostrich amongst the dunes.

Day 3–4 Swakopmund

Drive across the Gaub & Kuiseb Passes made up of shining mica schist, then cross the gravel plains towards Walvis Bay where you can stop at the lagoon, a RAMSAR protected wetland site; home for many different aquatic birds such as flamingo, pelicans, cormorant, avocets, the endemic Damara tern and many more. From here it is a short drive through to Swakopmund. Enjoy optional activities such as an afternoon scenic flight over the dunes of Sossusvlei, to the coast to see shipwrecks, old diamond mines, dunes falling into the ocean. Nestled in the dramatic coastline lies this quirky town offering a host of activities along with shops and restaurants set amongst German colonial architecture

Day 5 Twyfelfontein area

Drive north along the Skeleton Coast stopping to view a shipwreck just south of Henties Bay and easy seen from the beach; from here visit Cape Cross Seal Colony, where thousands of seal congregate on the beach. Damaraland’s harsh landscapes offer ancient Bushman art, rugged peaks and stark plains along with stunning landscapes of granite kopjies, gravel plains and dry riverbeds lined with trees such as camel thorns

Day 6–7 Okaukuejo/Halali, Etosha National Park

Destination Etosha! One of the best game reserves in Southern Africa, the park is home to many species of game including lion, leopard, elephant, hyena, giraffe and many types of antelope including the endemic black faced impala as well as 300 species of bird life. The floodlit waterhole at Okaukuejo is renowned for its density of game during dry winter months

Day 6&7 Ongava Lodge, Ongava Reserve for Etosha National Park (superior/luxury option)

For upgraded options, your these 2 nights are spent on Ongava Private Game Reserve in one of the best reserves and lodges in Namibia, here you find a large pride of lions and can see white/black rhino in close proximity, sit and enjoy the floodlit waterhole or head out for a night drive. It is regarded as one of Namibia’s best reserves and destinations

Day 8 East Etosha, Etosha National Park

Continue with your game viewing as you criss–cross to the east aspect of the park – it’s worth a stop at Etosha Pan and viewing the endless vistas, shimmering mirages and spiralling dust devils. Look out for black–faced impala and the diminutive Damara dik–dik found the woodlands around the area. A final night is spent on the east of the park – either at Namutoni or Onguma Bush Camp (Onguma Private Game Reserve)

Day 8 Onguma Tented Camp, Onguma Reserve for Etosha (superior/luxury option)

For upgraded option, game drive across Etosha, criss–crossing the park and stopping at some of the many waterholes along the way. Look out for wildlife as it congregates around the waterholes, much of the year the only source of water. Spend tonight at the beautiful and intimate Onguma Tented Camp, the private Onguma Reserve is adjacent to Etosha on the east aspect of the park sharing Fischers Pan.

Day 9 Rundu area, Kavango

An early morning start for a long drive to Rundu, there is significant change along the way in Namibia’s more populated area in a region which receives the highest rainfall in the country – this is rural Namibia with villages and people; cattle and goat graze by the side of the road yet the region manages to feel wild and untamed in the game reserves.

Day 10–11, Mamili National Park/Bwabwata/Kwando River

Drive through the Caprivi/Zambezi Strip and Bwabwata Game Reserve today, keep your eyes open for animals such as elephant that may cross your path. Explore the former Mamili Park area, with game drives and nature at its wildest in and around the lush and tropical vegetation or along the Kwando River spotting “river horses” as hippos are known, along with crocs and plenty of water–loving antelope.

Day 12 Chobe River Front, Botswana

The lodge and campsite overlook to the Chobe River and there’s the chance to join optional activities including a highly recommended sunset boat cruise. Elephants abound frolicking in the river, along with sightings of predators, plains game and hippos/crocs! For the upgraded version, you’ll spend 1night in Mamili but 2nights at Chobe Water Villas a luxury establishment where you can enjoy game drives, river cruises and wonderful accommodation and service.

Day 13–14 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Your final nights are spent in Victoria Falls where David Livingstone famously quoted ’scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight. Explore and experience the magic of Victoria Falls – whether you enter the rainforest inside the park and soak yourself from the spray of water, or enjoy breakfast on Livingstone Island or a sunset cruise along the river. For the adventurous white–water raft, bungee jump or zipline.

Day 15 Departure

Transfer to the airport in time for onward connection. End of services.

How we rate our safaris

Namibia, Botswana and some other African destinations do not have a set star system that is familiar worldwide to many countries, however, as this is widely used, we have tried to replicate this format to give you an idea of the level of comfort during your safari. For example, a mobile camping tour in Namibia is given 1* and luxury accommodation increasing to 5*. Depending on your tour, there may be a bit of a mix of levels of comfort so please check if you are not sure.

1* or 1–2* Rated Safaris – Camping tours:

These are generally scheduled/small group or self–drive safaris (though a private–guided safari can also fall into this category if you wish to camp); the scheduled trips generally involve client participation where you may be expected to put up/take down your tent and assist with camp chores, dome tents and a ground mattress is supplied. For self–drive options this will often mean roof tents on the vehicle and all camping equipment. There may be the occasional night in simple accommodation but majority of nights are spent camping and most camp sites will have shared ablution facilities. If there is a good mix of both camping and accommodation, this may be rated at 1&2*. These are the most basic level of safaris offered and scheduled safari group sizes vary according to the trip and company – 1* tours are the most affordable option and geared for adventurous travellers who do not mind a bit of discomfort.

Accommodated Safaris

Standard/Mid–range safaris 2–3.5*

Standard accommodation style trips generally have no camping included (though on occasion with a specific activity such as a Delta or Serengeti excursion, or perhaps hiking, a couple of nights may be included). As a general rule this is not the case. With most small group/scheduled tours accommodation is generally 2/3* level – clean and affordable but generally without too many frills; rooms will have en–suite facilities, most will offer air con/fans in the rooms, swimming pools etc (not guaranteed), restaurant/bar facilities, though location can be a little further away from main place of interest this option offers excellent value for money for those seeking a bed each night! We try to indicate on each trip the level of comfort for the particular tour

Superior/Luxury Safaris 3.5–5*

A superior style of accommodation. Most lodges at this level will have air–conditioning or fans in the room though some accommodation establishments are technically “camps” as they may be partially build of canvas – these “camps” are permanent fixtures, generally built on a platform, and will have full and comfortable facilities – the occasional trip may have a more basic night or two involved depending on location to ensure clients can fully appreciate the region they are experiencing. Service is generally very good and most places (outside of towns/cities) will have just a few rooms/chalets. Tours in this bracket include very small group safaris (up to 8 clients), self–drive and private–guided options which are tailored to suit you. The luxury options offer a high standard of accommodation, facilities and service in the region with attention to detail – some “camps” /lodges will have private guides and vehicles, but all accommodation is the best available with personalized service and a quality or unique experience perhaps unavailable elsewhere or in a more moderate price bracket. Tours include fly–in safaris, self–drive and private–guided options.

Please note: this is a guideline only and each destination can vary – some areas in Southern Africa do not always have 5* accommodation (there are limited hotels outside of cities that have the same * grading accommodation) but will be best in the area, have limited volume of rooms and some of the best locations and experiences for clients that is outside of the normal “tourist/travel” route. This can include exclusive conservation regions and emphasis is place on clients having a unique experience rather than offering hairdresser type of facilities that may be found is hotels in cities in other countries. Please also remember that some of these locations can be remote so wifi may not always be available, nor a huge menu range.

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Opening Hours

Monday to Friday
08.00 – 17.00
Saturday
08.00 – 13.00
Sunday & Public Holidays
Closed

Address

7 Voigt St,  Windhoek