OVERVIEW

Day 1

Windhoek

This is the first day of your self-drive adventure through both Namibia and Botswana. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be collected by our partner, the car rental agency, and you will receive your car. After an extensive instruction round and the processing of formalities, your self-drive journey is on its way. The first night is planned in Windhoek so that you have plenty of time to get used to the car. Windhoek is also the place where you will have to do most of your shopping and build a storage for your trip. There are plenty of smaller shops along the way, but no major supermarkets. Accommodation: B&B at Arebbusch Travel Lodge.

(optionally you can stay in an accommodation outside Windhoek on the road to Sossusvlei/Sesriem).

Main Destination:

• Windhoek (Namibia)

Accommodation:

• Arebbusch Travel Lodge
• Mid-range hotel located in or near Windhoek

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 2

Sesriem

If you did your shopping on day 1, you can start early with the trip to Sesriem and the Namib Desert (Namib Naukluft Park). You will travel through Solitaire and you may reach Sesriem as early as the start of the afternoon. You will be camping at the Seriem campsite.

distance: 330 km.

Main Destination:

• Sesriem (Namibia)

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• In or near Sesriem

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 3

Sossusvlei/Solitaire

A whole day for the sand dunes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. We advise you to leave early so that you’ll get to the dunes in time for sunrise. It’s a breathtaking show of reds and oranges dancing around deep shadows. After visiting the dunes you will drive to Solitaire.

Accommodation: camping at Solitaire Guest Farm. Travel distance: 120 km (total retour) + 90 km.

Main Destination:

• Solitaire (Namibia)

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• In or near Solitaire

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 4

Swakopmund

After two nights with the sand dunes and Sesriem your journey takes you to the next destination: Swakopmund, at the Altantic Ocean shore. The road crosses the Kuisib Canyon and the extensive gravel fields of the Namib Desert. Early in the afternoon you will arrive in Swakopmund. Accommodation is a B&B so that you don’t have to pitch the tent. There are plenty of restaurants in Swakopmund as well.

Accommodation: B&B at Desert Breeze. Travel distance: 350 km.

Main Destination:

• Swakopmund (Namibia)

Accommodation:

• Sea Breeze Guesthouse
• Mid-range guest house located in or near Swakopmund

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 5

Spitzkoppe

After breakfast in the B&B you will have time to discover Swakopmund and/or do some shopping, if necessary. Then, you’ll continue to the next destination of this self-drive journey: the pointy rocks of Spitzkoppe. On the way to Spitzkoppe you will have the opportunity to visit the seals at Cape Cross (which is a detour of about 130 km).

Accommodation: camping at Spitzkoppe. Travel distance: 140 km.

Main Destination:

• Spitzkoppe (Damaraland, Namibia)
• Best Time to Visit
• May to September (Animals are easier to see)
• High Season
• July to November (Some places can get quite busy)
• Best Weather
• May to August (Less hot during the day)
• Wildlife in Damaraland

Accommodation:

• Spitzkoppen Lodge
• Mid-range lodge located in or near Spitzkoppe

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 6

Damaraland

Today, you will continue deeper and deeper into Damaraland. The beautiful vistas so typical for Namibia will accompany you on the road to the community based Ugab Rhino Camp. You might just be visited by the famous Namibian desert elephants here.

Accommodation: camping (semi) wild at Ugab Rhino. Travel distance: 200 km.

Main Destination:

• Damaraland (Kunene Region, Namibia)

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• Inside Damaraland

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 7

Twyfelfontein

A special day on which you’re really going to need the 4×4 car. Adventurous tracks that can only be traversed with the 4×4 and GPS are copious today, on the road to Twyfelfontein through a landscape of unparalleled beauty in Damaraland. It would be wise to reserve the whole day for this trip, even though it’s relatively short: it is a real 4×4 track with correspondingly low speeds. You may see ostriches, oryx, various antelopes and maybe even the extremely shy black rhino.

Accommodation: camping at Mowani. Travel distance: 95 km.

Main Destination:

• Twyfelfontein (Damaraland, Namibia)

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• In or near Twyfelfontein

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 8

Etosha NP (Okaukeujo)

From Twyfelfontein your Namibia and Botswana journey continues to Etosha National Park. You will remain in this expansive wildlife reserve for three nights, in three different rest camps. In Etosha, you have a huge chance of encountering various wild animals, including elephants, rhinos and lions. The lit-up drinking places with the rest camps are good recommendations. They can be reached on foot from the camp.

Accommodation: camping at Okaukuejo. Travel distance: 240 km.

Main Destination:

• Etosha National Park (Namibia)
• Best Time to Visit
• July to September (Animals come to water)
• High Season
• July to November (The park gets crowded)
• Best Weather
• May to August (Less hot during the day)
• Wildlife in Etosha NP

Accommodation:

• Mid-range camping
• Inside Etosha NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 9

Etosha National Park

A second day in Etosha National Park. You can make an early morning game drive and return to Okaukeujo, or alternatively you can break up camp immediately and start the game drive towards Halali. If you choose for a short game drive around Okaukeujo camp, you can also brunch afterwards and then break up camp. If you do, though, you will obviously arrive in Halali later.

Accommodation: camping at Halali. Travel distance: 100 km.

Main Destination:

• Etosha National Park (Namibia)

Accommodation:

• Mid-range camping
• Inside Etosha NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 10

Etosha National Park (Namutoni)

The third day of your stay in Etosha National Park. This day also includes and extensive game drive towards Namutoni. And you can again choose to start early for a short game drive around the camp, or to break up camp directly and continue on to Namutoni. This might also depend on how long you stayed at the lit-up watering hole in Halali, which gives you the opportunity to spot many remarkable animals. It is not uncommon to see hyenas, lions, or even a leopard here. Camping at Namutoni restcamp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 100 km.

Main Destination:

• Etosha National Park (Namibia)

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• Inside Etosha NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 11

Rundu

In the morning, you have time for a final game drive from Namutoni camp. Then, you can break up camp and will leave Etosha National Park. The road to Rundu consists of tarmac. You can stop along the way at the Hoba meteorite and you can buy supplies in the city (Grootfontein). B&B accommodation at n’Kwazi Lodge.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: 420 km.

Main Destination:

• Zambezi Region (Namibia)
• Best Time to Visit
• June to September (Animals easier to spot)
• High Season
• July to November (The area never gets crowded)
• Best Weather
• May to August (Less hot during the day)
• Wildlife in Zambezi Region

Accommodation:

• Nkwazi Lodge
• Mid-range lodge located in or near Rundu

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 12

Okavango Delta

The journey to Ngepi Camp, located at the Okavango River in the pan handle of the Okavango Delta, is a simple but long journey of 425 km. You will pass through various settlements and souvenir shops where locals offer many goods.

Accommodation: camping Ngepi Camp. Travel distance: 425 km.

Main Destination:

• Okavango Delta (Botswana)
• Best Time to Visit
• July to October (Best wildlife viewing)
• High Season
• July to October (Higher rates apply but not busy)
• Best Weather
• May to August (Less hot during the day)
• Wildlife in Okavango Delta

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• Inside Okavango Delta

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 13

Caprivi

An entire resting day at Ngepi Camp. It is possible to relax today, or you can go on an activity. Various excursions are offered at Ngepi Camp, often on the water of the Okavango Delta. The Caprivi Strip is a huge game reserve situated bordering Angola and Botswana.

Accommodation: camping.

Main Destination:

• Zambezi Region (Namibia)

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• Inside Zambezi Region

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 14

Botswana, Chobe National Park

After the resting day in the Okavango Delta Pan Handle you continue east with the 4×4. Today’s destination is Kasane in Botswana, located on the Namibian-Zambian-Zimbabwean border. Home to the largest Elephant population on earth.

Accommodation: camping at Senyati or Chobe Safari Lodge. Travel distance: 475 km.

Main Destination:

• Chobe National Park (Botswana)
• Best Time to Visit
• August to October (Best at the riverfront area)
• High Season
• July to October (The park gets crowded)
• Best Weather
• May to August (Less hot during the day)
• Wildlife in Chobe NP

Accommodation:

• Mid-range camping
• Just outside Chobe NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 15

Victoria Falls

An entire day to spend freely. You can make a day excursion to the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or drive around Chobe National Park for the day.

Accommodation: camping at Senyati or Chobe Safari Lodge. Complete travel distance to Victoria Falls: 160 km.

Main Destination:

• Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• In or near Victoria Falls

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 16

Chobe National Park

A second day in and around Kasane, on which you can make a morning game drive in Chobe National Park. In the heat of the afternoon, we can advise you to rest, and later in the afternoon you can make a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. From the water you will have a perfect view of all the safari animals that visit the Chobe River banks to drink at the end of the day (on the border of Chobe National Park).

Accommodation: camping at Senyati or Chobe Safari Lodge.

(rather than visit Victoria Falls for a day, you can also cross the border by car and stay in Victoria Falls for two nights. These costs are not included in this itinerary.).

Main Destination:

• Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• Just outside Chobe NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 17

Chobe national park

For today your Namibia and Botswana tour is a short drive in terms of distance through Chobe Park. You will be driving along the Chobe River. Although the distance is less than 40 km, the journey can take multiple hours. This is a true game drive, and with some luck you will see various big safari animals. It is not strange to see lions, elephants, and bison next to the herds of antelopes. Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 38 km, duration about 2 hours.

Accommodation: camping at Ihaha. Travel distance: 38 km.

Main Destination:

• Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• Inside Chobe NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 18

Chobe NP Savuti

After the Chobe Riverfront you continue south and deeper into Chobe National Park. You will need the 4×4 on the sandy tracks there. In the afternoon you’ll arrive in Savuti, which is well-known for the many Bull Elephants and the Savuti Lion Pride in the Savuti Marsh. The Savuti Channel, which runs through the area and enters into the Savuti Marsh, has been dry for many decades, but the last few years have seen flowing water running through. In the afternoon, you will have sufficient time for an extensive game drive and further discover this remarkable Botswana landscape.

Accommodation: camping at Savuti. Travel distance: 130 km.

Main Destination:

• Savuti (Chobe NP, Botswana)

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• Inside Savuti

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 19

Moremi Game Reserve

The 4×4 journey from Savuti to Khwai in the Moremi Game Reserve is one big game drive with many animals. We advise you to start early so you can make a game drive loop around the Savuti camp before moving on to the Moremi Game Reserve. In the afternoon you will arrive at North Gate and the Khwai campsite. After setting up camp, you can relax and make an evening game drive along the Khwai River.

Accommodation: camping at Khwai North Gate. Travel distance: 120 km.

Main Destination:

• Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta, Botswana)
• Best Time to Visit
• July to October (Best wildlife viewing)
• High Season
• July to October (Higher rates apply but not busy)
• Best Weather
• May to August (Less hot during the day)
• Wildlife in Moremi GR

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• Inside Moremi GR

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 20

Moremi Game Reserve

After a morning game drive you will continue in the Moremi Game Reserve to the second camp, Third Bridge, at the edge of the Okavango Delta. This day will also be filled to the brim with game drives and spotting the many safari animals of the Moremi Game Reserve. You have a good chance of seeing lions, hyenas and leopards. Elephants and antelopes will also be there. The camps in Botswana do not have fences, so the animals will visit the camps at night and during the day.

Accommodation: camping at Third Bridge. Travel distance: 55 km.

Main Destination:

• Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta, Botswana)

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• Inside Moremi GR

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 21

Maun Botswana

After the morning day drive, this self-drive 4×4 journey takes you back to civilization. After 4 nights of game reserves you will now experience the comfort of a chalet with the lodge in Maun. A welcome change.

Accommodation: chalet at Discovery B&B. Travel distance 130 km.

Main Destination:

• Maun (Botswana)

Accommodation:

• Discovery Bed & Breakfast
• Budget chalet located in or near Maun

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 22

Kalahari Desert

From Maun the journey back to Windhoek starts. In the morning, you can do some shopping or sleep in. You can also take a flight above the Okavango Delta. The trip to Ghanzi, in the centre of the Kalahari Desert, is an easy one: after the sand tracks of the reserves, this road consists of tarmac.

Accommodation: camping at Dqae Qare San Lodge. Travel distance 300 km.

Main Destination:

• Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Botswana)
• Best Time to Visit
• December to March (Best in Deception Valley)
• High Season
• July to October (The park never gets crowded)
• Best Weather
• May to August (Dry and less hot)
• Wildlife in Central Kalahari GR

Accommodation:

• Budget camping
• Inside Central Kalahari GR

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Day 23

Windhoek

In the morning, you will have time to do something around Motswiri, like visiting the Kalahari Desert Bushmen. They offer educative walks to learn more about their history and habits. This excursion is not included in the itinerary and should be booked in advance. From Ghanzi you will be driving back to Windhoek. Return the 4×4 car in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation: Arebbusch Travel Lodge (or similar B&B). Travel distance 530 km.

Main Destination:

Windhoek (Namibia)

Accommodation:

• Arebbusch Travel Lodge
• Mid-range hotel located in or near Windhoek

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 24

Return flight

The last day of this self-drive 4×4 safari across Namibia and Botswana. You will then have some time for souvenirs, for example with the craft center in the middle of town. At the end of the afternoon you can return the car, and after dealing with the formalities you will be brought to the airport for your onward journey.

Main Destination:

• Windhoek Airport (Namibia)

Accommodation:

• No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included