OVERVIEW

Day 1

This self drive tour of Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls, kicks off in the historical Namibian city of Windhoek.

Upon arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport, collect your rental vehicle at the Avis Car Hire Depot, then drive to your accommodation and relax, or explore this small but fascinating African capital city.

NB: Many optional activities are available to you on your safari drive; like a helicopter flip over the falls “flight with Angels”, extra optional 4×4 safaris, white water rafting on the mighty Zambezi. We can send you a list, and happy to do the bookings at our preferred rates which will save you about 15%.

Main Destination:

• Windhoek (City, Namibia)

• Hilton Hotel Windhoek
• Luxury hotel located in or near Windhoek

Day 2

Hit the road on day two of your Windhoek to Victoria Falls self drive holiday. Following breakfast, you drive north from Windhoek to the first stop on your itinerary, Okonjima Game Reserve in the Otjozondjupa region. Situated in the Omboroko Mountains (loosely translated as ‘place of the baboons’), Okonjima features the Cheetah Project, which you may choose to visit in the afternoon to learn more about these endangered predators of the African plains.

Okonjima Nature Reserve: Stay on a nature reserve renowned for its conservation projects with carnivorous African predators, including cheetahs.

Travel: Departure – 08h00 / Distance – 250 km.

Main Destination:

• Okonjima Nature Reserve (Namibia)

• Okonjima Nature Reserve
• Mid-range lodge located inside Okonjima NR

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

Day 3-5

The next destination on your two-week self drive trip is one of Namibia’s treasures, the Etosha National Park. Declared a national park more than 110 years ago, Etosha is home to hundreds of animal, reptile and bird species (and, surprisingly, one fish species). With your accommodation based just outside the park, you will be eligible to join several optional game drives, on which you will hopefully sight a variety of wildlife. Etosha resorts also feature waterholes with floodlights, enabling excellent night time game viewing.

Etosha National Park: Enjoy full-day game drives with rangers or self – drive in one of the world’s most famous wildlife parks.

Travel: Distance – 250 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:

• Okaukuejo Resort
• Mid-range chalet located inside Etosha NP

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

Day 6

Continue further north to the small town of Rundu, where you can explore the Mbunza National Museum, and see the tribal home of the Kavango people, who survive by fishing, farming crops and tending livestock. This stop also includes an optional visit to a traditional cultural school and communal farming project. Following this enlightening experience of indigenous Namibian culture, you will then set out for your accommodation for the night, where you will be able to relax at the pool while sipping a sundowner, as the soothing sounds of nature echo around you.

Rundu: Experience the Mbunza Living Museum, home of the Kavango people, a traditional cultural school and communal farming project (optional).

Travel: Departure – 08h00 / Distance – 561 km.

Main Destination:

• Rundu (City, Namibia)

• Hakusembe River Lodge
• Mid-range lodge located outside Zambezi Region

Meals & Drinks:

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

Day 7-8

Travel east from Rundu in the morning to the Caprivi region, where your home for the next two nights, the Nunda River Lodge, is situated on the bank of the Okavango. Enjoy a tranquil sunset cruise to the tumbling Popa Falls before you retreat to your room for a well deserved and restful night’s sleep.

Travel: Departure – 08h00 / Distance – 207 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:

• Nunda River Lodge
• Mid-range lodge located just outside Mahango GR

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 9

This morning your self drive safari takes you along the meandering Okavango river to Mahangu (meaning ‘food of the local people’), home to the Greater Bwabwata National Park. This game park stretches from the Kwando river in the east to the Kavango river in the west and encompasses the Mahangu Game Reserve. From here you will embark on a morning game drive, on which you are likely to spot elephant, roan, kudu, and buffalo, among others, as well as a myriad of bird species. You will then be able to relax for the rest of the afternoon in this spectacular setting.

Caprivi Strip: Watch wildlife in Mahangu National Park in the scenic western Caprivi region.

Travel: Departure – 07h00 / Distance – 199 km.

Main Destination:

• Mahango Game Reserve (Bwabwata NP, Namibia)
• Best Time to Visit
• June to September (Animals are easier to see)
• High Season
• October to March (The park never gets crowded)
• Best Weather
• May to August (Less hot during the day)
• Wildlife in Bwabwata NP

Accommodation:

• Camp Kwando
• Mid-range tented camp located inside Zambezi Region

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Day 10-11

Drive north from Mahangu towards Kasane, the gateway to Chobe National Park in Botswana. This is the second largest park in the landlocked southern African country. Spread across more than 10,500 square kilometers, Chobe is home to one of the greatest concentrations of elephant in Africa. Shake off your drive to Chobe by joining one of several optional activities or relax next to the swimming pool.

The following morning you will be able to undertake an optional game drive, where you are almost guaranteed to get up close to several game species and will hopefully see large predators. Later the same day you will embark on a memorable cruise down the Chobe river to view animals from the boat and witness the sun setting spectacularly over the river.

Travel: Departure – 07h00 / Distance – 229 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:

• Chobe Safari Lodge
• Mid-range lodge located just outside Chobe NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Day 12

On your penultimate day, you will cross the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe, bound for the mighty Victoria Falls. On arrival, you can spend the remainder of the day relaxing or choose from a wide selection of activities, including a tour (at your own expense) of the Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya or ‘the smoke that thunders’. Later that afternoon, you will embark on the final experience of your tour, a relaxing sunset cruise on the Zambezi, an experience you will never forget.

Victoria Falls: Opt to take the ‘Helicopter flip of the Falls’ sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River and visit Victoria Falls

Travel: Distance – 95 km.

Main Destination:

• Victoria Falls (Highlight, Zimbabwe)

• Bayete Guest Lodge
• Mid-range lodge located in or near Victoria Falls

Meals & Drinks:

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

Day 13

Following breakfast you will depart for Victoria Falls International Airport to return your rental vehicle in time for your outbound flight. This brings your self drive tour of Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe to an end, sending you off with the memories of a lifetime.

Main Destination:

• Victoria Falls Town (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe)

• No accommodation (End of tour)

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