Highlights of Namibia and Botswana

Upon arrival at Windhoek International Airport, you pick up your rental car and make your way to your accommodation in town, where you can relax after your long flight. Alternatively, take a walk along Independence Avenue and watch the busy goings-on. You can also visit sights such as the National Gallery with art by local artists, the Christ Church or the National Museum, where you will learn interesting details about Namibia’s history. In the evening, you can go for dinner at one of Windhoek’s excellent restaurants (payable at the establishment). You overnight at The Elegant Guesthouse.

From the capital Windhoek, your Namibia-Botswana road trip takes you south towards Mariental. The dreamlike Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch is your destination. It lies like an oasis in the middle of the glowing red sand dunes that are so typical of the Kalahari. Arrive, breath deep and take in the marvellous natural surroundings. In the afternoon, we recommend a guided nature tour (optional). You explore the reserve in an open safari vehicle and may come across giraffes, zebras and various antelopes. As the sun sets on the horizon, you slowly make your way back. You will spend the night in a savannah chalet at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch.

It’s worth getting up early today because the sunrise in the Kalahari is simply marvellous! At the top of one of the dunes, you can witness how the rising sun makes the vast landscape glow in the most beautiful colours. After a substantial breakfast, you will finally drive on into the Namib Desert. Your home for the next two nights is The Elegant Desert Camp, surrounded by the picturesque Tsaris Mountains close to the Namib Naukluft National Park. You have arrived in the desert! Explore the camp’s grounds on foot or book a guided nature drive and marvel at the fascinating play of light at sunset. You overnight at The Elegant Desert Camp.

Taking along a breakfast box, you head to the entrance of the Namib Naukluft Park early in the morning, which opens at sunrise. Within the park, you can park your vehicle and cover the distance to the towering  sand dunes on foot. Alternatively, you can use a 4×4 transfer (optional). Climb the famous Dune 45 and let yourself be enchanted by the sight of this fabulous desert region. The Sossusvlei as well as the Deadvlei with its white clay pan and dead trees are impressive photographic subjects. Afterwards, you drive to Sesriem Canyon, through which the Tsauchab River has carved its way over millions of years. At the end, the gorge widens into a broad valley that leads deeper and deeper into the sea of sand. During the dry season, the canyon can also be explored on foot. In the late afternoon, you leave the park and drive back to your accommodation. Alternatively, a guided day excursion with an experienced guide can also be booked in advance (optional). Another overnight stay at The Elegant Desert Camp.

Today you will set off on a long drive on gravel roads towards the coastal town called Swakopmund. Swakopmund’s German colonial origins are noticeable in the architecture, cuisine and even the language – see the old courthouse and station building and enjoy an Apfelstrudel and tea. The town also offers many activities, most based on the adventure into the Namib Desert – desert tours to see the ‘Little Five’, quad biking, dune boarding and skydiving as well as scenic flights and boat trips to see dolphins, seals and seabirds. You will spend two nights at Cornerstone Guesthouse, situated within walking distance of the city centre and the beach. They can also book tours and day trips for you. Taste Namibian cuisine or try the fresh seafood.

After a relaxed breakfast, you will leave the coast and travel inland past the oval shaped Brandberg Mountain (‘fire mountain’), which is the highest mountain range in Namibia. Your home for the night is the Malansrus Tented Camp, picturesquely situated on a tributary of the Aba Huab. Upon your arrival treat yourself to a short breather before visiting Namibia’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site Twyfelfontein in the afternoon (optional). The numerous rock engravings, estimated to be 2000 years old and older, are particularly impressive and will leave you in awe. Back at camp, you can end the day in a cosy atmosphere and enjoy the magnificent natural surroundings.

Today is set aside for exploring some of the other attractions in the area. You can visit the Organ Pipes, the Burnt Mountain, and the Damara Living Museum, where you can gain an insight into traditional Damara culture and its ancient traditions. Alternatively, you can book a guided half-day excursion into the hinterland of Twyfelfontein to search for the desert-adapted elephants.
In the afternoon, continue to the Vingerklip Lodge in the Ugab Valley. Explore the fascinating landscape on signposted hiking trails and visit the nearby Fingerklip, a remarkable rock formation that resembles a finger.

Today you drive through the Anderson Gate into Etosha National Park – one of the safari highlights on your self-drive journey through Namibia and Botswana. Etosha National Park was established in 1907 and is one of the most attractive national parks in southern Africa. In the afternoon and the following day, you undertake game drives in the central part of the national park. Elephants, rhinos, giraffes, various antelope species and with a bit of luck also lions and leopards come to drink at the waterholes and can be observed there. Shortly before sunset, you leave the park and drive to Etosha Safari Lodge, just a few minutes from the park entrance. Here you enjoy your dinner and spend two nights in one of the bungalows.

The early morning hours are one of the best times of the day to see animals as they go about their daily routine, so venturing into the park as the sun rises is recommendable. You will be driving along the vast salt pan, the bottom of a great inland lake that has dried up long ago. There are several waterholes along the south side of the pan, attracting animals in the dry season. Drive to Rietfontein, Goas or Sueda to observe animals that come to drink. Stop for lunch in Halali or Namutoni but make sure you are at the Von Lindequist Gate by sunset. Mushara Lodge, your lodge for tonight, is just 8 km from this gate.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast before heading to your next destination. Today’s journey takes you via Tsumeb and Rundu into the Zambezi Region – formerly known as the Caprivi Strip. For decades this area was unsafe due to a war, so it has retained a wild, remote feel accentuated by the lush vegetation and sub-tropical climate. This area has over 400 bird species, four of the ‘Big Five’ (no rhino), baobabs, forests, swamps and savannah. Riverdance Lodge is situated on the banks of the Kavango River, the green vegetation almost an oasis after the arid regions you have travelled through. The following day you can go on an optional boat trip or explore the Mahango Area of Bwabwata National Park on a game drive (only possible with a 4×4 vehicle or on a guided tour), in the flood plains of the Okavango River basin. You can also visit a local village to learn more about the local culture and way of life. All activities are optional and at own expense. Enjoy an ice-cold drink while sitting on the large deck and watch the sunset over the river. You will spend two nights in a bungalow with a veranda overlooking the river at Riverdance Lodge.

You embark on a beautiful drive that takes you further east into the Zambezi Region. You will pass local fishing villages, and, with a bit of luck, you may even see big game crossing your path. You reach your accommodation just north of Mudumu National Park. Situated on the banks of the Kwando River, you can enjoy the tranquillity and perhaps hear the majestic call of an African fish eagle. If you have good 4×4 driving skills, you can explore the Bwabwata or Mudumu National Park on your own the next day. Alternatively, you can also book a guided game drive or boat trips at the lodge (optional). You will spend two nights at Namushasha River Lodge.

After a relaxed breakfast, continue your drive to the border of Botswana. You drive to Kasane, where you drop off your rental car and are taken to your accommodation. The Chobe Bakwena Lodge is situated close to Kasane, just outside the Chobe National Park. With a total of four scheduled game activities included, you are in the perfect position to explore the nearby Chobe National Park. Home to more than 40,000 elephants, the Chobe National Park is one of the best places in Africa to observe elephants. The elephants often steal the show, but you will notice that the Chobe offers a huge variety of wildlife and of birdlife. On Chobe River cruises and on game drives, you have the chance to see lions, leopards, buffaloes, crocodiles, giraffes, and zebra to name only a few. In the evenings, relax at your accommodation, the Chobe Bakwena Lodge, with a cool beverage in hand and watch as the sun sets over the majestic Chobe River.

Depending on your departure time, you will take part in a morning safari activity before being transferred to Kasane Airport. There you will board a small aircraft that will take you to the heart of the Okavango Delta. During your flight, you can enjoy views across the biggest inland delta in Africa, home to spectacular wildlife; from different species of antelopes and elephants to lions and African wild dogs, just to name a few. The Okavango Delta is also a paradise for bird lovers. You will spend your time in the delta exploring your surrounds in mokoros (dugout canoes), on boat cruises or on guided bush walks. You will spend two nights at the unique Setari Camp. All activities in the Okavango Delta are included in your package.

On all light aircraft flights in Botswana, the luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted to 20 kg per person. Only soft bags will be accepted – no hard suitcases or bags with wheels can be transported, as they physically cannot fit into the aircraft. Maximum dimensions for luggage: 30 cm wide x 35 cm high and 70 cm long. In case you need more luggage on your trip, please contact us in order to give you a quote for excess luggage.

Passengers weighing over 115 kg should please advise us at the time of booking, as we may need to cost in an additional seat on internal flights for your safety and comfort.

You return to Kasane from the Okavango Delta by small aircraft with many new impressions. During the return flight, you can once again enjoy a breathtaking view over the inland delta and get an idea of its gigantic dimensions.
At Kasane Airport you will meet your transfer driver who will take you across the border to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Here, you will spend one night at the Ilala Lodge, close to the Falls. In the afternoon, visit the world-known Victoria Falls, also known as ‘Mosi oa Tunya’, translated as ‘the smoke that thunders’. Take a walk along the waterfalls and, depending on the season, watch masses of water thunder downstream.

If you would like to do activities, such as sunset boat cruises lasting several hours, white water rafting or bungee jumping, you’ll need to stay one extra night at the Victoria Falls.

After breakfast you will be taken to Victoria Falls airport in time for your flight back home, where you will arrive with a lot of good memories and new impressions.