Highlights of Botswana and Namibia
Experience the highlights of Namibia and Botswana on this 21-day self-drive tour. The tour starts and ends in Windhoek which makes it an easy bookable tour with no hassles of having multiple flight and transfer tickets.
Experience the highlights of Namibia and Botswana on this 21-day self-drive tour. The tour starts and ends in Windhoek which makes it an easy bookable tour with no hassles of having multiple flight and transfer tickets.
Experience the beautiful scenery that Namibia has to offer by appreciating the desert and dunes. Drive through beautiful historic towns and take in all the magical scenery from the Namibian coastline. Experience Namibia’s diverse biodiversity with a visit to the Etosha National Park where, if you are lucky, get to spot some predators like Lions and Leopards in their natural habitat.
Drive through the picturesque Caprivi Strip to cross the border into Botswana to cruise on the Chobe river and get to experience the African wildlife up close and personal. Head on over to the World-famous Victoria Falls before you will enjoy a fly in safari to the Okavango Delta, where again, you will be spoiled with Africa’s beauty. You will return to Namibia by traveling through Maun and spending your last night in the Namibian Desert.
Prices are quoted as “from” prices, pp sharing.
| How much: | € 3798 |
| How long: | 21 days |
| Accommodation: | Lodges and Hotels |
| Transport: | Rental Car |
| Start point: | Windhoek, Namibia |
| End point: | Windhoek, Namibia |
| Meals: | As indicated in Itinerary |
| Countries: | Namibia |
Includes
- Self-drive tour according to the itinerary.
- 20 nights’ accommodation in guesthouses, chalets, bungalows and lodges as indicated in the itinerary (or similar).
- Meals and drinks as indicated in the itinerary.
- Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Scheduled activities at 2 lodges as mentioned in the itinerary
- Important:On all light aircraft flights in Botswana, the luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted to 20 kg per person
Excludes
- Flights (international and domestic)
- Rental car (please contact us for a quote)
- Fuel
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Beverages (alcohol and soft drinks)
- Possible toll and crossing border fees
- National park fees
- Optional activities
- Visa, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance, etc.
Prices are based on 6-8 persons. The price per person will vary depending on the amount of people on this tour and the season.
Day 1: Windhoek, Namibia
Distance approx. 50 km; driving time approx. 1 h
After arriving at Windhoek International Airport, you collect your rental car and drive to the prearranged accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure and you can either relax at the guesthouse or explore the city. See the National Gallery (featuring local artists), the National Museum (Namibia’s history) or take a walk in the 12-hectare National Botanic Garden. Get a taste for some Namibian beer and enjoy traditional cuisine at a local restaurant (own account).
Day 2: Windhoek – Namib Desert
Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 4-5 h
You will leave Windhoek and travel southwards via Rehoboth in the direction of Mariental. Upon arrival at the accomodation, relax and enjoy the beautiful views of the dunes while enjoying a sundowner. A tip for an extra activity Is to get up early and take a nice long walk to learn more about the fauna and flora and the San Bushmen, the early inhabitants of Namibia
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3: Sossusvlei
Distance approx. 200km; driving time depends on the choice of route
The gate to Namib-Naukluft National Park opens at sunrise and you can drive into park the to see the Sossusvlei, a large, white clay pan in the middle of some of the highest dunes in the world. Park your vehicle and test your endurance by walking up one of these gigantic dunes. If ‘Big Daddy’ is overwhelmingly high, then perhaps Dune 45 will be the right one for you. Brace yourself for unforgettable views when you reach the top of the dune. Overlooking the ever-moving dune landscape is breathtaking. Other options for the day include visiting Sesriem Canyon, where you can hike in the dry season as well. After an exciting day of exploring, you drive back to Camp.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 & 5: Namib Desert – Swakopmund
Distance on day 4 approx. 360km; driving time 5h
Today you will set off on a long drive on gravel roads towards the coastal town called Swakopmund. 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 boat trips to see dolphins, seals and seabirds. You will spend two nights In Swakopmund in accomodation within walking distance from the beach.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Swakopmund – Ugab Valley
Distance approx. 400 km; driving time 5-6 h
After a leisurely breakfast, you leave the Atlantic coast and drive via Hentiesbaai inland. Past Brandberg, the highest mountain range in Namibia at 2,480 m, you will drive in the direction of Khorixas. Along the way you can stop at the famous ‘White Lady’ rock engravings. Your destination for the day is the Ugab Valley, a picturesque valley with impressive high plateaus. Explore the fascinating landscape on well indicated footpaths and visit the Vingerklip, a remarkable rock formation that resembles a finger.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Ugab valley – Etosha National Park
Distance approx. 200 km; driving time 2h, excluding game drives
After a leisurely breakfast, you will make your way to the famous Etosha National Park. You will enter Etosha at the Anderson Gate. In the summer months (December to February) it is best to see the 340 bird species of the park, but the dry winter months are ideal to see animals when they flock to the water points. Animals that live in Etosha include giraffe, oryx, huge herds of elephants, lion, rhino, leopard, cheetah and the usual suspects – zebra, impala and wildebeest. . The African bush Is totally different during night time and it is highly advisable to join a night game drive with a park ranger (optional) or wait for animals that come to drink at the camp’s floodlit waterhole. Dinner will be for your account at the camp’s restaurant…
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Etosha National Park
Distance dependds on your game drive
After sunrise and a delicious breakfast you will prepare yourself for some more big five and other game viewing. You drive along the vast salt pan that covers almost a quarter of the entire park and is Etosha’s most distinctive and dramatic feature. You will be able to spot herds of impalas, gnus, oryx and zebras that traverse the Etosha National Park. In the evening you exit the park at the Von Lindequist Gate and make your way to camp where you will spending the night in a permanent luxury tent with en-suite bathroom
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 & 10 Etosha – Caprivi Strip
Distance on day 9 approx. 590km; driving time 7h
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. 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. 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 & 12: Caprivi Strip – Kasane – Chobe National Park, Botswana
Distance approx. 450 km; driving time 5-6h
Today you will continue east through the Zambezi Region. You will come upon goats wandering across the roads, women and children selling fruit along the way and many villages with makeshift stalls. Once you have crossed the border into Botswana, you will check in at Chobe Bakwena Lodge, situated close to Kasane just outside the Chobe National Park. Your package includes two scheduled game activities daily. With more than 40,000 elephants, the Chobe National Park is probably the park with the highest density of elephants in Africa. During Chobe River cruises and game drives in Chobe National Park, you will most likely see buffaloes, crocodiles, hippos, elephants and many more. Here you will spend 2 nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and two scheduled activities daily
Day 13 Kasane – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Transfer Kasane – Victoria Falls; driving time 2h
In the morning, you will be picked up at your lodge and driven across the border to Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls. Here, you will spend one night, 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 season, watch masses of water thunder downstream.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 & 15: Victoria Falls – Gweta, Botswana
Distance approx. 410 km; driving time 5-6 hours
In the morning, you will again be picked up at your accommodation at Victoria Falls and driven back to Botswana and the town of Kasane. Here, you will get in your rental car and drive south via Nata to Gweta. This will be your home for the next two nights and is the ideal starting point to explore the Makgadikgadi Pans (only accessible in a 4×4 vehicle or on a guided tour). Book a guided 4×4 tour the next day and discover the seemingly endless Ntwetwe Pan with wildlife living in its grassland, secret ‘islands’ and ancient baobab trees. We recommend booking this tour in advance.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 16: Gweta – Maun
Distance approx. 220 km; driving time. 3 hours
After a relaxed breakfast, you drive to Maun. The rapidly growing frontier town has shopping centres and hotels and is the base of many air charter companies operating into the Delta. It has not lost all of its old town charm though, as many local tribesmen still graze their cattle in the area. You will overnight at a Lodge on the banks of the Thamalakane River about 20 km from Maun. You can either relax at the lodge’s pool or drive to explore the town of Maun. Have dinner at the lodge’s restaurant or in Maun (own account). At the lodge, you will receive detailed information on your flight and departure time for your upcoming fly-in safari..
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17 & 18: Maun – Okavango Delta
Distance approx. 220 km; driving time. 3 hours
After a leisurely breakfast, you drive to the airport, where you park your car and board a light aircraft. Alternatively, you can book a taxi transfer from the lodge. Look forward to an exciting fly-in safari as you board the plane which 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 here. All activities in the Okavango Delta are included in your package..
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and two scheduled activities daily
Day 19: Okavango Delta – Maun – Ghanzi
Distance approx. 300 km; driving time. 5 hours
After breakfast in the delta, you will fly back to Maun. This gives you the opportunity to see the delta in the morning light – a spider web of shiny waterways. You will pick up your car from Maun Airport and on well-tarred roads make your way west to Ghanzi. There you have the chance to visit the Bushman Craft Shop or just relax at the pool at Thakadu Bush Camp. The camp restaurant offers a variety of game meat specialities (own account).
Meals: Breakfast
Day 20: Ghanzi – Kalahari, Namibia
Distance approx. 450km; driving time 6h
After breakfast you will continue west and cross the border into Namibia. You can explore the surrounding area on foot or just cool off in the pool of your lodge. A scrumptious meal in the evening brings the day to a close.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 21: Kalahari – Windhoek
Distance approx. 70km; driving time 2h
After a hearty breakfast you return to Windhoek. You drop off your rental car at the airport and board your flight back home or to your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
This tour is available whole year round.
Just let us know when you want to go… or contact us for more details regarding the best time of year to book this tour.
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