Highlights of Namibia and Botswana

After arriving at the airport in Windhoek, you collect your rental car and drive to your booked accommodation. You can spend the rest of the day recovering from the long flight at your accommodation or visiting the city’s sights, such as the National Gallery with works by local artists, the National Museum with interesting details about Namibia’s history and Christ Church. Windhoek has many restaurants to choose from. You spend the first night of your trip at Elegant Guesthouse.

From the capital Windhoek, your tailor-made Namibia-Botswana road trip leads south towards Mariental. The dreamlike Kalahari Game Ranch is your destination. Like an oasis, it lies amid the red sand dunes so typical of the Kalahari. Arrive at your leisure and let the wonderful nature work its magic. In the afternoon we recommend a guided game drive (optional). In an open safari vehicle you explore the reserve and may encounter giraffes, zebras and various antelopes. As the sun sets on the horizon, you slowly make your way back. You spend the night in a Savannah Chalet at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch.

It is worth getting up early today, because sunrises in the Kalahari are simply glorious! From the top of one of the dunes, you watch the rising sun set the vast landscape aglow in the most beautiful colours. After a hearty breakfast, you continue to the Namib Desert. The original Elegant Desert Camp is a good base from which to explore the picturesque surroundings of the Tsaris Mountains and Namib Naukluft Park. On a short hike or an optional game drive in the afternoon, you can admire the desert valley in the warm light of the low sun. Dinner and overnight stay at Elegant Desert Camp.

Armed with a breakfast box, you head early in the morning to the entrance of Namib Naukluft Park, which opens right on time for sunrise. Inside the park you can leave your vehicle and cover the way to the huge sand dunes on foot. Alternatively, you can use a 4x4 transfer (optional). Climb the famous Dune 45 and let yourself be enchanted by the sight of this fabulous desert region. Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, with its white clay pan and dead trees, are impressive photo subjects. Afterwards you drive to Sesriem Canyon, through which the Tsauchab River has carved its way over millions of years. At its end the gorge widens into a broad valley that leads ever 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, you can book a guided day trip with expert leadership in advance (optional). Another overnight stay at Elegant Desert Camp.

Today’s drive takes you to Swakopmund on the Atlantic. In Swakopmund you can stroll leisurely through the pretty town and enjoy the fresh sea air. Swakopmund is also the starting point for many adventure activities in the area. Explore the dunes by sandboarding, quad biking, horse riding and much more, or get to know the “Little Five” on an exciting desert safari. A boat trip to watch seals and dolphins, scenic flights and guided excursions to Sandwich Harbour are also recommended (all optional). You spend two nights at Cornerstone Guesthouse. Swakopmund offers an interesting selection of restaurants.

You leave the Atlantic coast and drive inland via Henties Bay. You pass the Brandberg, at around 2,580 metres Namibia’s highest mountain massif, on your way into Damaraland. Your home for the coming night is Malansrus Tented Camp, picturesquely situated on a side arm of the Aba Huab. Arrive at your leisure and treat yourself to a short breather before visiting Namibia’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, Twyfelfontein, in the afternoon (optional). The numerous rock engravings, whose age is estimated at 2,000 years and older, are particularly impressive and will leave you amazed. Back at camp, you can let the day wind down in a cosy atmosphere and enjoy the glorious nature.

Today is set aside for exploring some of the other sights in the area. You can visit the Organ Pipes, the Burnt Mountain and the Damara Living Museum, where you gain an insight into the traditional culture of the Damara and their ancient traditions. Alternatively, you can book a guided half-day excursion into the hinterland of Twyfelfontein to look out for the desert-adapted elephants.

In the afternoon you continue to the valley of the Ugab Terraces and Vingerklip Lodge. Explore the fascinating landscape on signposted hiking trails and visit the nearby Vingerklip, a remarkable rock formation that resembles a finger.

Today you drive through Anderson Gate into Etosha National Park. Etosha National Park was founded in 1907 and is one of the most attractive national parks in southern Africa. In the afternoon and on the next day you go on game drives in the central part of the national park. Elephants, rhinos, giraffes, various antelope species and, with a little luck, 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, located just a few minutes from the park entrance. Here you enjoy your dinner and spend two nights in one of the bungalows.

After sunrise and a hearty breakfast, you set off on another game drive. Every day in the national park is a new experience, so look forward to exciting encounters with the wildlife! After exploring the central part in the morning, you drive right along the huge Etosha Pan heading east. Along the way you often come across herds of zebra, wildebeest, oryx and springbok peacefully roaming the vast landscape. Stop at the waterholes again and again along the way. In the evening you leave the park through Von Lindequist Gate, hopefully with many wonderful safari impressions, and drive to the lovely Mushara Lodge for the night.

Today your trip takes you northeast. Via Tsumeb and Grootfontein you drive into the eastern Kavango Region. Together with the Zambezi Region, it forms a narrow strip of land between Angola, Zambia and Botswana, formerly known as the Caprivi Strip. For many years this part of Namibia was inaccessible to visitors. Even today the area seems almost untouched and wild, which is part of its special appeal.

The lodge is beautifully located on the Okavango River, and after the past few days in extremely dry regions you will certainly be delighted to see lush green landscapes. Relax in a pleasant atmosphere and use the next day for various optional excursions: take a boat trip on the Okavango or a safari in Mahango Game Park (only possible with a 4x4 vehicle or as a guided tour), or visit a local village and learn more about the culture and way of life of the people who live here. You stay overnight at Riverdance Lodge.

You set off on a beautiful drive that takes you further east. You pass local fishing villages and, with a little luck, may even see large 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 peace and quiet and perhaps hear the majestic call of an African fish eagle. If you have good 4x4 driving skills, you can explore Bwabwata or Mudumu National Park on your own the next day. Alternatively, you can book a guided game drive or a boat trip at your accommodation (optional). You spend two nights at Namushasha River Lodge.

Today you drive across the border into Botswana to Kasane, where you check in at Chobe Bakwena Lodge and return your rental car. The lodge is your base for activities in Chobe National Park.

Besides one of the largest elephant populations in all of Africa, this diverse national park is home to the Big Five and many other wild animals. A total of four activities are included during your stay. In the afternoon, take a boat safari on the Chobe and watch the animals that live in the water, such as crocodiles or hippos, as well as animals that come to the bank to drink. In the early morning and afternoon you can explore the park with an expert guide on game drives in an open safari vehicle. You spend two nights at Chobe Bakwena Lodge outside the park.

Depending on your departure time, you take part in a morning safari before being taken to Kasane airport. There you board a light aircraft that will take you to the heart of the Okavango Delta. During the flight you have a breathtaking view over one of the largest inland deltas, the habitat of many wild animals. Various antelope species, elephants, African wild dogs and lions live here, to name just a few. The Okavango Delta is also a paradise for birdwatching. You spend your time in the delta discovering the winding waterways by mokoro or exploring the area on bush walks. You spend two nights at the original Setari Camp.

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Local drinks and activities

In Botswana, the following baggage regulations apply to all flights on light aircraft: maximum 20 kg per person, including hand luggage and camera equipment. Only soft travel bags are accepted – no hard-shell suitcases, rigid luggage or bags with wheels, as these cannot be stowed on the aircraft.

The maximum dimensions for luggage are 70 cm x 30 cm x 35 cm (length x width x height). If you are flying with more luggage, please contact us. We will gladly provide a quote for carrying additional luggage.

Please note that the flight weight of the light aircraft is limited. To ensure your safety and comfort during the flight, we ask passengers weighing more than 115 kg to inform us accordingly. Extra costs may apply.

Transfer time approx. 2 hours

With many new impressions, you return by light aircraft from the Okavango Delta to Kasane. During the return flight you can once more enjoy a breathtaking view over the inland delta and get a rough idea of the delta’s gigantic dimensions.

At Kasane airport you meet your transfer driver, who takes you across the border to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. There you spend one night at Ilala Lodge, close to Victoria Falls. Visit “Mosi oa Tunya”, loosely translated: the smoke that thunders – Victoria Falls (optional). Stroll along the falls and marvel, depending on the season, at the gigantic masses of water plunging into the gorge.

Breakfast

For certain activities, such as a sunset boat tour lasting several hours, bungee jumping or white-water rafting, an additional night in Victoria Falls is required.

After a last breakfast you are taken to Victoria Falls airport and begin your journey home.

Breakfast

If you have any further questions about our self-drive tours, the Elefant-Tours team will be happy to help.