20 nights
SelfDrive
Desert to Delta
Namib, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Damaraland, Etosha, Caprivi, Chobe River, Victoria Falls
This is a travel example, which can be customized.

Namibia is a land of spectacular landscapes, endless skies, barren deserts, rugged mountain ranges and breathtaking wildlife - participants of this self-drive safari experience something of all this.

On this trip, we combine the Namib Desert with the wildlife-richest areas of Namibia, the Etosha National Park and the Caprivi / Kavango. You will first drive south to the dunes of Sossusvlei and the beautiful Namib desert. The road then takes you all the way to Swakopmund, from there around the Brandberg massif to the rock engravings and desert elephants of Twyfelfontein and the volcanic rock landscape of Damaraland. You will cross the wildlife-teeming Etosha National Park. You then drive further east into the Kavango area, where the Okavango and Kwando rivers open new perspectives with many activities taking place on the water. At the eastern end of the Caprivi you leave your rented vehicle behind. Our guide will transfer you over the border to Bostwana and the Kasane / Chobe area. The Chobe River is home to Africa's largest population of elephants, best explored on one of our houseboats that cruise the Chobe River. Your journey ends with a stay at Victoria Falls, from where you can visit the mighty water falls.

This self-drive journey starts in Windhoek, where you pick up your vehicle. We definitely recommend a first night in Windhoek, which gives you enough time to buy some snacks and water for the trip.

By Car You travel by rental vehicle
Travel by road to Olive Grove
You pick up your rental vehicle and set off.
1 night Olive Grove, Windhoek

The Olive Grove is a charming, intimate guesthouse with eleven beautifully appointed rooms, each equipped with a minibar, air conditioning/heating, safe, TV and hairdryer. Its five standard rooms are located on the lower storey; its luxury rooms with access to a terrace are on the upper storey. Those in search of the ultimate luxury experience can book the 80 m2 executive suite, which comes with its own lounge.

A breakfast buffet is included; lunch and à la carte dinner is either served in the restaurant or on the veranda. The Olive Grove takes great pride in its cuisine and is certain to delight even the most discerning of palates.

A swimming pool provides the perfect place for a cooling dip.

The Olive Exclusive is the neighbouring house and well worth a visit. Read more about the Olive Exclusive here.  

Location
The Olive Grove is located close to the city centre in the Klein Windhoek district. The international airport is approximately one hour away; the local airport, Windhoek Eros, can be reached in several minutes.

Read more here

By Car You travel by rental vehicle
Travel by road to Kulala Desert Lodge
2 nights Kulala Desert Lodge, Sossusvlei

Kulala Desert Lodge comprises 25 slightly raised rooms, each with en-suite facilities and veranda offering spectacular views over the Namib Desert. A stairway leads onto the roof, where guests can spend a night under the starry sky. A beautiful pool is located close to the main building. Dinner is served whenever possible outdoors, allowing guests to enjoy the clear, star-jewelled sky above the Namibian Desert.

Location
Situated in the dry Namib Desert within the Kulala Wilderness Reserve, Kulala Desert Lodge is the closest camp to the dunes. With its own gate to the reserve, the camp offers quick, direct vehicle access to the dunes and the Vleis. The normal distance to the dunes from the main gate is 65 km on asphalt; the last 5 km are deep sand and therefore only suitable for 4x4 vehicles.

Sossusvlei is the area most associated with Namibia: Red dunes as far as the eye can see (up to 380 m high, coloured red by the clay-rich sand) and dead trees in the Vleis or pans decaying slowly at the will of the arid climate. The Vleis were created by the Tsauchab River, which probably once flowed to the Atlantic some 50 km away. The whole Sossusvlei region is quenched with water during those very rare years when a good amount of rain falls, prompting bushes and flowers to spring up everywhere.

Read more here

Transport Mode Excursion to the dunes of Sossusvlei
Today you visit the high sand dunes of Sossusvlei. Dune 45, Hidden Vlei, Dead Vlei are amongst the highlights. Some guests climb Big Daddy, the highest dune in the area. A real challenge, even for the sportive ones amongst you. Please bring enough water!

By Car You travel by rental vehicle
Travel by road to Strand Hotel
2 nights Strand Hotel, Swakopmund

The new Strand Hotel has set a new standard in Swakopmund. Uniquely located on the iconic and historic Swakopmund Mole and surrounded on three sides by the Southern Atlantic Ocean its 125 rooms and suites make this hotel one of the larger ones in town, but of those certainly the one with the best seaside location. All rooms have tea & coffee stations, mini-bars, hair-dryers, TV’s, free Wi-Fi Internet access, telephones and air-conditioning.

The Strand Hotel offers its residential guests and all casual visitors three exciting restaurants. The Farmhouse Deli is good for coffee, cake, sandwiches and fresh salads. The Brewer & Butcher welcomes beer and meat lovers. The Ocean Cellar caters for guests who prefer seafood, sushi, oyster and a glass of fine white wine.

The Strand Hotel is destined to become the social epicenter of Swakopmund for locals and tourists alike.

Location
The Strand Hotel is centrally located directly at the beach and close to the light house. If you want to swim in the ocean be warned, the water is very refreshing due to the cold Benguela current. However you may see some brave local on his surfboard and of course the kids who play in the shallow water during the warmer summer months.

Read more here

By Car You travel by rental vehicle
Travel by road to Camp Kipwe
2 nights Camp Kipwe, Twyfelfontein

The nine bungalows at Camp Kipwe are inspired by the granite boulders scattered about them, and blend in perfectly with their rocky environment. Made of clay and stone, the walls exude a comfortable, organic feel. The adjacent open-air bathrooms are creatively integrated into the rock face, and despite their exposed nature offer absolute privacy.

All bungalows have a veranda where you can sit outside and reflect on the day. Some of the rooms have also been extended with a canopy under which there is a dome tent with space for two children. Alternatively, these beds can be placed in the room if the parents prefer.

In addition to its nine bungalows, the lodge also offers the Kipwe Suite equipped with additional lounge and bathtub with spectacular view and two Luxury Suites with extended deck, private plunge pool and outdoor sala.

Location
Camp Kipwe is situated close to Twyfelfontein in Damaraland. The camp is built atop a hill amidst a boulder landscape. The surrounding area is as beautiful as it is diverse. The camp is accessed via the D2612 or by light aircraft via Twyfelfontein Airstrip.

Read more here

Transport Mode Trip to find the desert elephants in Huab river
Embark on a guided nature drive. With luck, you will encounter desert elephant in their natural environment, particularly prevalent in the Huab River Valley.

Transport Mode Visit Twyfelfontein Bushman Art
The ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein are well worth a visit. Home to 2500 rock engravings and paintings, Twyfelfontein was added to the World Heritage Site list in 2007.

By Car You travel by rental vehicle
Travel by road to Etosha Oberland Lodge
2 nights Etosha Oberland Lodge, Etosha South

Etosha Oberland Lodge offers an ideal base for exploring Etosha National Park. The lodge is designed in a modern safari style and offers 20 tent chalets that are pleasantly private and spacious. Each guest unit has an ample bathroom, an open lounge and private seating area as well as air conditioning, fridge and coffee/tea making facilities. The required power is generated by the lodge‘s own solar system. There are also three family rooms with an extra bedroom.

The main building of Etosha Oberland Lodge is surrounded by tall mopane trees. The restaurant and its terrace offer views of the waterhole, where animals may pass by anytime. Other amenities include a swimming pool, bar and a spacious lounge area with various sofa corners where guests can relax after their safari. The curio shop exclusively offers products by artists from Namibia.

Wifi both in the main building and in the rooms.

Location
Etosha Oberland Lodge is located 12 km or ten minutes drive from Anderson's Gate in the south of the Etosha National Park in a private area of 5,000 hectares. The road to the lodge is signposted close to the new Taleni gas station.

The Etosha National Park is one of the most important nature reserves in southern Africa. It exists since 1907 and covers an area of 22,270 km². The central and eastern sections consist mainly of various silvery-white shining salt pans, which have made Etosha famous. In the dry season the park, the animals and the vehicles are covered in a whitish haze of salt dust.

On the southern shore of the huge Etosha Pan (130 x 50 km) there are several waterholes, which magically attract the animals from the surrounding area during the dry season. The three large state camps Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni connect Anderson's Gate in the south with the von Lindequist Gate in the east. The western part towards Galton Gate is much more wooded and less frequented by visitors, but it also offers less trails to drive around and find wildlife.

Read more here

Transport Mode Game drives in Etosha National Park
Today you venture off yourself to do game drives in Etosha National Park. It will probably take you the whole day as you slowly drive through the park and visit the signalled waterholes where the animals usually congregate.

By Car You travel by rental vehicle
Travel by road to Onguma Tented Camp
2 nights Onguma Tented Camp, Etosha East

Intimate and luxurious, Onguma Tented Camp offers uninterrupted views of a natural waterhole (lit at night) from anywhere in the camp. With a little luck, guests will encounter giraffe, jackal, antelope, zebra, wildebeest and maybe even a rare black rhino.

The main building houses a generously sized lounge, restaurant, wine cellar and swimming pool. The camp comprises just seven bright and spacious house tents, each with its own veranda, indoor and outdoor shower, elegant tin bathtub and separate WC. The light-coloured furnishings are designed to reflect the forms and colours of Etosha’s landscape.

The camp is unfenced, which means there is a minimum age requirement for our younger guests.

Onguma Game Reserve offers three further accommodation possibilities:

Read more about Onguma - The Fort
Read more about Onguma Camp Kala
Read more about Onguma Bush Camp

Location
Onguma Game Reserve is situated 10 km north of Von Lindequist Gate in the east of Etosha National Park. Onguma Game Reserve is made up of 34,000 hectares of former farmland, which has been restored in a few short years to its natural state. Because this huge area is used exclusively by guests of Ongumas' camps, it guarantees an almost undisturbed wilderness experience.

The Etosha National Park is one of the most important nature reserves in southern Africa. It exists since 1907 and covers an area of 22,270 km². The central and eastern sections consist mainly of various silvery-white shining salt pans, which have made Etosha famous. In the dry season the park, the animals and the vehicles are covered in a whitish haze of salt dust.

On the southern shore of the huge Etosha Pan (130 x 50 km) there are several waterholes, which magically attract the animals from the surrounding area during the dry season. The three large state camps Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni connect Anderson's Gate in the south with the von Lindequist Gate in the east. The western part towards Galton Gate is much more wooded and less frequented by visitors, but it also offers less trails to drive around and find wildlife.

Etosha National Park is Namibia's premier safari destination. Covering almost the same area as Switzerland, Etosha is one of the largest national parks in Africa. To the west of the park lay the silvery white salt pans and adjoining waterholes, which magically attract all kinds of wildlife during the dry season.

Read more here

By Car You travel by rental vehicle
Travel by road to Divava Okavango Lodge
2 nights Divava Okavango Lodge, Mahango Game Park, Caprivi

Built on the banks of the Okavango River in an elevated position, Divava Okavango Lodge offers 20 chalets with en-suite bathroom, outdoor terrace and incredible views of the mighty Okavango River. All rooms are air-conditioned. The bathroom includes a bathtub and both an indoor and outdoor shower.

The entire complex is embedded in a tropical garden with many beautiful plants to be admired. From the receptions, a path leads down to the restaurant, the bar and the viewing terrace. The excursion boats are moored further down by the river - two smaller boats and the large barge that can take about 40 guests.

Location
Divava Okavango is located close to Divundu in the Caprivi. The Popa Falls, the Mahango Game Reserve and the Buffalo Game Park are all only a 10-20 minute drive from the lodge.

From Divundu, follow the C48 in the direction of Botswana. After a few kilometers, a signposted sandy path leads to the lodge, which can be reached in a few minutes.

Read more here

By Car You travel by rental vehicle
Travel by road to Nambwa Lodge
3 nights Nambwa Lodge, Bwabwata NP, Caprivi

The ten tented suites at Nambwa Lodge are built on raised platforms on a wooded island near the Kwando River. The suites offer around 110m² of space and are equipped with a large king-size bed, a lounge with coffee station and an en-suite bathroom with toilet and shower.

All suites are connected to the main building via raised walkways. The lounge, dining area, fireplace, small library, souvenir store and bar are all located here. Meals are usually taken on the large deck under shady trees with a view of the waterhole in front of the lodge. A swimming pool is available as well.

Location
Located on the banks of the Kwando river, Nambwa Lodge is nestled in the heart of the Mashi Conservancy, within Bwabwata National Park. This is a sanctuary for more than 35 large and small game species and upwards of 330 bird species. In Partnership with the Mashi Conservancy, the lodge has access to over 300,000 hectares of wilderness area.

The lodge is located approximately 10km south of Kongola. Follow the B8 from Kongola Bridge xfor a few minutes in a westerly direction and then turn south into the park. Please register at the park gate and then follow the signposts to Nambwa Lodge. The drive to the lodge takes about 30 minutes and is on sandy tracks. A 4×4 vehicle is mandatory.

Read more here

By Vehicle Travel by road to Chobe Princess
2 nights Chobe Princess, Houseboat

The Chobe Princess Safariboats are intimate houseboats on the Chobe River that allow guests to experience the wonders of the Chobe National Park without the crowds. The boats follow a schedule, with a 2-day departure on mondays and wednesdays and a 3-day departure on fridays. The boat is basically your private floating hotel on the Chobe River with staff, guides and boats at your disposal.

There are three boats, built to the same specifications. The boats offer 4-5 cabins, each configured with either a king size bed or a twin. All rooms can accommodate two adults and are equipped with large sliding windows and en-suite bathroom. Children of any age are allowed on the boat, and triples are possible for one child under 8 in the parent's room. The superior rooms are slightly more expensive as they offer a private balcony.

The Chobe Princess Safariboats consist of 3 decks. The cabins for guests and staff are located on the lower deck. The upper deck features bar, lounge and dining area. In front of the boat there is a sun deck with loungers and a plunge pool. The top deck is the perfect viewing point to watch wildlife while the sun sets over the Chobe River.

Location
The Chobe Princess Safariboats operate on the Namibian side of the Chobe River. Access is through Kasane (Botswana) at the Kasane Immigration border post on the river. It is about a 10 min driving distance from Kasane Airport.

This border posts opens at 07h30 and closes at 16h30 daily. Guests should meet at Immigration at 13:30. After having your passport stamped, it is only a short boat ride across the river to Impalila Island to enter into Namibia (another stamp!). The whole transfer should not take more than 45 min from the jetty, or one hour from Kasane airport respectively. On your day of departure you will be taken back to Botswana, your arrival time at the Kasane border post (jetty) is about 10 am.

The Chobe Princess Safariboats have access to several exclusive docking sites along the Chobe River. It will take the boat between 3 and 4 hours to move from one site to the next.

Read more here

By Vehicle Travel by road to Victoria Falls Hotel
2 nights Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls

Witness to its own fair share of history, the Victoria Falls Hotel was built in 1904 during the reign of England's King Edward VII, and reflects the opulent Edwardian style. Monarchs, Presidents, Hollywood stars and other VIPs have all strut the corridors of this ‘grand old lady of the falls'. The hotel was just recently renovated in a manner still echoing its glorious past.

The well-manicured tropical garden with its water lily pond and shady palms offers first-rate views of the Victoria Falls and the historical bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia. The hotel comprises 94 rooms of varying price class, three restaurants, two tennis courts, a large swimming pool, library, bar, spa with hair salon and a souvenir shop.

Location
Victoria Falls Hotel is ideally situated in the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, with the actual falls located just 15 minutes walk away. For a modest fee, guests may visit the small park running alongside the falls on the Zambian side. The path leads along the top of the gorge and offers spectacular views of the water as it thunders over the edge.

The Zambezi River rises in north-western Zambia and crosses several African countries on its 2700 km journey to the Indian Ocean. The river also forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. At Victoria Falls, the water falls for more than 100m into Batoka Gorge, over a width of nearly two kilometers. The falls are called 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' or 'the Smoke that Thunders', as the spray can be seen from miles away and, at the height of the rainy season, more than five hundred million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge.

Read more here

Transport Mode Tour of the falls
The Victoria Falls are best visited early in the morning when the park is empty and quiet. The gate to the park opens at 6am. The entrance fee is US$ 50 per person and entitles to a one-time entry only.

On the Zimbabwe side you can photograph and admire the entire waterfall from various vantage points. You may also like to visit the historic bridge, which the English had built over Batoka Gorge when they tried to establish a railway line from Cape Town to Cairo.

By Vehicle Travel by road to Victoria Falls
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Details & Prices

Basic Information
Individual journey. The journey will be planned on your preferred dates. Self-Drive a rented vehicle.

Duration 20 nights. Min 2 guests. Minimum age 6 years.
Inclusive / Exclusive
Includes all transfers from Windhoek to the hotels/camps to Victoria Falls
  • Olive Grove: Luxury Room. Breakfast.
  • Kulala Desert Lodge: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides. Includes guided excursion to the Sossusvlei dunes
  • Strand Hotel: Luxury Room. Breakfast.
  • Camp Kipwe: Double Room. Dinner, breakfast. includes an Elephant Drive. Visit the Rock Engravings of Twyfelfontein independently.
  • Etosha Oberland Lodge: Double Room. Dinner, breakfast.
  • Onguma Tented Camp: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
  • Divava Okavango Lodge: Double Room. Dinner, breakfast. Boat trips can be booked on arrival
  • Nambwa Lodge: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
  • Chobe Princess: Standard Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
  • Victoria Falls Hotel: Classic Room. Breakfast. Visit the Victoria Falls on your own. Helicopter trips, boat trips on the Zambezi, etc. are extra.
Includes fully insured vehicle with maximum excess reduction. Toyota Fortuner 4 x 4 or similar.
Not included are international flights, gratuities, compulsary comprehensive travel insurance, visa fees, local airport fees, personal purchases.

Learn more about these areas
Caprivi
Caprivi
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
Twyfelfontein
Twyfelfontein
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei
Windhoek
Windhoek
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
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