Namibia Holidays Road Trip Self Drive Safari Tours Etosha Namib Desert

SOUTHERN AFRICA

Botswana

Eswatini

Lesotho

Malawi

Mozambique

Namibia

Zambia

Zimbabwe + Victoria Falls

FIND OUT MORE

When to go

Our hotels

Travel guide

Change Currency:

WHY CHOOSE US?

100% financial protection
Specialist knowledge
Tailor-made for you
Keen pricing & exclusive deals
24/7 emergency contact
Established for over 20 years

You are here: Home » Namibia Safari »

Namibia Self Drive Holiday: Windhoek + Caprivi + Victoria Falls

Namibia Highlights (self drive): Namib, Etosha, Caprivi, Vic Falls
NCM22W

22 NIGHTS

FROM $4,786

Per person sharing

Flights + car hire quoted separately

Namibia Self Drive Holiday Windhoek Caprivi Victoria Falls Namib Etosha

This comprehensive Namibia self drive holiday starts in the capital of Windhoek , travelling south to view the gigantic sand dunes at Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, the beach town of Swakopmund & the Bushman Paintings at Twyfelfontein. View wildlife in Etosha National Park, then drive through the lush Caprivi Wetlands to the mighty Victoria Falls.

▲

• Namibia Self Drive Holiday	• Windhoek	• Namib Desert	• Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
• Swakopmund	• Twyfelfontein	• Bushman Paintings	• Etosha National Park
• Caprivi	• Victoria Falls

▲

• Namibia Self Drive Holiday	• Windhoek	• Namib Desert
• Sossusvlei Sand Dunes	• Swakopmund	• Twyfelfontein
• Bushman Paintings	• Etosha National Park	• Caprivi
• Victoria Falls

Day 1

You will be met at Windhoek Airport and transferred 1-hour to your hotel in this small capital city, where you can relax under warm blue Namibian skies.

In the afternoon your hire car will be delivered to your hotel.

Note: Please be aware that many roads in Namibia are rough gravel with corrugated surfaces, resulting in a tougher and slower drive that can be very bumpy.

Day 2

Today leave Windhoek and drive 6-hours through ever-changing landscapes and dramatically beautiful desert scenery to the great Namib Desert.

The Namib is the oldest desert on earth, where some of the highest sand dunes in the world tower over the white desert plains. These great mountains of sand are a monument to the extreme forces of nature, with fog supplying life giving moisture for the survival of its plants and animals.

Explore the Gondwana Namib Park before checking in to your lodge. After the unpredictable desert rains (mid November/mid December), colourful desert flowers burst forth here and provide a delightful display.

Day 3

Today rise before dawn and drive to Sossusvlei Lodge Adventure Centre for your included shared 4x4 tour into these famous sand dunes - as this is the coolest part of the day and the best for photography.

This clay pan is surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world – an endless sea of reddish sand stretching all the way to the distant horizon. These monumental star shaped dunes, some as high as 1,000 ft (325 m), were formed by strong multi-directional winds. The warm tints of sand range in colour from apricot to orange, red and maroon - and contrast vividly with the stark white clay pans at their base. You will be astonished by surreal Deadvlei, surrounded by some of the highest dunes and Sossusvlei, where the mostly dry Tsauchab River abruptly ends. Take the opportunity to climb one of these dunes, which afford endless vistas across the desert landscape and the sea of sand.

Also visit the narrow gorge of the impressive Sesriem Canyon, with its rock pools fed by the Tsauchab River during the rainy season. The name is derived from the six “rieme” (leather thongs) that early pioneers used to draw water from these pools.

Note: If you are staying close to the gate into the park, you will visit Sossuvlei in the morning and Sesriem in the afternoon. If your lodge is further way, you will visit Sossusvlei in the morning and enjoy a sunset drive in the desert in the late afternoon.

Day 4

Today drive for 6-hours through the starkly beautiful Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons of the Namib Desert to the beach resort of Swakopmund with its old lighthouse.

Swakopmund is situated on the Atlantic Coast where the cold Benguela Current sweeps up from Antarctica, releasing no moisture into the prevailingly onshore winds – hence the very low rainfall and desert conditions. Fog is common along the coast in the early mornings and late afternoons and this is what gives life to the desert-adapted flora and fauna of the region. The cold current is also highly oxygenated, causing it to teem with marine life.

Check into your hotel and relax on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 5

This morning drive 30-minutes to Walvis Bay to arrive 45-minutes before the departure of your 3-hour shared Marine Cruise to Pelican Point, which has a resident school of dolphins and a large colony of Cape fur seals, with oysters and sparkling wine served on board.

Marine bird life is abundant and includes pelicans, terns and large flocks of flamingos which live in the shallow waters surrounding the harbour. You should see many Cape cormorants and hopefully some more difficult birds such as the Cape gannet, Pomarine skua and African black oyster catcher. You may also see migrating whales in season (September to October).

Your afternoon is at leisure to relax at the beach resort of Swakopmund, with its palm lined streets and seaside promenade. Established by German colonists in 1892, the town’s landmarks include the Swakopmund Lighthouse and the Mole, an old sea wall. Next to the lighthouse, the Swakopmund Museum documents Namibian history. In the town you can find the elegant Swakopmund Railway Station (now a hotel), which also dates to the colonial era. An enjoyable local pastime is Kaffee-Kuchen at 16:00 when you can take a mid-afternoon break for a coffee, with a slice of baked cheesecake or Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (German Black Forest Cake).

Day 6

Today drive 4-hours from Swakopmund to your lodge situated in the foothills of the volcanic Erongo Mountains near the small town of Omaruru.

We suggest detouring 2.5-hours to Cape Cross on the barren Skeleton Coast, which is home to one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals in the world. The Cape Cross Seal Reserve has a thriving population of over 80,000 seals, as well as a large colony of gannets and other sea birds. There is also a small lichen reserve, where a relatively large variety of these interesting, slow growing organisms are protected (pay entrance fees locally). As you pass the fishing village of Hentiesbaai look out for the 'Zeila', one of the more recent shipwrecks that can be viewed along this inhospitable coastline.

Alternatively you can detour to view the Spitzkoppe (meaning 'pointed domes' in German), an ancient group of bald granite peaks that are over 120 million years old and rise up dramatically from the surrounding desert plains. Birding is particularly good in this region, with a sighting of the Herero chat being particularly prized. You can also see the ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis plant that survives in these harsh conditions.

Continue towards the magnificent Erongo Mountains, flanked by the Namib Desert to the west and woodland savanna to the east, with breathtaking views of its huge granite boulders. Check into your lodge in this beautiful region known for its Bushman rock art paintings. It is an endemic hotspot for a variety of plants, reptiles and small mammals - including kudu, baboons and agile klipspringers, as well as wonderful bird life.

Note: Please be aware that many roads in Namibia are rough gravel with corrugated surfaces, resulting in a tougher and slower drive that can be very bumpy.

Day 7

This morning we suggest driving to the San Living Museum (near Ai-Aiba Lodge), which is home to a traditional Bushman community.

Arrive in good time to set off at 07.30 for a 2-hour bush walk with these legendary trackers and learn more about their culture and customs, including their hunting practices (pay locally).

Afterwards you can ask your lodge to point you to various Bushmen Paintings found on these granite surfaces, the most famous of which is the White Elephant frieze in Phillip's Cave. Superimposed on the elephant is a large eland, with ostrich and giraffe completing the sketch. The cave is situated on the farm Ameib, on the southern edge of this mountain range. It is 2-miles (3-km) off the road, followed by a 45-min walk each way, but the dramatic scenery makes the walk worthwhile (arrange with your lodge & pay locally).

The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy walking in the beautiful Erongo Mountains.

Day 8

Today drive 3-hours across dramatic northern Namibia towards Twyfelfontein in timeless Damaraland.

Damaraland is one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa and home to the rare desert elephant and rhino. Take time to enjoy some of the fascinating rock formations in these vast uninhabited open spaces, where magnificent semi-desert flowers can grow after good rains. You can also see the desert-adapted Welwitschia Mirabilis plant - the oldest living desert plant on earth.

In the late afternoon check in to your lodge near Twyfelfontein.

Day 9

At leisure to explore the World Heritage site at Twyfelfontein, which means "Doubtful Spring" (entrance fees for own account).

Over 6,000 years ago, San communities engraved and painted over 2,500 pictures here. These ancient Bushman Paintings have been well preserved in this dry environment and the hills are strewn with rock art - making this an open-air museum.

Close by you can explore the Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes geological phenomena. You can also see the desert-adapted Welwitschia Mirabilis plant - the oldest living desert plant on earth.

In the afternoon you can join an optional 4x4 game drive along the dry river beds in search of rare Desert Elephants. In the evening enjoy the incredible night skies.

Day 10

Today drive 4-hours across Damaraland to Okonjima.

This is the home of the Africat Foundation dedicated to the preservation of Namibia’s large carnivores, but especially leopards and brown hyena. Leopards can be radio-tracked from the game viewing vehicle. Check in to your lodge before enjoying an afternoon game activity in the reserve.

Note: Ensure you arrive at your lodge in good time, as they stop serving lunch at 2 pm.

Day 11

After an early morning game activity in the Africat Reserve, drive 3-hours to Etosha National Park, one of the largest and greatest game parks in Africa.

Etosha owes its unique landscape to a vast shallow depression – the Etosha Pan. During the dry season it becomes an expanse of white cracked mud, shimmering with mirages and spiralling dust devils, with its open pans offering magnificent game viewing. Etosha is home to over a hundred different species of mammals including elephant, rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, lion, cheetah and leopard.

After checking in to your lodge situated near the southern entrance to the park, you may wish to enjoy your first self-drive game drive into this famous wildlife reserve (pay park entrance fee locally).

Days 12 To 14

Today is devoted to self drive game viewing in the famous Etosha National Park, which surrounds an enormous salt pan that is the size of the Netherlands.

We recommend setting off as soon as the park gates open after sunrise, to take advantage of the best game viewing conditions of the day, as the vast Etosha Pan offers magnificent game viewing opportunities - including springbok, oryx, black-faced impala, roan, cheetah and the Damara dik-dik, Namibia’s smallest antelope. A series of waterholes throughout the park guarantees rewarding game viewing, with Etosha being renowned for its vast array of plains game and its 'great cats' which are more easily seen on the open pans.

With over 100 different species of mammals and reptiles in this park, you can hope to see lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, kudu, sable antelope, warthogs, baboons and many other interesting animals. Etosha is also a bird watchers paradise, with hundreds of recorded bird species and many migrants during the summer months.

In the evening enjoy a beautiful African sunset and the pristine stars of the Milky Way as you have never seen them before – including the spectacular Southern Cross.

Note: All game drives are self-drive (pay Etosha entrance fee locally) unless game drives are included in your lodge package or purchased separately. Vehicles are not allowed to drive off-road in any national park in Namibia.

Day 15

Today follow the route of the Okavango River, travelling eastwards for 2-hours through the game-rich Caprivi region.

The Caprivi Strip (or Zambezi Strip) is a narrow finger of land connecting Namibia to the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls, surrounded by Angola and Zambia to the north and Botswana to the south. The region has abundant wildlife, with hundreds of elephants, large herds of rhino and many other species that migrate to the Kwando Floodplains before the onset of the summer rains. Roan antelope, kudu, impala and zebra also roam across these vast plains.

Drive through the Kavango region, which is famous for its woodcrafters, towards the western edge of Bwabwata Game Park. Check into your lodge situated on the lush banks of the Kavango River and enjoy an optional sundowner cruise to Popa Falls (pay locally).

Day 16

Today enjoy an optional game drive in Mahango National Park, Namibia's smallest but most densely populated national park.

Mahango has a high population of elephants, as well as many rare antelopes such as puku, tsessebe, red letchwe, sitatunga, roan and sable. These in turn attract a large variety of predators such as lion, leopard and even the highly endangered wild dog.

The park is divided into three different habitats - the Kavango River, the flood plains known as Omurambas and dense woodlands - which combine to create a habitat for over 400 different bird species.

Day 17

This morning continue driving eastwards for 2-hours towards the lush woodlands of the Kwando River.

Hundreds of elephants, large buffalo herds and numerous antelopes roam these majestic riverine woods. With over 400 species of birds, this area is also one of the best birding spots in Southern Africa.

Check in to your next lodge and in the late afternoon enjoy an optional game viewing sunset cruise.

Day 18

Rise early when game viewing conditions are at their best, for an optional game drive in Bwabwata National Park - a lush wilderness that has the woodlands of the Kwando River as its border (pay park fees on entry).

This park forms part of an ancient migration route between Botswana and Namibia, so hundreds of elephants and large herds of buffalo pass through each season, whilst numerous antelope roam the riverine woods. If road conditions permit it, you may be fortunate enough to see hundreds of animals gathering at Horseshoe Bend. Bwabwabata is also a birders' paradise and with over 400 recorded species, it is regarded as one of the best birding hot spots in the whole of southern Africa.

In the late afternoon enjoy an optional game viewing Sunset Cruise on the river. Optional tiger fishing is also available.

Day 19

This morning you can visit a traditional Caprivi Village to learn more about their customs and traditions.

Afterwards drive 2-hours to Katima Mulilo - “the place where the fires were put out”. After completing immigration formalities, drive across the border into Botswana and drop off your hire car at your lodge situated near the Chobe River.

Chobe National Park is Botswana’s premier wildlife reserve and is uniquely situated at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers, where four African countries meet – Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Chobe River is the life-giving force of this region and provides a border between Botswana on the southern banks and Namibia on the northern banks. The river has extensive grassy floodplains on either side, which disappear under the annual floodwaters, making boats the best way of getting around.

After checking in to your lodge, enjoy a boat ride on the Chobe River, which is home to some of Botswana’s most spectacular wildlife, as well as abundant bird life. Game viewing opportunities should present themselves almost immediately in this vast game sanctuary and hopefully you will see elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, antelope and other river-based wildlife today. Afterwards dine in the atmosphere that only the African bushveld can provide.

Day 20

Rise at dawn to take advantage of the best game viewing conditions of the day and enjoy a thrilling shared open-top game viewing drive with a lodge ranger.

Chobe National Park is home to vast herds of buffalo and elephant, as well as numerous other species which roam in profusion and diversity. During the dry season, vast elephant herds migrate from both south and north to congregate in their thousands along the Chobe River – the largest concentration of elephants in the whole of Africa. This migration of wildlife is possibly due to the creation of protected wildlife corridors, which allow the elephants to travel between the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Park (KAZA) countries safely. Also hope to see lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, kudu, crocodiles, antelope, waterbuck, warthogs, baboons and many other interesting animals before returning to your lodge.

Bird life along the river is also plentiful and you can hope to see a Fish eagle, Tawny eagle, African openbill stork, Marabou stork, Sacred ibis, Pied kingfisher, Cattle egret, Great egret, Spur-winged goose and much more, including Botswana's national bird - the glorious Lilac-breasted roller.

In the afternoon, enjoy another game drive or boat ride on the Chobe River.

Day 21

This morning transfer to Kasane on the Zimbabwe border. After completing border formalities, connect with your 2-hour shared transfer to your hotel situated near Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River.

Located in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), where the borders of five African countries converge, the sheer scale of this vast international conservation project is difficult to comprehend. It encompasses a bewildering range of experiences, ranging from the mighty Victoria Falls to the lifeforce of the region, the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers.

Check in, settle in and relax whilst you catch your first glimpses of the magnificent Smoke That Thunders first discovered by Dr. David Livingstone and still one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. The flow of water over the Victoria Falls is greatest from February to June following the summer rains, but they are a magnificent sight at any time of year.

Note: As transfer vehicles cannot cross the border, you will be dropped off on one side of immigration control and collected on the other side.

Day 22

Today we recommend exploring on foot the mighty Victoria Falls and its rainforest.

Afterwards you may wish to visit Elephants Walk, a small crafts complex across the road from The Kingdom hotel, where you can see talented local artists and sculptors at work and support them by buying one of their items. Alternatively you can participate in various optional activities, such as a helicopter flight over the falls or an elephant interaction.

In the late afternoon enjoy an included cruise on the Zambezi River where you may see hippos, crocodiles and abundant birdlife.

Note: We suggest you take your own raincoat for walking in the rainforest, as those on hire are well used.

Day 23

Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight home.

ENQUIRE NOW »

<< Return to Namibia Safari holidays