The Best of Namibia, Botswana & Victoria Falls- A Guided Self-drive
This adventure safari starts in Windhoek and ends in Victoria Falls. It routes via the iconic Etosha, passing through some of the most spectacular and rugged scenery that can only be found in Namibia, and home to the unique desert Elephants and Rhino. The Botswana component explores the Central Kalahari and the World Heritage Okavango Delta as well as the Chobe and Zambezi River fed Victoria Falls complex of Zimbabwe.
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Costing tip: When comparing with other companies, remember most of them only show the low season rate. How pricing works >
What to Expect on This Safari
This popular itinerary can be customised to match your budget and travel dates by adding/removing a few days or selecting different lodges
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Day 1-2
Arrive in Windhoek
Carefully selected luxury Lodges and wild camps
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Day 3-6
Etosha National Park
A big drive to the Eastern side of the world famous Etosha and overnighting at a safari lodge. Day 3 is spent on a leisurely game drive heading west exploring pans full with seasonal bird life and vast area of 22,270 km² overnighting at a camp site under the stars. Lion, elephant, black rhinos and giraffe gather at waterholes and rough roads fringe the vast white-green salt flat of the Etosha Pan, a breeding ground for flamingos. Day 4 overnight at a lodge and Day 5 at a remote camp site deep in the remote west of Etosha
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Day 7-8
Epupa Falls
Continuing west in Etosha one exits through the Galton Gate. From here you’ll enter into the Kaokoveld, this area is one of the wildest and least populated areas in Namibia, with a population density of one person every 2 km² (1/4 of the national average). The most represented ethnic group is the Himba people, who account for about 5,000 of the overall 16,000 inhabitants of Kaokoland. Two days of relaxing at a palm filled oasis riverside camp on the Kunene a few hundred metres from the Epupa Falls overlooking Angola.
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Day 9
Van Zyl's Pass
Having rested well we head towards Van Zyl’s Pass base camp. Van Zyl’s Pass is the most iconic road land mark in Southern Africa – a true 4x4 experience – overnighting near one of the river beds high up in the craggy mountains.
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Day 10
Marienfluss
The highlight of your desert mountain experience is the spectacular Marienfluss valley plain seen from the top of Van Zyl’s pass, with a 3000m drive down into the valley and an exhilarating trail to a very friendly and intimate remote camp site commun
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Day 11-12
Puros Canyon
Travel through Namibia’s most dramatic OMG landscapes, whilst discovering the famous “rock men” en route to a magnificent luxury lodge perched on the banks of the Hoarusib River. Spend the following day exploring the Canyon where you’ll find a variety of desert adapted wild animals. Or spoil yourself to great restaurant food – recharge, read a book
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Day 13
Palmwag Conservancy
A transit day with continued OMG scenery in the dry Hoarusib and Hoanib rivers. With the low population density, the oasis characters of the river valleys and the relatively high wildlife population of these rivers, this is one of the last true wilderness areas in Namibia and one of the last settlements of desert elephants. Reaching your camp early afternoon you may want to join a guide in search of the elusive desert Rhino.
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Day 14
Desolation Valley
The following day you’ll travel down into the Desolation Valley, the views in this area are breathe taking. Entering into the Huab River proceeding along the river bed where there is a very good chance of meeting the famous desert Elephant encase you haven’t by then. Night stop at an exclusive camp.
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Day 15
Spitzkoppe
Takes you past the Brandberg, world famous for its 43 000 paintings and the highest point in Namibia. The startling image in the stark Namibian sunlight is spectacular and gives the impression of a mountain on fire hence the name ‘burning mountain” in both Afrikaans and Damara “Daureb”. Camp under the stars at the Spitzkoppe ("Matterhorn of Namibia") which is nearly 700 million years old.
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Day 16
Windhoek
Lay over in Windhoek for a vehicle refresh and personal R&R.
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Day 17-18
Central Kalahari
A very unique part of this Safari is a two day visit to the Central Kalahari and interaction with the San people. The San were Stone Age hunter-gatherers and some of them still survive in small numbers in the Kalahari Desert. Their physical appearance is small in stature; they are brown in colour and have unique "click" languages.
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Day 19-20
Mokoro Water Safari
You will enter the Okavango Delta, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers a vast and unique water wonderland. The next two days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for, while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this magnificent area and exploring reed channels and floodplains with a mokoro (traditional dugout canoes).
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Day 21-22
Moremi
Safari along the historic routes of the early Bechuanaland pioneers in the Moremi/Khwai region with the most prolific and diverse wildlife. Day 21 will be spent at one of the newest lodges for some well-earned R&R. Day 22 explore the area and experience a picnic lunch in the wild. Overnight under the stars at a magnificent wild Safari camp.
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Day 23
Chobe National Park
On to the Chobe River for an unforgettable photographic safari upon photo-friendly boats assisted by the world renown Pangolin photo team. Viewing wild life from the perspective of the water brings you up really close and personal for legendry captured moments. Equipment supplied if required. Say a sad farewell to your faithful safari vehicle and overnight at one of the latest and unique lodges overlooking the Chobe River and the flood plains.
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Day 24-26
Victoria Falls
You’ll take a transfer into Zimbabwe to visit the magnificent Victoria Falls. Lunch on the veranda of the iconic “Vic Falls Hotel” overlooking the gorge and historic railway bridge and take a boat ride on the Zambezi. 3 nights’ luxury accommodation. Additional activities can be arranged and include White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, Canoeing on the upper Zambezi, Elephant rides and Helicopter Flights over the Victoria Falls.
Return flights out of Victoria Falls or Kasane
This itinerary is ideal for any traveller longing to experience an African Safari
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