Duration
12 days
Tour Type
Self Drive Safari
Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 12-day self-drive safari, combining the best wildlife experiences in Namibia and Botswana. Begin your journey at Etosha National Park, where you’ll encounter Africa’s iconic wildlife at its famous waterholes. Travel through the lush Caprivi Strip, rich in birdlife and unique ecosystems, before crossing into Botswana to explore the renowned Chobe Game Reserve, home to some of the continent’s largest elephant herds. This itinerary offers the freedom of self-drive travel, with the option to upgrade to a private guided safari for a more personalized experience. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts seeking a diverse and thrilling African adventure.
Expert Tip: To enhance your itinerary, consider extending your trip by adding a night in Chobe, followed by a day trip to the iconic Victoria Falls. This allows you to experience both the awe-inspiring falls and the incredible wildlife of the Chobe region. Alternatively, you can extend your stay by 1-2 days, spending your final day in Victoria Falls to fully explore the area before departing from Victoria Falls Airport. Either option offers a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, making your journey even more unforgettable.
Included/Exclude
- Accommodation – subject to availability
- Meals as mentioned
- Activities as mentioned
- 4×4 Car Hire (GPS, unlimited mileage, tyre & windscreen insurance, 2nd spare tyre)
- Vehicle collection fee for Katima Mulilo
- Shared road transfer from Katima Mulilo to Kasane
- Return airport transfers
- Travel package & digital travel documents
- Meet & greet on arrival
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Tips
- International air (to and from Africa)
- Air transportation, accommodation, meals & drinks not specified
- Tips / gratuities at all meals, lodge staff, drivers, pilots, guides, rangers & trackers etc.
- Personal items such as beverages, laundry, telephone calls, room service – unless specified as included
- Day use of room on arrival and departure from all properties. Generally, check-in is from 14h00/15h00 and check-out is by 10h00/11h00
- Visas
- Fuel for rental vehicle
- Porterage throughout
- Travel insurance – medical, emergency evacuation, cancellation, delays, loss of goods etc.
Tour Plan
Day 1 To Day 2 - Windhoek
Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek serves as the capital of the country. It is home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste an old fort, the 1896 Christuskirche Christ Church, and the more contemporary Supreme Court.
Day 2 To Day 4 - Ongava Private Game Reserve
Sharing the southern boundary with Etosha National Park, the prolific 30 000-hectare private Ongava Game Reserve is considered one of the top private game reserves in the region, enjoying global recognition for exceptional conservation, groundbreaking research and exciting safari experiences. The landscape is characterised by vast open plains dotted with salt plans and abundant wildlife. Visitors can easily access Etosha through Andersson’s Gate in the south.
Known for its luxury lodges made out of natural materials, Ogava is a popular destination for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. The reserve offers visitors the perfect combination of wildlife safari experiences within and around the Etosha National Park. One of Ongava’s top attractions is its rhino population and guests can experience the thrill of getting close to these majestic creatures. Popular activities include: night game drives, guided nature walks, bird watching and 4×4 guided game drives.
Day 4 To Day 6 - Onguma Nature Reserve
Situated east of Etosha, bordering Fisher’s Pan, Onguma Game Reserve is one of Namibia’s best-kept secrets. The reserve offers visitors the opportunity to experience Africa in all her beauty and diversity. Onguma Game Reserve features over 34000 hectares of protected land scattered with a variety of wildlife including plains game, black rhino, kudu, giraffe, zebra, lion, cheetah, leopard and more than 300 bird species. The seasonal rains attract thousands of migrating birds to the Fisher’s Pan wetland area. The neighbouring Etosha National Park is home to a rich array of wildlife, including four of the Big 5. Visitors can enjoy game drives, guided walks and rhino research drives within the private reserve as well as wildlife safaris into Etosha National Park to view abundant game in the largest national park in Namibia.
Day 6 To Day 8 - Caprivi West
Surrounded by Botswana, Angola and Namibia. Caprivi West forms part of the Caprivi strip that protrudes from the northeastern corner of Namibia. Acquired by the then German South West Africa in 1890, to provide access to the Zambezi River, Caprivi has been used as a point of politico-strategic military importance throughout history. Alongside a rich historical significance, Caprivi offers both a wealth of natural resources and serves as a haven for an abundance of wildlife, including the critically endangered African wild dog. The stips’ vast and flourishing natural landscapes make it a popular corridor for African elephant moving from Botswana and Namibia into Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In contrast, its lush, swampy terrains make it the only place in Namibia where one can spot the majestic Nile crocodile and the mighty hippo. Caprivi is a paradise for adventure seekers and nature lovers with free-roaming wildlife and postcard-perfect areas. Activities including game drives, walking safaris, canoeing and fishing on its serene waterways are plentiful. Birdwatchers will be overjoyed as they keep an eye out for the 400 bird species that soar above.
Day 8 To Day 10 - Caprivi East
Situated on the northern edges of Namibia, East Caprivi or Itenge is situated in the corner of the Namibian panhandle known as the Caprivi Strip. This off-the-beaten-track destination is made up of vast floodplains, sparkling lakes and lush swamplands dotted with diverse wildlife and an array of bird species. Caprivi East is mostly river country, bounded by the Kwando, Zambezi, Linyanti, and Chobe rivers. The best time to spot a variety of game is the dry winter months of June to October when visitors can spot elephants, buffalo, hippo, zebra, kudu and impala, as well as crocodile, baboon and warthog. Caprivi East is an excellent destination for bird lovers to spot plovers, egrets, herons, and cranes.
Day 10 To Day 12 - Chobe River Front
The Chobe River forms the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park which is renowned for its diverse and abundant game viewing opportunities. This section of the park is best known for its dense concentration of wildlife, including elephant and hippo populations, but the waters attract all manner of game including large herds of buffalo and the lions that prey on them – a visit to the Chobe River Front guarantees close encounters with an array of African wildlife. Visitors can look forward to a range of exciting activities such as 4WD along the banks; motorboat cruises; and rare birdlife spotting. For a unique, luxury safari experience, hire a houseboat.
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