Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls Self-drive Tour

Depending on your flight's arrival time, you will either stay one night in Windhoek or proceed on the six-hour drive to the Sossusvlei Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is one of the most spectacular sights in Namibia with red sand dunes rising 300m into the air.
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On the way: The road has some grand scenic passes and the Namib Desert stretches to infinity at the base of an enormous escarpment; stop for lunch on the Spreetshoogte Pass... you may want your camera for this.
When you're there: Enter Sossusvlei at sunrise and remember to take plenty of film or memory, sun cream, a hat, walking shoes and water. Explore the world's highest dunes and a sheltered pan with petrified trees that are hundreds of years old; climb the dunes and look out over a sea of sand. Private reserves in the area reveal fascinating flora, fauna and ancient desert landscapes.
Accommodation: The Desert Homestead and Horse Trails The Desert Homestead and Horse Trails
The Desert Homestead is a tranquil and unfussy lodge near Sossusvlei. Comfortable thatch chalets compliment the rich tapestry of the Namib Desert.
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A five-hour drive north takes you through the gradual change from mountains and dunes to rolling grass-covered hills with scattered acacia trees. Swakopmund Swakopmund
Swakopmund, Namibia is a charming oasis of activity and civilisation
More... is a quaint resort town by the sea with an obvious German heritage at odds with its bleak surrounds.
On the way: Look out for the endemic Hartmann's mountain zebra as you leave; stop at Solitaire, about 80km from Sesriem for some home-made bread and an ice cold drink; Kuiseb Canyon has some shady picnic spots; you can see springbok and pure-bred wild ostrich across the vast gravel plains of the Namib; the lunar landscape; look out for the welwitschia plant.
When you're there: Visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon - a RAMSAR wetlands site - where thousands of flamingoes, pelicans and numerous waders feed in the nutrient-rich shallows; restaurants, shops and attractions in Swakopmund; spend an extra day making the most of the cool air and the relative luxury of a hot shower and a coffee shop.
Among the many organised activities, we recommend a scenic flight over Skeleton Coast; a comfortable and informative boat cruise of Walvis Bay where you meet dolphins, sea lions, pelicans and terns; and quad biking, which is an exciting way to experience the sand dunes.
Accommodation: Sandfields Guesthouse Sandfields Guesthouse
A smart, comfortable and intimate guesthouse in Swakopmund, Sandfields Guesthouse offers family-friendly bed and breakfast accommodation.
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Enormous granite outcrops and dolerite dykes have been carved over aeons. Grassy plains, tree-studded riverbeds and endless open skies add to the grandeur and make Damaraland Damaraland
Damaraland is Namibia's best-kept secret with incredible scenery and wildlife, sheer rocky mountains and khaki plains
More... one of the most scenic regions of Namibia. The drive to Damaraland takes up to five hours because there is much to see and do along the way.
On the way: Drive along the Skeleton Coast to Cape Cross - the largest breeding cape fur seal colony in the world. The stench of 100,000 seals can be a tad over-powering: take a handkerchief to cover your nose; lunch at Cape Cross Lodge or picnic at some suitably serene and other-worldly spot; stop at the lichen fields and a salt pan that is an excellent birding spot; visit the Twfylefontein rock paintings, the Petrified Forest and the Organ Pipes.
When you're there: Game drives on private reserves in search of the famed desert-adapted elephant, black rhino and giraffe; among other hardy plains herds look out for Hartmann's mountain zebra; spend more time exploring the Twfylefontein rock paintings, the Petrified Forest, Vingerklip and the Organ Pipes; hike up the Brandberg Mountain, Namibia's highest point at 2,573m.
Accommodation options: Ugab Terrace Lodge (see Damaraland Accommodation for more options)

You will be about half way between the Skeleton Coast Skeleton Coast
Namibia's Skeleton Coasts offers views of shipwrecks, marinelife and uninhabited wilderness
More... and Etosha National Park Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park in Namibia is one of Africa's great game parks
More... , the drive is a scenic few hours through more of Damaraland's singular beauty. The southern gate to the park is much closer to southern Damaraland and will take about three hours; the eastern gate will take an extra two hour's travelling.
On the way: If you're going east, the world's largest meteorite, Hoba, is on a longish ring road via Grootfontein; the southern route is almost too short to stop, barring a comfort stop at Outjo and a picture of the Ugab Terrace.
When you're there: Etosha has an estimated 250 lions, 300 rhinos, 2,500 giraffes, 6,000 zebras, 20,000 springbok and 2,000 elephants. This on top of a large number of lesser and common plains herds, and abundant birds makes game viewing in Etosha something special. The surrounding lodges all have private reserves with equally impressive wildlife numbers and they offer private game viewing activities into the park.
Accommodation options: Etosha Accommodation

A long drive to the Caprivi Caprivi
Caprivi in Namibia is a lush, sub-tropical wetlands with flood plains and riverine wildlife
More... requires an early start. The roads are all paved and there are some interesting stops along the way and an excellent lunch stop.
On the way: Visit the Otjikoto and Guinas lakes; Hoba Meteorite is the largest in the world; Roy's Camp for a comfort stop.
When you're there: Arrive in time for a sunset cruise on the river; try your hand it tiger fishing or just relax by the river with cool drink and watch the sun go down while the hippos try to outdo the evening birdsong with their comical snorting and grunting banter.
Accommodation: NKwazi Lodge NKwazi Lodge
N'Kwazi Lodge is a small and lively lodge on the edge of the Kavango River about 20km east of Rundu en route to the Caprivi. As a stopover it couldn't be more convenient; as a warm-hearted taste of African hospitality it couldn't be more comfortable.
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Drive through sub-tropical woodlands of the Bwabwata National Park to the Kwando River in east Caprivi. The drive will take about three hours and the roads are mostly paved. Go on a game drive and meet the local villagers before you go.
On the way: Look out for game and raptors as you drive through the park
When you're there: Fishing and sunset boat trips; game drives; hiking trail; birdwatching; visit local village and craft centre; game viewing in the nearby Bwabwata, Mudumu and Mamili Game Parks.
Accommodation: Kwando River Lodge Kwando River Lodge
Kwando River Lodge is a rustic and relaxed riverside lodge with three types of accommodation: camping, island chalets and tree houses. The camp has a shaded swimming pool and a thatched lounge, restaurant and bar that open onto the river.
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Drive through Katima to Ngoma Bridge where you enter Botswana and the Chobe National Park Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
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On the way: The sub-tropical woodlands give way to lush riverine floodplains; clear customs and immigration at Ngoma and drive through the game park to your safari lodge.
When you're there: Chobe is another of Africa's great parks, famous for its large herds of elephant and buffalo, and its prides of lion. Activities include water safaris on the Chobe River, game drives, sunset cruises, walking safaris, birdwatching and game drives. OUr recommended schedule for this leg is:

• Day 11: Afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River - excellent game viewing, birdwatching and scenery
• Day 12: Early morning and late afternoon game drives in Chobe National Park - can be guided (optional extra) or self-drive
• Day 13: Full day excursion to Victoria Falls Victoria Falls
  Victoria Falls - also called Mosi-oa-Tunya which means the smoke that thunders
  More... - one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World

Kwando River Lodge
Kwando River Lodge is a rustic and relaxed riverside lodge with three types of accommodation: camping, island chalets and tree houses. The camp has a shaded swimming pool and a thatched lounge, restaurant and bar that open onto the river.
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Drive south and west to Okavango Delta Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is a network of waterways and flood plains in Botswana
More... for two nights.
On the way: Tarred roads all the way make for a swift transfer through the flat expanse of land.
When you're there: With a two-night stay you have the option to do a full day mokoro safari through the channels of the delta; a guided game drive in the Moremi Game Reserve; or a fly-in safari excursion deep into the heart of the delta.
Accommodation: Thamalakane Lodge is a comfortable lodge away from the hubbub of Maun on the banks of the Thamalakane River. The stone and thatch chalets have en suite bathrooms, private splash pools and a great view of the river with its chirruping birdlife and hippos grunting beneath the lilies. See Okavango Delta Accommodation for more options.

Continue west through the villages of the Kalahari Plains to Edo's Camp - a very special private reserve on the edge of the great game reserve offering rhino tracking safaris, Bushman experiences, game drives and scenic sunset drives.
Accommodation: Edos Camp Edos Camp
Edo's Camp is a unique and culturally fascinating Kalahari experience in a private game reserve, western Botswana.
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Cross the border into Namibia and stopover at the charming Kalahari Bush Breaks Lodge, which makes your next day's drive into Windhoek or to the Windhoek International Airport quick and easy. Surrounded by the savannah of the Kalahari on the Namibian side you'll have one last evening to soak up the incredible scenery and a night in complete tranquillity beneath the Namibian stars.
Accommodation: Kalahari Bush Breaks.

A short drive along empty tarred roads takes you back to Windhoek or directly to the Windhoek International Airport. Drop off your hired car and connect with your flight home or onward plans after what has surely been the African self-drive safari holiday of a lifetime.