Photographing a herd of elephants drinking at a waterhole in Etosha National Park, Namibia

Namibia & Botswana Adventure – Pilvi & Mike’s Self-Drive Safari

August 13, 2025

From Etosha’s wildlife-rich plains to Botswana’s lush waterways, Pilvi and Mike’s safari journey was the perfect blend of camping, lodge comfort and unforgettable encounters.

A Well-Planned Route

Over 17 days, they explored Etosha, Caprivi, Chobe, the Makgadikgadi pans, and the Okavango Delta - and wouldn’t change a thing. The couple loved their itinerary, finding the balance of drive times just right. Even the longer days on the road were “doable”, giving them time to enjoy each destination without feeling rushed. The mix of accommodation types - from lodges to campsites - worked perfectly, allowing for both comfort and an authentic bush experience.

The Journey in Brief

The Elegant Guesthouse, Windhoek
Okaukuejo Campsite, Etosha
Halali Bush Chalet, Etosha
Onguma Tamboti Campsite, Etosha
Shametu River Campsite, Caprivi
Camp Kwando, Caprivi
Ihaha Campsite, Chobe
Planet Baobab Campsite, Makgadikgadi
Moremi Crossing, Okavango Delta
Palm Afrique, Central Kalahari
Kalahari Bush Breaks, Kalahari

Favourite Stays & Campsites

Onguma Tamboti Campsite - "Friendly staff, excellent restaurant, and a prime view over the waterhole."

Shametu River Campsite & Lodge - "Private toilet and shower block made it feel like luxury camping, plus a terrace right on the river and a fantastic buffet breakfast."

Ihaha Campsite (Chobe) - "The clear favourite. Campsite #10, set at the end away from others, offered an unobstructed view of the river and magical sunsets. Wildlife came right into camp - impala, giraffe, baboons, and even hyena."

Moremi Crossing - "A wonderful lodge in the Okavango Delta with a superb location, great food, warm staff, and excellent game drives."

Wildlife Highlights

Bwabwata National Park - "A hidden gem near Shametu River Campsite. Spent a full day exploring, saw plenty of wildlife, and barely encountered other people."

Planet Baobab’s Meerkat Excursion - "Small group, no crowds, and totally natural interactions. The meerkats paid no attention to us - just as it should be."

Chobe from Ihaha Campsite - "Sunset views with wildlife wandering through camp made this one unforgettable."

Bush Comforts & Little Extras

The mix of lodges and camps allowed them to enjoy evenings sipping drinks by waterholes - a favourite pastime. Private ablutions at Onguma Tamboti and Shametu River Campsites added a touch of comfort, while the remoteness of Ihaha brought a real sense of being in the wild.

Final Words from Pilvi & Mike

“It has been a pleasure planning this trip with you. Your ideas, help, and practical advice have been invaluable, and your quick replies to our emails made everything so easy. Thank you for helping us create such a memorable adventure.”

Inspired to explore Namibia and Botswana?

We can design a tailor-made trip that combines your must-sees with our insider knowledge, whether you want remote campsites, luxury lodges, or a mix of both. Let’s create a route that’s perfectly paced and packed with unforgettable moments.

Start planning your trip today

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Meet the Team

Our happy team visiting Sossusvlei
We’ve travelled. We’ve adventured. We’ve experienced. We're eager to share our world, never forgetting that each itinerary is as unique as the traveller.
~ MEET THE TEAM ~

"A dream come true"

We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!

Jul '25

"Unforgettable trip to Namibia – Thank you Namibia Tours & Safaris!"

We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.

Jul '25

"We had a great experience"

From the time we put the key in the ignition till we boarded the plane in Windhoek nothing went wrong.

Jul '25

"Unforgettable bird photography trip in Namibia"

It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.

Jun '25
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