Highlights Windhoek to Victoria Falls

After arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, you will receive your rental vehicle and your journey begins. Make sure you visit some of Windhoek’s most famous landmarks such as the Christ Church (Christuskirche), the parliament (Tintenpalast) or take a stroll down Independence Avenue. Today you can also buy some supplies and snacks for the upcoming days. Then in the evening, Joe’s Beerhouse lends itself as a great dinner option (own expense). Overnight at The Elegant Guest House.

After breakfast you step into your vehicle and head in southwestern direction towards the Namib-Naukluft via Rehoboth and Klein Aub. For the next two nights your accommodation will be the Elegant Desert Camp. After arrival you can take it easy and enjoy your fantastic desert surroundings. Or perhaps, you would rather put on some comfy shoes and go exploring. A sunset scenic drive can also be booked for later in the afternoon to marvel at the beautiful Namib Desert sunset (optional). Conclude the evening with a delicious meal and spend the night at The Elegant Desert Eco Camp.

Start your day earlier than usual, because today you have a lot to look forward to. At sunrise, the Namib-National Park opens its gates, and you will want to be there just before they do. Once in the park, take a moment to admire the sun, as it rises over the oldest desert in the world. Afterwards, you still have enough time to explore. Park your vehicle at a designated parking spot and climb aboard a 4×4 transfer vehicle (optional) which will then take you deeper into the desert. Alternatively, you can walk along beautiful dunes to the white clay pan of the Deadvlei. Take some time to gaze at the pan’s age-old dead trees, surrounded by massive orange dunes. The Sesriem Canyon should then be your next stop. The canyon can occasionally hold water, but it is usually dry and can be explored on foot. After a full day of activities, you return to your accommodation. A guided day trip with a guide from your lodge is also possible if you would rather prefer that (at own expense) for today. Overnight again at The Elegant Desert Eco Camp.

Back on the open road, you head towards the Atlantic coast today. Your goal is Swakopmund. Along the way, make a stop at Walvis Bay and gaze over the lagune where you may find flamingos and pelicans in the shallow waters. Your next two nights will be spent in Swakopmund. The town is known for its German influence. The cuisine and architecture are examples of this and even the German language can often still be heard. There are many thrilling (optional) activities on offer in Swakopmund including: a desert safari to see the Little Five, boat tours, scenic flights, sand boarding, quad biking or even horse or camel riding in the dunes. In the evening, enjoy a dinner at one of the many restaurants in town (at own expense). You will spend the night at the Cornerstone Guest House.

Continue your journey along the Atlantic coast past Henties Bay and make a stop at the massive seal colony at Cape Cross. Thereafter you travel inland and time permitting, visit the Brandberg Mountain. Not only is this Namibia’s highest mountain (2,580 m) but it is also home to the famous rock painting “The White Lady”. The painting can be viewed on a guided hike but be sure to calculate at least 3 hours for this detour. You then venture deeper into the Damaraland until you reach the Ugab Valley. Stunning views of the terraced plateaus and a beautiful valley await you when you reach your accommodation, the Vingerklip Lodge. From here you can take a walk to the actual Vingerklip, a rock formation which bears resemblance to a finger.

Enjoy your morning and then head on towards the Etosha National Park. You enter through the Anderson Gate into one of the most famed national game parks in Africa. Known in the local language as “The Great White Place”, the Etosha is home to not only a large diversity of wildlife but also provides you with magnificent landscapes. A typical Etosha safari involves you visiting the different waterholes on your game drive. Especially during the dry season, these waterholes provide a life blood to the animals of the Etosha and many congregate here to drink. As the sun approaches the horizon, you leave the park and drive to Etosha Safari Lodge, just a few minutes from the park entrance. Enjoy a delicious dinner and spend two nights in one of the chalets.

The wild animals of the Etosha make the most of the cool morning hours, so best follow their advice and head out early for your game drive. On today’s game drive you may encounter elephants, rhinos, lions, hyenas as well as herds of zebra, springbok, impala, oryx and wildebeest. With your eyes constantly scanning for wildlife, you might also come across some of the park’s less frequently seen inhabitants such a leopard or a cheetah. A worthwhile stop is also the Etosha Pan itself. Eerily quiet and stretching baren all the way to the horizon, it creates a haunting and yet, also peaceful atmosphere. In the evening, you leave the park through the Von Lindequist Gate taking with you wonderful safari memories. You will overnight at the beautiful Mushara Lodge.

Ready yourself for a change in scenery today. Fortified by an early breakfast, you drive in a north-easterly direction. Along the way you will pass through the towns of Tsumeb and Grootfontein, ideal places to restock some of your supplies for the coming days. You will notice the landscape become increasingly greener as you travel further north. Once you have reached Rundu, the economic centre of the Kavango Region, you do not have far to go until you reach your accommodation for the next two nights. The Mbola Island Lodge will provide you with ideal place to relax after the day’s long drive. So, go enjoy a cold beverage at the Island Bar and watch as the sun sets over the Okavango River. You have a bunch of activities to choose from the following day: a boat cruise on the Okavango, a safari in the Mahango Game Park (only in a 4×4 or as a guided tour) or visit a local village and learn about the lives and customs of the local people (all optional). You will spend both nights in a self-catering bungalow at the Mobola Island Lodge. You can prepare your own dinners (the bungalows have a small kitchenette and a fireplace with an outdoor barbecue) or book dinner in advance with the lodge.

The road taking you into the Zambezi Region today is a beautiful one. You will notice local fishing villages on the side of the road and it is also not uncommon to stumble upon big game near the road. You reach your accommodation just north of Mudumu National Park. Situated on the banks of the Kwando River, you can enjoy the tranquillity and perhaps hear the majestic call of an African fish eagle. If you have good 4×4 driving skills, you can explore the Bwabwata or Mudumu National Park ion your own the next day. Alternatively, you can also book a guided game drive or a boat trip at the camp (optional). You will spend two nights at Camp Kwando.

Enjoy your breakfast with a beautiful view before you pack your bags and continue your journey. After crossing the border into Botswana, you make your way to Kasane. Once arrived at the town, you hand over your rental vehicle and a transfer will take you to the Chobe River Lodge. You will be staying here for the following two nights, as the next couple of days are dedicated to safari and amazing wildlife sightings. The Chobe National Park, also known as “The Land of Giants”, is most famous for its massive elephant population. Estimates are that more than 40,000 elephants reside in the Chobe, thereby making it the wildlife area with the highest density of elephants on our planet. But it won’t just be elephants you see. Your booking includes three safari activities. This means that you can explore the Chobe and its wildlife on early morning and/or afternoon guided game drives in an open 4×4 safari vehicle of the lodge. You may also decide to join a boat cruise along the Chobe River and witness as the animals come to drink and graze at the riverbank. You spend two nights at the Chobe River Lodge on the banks of the Chobe River.

Have a relaxed breakfast before your transfer driver greets you a little later in the morning and takes you from your camp across the Zimbabwean border to Victoria Falls. The Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls on earth and you have the rest of the day to explore this amazing natural site. If you still require some souvenirs, then the Elephant Market in town will be a good place for you to go shopping. You overnight at the Pioneers Guest Lodge and you can have dinner at one of the restaurants in town (at own expense).

If you would like to do activities, such as sunset boat cruises lasting several hours, white water rafting or bungee jumping, you’ll need to stay one extra night at Victoria Falls.

Over breakfast, you can look back at the fantastic past few days you experienced. Thinking fondly of the wildlife and landscapes you observed and the people you met along the way. During the course of the morning, you will be brought to the airport from which you can continue your travels or start your return journey with many new wonderful memories of southern Africa to savour.