14 Day Windhoek to Livingstone Self-drive

Day 1 - Arrive in Windhoek

Arriving at Hosea Kutako International Airport, you will be welcomed by your own private transfer, who will take you to Windhoek, approx. 45km from airport. In Windhoek you will collect your rental vehicle and received necessary instructions and information. With getting familiarness with your vehicle and know exactly what side of the road you need to drive (We drive on the left side – just so you know - *wink-wink) you will head to your accommodation where you are able to freshen up & rest if needed. Afternoon you can explore on your own time the capitol city of Windhoek and enjoy relaxing dinner. We can recommend dinner either at your accommodation, Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Joe’s Beehouse, The Stellenbosch or Cape Town Fish Market.

Accommodation: Arebbusch Travel Lodge

Day 2 - Windhoek to Namib Naukluft Park

After enjoying relaxing breakfast, we recommend leaving Windhoek between 07h30 – 08h00. Leaving Windhoek behind, travelling towards the Namib Naukluft Park, over the Khomas Hochland and down the steep gradients of the Spreetshoogte Pass. This mountain pass connects the Namib Desert with the Khomas Highland. With gradients between 1:4.5 and 1:6 it is the steepest pass in Namibia, but so scenery!

You should begin to see the first of game species like springbok, ostrich and oryx. A stop at Solitaire, where you can enjoy the world’s most famous apple pie! From Solitaire it’s a short drive to your accommodation for the next 2 nights, on the outskirts of the park on a Guest Farm with spectacular view to watch the sunset with a sun downer.

Accommodation: *SH – Weltevrede Guest Farm or alternative.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Travel distance: +/- 300km

Day 3 - Namib Naukluft Park, Dune 45 & Sossusvlei

Wake up early, enjoy a quick coffee & grab your packed breakfast prepared for you by your accommodation staff and depart for the Sesriem entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. It is a about 48km drive to the gate, which only opens at sunrise, from here its 45km to the first major dune you will encounter, Dune 45 – where you can choose to stop & climb to the top. Then it is another 60km drive from here to Sossusvlei – as you drive a 4x4 – you can continue to the vlei’s parking itself, where you can explore the area on foot. Midday before you head back to your accommodation, you can make a quick stop at Sesriem Canyon.

Accommodation: *SH – Weltevrede Guest Farm or alternative.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Travel distance: +/-220km

Day 4 - Namib Naukluft Park to Swakopmund

After enjoying relaxing breakfast, we recommend leaving your accommodation between 07h30 – 08h00. Although the drive today are around 300 kilometers, which will take you around 5 hours. Travelling via the Kuiseb Canyon, home to two Germans and their dog for two years during World War 2. A stop at the Walvis Bay lagoon, famous for its large number of flamingoes, is a must, before continuing to the coastal town of Swakopmund.

Swakopmund offers many options, both for adventure & from relaxation. The seaside resort showcases its German origins in its European-style colonial architecture, making the town surprisingly attractive & friendly. There is a wide selection of restaurants with cuisines to choose from, such as Italian, seafood and sushi, and authentic Namibian German. We can recommend dinner at Kücki’s Pub, Brewer & Butcher, Jetty1905 & The Tug, is just a few to name.

Accommodation: *SH – Prost Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel distance: +/-300km

Day 5 - SWAKOPMUND

Today is a free day from driving, to enjoy all that this coastal town has to offer – from many optional adventure activities from Quad bike the dunes, take a camel ride, Sand boarding, Sky Diving or relax on a Dolphin Cruise, discovering the rich marine live near Walvis Bay – fur seals, pelicans, dolphin & flamingos. If you do not feel adventurous you can visit the historical museum at the base of the lighthouse, visit the Kristal Galerie, home of the world’s largest Quartz crystals cluster in display, or do shopping at numerous shops and enjoy German patisseries at local cafes, all withing walking distance to the center of Swakopmund from your hotel.

Accommodation: *SH – Prost Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel distance: 0

Day 6 - SWAKOPMUND TO ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast you leave the coastal town of Swakopmund behind and head north, towards the Etosha National Park for 2 days of game viewing. Today is a long drive but passing very interesting towns enroute to Etosha. 3hrs from the coast you will drive through the small town of Omaruru, named in the local Otjiherero language meaning “bitter milk”, as the cattle used to browse on a local bush that turned their milk bitter. 2 hours from Omaruru you will find the town of Outjo, known as the gateway to Etosha National Park. Here you can fill your vehicle with fuel and stop to enjoy lunch at the Outjo Backerei, where you will taste cakes & pastries that is out of this world!! From here it is an hour and half drive to Etosha National Park.

Our first overnight stop in Etosha will be at Okaukuejo, with a floodlit waterhole allowing for 24-hour game viewing. Elephant and black rhinoceros are seen daily during the dry winter months & numerous other game species are also found here, including lion and leopard.

Accommodation: *CH – Okaukuejo or Halali (Namibia Wildlife Resorts) or alternative.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel distance: +/-550km

Day 7 - ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Game driving slowly through the park we gaze in awe at the vast expanse of the Etosha Pan, itself shimmering in the midday heat. Ostriches appear like moving black dots as they wander around miles out on the salt pan. The diversity of habitats attracts a wide variety of birds and to date about 392 species have been recorded.

ACCOMMODATION: *CH – Halali or Namutoni
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast
TRAVEL DISTANCE: depends on waterhole routes we will be visiting.

Day 8 - Etosha National Park to Delta Panhandle

Today will be another long day on the road, heading more north towards the Kavango River, stopping in the dusty town of Rundu, along route we pass villages of the Mbanguru Woodcarvers. The Kavango people are skilled woodcarvers, and you will see animal carvings, jewelry chests and dining-room tables and chairs. Our next 2 nights we stop next to the Kavango River; this is the panhandle of the Okavango Delta on the Namibian side. The afternoon you can relax and enjoy the spectacular views of the river while you sip a sundowner and listening to the echo sounds of the hippos.

Accommodation: *CH – Nunda River Lodge or alternative
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel distance: +/-570km

Day 9 - Delta Panhandle

After breakfast you have the opportunity to go on a 1 & half hour traditional mokoro trip, exploring the Okavango Delta Panhandle. The excursion takes place on the river and into the Bwabwata National Park on a mokoro which can seat two people. The Head Mokoro Poler will give you a detailed speech on safety and what to expect on your trip. You will be poled through the tranquil channels on the river. Plenty of game, bird life as well a cultural experience to experience on this day.

Accommodation: *CH – Nunda River Lodge or alternative
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel distance: 0km

Day 10 - Delta Panhandle to Katima Mulilo

After breakfast, drive via the Caprivi Strip to the town of Katima Mulilo, only 70km from the Botswana Border. Katima Mulilo or simply Katima is the capital of the Zambezi Region in Namibia. In town you will need to stop at the medical Centre to undertake PCR test for entry to Botswana, for tomorrow.

Enjoying your last night in Namibia, overnight on the banks of the Zambezi River in lush riverine vegetation with tropical birds and monkeys. You will also leave your vehicle here (staying behind in Namibia) and will enjoy chauffeur transfers from here, taking a little “holiday” from driving 😊

Accommodation: *CH – Zambezi Mubala Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel distance: +/- 320km

Day 11 - Katima Mulilo to Kasane, Chobe Botswana

After a relaxed breakfast, your transfer will pick you up at reception at 10h00, from here you will head into town, to collect your PCR test result at the clinic. A short drive from here, 70km to the border of Botswana. Waiving goodbye to Namibia, your Botswana journey will start from here. Your transfer will transfer you to the small town of Kasane, where you will be accommodated for 2 nights. All activities for tomorrow are directly booked at your accommodation and the friendly receptionist staff will book you in at your accommodation & give all relevant information needed. Lunch & Dinner can be enjoyed at your accommodation, or you can take a taxi into town and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in town.

Accommodation: *CH– Chobe Bush Lodge or alternative.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel distance: 70km to Botswana Border, 70 km from border to Kasane

Day 12 - Chobe National Park, Botswana

Pre-dawn wake up, with a quick coffee, before jumping on an open game drive vehicle which will take you into the Chobe National Park for a 2hour game drive, spotting big herds of elephants, lions, antelopes and lost more, before heading back to camp for brunch prepared by your guide. The rest of the day you can relax around the pool, before undertaking a 2hour sunset cruise on the Chobe River. The friendly reception staff at your accommodation will give through all the pickup times for your activities that are booked for the day.

Accommodation: *CH– Chobe Bush Lodge or alternative.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel distance: 0
(Lunch can be enjoyed in town of Kasane at local coffee shop or at your lodge’s restaurant

Day 13 - Kasane to Livingstone, Zambia

After breakfast, our reliable private transfer will meet you at receptionist at 09h00 and transfer you over to Zambia. They will help with all immigration & border crossing. (Your PCR Test taken in Namibia, will still be valid to cross over to Zambia. Checking in at your accommodation, the receptionist will help you with any alternative activity bookings in Livingstone. You can arrange local transfer from your reception to visit the magnificent Victoria Falls the afternoon - optional payment of USD 25.00 must be paid at the entrance. If you are flying out the next day, you will need to do a PCR test today in town. Please see at the bottom of this Itinerary for more information where in Livingstone you can do your test. Evening dinner can be enjoyed at your accommodation’s restaurant, or you can take a taxi into town to a local restaurant.

Accommodation: *SH– Maramba River Lodge or alternative.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel distance: 90km

Day 14 - Tour Ends – Fly Home

Relaxing day or an Optional activity day – activities to choose from – White water rafting, helicopter ride over the Victoria Falls, elephant back safari, walking with lions or bungee jumping is a few activities to choose from. All depends on if you are flying out today & at what time. Organizing of transfer at reception to airport on own cost, make sure you are at the airport 2 hours before your flight. We hope you truly enjoyed your safari & you are taking back lots of fond memories! We would love to hear from you, please do let us know how your safari went! African Good-Byes & safe journey back home 😊

Meals Included: Breakfast