Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Wildlife and Waterfalls A Self-Drive Adventure in Northern Namibia

Namibia – Zimbabwe – Windhoek – Otjiwarongo – Etosha National Park – Divindu – Sangwali - Chobe - Victoria Falls

Starting from between £4050 to £5650 per person for 14 days depending on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

Itinerary Highlights

  • Discover the best of northern Namibia on this two-week road trip, soaking in some of its most beautiful landscapes
  • Head out on sunset safaris by boat and 4x4
  • Immerse yourself in nature with stays in luxurious camps and lodges
  • Watch for wonderful wildlife, including the iconic ‘Big Five’
  • Tick off some of Africa’s most iconic national parks – Chobe, Etosha and Nkasa Rupara
  • Benefit from our Original Services: expert guides, local Concierges, 100% carbon absorption and more
What better way to truly immerse yourself in Namibia’s nature than on a self-drive trip through the wilderness? On this two-week journey, explore northwestern Namibia by car, from Etosha National Park and the Okavango River all the way to the legendary Victoria Falls. Along the way, you'll encounter magnificent wildlife, including black rhinos, elephants, giraffes and hippos.

Your road trip begins with a glimpse of ultra-urban Namibia in the capital, Windhoek. After a brief stop here, hit the road to Otjiwarongo and Etosha National Park, a vast salt flat that swells with rain during the rainy season. Its waterholes attract hundreds of animals, from lions and giraffes to fascinating birds.

The route then leads to Divundu, in the Kavango region, often overlooked in favour of the Okavango Delta. Once you’ve admired the rich biodiversity of the Mahango Game Reserve and the thundering Popa Falls, it's on to Sangwali, in the Caprivi Strip, before reaching the Namibian side of Chobe National Park for a spot of elephant watching.

Round off your trip by crossing the border to Zimbabwe, where a day exploring Victoria Falls brings this spectacular journey to a close. Some trips are unforgettable, and this epic road trip is sure to be one of them…
Kalahari Desert - Namibia © Un cercle
Kalahari Desert - Namibia © Un cercle
Kongola - Namibia © Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge
Kongola - Namibia © Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge
Divundu - Namibia © Droits réservés
Divundu - Namibia © Droits réservés
Divundu - Namibia © Droits réservés
Divundu - Namibia © Droits réservés
Etosha - Namibia © David Rogers/Onguma Bush Camp
Etosha - Namibia © David Rogers/Onguma Bush Camp
Victoria Falls © Pierpaolo Romano/Fotolia
Victoria Falls © Pierpaolo Romano/Fotolia
Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe © Pioneers Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe © Pioneers Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe © Pioneers Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe © Pioneers Victoria Falls
Okavango Delta - Botswana © Paolo / Adobe Stock
Okavango Delta - Botswana © Paolo / Adobe Stock
Okavango Delta - Botswana © Michael MARTIN/LAIF-REA
Okavango Delta - Botswana © Michael MARTIN/LAIF-REA
Chobe National Park - Botswana © Droits réservés
Chobe National Park - Botswana © Droits réservés

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Passports at the ready: it’s time to explore Namibia. This morning, head to the airport and relax in the lounge before boarding your overnight flight to Windhoek. With a quick stopover, the journey will take between 14 and 18 hours, arriving the following day.

When you touch down, a private driver will whisk you to your hotel in the nearby Eros Park district, where you’ll be staying for the night. After settling in and freshening up, t ake advantage of this brief stopover to explore Namibia's capital.

Colonised at the end of the 19th century, Namibia still bears the marks of German influence, particularly in Windhoek. Venture out to discover the city’s history, visiting the Alte Feste State Museum, dedicated to the Namibian struggle for independence, before strolling down Independence Avenue to the jaw-dropping Gibeon Meteorite Fountain, adorned with 31 ancient meteorite fragments.

This morning, we’ve arranged for you to meet your local Concierge, who’ll brief you on your trip and offer tips, recommendations and insights into local customs and traditions.

Once you’re feeling a little more in the know, grab your bags and hop into your rental car, which was delivered to your hotel earlier. Begin the rive north to Otjiwarongo, around two and a half hours away.

An agricultural centre and former colonial city with over 19,000 inhabitants, Otjiwarongo perfectly embodies Namibia's complex history and natural beauty. When you arrive, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing on your terrace, keeping an eye out for local wildlife.

Hit the road again today as you head to Etosha National Park, around a 90-minute drive away. When you arrive, check in for two nights at the Onguma Game Reserve, set in the park's eastern area.

This evening, get your first taste of the savannah as you head out on a sunset safari in a comfortable 4x4.?Spanning over 84,000 acres of protected land, Onguma Reserve is home to more than thirty species of wildlife, from kudu, giraffes and zebras to lions, cheetahs, and leopards. The animals are most active as the light and heat fade, so keep your eyes peeled (and ears pricked up) as the sun sets over the horizon.

Rise bright and early this morning and head out on a guided walk in the bush. As you stroll, take in the sounds and smells of the reserve, watching for wildlife as the park comes to life. Your knowledgeable ranger will tell you more about the trails and how to identify animal tracks while pointing out often unnoticed species, including insects, birds and small mammals.

Later, explore Etosha National Park at your own pace. Spanning almost 8,600 square miles, this vast expanse is one of the world's largest wildlife reserves. The landscapes look wildly different depending on whether it’s rainy or dry season, but depending on the rhythm of nature and migrations, you might see elephants, black rhinoceroses, lions, oryx, giraffes, kudus or even cheetahs. As if the fauna wasn’t enough, the park is also home to a variety of fascinating flora and man-made monuments. As you wander, look out for gnarly ghost trees rising from the sand around the mysterious fort of Namutoni.

You’ve got a longer drive ahead of you today as you leave Etosha and head to Divundu – a journey of just over seven hours – so hit play on our expertly curated Africa playlist and set off.

When you arrive, check into your new lodge, your base for the next two nights. You’ll stay on the banks of the Okavango River, ideally located for exploring the incredible Zambezi region, whose tropical climate and lush riverine landscapes set it apart from the rest of Namibia. You’ll likely be tired after all that travelling, so enjoy a tasty dinner before flopping into bed, ready for more exploring tomorrow.

A hilly, verdant, and wooded landscape, where tourists are few and far between, the Kavango region draws you in. It shelters part of the Caprivi Strip, whose abundant waters support a wide variety of animal species. Today, a visit to the Mahango Reserve – home to large herds of elephants – is a must, as is admiring Popa Falls, sparkling rapids that plunge into the Okavango River.

This evening, set out on a sunset boat safari on the Okavango River. Wildlife watching in this region is always exciting, but getting out on the water is one of the best ways to see elephants, buffalo and hippos up close. Birdwatchers, you’re in luck: some beautiful tropical species perch on branches along the riverbanks, set against the backdrop of a golden sunset.

After a hearty breakfast overlooking the river, jump back in the car and hit the road to Sangwali, around three and a half hours away. When you arrive, settle in for two nights at a lodge nestled in pristine nature.

Set just on the border between Namibia and Botswana, Sangwali is the gateway to Nkasa Rupara National Park, formerly known as ‘Mamili’. Nkasa Rupara covers over 120 square miles of the Kwando-Linyanti river system, and its lack of formal borders means that the park serves as a vital corridor for animal migration between the two countries – much to the delight of visitors.

Spend the rest of the day watching for elephants and hippos from your terrace, then enjoy an ice-cold sundowner overlooking the lush landscape.

Today, you’ll experience Nkasa Rupara National Park in all its glory on a 4x4 and boat safari. Alongside an expert driver-guide, hop in a comfortable 4x4 and watch as you drive past lush marshes, dense savannah and reed-lined rivers, watching for elephants, crocodiles and buffalo crossing the river.

Next, jump out of the car and embark on a boat trip to explore the channels of the Kwando-Linyanti Delta. Keep your eyes peeled for more wonderful wildlife, including lions, leopards, zebras and even some unusual antelope species that have adapted to the watery landscape.

This morning, drive three hours to Kasane and return your trusty rental car. From here, hop aboard a boat and transfer to Chobe National Park, checking in for the night on the Namibian side of the Chobe River.

While the majority of Chobe National Park lies in Botswana, a small section of this extraordinary nature reserve lies in Namibia, at the tip of the Caprivi Strip. The park is famous for its incredible elephant population, the largest on the entire African continent, and the next two days are all about discovering these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

Over the next few days, watch for elephants roaming along the riverbanks before disappearing into the plains, passing buffalo, rhinos and giraffes as they graze on the vegetation. As if that’s not enough, this park is home to all members of the ‘Big Five’ safari group, so watch out for lions and leopards lying in wait nearby.

Today, you’ll be privately transferred two hours to Victoria Falls, crossing the border into Zimbabwe. When you arrive, check into a lodge close to the falls, drop your bags and spend some time relaxing, perhaps with a stroll in the gardens or swim in the pool.

This evening, we can also arrange for you to head out on a?sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

It might be the last day of your Namibian adventure, but don’t worry: you have just enough time this morning to appreciate Victoria Falls in all their glory. Set between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the majestic Zambezi River plunges into a towering gorge, forming the iconic Victoria Falls. This wonderful waterfall is best viewed from small paths that wind above the chasm, offering views over lush vegetation, forest trails and suspension bridges.

Once you’ve snapped a postcard-perfect shot of the falls, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport for your overnight flight home. With another quick stopover, the flight will take between 14 and 19 hours, and you’ll land in the UK the next day, ready to regale your friends and family with tales of your African adventure.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

A SUNSET CRUISE ON THE ZAMBEZI RIVER

On this evening tour, board a small motorboat and set off on a leisurely cruise on the Zambezi. The local animals aren’t afraid to approach the boat, whether they're swimming in the water or drinking on the banks, offering you the chance to get up close and personal with the local wildlife. As if that wasn’t enough, the setting sun paints the sky and water a mesmerising golden colour, and you can enjoy the experience with an ice-cold drink in hand.

WITH A FEW MORE DAYS...

DISCOVER THE LEGENDARY NAMIB DESERT

Not quite ready to go home? Namib-Naukluft National Park is the largest of the African parks, spanning almost 20,000 square miles. The landscape is almost completely arid, but the park still offers some wonderful flora and fauna, along with the famous Sossusvlei salt pan and iconic Acacia trees.

VISIT DAMARALAND

Home to a population of black rhinoceros and desert elephants, this wild region boasts rugged landscapes and incredible wildlife-watching – in fact, it’s one of the last places in Africa where zebras, oryx, giraffes, and black rhinos roam freely outside the boundaries of national parks. While you’re here, be sure to visit the UNESCO-listed Twyfelfontein – or ‘valley of the fountain of doubt’ – for famous rock paintings and engravings, as well as the Organ Pipes, a 330-foot-long ridge formed of basalt columns created naturally by erosion.

Why visit Namibia with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Namibia

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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Estimated Price

Dependent on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

The cost for this trip starts from £4,050 to £5,650 per person.

The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote.

The average starting price for this trip is £5,000 per person.

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