19 day tour – Namibia & Botswana

Your journey leads you east toward Gobabis into the rolling red dunes of the Kalahari Desert (also known as “Kgalagadi”). This spectacular landscape is part of an immense sand basin stretching from the Orange River up to Angola, covering an area of more than 1.2 million square kilometres across Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

The region is dominated by golden grasslands, hardy thorn bushes, and majestic camel thorn trees that survive dry periods lasting over 10 months a year. Keep an eye out for the massive, fascinating communal nests of the sociable weaver birds built into the acacias. The Kalahari is also the ancestral home of the San (Bushmen). You have the unique opportunity to let these welcoming people guide you into their world, teaching you how to read the ancient tracks and secrets of nature.

🛏️ Accommodation: Kalahari Bush Breaks or similar (DBB)

Today, you cross the border into Botswana, where the scenery transforms into a classic African landscape. The route passes vibrant small villages with locals and donkeys lining the roadsides. The town of Ghanzi makes for an excellent rest stop, offering fuel stations, a hotel, and banking facilities to exchange currency.

Your destination is Maun, the bustling gateway to the delta, spread along the banks of the Thamalakane River. The world-famous Okavango Delta is a massive, pristine inland delta in the northern Kalahari, spanning around 20,000 square kilometres. It is fed by the 1,700-kilometer-long Okavango River, which rises in the central highlands of Angola and empties not into the ocean, but directly into the endorheic Kalahari Basin.

With its permanent abundance of water, the delta is the most wildlife-rich oasis in Southern Africa, sheltering over 500 bird species and 150 mammal species. During your stay, you can experience this paradise firsthand on a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) excursion—an optional activity depending on seasonal water levels—to quietly glide past elephants, hippos, and exotic birds.

🛏️ Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge or similar (B&B)

Traveling along a well-maintained tarred road, your route takes you east toward the small town of Nata. As you cross the majestic Kalahari Basin, you will drive past the edges of the vast Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and Nxai Pan networks. In the afternoon, you have the wonderful opportunity to join a guided nature drive in an open 4×4 vehicle into the salt pans to marvel at the unique landscape. Depending on the season, you may witness the spectacular flocks of migratory waterbirds and flamingos that breed in the water-filled pans.

🛏️ Accommodation: Nata Lodge or similar (B&B)

Even during your drive north, you can easily spot a variety of wildlife. It is not uncommon for elephants or beautiful antelope species, such as the rare sable antelope, to cross the road. The wildlife concentration in Chobe National Park is immense, boasting one of the highest game populations in all of Southern Africa, including an estimated 50,000 elephants.

Your itinerary here is packed with highlights: enjoy thrilling game drives in open safari vehicles for unmatched wildlife viewing and photography. On the second morning, you will embark on a spectacular boat cruise along the majestic Chobe River, bringing you incredibly close to crocodiles, large pods of hippos, and elephants swimming across the water. You will also have a full day reserved for an unforgettable cross-border excursion to marvel at the breathtaking Victoria Falls in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

🛏️ Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (B&B)

Today, you leave Botswana and re-enter Namibia through a straightforward and efficient border post. You will reach Katima Mulilo, the vibrant economic centre of the Zambezi (formerly Caprivi) region, home to around 30,000 residents. The town is situated directly on the southern banks of the 500-meter-wide Zambezi River, marking the border with Zambia. It features modern supermarkets, a hospital, fuel stations, and a local arts and crafts centre.

From Katima Mulilo, you continue along the tarmac road before turning off toward Sangwali. Your next accommodation is nestled inside a pristine conservation area. Depending on your choice of vehicle, you may be picked up at the park gate, as the tracks from this point onward require a 4×4. From the lodge, you can enjoy guided game drives into the adjacent wetlands to experience an incredibly authentic, wild side of Africa.

🛏️ Accommodation: Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge or Lianshulu Lodge or similar (DBB)

You are now deep in the Zambezi region (historically known as the Caprivi Strip), a narrow, 400-kilometer-long panhandle in extreme northeastern Namibia. Falling into a tropical climate zone, this is Namibia’s most water-rich area. It is fed by a series of mighty rivers—the Okavango, Kwando, and Zambezi—all originating in the Angolan highlands, alongside smaller rivers like the Linyanti and Chobe.

This abundance of water supports a massive wildlife population. Because there are no veterinary border fences, thousands of elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes roam freely between Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia. In 2002, the former Mahango Game Park and West Caprivi Game Park were merged to form the Bwabwata National Park. Spanning over 5,000 square kilometres, it protects an estimated 8,000 elephants, large buffalo herds, lions, leopards, and countless hippos and crocodiles along the riverbanks.

🛏️ Accommodation: RiverDance Lodge or similar (DBB)

Today, you can choose between a relaxed drive along the river route or using the main transit highway. The journey offers beautiful cultural insights into traditional Kavango life: you will pass small, thatched mud huts, lush green woodlands, and local fields of maize and millet. Keep a sharp eye on the road, as goats, sheep, and cattle roam freely. Along the roadsides, local woodcarvers sit patiently in front of their shelters, offering beautiful, handcrafted carvings. You will reach the town of Rundu, scenically perched overlooking the Okavango River, in the afternoon.

🛏️ Accommodation: Hakusembe River Lodge or similar (DBB)

A visit to the world-renowned Etosha National Park is an absolute highlight of any journey through Namibia. Spanning over 22,000 square kilometres, Etosha was first declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1907. At the heart of the park lies the vast Etosha Pan, a giant salt basin surrounded by golden grasslands, thorn savannas, and mopane woodlands. While the salt pan itself remains dry most of the year, the southern part of the park is dotted with numerous waterholes that serve as the vital lifeline for the park’s big game. Etosha features well-maintained gravel roads that lead directly to the best waterholes for unparalleled wildlife viewing.

🛏️ Accommodation: Onguma Bush Camp or similar (DBB)

Heading south, you will reach the gateway to the majestic Waterberg Plateau Park. The Otjiwarongo area features highly fertile soil and excellent pastures, which is why it has historically been known as a prime cattle farming region. Around the striking Waterberg Massif, numerous farms have joined forces to create the “Waterberg Conservancy”, a vast wildlife and nature reserve spanning over 200,000 hectares. During your stay, you can explore the beautiful, lush hiking trails at the foot of the plateau on your own, or book an exciting guided game drive up onto the plateau with English-speaking park rangers.

🛏️ Accommodation: Guestfarm Hamakari or similar (B&B)

You will spend your final night on a typical Namibian guest farm, located about a four-hour drive north of Windhoek. It is the perfect place to unwind, look back on your incredible journey, and enjoy the magical African flair around a cozy campfire. However, depending on your flight departure times, an alternative overnight stay directly in Windhoek can also be arranged.

🛏️ Accommodation: Ohange Namibia Lodge or similar (DBB)

Today, it is time to say goodbye to your African adventure. After dropping off your vehicle, a comfortable transfer will take you directly from the office or your accommodation to the airport for your return flight home or your onward connection to South Africa.