19-Day Namibia & Botswana Roundabout Self-drive Safari - Camping - RACK

With easy access from Windhoek International and situated in Klein Windhoek - the Namibian capital's prototype leafy suburb - The Elegant Guesthouse makes for a comfortable overnight stop.

The Elegant, as she is known in these parts, is in a quiet neighbourhood, very secure and close to the shops, restaurants and attractions of northern Windhoek. Getting there from the airport requires two turns, getting to the rest of the country from here requires just three turns.

Modern design and fittings give The Elegant Guesthouse a sophisticated air. Once a small six-roomer, the Elegant has been upgraded and is ever more sophisticated now, offering 17 stylish and beautiful guest rooms. They didn't just add more rooms. They first acquired more space and then expanded, so the mood is still decidedly relaxed (if not more so than before): the perfect way to start or end your Namibia holiday.

All rooms have en suite bathrooms, twin beds (together making a king) and are fitted with air conditioners as well as fast WiFi, television and most open out onto a drought resistant garden or the swimming pool area surrounded by loungers and umbrellas.

Breakfast is served in the light and airy open-plan breakfast room or out in the garden on warm days, which is about 90% of the time in Namibia.

Sesriem Oshana Campsite brings you a step closer to Sossusvlei, since you're inside the park gates, but still far enough away to avoid all the other tourists trying to get in. Nowhere is closer to the dunes and you get an hour's drop on all but residents of the other campsite at Sesriem.

While Oshana Campsite prides itself for providing comfort, ease and luxury for campers, this is still very much a Campsite. While you have your own bathroom, parking, kitchenette and access to the bar and pool, you still need to bring all your own camping equipment and set up camp for yourself. That’s right: tent, sleeping bags and a fold-up chair to enjoy the view of Elim Dune. If you do need something though, there is a small shop where you can pick up a few basics and some souvenirs. Just don't forget the big ticket items like your tent or you'll be sleeping in the car.

You have power outlets, but don’t bargain on electronics since there is no WiFi (this is camping after all). Many choose this spot for its location. Inside the park and for its nothingness, it’s a chance to escape and head into the dunes before the sun rises. Win-win.

Although you are in the middle of nowhere, there is more to it. You can make use of the restaurant and the pool at Sesriem, which all sounds too perfect after a hot day of desert activities. As much as camping is an activity on its own, there's much more to do here. Guided walks and hiking trails through the beautiful landscapes that you wake up to every morning. If going by foot is not your thing you can go quad biking or in a hot air balloon. Now that sounds like an adventure.

It’s safe to say that if you want to do this right, you need to take a scenic drive to explore the highlights of Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei and Dune 45. Truth be told, there is a reason everyone wants to photograph it, but shh, don't tell everyone the secret is staying inside the park. That's your advantage.

The campsite itself is clean and the luxury of a hot shower after a long day is a blessing. The vast emptiness will give you the most beautiful night sky to admire and the morning sunrises will be so good you will forget that you slept in a tent.

Swakopmund Luxury Suites pack comfort and convenience into an elegant apartment-style accommodation option in the belly of Swakopmund's restaurant quarter.

Although “suites” is a bit of stretch size-wise, for comfort you can expect elegant, neutral décor that is easy on the senses and top quality linen with quite possibly the most comfortable bed you’ll encounter on your tour of Namibia. Attention to detail includes Nespresso machines with complimentary pods, bath robes, extra thick towels, wi-fi that actually works, climate control, mini-bar and that general air of purpose and cleanliness of a professional outfit.

For convenience you are a few minutes’ walk to the beach, restaurants, cafes and main attractions of central Swakopmund - a feature you will welcome after many hours’ in the car on Namibia’s long and dusty roads. And the day reception is staffed with the friendliest of friendly Namibians who add that personal touch and valuable insider’s information for making the most of your visit.

A secluded upper deck lined with comfortable recliners and deck chairs is a wonderful place to catch up with your digital life. Or escape it entirely with a good book and a glass of chardonnay. Parking out front is secure with 24-hour watch and CCTV and, occupying the first storey down a pedestrianised side street, the location is quiet and safe.

Breakfast at the Swakopmund Luxury Suites is a delight. The breakfast room is stunning and the food is delicious. A great way to start your day before you head off to explore where the dunes meet the sea. You are just a short walk to the main beach and the main streets of town. Splendid.

Okaukuejo Camp is inside Etosha National Park in Namibia. Consequently, you get to enjoy the nightlife. Those staying outside of the park do not, as the gates are closed. The oldest and most popular camp it’s a busy, bustling place and overlooks a floodlit waterhole.

You can get a site near the waterhole where there’s more privacy (and space) - although if you do pitch there, it’s more of a hike to the shower blocks. Get up early to avoid the ablution queues - there can be big groups waiting. By the way, don’t be surprised if you hear lions roaring close by. Just keep your sleeping bag zipped up tight. No giggling.

This is the wild, wild world of Namibia. Just face the bush and breathe. Feel free? Good. Enjoy the show.

But don’t come here to go glamping. This is the place to pitch up quickly, grab a beer and head to the waterhole as the sun sets. Nobody outside of the camp gets to do this - they close the gates when it gets dark - so this is a treat. And talking of gates, you’re 17km from the Andersson Gate which is Etosha’s southern entrance.

Okaukuejo is at the western end of the Etosha Pan. As well as being the oldest camp - it began life in 1957 - it’s also Etosha’s administrative centre and home to the Etosha Ecological Institute. They work to conserve the fauna and flora in this part of Namibia.

Bridging the gap between safari lodge and camping, Onguma Tamboti Campsite has 15 shaded camping areas each with their own ablutions, washing-up facilities and electrical outlets.

Camping under the stars and preparing your meals over an open fire in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by acre after acre of bush is the quintessential African experience. Then again so is sitting on a shaded verandah overlooking a waterhole while a waiter refills your G n’ T and brings you dinner.

Whichever experience you’re after, Tamboti Campsite offers you the best of both. And being in a private game reserve, you won't be sharing this piece of wildlife paradise with more than handful of like-minded nature lovers. And what’s more the 34,000ha Onguma Game Reserve shares a fenceless boundary with Etosha National Park and so your wildlife experience is about as it gets.

To make the most of this wildlife-rich wilderness, pop over to Onguma Bush Camp and arrange a guided game drive into Etosha proper or join a small group on a sundowner game drive inside the private reserve. The early morning bush walk is a must for an intimate, all-senses experience of Africa as she has been for millions of years.

Or you can just laze away the afternoon by the pool after an early morning self-drive through the park, which, given the abundance of wildlife, the scarcity of water and the presence of waterholes can be every bit as rewarding as the guided safari.

Close to Popa Falls on the western side of the Caprivi Strip, Shametu River Campsite is easily one of the best spots to pitch your tent and from which to explore the river and surrounding game parks.

The Caprivi is a wetland and a green oasis of Namibia on the banks of the mighty Okavango. If you’re going to camp here, this is where you want to camp on the western side. Not only are you close to Popa Falls with great views, your campsite is all grass with your own ablutions and you can make use of the lodge facilities. Score.

The lure here is that your campsite is shaded, it’s neat and tidy, private and you have everything you need including electricity and your own private kitchenette which is thatched for extra coverage in rainy season (December through March) and to shelter you from the heat.

Explore the river. Go on game drives. There’s loads to do here and even just relaxing river side is an option. Take out your camp chair. There under a tree. Now for a cold drink. Splendid. If you’re heading to the nearby parks for game viewing, be on the lookout for Chobe bush buck, red lechwe, sitatunga, elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and even African wild dog.

If you’re here for the birds. There are plenty of them. So many in fact, you’ll be bewildered by all of them. From wetland birds to seasonal rarities. Wattled cranes, African skimmer, western banded snake-eagle, narina trogon and so many more.  

Check in. Set up camp. Explore and relax.

A top choice for a campsite if you are thinking to camp while exploring the game-rich Chobe National Park. From Chobe Safari Lodge, you’re only 10 minutes from the entrance into the park and the campsites are scattered beneath large trees on the banks of the Chobe River. This is arguably the best place in Kasane to take in the sunset.

Location is key and here you are best situated to explore the wildlife in the park and from the river. The Chobe is known for having the largest concentration of elephants in Africa.
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Overlooking the river and the Chobe floodplains, you’ll likely spot them from your tent and you’re only a short drive from the entrance gates to the park. Sounds pretty good. If you’re going to camp in Kasane, this is where you want to be.

Make a fire and cater for yourself or dine at the lodge. The Sedudu Bar is known for the finest sundowner in the area. Ask the locals they’ll say the same. Game drive yourself or join a safari with a lodge guide. Book a boat cruise to explore the Chobe River, you can even dine out on the waters. Let’s go.

Planet Baobab, like an authentic Kalanga style village, is one of few respites along a long stretch between Nata and Maun. African chic meets the simplicity of the Kalahari Desert. The campsites are shaded and the swimming pool is, by a long shot, the best in these parts.

Quirky and colourful, the clay painted walls and thatched lapas emulate the adjacent Gweta Village. Like a homestead, you are welcomed here by the friendly staff and an oversized aardvark, not a real one, a ginormous sculpture. You can’t miss it.

From the pans, you are 40 kilometres away, which makes this the ideal place to base yourself to explore the Makgadikgadi. One of the largest salt flats in the world. Amidst the middle of this dry savanna in north-eastern Botswana, Planet Baobab’s swimming pool has a reputation that precedes itself and for good reason. Its’ cool blue waters beckon from the arid Kalahari.

This is the land of the baobab, in fact there are 17 giant ones found in the area. Go see them. It’s a must, since they are after all, the world’s largest succulents. That’s right. They aren’t actually trees. Meet the habituated meerkats, taste traditional Batswana food (you can eat at the lodge if you don’t want to self-cater) and of course you should go see the pans. They’re vast and incredible. If you can do it by quad bike, great. If you can sleep out on the Ntwetwe Pan (in the dry season), even better.

Among the ant hills and red Kalahari sands, enjoy the starry skies, the immense white expanse of what used to be a lake some thousands of years ago and in the wet season, the masses of zebra and wildebeest as they migrate south.  

This is a special place and Planet Baobab although rudimentary, with all its flair and African charm, is one you will remember for sure.

Moremi Crossing is a modern and eco-friendly safari lodge in the Okavango Delta overlooking the Boro River and Chief's Island.

The transfer to Moremi Crossing is exciting enough: a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta lands at Chief's Island and a boat ride takes you to the doorstep of this apparently floating island lodge.

Built in the style of an exclusive and luxurious lodge, the camp manages to keep the price tag relatively low without compromising the essentials, these being: an beautiful and tranquil location, surrounded by the floodplains and channels of the Okavango Delta; amazing views from everywhere; exceptional game viewing and wilderness experience with elephant munching the trees nearby and hippos wallowing in front; exclusive access to first-rate game guides and activities including mokoro safaris, walking safaris and sunset river cruises; and of course comfortable accommodation, friendly service and good food.

The rooms are tented safari suites on wooden decks above the water level and connected by walkways. Each has an en suite bathroom with open-air showers - solar-heated water - flushing toilets with natural waste water filtration and large private balconies.

The living area at Moremi Crossing, buttressed by the dense riparian growth behind and the Boro River in front, is a multi-tiered wood and thatch construction above the water. Choose to laze in one of the private lounge areas, the bar, the dining area or the outdoor fireside deck.

Moremi Crossing has a small swimming pool shaded by wild fig, lined with loungers and surrounded by wild African bush.

Tautona is an oasis in the bushveld of the Kalahari. The campsites are a mere kilometre from the lodge, the perfect spot to set up camp under the thorn trees. You’re just 5 minute drive from Ghanzi on a private reserve. It’s quiet and there’s wildlife.

Pitch your tent and set up camp. Welcome to the Kalahari on the western side of Botswana. Red sands beneath you and clear skies above.

You’re not far from the main lodge, a short walk or a five minute drive. Enjoy the swimming pool, dine at the restaurant or order an ice cold drink. In the desert, there’s something truly special about sitting pool-side in the heat with the sound of clinking ice against glass. This is an oasis and you can revel in all of it.

On a private reserve you can take a drive to explore the wildlife. There are numerous antelope to spot. Waterbuck, eland, impala, red hartebeest and oryx. Look out for giraffe and keep your eyes peeled for wild dog, lion and cheetah. They’re out there although scarce.

The waterhole is a great place to simply chill. There’s a view point and there’s game. Watch them come and go. Then return to camp and light the fire. Enjoy the stars. This is what camping is all about.