2024 Windhoek to Victoria Falls 14-Day Self-Drive Tour (Gold)

Day 1

Arrival in Windhoek

We are fetched from the airport and transferred to our accommodation in Windhoek. The Weinberg Hotel offers everything necessary for a relaxing stay. We can take some time to simply recover from the long flight, refresh ourselves in the swimming pool or be pampered in their wellness area.

We are free to spend this day at leisure. If there is sufficient time following our flight, we could take a stroll through Namibia's capital. At sunset, it is worth having a drink at the Sky Lounge, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Klein-Windhoek district.

(approx. 40 km, driving time +- 45 min.)

Am Weinberg Hotel, Courtyard Upper-Level Room (BB)

Day 2

Drive toward Otjiwarongo

After breakfast, we are taken to the rental car company where we collect our rental vehicle. We then head north to Okonjima. Okonjima is the headquarters of the AfriCat Foundation. Extensive research projects on rare and endangered species are run here and we will have the unique opportunity to learn about and experience much of it.

The lodge is situated in a 22000-hectare private nature reserve in the middle of the Omboroko Mountains. We are accommodated in a gorgeous, detached bungalow with its own lounge. We are already expected for lunch at the camp. In the afternoon, we will partake in the search for a leopard on a booked game drive and in the evening, we will be treated to a superb dinner.

(approx. 230 km, driving time +- 3 hours)

Okonjima Bush Camp (FB + leopard drive)

Day 3

Onward to Etosha National Park

Today, we want to get to Etosha National Park as quickly as possible. Covering an area of almost 23 000 km2, it is one of the largest game reserves in the world and is considered one of the most outstanding game parks in Africa. Via Outjo we drive to Etosha Oberland Lodge. The lodge situated on a 5000-hectare private game reserve and promises an unforgettable bush experience. The large chalets are lovingly integrated into nature. We can simply sit back and enjoy the unique ambience of this lodge, relax at the swimming pool or observe the animals that come here to quench their thirst at one of the watering holes. As the lodge is only a few kilometres from the Etosha National Park gate, we could choose to take a drive into the park in the afternoon for our first game drive.

(approx. 240 km, driving time +- 3 hours)

Etosha Oberland Lodge (HB)

Day 4

Etosha National Park

Exciting game viewing awaits us today in Etosha National Park. We have the whole day to visit the different waterholes and observe animals such as giraffes, kudus, zebra, oryx antelopes, black-nosed impala, wildebeest, springbok, ostriches and with some luck, we may even see elephants, black rhino and lions.  We should aim to leave the park by sunset at the latest and drive back to the lodge.

Etosha Oberland Lodge (HB)

Day 5

Drive through the eastern part of Etosha National Park

We depart from Etosha Oberland Lodge and drive through the eastern part of Etosha Park up to Mushara Outpost. On the way, we can stop over at the various waterholes and watch the many animals quenching their thirst there. By late afternoon, we leave the park through the eastern park gate. Our beautiful accommodation at Mushara is located a few kilometres past the park exit. Our tastefully furnished tent is built on wooden platforms on the banks of a dry riverbed.

(approx. 180 km, driving time +-3 hours + pauses at water points)

Mushara Outpost (HB)

Day 6

Journey to Rundu

Today, we continue to the most densely populated part of Namibia - the Okavango River. On the way, we will see picturesque round huts inhabited by the indigenous people of the Kavango tribe. Our accommodation today resembles a remote paradise - hidden among the lush vegetation on the banks of the Okavango. Here, we experience untouched nature from the comfort of a beautiful lodge. On the other side of the river, is Angola. At sunset, we take an unforgettable boat trip.

(approx. 420 km, driving time +-4.5 – 5 hours)

Hakusembe River Lodge (HB + boat trip)

Day 7

The Okavango River

Birdsong wakes us from our sleep. It is truly wondrous here directly on the Okavango River! We continue eastwards to the Caprivi. From time to time, we see the kraals of the Kavango and straw traders selling straw sheaves that serve as the roofs of the huts. The comfortable and luxurious Divava Lodge is situated under large trees near the Popa Falls, directly on the banks of the mighty Okavango River. At sunset, we’ll go on another unforgettable boat trip on the Okavango.

(approx. 220 km, driving time +- 2.5 hours)

Divava Okavango Lodge (FB + boat trip)

Day 8

Mahango National Park

Today, we’ll take a drive to the Mahango Game Park. It is one of the most beautiful parks in Namibia with an interesting variety of wildlife. We hope to see buffalo, elephant, hippo and maybe even the rare sable antelope. At night, we can relax in the tranquil silence - except for the huffing and puffing of hippos, nothing else can be heard.

(approx. 15 km to park entrance, driving time +- 15 min.)

Divava Okavango Lodge (FB)

Day 9

Journey through eastern Caprivi

We cross the Okavango and continue through the Bwabwata Park to Nambwa Tented Lodge. Here, pure Africa awaits us. The lodge is situated under tall camelthorn trees and is truly exquisite. It is the only one with a concession in a national park in this area of Namibia and is situated on one of the large flood plains of the Kwando River. We are sure to be pampered here. In the afternoon, we can take part in a boat trip on the Kwando or in a game drive in the Bwabwata Park.

(approx. 210 km, driving time +- 3 hours)

Nambwa Tented Lodge (Fully Inclusive)

Day 10

Bwabwata National Park

Today, we go on a game drive in the Bwabwata National Park. The region around the Kwando River is considered to have the highest concentration of elephants in southern Africa. The landscape around the Horseshoe area is particularly interesting. Once back at the lodge, we can relax and enjoy the typical African atmosphere or take another boat trip. Fishing, guided bush walks and a visit to a traditional village and craft market are also possible.

Nambwa Tented Lodge (Fully Inclusive)

Day 11

Journey to Chobe River

We drive to Katima Mulilo and return the rental car. All necessary transfers from this point in our journey, have been organised. We are transferred to Kasane in Botswana and board the Chobe Princess Houseboat, where we will spend the next two nights. From the deck, we can look out into Chobe National Park, where huge herds of elephants often migrate to the river. We may also see giraffe, kudu, waterbuck, lechwe and impala. Buffalo are usually only seen in the early morning or late afternoon when they leave the bush to quench their thirst at the river. The sunset boat trip, enjoyed with a refreshing drink, is unforgettable.

(approx. 260 km, drive + transfer time +- 3.5 hours)

Chobe Princess Houseboat (Fully Inclusive)

Day 12

On the Chobe River

Today, we can drink in the quiet African ambience and the abundance of wildlife with hippos, elephants and crocodiles on the houseboat, while the almost tropical landscape leisurely passes us by. We can also try our hand at "tiger fishing". This area is a bird lovers’ paradise, with over 400 different species to be spotted here.

Chobe Princess Houseboat (Fully Inclusive)

Day 13

Victoria Falls

Via transfer, we continue to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The traditional Victoria Falls Hotel is situated very close to the famous waterfalls. The local Kololo people call the waterfall Mosi-oa-Tunya = "Thundering Smoke". The name comes from the spray that rises off the falls up to 300 m high and can still be seen up 30 km away. We will visit the world-famous waterfalls in the afternoon, where the huge masses of water fall over a 110 m sloping rock face along the width of 1708 m. A breathtaking spectacle!

Victoria Falls offers many other activities: a visit to a crocodile farm, a sunset boat trip (with dinner) or a helicopter flight over the falls (optional).

(approx. 80 km, transfer time +- 1.5 - 2 hours)

The Victoria Falls Hotel, Stables Signature Wing Room (BB)

Day 14

Departure

In the morning, we have the opportunity to partake in various activities (optional). Later on, transfer to the airport and departure in the early afternoon.