16-Day Namibia, Chobe & Victoria Falls Self-drive Safari - Luxury - RACK

Namibia is a unique and fascinating country. Attractions in Namibia range from prime wildlife safaris to fascinating desert landscapes, diverse culture and a whole lot of unpopulated places and wide open spaces in between.

The highlights of Namibia have taken millennia to reach their present state. Nowhere is the age of the earth more evident than in the ancient landscape of the world's oldest desert - The Namib Desert and of course the famous Sossusvlei. In Namibia, the layers of time are clearly marked and preserved: a dinosaur's footprints fossilised in rock; an ancient volcano worn by wind to its core; a 20,000-year-old meteorite; rock paintings over 26,000 years old; a river canyon 300 million years in the making. It took 5 million years for the dunes in the Great Sand Sea to get to their present state and they are considered young. Their petrified counterparts are over 20 million years old.

Despite its parched reputation, Namibia is one of the best wildlife safari destinations in Africa. Etosha National Park is a phenomenon unto itself. With a vast saline desert as its eye it is surrounded by tear ducts of natural springs that support an astonishing array of indigenous species. The Waterberg Plateau, Damaraland, Kalahari and Caprivi add fascinating and widely contrasting wildlife dimensions to complete the game viewing experience.

The people who inhabit this land, few though they may be, are no less captivating than their surrounds. San hunter-gatherers continue their ancient traditions in the area known as Bushmanland ; the Himba are nomadic herdsman with proud traditions who live in the remote and rugged Kaokoland and along the Kunene River. Coastal towns bear witness to the changing fortunes of an inhospitable shoreline. The ghost of a diamond-rush era remains in Luderitz; Swakopmund thrives despite its precarious location and shipwrecks along the Skeleton Coast reveal the source of its grisly name.

Currency 
Local currency: Namibian Dollar 
Symbol: N$ 
ISO code: NAD 
Subunit: Cent (1/100 of a Dollar) 
Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 NAD 
Coins: 5, 10, 50 cents, 1, 5, 10 NAD 

Banking 
Card Transactions: Widely accepted 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s Club: Yes 

Banking Hours:
Weekdays: 08:30 – 15:30, Saturdays: 08:30 – 11:00
Public Holidays: No
Foreign exchange services: Yes

Air: 
Main airlines: Airlink, Fly Namibia
International Airports: Hosea Kutako International Airport 
Domestic Airports: Eros Airport 

Road: 
Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: No 

Water: 
Ferries: No 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: Yes

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: Yes 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: 
Namibian cuisine features a rich blend of German and South African influences, with a focus on grilled meats and fish. Dishes like Biltong (dried, spiced meat), Kapana (grilled meat from street vendors), and Potjiekos (slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew) are popular. Seafood is also abundant along the coast. 

Drinks: 
Popular local drinks include Windhoek Lager and Tafel Lager, locally brewed beers. 

Tipping: customary, usually around 10-15% in restaurants. 

Annual rainfall: Varies from under 50 mm in the desert to over 700 mm in the Caprivi Strip 
Average temperature: 20°C 

Summer: 
Average highs: 30°C 
Average lows: 15°C 

Winter: 
Average highs: 20°C 
Average lows: 5°C 

Best time to visit: 
The best time to visit Namibia is during the cooler dry months from May to October when wildlife viewing is at its best in parks like Etosha National Park. The weather is pleasant for exploring the desert landscapes and other outdoor activities. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Plug Type: Type D, M, and G 
Voltage (V): 220 V 
Frequency (Hz): 50 Hz 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. 

Botswana is home to some of Africa’s greatest game parks. A safari destination where the Chobe and Okavango River are the lifeblood to an abundance of wildlife year round. A big game safari in wild wild Africa.

A safari destination where the Chobe and Okavango River are the lifeblood to an abundance of wildlife year round. Game reserves account for one fifth of the country so you can expect a big game safari of epic proportions. A true African wilderness experience. When you think of going on a safari in Africa, this is it in all its glory.

Almost devoid of infrastructure, it is impossible for humans to get in and destroy anything. Most of Botswana really has remained unchanged since the dawn of time offering you a true African wilderness experience.

The highlight of Botswana is the extraordinary Okavango Delta - a boundless network of channels, islands and plains the size of Israel. The Kavango River meets its end in a fan-shaped watery wilderness that is the veritable Garden of Eden for wildlife and birds. Remote, inaccessible and serene, the delta as seen from a mokoro (a rudimentary African version of a gondola) is the quintessential Botswana experience.

Next on the list of essential Botswana attractions is Chobe National Park in the far north-east. At a shade over 10,000 sq km this is no petting zoo in size yet it boasts one of the largest concentrations of plains wildlife in Africa. Chobe National Park features the full spectrum of African wildlife and scenery with diverse habitats including the riparian forests along Chobe River, the lush Linyanti Wetlands and Savuti with its mix of marshland and open woodland plains.

The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park on the northern edge of the Central Kalahari, encompasses Nxai Pan, Makgadikgadi Pans, Ntwetwe Pan, Nata Bird Sanctuary, Kubu Island and Baines' Baobab. During the rainy season – December to March – the second largest migration in Africa occurs as hundreds of thousands of Zebra migrate to the fresh pastures of this vast basin. During the dry winter, the cracked salt pans are a spectacle of solitary beauty.

Central Botswana is dominated by the Central Kalahari Game Reserve – the world's second largest reserve (after Selous in Tanzania) weighing in at 52,800 sq km. With almost no facilities, the reserve is wonderfully unspoilt and the focal point is a place called Deception Valley; many private reserves dot the fringe of the Central Kalahari with excellent game viewing and scenic activities.

Currency: 
Local currency: Pula (BWP) 
Symbol: P 
ISO code: BWP 
Central bank: Bank of Botswana 
Subunit: Thebe 
Banknotes: P100, P50, P20, P10 
Coins: P5, P2, P1; T50, T25, T10, T5 

Banking: 
Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Generally, no 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Generally, no  
Diner’s club: Generally, no 
 
Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 08h00 or 09h00 – 16h15 or 17h15 

Weekends: 08h00 or 09h00 – 10h45 or 12h00  

Public Holidays: No 

Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air:
Airports in major cities  
Main airlines: Mack Air and Kalahari Air  
International Airports: In major cities

Road:
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Yes
Valid International Drivers License needed: Yes, if your national licence is not in English. If your national licence is in English, you may use it for up to 6 months.  
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
Uber available: No, but similar services

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: No 
Local city bus networks: No 
 
Rail: 
Railway system: Yes, overnight train from Francistown to Gaborone to Lobatse. 
Subway System: No 
 
Water: 
Ferries: No 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: No 

Food and water safety:  
Can you drink the tap water: Yes within major cities 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes within major cities 
Ice: Yes within major cities 
Meat: Yes within major cities 
Street food: Yes within major cities 
 
Local cuisine: Food centres around meat such as goat, beef, chicken and fresh water fish, and a maize meal known locally as “pap”.  Adventurous culinary enthusiasts may want to try the traditional speciality of Mopane Worms, while those with a sweet tooth should make sure to sample the local Kalahari Truffles (made as a dessert) and unusual fruit called Marula. It is believed that watermelon originated here.  

Drinks:  Bojalwaja Setswana (the beer of Botswana) - created using fermented sorghum seeds.  

Tipping: 10%, usually added to the bill at restaurants. It is also customary to tip game drivers and guides.

Annual rainfall: 475 mm  
Average temperature: 27°C 
 
Summer: 
Average in highs: 31°C 
Average in lows: 20°C 
 
Winter: 
Average in highs: 23°C 
Average in lows: 22°C 
 
Best time to visit: It’s best to visit Botswana between April and September – the dry winter months. At this time, animals usually stay close to their water sources, increasing your chances of seeing them.  

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 
 
Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 
 
General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Yes in cities 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes in cities 
Cafes: Yes in cities 
Shopping malls: Yes 
Public parks: No 
Libraries: Yes in cities 

Lush tropical mountain forests, savannah plains, gigantic rivers and fascinating ancient ruins. Add the diversity of wildlife and the wonder of Victoria Falls to top it off. Zimbabwe is your all-in-one African safari holiday destination.

Zimbabwe is a small country and its diverse attractions are packed into short easy drives or even quicker, easier flights. Expect beautiful waterfalls and rivers, exceptional wildlife safaris and spectacular scenery from classic African plains to vast river valleys, mystical hills and misty mountains.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you probably associate Zimbabwe with great political and economic turmoil. We won't go there. We will instead tell you how it is now and we'll do it in a word: fantastic!

The Zimbabweans, known for their happy outlook on life, gentle ways and generous spirit have rallied around each other to save one of Africa's true gems from ruin. Now, fuel, food and general supplies are back in the shelves at the supermarkets; the banks dispense US dollars in manageable wallet-sized wads - replacing the shopping trolleys of trillion-dollar notes; and the magnificent natural attractions remain undisturbed as they have been for millennia.

Besides the world-famous attractions in Zimbabwe, there are many smaller and equally opportunities for specific activities such as birding, fishing, hunting, photography, adventure, golf, cultural and historical pursuits or just plain relaxing. These we call the secret attractions and as we explore them we will post our reports here. In the meantime, please talk to your Travel Expert for details of Zimbabwe's hidden gems - real ones that is, not diamonds.

Zimbabwe Attractions

The main attractions, however, are the main attractions for good reason. Zimbabwe is the ultimate all-in-one African holiday and safari destination. With World Heritage Sites galore - including Victoria Falls, Mana Pools, Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Matopos Hills and Khami Ruins - travelling through Zimbabwe is like traversing the highlights of an entire continent.

• Victoria Falls: seventh wonder of the natural world, UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site and adventure capital of Africa
• Hwange National Park: among seasoned safari-goers, many agree Hwange to be one of the best game reserves in the region
• Mana Pools National Park: pristine wilderness safari destination, UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site famous for its walking safaris and big game
• Lake Kariba and Matusadona: one of the world's largest man-made lakes and a great fishing/game viewing/birding/relaxing destination
• Eastern Highlands: slice of Scotland in Africa with mountains, rain-forests, rivers and waterfalls including the 5th highest in the world at 762m
• Great Zimbabwe and Midlands: UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site and one of the oldest and largest man-made structures in southern Africa
• Matobo National Park: a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site of great beauty crammed with history from the Stone Age to the present day
• Chizarira National Park: a large and untamed beast of a game reserve on the Zambezi escarpment where leopards are rife and walking safaris are your only means of transport
• Khami Ruins: the successor dynasty to Great Zimbabwe also a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site
• Ghona-re-zhou, Matestsi, Chete, Mavhuradona, Nyanga, Bunga Forest, Upper Zambezi, Charara, Kazuma Pan, Chimanimani...The many lesser-known wildlife parks and nature reserves offer beautiful scenery, fascinating flora and fauna and a refreshing break from over-developed tourist areas.
• The People: without doubt Zimbabwe's best asset and greatest attraction will be your abiding memory of its people; Zimbabweans are innately friendly, warm and welcoming and you will experience this warmth wherever you go.

Currency 

Local currency: Zimbabwean Dollar 
Symbol: Z$ 
ISO code: ZWL 
Subunit: Cent 
Banknotes: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 dollar 
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cent, 1, 2, 5 dollar 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Limited 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Limited acceptance 
Diner’s club: Limited acceptance 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
Weekends: Limited hours in some locations 
Public Holidays: Yes (limited hours) 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: Air Zimbabwe 
International Airports: Harare International Airport (HRE), Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ) 
Domestic Airports: Yes 

Road: 
Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: Limited 
Subway System: No 

Water: 
Ferries: No 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: No 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: No 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: Zimbabwean cuisine is influenced by traditional African dishes and British colonial heritage. Sadza, a thick maize porridge, is a staple, often served with meat and vegetables. Other popular dishes include Nyama, a grilled meat dish, and Mopane worms. 

Drinks: Notable local drinks include Chibuku (traditional beer) and maheu (fermented drink). 

Tipping: 10-15% is customary in restaurants if a service charge is not included. 

Annual rainfall: Varies 
Average temperature: 22°C 

Summer: 
Average highs: 30°C 
Average lows: 15°C 

Winter: 
Average highs: 25°C 
Average lows: 10°C 

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Zimbabwe is during the dry season from May to October when wildlife viewing is at its best, especially in national parks like Hwange and Mana Pools. The weather is generally pleasant during this time, making it ideal for outdoor activities. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Limited 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes 
Cafes: Yes 
Shopping malls: Limited 
Public parks: Limited 
Libraries: Limited 

Plug Type: Type D, Type G 
Voltage (V): 230 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.