12-Day Namibian Self-Drive Wildlife Safari Tour (Lodging)

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Windhoek to Etosha National Park

Travel northwards from Windhoek via Okahandja, where you can visit the woodcarving market and fill up with fuel, biltong and snacks for the road. Back on the road the Omatakos, two conical mountains that jut out of the surrounding landscape, are prominent landmarks along the way. Take a break for lunch in Otjiwarongo or Outjo before reaching your friendly and relaxed home for the next two days – Etosha Safari Camp. A highlight of the stay is the Shebeen Restaurant, modelled on "shebeens" (informal township bars) of old, where people gathered to meet, have a drink and listen to music. The colourful and quirky restaurant has become a highlight of travellers’ itineraries. Enjoy the delicious dinner feast outdoors as you listen to the Etosha Boys strum their guitars and sing local melodies.

Optional activity: Afternoon game drive.

Main Destination:

Etosha National Park (Namibia)

Best Time To Visit July to September (Animals come to water)

High Season July to November (The park gets crowded)

Best Weather May to August (Less hot during the day)

Wildlife in Etosha NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

LionOccasional

HyenaOccasional

Show more

White RhinoVery Rare

Black RhinoRare

LeopardVery Rare

CheetahVery Rare

BuffaloNone

HippoNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Etosha Safari Camp

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Etosha NP (Namibia)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Etosha National Park

You will have an early breakfast and then go on the full-day game drive. At around 12h00 to 13h00, you will have lunch inside the park and continue with the game drive up until the afternoon. After the game drive, you will have leisure time to enjoy the atmosphere before dinner.

Optional activity: Full-day game drive, visit the waterholes and see how various animals quench their thirst.

Main Destination:

Etosha National Park (Namibia)

Accommodation:

Etosha Safari Camp

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Etosha NP (Namibia)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Etosha National Park to Rundu

Have breakfast and drive toward the greener part of Namibia to the town of Rundu which serves as the capital of the Eastern Kavango region. Rundu is renowned for its local woodcarvers market and is filled with impressive woodcarvers' workshops.

Optional activities: Game viewing and excellent bird watching.

Main Destination:

Rundu (City, Namibia)

Accommodation:

Hakusembe River Lodge

• Luxury lodge located outside Zambezi Region (Namibia)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Rundu

You'll have an early breakfast and continue with the activities of your choice. The town provides a great stopover to refuel for visitors heading to Katima Mulilo, the enthralling Popa Falls, or Mahangu Game Reserve, home to the endangered wild dog, lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah, and hippo. The lodge offers boat trips which are excellent for birding.

Optional activity: Kayaking on the spectacular Kavango River.

Main Destination:

Rundu (City, Namibia)

Accommodation:

Hakusembe River Lodge

• Luxury lodge located outside Zambezi Region (Namibia)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Rundu to Kwando River

The drive today is eastward towards the lush northeastern corner of Namibia. Once known as the Caprivi (now renamed the Zambezi Region), it is a tree-filled expanse bisected by waterways. It is also home to a fascinating group of people and an abundance of wildlife and birds. Bwabwata National Park runs from the Okavango River to the Kwando River and, unusually, is home to both people and wildlife living side by side. Slow down as you pass through the settlements and keep your eyes open for elephant and wild dog! At Kongola, turn right onto the C49 towards Namushasha River Lodge, a lodge that resonates with true Zambezi character. It is set on the riverbank amidst the trees.

Optional activities: Game viewing, bird watching, visit Mashi Crafts - a treasure-house of crafts, fishing, the Namushasha Heritage Centre and visit Bwabwata National Park.

Main Destination:

Kwando River (Namibia)

Accommodation:

Namushasha River Lodge

• Mid-range lodgejust outside Bwabwata NP (Zambezi Region, Namibia)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Kwando River

On the second day, you have the opportunity to experience the many riches the river has to offer. Take a leisurely boat trip on the Kwando River and relish the magic of this "water Eden". Spot the abundant bird species, crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks and the pods of hippos among the waterlilies.

Optional activities: Boat cruise on the Kwando River, drive to the popular elephant viewing, and visit Mudumu National Park.

Main Destination:

Kwando River (Namibia)

Accommodation:

Namushasha River Lodge

• Mid-range lodgejust outside Bwabwata NP (Zambezi Region, Namibia)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Kwando River to Chobe Riverfront

Day seven takes you to the Chobe River and Chobe River Camp positioned on its banks overlooking the floodplains. From Namushasha River Lodge, drive in an easterly direction along the C49 to Katima Mulilo. The road passes through the Mdumu and Nkasa Rupara National Parks and wildlife can often be seen along the roadside. Look out for herds of elephant crossing the road and, further on, for the domestic animals of the settlements. From Katima, the B8 leads southwards to the Ngoma border post, the gateway between Namibia and Botswana. The turnoff to Chobe River Camp is four kilometres before Ngoma. The camp lies across from Chobe National Park. When the river is high mid-year, the camp’s boat trip is one of the finest excursions in the country to spot buffalo, elephant, water-adapted antelope and a variety of birdlife from the comfort of the boat.

Optional activities: Boat cruise and game viewing.

Main Destination:

Chobe Riverfront (Chobe NP, Botswana)

Best Time To Visit August to October (Best at the riverfront area)

High Season July to October (The park gets crowded)

Best Weather May to August (Less hot during the day)

Wildlife in Chobe NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

HippoAbundant

Show more

HyenaCommon

LeopardOccasional

WildebeestOccasional

Wild DogOccasional

CheetahRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Chobe River Camp

• Mid-range tented campinside Chobe Riverfront (Chobe NP, Botswana)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Chobe Riverfront to Katima Mulilo

A short drive north from Chobe River Camp takes you to the turnoff onto the D3508 and to Zambezi Mubala Lodge on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. The lodge is approximately forty kilometres east of Katima Mulilo. A boat trip from Zambezi Mubala Camp is the only way to reach this attractive lodge on the riverbank. Mubala means "colour" in the local Silozi language, a reference to the harmonious colours of nature reflected in the Zambezi waters. Enjoy a sundowner cruise after an afternoon spent relaxing at the pool. Dine outdoors and luxuriate in Mubala tranquillity.

Optional activities: A boat trip from Zambezi and a sundowner cruise.

Main Destination:

Katima Mulilo (Town, Namibia)

Accommodation:

Zambezi Mubala Lodge

• Luxury lodge located outside Zambezi Region (Namibia)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Katima Mulilo

Have breakfast and continue exploring the wonderful Zambezi River which is popular for fishing, birding, boating and photography. You may be tempted to relax on your balcony overlooking the river. However, if more energetic, take a stroll to the carmine bee-eater colony (between mid-August and December), try your luck on the river for tiger fish (catch and release) and hop aboard the boat to explore the river. Home to a wide variety of birds, the Zambezi Mubala Lodge is a treat for nature lovers. At the end of the day, savour the sunset colours and the soothing river setting.

Optional activities: Visit interesting attractions like the vibrant street market where arts and crafts such as traditional grass-woven baskets, wood carvings, clothes and jewellery, can be found.

Main Destination:

Katima Mulilo (Town, Namibia)

Accommodation:

Zambezi Mubala Lodge

• Luxury lodge located outside Zambezi Region (Namibia)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Katima Mulilo to Kwando River

Katima Mulilo is a good place to fill up with fuel and pick up essentials before following the B8 to Kongola and the C49. Namushasha River Lodge is your home for the night as you begin to retrace your steps. It’s a welcome return to the loveliness of the lodge and the wild and wonderful Kwando River.

Optional activity: Visit the Livingstone Museum.

Main Destination:

Kwando River (Namibia)

Accommodation:

Namushasha River Lodge

• Mid-range lodgejust outside Bwabwata NP (Zambezi Region, Namibia)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Kwando River to Rundu

Say your farewells to the Zambezi Region as you travel westwards to the Kavango region for your final night at Hakusembe River Lodge. Enjoy a relaxed evening and dinner on the deck overlooking the river before a sound night’s sleep to the accompaniment of river lullabies.

Optional activities: Visit Popa Falls or Mahangu Game Reserve.

Main Destination:

Rundu (City, Namibia)

Accommodation:

Hakusembe River Lodge

• Luxury lodge located outside Zambezi Region (Namibia)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Rundu to Windhoek

Rise early for the eight-hour drive back to Windhoek. Breakfast packs are available on request. It is recommended to overnight in Windhoek to ensure that there is sufficient time to catch your onward flight the next day. With a whole day ahead, you can enjoy the drive back to the mother city after your superlative and enriching wildlife experience.

End of itinerary.

Main Destination:

Windhoek (City, Namibia)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.