16 Day Namibia, Chobe and Victoria Falls Self-Drive Tour

This 16-day self-drive tour of Namibia, Chobe and Victoria Falls starts in Windhoek and heads north and east through Kasane, Botswana and ends in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The journey takes you on an exciting adventure of desert landscapes and wildlife, rivers and trees. The accommodation throughout is a cross-section of tented camps, safari lodges, hotels and guest houses, but always clean, comfortable and with en-suite facilities. Most of the route is on tar road, but a significant section is on well-prepared gravel roads easily accessed by the 2 x 4 vehicle we supply. The itinerary and be done in reverse, and we can also provide a fully guided option.

16 Day Namibia, Chobe and Victoria Falls Self-Drive Tour

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • Day 01

    Windhoek

  • Day 02 & 03

    Sossusvlei

  • Day 04 & 05

    Swakopmund

  • Day 06

    Damaraland

  • Day 07

    Etosha National Park (South)

  • Day 08 & 09

    Etosha National Park

  • Day 10 & 11

    Caprivi (West)

  • Day 12

    Caprivi (East)

  • Day 13 & 14

    Chobe National Park, Botswana

  • Day 15

    Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

  • Day 16

    End tour at Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe

Day 01

Windhoek

You will be met by the car rental company representative on arrival at Windhoek Airport and transferred to their offices in Windhoek to complete all rental procedures. You will then meet with our representative to hand over your travel documents and drive to The Weinberg Hotel where you will spend the night on a bed and breakfast basis. 
If time allows, explore the town of Windhoek.

Relax on the terrace at the Weinberg hotel after your flight

Day 02 & 03

Sossusvlei

Travel Time: Windhoek – Sossusvlei 400km - approximately 5 hours

This morning you make your way to Sossusvlei. On the way be sure to stop along the Remhoogte or Spreetshoogte passes for some spectacular views of where the Kalahari meets the Namib desert. The following two nights will be spent at the Namib Outpost on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis.

Spend the days in the beautiful Sossusvlei area, exploring the highlights: Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Big Daddy, Elim Dune and the Sesriem Canyon. Optional extra activities: Guided Sossusvlei excursion, Hot air balloon safari and nature drives.

Sossusvlei red sand dunes
Namib Outpost Rooms
View from the pool at Namib Outpost

Day 04 & 05

Swakopmund

Travel Time: Sossusvlei – Swakopmund 400km – approximately 5 hours

After breakfast, you will drive the scenic road to Swakopmund.
Travel north through Solitaire before heading west along the Namib gravel plains to the coast. Watch as the scenery changes from desert to coastal along your way.  You will cross the Tropic of Capricorn and drive through the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons.  You can go to Swakopmund via Walvis Bay, another option is to detour and go via Ganab to the Welwitschia Plains and Moon Landscape.
You will spend the next two nights at the Swakopmund Luxury Suites on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis.

View of Swakopmund and the beaches
Rooms at Swakopmund Luxury Suites
Relax on the deck, Swakopmund Luxury Suites

The Namibian Coastline is full of broken shells, rusting hulls and many activities between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
Enjoy sand boarding, dolphin cruises, dune quad biking, scenic flights or sea kayaking.  Take a Sandwich Harbour tour to see the true history of the Skeleton Coast and the stunning red sand dunes rolling into the ocean.

Day 06

Damaraland

Travel Time: Swakopmund – Damaraland 480km – approximately 4 to 5 hours

Today you will head off towards Damaraland, a beautiful area of Namibia with a mix of mountains and desert. Take the coastal road to Henties Bay and Cape Cross to see the largest colony of breeding cape fur seals.  Visit Namibia’s Open Air Museum, the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings as well as the interesting Organ Pipes rock formations and Burnt Mountain.  Visit the Damara Living Museum for a hint of culture.
Tonight you will be staying at Mowani Mountain Camp on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis.

View of Damaraland
Dinner with a view, Mowani Mountain Camp
Mowani Mountain Camp Rooms

Day 07

Etosha National Park (South)

Travel Time: Damaraland - Etosha (South) 300km - approximately 4 to 5 hours

A morning visit to the Twyfelfontein sights if you have not already done so the day before and then you make your way to the Southern side of the Etosha National Park. Arrival here will be in the early afternoon and if you wish you may join an afternoon or evening game drive (optional extra).
You will be spending the night at Ongava Lodge on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis.

Game Viewing in Etosha
Ongava Lodge Beautiful Rooms
Relax by the pool, Ongava Lodge

Day 08 & 09

Etosha National Park

Travel Time: Etosha (South) - Etosha (East) is a full day’s game drive through the park

From one side to the other side of the park is a full-day game drive as you drive slowly east stopping at numerous waterholes along the way.  Make sure to keep a lookout for some of the big 5.  1 full day is set aside for game viewing, either all day or alternate with morning and afternoon drives in the area. These are self-drive game drives, but you can arrange at the lodge to go with their open safari vehicle and guide (optional extra)
You will spend the next two nights at Mushara Outpost on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis.

Elephants in Etosha
Mushara Outpost safari tents
Pool at Mushara Outpost

Day 10 & 11

Caprivi (West)

Travel Time: Etosha (East) – West Caprivi 600km - approximately 7 to 8 hours

Depart Etosha and drive east to Grootfontein, then north to Rundu before making your way east to Bagani, close to the Popa Falls, which are worth a visit. You will be spending the next two nights at Shametu River Lodge on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis.

A full day is set aside for a drive to the beautiful Mahango and Buffalo Game Parks, not very big but beautiful as you drive along the Kavango River. Take a visit to Popa Fall, book an optional extra of a sunset boat cruise on the Kavango River or a Kavango Village visit in the area.

River views in the Caprivi Strip
Shametu River Lodge Bedrooms
Overlooking the Kavango River from the deck at Shametu

Day 12

Caprivi (East)

Travel Time: Caprivi West – East Caprivi 240km - approximately 3 to 4 hours

Depart after breakfast and head east along the Caprivi strip, entering East Caprivi at the Kwando River Bridge.
Your drive today takes you through the beautiful Bwabwata National Park. You will be spending the night at Camp Kwando on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, enjoy the evening in camp or take a boat cruise along the Kwando River.

Stunning rooms at Camp Kwando
Game viewing at Camp Kwando

Day 13 & 14

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Travel Time: East Caprivi – Katima Mulilo 140km - approximately 2 to 3 hours

This morning you will drive to Katima Mulilo where a representative from the rental company to pick up the car. You will then be transferred to the Ngoma border to clear customs and onto Kasane, Botswana.  You will be spending the next two nights at the Chobe Safari Lodge on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis plus 2 activities.

Sunset along the Chobe River
Chobe Safari Lodge Rooms
Garden view at Chobe Safari Lodge

A full day is set aside to enjoy the Chobe National Park and the Chobe River.
Activities included:
- 1 guided game drive into the Chobe National Park
- 1 game viewing boat ride on the Chobe River … an amazing experience
(Please note that Chobe National Park entry fees are not included and are payable directly as this can change at any time and cannot be arranged in advance).

Day 15

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

You will be picked up for your transfer to Victoria Falls.  The transfer is about 1 hour and 30 minutes, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife along this road transfer. Enjoy all the activities on offer in Victoria Falls, from tours of the falls, scenic helicopter flights, adrenaline activities and sunset river cruises. You will spend the night at Batonka Guest house on a Bed and Breakfast basis.

Lush gardens at Batonka Guest Lodge
Aerial View of the Victoria Falls
Rooms at Batonka Guest Lodge

Day 16

End tour at Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe

Today marks the end of your trip. Return home with some wonderful memories to last a lifetime.
You will be picked up from your lodge and transferred to the Victoria Falls Airport where you will board your onward flight.

Tour Costs

* Please note this tour has both a ZAR & USD price component

Jan - Jun 2025
R126,730 per person sharing (if there are 2 travellers)
R110,910 per person sharing (if there are 4 travellers)
R36,465 – Single supplement

$2,820 per person sharing (if there are 2 travellers)
$2,820 per person sharing (if there are 4 travellers)
$1,045 – Single supplement

Jul - Dec 2025
R137,130 per person sharing (if there are 2 travellers)
R120,000 per person sharing (if there are 4 travellers)
R39,570 – Single supplement

$3,445 per person sharing (if there are 2 travellers)
$3,445 per person sharing (if there are 4 travellers)
$1,295 – Single supplement

Price Includes

Accommodation as indicated - can change depending on availability and request at the time of booking
Meals as indicated
Meet and greet upon arrival
Car hire as below including drop off in Kasane
Airport transfers on arrival and for departure
Shared road transfers as necessary
Activities as indicated
Tour file with detailed itinerary, map with route descriptions, vouchers etc.
24-hour personal and friendly support
Fast and efficient response to service providers
Vehicle Hire 4X4 Toyota Fortuner – Manual Transmission, which includes GPS, ZERO excess - maximum insurance, tyre & windscreen cover, unlimited mileage, 2nd spare tyre, additional driver, cell phone with local sim cross border letter & drop off fee

Price Excludes

Additional meals
Additional Excursions / Activities
Beverages
All Park Entrance & Admission Fees
Any items of a personal nature i.e. telephone, laundry, curios, gratuities/tips/porterage, etc
Personal and Baggage Travel Insurance
All Flights
Visa applications
Change of Itinerary anytime after confirmation
Anything else not specified as included

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Debbie Isaacs
Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
Daniel Stewart
Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
Hilda Stanfliet
Hilda Stanfliet
27 December 2024
Amazing hotel booked by Lize of African Travel Gateway, the most attentive service leading up to holiday
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