Namibia & Botswana

3 week self-
self-drive itinerary September 2010

Day 1 Arrival
Arrive into Johannesburg OR Tambo International airport. Spend the night at a hotel nearby relaxing after your flight,
before commencing your trip to Namibia the following day.
Accommodation: Hotel Included: Breakfast

Day 2 Kathu, South Africa

You will be transferred from the hotel to the 4x4 depot. After briefing you on the equipment, your vehicles are
handed over. Drive as far as Kathu along the N14 highway, where you spend the night at Namakwari Lodge - a family
run lodge with a reputation for excellent quality of service.
Accommodation: Lodge Included: Breakfast

Days 3&4 Fish River Canyon

Cross into Namibia and travel to the Fish River Canyon. The Fish River Canyon is the
second largest in the world. There are many optional activities that can be done from
here including sunrise walks, horse riding, flights over the canyon and guided drives, as
well as self-driving.
Accommodation is at the exciting Cañon Lodge, built from
natural materials, including local rock and thatch roofs. Tall
weather-beaten granite boulders mark the location of the lodge and form an integral part
of the overall design. Spaced evenly amongst these boulders are 26 thatched, wooden
bungalows. All units are equipped with comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms. The
boulders, cool to the touch and smoothly rounded by an eternity of erosion, protrude
into the rooms to make them blend in with the natural surroundings. The design of the bungalows was conceived
with the idea to make you feel one with nature whilst enjoying a comfortable stay.
Accommodation: Cañon Lodge Included: Breakfast

Day 5 Tiras Mountains

The Tiras are a range of hills passed en route north. The scenery is spectacular -
golden grassy plains with a backdrop of rugged mountains. The campsite is
situated on the plain between the escarpment and the foothills of the
mountains and consists of only two sites and from there is an unobstructed
view over the Valley.
Accommodation: Camping
Day 6 Sossusvlei
Travel to the Sossusvlei area of the Namib Naukluft Park. Your next night is spent in
at Sesriem campsite inside the protected area. Camping at Sesriem means you will
be able to get to the Sossusvlei dunes at sunrise when photography is at its best at
the famous Deadvei Pan, Sossusvlei, and Dune 45.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 7 Camp Gecko

Drive north after spending the morning at Sossusvlei. The scenery en route is spectacular - golden grassy plains with
a backdrop of rugged mountains. You won’t leave until late morning from Sossusvlei, but you will only travel as far as
Camp Gecko, with panoramic views of the Naukluft mountains. Named after the barking geckos that are common in
the area, these creatures will serenade you as the light fades. The campsites are set apart on the hilltop with a view
over the surrounding countryside.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 8 Etusis
Travel north to Etusis Lodge - nestled amid granite formations in the Otjipatera Mountains. Flanked by the Namib
Desert to the west and mixed-woodland savannah to the east, Etusis is the perfect stop over en route to Etosha.
Accommodation: Lodge Included: Breakfast

Days 9&10 Etosha National Park

A visit to the Etosha National Park is one of the highlights of travelling Namibia. Etosha
covers an area of more than 22 000 sq kms – its centre being a vast saltpan surrounded
by grass and thorn savannah, Mopane bushland in the west and dry forest in the
north-east. The pan is just about always dry. However, in the southern parts there are
have water-holes scattered throughout this area and form the basis of life for countless
game. Etosha boasts good numbers of lion, rhino, giraffe, zebra and elephant - springbok
are especially numerous, at least 20 000 roam the reserve. Often, they can be observed in herds of several hundred
animals. Spend two days exploring this reserve, camping at Okaukuejo and Namutoni, making your way west to east.
Accommodation: Camping

Days 11&12 Ngepi Camp, Caprivi

Travel to the western Caprivi to the exciting Ngepi Camp near Divundu, under amazing trees
with river frontage. Accommodation for the next two nights is in a unique ensuite tree
house, situated by the river, with a magnificent view. Birdlife at Ngepi is excellent, and the
camp also features a unique swimming pool IN the river – protected by crocs by an
underwater cage!
From Ngepi, mokoro trips along the Kavango river can be arranged, as well as boat cruises, village walks, and cultural
visits to nearby villages.
Accommodation: Tree house Included: Breakfast

Day 13 BwaBwata National Park, Caprivi

Drive along the Caprivi strip to spend the next night in the BwaBwata National Park (previously Caprivi Game
Reserve). BwaBwata is still seen as a well-kept secret among travellers in Namibia. You will spent the night here at
the beautifully located Nambwa campsite. Apart from good wildlife viewing, Nambwa offers excellent bird-watching
opportunities.
Accommodation: Camping
Day 14 Kasane
Cross into Botswana and drive to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park,
where you spend the next night at a lodge by the river.
Accommodation is in a comfortable chalet, and includes a late afternoon river cruise.
This is a highlight of many a visitor's trip to Botswana, and amazing sights such as
elephant crossing the river to feed on the grassy islands are never forgotten. Birdlife is
spectacular too along the river. Dinner after the river cruise, and breakfast the following
morning are included.
Accommodation: Chalet Included: Dinner & Breakfast, Chobe River cruise

Day 15 Chobe National Park (Ihaha)

Chobe National Park has three campsites – Ihaha on the riverfront, Linyanti in the
north-west corner, and Savuti in the south. Ihaha is located next to the Chobe river, and
each campsite has a braai grid and standpipe. The Chobe riverfront is very good for game
viewing, with many loop roads. Game is best sighted early mornings and late evenings
when it is cooler. Elephant, buffalo, impala, kudu, and lion are all frequently seen as are
smaller animals such as monkeys and baboons.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 16 Chobe National Park (Savuti)

Travel south through the Chobe National Park, spending the next night at Savuti campsite. Savuti is famous for its
elephants, lions and hyenas, all of which visit the campsite area, making for an experience not to be forgotten!
Listening to the night sounds from the safety of your rooftop tent is an
unforgettable experience. Savuti has a good network of roads for game drive,
and apart from being one of Africa’s prime game viewing areas, Savuti is also
stunningly beautiful, with rocky outcrops, and rolling grassland interspersed with
dead trees – a reminder that the area was once a flooded marsh.
Accommodation: Camping

Days 17&18 Moremi Game Reserve

Drive from Maun to Moremi Game Reserve. Moremi is on the edge of the Okavango Delta
and is one of the most spectacular wildlife destinations in Africa. Game is rich and varied
and birdlife is prolific. Elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, hippo, leopard and lion all
frequently sighted. The flooded pans attract numerous waterbirds whilst the surrounding
woodland is habitat for a wide variety of birds as well as wildlife. Spend two nights in
Moremi, doing game drives along the river floodplains.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 19 Maun
Leave Moremi and drive to Maun, Botswana’s main tourist centre. Accommodation is at a lodge just outside the
town by the river in a chalet. An option in the afternoon is a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.
Accommodation: Chalet Included: Breakfast

Day 20:
20: Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Drive south as far as the Khama Rhino Sanctuary – a community run project aimed at
re-introducing rhinos into the wild. KRS is actually a small game reserve and is situated
around a pan. Game viewing can be very rewarding here, and many visitors consider the
Khama Rhino Sanctuary to be one of the highlights of their trip. The campsites are well
maintained and pleasantly situated, and there is a restaurant on site.
Accommodation: Camping
Day 21:
21: Waterberg (South Africa)
Cross back into South Africa and drive to the Waterberg, spending the night at Thula Meetse Mountain Lodge in the
Waterberg. Thula Meetse is special – situated between two mountains, with a stream running through.
Accommodation is in a cottage, with dinner and breakfast included.
Accommodation: Chalet Included: Dinner & Breakfast

Day 22:
22: Return
Return the vehicles back to Johannesburg and fly out.

PRICE PER PERSON (based on 5 adults travelling):

2 x Twin Cabs: $ 2750

2 x Defenders: $ 2820

Price valid for 30 days and subject to availability

Price includes:

• 22 days vehicle and equipment hire (vehicles with US$2600 excess deposit approximately per vehicle)
• Airport transfers
• One way rental fees
• All accommodation and camping fees
• Chobe river sunset cruise from Kasane
• All other meals where stated
• Personal brochure & maps

Excluded:
Personal insurance; Visa / border fees; park and reserve entrance fees in Botswana and Namibia (approx $20 per person per day,
and $9 per vehicle per day in Botswana, and $9 per person per day in Namibia)