We Love —
- Embarking on a unique road trip and visiting Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha with your included hire car.
- Crossing the border between Namibia and Botswana and gazing over at the magnificent Linyanti River.
- Bringing this fabulous trip to a close in style, with a visit to the magnificent Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Customer reviews —
Your itinerary in brief —
Embark on a fantastic 15 night road trip from Windhoek in Namibia via Botswana to the spectacular Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Observe countless wild animals in their natural habitat and marvel at endless landscapes.
15 night road trip:
Day 1: Arrival in Windhoek
Day 2: Windhoek - Namib Desert
Day 3: Namib Desert - Sossulvei
Day 4: Namib Desert - Swakopmund
Day 5: Swakopmund
Day 6: Swakopmund - Twyfelfontein
Day 7: Twyfelfontein - Etosha National Park
Day 8: Etosha National Park
Day 9: Etosha National Park - Tsumeb
Day 10: Tsumeb - Divundu
Day 11: Divundu - Kwando River
Day 12: Kwando River
Day 13: Kwando River - Kasane
Day 14: Kasane - Victoria Falls
Day 15: Victoria Falls
Day 16: Departure
Your itinerary in detail —
15 night road trip
Day 1: Arrival in Windhoek
On arrival at the international airport, you will be greeted by a representative who will explain all the details of your trip and answer any questions you may have. They will also help you pick up your hire car and provide you with your itinerary planner and information folder.
- You will then drive through mountainous terrain to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia
- Breakfast included
- Night in Windhoek
Day 2: Windhoek - Namib Desert / Sossusvlei
From Windhoek you drive into the Namib Desert. It is the gateway to Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei, where some of the world's highest sand dunes rise above the white plains of the desert. In the afternoon, relax by the pool and go for a sunset hike (at an extra cost).
- Breakfast included
- Night in the Namib Desert
Day 3: Namib Desert / Sossusvlei
Today you set off early to experience the sunrise with magnificent views on the drive to Sossulvei. Shortly after sunrise, drive into the Namib Naukluft National Park where the first rays of sunlight colour the sand mountains in shades of apricot, red and orange against a bright blue sky.
Marvel at surreal Deadvlei, surrounded by some of the world's highest dunes, and Sossusvlei, where the dried-up Tsauchab River ends abruptly between the dunes. Take the opportunity to climb one of these majestic dunes and admire the desert landscape from above. Then, descend along the cliffs to the Sesriem Canyon.
- Breakfast and dinner included
- Night in the Namib Desert
Day 4: Namib Desert - Swakopmund
Continue your journey along the panoramic road between the dunes and the Atlantic Ocean to reach Swakopmund, where you have the rest of the day at leisure.
With palm trees lining the streets and promenades, Swakopmund is a popular holiday destination in Namibia. The pleasant summer climate and long beaches attract anglers and surfers from all over Southern Africa.
- Breakfast included
- Night in Swakopmund
Day 5: Swakopmund
Swakopmund is often referred to as the 'playground of Namibia'. Enjoy the relaxed pace of this idyllic coastal town over coffee and freshly baked cakes in one of the many cafés.
You can also take an (optional) day trip into the desert, admire the breathtaking scenery on a scenic flight from the air, try a parachute jump over the desert, or go quad biking or sandboarding through the dunes. Take time to explore the atmosphere of this picturesque town with its historic buildings, museums, shopping galleries and beach bars.
- Breakfast included
- Night in Swakopmund
Day 6: Swakopmund - Twyfelfontein
Today you will travel further north over the Brandberg, Namibia's highest peak (standing at 2,579 metres), into Damaraland, one of the most sparsely populated regions in Africa with great geological diversity. This rugged and rocky environment is home to the rare desert elephant, black rhino and several species of antelope.
You will visit Twyfelfontein, a heritage site where the Bushmen carved and painted over 2500 images 6000 years ago. After visiting the nearby Damara Museum, you will continue to the Petrified Forest, a geological phenomenon that describes the origin and evolution of some of the oldest land masses on earth. Here you can also see Welwitschia mirabilis, the oldest living desert plant in the world.
- Breakfast included
- Night in Twyfelfontein
Day 7: Twyfelfontein - Etosha National Park
The drive continues towards Etosha National Park. Should you have a soft spot for sweet pastries, stop en route in Outjo at the Outjo Bakery before continuing to Etosha.
Upon arrival at the lodge, you can opt for a first optional afternoon safari (at an additional cost) to observe the diversity of African wildlife.
- Breakfast and dinner included
- Night in Etosha
Day 8: Etosha National Park
For over 100 years, zebras, elephants, giraffes, oryx antelopes, blue wildebeests, gazelles, kudus and a host of other rare animals roam peacefully through Etosha National Park.
Today you can opt for an optional full-day safari on site in Etosha National Park, where you can admire numerous wild animals up close (at an additional cost). With a bit of luck, you may even catch a glimpse of the nocturnal predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas or jackals.
- Breakfast and dinner included
- Night in Etosha
Day 9: Etosha National Park - Tsumeb
You can again opt for another optional safari today (at an additional cost). Drive on to Tsumeb before sunset.
- Breakfast and dinner included
- Night in Tsumeb
Day 10: Tsumeb - Divundu
Situated about 200 kilometres east of Rundu on the southeast bank of the great Okavango River, the small town of Divundu is a wonderful destination from which to explore the river, game parks and national reserves in the area.
Visitors can take boat safaris for fishing or bird watching, or visit Mahango Park, home to herds of elephants, as well as hippos, buffalo, giraffes, antelope and many other animals. The spectacular Popa Falls, a series of waterfalls, are a must-see attraction. Divundu is also the perfect base for adventures in Botswana and the Okavango Delta.
- Breakfast and dinner included
- Night in Divundu
Day 11: Mahango National Park - Kwando River
Today you continue east to the Bwabwata Reserve, another Namibian wilderness reserve bordered only by natural river systems, preserving wildlife migration routes. Abundant wildlife lives here, including lion, roan antelope, elephant and buffalo, as well as over 450 different bird species. Explore this wetland with an optional boat cruise (at an additional cost).
- Breakfast included
- Night in Kwando River area
Day 12: Kwando River
Decide on-site if you want to do one of the optional activities offered, such as safaris or boat trips.
- Breakfast included
- Night in Kwando River area
Day 13: Botswana / Kwando River - Kasane
Today you hand over your hire car. Transfer to Botswana and cross the border to Botswana in Ngoma (border fees are payable locally and are not included in the price), a beautiful border post with a view of the Linyanti River in Namibia, which becomes the Chobe River in Botswana.
- Breakfast included
- Night in Kasane
Day 14: Kasane - Victoria Falls / Zimbabwe
You will spend the last few days at Shearwater Explorer Village. Shearwater has been developing and perfecting adventure, nature and wildlife experiences in Zimbabwe for over 30 years. Explorer Village is the ideal base for those wishing to discover the incredible Victoria Falls.
- Breakfast included
- Night in Victoria Falls
Day 15: Victoria Falls
Today you will go on a journey of discovery to Victoria Falls. Experience the deafening roar and thunder of millions of litres of water crashing into the canyon. The Zambezi River plunges 110 metres here before it reaches the Indian Ocean.
- Breakfast included
- Night in Victoria Falls
Day 16: Departure
- Breakfast included
Important information about your tour and visits: The hotels, which comply with local standards, are indicative and may be changed locally for hotels of a similar category. The itinerary is subject to changes due to compelling reasons such as delayed flights, weather conditions or other cases of force majeure. The order of visits is also subject to change without affecting the overall experience of the itinerary.
Your hotels —
Hand-picked just for you
Maximum room capacity
At each of your stops, settle into comfortable rooms in the following carefully selected accommodations:
- Windhoek: The Elegant Guesthouse 4*
- Namib Desert: Elegant Desert Lodge 3*
- Swakopmund: Organic Square Guesthouse
- Twyfelfontein: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge 3*
- Etosha: Etosha Village 3*
- Tsumeb: La Rochelle Luxury Lodge
- Mahango National Park: Ndhovu Safari Lodge 3*
- Kwando River: Camp Kwando
- Kasane: Chobe Mowana Lodge
- Victoria Falls: Shearwater Explorer Village
If the hotels listed above are unavailable, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in similar hotels. Local standards apply.
The maximum room capacity is 4 adults.
Your dining choices
Enjoy meals as per your itinerary.
Optional excursions —
Catamaran excursion: dolphin and seal cruise (Walvis Bay, Swakopmund region)
Discover the fascinating marine life of Walvis Bay with a morning catamaran adventure. Each morning, set sail at 09:00 (check-in at 08:30) from our dock at Walvis Bay Harbour for an informative tour of the bay, in search of the Big Five: whales, dolphins, mola mola, sea turtles and seals.
The first part of the tour will take you along the oyster beds, with a stop at Pelican Point, known for its iconic lighthouse and colony of 60,000 seals. During the season (July to November), sightings of large mammals such as southern right whales and humpback whales are common, as well as other species such as grey whales and dwarf whales.
Along the way, you will see dolphins such as bottlenose dolphins, Heaviside's dolphins and dusky dolphins, as well as mola mola and turtles. Our catamarans will be accompanied by a variety of seabirds, including gulls, pelicans and Cape cormorants. As we sail from Pelican Point, we will pass some of the most interesting boats and drilling platforms in the bay. Enjoy fresh oysters with champagne, savoury snacks and desserts, plus light snacks, soft drinks and water.
Practical Information:
- Duration: 3 hours
- Minimum number of people: 2
- Maximum number of people: 20
- Guide: Not included
- Languages: English and German
Included: Fresh Atlantic oysters with bread, lemon, black pepper and tabasco sauce; fish and meat appetizers; assorted canapés; tray of cakes; soft drinks, juices, beer, mineral water, coffee and tea.
Excluded: Transfer service is not included, but can be arranged for a supplement. There are no clothing restrictions, but warm clothing is recommended due to the rapidly changing weather in Walvis Bay.
Morning game drive in Etosha National Park
Join a morning game drive in Etosha National Park. These game drives last approximately 5 hours and follow a route from Andersson Gate to Okaukuejo, and then through several waterholes on a circular route back to Okaukuejo.
Along the way, there will be a stop at ‘Olifants Bad’, where you can enjoy a light snack prepared by our kitchen team and have a chance to stretch your legs before continuing on to Okaukuejo. Weather permitting, you will be able to observe the animals at the waterhole.
Living Dunes Experience in Swakopmund
Join a unique exploration of the dunes near Swakopmund. While at first glance the dunes appear to be just mountains of sand, our expert guides will reveal the rich life hidden in this desert environment, looking for Palmato geckos, sand lizards, the famous Tok-Tokkie beetle bathed in mist, as well as Sidewinder snakes, spiders, scorpions and chameleons.
This 3-hour excursion culminates with a thrilling rollercoaster ride over the dunes and a spectacular view from the top of a dune, offering a breathtaking panorama of the Atlantic Ocean.
Your journey to Namibia —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking. This flight may include one or more stopovers. The stopover may be technical (without a change of aircraft) or transit (with a change of aircraft).
Luggage information
Luggage, meals and other services on board may be subject to an additional fee on certain airlines. It is possible to view details of luggage allowances when you choose your flights at the next stage of the booking process. If luggage is not included with your flight, please go to the airline's website before your departure to purchase your luggage for an additional fee.
For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving luggage. In this case, you will need to pay for it at the airport counter.
You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Your destinations —
Namibia
Located in southwestern Africa, Namibia boasts a well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa, and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders.
Visitors can explore the capital of Windhoek and discover the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund boasting remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine and the annual Oktoberfest celebrations.
To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with abundant wildlife, such as lions, desert-adapted elephants and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and of course the Namib Desert stretching for over 2000 km along the magnificent Atlantic Coast.
Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful, untamed wilderness.
Botswana
Adventure through Botswana's most beautiful wilderness, witness fascinating wildlife and breathtaking scenery as you veer off-the-beaten track.
Explore a country of contrasts, from the legendary waterways of the Okavango Delta, the prolific wildlife of Chobe National Park, and the arid landscapes of Savute, to the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, and the incredible finale of the Victoria Falls!