Windhoek to Victoria Falls Self Drive Tour

July 16, 2019July 16, 2019admin

Summary of this Budget Safari Package

On this self drive tour you get to experience the splendour of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe at your own leisure. Follow our recommended self drive itinerary to discover the natural wonders of the landscapes and unique flora, fauna and culture of these three incredible countries over almost two weeks. Visit several game reserves, including Etosha and Chobe national parks to see Africa’s animals in the wild. Spend an afternoon with a local tribe and embark on sunset cruises along the Okavango, Chobe and Zambezi rivers to soak up the magic of the African bush.

This self drive holiday package includes all accommodation and rental car bookings. We also offer our expert recommendations for the best attractions along the way unless you prefer to plan each day of your Southern Africa trip as you wish.

Itinerary for this Tour

Please Note: This self drive tour itinerary is merely a sample. We can customise your self drive holiday to Namibia, Botswana & Victoria Falls, tailor-making a budget trip for you.

Self Drive Tour Highlights

Okonjima Nature Reserve: Stay on a nature reserve renowned for its conservation projects with carnivorous African predators, including cheetahs.
Etosha National Park: Enjoy full-day game drives in one of the world’s most famous wildlife parks.
Rundu: Experience the Mbunza Living Museum, home of the Kavango people, a traditional cultural school and communal farming project (optional).
Caprivi Strip: Watch wildlife in Mahangu National Park in the scenic western Caprivi region.
Chobe Park: Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe river of Botswana.
Victoria Falls: Opt to take the ‘Tour of the Falls’ sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River and visit Vic Falls.

Day 1: Windhoek – Namibia

This self drive tour of Namibia, Botswana and Vic Falls, kicks off in the historical Namibian city of Windhoek.

Upon arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport, collect your rental vehicle at the Avis Car Hire Depot, then drive to your accommodation and relax, or explore this small but fascinating African capital city.

Accommodation: Vondelhof Guest House (rooms, en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.

Day 2: Windhoek to Okonjima Game Reserve – Namibia

Hit the road on day two of your Windhoek to Victoria Falls self drive holiday. Following breakfast, you drive north from Windhoek to the first stop on your itinerary, Okonjima Game Reserve in the Otjozondjupa region. Situated in the Omboroko Mountains (loosely translated as ‘place of the baboons’), Okonjima features the Cheetah Project, which you may choose to visit in the afternoon to learn more about these endangered predators of the African plains.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Travel: Departure – 08h00 / Distance – 250 km
Accommodation: Okonjima Plains Camp (rooms with en-suite bathrooms) or similar.

Day 3 – 5: Okonjima Game Reserve to Etosha National Park – Namibia

The next destination on your two-week self drive trip is one of Namibia’s treasures, the Etosha National Park. Declared a national park more than 110 years ago, Etosha is home to hundreds of animal, reptile and bird species (and, surprisingly, one fish species). With your accommodation based just outside the park, you will be eligible to join several optional game drives, on which you will hopefully sight a variety of wildlife. Etosha resorts also feature waterholes with floodlights, enabling excellent night time game viewing.

Meals: Breakfast (x3)
Travel: Distance – 250 km
Accommodation: Etosha Okaukeujo Camp – waterhole chalet double rooms or single rooms (with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.

Day 6: Etosha National Park to Rundu – Namibia

Continue further north to the small town of Rundu, where you can explore the Mbunza National Museum, and see the tribal home of the Kavango people, who survive by fishing, farming crops and tending livestock. This stop also includes an optional visit to a traditional cultural school and communal farming project. Following this enlightening experience of indigenous Namibian culture, you will then set out for your accommodation for the night, where you will be able to relax at the pool while sipping a sundowner, as the soothing sounds of nature echo around you.

Meals: Breakfast
Travel: Departure – 08h00 / Distance – 561 km
Accommodation: Hakusembe River Lodge (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.

Day 7 & 8: Rundu to Caprivi Region – Namibia

Travel east from Rundu in the morning to the Caprivi region, where your home for the next two nights, the Nunda River Lodge, is situated on the bank of the Okavango. Enjoy a tranquil sunset cruise to the tumbling Popa Falls before you retreat to your room for a well deserved and restful night’s sleep.

Travel: Departure – 08h00 / Distance – 207 km
Accommodation: Nunda River Lodge (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.

Day 9: Mahangu National Park – Namibia

This morning your self drive safari takes you along the meandering Okavango river to Mahangu (meaning ‘food of the local people’), home to the Greater Bwabwata National Park. This game park stretches from the Kwando river in the east to the Kavango river in the west and encompasses the Mahangu Game Reserve. From here you will embark on a morning game drive, on which you are likely to spot elephant, roan, kudu, and buffalo, among others, as well as a myriad of bird species. You will then be able to relax for the rest of the afternoon in this spectacular setting.

Travel: Departure – 07h00 / Distance – 199 km
Accommodation: Camp Kwando (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar, and restaurant), or similar.

Day 10 & 11: Mahangu National Park to Chobe National Park – Botswana

Drive north from Mahangu towards Kasane, the gateway to Chobe National Park in Botswana. This is the second largest park in the landlocked southern African country. Spread across more than 10,500 square kilometres, Chobe is home to one of the greatest concentrations of elephant in Africa. Shake off your drive to Chobe by joining one of several optional activities or relax next to the swimming pool.

The following morning you will be able to undertake an optional game drive, where you are almost guaranteed to get up close to several game species and will hopefully see large predators. Later the same day you will embark on a memorable cruise down the Chobe river to view animals from the boat and witness the sun setting spectacularly over the river.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (x2)
Travel: Departure – 07h00 / Distance – 229 km
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant), or similar.

Day 12: Chobe to Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

On your penultimate day, you will cross the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe, bound for the mighty Victoria Falls. On arrival, you can spend the remainder of the day relaxing or choose from a wide selection of activities, including a tour (at your own expense) of the Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya or ‘the smoke that thunders’. Later that afternoon, you will embark on the final experience of your tour, a relaxing sunset cruise on the Zambezi, an experience you will never forget.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe (End of Tour)

Following breakfast you will depart for Victoria Falls International Airport to return your rental vehicle in time for your outbound flight. This brings your self drive tour of Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe to an end, sending you off with the memories of a lifetime.

Meals: Breakfast

Pre-Departure Tour Information

Please take note of the following travel stipulations and requirements:

Self Drive Tour Transport

Your South African self-drive safari encompasses vehicle rental of a VW Polo Vivo or similar (Avis Car Hire Group B). This includes Premium Insurance, which covers theft and collision damage waiver, theft loss waiver, unlimited kilometres, claim admin fee, tourism levy, VAT, sandblasting damage, personal accident insurance, one additional driver, third party liability insurance, windscreen damage waiver, tyre damage waiver, general liability insurance, location surcharge, undercarriage damage*, rim and hubcap damage.

This insurance does not include fuel, refundable rental deposit, environment contract fee, one-way drop off charges and equipment charges, delivery and collection fees, traffic fine administration fee, child safety seats, GPS navigation, additional spare tyre rental or deposit.

* We do not recommend you drive Group B vehicles on the dirt and gravel roads of Namibia as their poor condition may damage the rental car.

Self Drive Tour Accommodation

We utilise mid-market or standard African lodge accommodation on this Windhoek to Victoria Falls Self Drive Tour. These will be a variety of lodge types, chalets or tented camps in national parks, either on the riverside or other interesting locations. Most feature private bathroom with a shower and toilet and some properties are equipped with swimming pools and/or bar areas.

Tour Meals

Breakfast will be available in the restaurants or dining areas of the accommodation establishments listed in the self drive tour package. If you have any special dietary requirements, please notify us ahead of time.

Tourist Visas

It is your responsibility to ensure you have have applied for and received in good order any visas you may require to legally enter Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe before your tour departure date.

Travel Insurance

Kindly note that travel and cancellation insurance is a mandatory requirement for all of our guests and obtaining this insurance is your sole responsibility. You must ensure that you arrange insurance with protection for the entirety of your trip covering personal injury, damage and loss of personal items, such as but not limited to cameras and other electronic items and accessories, loss or theft of luggage, medical costs, repatriation costs, etcetera. For more information see our Travel Insurance guide or talk to one of our travel experts for assistance with obtaining suitable travel insurance.