Self-Drive Tours
A 17-day Namibia, Botswana & Victoria Falls route by rental car — planned for you, driven by you.
Self-Drive Tour
If you want a completely independent trip, travelling by rental car is just right for you. Note: this is only a possible example — we gladly custom-make your individual dream holiday!
A warm welcome to Namibia! A Red Earth Safaris representative meets you at the airport, discusses your trip, hands over your travel documents and answers any questions. Then pick up your rental car (a four-wheel-drive vehicle with 2 spare tyres). Today you drive east through Gobabis to the Kalahari Bush Breaks Lodge, ~87 km east of Gobabis, to relax in typical Afrikaans style. Travel time ~3 hours on ~300 km of tarred roads.
Included: Meet & greet, rental car, travel package with map and handy odds and ends, accommodation with dinner and breakfast.
After a leisurely breakfast, cross the border into Botswana. Some nationalities require a visa in advance, others get it at the border — see our travel tips. Tonight you stay at Palm Afrique Lodge near Ghanzi. Travel time ~3 hours on ~250 km of tarred roads.
Included: Overnight stay with dinner and breakfast at Palm Afrique Lodge.
From Ghanzi continue north toward Maun on the A3 until you reach Leopard Plains. Relax by the pool, enjoy a canoe trip, a guided game drive or a hike. The following day we recommend a tour to the nearby Makgadikgadi or Nxai Salt Pan National Park. Travel time ~4.5 hours on ~390 km of tarred roads.
Included: Overnight stay with dinner and breakfast in a luxury tent at Leopard Plains.
Continue east to the idyllic Nata Lodge, where you can take a tour of the Sowa Salt Pan or book a guided tour. Travel time ~2.5 hours on ~250 km of tarred roads.
Included: Overnight stay with dinner and breakfast at Nata Lodge.
Today’s destination is Chobe Safari Lodge on the banks of the Chobe River, which forms the border between Botswana and Namibia. A sundowner boat trip guarantees spectacular wildlife viewing in one of Africa’s richest wildlife areas. Travel time ~4 hours on ~320 km of tarred roads. The next day, a guided excursion to the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe — “Thundering Smoke” — one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Please check whether you need a Zimbabwe visa in advance.
Included: 2 nights with dinner and breakfast at Chobe Safari Lodge, sundowner boat trip, guided tour to Victoria Falls.
Drive through Chobe National Park to Ngoma and cross into Namibia. The route takes you through the Caprivi (Zambezi) Strip to Kongola, then south to Kazondwe Camp on the banks of the Kwando River. The strip is only ~35 km wide in places, yet enriches dry Namibia with beautiful wetlands and wildlife. Travel time ~3 hours on ~250 km of tarred roads.
Included: Overnight stay in a luxury tent with dinner and breakfast at Kazondwe Camp.
Drive back to Kongola and west to Bagani/Divundu. The lodge sits south of Divundu, just before Mahango National Park on the Kavango River. We recommend a private drive to Mahango (part of Bwabwata National Park) for elephants, buffalo herds, lions and huge baobabs. Travel time ~3 hours on ~250 km of tarred roads. The next day begins with a boat trip and breakfast served on board.
Included: 2 nights with dinner and breakfast at Mahangu Lodge, boat trip with breakfast on day 10.
Drive on the B8 via Rundu toward Grootfontein to the Wildacker guest farm, a family home-away-from-home with a beautiful garden. Relax by the pool or explore on a hike. Travel time ~4.5 hours on ~320 km tarred and 60 km sandy roads. The next day we recommend the Living Museum in Grashoek (San/Bushmen), the Hoba meteorite (one of the largest in the world, ~50–60 tons) and the old Schutztruppe fort museum in Grootfontein.
Included: 2 nights with dinner and breakfast at Wildacker.
Via Otavi, Otjiwarongo and Omaruru to AiAiba, set in the Erongo Mountains — an ancient volcanic crater ~130 million years old. The San lived here until ~500 years ago, leaving numerous well-preserved rock paintings to discover on a hike or guided tour. Travel time ~6 hours on ~450 km tarred and 100 km sand/gravel roads.
Included: Overnight stay with dinner and breakfast at AiAiba.
Cross the world’s oldest desert, the Namib, to the old German colonial town of Swakopmund — ~1.5 hours in an air-conditioned car (the early settlers took ~12 days by ox wagon). Swakopmund offers palm-lined streets, a beach promenade and well-preserved colonial architecture. The next day is open for activities: desert tours, catamaran trips, scenic flights, quad biking, sandboarding, paragliding, skydiving and kayaking among the seals at Walvis Bay. Travel time ~2.5 hours on ~60 km gravel and 120 km tarred roads.
Included: 2 nights with breakfast at The Delight Guesthouse.
Return to the warmer interior via Usakos, Karibib and Okahandja (visit the wood-carving market) to Okapuka Safari Lodge, 30 km north of Windhoek, with good chances of seeing white rhinos, giraffe and antelope. Travel time ~4 hours on ~330 km of tarred road.
Included: Overnight stay with breakfast at Okapuka.
Your holiday comes to an end. Drive ~1 hour to the international airport, return your rental car and take your flight home. On the way it is worth visiting the Arts & Craft Centre in Windhoek. Please be at the airport 3 hours before departure.
Contact us!
Contact us for questions or bookings — we design the perfect, tailor-made safari for you.