Compare Northern Namibia self-drive safari to Victoria Falls by Audley Travel vs Namibia to Victoria Falls Explorer by World Luxury Cruise Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 5,128 | $ 2,584 |
| Price Per Day | $ 342 | $ 172 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
14 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 11 Dinners |
| Description |
Namibia is completely different to any other African safari destination. Much of its wildlife has adapted to its dry desert landscape, including elephant and lion. It has the world’s highest dunes, where barking geckos, cartwheeling spiders and quick-tongued chameleons scuttle across sun-baked sand. And, it has a long coastline where you can kayak with seals and see the skeletal remains of ships sent awry by thick coastal fog. Our Africa specialists have explored the country in-depth, from Sossusvlei to the Skeleton Coast, and can help you plan a holiday to Namibia tailored to your interests. |
This adventure offers an abundance of scenic, wildlife and cultural attractions. In the Namib Desert, we walk the highest sand dunes of the world! Stand in awe of this surreal landscape among these high photogenic red dunes. From here we make our way to view the flamingos in Walvis Bay before exploring the German seaside town of Swakopmund. Game drives in Etosha National Park allow for a fruitful search of a plethora of wildlife. Next we venture into the Caprivi Strip and the wondrous Okavango Delta, and also enjoy a sunset game viewing cruise on the Chobe River. The journey concludes with the unforgettable sight of Victoria Falls. Experience this exciting route on a comfortable, fully serviced camping safari! |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Windhoek.
Day 2 : Windhoek
On arrival at Windhoek Airport you will be met by your driver and driven to your guesthouse in the centre of town. This afternoon our representative will meet with you to answer any last minute questions you may have and your vehicle will be delivered whilst they're present.
Day 3 : Central Highlands
Today your self drive adventure begins with the drive north to the Central Highlands. Here you will stay at the famous Okonjima Plains Camp - home of The AfriCat Foundation. We suggest you leave Windhoek early this morning so you can arrive at Okonjima in time for lunch and in time to enjoy the afternoon's activities (payable locally).
Day 4 : Etosha National Park
Today your journey continues to the eastern side of Etosha National Park. Here you will stay just outside the Von Lindequist gate for two nights at Mushara Bush Camp.
Day 5 : Etosha National Park
Today you can either drive back into the park yourselves or join one of the guides from Mushara and head into the park (payable locally) - with the expert eyes of your guide it is likely you will see more than if you were travelling on your own.
Day 6 : Rundu
You will drive onwards into the Caprivi today - the road is good quality tarmac so you should be able to make fast progress. Hakusembe has a lovely riverside location just outside Rundu and you might like to take an evening boat cruise (payable locally).
Day 7 : Popa Falls and Mahangu Game Park
Today is a relatively short drive to River Dance Lodge, very close to the border of Botswana. This National Park is incredibly varied combining both the aridness of the Kalahari with the lushness of the Okavango.
Day 8 : Popa Falls and Mahangu Game Park
Today you will have the chance to go on both a river cruise and also a game drive if you wish (payable locally) or alternatively explore under your own steam. There are more species of birds here than any other national park in Namibia as well as a number of larger mammals.
Day 9 : Popa Falls and Mahangu Game Park
A second day at River Dance Lodge.
Day 10 : Bwabwata National Park
Today your journey continues along the Caprivi Strip through the Bwabwata Game Park (formerly the Caprivi Game Park). As you exit the park turn south at Kongola and make your way to Mazambala Lodge. You will stay here for three nights.
Day 11 : Bwabwata National Park
A day on safari at Mazambala Lodge. You can either explore Mudumu and Mamili National Parks under your own steam, or join guided excursions (payable locally) from your lodge.
Day 12 : Bwabwata National Park
A day on safari at Mazambala.
Day 13 : Livingstone & The Victoria Falls
You'll continue along the Caprivi today to the border with Botswana where you will pass through immigration and drive to Chobe Safari Lodge. Here you will drop your car off and meet your driver from Waterberry Lodge. He will assist you over the border into Zambia where you will pay your visa fee, and drive you to the lodge.
Day 14 : Livingstone & The Victoria Falls
While you are at Waterberry there are a number of included activities. You can enjoy visits to Victoria Falls, Mosi O Tunya National Park or to local villages and craft markets. Birdwatching, fishing, picnic cruises and sundowners on the river are also available.
Day 15 : Livingstone & The Victoria Falls
A final day at Waterberry Lodge.
Day 16 : International return flight
This morning you will be transferred to Livingstone Airport.
Day 17 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Day 1: Windhoek
On arrival this afternoon in Windhoek, you have free time to explore the capital city of Namibia. Overnight Hotel Safari (or similar accommodation).
Day 2-3: Sesriem / Sossusvlei (approx 370 kms - 90 kms tarmac & 280 kms gravel/5 hrs drive)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We will be met at 10:00hrs in the reception area of the hotel for our transfer to Sesriem. Note that this transfer is operated by a local Namibian transfer service and is unescorted. Our journey takes us south through ever changing scenery to our campsite located on the edge of the Namib Desert, considered by many geologists to be one of the world's oldest deserts. The following morning is an early departure driving 70 kms (1 hr one-way), stopping in the dune belt to witness the changing colours of the world’s highest sand dunes. We undertake a 5km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. The name "Sossusvlei" is of mixed origin, and roughly means "dead end marsh". Sossusvlei owes this name to the fact that it is a drainage basin without outflows for the ephemeral Tsauchab River. The pan holds rainwater to form a lake and due to the high clay content of the ground, water is retained for long periods of time. Deadvlei is another clay pan, about 2 km from Sossusvlei. A notable feature of Deadvlei is that it used to be an oasis with several acacia trees. The pan is thus punctuated by blackened, dead acacia trees, in vivid contrast to the shiny white of the salty floor of the pan and the intense orange of the dunes. This creates a particularly fascinating and surrealistic landscape, that appears in uncountable pictures and that has been used as a setting for films and videos. In the afternoon we enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon, which is a natural canyon carved by the Tsauchab river in the local sedimentary rock, about a kilometre long and up to 30 metres deep. A portion of the canyon permanently contains water, which many animals use.
Day 4: Swakopmund (approx 380 kms/6 hrs drive)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Today we travel through the Kuiseb canyon, site of the famous book by Henno Martin, The Sheltering Desert before we stop off at Walvis Bay to view the flamingos (seasonal). The Walvis Bay wetlands - the lagoon, mudflats, shoreline and salt works - constitute the single most important coastal wetland in southern Africa for migratory birds. The wetland therefore serves mainly as a dry-season and drought refuge for migrating species like the Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Plover, Grebe and African Black Oystercatcher. We arrive in Swakopmund, a quaint beach town with a strong German influence and with a sizable part of its population still German-speaking today. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is German for "Mouth of the Swakop" as it is at the mouth of the Swakop River. We spend the afternoon and following day exploring this German colonial town or enjoying one of the numerous optional excursions (at own risk and own expense). Overnight in a local guesthouse.
Day 5: Spitzkoppe (approx 150 kms - 125 kms tarmac & 25 kms gravel/2 hrs drive)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Leaving Swakopmund after lunch we set up camp among the boulders of the Spitzkoppe Mountains. The afternoon is free to explore the stunning surrounding area on foot. Northeast of Swakopmund is the stark grandeur of The Spitzkoppe (sharp head), one of Namibia's most recognizable landmarks. The summit of this imposing granite rock formation (1,728m) was first scaled only in 1946, and its shape has inspired its nickname, The Matterhorn of Africa. The spectacular setting of our remote bushcamp is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Day 6-7: Etosha National Park (approx 530 kms/9 hrs drive)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We enter Etosha via the Western corridor and travel through the park to Okakeujo Restcamp. The Park was first established in 1907, when Namibia was a German colony known as South West Africa. At the time, the park's original 100,000 km² made it the largest game reserve in the world. Due to political changes since its original establishment, the park is now slightly less than a quarter of its original area, but still remains a very large and significant area in which wildlife is protected. This Park is one of the most important reserves and game sanctuaries in Africa with thousands of wild animals such as blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion and elephant making this area their home. Floodlit waterholes at Okakeujo & Namutoni Restcamps attract an abundance of animals throughout the evening, providing us with many amazing wildlife sightings. We enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives (approx 150 kms drive/12 hrs including lunch). Overnight Okakeujo & Namutoni Restcamps inside Etosha.
Day 8: Kavango River - Rundu (approx 420 kms/6 hrs drive)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a morning game drive we exit Etosha and travel to Rundu on the banks of the Kavango River. Our camp is set amongst the lush vegetation overlooking the Kavango River.
Day 9-10: Okavango Delta (approx 300 kms/5 hrs drive)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Continuing into the Caprivi we cross into Botswana and travel by road to our campsite on the edge of the Okavango Delta. The following day we do mokoro and boat excursions in the back channels of the Nxamasire area of the Delta. Game walks are also done on the smaller islands in the area subject to water levels of the delta.
Day 11: Kwando River (approx 310 kms/6 hrs drive)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Departing the Delta by boat we return to our vehicle and we cross back into Namibia. Driving through the Caprivi we set up camp on the banks of the Kwando River.
Day 12-13: Chobe River (approx 230 kms/5 hrs drive)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Continuing through the Caprivi we cross into Botswana and travel through the Chobe National Park setting up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of wildlife and birdlife. The following day we relax on a game viewing cruise on the Chobe River. A morning game drive in Chobe National Park is optional (at your own expense).
Day 14: Victoria Falls (approx 90 kms/3 hrs drive)
Meals: Breakfast
We travel across the Zimbabwean border to Victoria Falls, without doubt one of the greatest and most spectacular sights in Africa. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (otherwise known as Victoria Falls) is a UNESCO world heritage site. The Park covers 66 km2 from the Songwe Gorge below the falls in a northwest arc along about 20 km of the Zambian riverbank. Two countries - Zambia and Zimbabwe, share the magnificent falls. Nothing can compare to viewing the awesome power of 'The Smoke that thunders" for the first time. There will be plenty of opportunity to view the Falls 'up close and personal' by traversing the many walkways in and around the rain forest that surrounds the many view points (entrance fee own account). In the wet season, be sure to wear a raincoat as the spray can give you a thorough drenching! Victoria Falls is also the "adventure capital" of Southern Africa and there are many optional activities on offer to whet your appetite. These range from game drives in the nearby national park, scenic micro light or helicopter flights, or for the more adventurous white water rafting or bungi jumping. Victoria Falls also has many markets where you can browse for African curios. All lunches, dinners and optional activities will be at your own expense. Overnight Sprayview Lodge (or similar).
Day 15: Victoria Falls, trip concludes
Meals: Breakfast
Our tour ends today after breakfast.
