Chameleon Holidays & Travel for Safaris & Vacations in Africa | Namibia And Beyond To Victoria Falls Self Drive (14 days)

Namibia And Beyond To Victoria Falls
14 Days - Camping and Accommodated Self Drive

A wonderful 14 day self drive trip, exploring the best of what Namibia has to offer - from deserts, to the magnificent Etosha National Park and then onward through the "wet" region of the Caprivi - a huge contrast to the desert mountains and plains in the early stages of your trip.  The trip will finish in Livingstone where you can stand in awe and appreciate the mighty Victoria Falls.  A great introduction to Southern Africa for those with 2 weeks available 

Day 1  Windhoek- 1night bed and breakfast
Upon arrival at the airport you will collect your vehicle and drive to Windhoek.   Depending on your flight you may have time to explore the capital city and see the sights. Tonight you will be based in a bed and breakfast style guesthouse near the centre of the city. Overnight twin bedded room with en-suite facilities. Bed and breakfast only, all additional meals at own expense

Day 2&3  Sesriem- 2night camping
Enjoy stunning scenery on the drive to the Sesriem, the main campsite and entry to the famous sand dunes of Sossusvlei. Upon arrival, you can relax by the pool, head to the nearby Elim’s Dune for sunset, and the following day rise early to venture into the dune fields. If you have a 4x4 you can drive all the way into Sossusvlei, if not, you need to walk the last section or take a private shuttle service. Once here, you can spend several hours wandering around and climbing the dunes, or resting under the shade of the trees appreciating the scale and beauty of the area. Ensure you visit nearby Dead Vlei, where ancient and skeletal camel thorn trees stand on the white pan with the backdrop of orange sand dunes and blue sky, a photographers delight. Return to camp and later this afternoon you may wish to visit the nearby Sesriem Canyon. Overnight camping only, if Sesriem campsite is full then another campsite in the area will be utilised.

Day 4 Bed & Breakfast, Swakopmund - 1night bed and breakfast
Drive through the desert to Swakopmund today. Head to the coast and maybe visit Walvis Bay Lagoon en route to Swakopmund, a RAMSAR wetland site where numerous birds including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans and the endemic damara tern reside. From here it’s a short drive to Swakopmund. This coastal town is also the activity centre of Namibia and you can enjoy optional activities such as a dolphin cruise, sand boarding, quad biking, scenic flight over the desert, dunes and shipwrecks, sky diving – this list is long. Alternatively, Swakopmund is an ideal place to sit back and relax with a coffee and cake and watch the world go by, pick up fresh supplies and plan for the next section of your journey. Accommodation tonight is in twin bedded rooms with en-suite facilities on a bed and breakfast basis, close to the centre of town.

Day 5              Twyfelfontein, Damaraland – 1night camping
Some wonderful scenery on the way to Twyfelfontein today through the ancient lands, Twyfelfontein is home to one of the largest collections of rock art in Southern Africa and a local guide will ensure you learn about some of the history of the region as well as the artwork. Tonight is spent at a local community run camp, on the edge of a dry riverbed; keep your eyes open as sometimes the elusive desert elephant wander through this region.  Camping only

Day 6-9  Etosha National Park - 3night camping
Onward to Etosha, one of the best game reserves in Southern Africa and home to many species of game including lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, hyaena, giraffe and many types of antelope including the endemic black faced impala as well as over 300 species of birds. The park itself stretches for 22,000 sq kms and includes the endless shimmering Etosha Pan. Etosha rarely disappoints. You will be camping in or around the park for 3 nights (depending on availability). Each rest camp has its own swimming pool, floodlit waterhole, shop, restaurant and bar – just in case you’ve had enough of cooking. Camping only, should the park campsites be full then campsites just outside the park will be used.

Day 9 Rundu - 1night camping
Depart after breakfast and from here you head north to Rundu. There is a significant change along the way as more villages and more people are apparent, cattle and goats graze by the side of the road as the area has much more of a water resource. N’Kwazi Lodge is situated on the riverbank overlooking Angola and depending on what time you arrive, you may have a chance to join an optional activity of a river boat cruise for sunset (optional and can be booked when you arrive). Overnight camping, if you wish to eat in the restaurant (own expense) the meals are simple home style, but good!

 
Day 10 Ngepi Camp - 1night camping
Drive towards the Caprivi Strip today and head south at Divundu and Ngepi Camp is situated around 20kms south of this small town. Located on the Kavango River, the river that feeds the mighty Okavango Delta in Botswana, the accommodation is in rustic tree houses with views over the river so you can listen to the sounds of the fish eagles and hippos calling. There is a wooden deck to relax on to while away the time, an unusual swimming pool or you may prefer to head into the nearby Mahango National Park, one of the more wild parks of Namibia and have the chance to see buffalo, red lechwe and sable, animals dependant on water that you certainly won’t see in Etosha. Tree house accommodation only, all meals at own expense (you can also enjoy the locals singing and dancing after dinner if you wish -optional extra)

Day 11 East Caprivi - 1 night camping
Today drive through the Caprivi Strip and Game Park keeping your eyes open for animals such as elephant that may cross your path. Tonight you will be based on the Kwando River overlooking Botswana. You may choose to take an optional game drive to Mudumu National Park, visit a local village to learn about their way of like, enjoy a boat trip or simply relax on the deck overlooking the river, it’s a beautiful spot. Overnight camping on the banks of the Kwando, you can prepare your own meals or take them in the restaurant.   singing and dancing after dinner if you wish – optional extra)

Day 12&13 Jolly Boys Backpackers, Livingstone - 2night accommodation
At Katima Mulilo you will drop off your vehicle and cross into Zambia, collecting a private transfer.  You'll head over the Zambezi River and onto Livingstone where you will be based for the last two nights of your trip. The town has a complete African feel and is just 10kms from the mighty Victoria Falls. You will have ample time to visit the falls and take in their splendor and take part in optional activities such as helicopter or microlight flights over the falls, a visit to Livingstone Island, elephant back riding, or for the more adventurous bungi jumping, gorge swinging or white water rafting. Overnight accommodation in twin bedded rooms. Accommodation only.

Day 14 Flight
Today you transfer to Livingstone airport in time for your onward flight.( Transfer not included)