After landing in Windhoek, the rental company meets you at the airport for the 4x4 handover. A full vehicle briefing comes first. Then the journey begins.

The first night stays in Windhoek on purpose, leaving time to settle in, buy supplies nearby and get familiar with the 4x4.

You stay at Arebbusch Travel Lodge.

If the shopping is already done, leave early for Sesriem and the Namib Desert in Namib-Naukluft Park.

The road runs via Rehoboth and Remhoogte Pass. You reach Sesriem in the afternoon.

You stay at Sesriem Campsite.

Keep the full day for Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Leave early and reach the dunes around sunrise, when red and orange sand throws long shadows across the desert.

The return drive to the dunes is around 120 kilometres. Afterwards, continue roughly 110 kilometres from Sesriem towards the foot of Spreetshoogte Pass.

You stay at Camp Gecko.

After the nights around the dunes, the route turns towards the Atlantic coast. Drive through Kuiseb Canyon and across the broad gravel plains of the Namib Desert.

Reach Swakopmund during the afternoon. On gravel, a measured pace matters. Keep to a maximum of 80 kilometres per hour.

Sandboarding is one of the optional activities on offer.

You stay at Desert Breeze B&B.

After breakfast, there is still time to explore Swakopmund or buy supplies.

Then continue to the granite formations of Spitzkoppe. Walk, scramble over the rocks or simply take time for the landscape.

You stay at Spitzkoppe Restcamp.

Today the road runs deeper into Damaraland. First, turn back towards the coast for the Cape Cross seal colony.

Then continue to the community-based Ugab Rhino Camp. Desert elephants sometimes move through the area around camp.

You stay at Ugab Rhino Camp.

The 4x4 has more work to do today. The route towards Twyfelfontein follows tracks where four-wheel drive, low range and the supplied GPS can be useful.

The distance is short, but progress is slow. Give the route the full day. The first section includes sharp stones, so there is no reason to rush.

Ostrich, oryx and several antelope species may appear along the way. Black rhino also live in the area, although sightings are less predictable.

You stay at Mowani Campsite.

From Twyfelfontein, continue to Etosha National Park. Spend three nights here, each at a different rest camp.

Elephant, rhino and lion are among the animals you may encounter. The floodlit waterholes at the rest camps can be reached on foot.

Your first night is at Okaukuejo Restcamp.

Your second day in Etosha can start with an early game drive around Okaukuejo.

Return for brunch before packing up, or continue directly towards Halali.

Halali also has a floodlit waterhole. Hyena, elephant and rhino are regularly seen here.

You stay at Halali Restcamp.

The third day in Etosha becomes another extended game drive, this time towards Namutoni.

A stop at the viewpoint on the salt pan is well worth it. Leave early and add another loop around camp, or pack up and continue east straight away.

You stay at Namutoni Restcamp.

There is still time for a final morning game drive from Namutoni before leaving Etosha.

The road to Rundu is tarmac. Stop at the Hoba Meteorite or buy supplies in Grootfontein if needed. Roadside souvenir stalls appear along the route as well.

You stay at n’Kwazi Lodge.

The drive to Ngepi Camp is straightforward and relatively short.

Ngepi Camp sits on the Okavango River at the beginning of the Okavango Delta panhandle.

In the afternoon, visit Mahango National Park if you choose.

You stay at Ngepi Camp.

A full rest day at Ngepi Camp.

Stay at camp or join one of the activities on the Okavango River with a local guide. There are several excursions on the water to choose from.

You stay again at Ngepi Camp.

After the rest day, continue east towards Kasane in Botswana, close to the borders with Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

You stay at Senyati. Its floodlit waterhole regularly brings elephants close to camp.

Stay another night at Senyati and keep the full day open.

A day trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is possible. You can also return to Chobe National Park for another full game-drive day.

Today stays in and around Kasane.

Use the morning to buy food and fuel for the next four days in the bush. Around the hottest part of the day, slow the pace.

In the afternoon, you can take a sunset cruise on the Chobe River from around three to six. From the water, watch animals move towards the riverbanks at the end of the day.

You stay at Chobe Safari Lodge Campsite.

The distance is short, but the drive through Chobe National Park can take several hours.

Follow the Chobe River and treat the journey as a full game drive.

Alongside the many antelope species, lion, elephant and buffalo may appear.

You stay at Ihaha Campsite.

Today the route turns south and deeper into Chobe National Park.

The tracks become sandier and the 4x4 has a clear role here. Reach Savuti during the afternoon.

This part of Chobe is known for bull elephants and the Savuti Pride around Savuti Marsh. The Savuti Channel runs through the area and into the marsh.

There is time for an extended afternoon game drive.

You stay at Savuti Campsite.

The drive from Savuti to Khwai is another long game drive.

An early start leaves room for one more loop around Savuti before continuing into Moremi Game Reserve.

Reach North Gate and Khwai Campsite during the afternoon. Once camp is set up, slow down or head out for an evening game drive along the Khwai River.

After a morning game drive, continue through Moremi Game Reserve towards Third Bridge on the edge of the Okavango Delta.

The entire day revolves around game drives. Lion, elephant, antelope, hyena and leopard are among the animals you may encounter.

Campsites inside Botswana’s parks are unfenced, so wildlife can move through camp by day and night.

You stay at Third Bridge Campsite.

After the morning game drive, return towards more settled areas.

Four nights in the wildlife areas are followed by fixed accommodation in Maun.

You stay at Discovery B&B.

The return towards Windhoek starts from Maun.

An early scenic flight over the Okavango Delta is possible before leaving. Then continue to Ghanzi in the Kalahari.

After the sandy park roads, longer sections of tarmac return. If you arrive in time, you can join an activity with the Bushmen or visit Kuru Art in D’Kar.

You stay at Palm Afrique Campsite.

Cross back into Namibia and return to Windhoek.

During the afternoon, return the 4x4 to the rental company. You are then transferred to your hotel or B&B.

You stay at Arebbusch Travel Lodge or another B&B.

The final day of the journey.

Depending on your flight time, there may still be room to buy souvenirs, for example at the craft centre in Windhoek.

You are then transferred to the airport.