After landing, the rental company collects you at the airport and takes you to the 4x4 depot for the handover and vehicle briefing.

The first night is in Windhoek. This gives you time to settle in, get familiar with the 4x4 and buy supplies for the days ahead. Later in the route, supermarkets are generally smaller.

You stay at Arebbusch Travel Lodge.

Leave early for Sesriem and the Namib Desert in Namib-Naukluft Park.

The route runs via Remhoogte Pass and through changing landscapes. Reach Sesriem in the afternoon.

You stay at Sesriem Campsite.

A full day for Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. An early start gives you the dunes in first light, when red and orange sand throws long shadows.

The drive back to the dunes is around 120 kilometres. Another roughly 110 kilometres from Sesriem takes you towards the foot of Spreetshoogte Pass.

You stay at Camp Gecko.

After the days around Sesriem, the route turns towards the Atlantic coast.

Drive through Kuiseb Canyon and across a wide gravel plain to Swakopmund.

You stay at Desert Breeze. In the evening,visit one of the restaurants in town.

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

Then continue to the distinctive rock formations of Spitzkoppe.

You stay at Spitzkoppe Restcamp.

Drive through Damaraland towards Twyfelfontein.

On the way, you can visit the Organ Pipes and Petrified Forest.

You stay at Mowani Campsite.

Today you reach Etosha National Park, where you spend three nights at three different rest camps.

Elephant, rhino and lion are among the animals you may encounter around the roads and waterholes.

Okaukuejo’s floodlit waterhole is within walking distance of camp. This is your first overnight stop in Etosha.

Your second Etosha day 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, lion and leopard are among the animals seen here.

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

Leave early and add another loop around Halali, or pack up and continue east straight away.

Namutoni also has a floodlit waterhole.

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

Then leave Etosha behind. The road to Rundu is tarmac and relatively straightforward.

On the way, stop at the Hoba Meteorite and buy supplies in Grootfontein if needed.

You stay at n’Kwazi Lodge.

Drive to Ngepi Camp on the Okavango River in the panhandle of the Okavango Delta.

The drive is long but simple. Several villages and roadside souvenir stalls appear along the way.

You stay at Ngepi Camp.

A full rest day at Ngepi Camp.

Relax at camp, swim in the floating swimming pool or book an activity on the water.

A mokoro trip and a sunset cruise are both easy to arrange.

A long drive to Maun lies ahead.

After eight camping nights, you return to a B&B. Maun is a useful place to deal with practical matters, buy supplies and fill up with diesel before the wildlife areas.

A scenic flight over the Okavango Delta is one possible activity.

You stay at Discovery B&B.

Third Bridge Campsite on the edge of the Okavango Delta is today’s destination.

After crossing the Buffalo Fence, the day becomes a long game drive. Lion, 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.

The 4x4 route from Third Bridge to Khwai is one long game drive.

Leaving early gives you more time during the cooler morning hours. Reach North Gate and Khwai Campsite in the afternoon.

Once camp is set up, slow down or head out for a sunset game drive along the Khwai River.

From Moremi, continue north deep into Chobe National Park.

The sandy tracks give the 4x4 a clear role here. Reach Savuti in 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 still time for an extended afternoon game drive. You stay at Savuti Campsite.

Today follows a rougher sandy drive to Ihaha on the Chobe River.

You can add another morning game drive before leaving.

Along the river, antelope are joined by possible sightings of lion, elephant and buffalo.

You stay at Ihaha Campsite.

Continue to Kasane on the Chobe River.

Wildlife can appear along the route. Elephants are regularly seen around waterholes.

You reach Senyati Camp later in the day. A sunset cruise on the Chobe River is possible.

Return the 4x4 to the rental company in the morning.

Then transfer with a driver into Zimbabwe. Reach your hotel in Victoria Falls around midday.

Depending on your flight, Livingstone in Zambia can be used as an alternative endpoint. In that case, you stay at Zambezi Waterfront.

You stay at Bayete Guest Lodge.

A full day in Victoria Falls and a second night at Bayete Guest Lodge.

Stay at the hotel, join an excursion, raft the Zambezi or visit Victoria Falls.

The final day of the journey.

This morning, you'll be transferred from the hotel to the airport for your flight home.