9.6/10 based on 53 reviews

Namibia and Botswana – Victoria Falls trip

A 19-day self drive 4×4 tour starting in Windhoek in Namibia and ending at the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. A compact ‘one way’ itinerary allows you to fully enjoy with limited travel distances.

During this 4×4 safari you are going to explore Namibia and the northern part of Botswana. A nice combination of wild and unspoiled nature.

In Namibia sand dunes, desert and rocks. An adventurous 4×4 track via Ugab Rhino to Mowani. Via the Caprivi Strip you will cross border into Botswana. There you will visit the Chobe National Park (waterfront).

At the end of this trip you’ll stay two nights in a nice hotel in Victoria Falls. On the itinerary of this self drive are among others the sand dunes at Sossusvlei, Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park, Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta (pan handle).

Advantages of self-drive 4×4 package trips

  • Inclusive support and professional advice safari trip
  • Inclusive GPS with Tracks4Africa software and all 4×4 waypoints and destinations for your trip
  • Inclusive CDW2 insurance with Zero Excess
  • A perfectly mapped route with optimal travel distances
  • SGR cover for pre-paid funds (incl. Sicherungsschein for Germany)

More time available? Check the 21 days Windhoek to Victoria Falls trip which does include Maun and the Moremi Game Reserve.

Spitzkoppe Namibia
Deadvlei Namibia
Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

Itinerary

  • 1: Windhoek
  • 2: Sesriem
  • 3: Sossusvlei/Solitaire
  • 4: Swakopmund
  • 5: Spitzkoppe
  • 6: Ugab Rhino
  • 7: Twyfelfontein
  • 8: Etosha National Park (Okaukuejo)
  • 9: Etosha National Park (Halali)
  • 10: Etosha National Park (Namutoni)
  • 11: Rundu
  • 12: Okavango Panhandle (Ngepi Camp)
  • 13: Okavango Panhandle (Ngepi Camp)
  • 14: Kongola and Camp Kwando
  • 15: Chobe National Park (Ngoma)
  • 16: Kasane
  • 17: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
  • 18: Victoria Falls
  • 19: Return flight
house icon white 5 nights lodge / B&B
tipi tent icon white 13 nights camping
car icon white 17 days 4x4 rental

Route & itinerary

19days
1

Day 1: Windhoek

The first day of your self drive tour through Namibia and Botswana. Upon arrival you will meet our partner of the car rental company for a transfer to the depot and for an extensive instruction and handling of formalities. The first night of the trip is planned in Windhoek so you have enough time to acclimatize and get acquainted with the 4×4. Windhoek is also the place where to buy a large part of your groceries for the self drive. You will stay at Arebbusch Travel Lodge.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: 5 km.

2

Day 2: Sesriem

When you did your shopping yesterday, you can start early today for the trip to Sesriem and the Namib Desert (Namib Naukluft Park). Your journey will bring you through the Remshoogte Pass and you arrive in Sesriem in the afternoon.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 330 km.

3

Day 3: Sossusvlei/Solitaire

A full day to visit the sand dunes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. It is advisable to start early in the morning, so that you are at the dunes in time for the sunrise. A breathtaking spectacle with red and orange colors and deep shadows. The journey up and down to the dunes is about 120 km. You spend the night at the foot of the Spreets Hoogte pass. This is about a 110 km drive from Sesriem. You will stay at the special Camp Gecko.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 230km

4

Day 4: Swakopmund

After two nights at the sand dunes and Sesriem your self drive trip through Namibia and Botswana now continues and the next destination is Swakopmund on the Atlantic coast, using the well known Solitaire and Kuisib Canyon. Accommodation is Desert Breeze bed & breakfast with a unique view. In Swakopmund, you can enjoy your dinner in a restaurant.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: 350 km.

5

Day 5: Spitzkoppe

After breakfast at the B&B you have time to explore Swakopmund and do some shopping if needed. Then drive to the next destination of this self drive trip, the jagged rocks and characteristic Spitzkoppe. You stay at Spitzkoppe Restcamp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 160 km.

6

Day 6: Ugab Rhino

Today, you will continue deeper and deeper into Damaraland. The beautiful vistas so typical for Namibia will accompany you on the road to the community based Ugab Rhino Camp. You might just be visited by the famous Namibian desert elephants here.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 200 km.

7

Day 7: Twyfelfontein

A special day on which you’re really going to need the 4×4 car. Adventurous tracks that can only be traversed with the 4×4 and GPS are copious today, on the road to Twyfelfontein through a landscape of unparalleled beauty in Damaraland. It would be wise to reserve the whole day for this trip, even though it’s relatively short: it is a real 4×4 track with correspondingly low speeds. You may see ostriches, oryx, various antelopes and maybe even the extremely shy black rhino. You stay at Mowani Camp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 95 km.

8

Day 8: Etosha National Park (Okaukuejo)

Today we are going to Etosha National Park. In total you spend three nights in three different rest camps in this huge wildlife park. Etosha shows you all kinds of wildlife including elephants, rhinos and lions. The floodlit waterholes at the rest camps are highly recommended. You can easily walk from the camp. You will be staying at Okaukuejo Restcamp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 340 km.

 

9

Day 9: Etosha National Park (Halali)

A second day in Etosha National Park. You can choose to make an early morning game drive and then return to Okaukeujo or to break up directly the entire camp and start the game drive towards Halali Restcamp. When you choose a short morning game drive around the Okaukuejo camp you can have brunch first and then break up the camp after returning. You will be staying at Halali Restcamp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 70 km.

10

Day 10: Etosha National Park (Namutoni)

The third day of your stay in Etosha National Park. Today again an extensive game drive towards Namutoni. And today you can choose between a walk around the camp or directly break up the camp and continue the self drive trip to Namutoni. It will also depend on how long you keep watching at the floodlit waterhole in Halali, this waterhole gives you a chance of seeing many special animals. It is not uncommon hyenas, lions and even to spot a leopard at this place. You will be staying at Namutoni Restcamp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 100 km.

 

11

Day 11: Rundu

In the morning you still have time for a game drive from the Namutoni camp. Then break up the camp and leave behind the Etosha National Park. The road N’Kwazi Lodge is asphalt. Along the way you can make a stop at the Hoba meteorite and you could do some shopping in the city (Grootfontein). You will be staying at N’Kwazi Lodge.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: about 230 km.

12

Day 12: Okavango Panhandle (Ngepi Camp)

The trip to Ngepi Camp located on the Okavango River in the “pan handle” of the Okavango Delta is a simple but long ride of 425 km. Along the way you will pass several villages and souvenir stalls where locals sell all kinds of goods. You will be staying at Ngepi Camp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 425 km.

13

Day 13: Okavango Panhandle (Ngepi Camp)

A full (rest) day at Ngepi Camp. It is possible to relax or to do an activity. Ngepi Camp offers various trips, often on the waters of the Okavango Delta. The Mekoro trip and the sunset cruise are popular activities here.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: resting day.

14

Day 14: Kongola and Camp Kwando

Today the journey continues via the Caprivi strip to the East. On the way to the Victoria Falls, the end of this self drive trip there are 3 stops. The first stop is in the Kongola area. You will then stay at Camp Kwando.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 220 km.

15

Day 15: Chobe National Park (Ngoma)

In Kongola you still have time to undertake an activity such as a boat cruise or a game drive. You then head for the next destination of this Namibia and Botswana trip. Chobe River Camp located near the Chobe National Park. You can relax in the camp and / or also join one of the guided activities like sunset cruiser or canoe trip.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 185 km.

16

Day 16: Kasane

Kasane at the Chobe River is your next destination, you can walk along the Chobe river side to the east. Along the way you will have a good chance to spot various animals. Elephants are regularly seen at the various waterholes. During the day you will arrive at the Chobe Safari Lodge. It is here to enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. You will be staying at Senyati Camp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 40 km.

 

17

Day 17: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

In the morning you return the car to the rental company. Then traveling on to Zimbabwe. Around noon you arrive at your hotel in Victoria Falls. You will be staying at Bayete Guest Lodge.

Accommodation: Hotel. Travel distance: 80 km.

 

18

Day 18: Victoria Falls

Another day at Bayete Guest Lodge. A full day to relax at the hotel, enjoy an excursion such as rafting on the Zambezi and of course to see the Victoria Falls!

Accommodation: Hotel. Travel distance: resting day.

19

Day 19: Return flight

The last day of the trip. During the morning you there will be a transfer to the airport from the hotel for the return flight home.

Changing the itinerary

It is always possible to adapt this journey to your personal wishes. Limiting the journey or adding an extra destination, is no problem at all.
We are happy to help!

Your 4x4 rental car

The default car is a Toyota Hilux 4×4 double cab 2.4 Diesel.

The Toyota Hilux double cab is the most perfect 4×4 rental car for a self-drive safari in Africa.

It has much space and comfort, and has sleeping places in the roof tent. This Toyota Hilux Double Cab 4×4 has a separate boot where you can safely store your travel bags, together with all the camping equipment for your self-drive journey in Southern Africa.

Available for both 2 and 4 people, the Hilux is the best choice. For travels with 5 people (two adults and three children) the Hilux double cab can also be used.

If you’re with just two people, the back seat is especially useful for photo bags, day packs and supplies.

It is possible to upgrade car at extra costs.

Check here all our 4×4 rental cars.

Rates

Prices per person for various dates in 2024 and 2025. The Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls Self Drive trip is available for 2 to 4 people per car. The default car is a Toyota Hilux 4×4 double cab 2.4 Diesel. The price for 5 people or more can for example be requested and depends on the local possibilities and space in the preferred car. 4×4 cars (Land Cruiser or 4×4 camper) other than the default 4×4 car are available upon request.

11 November - 4 January, (2025)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 2.495,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.005,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 1.725,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 360,- per trip.

5 January - 19 March, (2025)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 2.470,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.070,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 1.720,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 360,- per trip.

20 March - 30 June, (2025)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 2.670,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.110,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 1.830,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 360,- per trip.

1 July - 10 November, (2025)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 3.120,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.510,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 2.040,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 360,- per trip.

11 November - 4 January, (2026)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 2.630,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.120,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 1.820,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 360,- per trip.

Included

Toyota Hilux 4x4 Double Cab with complete camping & safari equipment
All accommodation during the journey
Two drivers
GPS & Tracks4Africa software
Advise by experienced self drive specialists
Airport transfers
Support

Not included

International Flights
Entry Fees
Fuel
Food & Drinks
Upgrades to fixed (luxury) accommodations
Upgrade to Toyota Landcruiser or Hilux 3.0 (automatic) or Toyota Fortuner (automatic)
Zero Excess insurance

Highlights

10 / 10

Skillful people

It was a really good experience and they are skillful to plan and give quick response with answers.

Good knowledge of Africa and the countries there. What to visit and they plan the trip so it suits the customer.
Quick response when you have questions.

Christer Jonson

10 / 10

Adequate hulp

Selfdrive4x4.com biedt adequate en deskundige hulp bij zowel het plannen van het reisschema, het regelen van autohuur en het daarbij horende papierwerk (verzekeringen, transfers) en het vastleggen van de camping- en lodge-locaties.

Anonymous

10 / 10

Perfect organization

Selfdrive4x4.com offers the perfect organization of the trip for selfdrivers.

Strengths

Very easy handling, good communication.

Franziska

10 / 10

Perfect

Perfect, I would recommend it to everybody to work together with it.

Strengths

Friendly people – very fast in answering questions – high knowlede about the things you need at your destination and for a 4×4 driving holiday – easy to comunicate with.

Improvements or suggestions

Right know for my use it was perfect. Especially since I am not next door, and just worked together via internet and phone.

 

Niedereder Raimund

10 / 10

We would recommend Selfdrive4x4.com to our friends

We booked a last minute 17 day self drive trip through Namibia with this company and everything was just perfect. Contact with the company was very pleasant and they kept us posted with updates about the progress of our trip. Gps, maps, book and 12V equipment was sent to our home as soon as our trip was confirmed.

Price wise it was a great deal and everything in Namibia (car and layovers) were to our satisfaction. We would definitely book again with this company and we would recommend it to our friends.

Reinier