9.4/10 based on 42 reviews

About the Namibia and Botswana Self Drive Trip

An adventurous 24-day self-drive 4×4 trip through the untouched Namibian Desert, combined with a safari past the animals and nature of Botswana. You will discover these two special countries in Southern Africa, Namibia, and Botswana, on this 4×4 safari. It is a perfect combination of wild, untouched nature in Namibia and adventurous wildlife reserves in Botswana. The itinerary includes places like the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, Spitzkoppe, the Etosha National Park, the Chobe National Park and the Moremi Game Reserve (in the Okavango Delta). In the wildlife reserves of Botswana you will definitely see all the safari animals in a real African bush setting. And for example camp in the middle of Botswana’s nature.

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)

Alternative 24 days itinerary:

If you wish you can also book our alternative Namibia and Botswana tour. This tour is including the salt pans and the remote Kubu Island.

Customized tour:

We are happy to customize this tour to your personal wishes. Just contact us by email or telephone.

Moremi Game Reserve Botswana
Rhino South Africa and Botswana
Chobe National Park Botswana Selfdrive4x4

Itinerary

  • 1: Windhoek
  • 2: Sesriem
  • 3: Sossusvlei/Solitaire
  • 4: Swakopmund
  • 5: Spitzkoppe
  • 6: Ugab Rhino
  • 7: Twyfelfontein
  • 8: Etosha National Park (Okaukeujo)
  • 9: Etosha National Park (Halali)
  • 10: Etosha National Park (Namutoni)
  • 11: Rundu
  • 12: Okavango Delta (Ngepi)
  • 13: Okavango Delta (Ngepi)
  • 14: Kasane (Botswana)
  • 15: Kasane (Victoria Falls)
  • 16: Chobe National Park
  • 17: Chobe National Park (Ihaha)
  • 18: Chobe National Park (Savuti)
  • 19: Moremi Game Reserve (Khwai)
  • 20: Moremi Game Reserve (Third Bridge)
  • 21: Maun
  • 22: Ghanzi
  • 23: Windhoek (Namibia)
  • 24: Return flight
house icon white 5 nights Lodge / B&B
tipi tent icon white 18 nights camping
car icon white 23 days 4x4 car rental

Route & itinerary

24days
1

Day 1: Windhoek

This is the first day of your self-drive adventure through both Namibia and Botswana. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be collected by our partner, the car rental agency, and you will receive your car. After an extensive instruction round and the processing of formalities, your self-drive journey is on its way. The first night is planned in Windhoek so that you have plenty of time to get used to the car. Windhoek is also the place where you will have to do most of your shopping and build a storage for your trip. There are plenty of smaller shops along the way, but no major supermarkets. You stay at Arebbusch Travel Lodge.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: arrival day.

2

Day 2: Sesriem

If you did your shopping on day 1, you can start early with the trip to Sesriem and the Namib Desert (Namib Naukluft Park). You will travel through Solitaire and you may reach Sesriem as early as the start of the afternoon. You will be camping at the Seriem campsite.

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 with the sand dunes and Sesriem your journey takes you to the next destination: Swakopmund, at the Altantic Ocean shore. The road crosses the Kuisib Canyon and the extensive gravel fields of the Namib Desert. Early in the afternoon you will arrive in Swakopmund. Accommodation is a B&B so that you don’t have to pitch the tent. There are plenty of restaurants in Swakopmund as well. You stay at Desert Breeze.

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

5

Day 5: Spitzkoppe

After breakfast in the B&B you will have time to discover Swakopmund and/or do some shopping, if necessary. Then, you’ll continue to the next destination of this self-drive journey: the pointy rocks of Spitzkoppe. On the way to Spitzkoppe you will have the opportunity to visit the seals at Cape Cross (which is a detour of about 130 km). You stay at Spitzkoppe.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 140 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. You stay at Ugab Rhino Camp.

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.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 95 km.

8

Day 8: Etosha National Park (Okaukeujo)

From Twyfelfontein your Namibia and Botswana journey continues to Etosha National Park. You will remain in this expansive wildlife reserve for three nights, in three different rest camps. In Etosha, you have a huge chance of encountering various wild animals, including elephants, rhinos and lions. The lit-up drinking places with the rest camps are good recommendations. They can be reached on foot from the camp. You stay at Okaukuejo.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 240 km.

9

Day 9: Etosha National Park (Halali)

A second day in Etosha National Park. You can make an early morning game drive and return to Okaukeujo, or alternatively you can break up camp immediately and start the game drive towards Halali. If you choose for a short game drive around Okaukeujo camp, you can also brunch afterwards and then break up camp. If you do, though, you will obviously arrive in Halali later. You stay at Halali.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 100 km.

10

Day 10: Etosha National Park (Namutoni)

The third day of your stay in Etosha National Park. This day also includes and extensive game drive towards Namutoni. And you can again choose to start early for a short game drive around the camp, or to break up camp directly and continue on to Namutoni. This might also depend on how long you stayed at the lit-up watering hole in Halali, which gives you the opportunity to spot many remarkable animals. It is not uncommon to see hyenas, lions, or even a leopard here. Camping at Namutoni restcamp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 100 km.

11

Day 11: Rundu

In the morning, you have time for a final game drive from Namutoni camp. Then, you can break up camp and will leave Etosha National Park. The road to Rundu consists of tarmac. You can stop along the way at the Hoba meteorite and you can buy supplies in the city (Grootfontein). B&B accommodation at n’Kwazi Lodge.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: 420 km.

12

Day 12: Okavango Delta (Ngepi)

The journey to Ngepi Camp, located at the Okavango River in the pan handle of the Okavango Delta, is a simple but long journey of 425 km. You will pass through various settlements and souvenir shops where locals offer many goods. You stay at Ngepi Camp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 425 km.

 

13

Day 13: Okavango Delta (Ngepi)

Second day at Ngepi Camp. An entire resting day at Ngepi Camp. It is possible to relax today, or you can go on an activity. Various excursions are offered at Ngepi Camp, often on the water of the Okavango Delta.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: resting day.

14

Day 14: Kasane (Botswana)

After the resting day in the Okavango Delta Pan Handle you continue east with the 4×4. Today’s destination is Kasane in Botswana, located on the Namibian-Zambian-Zimbabwean border. You stay at Senyati or Chobe Safari Lodge.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 475 km.

15

Day 15: Kasane (Victoria Falls)

Second day at Senyati. An entire day to spend freely. You can make a day excursion to the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or drive around Chobe National Park for the day.

Accommodation: camping. Complete travel distance to Victoria Falls: 160 km.

16

Day 16: Chobe National Park

A second day in and around Kasane, on which you can make a morning game drive in Chobe National Park. In the heat of the afternoon, we can advise you to rest, and later in the afternoon you can make a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. From the water you will have a perfect view of all the safari animals that visit the Chobe River banks to drink at the end of the day (on the border of Chobe National Park). You stay at Chobe Safari Lodge.

Rather than visit Victoria Falls for a day, you can also cross the border by car and stay in Victoria Falls for two nights. These costs are not included in this itinerary.

Accommodation: Lodge. Travel distance: resting day.

17

Day 17: Chobe National Park (Ihaha)

For today your Namibia and Botswana tour is a short drive in terms of distance through Chobe Park. You will be driving along the Chobe River. Although the distance is less than 40 km, the journey can take multiple hours. This is a true game drive, and with some luck you will see various big safari animals. It is not strange to see lions, elephants, and bison next to the herds of antelopes. Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 38 km, duration about 2 hours. You stay at Ihaha.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 38 km.

18

Day 18: Chobe National Park (Savuti)

After the Chobe Riverfront you continue south and deeper into Chobe National Park. You will need the 4×4 on the sandy tracks there. In the afternoon you’ll arrive in Savuti, which is well-known for the many Bull Elephants and the Savuti Lion Pride in the Savuti Marsh. The Savuti Channel, which runs through the area and enters into the Savuti Marsh, has been dry for many decades, but the last few years have seen flowing water running through. In the afternoon, you will have sufficient time for an extensive game drive and further discover this remarkable Botswana landscape. You stay at Savuti.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 130 km.

19

Day 19: Moremi Game Reserve (Khwai)

The 4×4 journey from Savuti to Khwai in the Moremi Game Reserve is one big game drive with many animals. We advise you to start early so you can make a game drive loop around the Savuti camp before moving on to the Moremi Game Reserve. In the afternoon you will arrive at North Gate and the Khwai campsite. After setting up camp, you can relax and make an evening game drive along the Khwai River. You stay at Khwai North Gate.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 120 km.

20

Day 20: Moremi Game Reserve (Third Bridge)

After a morning game drive you will continue in the Moremi Game Reserve to the second camp, Third Bridge, at the edge of the Okavango Delta. This day will also be filled to the brim with game drives and spotting the many safari animals of the Moremi Game Reserve. You have a good chance of seeing lions, hyenas and leopards. Elephants and antelopes will also be there. The camps in Botswana do not have fences, so the animals will visit the camps at night and during the day. You stay at Third Bridge.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 55 km.

21

Day 21: Maun

After the morning day drive, this self-drive 4×4 journey takes you back to civilisation. After 4 nights of game reserves you will now experience the comfort of a chalet with the lodge in Maun. A welcome change. You stay at Discovery B&B.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance 130 km.

22

Day 22: Ghanzi

From Maun the journey back to Windhoek starts. In the morning, you can do some shopping or sleep in. You can also take a flight above the Okavango Delta. The trip to Ghanzi, in the centre of the Kalahari Desert, is an easy one: after the sand tracks of the reserves, this road consists of tarmac. You stay at Palm Afrique.

On your way to Ghanzi you can visit Kuru Art in D’Kar. You can meet the artist and buy some nice crafts at the craft shop.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance 300 km.

23

Day 23: Windhoek (Namibia)

In the morning, you will have time to do something around Motswiri, like visiting the Kalahari Desert Bushmen. They offer educative walks to learn more about their history and habits. This excursion is not included in the itinerary and should be booked in advance. From Ghanzi you will be driving back to Windhoek. Return the 4×4 car in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel. You stay at Arebbusch Travel Lodge.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance 530 km.

24

Day 24: Return flight

The last day of this self-drive 4×4 safari across Namibia and Botswana. You will then have some time for souvenirs, for example with the craft centre in the middle of town. At the end of the afternoon you can return the car, and after dealing with the formalities you will be brought to the airport for your flight back to Europe.

Your custom self drive 4×4 itinerary

All our self drive trips can be adjusted to your personal requirements. Staying somewhere for a day longer or adding another destination is not a problem.
Ask us about the possibilities and we are happy to help you!

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.

Prices

Prices per person for various dates in 2024 and 2025. The Namibia and Botswana 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.

5 January - 19 March, (2024)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 2.335,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 1.930,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 1.605,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 490,- per trip.

20 March - 30 June, (2024)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 2.495,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.045,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 1.680,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 490,- per trip.

1 July - 10 November, (2024)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 3.085,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.475,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 2.055,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 490,- per trip.

11 November - 4 January, (2025)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 2.495,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.045,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 1.680,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 490,- 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
Upgrades to Toyota Landcruiser or 4x4 camper instead of roof tent
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