1 Month Botswana & Namibia Self-drive (Jnb-Wdh)

After picking up your vehicle and camping equipment in Johannesburg, travel 2 ¹/₂ hours north to spend the night at Matamba Bush Campsite in the Waterberg area, conveniently situated for entering Botswana the next day.

Cross into Botswana, driving as far as the Khama Rhino Sanctuary – a community run project aimed at re-introducing rhinos into the wild. KRS is actually a small game reserve and is situated around a pan. Game viewing can be very rewarding here, and many visitors consider the Khama Rhino Sanctuary to be one of the highlights of their trip. The campsites are attractively set around Manketti trees.

Drive to the Makgadikgadi Pans area. You will cross the pan to Lekhubu (Kubu) Island, a grassy vegetated island arising out of the flat expanse of nothingness. The campsites on Lekhubu are on the western edge of the island.

Head to Planet Baobab – a traditionally styled grass hut village shaded by giant baobab trees which are lit up at night. Camp for the night here.

Leave your vehicle at Planet Baobab while you do a guided overnight trip to Ntwetwe Pan. Visit the meerkats on the way, where you have the opportunity to get close to these incredible creatures. After that you board quad bikes at the edge of the pan and drive out to where you will camp – on the pan itself. As the sun goes down, you will enjoy a barbeque dinner, before snuggling into your bedrolls under the Makgadikgadi night sky. Return to Planet Baobab the following morning after breakfast.

Drive to Maun where you stock up on supplies ready for your trip to Moremi and Chobe. Spend the next night at Crocodile Camp on the outskirts of Maun by the Thamalakane River.

Today you will do a half day mokoro (dug-out canoe) guided trip into the Delta. Your guide will show you the fauna and flora of the delta area as you meander along the channels and waterways. The trip includes a packed lunch and you will leave your vehicle at the lodge, returning back in the late afternoon.

Drive to Moremi Game Reserve – on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Moremi is on the edge of the Okavango Delta and is one of the most spectacular wildlife destinations in Africa. Spend two nights camping at Khwai campsite.

Travel through the Chobe National Park, spending the next two nights at the famous Savuti campsite. Savuti is famous for its elephants, lions and hyenas, all of which visit the campsite area.

Drive along the riverfront to Kasane where you spend the next two nights at Kubu Lodge. In the afternoon you will do a sunset river cruise along the Chobe River. This is a highlight of many a visitor’s trip to Botswana, and amazing sights such as elephant crossing the river to feed on the grassy islands are never forgotten.

Today you will do a day trip to the Victoria Falls, leaving your vehicle at the lodge.

Cross the border into Namibia spending the next night camping at Chobe River Campsite, by the Chobe river just across from the Chobe National Park on the Namibian side.

Spend the next two nights camping in the BwaBwata National Park (previously Caprivi Game Reserve). BwaBwata is still seen as a well-kept secret among travellers in Namibia. You will camp at the beautifully located Nambwa campsite overlooking the Mashi River.

Drive to the western Caprivi, spending the next two nights at River Dance Lodge 20km west of Divundu. Accommodation is in a water front chalet overlooking the river. River Dance features stunningly designed wooden and glass rooms, nestled amongst trees overlooking the river.

A visit to the Etosha National Park is one of the highlights of travelling Namibia.  Etosha covers an area of more than 22 000 sq kms – its centre being a vast saltpan surrounded by grass and thorn savannah, Mopane bushland in the west and dry forest in the north-east. Spend the first night at Tamboti campsite in Onguma Game Reserve to the east of Etosha

Continue to Okaukuejo inside Etosha for the second night – there are water-holes scattered throughout this area and form the basis of life for countless game.

The final night is in the west of the park at Olifantsrus Campsite. Here you will find a high diversity of plant and animal species – including the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra which does not occur in the eastern side of the park.

Drive to the picturesque Damaraland area, spending the next two nights at Madisa Campsite. Attractions in the area include the Twyfelfontein rock paintings, the Petrified Forest, and the Organ Pipes (angular dolorite columns up to 5m high).

Drive to Swakopmund, Namibia’s famous coastal town. Accommodation is at The Stiltz on a bed & breakfast basis. Swakopmund is a very interesting town, with old German architecture and a distinct character. On the first morning you will do a “Living Desert Tour” – a unique guided tour which brings the desert to life.

Travel to the Sossusvlei area of the Namib Naukluft Park. Your next night is spent at Sesriem campsite in the protected area. Camping at Sesriem means you will be able to get to the Sossusvlei dunes at sunrise when photography is at its best.

Drive through spectacular scenery to the NamibRand Nature reserve where you spend two nights at Namibrand Hideout campsite – one of the most spectacular campsite locations in all of Namibia.

Head north Windhoek where you return the vehicle before spending the final night at The Olive Grove Guesthouse before heading to the airport in the morning for your flight out.