Namibia and Botswana trip | Self-drive Namibia and Botswana

Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city. It is also the economic heart of South Africa, home to all the major financial and industrial companies. Johannesburg was founded following the discovery of gold in the Witwatersrand in 1886. At that time, the Witwatersrand lay within the borders of the South African Republic, of which Paul Kruger was president. The Republic had been established in consultation with the British government, which was administering the Cape Province at the time. Following the discovery of gold, control of the region became a matter of dispute.
Johannesburg’s city centre is colourful, lively and exotic, with its diverse cultural offerings. Of particular interest is the ‘Carlton Centre’ on Commissaris Street. This skyscraper was built in the 1970s, stands 220 metres tall and remains the tallest building in Africa. On the top floor is a viewing platform called ‘The Best of Africa’. From a height of 202 metres, you can enjoy an impressive view over Johannesburg.
Outside the city centre, in the Fourways district, you’ll find the new theme park “Monte Casino”, whilst “Gold Reef City” is situated in the south of the city. Here, you can learn about the history of gold mining in an entertaining way. The new Apartheid Museum is also well worth a visit. And if you’re looking for the best shops in the country, head to Mandela Square in Sandton.

Gauteng is South Africa’s smallest province, but it is the commercial and administrative heart of the country and indeed of the whole of southern Africa.
The name Gauteng is the Sotho name for ‘Place of Gold’. In fact, a huge gold vein was discovered in this province in 1886, and gold quickly became the foundation of the national economy. During mining operations, further riches were unearthed, such as diamonds and coal.
But Gauteng is more than just cities, money and politics. For example, the Sterkfontein Caves were designated a World Heritage Site after bones dating back no less than 3.5 million years were found there. This site is also known as the Cradle of Humankind.

One of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth, South Africa, affectionately known to locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', has 11 official languages, and its people are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover Cape Town's gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches. Enjoy a local braai (barbecue) in the community of Soweto, browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban, or taste some of the world's best wines at the numerous wine estates scattered across the Cape Winelands. Some historical attractions to explore include the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all, the untamed wilderness is amazing: wildlife roams freely across huge unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park.

Situated in the heart of the largest sand plain on Earth, the Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most astonishing and complex environments, home to a vast variety of wildlife. Unique as one of the world’s few inland deltas, its calm waters and lush native forests provide a safe haven for countless birds and other wildlife. The Okavango Delta offers a range of activities for visitors, including safaris, birdwatching and fishing. You can experience this magical world of islands and waterways from land, from the water or from the air.
Highlights include the elusive sitatunga antelopes that have found refuge in this unspoilt wetland ecosystem, whilst birds such as the African fish eagle, the furred fish owl and many others put on a spectacular display.

Despite recent and surprisingly rapid modernisation, Botswana's cities offer few tourist attractions. However, this is more than made up for in the surrounding desert areas of outstanding, natural beauty. The main attraction is undoubtedly the vast red expanse of the Kalahari Desert and its remarkably beautiful Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world that provides a haven for an abundance of African wildlife. Other highlights include the impressive Makgadikgadi salt pans with massive zebra migrations during the flood season; the Savuti plains where large packs of lions live; and the Tsodilo Hills, where 4,500 petroglyphs form an extraordinary story of human habitation over many millennia.

One of the biggest attractions in Africa and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world are the Victoria Falls on Zambezi River. The Victoria Falls is the only waterfall with a length of almost a kilometre and a height of about 100 metres. The waterfall lies as a piece of natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and is called Mosi oa tunya, the smoke that thunders. From here, the adventurous among you can also conquer the Zambezi in a splashing white water rafting excursion with water rapids like "the devils washing machine". There is also the opportunity to take a chilling plunge down a bungee jump from the bridge at the falls. But a "Flight of the Angels" by helicopter, ultralight or small plane will also be a lasting memory. This sightseeing flight is called The flight of the Angels because, according to the discoverer of the falls, Dr Livingstone, even angels flew around here to witness this beautiful natural phenomenon.

Zimbabwe is a country in Africa and borders Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana. Its area is 390,580 square kilometres, making it 9.4 times the size of the Netherlands. The country is known for its pristine nature and wildlife parks. The landscape is hilly and has some mountainous areas. Major attractions are therefore Lake Kariba, the Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls.

With its well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders, exploring Namibia is truly a delight. Visit the capital Windhoek and the beautiful coastal town of Swakopmund to discover remnants of the country's German influence, reflected in its architecture, culture, gastronomy and annual Oktoberfest celebrations. To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you need to get out of town in search of the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon Park; the sprawling Etosha National Park filled with local animal species, such as desert lions, desert elephants and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the terrifyingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and, of course, the Namib Desert that stretches for almost 1,000 km along the beautiful Atlantic coast. Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in uniquely beautiful unspoilt wilderness.

Sossusvlei is where you’ll find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib Desert. The clear blue skies contrast with the gigantic red sand dunes, making this one of Africa’s natural wonders and a perfect spot for photographers.
As well as the attractions near Sossusvlei such as Dune 45, Hiddenvlei, Big Daddy and Deadvlei, other sights in the area include the Sesriem Canyon and the Namib-Naukluft National Park.

Swakopmund is a small town on the Atlantic coast and has a distinctly German character. Even today, German is still widely spoken there, and you can order Kaffee mit Kuchen in a genuine Konditorei.
There’s plenty to do in and around Swakopmund. An hour’s drive to the north takes you to Cape Cross, home to a sea lion colony numbering many thousands of animals. The noise is deafening and the smell isn’t always pleasant, but the sight of these thousands of animals is certainly worth it. You can also visit the beach; horse riding, skydiving and even a hot-air balloon ride are among the options.
It’s definitely worth exploring the marine life on a catamaran, where dolphins swim alongside the boat, pelicans dive into the sea in search of fish, and sea lions come to take a look from Cape Cross.

Maun is the starting point for most expeditions in the Okavango Delta and, as a result, has developed into a bustling metropolis regarded as the tourist capital of Botswana.
Since Maun was founded in 1915 as the tribal capital of the Batawana people, it has had a reputation as a ‘Wild West’-style town. However, this changed with the growth of the tourism industry and the completion of a tarmac road to Nata in the early 1990s. Maun has developed rapidly and lost much of its old-town character. It is now home to around 30,000 people.
The name Maun is derived from the San word ‘maung’, which means ‘the place of short reeds’.

The Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) is the only place on earth where four countries border. The region lies at the centre of one of Africa's largest and most famous game viewing areas. The abundance of water supplied by the Zambezi, Okavango, Kwando and Chobe Rivers creates a wide variety of wildlife and bird species. There are four Namibian reserves and no fences so animals can move freely between the countries.

Bwabwata National Park encompasses the West Caprivi Triangle around Kongola, the Mahango Game Reserve, Popa Falls and the Buffalo core area. The park covers 6,100 square kilometres and is intended to rehabilitate wildlife populations that have been decimated by poachers. Consequently, there are many rangers in the park and monitoring is extensive. This, in turn, provides employment for the local Caprivian people. It is thanks to places such as Bwabwata that there has been a steady increase in the number of Namibian wildlife, including a number of rare species. The best time to visit the park is in October, when the animals gather around the remaining waterholes along the Kwando River.

Bordering Angola and on the banks of the Okavango River, in northern Namibia, is the city of Rundu. The city serves as the capital of the eastern Kavango region and is known for its local woodcarving market and the many logging huts on the side of the road. The town is a great stopover to refuel for when you are on your way to Katima Mulilo, as well as an excellent base to explore the beautiful surrounding areas. Nearby, you can enjoy Popa Falls and the Mahangu Game Reserve. Other popular activities include; safaris, bird watching and kayaking along the spectacular Kavango River.

The Panhandle is a stretch of the Okavango River and the main water source of the Okavango Delta. The Panhandle follows a more or less straight course for about 70 kilometres before it enters the wetlands. It is a deep channel that offers excellent opportunities for tiger and bream fishing, while the surrounding forests and shallow waters of the river are teeming with a large number of birds. Several villages are scattered along the Panhandle, and about 40 kilometres west lie the Tsodilo Hills, with their abundance of tribal cave paintings, some dating back 20, 000 years. There are also a number of renowned river camps that offer tourist accommodation.

Enjoy the stunning landscapes of Damaraland Enormous, untamed and rugged, Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape of open plains and spectacular rock formations. The main attractions are Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip and the Petrified Forest. In addition, this gigantic area is home to desert elephants, among others, which have fully adapted to the living conditions of this rugged landscape.

The central Namibian highlands are much cooler and less extreme than the arid lowlands that make up the majority of the country. This is an ideally suited area for cattle breeding, and more recently large and small game breeding.

This region of Namibia takes its name from the Okavango River on which Rundu's main town is built. Unlike much of the country, the Kavango region receives sufficient rainfall for cultivation.

Northern Namibia stretches from the remote Kunene River in the west of the country to the densely populated region of Ovamboland in the north-east. Central Ovamboland forms part of Namibia’s vast Kalahari system and is home to one of Africa’s largest wildlife parks, Etosha National Park. The park offers phenomenal opportunities for wildlife viewing, and travellers can look forward to visiting the spectacular Etosha Pan.
Damaraland lies in the north-west, featuring some of the most impressive rock art adorning this rugged landscape. Further east, the Caprivi stretches for over 450 kilometres and is Namibia’s most tropical region. It serves as a corridor for African elephants migrating to Angola. Northern Namibia is a remote wilderness with incredible landscapes and magnificent wildlife, making it more than worth visiting.

The Namib Desert, or simply the Namib, is considered to be the oldest desert in the world. This sandy desert, approximately 200 kilometres wide, stretches from north to south along Namibia’s Atlantic coast for a distance of around 2,000 kilometres, from Angola in the north to the Orange River in the south. However, when people refer to the Namib, they usually mean the sea of sand that stretches between Lüderitz and Swakopmund. This sea of sand was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013.
The Namib Desert forms part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, which is Africa’s largest wildlife reserve. In the centre of the desert lies Sossusvlei, a picturesque valley where water occasionally collects. Together with the neighbouring Dodevlei, Sossusvlei is one of the country’s major tourist attractions.

Twyfelfontein is the name of a spring and the valley in which it lies, in the mountains of Damaraland in Namibia. When white farmers settled in the region in 1947, the spring proved less reliable than expected. It sometimes provides water and sometimes does not. Time and again, people wondered whether there would be water or not. That is why the spring was given the name Twyfelfontein.
The valley owes its international fame to the countless rock paintings and engravings found on the rocks. The drawings were created by the San people and are in some cases thousands of years old. There are at least 2,500 inscriptions and several thousand drawings on the rock faces, dating from 300 BC to the 19th century. Most of the engravings depict animals such as gemsboks, lions, elephants and goats. Some show tracks and geometric figures, which are thought to indicate watering holes.

Bordering Botswana, the small Mahango Game Park offers a convenient stopover between Rundu and Katima Mulilo. It forms part of the stunning Bwabwata National Park. The park’s landscape is characterised by forests and the vast floodplains of the Okavango River basin. It is home to 99 species, including large numbers of elephants, lions, leopards and a variety of antelopes. This park is an excellent destination for keen birdwatchers, with over 400 species, and also offers the perfect spot for visitors to catch a glimpse of crocodiles and hippos in the Kavango River.
Other popular activities include night game drives, wildlife safaris and admiring the African sunset over the floodplains.

In the vast, arid expanse of northern Namibia lies one of Southern Africa’s most beloved game reserves. Etosha National Park offers an excellent opportunity to spot wildlife in one of Africa’s most accessible locations. Zebras and springboks are scattered across the endless horizon, whilst the numerous waterholes attract the endangered black rhinoceros, lions, elephants and large numbers of antelopes.
Etosha, meaning ‘place of dry water’, encompasses a vast plain (or pan) of approximately 5,000 km². The ‘Pan’ forms a vast, parched, silvery-white backdrop of shimmering mirages in an area of semi-arid savannah grassland. The pan itself only holds water after very heavy rainfall – sometimes for just a few days a year – but this is enough to stimulate the growth of blue-green algae, which in turn attract thousands of flamingos.

Etosha West, located in the western part of Etosha National Park, is a new addition to this world-renowned nature reserve. Visitors to Etosha West can look forward to exploring the beautiful Namibian landscape to the north, which is characterised by lush undulating terrain and reddish-brown soil, providing a stark contrast to the white, dusty clay soil on the vast plains of Etosha East. The area has numerous waterholes that attract elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions and several species of animals. Don't miss this chance to catch a glimpse of the rare Hartmann's Mountain Zebra and black-faced impala.

Located just south of the Etosha National Park border, Etosha South forms the southern region of this wild paradise. Ongava Private Game Reserve shares the southern border with Etosha National Park and offers a range of luxury lodges overlooking picturesque landscapes dotted with abundant flora and fauna. The national park can be accessed via the southern entrance at Andersson's Gate. Visitors can catch a glimpse of a variety of wildlife including: lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino. Popular activities include game drives, tracking rhinos on foot, guided nature walks or watching the sunset over this beautiful landscape.

The Okavango River is one of the grandest rivers in southern Africa. The river starts in Angola and runs south-east to Nambia and forms parts of the Angola/Namibia border. You can visit the beautiful waterfalls Popa Falls, a popular attraction. You will find these just before the river enters Botswana. The area around the river is known for wild vegetation, spectacular scenery and lots of wildlife. The river offers 150 different species of fish and is surrounded by 400 different birds. This makes the river a well-known fishing destination and popular for bird watching. There are plenty of activities to do on and around the river. For instance, you can take a boat cruise, visit the many surrounding reserves or visit the town of Rudu which is an important town in the Kavango Region.

Windhoek, Namibia's capital, is surrounded by beautiful mountains, fertile farmlands, lodges and luxury guest farms. The landscape of the Greater Windhoek area surrounding this bustling city is characterised by vast valleys, thick bush, rocky hills and a golden savannah. Visitors can enjoy the many birds, and view large amounts of other wildlife to the north.Also be sure to visit the more arid eastern part with its olive and potato plantations; explore the rolling hills of the Khomas Hochland Mountains in the west of Greater Windhoek and enjoy the epic views along a number of scenic passes leading to the high plateau, including Bosua Pass, Gamsberg Pass and Spreetshoogte Pass.

Set just outside the south-western border of Etosha National Park, Etosha Heights Private Reserve offers enthralling landscapes, a huge variety of flora and fauna, and a wide range of thrilling activities. Vast savannah, rivers, forests, Mopani woodland, salt pans and dolomite hills spread themselves over the 60,000-hectare area. Numerous safaris and game drives offer the chance to see kudu, lion and the elusive mountain zebra (in the hills) and sable, black-faced impala, giraffe, aardvark, elephant and many more (around the waterholes). Visitors can also take night drives and bush picnics. A double-storey photography hide allows close-up encounters with an incredible diversity of gorgeous birdlife and animal life. Fantastic luxury facilities are provided by the accommodation options.

The small village of Divundu is located about 200 kilometres east of Rundu on the south-eastern banks of the great Okavango River. Divundu is known for its prime location from which to explore the river, game parks and national reserves of the area. Take boat or heifer safaris to fish or visit the Mahango Game Park, filled with herds of elephants, as well as hippos, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes and many other animals. The spectacular Popa Falls are a must-see. They are basically a series of cascades tumbling through the split rocks. Divundu is an idyllic base for exploring Botswana and the Okavango Delta.

Khomas Hochland, also known as the Khomas Region, is a high, hilly plateau in Namibia with the country's capital, Windhoek, at its heart. Characterised by vast grasslands and watched over by the table-topped Khomas Mountain (the fourth highest in Namibia), the area provides the perfect place for hiking, wildlife spotting, and photography. The night skies are especially clear here. Oryx and mountain zebra, as well as numerous other small animal species, can be spotted, along with a variety of indigenous plant species. There are also numerous fascinating rock formations to see. The Khomas Hochland Conservancy is decorated by numerous hiking trails which wind through rocky crags, deep gorges, and across beautiful green plains. There are several routes on offer, catering to different levels of stamina, including some multi-day trips.

Surrounded by Botswana, Angola and Namibia. Caprivi West forms part of the Caprivi strip that protrudes from the northeastern corner of Namibia. Acquired by the then German South West Africa in 1890, to provide access to the Zambezi River, Caprivi has been used as a point of politico-strategic military importance throughout history. Alongside a rich historical significance, Caprivi offers both a wealth of natural resources and serves as a haven for an abundance of wildlife, including the critically endangered African wild dog. The stips' vast and flourishing natural landscapes make it a popular corridor for African elephant moving from Botswana and Namibia into Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In contrast, its lush, swampy terrains make it the only place in Namibia where one can spot the majestic Nile crocodile and the mighty hippo. Caprivi is a paradise for adventure seekers and nature lovers with free-roaming wildlife and postcard-perfect areas. Activities including game drives, walking safaris, canoeing and fishing on its serene waterways are plentiful. Birdwatchers will be overjoyed as they keep an eye out for the 400 bird species that soar above.