Unique Tours and Safaris' self-drive safari "Between Zambezi and Okavango" explores Namibia's Kavango and Caprivi Regions as well as the Kalahari in north-western Botswana

Photo: Sunset over the Kavango River - near Rundu, Namibia

From Namibia, Across Borders

Between Zambezi and Okavango

14 Day/13 Night Accommodated Self-drive Safari through Namibia's Kavango and Caprivi Regions as well as north-western Botswana
from/to Windhoek via north-eastern Namibia's wildlife parks and nature conservation areas along the Zambezi, Kwando and Okavango Rivers to the Okavango Panhandle, Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert in north-western Botswana

This roundtrip through neighbouring regions of northern Namibia and northern Botswana presents the traveller with the unrivalled beauty of both countries' water worlds that are teaming with game and birdlife. Explore the Caprivi Strip, Namibia’s semi-tropical wildlife paradise surrounded by the Zambezi, Chobe and Kwando Rivers. Follow the road all the way down the panhandle of the famous Okavango Delta into the Kalahari, one of the world's most multi-facetted deserts. Meeting people from different ethnic groups along the route is an integral part of this tours.

Although this safari can be done on a camping-only basis, Unique Tours & Safaris recommend that first-time visitors utilise lodges. A combination of camping and dining in nearby restaurants is another viable option for those unfamiliar with shopping facilities located far apart. The driving is easy though, predominantly on tar roads - ENJOY!

Unique Tours & Safaris, Namibia

Contact Heike by Email:
info@unique-tours-safaris.com

Web: www.unique-tours-safaris.com

P. O. Box 1301
Swakopmund/Namibia
Cell:  +264-(0)81-2122580
Tel/Fax: +264-(0)64-406313
NTB-Registration: TFA 00107

Between Zambezi and Okavango

14 Day/13 Night Accommodated Self-drive Safari through Namibia's Kavango and Caprivi Regions as well as north-western Botswana
from/to Windhoek via north-eastern Namibia's wildlife parks and nature conservation areas along the Zambezi, Kwando and Okavango Rivers to the Okavango Panhandle, Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert in north-western Botswana

This programme is also available as:
- self-drive & camping tour

Special vehicle rental conditions and cross-border fees will apply to this safari.

Day 1     Windhoek
Upon arrival at Hosea Kutako (Windhoek International) Airport, take over your rental vehicle. Traveling through Windhoek en route to your accommodation, you might like to do some sightseeing right away. Your first destination is situated in the middle of the bush, a mere 10km north of town.
Immanuel Wilderness Lodge - Windhoek
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Khomas Region
Today’s accommodation lies just outside Windhoek and offers you a place to arrive and relax.
Please note: No fresh produce incl. meat may be taken into Botswana!
 

Optional alternative lodging:
Charlotte’s Guesthouse - Budget
The Elegant Guesthouse - Tourist Class
Hotel Heinitzburg - Upmarket
Düsternbrook Guestfarm - Camping

Day 2     Windhoek - Waterberg Plateau
Traveling north via Okahandja and Otjiwarongo, you can reach the Waterberg Plateau area within half a day's drive. For sightseeing, a stop at the wood carvers market in Okahandja is recommended, where some very nice wooden and stone figures are on offer. Once at Aloe Grove, you have the opportunity to admire some of Namibia's predatory cat species from close quarters, during an optional guided activity. Allow yourself to be spoilt by your hosts exceptional hospitality and enjoy the magnificent vistas from the lodge.
Aloe Grove Safari Lodge - Otjiwarongo
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Otjozondjupa Region
Aloe Grove lies 1 630 m above sea level and affors a 360 ° view over the vast savannas and the Waterberg Plateau.

Optional alternative lodging:
Otjibamba Lodge - Budget
Frans Indongo Lodge - Tourist Class
The Babson House - Upmarket
Frans Indongo Lodge - Camping

Day 3     Waterberg Plateau - Rundu/Kavango River
Today, you are going to enter the water-rich realms of north-eastern Namibia and have your first encounter with one of the world's most unusual rivers near Rundu: The Kavango, - further south, in Botswana, to become the Okavango -, that originates in the highlands of Angola represents the Namibian/Angolan border. Here it is still relatively slow flowing and its opposite banks are still close enough to catch a glimpse of Angola. Although not deep enough for larger boats and ships and treacherous for its crocodile populations, the perennial Kavango is busy with fishermen in traditional dug-out canoes, with locals doing their washing, and motor-boats carrying shopping loads to lodges and villages along this stretch to the east and west of Rundu.
The riverine forest surrounding your accommodation is ideal for bird watching on foot, and sunsets over this impressive river are a wonderful backdrop for enjoying relaxing sundowners.
Kaisosi River Lodge - Rundu
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Kavango Region
Kaisosi Lodge is situated 7 km east of Rundu on the banks of the perennial Kavango River. Various activities can be pre-booked on request.

Optional alternative lodging:
Tamboti Lodge - Budget
Sarasungu River Lodge - Tourist Class
Hakusembe River Lodge - Upmarket
Kaisosi River Lodge - Camping

Days 4 and 5     Rundu - Mahango Game Reserve
Proceeding in a south-easterly direction, you leave the Kavango River behind, only to re-join it again in the Divundu area. The river by then is heading from north to south, after taking a 90 degree turn, and towards a series of steep rapids named Popa Falls.  A short distance further south along the river, towards the border with Botswana, lies the Mahango Game Reserve. Although comparatively small, it is traded as one of the most beautiful game reserves by regular visitors of Namibia and famous for its numerous wildlife, amongst which rare species such as the roan antelope are found.
To make your visit convenient without having to sacrifice luxuries, the Mahangu Safari Lodge will be home for two days.
Mahangu Safari Lodge - Caprivi
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Basis
Kavango Region
Mahangu Safari Lodge is situated next to the Mahango National Park 22 km south of the town of Divundu, at the western banks of the Kavango River.

Optional alternative lodging:
Popa Falls Camp - Budget
Ndhovu Safari Lodge - Tourist Class
Divava Okavango Lodge - Upmarket
Mahangu Safari Lodge - Camping

Days 6 and 7    Mahango Game Reserve - Bwabwata Nat. Park - Kwando River
The next leg of your journey takes you through the Bwabwata National Park, formerly named Caprivi Game Park. It covers most of the Caprivi's panhandle, the area between the Kavango and the Kwando Rivers. Originating from Angola, the Kwando divides the Caprivi Strip from the Caprivi Head and flows all along the border shared by Namibia and Botswana. Its name later changes from Kwando to Mashi, and Linyanti and eventually it becomes the Chobe River that joins the Zambezi further to the east. On an island in the Kwando River nests your next destination.
Camp Kwando - Caprivi
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Caprivi Region
The island accommodates eight thatched tents built on poles with a terrace overlooking the river, which will allow you to do some optional fishing from the deck. Explore this area in a range of optional activities

Optional alternative lodging:
Mazambala Island Lodge - Tourist Class
Lianshulu Lodge - Upmarket
Camp Kwando - Camping

Day 8     Kwando River - Popa Falls

Today, you are back-tracking via Divundu to the Kavango River for one overnight near the Popa Falls in order to allow for an early departure to Botswana the following morning. Enjoy an optional excursion by boat for viewing the Popa Falls  and for some excellent bird watching or simply take in another stunning sunset over the Kavango River from the comfort of your accommodation.
Ndhovu Safari Lodge - Caprivi
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Basis
Kavango Region
The lodge lies close to the Popa Falls on the western banks of the Kavango River, overlooking the well-known Bwabwata National Park.

Optional alternative lodging:
Popa Falls Camp - Budget
Ndhovu Safari Lodge - Tourist Class
Divava Okavango Lodge - Upmarket
Ndhovu Safari Lodge - Camping

Day 9     Popa Falls - Mahango - Shakawe/Botswana - Okavango Panhandle    
With only the Mahango Game Reserve situated between the lodge and the Namibia/Botswana border, an early departure today provides the opportunity to enjoy some more game viewing in Mahango, before you cross the border into Botswana. Proceed south along the western side of the river whose name changes from Kavango to Okavango River inside Botswana. Here is splits into two main channels that are inter-connected by smaller side-channels in various places and dotted with peaceful scenic lagoons. The main waters pick up speed and the river's flood plains increasingly become wider, before it branches out into a maize of channels further south - this is the Okavango Panhandle that feeds the Okavango Delta.
You find your next accommodation near the village of Shakawe. Participation in an optional afternoon boat excursion is highly recommended, as the Okavango Panhandle provides a very special river experience and wonderful bird watching opportunities. A special attraction next to a large Giant Fish Eagle population are the Carmine Bee-Eaters that breed in huge colonies in the river banks.
Shakawe Fishing Lodge - Botswana
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Botswana, Okavango Panhandle
The lodge stands on the bank of the Okavango River. It offers a circular thatched boma, used as a bar/dining room, adjacent to a small lily-covered lagoon that's behind the splash pool.

Optional alternative lodging:
Drotsky’s Cabin - Budget
Xaro Lodge - Tourist Class
Shakawe Fishing Lodge - Camping

Days 10 and 11     Okavango Panhandle - Maun/Okavango Delta
After travelling around the far south-western reaches of the Okavango Delta on a tar road, you reach the thriving town of Maun, starting point of many a safari into the Okavango Delta.
How about taking a scenic flight across the Delta with its myriad of palm-tree dotted islands and large wildlife populations that migrate on uncountable criss-crossing game trails across this water wonderland? How about taking in the very special atmosphere of the delta while silently gliding through the glass-clear waters of inter-twined channels lined by 2m tall papyrus and across lagoons covered by water lilies in a Mokoro, a traditional dug-out canoe hewn from a single tree trunk?
Unique Tours & Safaris can make many such fantasies of the unique Okavango Delta become reality - you just have to let us know what’s on your mind.
Maun Lodge - Maun
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Maun Botswana
Maun Lodge is situated on the doorstep to the Okavango Delta.

Optional alternative lodging:
Motsentsela Tree Lodge - Tourist Class
Audi Camp - Upmarket
Audi Camp - Camping

Day 12     Maun - Ghanzi/Kalahari
Heading west from Maun today on a tar road, you soon experience the grip of the Kalahari on the landscapes of Botswana. As soon as you leave the Okavango Delta behind, flat and mostly barren expanses dominate the scenery. You cross the legendary Lake Ngami - first mentioned to the outside world by Dr Livingstone, before he went on to discover the Victoria Falls - on our way to Ghanzi, the only town in western Botswana.
Optional afternoon activities are on offer at your accommodation but perhaps you might just like to spend the remainder of the day updating your travel diary in its quiet and relaxing surroundings.
Tautona Lodge - Botswana
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Ghanzi, Botswana
Tautona Lodge is situated some 5 km north of Ghanzi. With two swimming pools it is a most welcome retreat from the relentless Kalahari sun.

Optional alternative lodging:
Thakadu Bush Camp - Budget
Kalahari Arms Hotel - Tourist Class
Tautona Lodge - Camping

Day 13     Ghanzi - Gobabis Area/Namibia
Say your fare-wells to Botswana and take the road back to Namibia. Via Buitepos border post you enter Namibia and travel westwards through the mostly dry landscape's on the edge of the fascinating Omaheke Desert. Close to the town of Gobabis and yet still away from the crowds lies your next destination. Enjoy the sounds of the bush and Namibia's bright starry skies that seek comparison for another night, before you return to Windhoek and the familiar scenery of civilisation.
Kalahari Bush Breaks - Gobabis Area
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Omaheke Region
Kalahari Bush Breaks provides you with a choice of adventure activities and will leave with more lasting impressions of rural Africa's soul-touching tranquillity, natural beauty, and cordial hospitality.

Optional alternative lodging:
Goba Lodge & Rest Camp - Budget
Zelda Game & Guestfarm - Tourist Class
Harnas Guestfarm - Upmarket
Kalahari Bush Breaks - Camping

Day 14     Gobabis Area - Windhoek/Departure
A half-day's drive on a good tar road takes you back to Namibia's capital city, Windhoek, and your flight's departure time permitting, with opportunities for some last-minute souvenir shopping and lingering over a drink at one of the cosy street-side cafés.
Expect to have falling in love with this part of Africa and to finding it not very easy to return to your daily routines. We would certainly not be amazed to see you again sooner rather than later...

Services Included in this programme, on a SELF-DRIVE basis:
- Accommodation as indicated above
- Activities indicated as included above
- Meal basis as indicated above
- Vehicle rental from/to Windhoek - 14 days:
  Daihatsu Terios - for accommodated safaris

  OR

  Toyota Camping Vehicle equipped for 2 - for camping safaris

  • Incl. unlimited mileage
  • Incl. insurance cover as per vehicle rental company utilised

Not included are:
- Flights & Visa/Permits of any kind
- Sightseeing programme & entrance/park fees
- Optional activities

- Additional meals & all beverages
- Fuel for rental vehicle
- Purchases and expenses of a personal nature

No GUIDED version of this Botswana safari available.

An indication of the approximate cost of services included in this 14-day tour:
SELF-DRIVE:  Daily rate per person sharing rental vehicle & room: N$1310

CAMPING:  Daily rate per person sharing camper rental & camp site: N$1010

All prices are based on service supplier rates valid until 31 October 2012