Dunes to Falls: Self-Drive Safari

On arrival in Windhoek, you will be transferred to your accommodation at Galton House, where you'll be spending the night. You can look forward to a good night's rest on a comfortable bed and a sumptuous breakfast in the morning. Once you're all set, we'll deliver your 4x4 vehicle right to your accommodation, accompanied by a representative who will give you a thorough vehicle briefing, provide you with a personalised route map, and answer any questions you may have about your next few weeks exploring Namibia. You'll then be free to explore Windhoek, a city brimming with captivating German colonial architecture, at your leisure for the rest of the day.

After a hearty breakfast this morning, your adventure begins with a scenic drive of just over 300km to Sesriem, where you'll be staying at the Dead Valley Lodge for two nights, complete with dinner and breakfast. The lodge is strategically located to provide easy access to the awe-inspiring ancient dunes and the Namib Naukluft Mountains, perfect for leisurely strolls and exploration.

We highly recommend setting an early alarm on the morning of day 3, so you can discover the breathtaking landscapes of Sossusvlei. Marvel at the monumental, star-shaped dunes or perhaps climb to the top for a view of sunrise over the desert. While you're there, take some time to explore Deadvlei, where you'll find the iconic, twisted camel thorn trees, which have been dead for almost 900 years due to the sand sea blocking the river from flooding the pan. Later in the day, return to Sesriem and, if time permits, visit the Sesriem Canyon, a fascinating geological feature that's well worth seeing.

After breakfast this morning, set off on the 344km drive to Swakopmund, through mountain passes via Solitaire and on to Walvis bay where a stop is recommended at the lagoon, home to many birds, especially the greater flamingo. Continue to your accommodation, the Delight Hotel, for two nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

It’s an early start today as you head south to Walvis Bay for the exciting full-day Kayaking Combo. The Mola Mola Kayaking Combo with Beach Braai (barbeque) combines the best of Mola Mola Safaris’ experiences in one epic day! Starting with a transfer from the Walvis Bay Waterfront to Pelican Point Peninsula in one of our fast catamarans, you will be surprised with sea and bird life, where pelicans and seagulls greet you and seals often join you on board.

Stepping directly onto the beach at Pelican Point Peninsula, your guide will lead you to the kayak set-up, where you will be provided with your kayaking equipment. Setting off on the water in your kayak, you will be able to explore the nearby waters, you can look forward to inquisitive seals popping up around you, even dolphins and whales may make an appearance!

After your kayaking adventure, you will make your way, either by 4x4 or a beautiful beach walk, to the Mola Mola Beach Braai (barbeque). Soak in the stunning deserted beach setting, while enjoying an authentic Namibian culinary experience.

Energised and restored, you continue by 4x4 to the dunes of the Namib Sand Sea and Sandwich Harbour. Exhilarating rides, with experienced guides, over the ancient sand dunes and next to the ocean! Magnificent views and magical moments will take your breath away and complete your day!

As the sun rises this morning, you'll embark on an unforgettable drive through ever-changing landscapes towards the majestic mountain scenery of Damaraland. For the next two nights, Camp Kipwe will be your tranquil oasis, where you'll enjoy a comfortable bed and a delicious breakfast each day, as well as two shared activities that are included in your stay. The lodge is perfectly positioned, just a short drive from the many local attractions. Nestled among towering granite boulders, it's only a stone's throw away from the Aba Huab riverbed, a well-trodden path for desert-adapted elephants.

On day 7, your adventure begins with an early breakfast before embarking on a fascinating 4x4 excursion through the winding river valleys to discover the many wonders of this remarkable region and to catch a glimpse of the unique wildlife that calls this place home, including the elusive desert-adapted elephants (if they happen to be in the area). Damaraland is teeming with all kinds of desert-adapted creatures and hidden gems, making it a nature lover's paradise. Since the elephants tend to be most active in the mornings, you'll have the best chance of spotting them before returning to camp for a well-earned lunch.

If you haven't yet had the chance to visit Twyfelfontein and other nearby attractions, your guide will schedule a visit at a convenient time. After returning to camp, you can take a leisurely stroll in the surrounding area with your guide or simply unwind and relax in comfort.

Today you continue on your self-drive safari and drive to the renowned Ongava Lodge which sits just outside the southern gate into Etosha National Park and boasts a floodlit waterhole, which attracts a variety of wildlife both day and night.

Later this afternoon you have the option to join for a shared guided scheduled afternoon game drive on the Ongava Private Game Reserve in an open game viewer vehicle with a lodge guide.

On your second day at Ongava, the morning can be dedicated to a memorable game drive within the southern section of Etosha National Park in your rental vehicle or you can opt to join a shared scheduled guided morning game drive (for an additional cost) with a lodge guide and open game viewer vehicle.

You have the option to return to the lodge for lunch and an afternoon siesta, to head back into the park in the afternoon, or you can spend the whole day in the park, stopping at one of the resorts in the park for lunch. Either way, you return before sunset with enough time to freshen up for dinner overlooking the camp’s floodlit waterhole.

Your final day will see you enter the world-famous Etosha National Park through the southern gate with the goal of traversing the park to the eastern gate before sunset stopping at whaterholes such as Goas which are particularly good for game viewing along the way. On exiting the park at Namutoni you will head to Onguma Tented Camp for two nights.

The second day at Onguma is available for you to relax in the lovely surroundings of the camp while still giving time to be spent game viewing in the National Park as much as appeals in your own rental vehicle. Onguma also offers a choice of additional activities, including a sundowner drive or an interpretive bush walk on the Onguma Reserve.

Today your journey takes you into the Caprivi to the Divundu area where you will spend the night at Divava Okavango Lodge & Spa. You have the opportunity to visit Popa Falls here or you can enjoy a sundowner boat cruise with the lodge, both at an additional cost.

Mahango National Park is just 10 minutes by road from the lodge and an ideal place for a self-guided game drive. Not as well-known as some of Namibia's larger parks Mahango is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and various antelope species such as impalas, kudus, and bushbucks. The park is also a bird-watching paradise, with over 400 bird species recorded within its boundaries, including the rare Pel's fishing owl.

On day 18 you depart from the lodge and make your way to Katima Mulilo Airport where you meet a representative who will collect your rental vehicle and assist you with your road transfer to Victoria Falls and Ilala Lodge.

Once in Victoria Falls, there are a huge variety of activities for visitors to enjoy but of course the first thing to see is the falls themselves. With the mist of the falls visible above the trees from the lodge, it is ideally situated just a 15-minute walk to the park and the falls beyond. Take a guided tour or explore on your own or if you happen to be at the Falls in low water season you can cross into Zambia and Livingstone Island and experience the falls up close and personal in the Devil's Pool!

Visitors may take a helicopter tour for a bird's eye view of the falls, take a whitewater rafting trip along the mighty Zambezi River or a more sedate river cruise complete with dinner and cocktails. Alternatively, you can explore the craft markets of Victoria Falls or visit the historic bridge which spans the river below.

After almost 3 weeks travelling from the desert and dunes, via the Atlantic coast, and wildlife havens of Damaraland, Etosha and the Caprivi to the iconic Victoria Falls your safari comes to an end. After a final breakfast, you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight.