Travel northwards from Windhoek via Okahandja, where you can visit the woodcarving market and fill up with fuel, biltong and snacks for the road. Back on the road, the Omatakos, two conical mountains that jut out of the surrounding landscape, are prominent landmarks along the way. Take a break for lunch in Otjiwarongo or Outjo before reaching your friendly and relaxed home for the next two days – Etosha Safari Camp. A highlight of the stay is the Shebeen restaurant, modelled on ‘shebeens’ (informal township bars) of old, where people gathered to meet, have a drink and listen to music. The colourful and quirky restaurant has become a highlight of travellers’ itineraries. Enjoy the delicious dinner feast outdoors as you listen to the Etosha Boys strum their guitars and sing local melodies.

Optional activities

• Pirschfahrt am Nachmittag

Die Kunden nehmen ein frühes Frühstück ein und gehen dann auf die ganztägige Pirschfahrt und gegen 12:00 bis 13:00 Uhr essen die Kunden im Park zu Mittag und setzen die Pirschfahrt bis zum Nachmittag fort. Nach der Pirschfahrt haben die Gäste Freizeit, um die Atmosphäre zu genießen vor dem Abendessen.

Optional activities

• Full day Game Drive, visit the waterholes and see how various animals quench their thirst.

Have breakfast and drive towards the greener part of Namibia. The lodge offers boat trips which are excellent for birding.

Optional activities

• Game viewing, excellent bird watching as well as kayaking on the Kavango River.

Have breakfast and continue with the activities of your choice.

Overnight & Hakusembe River Lodge

The drive today is eastward, towards the lush north-eastern corner of Namibia. Once known as the Caprivi, now renamed the Zambezi Region, it is a tree-filled expanse bisected by waterways. It is also home to a fascinating group of people and an abundance of wildlife and birds. Bwabwata National Park runs from the Okavango River to the Kwando River and, unusually, is home to both people and wildlife living side by side. Slow down as you pass through the settlements and keep eyes open for elephant and wild dog! At Kongola, turn right onto the C49 towards Namushasha River Lodge, a lodge that resonates with true Zambezi character. Set on the riverbank amidst the trees, the lodge is alive with the sound of hippos and birds and is a veritable wonderland in the region. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the beauty of the area.

Optional activities

• Game viewing, bird watching, visit Mashi Crafts a treasure-house of crafts fishing, Namushasha Heritage Centre and visit Bwabwata National Park

The second day you have the opportunity to experience the many riches the river has to offer. Take a leisurely boat trip on the Kwando River and relish the magic of this water-Eden. Spot the abundant bird species, crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks and the pods of hippos among the waterlilies.

Optional activities

• Boat cruise on the Kwando River, drive to the popular elephant-viewing, and visit Mudumu National Park

Overnight & Namushasha River Lodge

Day seven takes you to the Chobe River and Chobe River Camp positioned on its banks overlooking the floodplains. From Namushasha River Lodge drive in an easterly direction along the C49 to Katima Mulilo. The road passes through the Mdumu and Nkasa Rupara national parks and wildlife can often be seen along the roadside. Look out for herds of elephant crossing the road and, further on, for the domestic animals of the settlements. From Katima, the B8 leads southwards to the Ngoma border post, the gateway between Namibia and Botswana. The turnoff to Chobe River Camp is 4 kilometres before Ngoma. The camp lies across from Chobe National Park. When the river is high mid-year, the camp’s boat trip is one of the finest excursions in the country to spot buffalo, elephant, water-adapted antelope and a variety of birdlife from the comfort of the boat. In drier times of the year, a guided nature drive along the river course provides opportunity for game viewing. Join an excursion or spend a relaxed afternoon at the camp. Dine outdoors in the lapa under the stars, listen to birdsong and revel in the calm beauty of this refreshingly simple African camp.

Optional activities 

• Boat cruises, game viewing

Overnight & Chobe-Fluss-Camp

A short drive north from Chobe River Camp takes you to the turnoff onto the D3508 and to Zambezi Mubala Lodge on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. The lodge is approximately 40km east of Katima Mulilo. A boat trip from Zambezi Mubala Camp is the only way to reach this attractive lodge on the riverbank. Mubala means ‘colour’ in the local Silozi language, a reference to the harmonious colours of nature reflected in the Zambezi waters. Enjoy a sundowner cruise after an afternoon spent relaxing at the pool. Dine outdoors and luxuriate in Mubala tranquillity.

Optional activities 

• A boat trip from Zambezi and Sundowner cruise

Have breakfast and continue exploring the wonderful The Zambezi River is popular for fishing, birding, boating and photography. You may be tempted to relax on your balcony overlooking the river. However, if more energetic, take a stroll to the carmine bee-eater colony (between mid-August and December), try your luck on the river for tiger fish (catch&release) and hop aboard the boat to explore the river. Home to a wide variety of birds, Zambezi Mubala Lodge is a treat for nature lovers. At the end of the day, savour the sunset colours and the soothing river setting.

Optional activities 

• Visit interesting attractions vibrant street market, where arts and crafts, such as traditional grass-woven baskets, wood carvings, clothes and jewellery, can be found

Katima Mulilo is a good place to fill up with fuel and pick up essentials before following the B8 to Kongola and the C49. Namushasha River Lodge is your home for the night as you begin to retrace your steps. It’s a welcome return to the loveliness of the lodge and the wild and wonderful Kwando River.

Optional activities

• Visit livingstone Museum
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Say your farewells to the Zambezi Region as you travel westwards to the Kavango Region for your final night at Hakusembe River Lodge. Enjoy a relaxed evening and dinner on the deck overlooking the river before a sound night’s sleep to the accompaniment of river lullabies.

Optional activities

• Visit Popa Falls, or Mahangu Game Reserve

Rise early for the eight-hour drive back to Windhoek. Breakfast packs are available on request. It is recommended to overnight in Windhoek to ensure that there is sufficient time to catch your onward flight the next day. With a whole day ahead, you can enjoy the drive back to the mother city, after your superlative and enriching wildlife experience.