Chobe, Okavango & Etosha – Self-Launched 14-Day Safari (Victoria Falls to Windhoek)

Fly into Victoria Falls Airport (VFA). Check into a budget guesthouse or hostel on the Zimbabwe side — options like Shoestrings Backpackers or Victoria Falls Backpackers offer dorms from ~£15/night or private rooms from ~£35. Spend the afternoon exploring the town, grabbing a SIM card, and booking optional activities for tomorrow. The falls themselves are a short walk from most guesthouses (entry ~£20 for Zimbabweans/foreigners varies — budget ~£25).

🚌Fly into Victoria Falls Airport (VFA). Airport taxi to town centre ~£8–12.

🛏Shoestrings Backpackers or Victoria Falls Backpackers — dorm ~£15/night, private room ~£35–45/night

• →Check in and orientate yourself in Victoria Falls town
• →Optional: walk to Victoria Falls viewpoints (budget ~£25 entry)
• →Optional: book ahead for helicopter flight, bungee jump, or sunset cruise via local operators or GetYourGuide
• →Browse curio markets on Livingstone Way for local crafts

Take a shared shuttle or minibus from Victoria Falls across the border to Kasane, Botswana (the gateway to Chobe National Park) — approximately 1.5 hours including border crossing. Budget ~£15–20 for the shuttle. Check into a budget lodge or campsite in Kasane such as Thebe River Safaris Campsite or Old House Guesthouse. In the afternoon, book a self-organised Chobe River sunset cruise directly with local operators at Kasane waterfront — these run daily and cost approximately £30–45 per person.

🚌Shared shuttle Victoria Falls → Kasane ~£15–20pp (e.g. via Nomad Africa shuttle or local minibus).

🛏Thebe River Safaris Campsite (camping ~£12/night) or Old House Guesthouse (private room ~£35–45/night)

• →Cross the Zimbabwe–Botswana border at Kazungula (shared shuttle ~£15–20)
• →Check in to budget accommodation in Kasane
• →Afternoon Chobe River game-viewing boat cruise — book directly at the waterfront (~£30–45pp)
• →Spot elephants, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo from the river

Rise early for a morning game drive in Chobe National Park in an open 4x4 vehicle — home to the world's largest concentration of elephants. Book this directly through operators in Kasane such as Chobe Game Lodge day-trips or independent safari operators at the waterfront. A half-day game drive typically costs £50–70 per person including park fees (park entry ~£20/day). Afternoon at leisure — relax at camp, or explore Kasane town. Consider booking your onward transport to Maun/Okavango in the afternoon.

🚌Game drive transport included in activity booking. Local taxi within Kasane ~£3–5.

🛏Thebe River Safaris Campsite or Old House Guesthouse, Kasane

• →Early morning open 4x4 game drive in Chobe National Park (~£50–70pp including park fees)
• →Spot elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs and vast herds of buffalo
• →Afternoon: book onward bus/shuttle to Maun for the Okavango Delta (Day 4)
• →Optional: second river cruise at sunset (~£30pp)

Take the intercity bus or shared shuttle from Kasane to Maun (~6–7 hours, ~£20–25pp via operators like Seabelo Transfers or Meno a Kwena shuttles). Maun is the 'safari capital' of Botswana and the jumping-off point for Okavango Delta excursions. Check into a budget lodge — Audi Camp and Old Bridge Backpackers are popular choices with camping and private rooms. Spend the afternoon arranging your Delta excursion for the following day directly with local operators (Crocodile Camp, Audi Camp, or Delta Rain — mokoro trips from ~£80–110pp for a 2-day package).

🚌Intercity bus or shared shuttle Kasane → Maun ~£20–25pp. Local taxi Maun ~£3–5.

🛏Old Bridge Backpackers (camping ~£10, dorm ~£15, private ~£35) or Audi Camp (similar rates)

• →Bus/shuttle Kasane → Maun (~6–7 hours, ~£20–25pp)
• →Check into Old Bridge Backpackers or Audi Camp, Maun
• →Book 1–2 day mokoro excursion directly with local operators in Maun (~£80–110pp)
• →Explore Maun riverside area and grab dinner at a local restaurant

Early morning transfer by vehicle then boat to the Delta's edge, where you board a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) guided by a local poler. Glide silently through papyrus channels spotting hippos, birds, and the iconic Delta ecosystem. Land on a island for a guided nature walk with your poler-guide to track wildlife on foot. Afternoon scenic boat tour of the broader Delta waterways. Return to Maun by late afternoon. This full-day (or overnight) experience is best booked directly through Maun operators — Crocodile Camp, Delta Rain, or via GetYourGuide. Budget ~£80–120pp for a full-day or overnight package.

🚌Included in mokoro package — vehicle transfer to Delta launch point, then mokoro/boat.

🛏Old Bridge Backpackers or Audi Camp, Maun (overnight if returning same day)

• →Traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) excursion through Okavango Delta channels (~£80–120pp full day)
• →Guided nature walk on a Delta island with your local poler-guide
• →Scenic boat tour of open Delta waterways
• →Return to Maun by late afternoon, dinner at camp

A long travel day crossing from Botswana into Namibia. Take the intercity bus from Maun towards Shakawe and cross the border into Namibia's Caprivi Strip (now officially the Zambezi Region), continuing to Rundu on the Okavango River. The Intercape or Nomad bus services run this route — total journey ~8–10 hours, budget ~£25–35pp. Alternatively, hire a shared taxi for sections. Rundu is a small, pleasant Namibian town on the river — stay at Kaisosi River Lodge or N'Kwazi Lodge, which offer budget camping and chalets with beautiful Okavango River views. Enjoy a quiet evening by the river.

🚌Intercape bus or shared shuttle Maun → Rundu via Mohembo border ~£25–35pp.

🛏Kaisosi River Lodge (camping ~£10, chalet ~£40–55) or N'Kwazi Lodge (similar rates)

• →Long travel day: bus Maun → Shakawe border → Rundu (~8–10 hours, ~£25–35pp)
• →Cross Botswana–Namibia border at Mohembo (carry BWP and NAD cash for border fees)
• →Check into Kaisosi River Lodge or N'Kwazi Lodge, Rundu
• →Sunset over the Okavango River from camp

Drive or take the Intercape bus from Rundu southwest towards Tsumeb, then transfer to Etosha National Park's eastern Namutoni Gate (~6–7 hours total). If not self-driving, hire a shared taxi or pre-book a seat in a shared shuttle via operators in Rundu or Windhoek (budget ~£30–45pp). Enter Etosha — park entry fee is ~£10pp/day (NAD 220). Check into Namutoni Rest Camp (NWR-managed) inside the park — chalets from ~£50, camping from ~£18. Afternoon game drive in the Namutoni area in your rental vehicle or on a booked park game drive (~£35pp). Watch the floodlit waterhole at Namutoni camp after dinner.

🚌Intercape bus Rundu → Tsumeb, then shared taxi/shuttle to Namutoni Gate ~£30–45pp total.

🛏Namutoni Rest Camp, Etosha NP — camping ~£18/night, chalet ~£50–65/night (book via NWR Namibia website in advance)

• →Bus/shuttle Rundu → Tsumeb → Etosha Namutoni Gate (~6–7 hours, ~£30–45pp)
• →Pay Etosha National Park entry fee (~£10pp/day)
• →Afternoon self-drive or guided game drive in eastern Etosha (~£35pp if guided)
• →Evening: watch wildlife at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole (free, in camp)

Full day self-drive game drive across Etosha's vast salt pan and surrounding savannah — one of Africa's premier wildlife destinations. Etosha is very accessible by self-drive: hire a standard 2WD or 4x4 in Windhoek or Tsumeb (budget ~£35–55/day for a rental, or join a day game-drive from camp for ~£45–60pp). Head to Okaukuejo and Halali rest camps with their famous floodlit waterholes. Lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, springbok and over 340 bird species await. Park entry ~£10pp. Move camp to Okaukuejo or Halali for the night to access the central waterhole.

🚌Self-drive within park (~£35–55/day car hire) or guided camp game drive (~£45–60pp).

🛏Okaukuejo or Halali Rest Camp, Etosha NP — camping ~£18/night, chalet ~£50–70/night (book via NWR Namibia website)

• →Full day self-drive game drive across Etosha (~£45–60pp if joining guided drive from camp)
• →Visit Okaukuejo waterhole — black and white rhinos drink here regularly
• →Drive along the southern pan edge for lion and cheetah sightings
• →Evening: floodlit waterhole viewing at Okaukuejo camp (free)

Depart Etosha via the Andersson Gate (south) and drive or take a shared shuttle/bus south towards Usakos and then to Spitzkoppe (~5–6 hours). The iconic 'Matterhorn of Namibia' rises dramatically from the flat plains. Camp at the community-run Spitzkoppe Campsite (one of Namibia's finest campsites, ~£8–12pp/night) at the base of the granite inselbergs. Spend the afternoon exploring the boulders on foot — access is free once you've paid camp fees. Discover ancient San Bushman rock art in sheltered overhangs. Sunset over the orange-glowing granite is unforgettable.

🚌Shared shuttle or intercity bus Etosha → Usakos → Spitzkoppe ~£30–40pp. Or rental car continuation.

🛏Spitzkoppe Community Campsite — camping ~£8–12pp/night (basic but stunning; book ahead in peak season)

• →Drive/shuttle Etosha Andersson Gate → Spitzkoppe (~5–6 hours, shared shuttle ~£30–40pp)
• →Check into community-run Spitzkoppe Campsite (~£8–12pp/night)
• →Self-guided walk exploring the granite boulders and rock formations
• →Discover San Bushman rock art paintings in sheltered overhangs (free with camp entry)
• →Sunset photography from the base of the Spitzkoppe

Short drive west from Spitzkoppe to the Atlantic coast — Swakopmund (~2 hours, ~£15–20 shared shuttle). This charming German colonial town on the Skeleton Coast is a welcome dose of civilisation after the bush. Check into a hostel or guesthouse — Alte Brücke Resort or The Swakopmund Backpackers are well-regarded budget options. Spend the afternoon exploring the German colonial architecture, art galleries, and the waterfront. Browse the market and sample the famous Swakopmund seafood and German-style bakeries. Book adventure activities for the morning of Day 11 if desired (sandboarding, quad biking, kayaking with seals — all ~£35–60pp via local operators or GetYourGuide).

🚌Shared shuttle Spitzkoppe → Swakopmund ~£15–20pp. Walking in town.

🛏Swakopmund Backpackers (dorm ~£14, private ~£38–50) or Alte Brücke Resort (~£45–60)

• →Drive/shuttle Spitzkoppe → Swakopmund (~2 hours, ~£15–20pp)
• →Check into Swakopmund Backpackers or Alte Brücke guesthouse
• →Walk the German colonial town centre — Woermannhaus, Lighthouse, Jetty
• →Browse the Swakopmund market and try local seafood
• →Optional: book sandboarding, quad biking or seal kayaking for Day 11 (~£35–60pp)

Morning adventure activities in Swakopmund — the adrenaline capital of Namibia. Choose from sandboarding on the Namibian dunes (£35–50pp, book via Outback Orange or GetYourGuide), a living desert tour (£35–45pp), or a scenic ocean kayaking trip with cape fur seals. After lunch, take an intercity bus or shared shuttle south towards Sesriem (~5–6 hours, ~£30–40pp), the gateway to Sossusvlei. Check into the Sesriem Campsite inside the reserve (the only way to get to Sossusvlei at sunrise) or nearby Desert Homestead. Sossusvlei park entry gate opens at sunrise — being inside the night before is essential.

🚌Shuttle Swakopmund → Sesriem ~£30–40pp (e.g. via Intercape or Namibia Shuttle Service).

🛏Sesriem Campsite (inside reserve, camping ~£18–25pp/night — book via NWR Namibia well in advance) or Desert Homestead (~£55–75/night)

• →Morning: sandboarding on Namibian dunes or living desert tour (~£35–50pp)
• →Optional: ocean kayaking with cape fur seals at Walvis Bay (~£45pp)
• →Afternoon bus/shuttle Swakopmund → Sesriem (~5–6 hours, ~£30–40pp)
• →Check into Sesriem Campsite (inside the Namib-Naukluft reserve) or Desert Homestead
• →Early bed — Sossusvlei sunrise starts at 5am!

Pre-dawn start to reach Sossusvlei at sunrise — the world's tallest sand dunes glow from deep orange to blazing red in the early light. Climb Dune 45 (free) or Big Daddy dune for panoramic views. Walk the 5km to the ancient clay pan of Deadvlei — its bleached white vlei and 900-year-old dead camelthorn trees against towering red dunes is one of the most photographed landscapes on Earth. Park entry fee ~£12pp. In the afternoon, explore Sesriem Canyon — a short natural gorge carved by the Tsauchab River (~2km walk, included in park entry). The 4x4 shuttle from the Sossusvlei car park to the vlei costs ~£4pp return.

🚌Self-drive or chartered 4x4 within Namib-Naukluft to Sossusvlei. 4x4 shuttle to vlei ~£4pp.

🛏Sesriem Campsite or Desert Homestead (second night)

• →Pre-dawn drive to Sossusvlei — watch the dunes light up at sunrise (park entry ~£12pp)
• →Climb Dune 45 or Big Daddy for panoramic views over the Namib
• →5km walk to Deadvlei clay pan — iconic dead trees and towering red dunes
• →4x4 shuttle from car park to Deadvlei (~£4pp return)
• →Afternoon: short hike through Sesriem Canyon (~2km, included in park entry)
• →Sundowners at camp watching the dunes change colour

Morning drive/shuttle from Sesriem northeast to Windhoek (~5 hours, ~£25–35pp via intercity shuttle). Arrive in Windhoek by early-to-mid afternoon — check into a central hostel such as Chameleon Backpackers or Cardboard Box Backpackers (both excellent, well-located, with great travel info). Spend the afternoon exploring Windhoek's manageable city centre: the Christuskirche (Christ Church), Independence Memorial Museum, and the lively Post Street Mall. Enjoy a final group dinner at one of the city's excellent restaurants serving oryx steak or Namibian game meat.

🚌Intercity shuttle Sesriem → Windhoek ~£25–35pp (e.g. Namibia Shuttle Service or shared taxi via Rehoboth).

🛏Chameleon Backpackers or Cardboard Box Backpackers, Windhoek — dorm ~£14, private room ~£38–50

• →Morning shuttle Sesriem → Windhoek (~5 hours, ~£25–35pp)
• →Check into Chameleon Backpackers or Cardboard Box Backpackers, Windhoek
• →Walk Windhoek city centre: Christuskirche, Independence Avenue, Post Street Mall
• →Visit Independence Memorial Museum (free or nominal entry)
• →Celebratory final dinner — try Namibian game meat (oryx, kudu) at a local restaurant

Final morning in Windhoek. Hostel breakfast, then explore any last sights — the Katutura township market is a vibrant local experience, or browse craft shops on Independence Avenue for last-minute souvenirs. Transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) for your departure flight — airport is ~45km from the city centre; shared airport shuttle ~£10–15pp, taxi ~£20–30. Allow 3 hours before international flights.

🚌Shared airport shuttle to Hosea Kutako International Airport ~£10–15pp, or taxi ~£20–30.

🛏Check-out — no accommodation needed (or book one extra night if late flight)

• →Hostel breakfast and final pack-up
• →Optional: Katutura township morning market or craft shopping on Independence Avenue
• →Transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport (~45km, shared shuttle ~£10–15pp)
• →Depart Windhoek — safe travels!