Victoria Falls holiday with Namibia road trip

Itinerary in brief:

• 1 night Windhoek 
• 2 nights Sossusvlei
• 2 nights Swakopmund
• 1 night Damaraland
• 3 nights Etosha National Park
• 3 nights Victoria Falls

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Windhoek

On arrival in Namibia you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel, where you’ll check in for one night. Head out and enjoy a wander around Windhoek – there is a beautiful German church that looks like it’s made of gingerbread. Head out for a delicious dinner and get ready to being your Namibian road trip tomorrow.

Included: Car hire, 3* lodge

Day 3: Drive to Sossusvlei

Leaving Windhoek behind, you'll start the drive towards Sossusvlei, home to the famous sand dunes of Namibia. Watch the landscape change as you drive and keep your eyes peeled for oryx as you travel further south. On arrival in Sossusvlei, you'll check into your hotel for two nights. 

Included: Breakfast, car hire, 3* lodge

Day 4: Sossusvlei

Today you can explore the simple beauty of Sossusvlei, the striking, red dunes where gemsbok (antelope) and ostriches wander under the morning sun. The ancient trees in the Deadvlei cast spiky dark shadows on the white cracked ground – so make sure you bring your camera today; it’s such a picture perfect landscape that you’ll be snapping away all day.

Included: Breakfast, car hire, 3* lodge

Day 5: Swakopmund

Swakopmund is a popular seaside town where lots of Namibians spend their holidays. Spend your time here enjoying the sea air, eating local oysters and admiring the German colonial architecture throughout the centre. Out of town, you can visit the flamingo filled lagoon of Walvis Bay or take a dolphin cruise down the coast.

Included: Breakfast, car hire, 3* lodge

Day 6: Drive to Swakopmund

Driving towards the seaside town of Swakopmund you’ll pass through the Welwitschia Plains, where you can look out for the bizarre welwitschia plants, made of only 2 leaves that are gradually split into strips by the wind - some of which are over 1,500 years old. You’ll also pass through the moon-like landscape where rippling hills and rocky valleys create an other-worldly scene. Arriving at the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll check into your hotel for 2 nights.

Included: Breakfast, car hire, 3* lodge

Day 7: Swakopmund

Swakopmund is a popular seaside town where lots of Namibians spend their holidays. Spend your time here enjoying the sea air, eating local oysters and admiring the German colonial architecture throughout the centre. In the afternoon, drive half an hour south to Walvis Bay, where we’ve included a catamaran cruise to see the seal colonies. Depending on the season you’ll find rosy flamingos in the lagoon, watch dolphins follow the boat and meet friendly pelicans that land on the deck.

Included: Breakfast, car hire, 3* lodge

Days 8: Drive to Damaraland

Leaving the coast you’ll head north into Damaraland, passing the huge seal colonies of Cape Cross. Check into the Damara Mopane Lodge for 1 night before driving on to Twyfelfontein. Home to the 2,500 year old rock carvings, these simple sketches of lions, cattle and humans engraved into the red rock are humbling and beautiful – sure to be a real highlight of your trip to Namibia.

Included: Breakfast, car hire, 3* lodge

Day 9: Drive to Etosha National Park

This morning you’ll pass magnificent Mount Brandberg on the way to Etosha National Park, where you’ll check into your lodge for two nights on the west side of the park. Settle into your lodge, relaxing by the pool and resting after the long drive. 

Included: Breakfast, car hire, 3* lodge

Day 10: Etosha National Park game drive 

Today you'll head out on a full day guided game drive of the national park, looking for wildlife with the help of your guide. Look out for elephants trekking across the great salt pan, lions gathering around the waterholes and rare black rhinos hiding beneath low trees. The birds of Etosha are just as impressive as the mammals; turquoise bee-eaters fly from shrub to shrub while hornbills observe the landscape from the perch in the treetops. It's so valuable to explore the region with a guide to help you identify as much wildlife as possible.

Included: Breakfast, car hire, 3* lodge

Day 11: Drive to eastern Etosha National Park

This morning you'll drive yourself from the east to the west side of Etosha. We always recommend experiencing Etosha on a guided game drive as well as a self-drive experience - they are both fantastic, and can be very different. As you make your way across the vast landscape, it changes from open grassland and the salt pan into the mopane woodlands and waterholes. Look out for herds of plains game like zebras, giraffes and wildebeest, gathered around the waterholes, with cheetah lurking in the shade nearby as ostriches stalk along with their babies sheltered from the sun beneath them. 

Take your time driving and it will become a full day journey, arriving at your lodge on the western side of the park in time to have a freshen up before dinner, where you can discuss your incredible day over a cold glass of wine. 

Included: Breakfast, car hire, 3* lodge

Day 12: Drive to Okonjima 

Leaving Etosha this morning you’ll head south and break your journey back to Windhoek with a night at Okonjima Plains where the Africat Foundation has its headquarters. Okonjima is a great place to spot one of the leopards that freely roam this 20,000-hectare nature reserve or visit the Carnivore Care Centre where you can meet cheetahs and leopards who are patiently waiting for their second chance in the wild. You’ll also be able to track the animals on foot, looking out for Spotted Hyaenas, Cheetahs and Wild Dogs along the trails.

Included: Breakfast, car hire, 3* lodge

Day 11: Fly to Victoria Falls

Today is your final day in Namibia; you’ll drive back to Windhoek Airport where you’ll drop off your rental car and catch your flight to Victoria Falls. On arrival you’ll be taken to your hotel and check in for three nights. This evening we’ve included a sunset cruise – you’ll float along the Zambezi River, looking for hippos, crocodiles and herons in the water. The spectacular African sunset is a wonderful welcome to Zimbabwe.

Included: Breakfast, international flights, car hire, 4* lodge

Days 12 & 13: Victoria Falls

You’ll have two days to explore this beautiful area. On day eleven, we’ve included a full day tour to the falls. It’s a truly awe-inspiring experience – the sight the sound and the smell, it’s overwhelming. No photograph can begin to depict the majesty of Victoria Falls but luckily, you’ll have all day to soak up the experience and create some memories. You’ll learn about the history of the falls and the animals that make their home in the local region. With your free day, why not book a kayaking trip along the river or even bungee jump over from the bridge. However you fill your free time, Victoria Falls is the best way to finish your holiday.

Included: Breakfast, full day tour to Victoria Falls, 4* lodge

Day 14: Depart Victoria Falls        

After breakfast, you will be driven back to the airport in time to catch your flight home.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights       

Day 15: Arrive UK