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Head off on this Victoria Falls holiday with a road trip through Namibia. Start in the famous sands of Sossusvlei, where you can watch the sun rise over the pink dunes. Drive north to Swakopmund, tasting local oysters and fresh fish before heading deep into the wilderness of Damaraland. Look for ancient cave paintings in Twyfelfontein and spot leopards and elephants in the salt pans of Etosha National Park. Finish your trip by visiting the majestic Victoria Falls. Take a sunset cruise along the river, look for hippos lazing by the banks and feel the spray on your face from ‘The Smoke that Thunders’.
This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements; please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.
Depart the UK from your chosen airport.
On arrival in Namibia you will be met at the airport and assisted in picking up your car hire before driving to Sossusvlei, to check into your lodge for 2 nights.
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.
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 Moonlandscape where rippling hills and rocky valleys create an ‘other-worldly’ scene. Arriving at the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll check into the Swakopmund Hotel for 2 nights.
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.
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.
This morning you’ll pass magnificent Mount Brandberg on the way to Etosha National Park, where you’ll check into the Etosha Village for 1 night. Spend the afternoon enjoying the wildlife that fills the national park – you’ll spot giraffes munching on leafy foliage, herds of zebras galloping across the desert and tiny antelopes grazing on the tufts of grass that manage to grow in the dry ground.
Driving to the eastern side of the park you’ll check into the Mokuti Etosha Lodge for 2 nights. We’ve included 2 full days to explore the park – watch 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. The roads in Etosha are good – you’ll be able to explore the park at your leisure for 2 days.
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.
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.
After breakfast, you will be driven back to the airport in time to catch your flight home.
Namibia’s climate is generally dry and pleasant. There is a short rainy season between December and March, where some days are humid and there are short localised thunderstorms in the afternoons. Game viewing is generally better in the dry season when wildlife is drawn to the waterholes. Nights are cool and days are often very hot.
Victoria Falls has a mild to warm climate. The warmest months are September to March, while May to August are the coolest. The dry season runs from April to October and brings fair weather but the falls can be pretty empty. The wet season comes from November to March, with regular showers followed by clear skies. This is the best time to see Victoria Falls at its full glory.
This itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.