11-Day Etosha Caprivi Strip Explorer - Self-Drive

Windhoek

Welcome to Namibia! You will be welcomed and assisted at Windhoek International Airport. Your 4x4 rental vehicle (Toyota Hilux Double Cab, Toyota Fortuner, or similar) will be waiting for you. Please note that a credit card must be presented upon collecting the vehicle.

The modern and airy 147-room Town Lodge Windhoek offers an affordable and quality hotel experience in Namibia’s capital city. Conveniently located in The Steps Development on Frankie Fredericks Street in the Kleine Kuppe area, the hotel is next to Lady Pohamba Private Hospital, adjacent to the Grove Mall, and near the Busy Bodies Zoological Park.

Main Destination:
Windhoek (City)

Accommodation:
Town Lodge Windhoek

• Mid-range hotel

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Windhoek to Etosha National Park

In the vast arid space of Northern Namibia lies one of Southern Africa’s best-loved wildlife sanctuaries. Etosha National Park offers excellent game viewing in one of Africa’s most accessible venues. Zebra and springbok are scattered across the endless horizon, while the many waterholes attract endangered black rhinoceros, lion, elephant, and large numbers of antelope.

The "Pan" provides a great, parched, silver-white backdrop of shimmering mirages to an area of semi-arid savannah grassland and thorn scrub. The pan itself contains water only after very good rains and sometimes for only a few days each year, but it is enough to stimulate the growth of a blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos.

In Namibia, you will discover African luxury. Mushara Bush Camp lodge is situated a mere 20 minutes' drive from the renowned Etosha National Park. 27 major species of game roam this Namibian nature reserve, making Mushara Bush Camp the ideal getaway for a safari holiday.

Main Destination:
Etosha National Park

Wildlife in Etosha NP

• Elephant: Abundant
• Zebra: Abundant
• Wildebeest: Abundant
• Giraffe: Common
• Black Rhino: Occasional
• Lion: Occasional

Accommodation:
Mushara Bush Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located just outside Etosha NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Etosha East to Etosha Northeast

You'll spend your day visiting Etosha National Park. Etosha National Park in Namibia is a premier safari destination renowned for its vast salt pan, high-density wildlife, and easy self-drive access to over 40 waterholes, making it ideal for viewing elephants, lions, and endangered black rhinos. The park is malaria-free, accessible in a regular sedan car, and the rest camps provide a range of accommodation as well as restaurants, viewing decks, shops, and petrol stations. Luxurious camps in Etosha’s remote areas have now added top-end accommodation to the park’s offerings.

Please note: Local park fees are not included in the price.

Optional Activities:
Half or full-day guided game drive into Etosha National Park.

Main Destination:
Etosha National Park

Accommodation:
Mushara Bush Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located just outside Etosha NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Etosha National Park

You will explore the national park on your own or join our professional guides for an enlightening and informative wildlife journey. Or do both, with a break in the day for a siesta at the lodge. From the black-faced impala to the wizened elephant giants and lion kings, the wild world is simply spellbinding.

Optional Activities:
Half-day or full-day guided game drive into Etosha National Park.

Main Destination:
Etosha National Park

Accommodation:
Mushara Bush Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located just outside Etosha NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Divundu

After breakfast, you'll travel to Ndhovu, which has been a sanctuary of true safari spirit, where the timeless rhythm of the wild meets warm, authentic hospitality. Nestled on the banks of the Okavango River, the lodge invites you to step into a world where nature unfolds at its most breathtaking. You'll set out on thrilling game drives into nearby parks, where the wilderness comes alive with elephants, big cats, and a dazzling array of wildlife. Each encounter is a story waiting to be told, each moment an unforgettable brush with Africa’s untamed beauty.

When the rains arrive, Ndhovu transforms into a private island retreat. The swelling Okavango River spills across the floodplains, weaving a magical mosaic of water and wilderness, an awe-inspiring reminder of nature’s grandeur. Here, adventure and tranquility flow together seamlessly. Whether it’s the thrill of discovery or the serenity of riverside sunsets, Ndhovu Safari Lodge is where memories are crafted to last a lifetime.

Main Destination:
Divundu (Town)

Accommodation:
Ndhovu Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Bwabwata National Park (Zambezi Region)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Divundu

After an early breakfast, you will embark on a game drive into the Buffalo Core Area. Commonly referred to as Buffalo Park, this premier 629 km² wildlife destination sits within Namibia’s Bwabwata National Park in the Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region). Located on the eastern bank of the Okavango River, opposite the Mahango Game Reserve, it is famous for its high concentrations of buffalo, elephants, and rare antelope, offering a wild, off-the-beaten-path experience.

In the afternoon, enjoy a sunset boat cruise offering breathtaking views of the river. It can be experienced as a relaxing, scenic journey or as a vibrant social get-together.

Main Destination:
Okavango River (Namibia)

Accommodation:
Ndhovu Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Bwabwata National Park (Zambezi Region)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Mudumu National Park

After breakfast, you'll depart for Mudumu National Park in the Kongola region. Discover a hidden paradise! You'll dive into the true safari atmosphere of Camp Kwando, nestled right on the banks of the Kwando River and surrounded by the wild beauty of Namibia's Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi).

Camp Kwando invites you to explore the hidden treasures of an untamed land. Capture the spirit of the African bush while sipping sundowners from the beautiful overhead deck, and experience the thrill of the hauntingly beautiful call of the African fish eagle.

Main Destination:
Mudumu National Park (Zambezi Region)

Wildlife in Mudumu NP

• Elephant: Common
• Giraffe: Common
• Hippo: Common
• Zebra: Common
• Buffalo: Occasional
• Wildebeest: Occasional

Accommodation:
Camp Kwando

• Mid-range tented camp located outside Mudumu National Park (Zambezi Region)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Mudumu National Park

In the morning, enjoy a spectacular game drive into Mudumu—a wild and romantic national park in Namibia. The park boasts an abundance of wildlife, but due to its remote location and tropical climate, it remains beautifully uncrowded by mass tourism. Please note that the park is situated in a malaria-risk area, so the use of prophylaxis is highly advisable. To reach the park, travel along the Trans-Caprivi Highway to Kongola and head south.

The southern portion of the park is defined by its rich waterways. Here, elephants, zebras, antelopes, buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles thrive alongside more than 400 distinct species of birds. In the afternoon, you will head out for a relaxing, scenic sundowner boat cruise.

Main Destination:
Mudumu National Park (Zambezi Region)

Accommodation:
Camp Kwando

• Mid-range tented camp located outside Mudumu National Park (Zambezi Region)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Zambezi River

Along the edge of the mighty Zambezi River lies the water sanctuary of Zambezi Mubala Lodge & Camp. A bird-lover’s dream, this lodge is home to one of the largest colonies of Carmine Bee-eaters, which live along the banks of the majestic Zambezi. The birds are often joined by the occasional hippo or crocodile basking in the shallow waters along the banks. Relax and watch the colors of life sail along the steady current of the river.

Logistics Note: A Dunas Safari driver will collect your rental car in Katima Mulilo and transport it back to Windhoek. Please ensure the vehicle is filled with diesel prior to handover.

Main Destination:
Zambezi Region

Wildlife in Zambezi Region

• Hippo: Abundant
• Elephant: Common
• Giraffe: Common
• Zebra: Common
• Lion: Occasional
• Wildebeest: Occasional

Accommodation:
Zambezi Mubala Lodge

• Luxury lodge located outside Zambezi Region

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Zambezi River

A bird-lover’s dream, Zambezi Mubala Lodge is home to over 450 species of birds and hosts the springtime visit of one of the largest colonies of carmine bee-eaters in Africa. These bright and cheerful visitors nest along the banks of the majestic Zambezi between the months of August and December, filling the air with sound, activity, and color as they flash crimson breasts, swooping and rising into the air in an exuberant burst of energy.

In the late afternoon, you can stroll along the raised walkways between the bungalows to catch a scenic sunset boat cruise, walk down to visit the bee-eater colony, or simply sit back in the open-sided bar. For those who are fishermen at heart, spending a few hours doing catch-and-release fishing for the legendary Tiger Fish is a highly popular way to pass the day.

Optional Activities:
Guided Fishing Trip.

Main Destination:
Zambezi Region

Accommodation:
Zambezi Mubala Lodge

• Luxury lodge located outside Zambezi Region

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Katima Mulilo

You will transfer to Katima Mulilo Airport according to your flight schedule for your journey back to Windhoek and your onward journey home.

This concludes your itinerary. Safe travels!

Main Destination:
Katima Mulilo (Town)

Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included