20-Day Love of Africa Self-Drive: Namibia, Botswana & Victoria Falls Adventure
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
20 days
Fitness Level
Comfortable with long days in a vehicle and short walks; basic mobility for game drives and dune climbs required
Overview
A 20-day self-drive through Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls that stitches deserts, coasts, river systems and national parks into one continuous adventure. Expect long drives, dramatic dunes, Etosha waterholes, mokoro channels and the thunder of Victoria Falls.
20-Day Love of Africa Self-Drive: Namibia, Botswana & Victoria Falls Adventure
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You pull out of Windhoek before dawn, the city lights shrinking behind you while the desert ahead begins to change color—first a slate grey, then cinnamon, then the fierce orange that belongs to the Namib. For 20 days the road becomes the itinerary: gravel passes that corkscrew over the Gamsberg, salt-white pans that glare like open lungs, coastal winds that sandblast an old shipwreck into art, and a river that keeps its own time as it pushes boats and mokoros toward wildlife-rich channels.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Plan fuel and water stops
Fill up at major towns—spares are limited on remote gravel roads; carry at least 5–8 liters of extra fuel and extra drinking water per person for long stretches.
Carry the right paperwork
Bring vehicle registration, international insurance (yellow card where required), passports, visas and proof of COVID/vaccination if needed for crossings into Botswana/Zimbabwe.
Drive gravel with care
Lower tyre pressures for soft sand sections, keep speeds moderate on corrugated roads, and avoid sudden braking to prevent punctures and loss of control.
Respect wildlife viewing etiquette
Observe from a distance, keep engines off near waterholes when safe, and avoid feeding or approaching animals—park rules are enforced to protect both people and wildlife.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- African elephant (desert-adapted herds in Damaraland/Etosha)
- Hippopotamus and Nile crocodile in the Okavango/Chobe river systems
History
The route threads German colonial-era ports and diamond-mining ghost towns with ancient rock art by the San; historic trade and resource booms shaped many coastal and desert settlements.
Conservation
Water scarcity and habitat fragmentation are key issues; park fees, responsible safari practices and community-based lodges help fund anti-poaching and local conservation projects.
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Adventure Hotspots in Windhoek
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
High-capacity water bottle (2–3L)
Desert heat and long drives make reliable hydration mandatory.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Required for dune ascents, canyon walks and village visits.
Wide-brim sun hat and SPF 50+ sunscreen
Midday sun is intense across the desert and coast.
summer specific
Portable tyre repair kit and 2 spare tyres (or robust spare)
Gravel roads and sharp rocks make punctures common—repair kits save expensive delays.