Namibia & Botswana off the beaten track road trip for the true adventurer, wild camping, completely alone in the world

Sossusvlei, the world’s oldest desert, surrounded by the highest dunes on Earth, promises an unforgettable Namibian experience. The iconic Dune 45 and Deadvlei, with its 700-year-old black trees in a white clay pan, mesmerise visitors with a blend of mystery and beauty. An early start reveals the magic of the golden hour as you walk across the dunes, and in the evening, you're rewarded with a sky full of bright stars. Namibia's vast orange dune landscape invites capturing stunning moments, making every traveller fall in love with this surreal landscape.

Meet the legend of the desert, a true tough guy with a lifetime of experience in the wilderness. He considers it his backyard. He lives here with his wife in pure simplicity, and that’s exactly what you can expect from this experience. This somewhat extraordinary man walks barefoot every day, feeling one with nature. He’s lived in the desert his whole life and has found his happiness here—he’s a content man! During the tour, you’ll stop at various locations to learn about the area and gain insights into the dunes, the desert, the animals, the fauna, the water, desert farming, the Bushmen, and much more!

Swakopmund, a charming mix of sea and desert, welcomes travellers with German flair and countless activities. Explore the local cuisine and architecture, while the beach and sea invite swimming and sunbathing. The Jetty Pier offers a picturesque view, while stocking up on supplies is essential for further adventures. This 'activity paradise' offers a wide range of pursuits, from quad biking to skydiving and scenic flights over the Skeleton Coast. Don't miss the kayak experience and desert tour, where you may even spot 'the little five.' Swakopmund promises a refreshing and unforgettable Namibian experience!

Spitzkoppe, which rises a staggering 1,728 metres above the ground, is a striking landmark in the Namibian landscape. The granite of the Spitzkoppe mountain range is over 700 million years old. Comprising several large, distinctive peaks that rise from various parts of the landscape, the main peak is known as Gross Spitzkoppe. The mountain’s characteristic shape has earned it the nickname the Matterhorn of Namibia. The area is a paradise for hikers and climbers, and the view from the top is an incredible reward for the effort required to climb the rock to reach it.

Waterberg Plateau National Park offers a serene setting with beautiful red mountains that glow at sunset, perfect for a sundowner. Explore the designated hiking trails for an intimate experience in nature. With a guide as your companion, you'll learn about the surroundings and conquer the Waterberg, where the massive plateau provides breathtaking views over the Kalahari plains. At the top, enjoy a refreshing sundowner as the sun sets and the stars emerge. This moment of calm, amidst adventure, is a highlight of your Namibian journey, where ultimate relaxation blends with natural beauty.

Welcome to Etosha National Park, a vast wildlife reserve that is home to an impressive variety of animals, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes. The park is renowned for its abundance of waterholes, where animals gather to drink, offering breathtaking sightings. The expansive Etosha Salt Pan, a dried-up lake, provides a unique landscape where elephants cover themselves with the white clay as sunscreen—a phenomenon that can only be seen here. There are various activities to enjoy, such as sundowner drives and night safaris, where you explore the bush and search for predators hunting under the cover of night. Etosha is a must-see for any wildlife enthusiast!

A special encounter awaits you—welcome to the oldest tribe in the world, the San Bushmen! The San are hunter-gatherers, without possessions such as cattle or land. They face extreme challenges to survive in a world that is rapidly changing around them. It’s incredibly rare to have the opportunity to connect with them. The “bushmen” possess immense knowledge of nature, medicine, hunting with bows and poison, food gathering, and identifying which plants are edible, poisonous, or medicinal. It’s a balance between nature and the environment, shaped by thousands of years of wisdom passed down from generation to generation. Today, this wisdom will be shared with you.

Welcome to Divundu, located in the enchanting Caprivi Strip! While the town is bustling with local activity, the lodges and campsites along the Okavango River offer an oasis of tranquility. A boat cruise on the river reveals the beauty of the area, with birds, hippos, and crocodiles comfortably inhabiting their natural environment. The Caprivi Strip surprises with its lush green landscape, thanks to rainfall and the flow of the Okavango River, a contrast to the desert elsewhere in Namibia. This vibrant natural area is a paradise for bird lovers and offers a unique experience in this beautiful country.

Kasane is located near Africa's '4 corners', where Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia meet. Because Kasane is right by the Chobe River, there are many opportunities (such as from the lodge) to spot wildlife enjoying the refreshing waters of the river. Elephants (lots and lots of elephants), buffaloes, and hippos frequently come here to cool off and recharge. Kasane is the perfect base for going on safari in Chobe National Park and visiting the Victoria Falls.

The Victoria Falls are the widest waterfalls in Africa, with the water curtain spanning over 1,700 metres wide and 100 metres high. Around 500 million litres of water cascade over the cliff every minute. Explorer David Livingstone wrote about the falls: "Such lovely sights must have been admired by the angels during their flights." Victoria Falls is compact enough to explore on foot and is an ideal base for travellers wanting to experience this seventh wonder of the world. Walk along all the viewpoints of the falls and feel the misty sprays from every direction. Be sure to protect your camera, as you’re bound to get wet from these powerful waterfalls!

Welcome to Chobe National Park, where adventure awaits on challenging routes that take you deeper into the wilderness. Prepare for encounters with Africa’s diverse wildlife, from elephants to rare wild dogs. The park, bordering the Okavango Delta, is home to large herds of elephants along the Chobe Riverfront and features floodplains that attract birds and migrating zebras. Lions, antelopes, and hippos inhabit the forests and lagoons around Linyanti Marsh. Explore the pristine nature and dirt trails, and be ready for wildlife encounters as you navigate through water, pits, and mud. Chobe National Park offers an unforgettable safari experience in the heart of Africa.

Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best game areas in Botswana, is where the Okavango Delta reaches the interior. The park offers a diverse landscape with streams, small lakes, mopane forests, lagoons, and acacia woodlands. Elephants are abundant here; you may even have to manoeuvre around them! The water also attracts a wealth of birdlife. Lions, hyenas, wild dogs, and even leopards can be spotted here. With wildlife freely roaming around the campsites, you'll truly feel at one with nature. This is adventurous, off-the-beaten-track, and unforgettable – an experience that showcases the wilderness of Botswana at its finest.

Maun, Botswana's safari capital, is the third largest city in Botswana, located on the Thamalakane River and at the heart of Ngamiland. Maun is virtually the only sign of civilisation around the various safari parks of Botswana. Be sure to take the opportunity to fill up the car's petrol tank and stock up at the supermarket. Put your feet up at your accommodation or enjoy one of the charming restaurants or bars in Maun. Our favourite: the Okavango Craft Brewery!

Explore the magical Okavango Delta, one of the most visited destinations in Southern Africa, yet not easily accessible due to the numerous rivers, lakes, and marshes. The constantly changing water levels make accessibility challenging, making a boat trip or flight essential for a spectacular experience. The Mokoro trip offers the ultimate Botswana experience, drifting through the delta in search of wildlife, with stops for lunch, game walks, and refreshing dips. Enjoy sunsets reflecting on the still waters and overnight on an island, deep in the bush, for a truly off-the-beaten-track adventure under the starry sky.

As the journey from Botswana to Windhoek is too long to complete in one go, we'll make a stop in Ghanzi. It has a handful of lodges, restaurants, and shops. D'Kar Village is located nearby and is home to the popular Kuru Bushman Museum and Cultural Centre. The museum focuses on the history of the San people and features exhibits, a craft centre, a library, and various workshops. Visit the "Kuru Art project," where the San create artwork, just like their ancestors, to earn an income. The paintings depict animals, birds, mythical figures, and hunting scenes. Let yourself be inspired and take home a truly valuable souvenir.

Everything comes to an end, including this wonderful adventure. Fully rested, you pack your bags to get on the plane home. With a nice healthy colour on your cheeks, you board the plane. With your eyes closed and your seat reclined, you relive the cool adventures of the past few days. Full of inspiration and with an overdose of wonderful memories, you return home. Unspoilt nature, lush wildlife, inspiring people & vibrant cities. You now have plenty of stories to tell family and friends later by the fire. An adventure over, but a new set of experiences richer.