Our specialist says
A self-drive adventure through one of Namibia's most remarkable and wildlife-rich regions
Namibia’s Caprivi Strip is a cartographic oddity, a narrow strip of land that runs east from the bulk of the country towards Victoria Falls, wedged between Angola to the north and Botswana to the south. Game rich and with some stunning riverine landscapes, it is a veritable Garden of Eden and offers a compelling contrast to the dry and dusty deserts of the rest of the country.
The adventure starts with an overnight stop in Windhoek, Namibia’s Germanic capital city, before you make the long drive north to the eastern edge of the Etosha National Park where you will be able to enjoy a quintessential Namibian safari experience. From there you will continue to the Caprivi Strip, stopping for a night in the frontier town of Rundu which marks the border between Namibia and Angola and is the gateway to Caprivi. Proceed in to the Caprivi Strip proper, stopping in two separate parks as you drive through. The game viewing will be dramatically contrasting to Etosha, with the dry salt pan replaced by lush bushveld and gently winding rivers. As well as abundant elephant, lion and leopard you will also have the chance to see wild dog and buffalo, not animals you would normally associate with Namibia. The birding here is incredible and there is also the chance to visit gently bubbling waterfalls, take boat trips along the Okavango River and enjoy the beauty of this incredible area. Round off your trip with a few nights on an island in the heart of the Chobe River which marks the point where Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe all meet.
This is a truly incredible adventure, perfect for those who have been to Namibia before and want to experience something very different. Equally it is a great choice for those who want to enjoy a water-orientated safari experience but without paying the high prices associated with Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
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The itinerary…
Day 1: Flying to Namibia
Fly overnight to Johannesburg.
Day 2: A night in Windhoek

Rivendell Swimming Pool
Connect through Johannesburg on to a regional flight to Windhoek, arriving in the early afternoon. From the airport you will be transferred to Rivendell Guesthouse where you will be spending the night. A member of staff from our local partners will pay you a visit this afternoon for your trip briefing and to ensure safe delivery of your rental car after which you will be at leisure to relax by the pool and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Day 3: Off to Etosha

Mushara Lodge Bedroom
Set off from Windhoek early this morning as you have a lot of ground to cover to the eastern edge of the Etosha National Park. Here you will be staying at the lovely Mushara Lodge, which offers easy access to some of the best game viewing that the park has to offer. After a long drive you may wish to spend the afternoon relaxing, although you will have the chance to head out and do some exploration of the park should you wish.
Day 4: Explore eastern Etosha

Rhino In Etosha
Mushara is renowned for having some of the best guides in Etosha and today is a chance to enjoy their company on a guided game drive through the park. They offer both morning and afternoon game drives in to the park, with the guides on hand to impart their knowledge on the varied wildlife that you will see, as well as take you away from the crowds to their favourite secret spots to offer you a truly memorable safari.
Day 5: Drive to Rundu

Hakusembe River Lodge Pool
There will be the chance for you to enjoy a final game drive from Mushara this morning, or you can simply have a more leisurely morning and spend sometime relaxing by the pool. When you are ready you will need to set off north, heading to the border town of Rundu where you will be spending the night at Hakusembe River Lodge. They offer some amazing boat trips from the lodge so this afternoon is the perfect chance to enjoy one of these.
Day 6: The start of the Caprivi

Divava Okavango Lodge Bedroom
After breakfast set off from Hakusembe and bear due east as you drive in to the Caprivi Strip. The contrast is stark as you leave the dry red desert behind and enjoy the altogether more clement surroundings of Caprivi, with reed covered river banks and verdant floodplains. You will be spending the next 2 nights at Divava Okavango Lodge and Spa. Enjoy sundowner drinks by the beautiful Popa Falls once you are settled in.
Day 7: Explore the Mahango National Park

Okavango River Boat Trip
Today will be a full day for you to explore from Divava, either heading out on your own or by joining one of the guided activities offered by the lodge. The nearby Mahango National Park is a wonderful spot with varied wildlife including lion, leopard, giraffe and buffalo as well as large herds of elephant. Boat safaris are a great way to spot hippo and crocodile as well as enjoy a spot of fishing – truly a wonderful way to while away an afternoon.
Day 8: Deeper in to the Caprivi

Nambwa Tented Lodge Suite
Venture deeper in to the Caprivi Strip this morning, enjoying the amazing scenery as you drive east. You will be staying at Nambwa Tented Lodge for the next 3 nights and this will be an undoubted highlight of the trip. Found in the game rich Bwabwata National Park the lodge offers access to prime wildlife viewing areas and is one of the most luxurious in the region. A trip to Horseshoe Lagoon for sundowners is an ideal way to get your stay started.
Day 9: Bwabwata National Park

Bwabwata Elephant Viewing
The lodge offers a hugely varied programme of activities which gives you a wonderful number of ways to explore the area. Morning and afternoon boat cruises are very popular and are a very genteel way to explore the area with birders especially fond of them. Game drives in the park are renowned for their excellent elephant encounters whilst guided bush walks are perfect for those who want to learn more about the smaller things often missed on game drives.
Day 10: Relax and enjoy the lodge

Nambwa Breakfast Boat Cruise
Of course, no holiday would be complete without some well-earned relaxation time and Nambwa is the perfect spot for just that. The lodge is beautifully sited overlooking a watering hole where wildlife will often come to drink and both the suites and the main area are incredibly comfortable so perfect for sitting back with a good book and watching the world go by. The food is excellent and staff are always on hand to serve cold drinks.
Day 11: An island in the river

Ichingo Chobe River Lodge Room
Continue on your journey today, heading to the eastern tip of Caprivi where you will be spending the final 3 nights of your trip at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge. Nestled on a small island in the middle of the Chobe River the lodge is in Namibia, but overlooks Botswana and offers the same experience as visitors would get if you went to the famed Chobe National Park but without the crowds. Sit back, relax and enjoy the late afternoon views from the lodge.
Day 12: Exploring the Chobe River

Ichingo Fishing Trip
The activities from Ichingo are focused on being on the water, with a series of tender boats on hand to take you out on the Chobe River and offer the chance for amazing encounters with elephant drinking from the bank as well as hippo and crocodile sunning themselves in the shallows. They are also great for birding and fishing, so chat with the staff at the lodge and they will be able to plan the perfect days out for you.
Day 13: Enjoy beautiful Ichingo

Ichingo Swimming Pool
The lodge boasts an excellent relationship with a local village where many of its staff hail from so there will be a chance to visit and learn more about their unique way of life in this stunning part of the world. Equally, there is plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the unique surroundings of the lodge, relax by the swimming pool and enjoy the warm, natural hospitality, as well as the incredible food for which it is renowned.
Day 14: The journey home begins
After breakfast and some time at leisure to relax you will be transferred to the nearby Kasane airport for a flight to Johannesburg where you will catch an overnight flight home.
Duration: 14 days
Location: Namibia Holidays, Africa
Price: £7035pp
This Caprivi Strip Safari costs from £7,035 per person and includes:
- Regional flights
- Car rental (Ford Ranger 4x4) for the duration of the trip, including full insurance
- One-way drop off fee for the rental vehicle
- Cell phone, cool box, maps and comprehensive driving directions
- 1 night with Breakfast at Rivendell Guesthouse - Luxury Room
- 2 nights Half Board at Mushara Lodge - Standard Room
- 1 night Half Board at Hakusembe River Lodge - Standard Room
- 2 nights Half Board at Divava Okavango Lodge and Spa - Luxury Chalet
- 3 nights Fully Inclusive at Nambwa Tented Lodge - Luxury Tented Suite
- 3 nights Fully Inclusive at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge - Tented Room
Tailor this trip around your preferred dates, your budget and your ideas