Pygmy Mouse Self-drive Safari: Summary
Pygmy Mouse Self-drive in a nutshell
This is a great trip for those after a real self-drive adventure, crossing ever-changing landscapes in three countries between luxury camps and some excellent safari.
Pick up your car on arrival into Windhoek for a relaxing first night in Namibia’s diminutive capital. The first proper drive north brings you to Okonjima Nature Reserve, a conservation-focused place that’s home to the AfriCat Foundation. Learn about their conservation work as you track leopards and perhaps see some of the rarer species studied here such as pangolin and brown hyena.
Turning west, asphalt turns to gravel as you head into Damaraland for a stay at Doro Nawas, a community-owned lodge with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and dry savannah. Take drives to follow herds of desert-adapted elephants as they amble across the rugged landscape and visit the 6000-year-old rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Next is the great lunar landscape of Etosha National Park, a great salt pan left by an ancient lake that hosts some truly spectacular wildlife sightings as animals gather around precious water-sources. You’ll stay first at a rest camp within the park whose relative simplicity is more than made up for by its waterhole which draws giraffe, elephant, oryx, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, lion and crashes of black rhino. Driving through the park at your own pace, spend another two nights at the luxurious Mushara Outpost. Relax and explore the park some more in your own vehicle or on a guided game drive.
Then head northeast with a stop by the Kavango right on the Angolan border before entering the Caprivi, an odd protrusion of Namibia that is a remnant of colonial treaties. It is a contrastingly lush place defined by rivers and you’ll follow the Kavango into Botswana to the top of the Delta’s panhandle and Nxamaseri Lodge. It’s great spot for birding, fishing and boat trips to see crocodiles and hippos. The exceptional rock art of Tsodilo Hills, Botswana’s first World Heritage Site, are also nearby.
Back in Namibia, explore the rich wetlands of Nkasa Rupara National Park from a remote eco-camp on day and night game drives and boating along the Kwando-Linyanti River. Cross once again into Botswana and the iconic Chobe National Park to the friendly lodge on a quieter stretch of the riverfront which is an ideal base for waterborne safaris to see the great elephant herds Chobe is famous for, as well as night drives and walks in the Forest Reserve. Antelope species are prolific and predator sightings not uncommon.
End your trip in Zimbabwe by the breath-taking Victoria Falls. Chill out with sunset cruises and afternoon tea at a historic venue, or keep the adventure going with exciting excursions on offer here such as white water rafting and microlight flights.
At a glance
Starts: | Windhoek International Airport | |
---|---|---|
1 night | Elegant Guesthouse - Windhoek, Namibia | Bed & Breakfast |
2 nights | Okonjima Plains Camp - Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia | Half Board |
2 nights | Doro Nawas - Damaraland, Namibia | Half Board |
2 nights | Okaukuejo Camp - Etosha National Park, Namibia | Bed & Breakfast |
2 nights | Mushara Outpost - Etosha National Park, Namibia | Half Board |
1 night | Hakusembe Lodge - Caprivi Strip, Namibia | Half Board |
2 nights | Nxamaseri Lodge - North-west Kalahari & Panhandle, Botswana | Full Board & Activities |
2 nights | Jackalberry Camp - Caprivi Strip, Namibia | Full Board & Activities |
2 nights | Muchenje Safari Lodge - Chobe National Park, Botswana | Full Board & Activities |
2 nights | Ilala Lodge - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe | Bed & Breakfast |
Ends: | Victoria Falls Airport |
Elegant Guesthouse
Windhoek, Namibia
Okonjima Plains Camp
Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia
Doro Nawas
Damaraland, Namibia
Okaukuejo Camp
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Mushara Outpost
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Hakusembe Lodge
Caprivi Strip, Namibia
Nxamaseri Lodge
North-west Kalahari & Panhandle, Botswana
Jackalberry Camp
Caprivi Strip, Namibia
Muchenje Safari Lodge
Chobe National Park, Botswana
Ilala Lodge
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Highlights
Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Pygmy Mouse Self-drive Safari.
- Experiencing northern Namibia's unique wildlife
- Varied safaris, from Etosha to the Caprivi Strip
- Dramatic landscapes that change almost daily
- Exploring remote areas visited by just a handful of tourists
- The mix of exciting activities at the Victoria Falls
Activities
Some activities which can be included in the Pygmy Mouse Self-drive Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Canoeing
Cultural excursion
Elephant encounter
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Kayaking
Microlight
Mokoro
Mountain biking
Night drive
Self-guided walking
Sleeping under the stars
White-water rafting
Key species to see on the Pygmy Mouse Self-drive Safari
Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Pygmy Mouse Self-drive Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.
100% chance
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97% chance
94% chance
94% chance
90% chance
86% chance
80% chance
73% chance
66% chance
34% chance
16% chance
15% chance
13% chance
Side-trips whilst on this trip
We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Pygmy Mouse Self-drive Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.
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