Victoria Falls
White-backed Vulture / Weißrückengeier
Toyota Allrad Landcruiser für Selbstfahrer Fotografen
Malachite Kingfischer / Haubenzwergfischer
Wilde Hunde im Bwabwata Nationalpark
Red-billed Oxpecker / Rotschnabel-madenhacker
Leopard im Bwabwata Nationalpark
African Pygmy Goose / Schmuckzwergente
Gamedrive & Boatcruise Chobe River
Carmine Bee-Eater / Karminspint
Elephanten am Chobe
Elephanten am Chobe
Elefanten am Horseshoebend
Ufervegetation des Kwando, per Boot genoosen
Moorantilopen stehen auf Grasfläche vor Makalani Palme
Nilpferd
Pferdeantilopen kaempfen bei Khaudom
Elefanten im Kwando
Namibian Wildlife, a self-drive Safari
Leaflove Self-Drive Tour: Exploring the Wildlife-Rich Etosha & Caprivi in Namibia
You are here:
Overview:
A journey for nature and wildlife enthusiasts to the “Namibian Okavango Delta.”
This trip is primarily focused on wildlife observation, biodiversity, and wildlife photography. If you want to see many animals, there is no better and more diverse program. You will start on the central high plateau and visit two private conservation areas where you can observe and photograph Africa’s apex predators along with a wide variety of other animals.
The pronounced contrast between the dry semi-desert areas of the western and eastern Etosha National Parks and the water-rich dry forests, wetlands, and rivers of the Okavango, Kwando, and Chobe in the Caprivi Strip, due to the different habitats, offers a diversity of wildlife and plants that few other African countries can match.
Highlights
- Big 5 & large 6 - guaranteed (almost)
- Info and knowledge from good local guides
- Top local guides take you to animals, birds and other subjects
- Animal Observations- & Photography
- Top for birders in company with wildlife photographers
- Exceptional animal and plant diversity
- Okavango Delta, Chobe, Etosha, Vic Falls
Self-drive yet still informed:
We always put together our trips to be informative and enriching. While you’ll drive the connecting routes yourself, we are happy to arrange the necessary locally guided game drives and activities for you on-site.
Map
Itinerary
Detailed itinerary
Logistics @ arrival
Locate you as you enter the airport’s arrival hall – you’re eager to assist you.
Our team at Leaflove Safari will efficiently manage and oversee the vehicle handover, including insurance logistics.
You’ll receive your vouchers, maps, a detailed route description, and, of course, a warm welcome package.
Additionally, you’ll equip you with a GPS device featuring pre-programmed routes in the ‘Tracks 4 Africa’ system!
Day 1 & 2
- 2 nights on Namibia’s largest private game reserve, Erindi Game Reserve in a quality safari room.
inclusive:
- Full board
- Any game drives in open game vehicles guided by well-trained rangers.
Arrival & drive to Erindi Nature Reserve
185 km – approx. 2 h driving time
One of the largest private parks in Africa will already show you wildlife sightings along the way and wonderful photo opportunities of the high termite mounds in the red sandy mountain landscape.
We have planned two nights here as the locally guided game drives can lead to rhino, lion and elephant sightings and the lodge is an excellent place to settle into Namibia.
At the waterholes directly at the lodge, hippos, crocodiles, numerous antelope species and many birds can be observed and photographed in relaxation… Ideal if you want to lay back but not miss a thing.
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- Elefanten scheuern sich an Termitenhügeln und haben oft die gleiche Farbe wie der Sand.
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- Schon an der Unterkunft sehen Sie viele Tiere… und wollen oft gar nicht mehr auf Pirschfahrt.
Day 3
- 1 night at the Africat Foundation’s beautiful bush camp or the famous African Villa, arguably one of the best lodges in Namibia.
inclusive:
- Full board with activities
Africat Foundation- Leopards
160 km – approx. 2.1 h driving time
This is the home of the foundation for African cats, the “Africat Foundation”. A lot of time and energy is put into the conservation and research of various wild cats, mainly cheetahs and leopards. A successful observation of wild leopards is almost guaranteed here and you also get to see other cats, such as cheetahs and lions.
You take part in game drives with local guides / experts in open four-wheel drive game vehicles. On the game drives photographers get their money’s worth, consideration is given. Well-guided walks and game drives give the visitor an insight into nature and how the project works.
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- die Leoparden der Africat Stiftung sind inzwischen gewohnt, dass wir keine Bedrohung für sie sind und haben die Furcht vor uns verloren.
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- gern legen sich Geparden erhöht auf abgetragene Termitenhügel. Dieses sind Pflegetiere der Africat Stiftung.
Day 4 & 5
- 2 nights at a nature lodge on the Mudorib Dry River. The lodge is situated in the Mopane savannah surrounded by gigantic winter thorn acacias, whose pods provide good elephant food.
inclusive:
- Dinner, bed and breakfast
- 3x game drive in an open four-wheel drive vehicle
be undertaken.
Hobatere
230 km – approx. 3 h driving time
Pure wilderness, the lodge is a “guest” in completely untouched nature. As large parts of these areas have never been commercially exploited, the guest experiences a truly “untouched” nature where the wildlife can still follow the everyday rhythm of Africa. It might well happen to meet an elephant by the pool or to hear not only owls and howling jackals but also lions roaring at night. Encounters with endemic Hartmann’s mountain zebra, numerous antelope and giraffe are to be expected here, lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephants like to roam this area, but being able to observe them remains a matter of luck.
Hobatere Lodge offers a night game drive, which can lead to encounters with aardvarks, porcupines, genet, bat-eared foxes, spring hares and other nocturnal animals.
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- Kleine Herden Bergzebras sind manchmal auf dem Hobatere Wildschutzgebiet zu finden.
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- Giraffen bewegen sich auch in den Berglandschaften rundum Hobatere und sind der Dürre gut angepasst.
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- in den trockenen Jahreszeiten kommen recht viele Tiere am Hobatere Wasserloch trinken.
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- gut geschützt sitzen Sie am Ansitz Hobatere Wasserloch und schauen den Tieren zu.
Day 6 & 7
- 2 nights accommodation within the National Park in a high quality Waterhole Chalet directly at the world famous Okaukuejo Waterhole or at a good private lodge directly adjacent to the park.
inclusive:
- Dinner, bed and breakfast
You can easily drive around the park in your rental car and spot animals as you please. However, the lodges also offer game drives in open game viewing vehicles… this can mean the benefit of additional wildlife information and viewing as the local guides know their stuff well
Etoscha National Park – Central
210 km – approx. 5 h driving time (slowly through the park)
Today you will drive through the West Park, an absolute highlight that is only possible for a few tourists. Take a packed lunch with you and take your time at the waterholes to observe the wildlife, often as the only one!
Etosha National Park is probably one of the most wildlife-rich parks in Africa, although it is quite a dry park. The 4000km2 salt-loam pan generates artesian springs on the south bank, so-called “contact springs”. This is where vast quantities of different game accumulate, especially in slightly drier and warmer seasons. The central area is somewhat more open and overgrown with acacias, the central area shows a rather dense mopane forest and in the east there is a dry forest. Each vegetation type shows different animal species. Of course you will see a lot of animals on the way, with luck you will succeed in the optimal observations of the pachyderms and predatory cats – here patience and early rising are often rewarded.
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- Etosha hat viele Springböcke… eine wunderschöne kleine Antilope.
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- trinkende Giraffen im Etosha. Ventile in flexiblen Venen und Adern verhindern einen zu hohen Blutdruck im Kopfe.
Day 8 & 9
1 night at a good lodge situated in the eastern dry blood fruit forest, directly adjacent to the park.
1 night on Namibia’s Little Serengeti, the Andoni Plain at an impressive lodge.
inclusive:
- Dinner, bed and breakfast
Etosha National Park – East
170km – ca. 5 h Fahrzeit (langsam durch den Park)
We know that many of our guests have come to Namibia with the idea of game viewing, which is why we have also planned two overnight stays in the eastern part of the Etosha Park. In the east, the somewhat lush vegetation and numerous springs ensure a higher density of animals and the chance of seeing lions is very high here. Also interesting are the dwarf green antelopes, possibly a few Blue cranes and often rhinos.
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- Im Etoshapark hört man sie auch rufen. Häufig sind Tüpfelhyänen auch mit nachwuchs zu sehen.
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- Der perfekte Fotomoment, eine Giraffe nach dem Schöpfen schüttelt den Kopf.
Day 10
- 1 night near Rundu, where the Okavango is still called Kavango. A beautiful lodge opens up the natural world of permanent African rivers to you.
inclusive:
- Dinner, bed & breakfast
(O)Kavango bei Rundu
353 km – ca. 4,6 h Fahrzeit
Nach viel trockenem Buschland, in Form von Akaziensavannen und Trockenwäldern, kommen Sie an das Tor in den Norden. Namibias Norden ist wegen der strengen Ausfuhrbestimmungen durch einen Veterinärzaun von der aktiven Landwirtschaft im zentralen und südlichen Namibia getrennt. Sobald man den Zaun hinter sich lässt, fängt ein Teil “Bilderbuchafrika” an. Man sieht die ersten traditionellen Hütten, bekommt den Rauch der Eingeborenenfeuer in die Nase, Hühner und Rinder kreuzen die Strasse und man bemerkt wie die Vegetation immer dichter wird. Unterwegs treffen Sie auf das Töpfervolk der Nyemba und können am Nachmittag bei Sonnenuntergang auf dem Kavango einen Gin Tonic oder Rockshandy geniessen.
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- Mokoro sind die Holzbote, mit denen die Eingeborenen des Caprivi auf den Flüssen unterwegs sind.
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- gern können Sie die traditionellen Bräuche der Stämme kennenlernen
Day 11 & 12
- 2 nights on the panhandle of the Okavango Delta at a lodge near the Bwabwata Nature Reserve, right on the banks of the Okavango.
inclusive:
- Dinner, bed and breakfast
- Locally guided boat tour
- Locally guided game drive into the Buffalo Core Area
Okavango Panhandle, Buffalo & Mahango National Park
230 km – approx. 2.5 h driving time
The Kavango (Okavango) opens up before your eyes again. Already at noon you get to see the Popa Rapids. A short hike to the falls and through the thicket of the Popa National Park has delighted many a nature lover.
Although Mahango Park is not very large, it is home to the rare sable and roan antelopes, giraffes of course, and often elephants, lechwe, waterbuck and also reedbuck on the banks of the Okavango. The majestic African Fish Eagle impresses with its call and remarkable appearance.
You will drive through the thick sands of the Mahango West, where you will find the special plains zebra – subspecies of the Chapman and often small herds of buffalo. Your reliable vehicle also allows you to explore the east bank of the Okavango – in the Bwabwata National Park near Buffalo – where we have already found huge herds of buffalo and elephant, your destination here is also the magnificent Wattled Cranes and likely even the African Snipe.
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- Die Büffelherde des Mahango Parks
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- die seltene Pferdeantilope ist dem Aussterben stark bedroht.
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- Nilwarane sind die größten Feinde der Krokodile, da sie die Eier fressen.
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- Nilpferd gähnt, Sonne geht unter, Gänse streichen… was kann es schöneres geben.
Day 13 & 14
- 2 nights In the middle of the wilderness of the Bwabwata National Park lies the Nambwa Peninsula, on which a high-quality tented lodge stands. The hustle and bustle of the wildlife takes place right in front of the lodge and it is only a short distance to the legendary Horseshoe Bend, where large herds of elephants are often found.
inclusive:
- Full board
- Locally guided boat trips on the Kwando River
- Game drives in the sandy dry forest of the park.
The Kwando & Bwabwata National Park on Nambwa
228 km – approx. 2.2 h driving time (25 km jeep track)
The Kwando/Linyanti/Liambezi alluvial river basin is characterised by wide reed belts, numerous lagoons and wide floodplains in the course of the river, which is why a lot of game gathers here. The waters are heavily populated with hippos, crocodiles and Nile monitor lizards. A strong population of various antelope species, the contrasting Chapman zebra, buffalo and very many elephants quench their thirst on the banks of the Kwando. Particularly appealing in this wilderness are regular phyton sightings and an increasing number of leopard sightings. Birdwatchers get their money’s worth here. Pure nature!
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- Nilpferde ruhen sich gern im flachen Wasser aus.
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- Horseshoe Bend ist ein Sammelpunkt für große Elefantenherden.
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- Eine wunderbare Kulisse, das hohe Gras und Schilf… und dazu der Reedbock.
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- Impala können 13 m aus dem Stand springen
Day 15 & 16
- 2 nights at a wilderness lodge, with the sought after feeling of Africa: being “in the middle of the bush”.
inclusive:
- Dinner, bed and breakfast
- Locally guided boat trip / game drive
Combination
the Nkasa Rupara National Park
101 km – approx. 2 h driving time (40 km jeep track)
If you knew the Okavango Delta, you would not believe you were in a different place than in this wilderness. The huge floodplain of the Linyanti shows picture-book Africa with termite hills, grassy steppes and small palm islands.
Here the animal density is not quite as high as elsewhere, but the feeling of wilderness, created by wonderful sunsets and distant lion roars, is more real here than anywhere else.
You can even explore David Livingstone’s history through a small museum…
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- kommt man ihnen zu nahe, warnen die Nilpferde mit einem großen Gähnen.
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- als Zebrastreifen im Caprivi… das Chapman Steppenzebra geht über die B8
Logistics
You will drop off your rental car in Katima Mulilo today. The vehicle will be brought back to the capital.
You will get a transfer to the lodge at Chobe, as well as to Vic Falls and the airport at Vic Falls.
Day 17, 18 & 19
- 3 nights on the Kasika Floodplain, directly opposite Sedudu Island, which is heavily populated with buffalo.
inclusive:
- Full board
- Locally guided boat trips on the Chobe and if desired on the Zambezi
- Game drives in the sandy dry forest of Chobe National Park.
not inclusive:
- US$ 50.- for visa and
- US$ 30.- Entrance fee to the falls (please bring separately as these fees are subject to change)
Remark:
Here the game drives are done by boat. The flat aluminium boats are quite comfortable (also very spacious) and are sturdy and quiet, they are great for wildlife viewing and photography.
Chobe National Park, Sedudu Island & the Kasika Plains
255 km – approx. 3h driving time + border crossing into Botswana
Today you head for the Chobe River, country corner of Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe and densest wildlife population in Africa. Over many kilometres, the Chobe River floods numerous shallow islands every year. Life “booms” here, because there is sufficient food for every living thing. Numerous elephants line the banks and you can, at times, even see them swimming, wonderful for photographers.
The flat islands are grazed by buffalo, impala, the rare grass antelope puku and waterbuck, and on the shore, recumbent Nile crocodiles come suspiciously close. Flocks of numerous Openbill storks, Widow Ducks, Spur-winged Geese and Pratincoles pass overhead during the boat cruise. Slaty egrets show themselves on the shore and the Black heron impresses with its remarkable way of fishing by forming its wings into a bell. Kingfisher photography guaranteed!
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- Die Bootsfahrten auf dem Chobe sind phatastisch, da man sehr nahe an Elefanten hernafahren kann.
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- die Motive erkennen… darauf kommt es an!
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- Elefanten schwimmen durch tiefes Wasser und nutzen den Rüssel als Schnorchel.
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- Krokodile schwimmen am Chobe mit leicht geöffnetem Mund ins Wasser – guter Fotomoment.
Day 20
- 1 night near Vic Falls at the legendary Victoria Falls Hotel (an overnight stay at this hotel is considered by many to be a necessary “have to do” when going on safari in Africa) or at a beautiful lodge near the falls.
inclusive:
- Overnight stay & breakfast (dinner a la carte in the restaurant not included)
- Transfer to Vic Falls / Hotel & to the airport
Services NOT included:
- US$ 50.- for visa and
- US$ 30.-Admission to the falls (please bring separately)
Victoria Falls and the unique biotope at the falls
135 km – approx. 2 h driving time (slowly through the park & border crossing)
At the Victoria Falls there is a misty rain. A dense forest of Cape figs, ferns, water pears and large baobabs line this imposing bank.
You admire the fruits of the ficus sur, while above you the Trumpeter hornbill feeds on the lush figs and berries or the green Schalow’s turaco with its signal red wings calls harshly and thrills.
Secretly, the Thrush swims in the undergrowth and the Bronze mannikin flits among the ferns.
Over 470 species of birds have been seen here so far, so it’s a hotspot of finest nature….
There are many artists living in Zimbabwe and you are bound to find one or two works of art or meet interesting people.
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- seitliche Sicht auf die Victoria Falls
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- die Schnitzer in Zimbabwe sind äusserst künstlerisch begabt
Day 21
inclusive:
- Transfers to the chosen airport, as well as further transfers to accommodation or international airports.
Flight logistics in Africa
55 km – please allow approx. 1 h driving time!
Today, take the Eurowings 4Y 139 flight from Victoria Falls to Windhoek to connect on the same flight to Frankfurt.
Indicative prices for 2024
| Teilnehmer pro Fahrzeug | natürlich | klassisch | edel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | 5.946.00 € | 7.601.00 € | 12.099.00 € |
| 2 Personen | 4.424.00 € | 6.080.00 € | 10.577.00 € |
| 3 Personen | 3.916.00 € | 5.573.00 € | 10.069.00 € |
| 4 Personen | 3.663.00 € | 5.319.00 € | 9.816.00 € |
| Einzelzimmer | 488.00 € | 771.00 € | 2.112.00 € |
Services included
- Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Activities as indicated in the itinerary
- Pre-programmed GPS with route itinerary / Tracks for Africa
Rental car:
- Off-road and safari-friendly 4x4 Toyota Fortuner or Land Cruiser (up to 4 people) cheaper options available
- Tires suitable for gravel roads
- Two spare tires in good condition
- Maximum insurance coverage with lowest possible access (conditions apply)
- Complimentary airport transfers and handling
Services not included
- Additional optional activities
- Personal expenses
- Beverages and gratuities
- International and domestic flights
- Fuel for the vehicle
- Entrance fees to national parks and local attractions on the itinerary (to be paid on-site)
- Visa expenses
We are happy to answer frequently asked questions in advance
At what time of year is this trip suitable?
If you are particularly interested in abundant wildlife, the months of September to November would be ideal. In February to March there are many birds but few mammals.
How high is the risk of malaria?
The risk of mosquito bites is very high in the months of January to May and you should definitely take precautions and protect yourself against mosquito bites. The months of June to November are hardly dangerous, but you should still protect yourself from mosquito bites and/or even take prophylaxis.
You have to drive through thick sand, can we do that without an accident?
A lot of self-drivers now drive through the deep sand stretches of the Caprivi. If you follow the rules, use the four-wheel drive carefully and keep away from the elephant herds, everything should go well. If you are not comfortable with these short distances, we can plan the trip so that you only travel on safe routes and stay at accommodation that is easier to reach.
An offer especially for you! Simply let us know your change requests in this form.
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This Safari was last updated on 4. October 2023 @ 17:55.
