Some journeys are about ticking places off a list.
Others are about space, silence, wildlife, and the road itself.
This one was the latter.
I set off on what can only be described as the ultimate self-drive adventure through Southern Africa, crossing borders, deserts, deltas, and national parks — all at my own pace.
Windhoek, Namibia — Where the Journey Begins
Every great road trip needs a calm beginning.
Windhoek is the perfect starting point: relaxed, spacious, and surrounded by rolling hills. After picking up the car and stocking up on supplies, I took a final deep breath before heading south. The city fades quickly, and within moments, Namibia’s vast openness takes over.
This is where the road starts to feel endless — in the best possible way.
Sesriem — Gateway to the Namib Desert
The drive to Sesriem is a lesson in scale.
Straight roads, shifting colors, and a sky that feels impossibly big.
I stayed overnight near the park entrance, knowing the real magic would come early the next morning. As night fell, the desert cooled down, and the stars appeared in numbers I had never seen before.
Silence here isn’t empty — it’s powerful.
Sossusvlei & Deadvlei — Where Time Stands Still
Before sunrise, I entered the park and drove deep into the Namib Desert.
The dunes of Sossusvlei glow in shades of red and orange as the light changes by the minute. Climbing one of the dunes is exhausting, but the view from the top makes everything else disappear.
And then there is Deadvlei.
A white clay pan.
Black, dead camelthorn trees.
Red dunes rising around it like walls.
It feels unreal — like walking through a painting where time stopped centuries ago.
Spitzkoppe — Namibia’s Matterhorn
From desert plains to granite giants.
Spitzkoppe rises suddenly from the flat landscape, dramatic and unmistakable. I spent the night here, surrounded by massive rock formations glowing gold at sunset and deep red at dawn.
Walking among the boulders, finding ancient rock arches and San rock art, I felt incredibly small — and incredibly lucky.
Etosha National Park — Days of Wildlife and Waterholes
From Spitzkoppe, the road led north toward one of Africa’s greatest wildlife destinations: Etosha National Park.
I stayed several days, moving slowly between camps and waterholes. Each day felt different:
• Elephants gathering at dusk
• Giraffes moving like silhouettes against the salt pan
• Lions resting in the shade, completely unbothered by passing vehicles
Etosha is not rushed. You wait, you watch — and eventually, nature rewards you.
The Caprivi Strip — Where Water Takes Over
After the dry north, the Caprivi Strip feels like entering another world.
Green landscapes, rivers everywhere, and a completely different rhythm. I stayed at a beautiful lodge right on the water, where wildlife moved freely through the grounds.
Here, I saw hippo paths — narrow trails carved into the land as hippos travel between water and feeding grounds at night. Being on the water, drifting quietly, watching birds and animals along the banks, was pure calm.
This was luxury, but in the most natural sense.
Kasane, Botswana — At the Edge of Chobe
Crossing into Botswana, I arrived in Kasane, the gateway to Chobe National Park.
Kasane has a relaxed, frontier-town feeling, with wildlife never far away. I stayed overnight, preparing for a full day in Chobe — and it did not disappoint.
Chobe National Park — Elephants Everywhere
And the reputation is well earned.
During my day in the park, I saw herds moving across open plains, elephants swimming across the river, and young calves staying close to their mothers. A boat trip along the Chobe River added another perspective — wildlife at eye level, reflected in the water.
It’s raw, intense, and unforgettable.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe — The Smoke That Thunders
From Kasane, I crossed the border into Zimbabwe to visit Victoria Falls.
Nothing prepares you for the sound.
Before you see the falls, you hear them.
Standing at the edge, watching the Zambezi plunge into the gorge, mist rising like smoke, I understood why locals call it Mosi-oa-Tunya — The Smoke That Thunders.
I stayed one night nearby, letting the experience sink in before turning back toward Botswana.
Back to Kasane & Chobe — One More Safari Day
Returning to Kasane, I couldn’t resist another day in Chobe National Park.
The light was different. The animals were different.
That’s the magic of safari — no two days are ever the same.
Through the Okavango Region — A Long, Beautiful Drive to Maun
From Kasane, I set off on a full-day drive through the Okavango region, heading toward Maun.
This wasn’t about rushing — it was about the journey itself. Long stretches of road, changing landscapes, villages, wildlife along the way. A true road trip day.
Maun felt lively after days in nature — a gateway town buzzing with travelers, pilots, and safari vehicles.
Maun — Gateway to the Delta
I stayed overnight in Maun, reflecting on the journey so far. From here, many travelers fly into the Okavango Delta, but even from the ground, you feel its presence.
Water, wildlife, and wilderness define this part of Botswana.
Back into Namibia — Buitepos & a Wildlife Estate Stay
Crossing back into Namibia, I stayed near Buitepos, on a large private estate rather than a traditional hotel.
Wide open land.
Wildlife moving freely.
Silence broken only by nature.
It felt like the perfect transition — comfort without losing the wild feeling that had defined the entire journey.
Windhoek — Full Circle
Finally, I returned to Windhoek, where it all began.
The car was dusty.
The memories were endless.
And the road had given me more than I ever expected.
This route wasn’t just a trip — it was a reminder of how powerful slow travel can be, especially in places where nature still sets the rules.
