A Comfortable Itinerary Through Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe
A Comfortable Itinerary Through Namibia, Botswana & ZimbabwePlanning a trip to Africa can feel overwhelming. There are so many ways to travel: overland trucks with tents, international group tours with mixed travelers, self-drive adventures, or even luxury fly-in safaris. Each choice shapes how much comfort you have — and how much stress you avoid.
For this three-week journey through Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, I chose the comfortable option: a Dutch group tour with hotels instead of tents. Everything is arranged in advance — from transport to border paperwork — and communication is clear in my own language. Compared to international operators like Intrepid or G Adventures, Dutch tours often focus more on comfort and organization, while still leaving space for adventure.
This guide shows the route I followed, together with practical preparation tips. Think of it as a tool to see what’s possible in three weeks — and to decide which style of travel matches your comfort.
🧭 3-Week Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe Itinerary Overview
This three-week journey connects three very different countries: Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. From capital cities and desert landscapes to wetlands and thundering waterfalls, the route shows a wide range of Southern Africa in one loop. Each stop brings its own reason to go — sometimes wildlife, sometimes landscapes, sometimes culture — and together they form a balanced mix of adventure and comfort.
Windhoek (Namibia) 🏙️
Namibia’s capital may not look like much at first sight, but it’s a soft landing before the wild begins. German colonial buildings stand next to modern museums, and the streets are lined with cafés where locals meet. It’s the place to catch your breath and ease into the rhythm of Southern Africa.
Okavango Delta – Maun (Botswana) 🌿
This UNESCO World Heritage site is unlike anywhere else: a river that doesn’t flow to the sea but disappears into the sands of the Kalahari. The result is a green paradise of water channels, reed beds, and islands. Gliding in a mokoro canoe at sunrise, while birds skim the water, is a moment travelers never forget.
Nata & Chobe National Park (Botswana) 🐘
From the white glimmer of the Makgadikgadi salt pans to the dense woodlands of Chobe, this stretch shows Botswana’s contrasts. Chobe is home to the world’s largest elephant population — sometimes entire herds crossing the road in front of you. Game drives at sunset feel like stepping straight into a wildlife documentary.
Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) 💦
Locals call it Mosi-oa-Tunya — the smoke that thunders. The Zambezi River drops in a curtain of water more than a kilometer wide, creating spray that can be seen from miles away. Whether you view it from the Zimbabwean side or take a boat on the river above, the falls are both raw power and pure beauty.
Caprivi Strip & Rundu (Namibia) 🌳
After the dry savannas, the Caprivi feels almost tropical. Rivers like the Okavango and Zambezi cut through the land, attracting hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species. Villages along the riverbanks give a glimpse of everyday life, far from Namibia’s tourist trail.
Etosha National Park (Namibia) 🦓
At the heart of Namibia lies Etosha, a vast salt pan surrounded by grasslands and bush. Here, wildlife comes to you: lions, elephants, and giraffes gather at the waterholes, often right next to the campsites. Few parks make it this easy — or this comfortable — to watch Africa’s wild drama unfold.
Swakopmund (Namibia) 🌊
On the edge of the desert and the Atlantic Ocean, Swakopmund feels like a German seaside town dropped in Namibia. Half-timbered houses, palm-lined boulevards, and a cool sea breeze make it a welcome break after long days inland. From here, you can join desert tours or simply enjoy good coffee and ocean views.
Sossusvlei & Sesriem (Namibia) 🏜️
Nothing says Namibia like the red dunes of Sossusvlei. Some rise over 300 meters, glowing orange at sunrise. In the nearby Deadvlei, ancient camel thorn trees stand frozen in a white clay pan — a surreal, almost otherworldly scene that ends up on every traveler’s camera roll.
Windhoek (Namibia, return) ✈️
Back in the capital, the circle is complete. After weeks of desert, rivers, and wildlife, Windhoek feels both familiar and new. It’s a place to reflect, pick up last souvenirs, and prepare for the flight home — carrying with you the memories of a journey across three countries.
💡 Practical Preparation Tips
Preparation might not sound exciting, but it’s what makes a journey like this comfortable. In Southern Africa, the difference between stress and ease often comes down to small details: the right visa, a few dollars in your pocket, or a scarf against the desert dust. Here are the essentials — plus Travelglaze tips to make life easier.
🛂 Visa & Borders
Since 2025, Namibia requires an online visa for many travelers — not the cheapest, but easy to arrange. Botswana is visa-free for short visits, while Zimbabwe works with the KAZA Univisa, covering both Zimbabwe and Zambia for 30 days. Always carry small USD bills, as border payments are often cash only.
💡 Travelglaze Tip: Print your visa confirmations — Wi-Fi can fail at borders, and paper saves time.
💳 Money
Withdraw Namibian dollars or South African rand in Windhoek, and pula in Maun or Kasane. For Zimbabwe, bring $100–150 in clean, small-dollar bills from home. ATMs can be unreliable, and large notes are hard to change.
💡 Travelglaze Tip: Keep a small purse with “border cash” separate from your main wallet — it avoids stress in the queue.
💉 Malaria
From the Okavango Delta through Chobe, Caprivi, and Victoria Falls, malaria is a risk. Use repellent with at least 40% DEET, wear long sleeves in the evening, and sleep under a mosquito net. Most travelers also take malaria tablets (follow your doctor’s advice).
💡 Travelglaze Tip: Pack light-colored long sleeves — they’re cooler in the heat and double as evening mosquito protection.
📶 eSIM & Connectivity
Don’t expect steady Wi-Fi — outside cities like Windhoek and Swakopmund it’s almost a digital detox. An eSIM (for example from Airalo) is useful for maps and messages, but download offline maps and playlists in advance.
💡 Travelglaze Tip: Test your eSIM before leaving the city — fixing problems in the desert is nearly impossible.
💧 Water & Food
Tap water is safe in Namibian cities, but always buy bottled water in rural areas and in Botswana. In Zimbabwe, stick to bottled or filtered water. Avoid ice cubes, raw salads, and undercooked meat in remote places.
💡 Travelglaze Tip: Bring a reusable bottle — many lodges have refill stations that save both money and plastic.
🚍 Transport
Be ready for long travel days — sometimes 7–8 hours in a truck or bus. A buff or scarf helps against dust, and a small pillow or neck rest adds comfort. Carry a powerbank, as some days there’s no chance to charge devices.
💡 Travelglaze Tip: Download podcasts or audiobooks for the road — they make the hours fly by.
🎒 Packing & Comfort
Desert nights can drop to 5–10°C even if the day feels hot. Pack layers, a warm hoodie or fleece, and a headlamp for camps with limited electricity. Don’t bring plastic bags into Namibia — they’re banned and fines apply.
💡 Travelglaze Tip: Add a buff to your packing list — it’s a dust mask, sun guard, and pillow cover in one.
💵 Tipping
Small tips are part of travel etiquette. In Namibia and Botswana, NAD 10–20 or BWP 10–20 is normal for lodge staff. For guides and drivers, budget about $5–10 per person per day. Always tip in local currency or small USD notes.
💡 Travelglaze Tip: Collect small bills early in the trip — they’re surprisingly hard to find once you’re on the road.
🗣️ Language & Local Words
English is widely spoken in Namibia and Zimbabwe, and also common in Botswana. Still, locals appreciate it when visitors learn a few words in their own language. In Namibia, you may hear Oshiwambo, Herero, or Nama. In Botswana, Setswana is most common. Even a simple greeting can open doors.
💡 Travelglaze Tip: Try saying “Dumela” (hello) or “Ke a leboga” (thank you) in Botswana. In Namibia, “Wa lalapo?” means “How are you?” — it always brings a smile.
✨ Travelglaze Moment
Before my trip, one of the things I secretly worried about was not the long flights or the wild animals — but the bush toilets. How do you manage when there’s no bathroom for hours and only the open savanna around you?
To feel more confident, I started practicing a few simple exercises at home. They sound like fitness moves, but they train exactly the muscles and balance you need for a quick “bush break.”
1. Wall Sit
Lean with your back against a wall, slide down until your knees form a 90° angle, and hold the position. Start with 20–30 seconds, and build up to 1–2 minutes. Great for leg strength and endurance.
2. Chair Squats
Stand in front of a chair, lower yourself until you just touch the seat with your hips, then push back up without using your hands. Do 2 sets of 10–15 reps. This helps you control lowering and standing back up in balance.
3. Calf Raises
Stand straight, rise slowly on your toes, hold for 2 seconds, then lower again. Repeat 15–20 times. Strong calves improve stability on uneven ground.
4. Deep Squat Hold
Place your feet slightly wider than hip-width. Lower into a squat with heels on the floor, elbows between your knees. Hold 20–30 seconds, build up to 1 minute. Perfect for practicing the actual position you might need in the bush.
💡 Travelglaze Tip: Try these exercises in the shoes you plan to travel with. It’s the easiest way to know how it feels on the ground — and it gives you peace of mind before you go.
🌟 Final Thoughts
A journey through Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe is full of contrasts: red dunes, endless roads, elephants by the river, and the roar of Victoria Falls. Preparation gives you the comfort to enjoy it all — from the right visa in your passport to the small details that make long travel days easier.
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And yet, no itinerary is ever set in stone. Visa rules change, borders can surprise you, and malaria zones shift with the season. That’s why this route should be seen as inspiration rather than a fixed script — a framework you can adjust to your own style of travel and comfort level.
👉 Ready to plan your own route through Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe? Save this itinerary, make it your own, and travel with confidence.
