Reply To: Namibia and Botswana self drive

[tomahawk]

Did 2 weeks driving round Namibia last August with my son and loved it. We had a white hilux double cab from Europcar which also allowed my 20 year old son to drive. Had paper maps but didn’t really use them as we had pre-downloaded google maps. Didn’t really have any navigation problems as there are so few roads. We had a huge blowout and shredded a tyre but with 2 spares provided we were on our way in 20 minutes, and the support from Europcar was very good in terms of telling us where to get a replacement wheel/tyre.

For accommodation our favourite would be Kulala Desert Lodge down near Sossuvlei, particularly the ability to sleep on the roof of the lodge under the stars. Food also very good there out on the deck at sunset.

Spitzkoppen Lodge also very good and another great location in a boulder strewn landscape. Various walks, climbs and guides available.

For Etosha we stayed just outside the Anderson Gate in Etosha Oberland Lodge which also served up good food in a really nice location. The room here was huge with its own outside decking area.

We also stayed at Grootberg Lodge which is a lot more basic than the previous three but is in an absolutely stunning location at the top of Grootberg Pass. Its worth a stop there but I would only do one night. We stayed for 2 nights and did the rhino tracking but this involved a very early start and 6-8 hours in an open jeep and we saw nothing. I think if you have been to Etosha you can skip this.

Our itinerary was put together by Steppes Travel and I would have no hesitation using them again.