Windhoek to Victoria Falls self drive tour

Planet

There are several private reserves and animal sanctuaries across central Namibia which protect, rehabilitate and release big cats, as well as other wildlife. We support the AfriCat Foundation which is dedicated to the protection and conservation of Namibia’s big cats in their natural habitat and is internationally recognised as one of the top conservation schemes in Africa.

On this holiday you’ll also have the option to stay at Ongava Lodge in the Ongava Game Reserve which is home to some rare and endangered species of wildlife. The Ongava Research Centre helps to protect the endangered wildlife and during your stay at the lodge you will be able to visit the research centre.

Typically we use with properties which are Namibian owned and managed and we prefer to use hotels and lodges which have an Eco Awards Desert Flower Certificate as this indicates that it has eco-friendly and responsible values. As with all our destinations we prefer to work with establishments which take measures to reduce their environmental impact and play a positive role in their local community.

You will visit several national parks and reserves on this itinerary, including Etosha National Park, Ongava Game Reserve, Bwabwata National Park and Chobe Game Reserve. In our detailed pre-departure travel pack we have included a note to remind you not leave any litter in the national parks and reserves – everything you carry in, you must carry out. Aside from the environmental damage, litter can be harmful to the wildlife.

People

During your time in Namibia we encourage you to support the local economy by buying authentic handmade products such as cotton fabrics, wood carvings, pottery and silver jewellery at markets, villages and small-scale souvenir shops rather than hotel tourist shops or on organised shopping trips. When you buy products at markets, villages and small-scale souvenir shops you are helping to support a fragile economy and supporting local artisans helps keep traditional crafts alive. We recommend that you visit the Cosdef Arts & Crafts Centre in Swakopmund which supports local artisans and unemployed people by providing a shopfront for their work. The quality of the products is high and by purchasing items here you are supporting sustainability in local communities.

We encourage you to support the Pack for a Purpose initiative and use a small amount of space in your luggage to pack supplies for local community projects in Namibia. You can leave your donations with our partner hotels and lodges who will pass them on to the school, medical centre or animal welfare project.