Namibia: What itineraries for a second trip?

Hello everyone, We came back enchanted from our first trip to Namibia and we're already thinking of going back. We did the classics: Etosha, Twyfelfontein, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei... Our guide suggests doing the Caprivi Strip over 10 days, alternating 2 nights in a lodge and 2 nights in a tent. Given that we love landscapes but especially wildlife observation, I wonder if after spending 4 nights in Etosha and having visited Botswana twice, Caprivi offers different animals to see and if the wildlife is generally abundant. The videos I've seen online don't really captivate me. It seems quite similar to the Okavango Delta. What do you think? Are there other circuits we should prioritize? Both in our seventies, we prefer staying mainly in lodges. Thanks in advance to those who can give us advice

Hi there,

What do you mean by "lodge"?

Just hotels, or is solid accommodation okay too?

A bungalow, a chalet, or a tent camp like "Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp" or "Dead Valley Lodge" would work perfectly for us as long as there are private toilets and a shower.

During our one-month stay in 2021, we crossed the Caprivi Strip after traveling through the Okavango Delta to Kasane in Botswana. We were there in January, not the best time for migrations, but it was clearly the part of our trip that enchanted us the least. Dull plains, few animals. That said, we didn’t explore every nook and cranny…

If you're okay with cooking for yourself (not every day, just in the Richtersveld and Kgalagadi), I’d recommend the south of the country combined with the north of South Africa:

Luderitz, Aus, Fish River Canyon, Richtersveld, Augrabies, Kgalagadi.

This route is more about landscapes. Only the Kgalagadi is wildlife-focused.

Namibia isn’t particularly a wildlife destination. It’s more of a landscape country.

For pure wildlife, you’d be better off looking at South Africa or Zimbabwe since you’ve already been to Botswana.

Thanks for your replies. I’ll share your suggestions with our guide to plan our next itinerary. This would be for October 2026.

Hi there,

As you suspect, Caprivi—especially if you spend ten days there—might disappoint you, even if wildlife observation is your priority. I’d be itching to move on. 😉 Are you doing a self-drive trip or using a guide/driver for the whole stay?

Caprivi is a different side of Namibia, and you won’t find the same magic as on your first trip. I agree with Attila’s suggestion: "For pure wildlife experiences, you’d be better off looking at South Africa or Zimbabwe."

Hi, Next year, we're planning a route starting from Windhoek, focusing on the Caprivi Strip and Kafue Park in Zambia—maybe this can give you some ideas. Roughly: Windhoek, Katima, Livingstone via the Katima Bridge, Kafue, Mongu, then back to Windhoek via Katima.

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll look into it

Hello,

The southern part of the country, including the Fish River Canyon and the K.T.P., isn’t bad either... (but without the Caprivi, of course!)

Check out: https://forum.image-nature.com/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=44516

https://forum.image-nature.com/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=44262

https://forum.image-nature.com/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=44516

Etc., etc...

Cheers.

Hi,

yeah, the Caprivi Strip is pretty good to do. Check out the blog "msiafricaroadtrip" you’ll find lots of info on Namibia and more. Best,

JP

Thanks. I’ll check that out.

True, I was thinking of the South where the landscapes seem even wilder.

Yeah, I was thinking about the South where the landscapes seem even wilder.

Absolutely!

Other "topics" to check out in the south:

https://forum.image-nature.com/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=44745

In the KTP, you can see ...:

https://forum.image-nature.com/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=44586

Besides lions, leopards, cheetahs ...

Puma2A

Hi, For the "wild" side, you can also head to the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park by crossing the Orange River via the ferry a little south of Rosh Pinah.

Hello dear neighbor from Lorraine,

I must be just a few kilometers away from you as the crow flies as I write these lines.

We love Namibia so much that we’ll be heading back for the 4th time in September 2026. There’s just so much to see in this country. The South, mentioned by some, is a must-do. I loved the Kalahari, as well as the spots around Aus (staying at Eagle’s Nest at Klein Aus Vista), Lüderitz, Kolmanskop, and then you have to drive the D707 (one of Namibia’s most beautiful roads). We’ve also done the KTP, but we approached it from the south via Upington in South Africa. As for Caprivi, my feelings are mixed. We did it as part of a road trip from Victoria Falls-Botswana-Caprivi-Botswana. You can check out some photos in our videos: Southern Namibia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk7ZmoiYCsU&t=4724s Namibia Caprivi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyoJuMzFjh0&t=13s (starting at 27'48")

Happy planning. Loïc

Hi there, If you want to do something a bit wild and take in the stunning landscapes, head to Syncro via the PASSE JOUBER and Hartmann Valley—along the way, you might spot desert elephants and who knows, maybe even a desert lion. We’re heading back at the end of the year.

See you soon,

JP