Botswana and Namibia

Two of my favourite countries on the continent! Although I probably say that about a lot them :-)

We were fortunate to get to both countries on a number of occasions, given our proximity to their borders from Livingstone. In particular we made a lot of trips to Chobe National Park in Botswana, I think about a dozen all up!

Yes, we were a little bit spoiled!

We did do one super trip for approximately a month, covering both countries. The wildlife in both is amazing, the landscapes and scenery unbelievable. Botswana felt like it was trying to attract a more high end traveller, and could get quite pricey (and this is 6+ years ago now). Namibia however was great for the road trip enthusiast.

My highlights below.

Botswana

Moremi National Park: This park is famous for a reason, but for me, it was my very first leopard that I will always remember. We got so close to him and there was no one else around. Priceless!

Makgadigadi Salt Pans and Planet Baobab: The Salt Pans are boundless and then you have Planet Baobab, a fun place to stay located right amongst them, with some of the oldest Baobab trees in the world. Really cool!

Chobe National Park: As mentioned, we made so many visits to Chobe as it was only an hour or so from Livingstone and genuinely my favourite park in all of Africa. Soooo many elephants, plenty of opportunities to spot a cat and all set on and around the Chobe River.

Namibia

Sossusvlei: This has to be one of my favourite places in the world.

The colours and the view from the dunes too difficult to describe. It really is another world.

Swakopmund: A German influenced town on the Namibian coast; kind of weird for where it is, but fun too.

Etosha National Park: The salt pans make this park a bit different; that and the water holes where animals congregate making animal viewing so much easier!

The Skeleton Coast: Not an easy place to get to, an inhospitable environment and really not much to do. But I’m glad I’ve been there just because it’s like no other place I’ve ever been.

This is the place I also learned how to change a tyre after we had 3 flat tyres in 2 days.

Argh! Good times though.