Many travellers start their southern African adventure at Victoria Falls and finish in Namibia. Driving west from the Falls to Etosha is one of the great overland journeys of the region, and the Kavango River sits right in the middle of it.
This sample itinerary takes you from Victoria Falls through Chobe and the Zambezi Region, along the Okavango and Kavango rivers, and on to Etosha. It is the reverse of our Etosha to the Kavango itinerary.
- LengthAbout 14 days
- CountriesZimbabwe or Zambia, Botswana, Namibia
- Main borderNgoma, Botswana to Namibia
- RoadsTarred main roads throughout
The route at a glance
- Days 1 and 2: Victoria Falls
- Days 3 and 4: Kasane and the Chobe River
- Day 5: through the Ngoma border to Katima Mulilo
- Days 6 and 7: west through Bwabwata to Divundu and Popa Falls
- Day 8: Rundu and the Mbunza Living Museum to Nkurenkuru
- Days 9 and 10: the Kavango River at Simanya
- Days 11 to 13: Etosha
- Day 14: south to Windhoek
Days 1 and 2: Victoria Falls
Spend two days at the Falls, whether on the Zimbabwe side at Victoria Falls town or the Zambian side at Livingstone. Walk the rainforest paths, take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi and enjoy the last of the big-town comforts before the road trip begins.
Photo to add: Victoria Falls (landscape). Use one of your own, or leave this out if none is available.
Days 3 and 4: Kasane and Chobe
Cross into Botswana at Kazungula. If you are coming from Zambia, the Kazungula Bridge, opened in May 2021, now links Zambia and Botswana, about 8 km east of Kasane. From Zimbabwe, the Kazungula road border is the most direct route. Spend two nights in Kasane for boat cruises and game drives along the Chobe River.
Day 5: into Namibia at Ngoma
From Kasane, the road west follows the transit route through Chobe National Park to the Ngoma border post. Since 1 April 2025, the Sedudu to Ngoma transit route has been open 24 hours a day, but the Ngoma border post itself is open from 07:00 to 18:00, so plan to cross in daylight. Once in Namibia, continue to Katima Mulilo, the main town of the Zambezi Region.
Coming from Livingstone instead? You can cross at the Wenela border near Katima Mulilo, which is open from 06:00 to 18:00.
Days 6 and 7: Bwabwata and Popa Falls
Drive west from Katima Mulilo on the B8 through Bwabwata National Park, watching for elephants crossing the road. Stop at Divundu on the Okavango River, where the Popa Falls rapids, hippos and over 400 bird species make an excellent two-night stop. According to Wikipedia, the Bwabwata area is well known for the diversity of wildlife in its riverine and swampland habitats.
Photo to add: Popa Falls or wildlife in Bwabwata (landscape). Use one of your own, or leave this out if none is available.
Day 8: Rundu to Nkurenkuru
Divundu is about 200 km east of Rundu. After refuelling in Rundu, follow the B10 west along the Kavango River. About 15 km out of town, stop at the Mbunza Living Museum to see traditional crafts, cooking, music and dance. Nkurenkuru is about 140 km west of Rundu.
Days 9 and 10: the Kavango River at Simanya
After many days on the road, two nights on the Kavango are the perfect pause. Try tiger fishing or fishing for bream and largemouth, take a sunset cruise, go birding, or visit Tondoro Mission. Our guide to things to do in Nkurenkuru has more ideas.
Days 11 to 13: on to Etosha
From Nkurenkuru, take the B10 and then the B15 south-west through the Kavango woodlands to Tsumeb. Remember the Red Line veterinary checkpoint near Tsintsabis, where restrictions apply to carrying raw meat and animal products southwards. Our B15 road trip guide covers this road in detail. From Tsumeb, Etosha’s Von Lindequist Gate is about 90 km to the north. Spend at least two full days in the park.
Photo to add: wildlife at an Etosha waterhole (landscape). Use one of your own, or leave this out if none is available.
Cross-border tips
- Check entry requirements for Zimbabwe or Zambia, Botswana and Namibia for your nationality well before you travel.
- Get permission for your hire car. Rental companies require advance permission and paperwork to take a vehicle across borders.
- Cross in daylight. Border posts have fixed opening hours, and driving at night in wildlife areas is risky.
- Carry the right paperwork, including vehicle registration documents and any cross-border permits.
- Plan for malaria. The whole route from Victoria Falls to the Kavango lies in malaria areas. Speak to a doctor before you go.
- Choose your season. Our best time to visit guide explains how the seasons change the river.
Break the journey at Simanya
Simanya River Lodge is the ideal stop between the Zambezi and Etosha, with river-facing rooms, Basecamp campsites, a restaurant, pub and infinity pool. Contact us to fit Simanya into your route.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Victoria Falls to Etosha?
Allow about two weeks to enjoy the route, with stops at Chobe, Popa Falls, the Kavango River and Etosha. It can be driven faster, but the distances are long and border crossings take time.
Which border do I use from Botswana into Namibia?
Most travellers cross at Ngoma, west of Kasane, which is open from 07:00 to 18:00. From Zambia you can also cross at Wenela near Katima Mulilo, open from 06:00 to 18:00.
Can I take a rental car across borders in southern Africa?
Usually yes, but you must arrange permission and cross-border paperwork with the rental company in advance.
Where should I stop between Katima Mulilo and Etosha?
Good stops include Divundu for Popa Falls and Bwabwata National Park, the Mbunza Living Museum near Rundu, and the Kavango River at Nkurenkuru.
Sources
- Kazungula, Wikipedia.
- Botswana implements 24-hour access to Sedudu–Ngoma transit route, ATTA.
- Border information, Namibia Wetlands Route.
- Katima Mulilo, Wikipedia.
- Divundu, Wikipedia.
- Popa Game Park, Wikipedia.
- Mbunza Living Museum, Info Namibia.
- On the road from Tsumeb to Etosha, Accidental Travel Writer.
