We arrived back from our trip three weeks ago and we’re still dreaming about it! It’s hard to come back to reality! It’s difficult to sum up such an adventure in a few lines after spending four weeks traveling through three countries.

Crossing landscapes of extraordinary beauty and variety gave us the impression of having experienced several trips in one. We discovered incredible diversity along our 5,200 km journey, including the immensity of the Namib Desert, the impressive rock formations of Spitzkoppe, the Wild West scenery of Damaraland, the vast expanse of Etosha, the sparkling waters of the Okavango Delta, the wildlife of the Botswana bush, and the majestic Victoria Falls… Wow!

We set off as a family with our three children, with the aim of stepping out of our comfort zone to rediscover the spirit of adventure that we had lost as adults and that our children experience through their dreams.

The lifestyle during our month-long trip, with two-thirds of the nights spent camping and road tripping in a 4×4 on the gravel roads of Namibia and the sandy tracks of Botswana, greatly quenched our thirst for wide open spaces and adventure. The nights spent in tents listening to the sounds of animals (lions, hyenas, elephants, etc.) or simply the deafening silence were memorable, as were the sunsets and moments spent together around the campfire in Namibia’s beautiful campsites or the wilder and more authentic ones in Botswana.

Self-drive gives you a real sense of freedom, excitement, and adventure. The thrill of encountering animals in their natural habitat or crossing the tracks is enhanced by this mode of travel, simply by being alone. Imagine changing a tire on the long track along Mababe, encountering your first lions in Mboma, spending 30 touching minutes watching a lioness and her three cubs in the shade of a grove in Savuti, holding your breath when an elephant crosses 50 cm from your car in Mbudi (phew!), shooing away a hyena trying to get close to the barbecue at Third Bridge, resting in front of hundreds of elephants at various watering holes, jumping at the sight of a hippopotamus crossing the campsite, and seeing your children’s smiles when a leopard crossed our path…

A unique experience! And completely safe with the Hilux, which was very well equipped and sturdy enough for the tracks of Namibia and Botswana.

As a side note, the Okavango Delta was also the perfect setting to propose to my partner after a helicopter flight and a stop in the middle of the bush, alone in the world with our three children. A magical moment (she said yes!)…

We couldn’t have done it without Julie and Vincent. They listened to our needs and immediately understood our wishes. They went out of their way to make the trip we’d been dreaming of for years a reality. Everything was perfect, from the vehicle rental to the choice of campsites and accommodations, and the pace of the trip. We had the pleasure of meeting them in Maun just before our Botswana adventure. It was perfect for getting some last-minute advice.

Now it’s back to reality and, above all, time to start planning our next trip to Southern Africa!

This one will remain etched in our memories and our hearts forever. Thank you, Julie and Vincent!

Published on: 25 August 2024