Six months after a grand tour for four between Namibia and Botswana, the magic of those unique moments spent totally immersed in nature that is still so wild, in conditions that were demanding but ultimately endearing, comes back to us every day, with an irrepressible desire to get back behind the wheel of our Land Cruiser and continue to roam the endless tracks of these exceptional places.

The few words we could write about what Julie and Vincent’s organization has brought us cannot do justice to their incredible efficiency, kindness, professionalism, and responsiveness. They combine formidable knowledge of the terrain with disconcerting responsiveness and, above all, provide a reassuring shoulder to lean on during this incredible adventure, with all the apprehensions it can generate.

Between our initial contact in the summer of 2020 and our trip in July 2021, it took a certain amount of composure and determination to deal with the many moments when we thought we would have to postpone our trip, when we had to adapt our itinerary to restrictions, without being sure we would be able to leave just a few days before the scheduled departure. But thanks to our stubbornness and a somewhat incredible series of flights that allowed us to brave stupid restrictions, we finally landed in Windhoek, in a Namibia virtually empty of tourists, which allowed us to enjoy legendary places like Sandwich Harbor and Sossusvlei all to ourselves.

The endless landscapes of the Namibian desert soon gave way to our first major reserve, Etosha, which offered us many wonderful encounters. A long crossing of the Caprivi Strip allowed us to enjoy some off-the-beaten-track experiences, particularly along the Zambezi River. Then it’s on to Botswana, where we meet Julie and Vincent in Kasane. By an incredible stroke of luck, the border with Zimbabwe reopened just as we arrived, after being closed for over a year, allowing us to make a quick trip to Victoria Falls, which we had given up hope of seeing on this trip.

Back in Botswana, we embarked on a week of complete autonomy between Kasane and Maun, in an atmosphere reminiscent of the end of the world, where we barely encountered a few cars a day on these demanding but ultimately very accessible tracks that wind through the many reserves between the end of the Okavango Delta and the Chobe River. Even though large wild animals were scarce in these landscapes, which were still unusually wet for the season, it was wonderful to see huge groups of elephants, unusual gazelles, such a rich variety of birdlife, and above all, to experience the unique feeling of freedom that a self-drive trip offers. What memories we have of those campsites in the middle of the bush, especially the elephant that stole our aperitif and gave us a big scare, the hyenas we could sense nearby while we were having dinner, and the hippos that spent the night just a few meters from the car.

The trip ended with a helicopter flight over the delta from Maun, which offered new perspectives on these unique landscapes and wildlife.

After our first private guided safari in Tanzania, we don’t regret for a second choosing the self-drive option for this trip. Not only is it more affordable, but it also gives you a unique sense of freedom and a certain amount of responsibility for your food, fuel, and direction, which undoubtedly makes you proud to have been in control of your own adventure. When the whole thing is overseen by a duo as competent as Julie and Vincent, it can only go well, guaranteeing unforgettable memories and generating a huge desire to return.

Published on: 31 December 2021