Johannesburg to Windhoek

My apology if this is a repeat post....I was typing and pooooof...it disappeared.
We will be arriving in J'burg on March 3rd, but will spend the night due to 24 hours of travel. We plan on going to Etosha then joining a group in Windhoek on the 8th. That really only gives us 4 days of travel from J' to Etosha. Does anyone know how long it would take to drive there (I realize it is a 24 hour bus ride, but I don't know if that includes delays) and would two days in Etosha be enough? Also, is it possible to get an economical rental from SA and drop it off in Windhoek? Your suggestions will be appreciated. J

Hi,

I drove to Etosha from Joburg three years ago, but it wasn't at all direct so I took some time. I'd say two full days's drive should get you pretty close, but wait to get confirmation from someone who's done it direct. You don't want to be driving at night (everything from warthogs to kudu on the roads beginning at dusk), so that will really dictate the length of your driving days.

It's all good road at least.

IMHO two days is not at all enough for Etosha, especially if you are driving two days to get there. Etosha photos from last month are on the website in my profile.

You will probably be paying a hefty dropoff fee to leave the car in Windhoek. If you don't plan on stopping on the way, maybe take the bus and then rent the car in Windhoek, dropping it off there at the end of your trip. I saw rates of US$30 or $40/day when I was there.

CK

I suggest you fly to Windhoek and then rent a car there. It is as CK1 says a full two days (at least) drive from Johannesburg and it is positively dangerous to drive through Botswana at night. It is mainly cattle and donkeys that wander onto the roads after dark. When one sees the headlights of an oncoming vehicle disappear suddenly one stands on the brakes - a cow has come between you and the oncoming car. fortunately it is less likely to be an elephant. By the time you get to Etosha, you would be so tired and jet-lagged that you will not want to stay up to sit at the floodlit waterholes at night - and they are the main attractions of Etosha. Go to Etosha later on during your visit so that you have recovered a bit. And do book in advance - it is a long way to come just to find the park full.

Thank you for your input. Driving appealed to me because there are places I'd like to see such as Fish Canyon, but I agree with you, flying may be the best option. Thanks again. J