Chameleon Holidays & Travel for Safaris & Vacations in Africa | Southern Africa | Namibia | Best of Namibia -self drive Namibia highlightscamping self drive

15 Day Best of Namibia - Camping Self Drive - Bronze Level

The trip takes you to the south of Namibia, up to the coast and onto Etosha in the north completing a circuit of the country and includes the natural beauty and landscapes of the country, great game viewing and a top conservation programme - this itinerary can also be reversed

Day 1    Chameleon Guesthouse, Windhoek - 1night bed & breakfast
Upon arrival at the Windhoek International (Hosea Kutako) Airport, depending on the car hire company, you will either collect your vehicle from the airport or be transferred into the city where you will then pick the vehicle up and drive to Chameleon Guesthouse in Windhoek. At Chameleon, you’ll meet one of our tour consultants’ who will go through your travel plans with you. Depending on the time of your arrival you may choose to wander into the city centre, or relax by the pool. Chameleon Guesthouse has a hotspot zone and you can use this facility to browse the internet while you are outdoors on your own laptop, or perhaps just sit and relax by the pool. Alternatively you join an optional township tour, enjoy a horse ride, or even head out for a birding trip. Overnight is in a twin/double room with en suite facilities. Lunch and dinner will be on your own expense.

Day 2    Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, Kalahari Basin - 1night camping
This morning you depart after breakfast and head south onto the Kalahari basin, around 3-4 hours drive. Bagatelle is set on a private reserve and game such as springbok, gemsbok and ostrich as well as jackal, hare and porcupine inhabit the dunes and dune valleys of the Kalahari Desert. The area is also home to the kori bustard, the largest flying bird of all, and of huge colonies of weaver birds’ nests taking up whole trees. There are a number of optional activities such as sundowner drives, nature drives and walks on offer as well as the opportunity to see a group of meerkats that reside here. Overnight based on camping only, all meals will be at client’s expense

Day 3    Canon Roadhouse, for Fish River Canyon - 1night camping
Continue your drive south to Fish River Canyon, you may choose to stop and wander around the Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground before continuing onto Canon Roadhouse, situated in the privately owned Gondwana Canon Park and located 20 kilometres from the main viewpoint of the amazing Fish River Canyon. The canyon is regarded as one of the largest in the world and you can enjoy short walks along the rim of the canyon though you are not able to climb down to the base. Overnight based on camping only, all meals will be at client’s expense

Day 4&5    Desert Horse Inn Campsite, Klein Aus Vista - 2nights camping
Onward to one of the best kept secrets of Namibia - Klein Aus, a truly beautiful spot, situated on the edge of the desert with endless views of open plains and mountains. You’ll be based here for 2 nights and have time to enjoy optional activities on offer, alternatively you may choose to relax. Enjoy self-guided hikes in the Aus Mountains, visit the Sperggebiet concession (run by Klein Aus) or take a day trip to Luderitz and visit Kolmanskop Ghost Town, a tribute to the diamond mining of the past.  Also you can visit the wild horses of the Namib, one of only 2 or 3 truly recognised wild herds of horses in the world and be amazed at how they survive in this harsh environment. Overnight based on camping only, all meals will be at client’s expense

Day 6&7    Sesriem, Namib Naukluft Park - 2nights camping
Enjoy stunning scenery on the drive to Sesriem, the main campsite and entry to the famous sand dunes of Sossusvlei. Upon arrival you can relax by the swimming pool and later take a walk to the nearby Elim’s Dune for sunset. The following day rise early to venture into the dune fields, if you have a 4x4 you can drive all the way into Sossusvlei, if not you will need to walk the last section or take a private shuttle service. If you are lucky and Namibia has received excellent rains you may find water in Sossusvlei and enjoy seeing a lake in the desert.  Ensure you visit Dead Vlei, where the ancient and skeletal camel thorn trees stand on the white pan with the backdrop of orange sand dunes and blue sky - a photographer’s delight.  Return to camp and later this afternoon you may wish to visit the nearby Sesriem Canyon on foot. Overnight based on camping only, all meals will be at client’s expense. 

Day 8&9    Dunedin Star Guesthouse, Swakopmund - 2nights bed & breakfast
Drive through the desert to Swakopmund, maybe visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon en route, a RAMSAR wetland site and where numerous birds including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans and the endemic damara tern reside. From here it’s a short drive to Swakopmund, this coastal town is also the activity centre of Namibia and you can enjoy optional activities such as a dolphin cruise, sand boarding, quad biking, scenic flight over the desert, dunes and shipwrecks, sky diving – the list is endless. This town is ideal to sit back and relax with a coffee and cake and watch the world go by, pick up fresh supplies and plan for your next section of the journey. Overnight is in a twin/double room on a bed and breakfast basis, all other meals will be at client's expense

Day 10    Brandberg White Lady Lodge, Damaraland - 1night camping
Head north along the Skeleton Coast road before turning inland to Brandberg, you may choose to first visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony, where thousands of seals congregate on the beach.  Brandberg is the highest mountain in Namibia and set in the desert with commanding views.  You may take a walk to see the White Lady Painting or relax at camp and enjoy a stunning sunset where the mountain appears to be set on fire.  Overnight based on camping, you may wish to prepare your own meals or take them in the nearby lodge (own expense). 

Day 11,12&13    Etosha National Park - 3nights camping
Onward to Etosha, one of the best game reserves in Southern Africa and home to many species of game including lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, hyena, giraffe and many types of antelope including the endemic black faced impala.  With over 300 species of birds all set in over 22,000 sq kms and an endless shimmering pan - etosha rarely dissapoints.  You will be camping in the park for three nights and each rest camp has its own swimming pool, floodlit waterhole, shop, restaurant and bar – just in case you’ve had enough of cooking. Overnight based on camping only, all meals will be at clients expense.

Day 14    Okonjima Main Camp, for AfriCat Foundation - 1night dinner, bed & breakfast + 1x activity p/p
Your destination today is Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation, one of the most highly regarded conservation programmes in Namibia and is devoted to the conservation of predators, specifically cheetah and leopard with the aim to ease the conflict of interests that arises between humans and carnivores. A large part of their work is in animal welfare – rehabilitating and relocation animals, which have been causing problems in their home territory and providing refuge and veterinary care for injured or orphaned animals. This afternoon you will have close encounters with large predators such as cheetah and leopard and get some excellent photo opportunities. Overnight is at the Main Camp, in a twin/double view room on dinner, bed and breakfast basis, with one activity per person included.

Day 15    Windhoek
Return to Windhoek today to drop off your car and take your onward connection. End of services