Chameleon Holidays & Travel for Safaris & Vacations in Africa | Southern Africa | Namibia | Best of Namibia 15 days -self drive itinerary

Best of Namibia - 15 days - Camping Self Drive

Day 1              Chameleon Guesthouse, Windhoek
Upon your arrival at the airport you will collect your vehicle and drive to Windhoek.  Have a chance to wander around the city and explore the sights.  Overnight in centrally based accommodation, just a few minutes walk from the centre of the city and all amenities. Bed and breakfast basis.
Restaurants in city include – Joe’s Beer House for the carnivorous minded; Le Marmite – African themed; Luigi & The Fish – for fish; Café’s – Zoo Café; The Café at Craft Centre

Day 2              Kalahari Basin
Head south close to Mariental to Kalahari basin, around 3-4 hours drive.  The campsites are privately situated so you can relax, enjoy a self-guided walk or perhaps join a drive through the reserve and learn about this incredible region. Camping only.

Day 3              Fish River Canyon region
Continuing south to Fish River Canyon.  You may choose to stop and wander around Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground before continuing onto the Canyon.  Regarded as one of the largest canyons in the world and you can enjoy short walks along the rim of the canyon though you are not able to climb down into the canyon.   Camping only close to the National Park.

Days 4 & 5              Klein Aus Vista
Onward to one of the well kept secrets of Namibia.  Klein Aus is 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.  You may choose to relax, enjoy self-guided hikes in the Aus Mountains, enjoy a trip into the 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 visit the wild horses of Namib, one of only 2 or 3 wild herds of horses and be amazed at how they survive in this harsh environment. Camping only.

Days 6 & 7     Sesriem
Enjoy stunning scenery on the drive to Sesriem, the main campsite and entry to the famous sand dunes of Sossusvlei.  You can relax by the swimming pool; take a walk to the nearby Elim’s Dune for sunset and 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 nearby 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 photographers delight.  Return to camp, you may wish to visit the nearby Sesriem Canyon. Camping only, if we are unable to book Sesriem campsite we will utilise a campsite just outside the park

Days 8 & 9     Guesthouse, Swakopmund
Drive through the desert to Swakopmund.  Head to the coast and maybe visit Walvis Bay Lagoon en route to Swakopmund, a RAMSAR wetland site and numerous birds including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans and the endemic damara tern reside.  From here it’s a short drive to Swakopmund.  Accommodation for the next two nights as the coast can be chilly.  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. Swakopmund 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. Accommodation only
Restaurants include:  The Tug – a must but needs to be prebooked , situated on the beach and partly built of a tug boat; Cape to Cairo – African Themed; Erichs; The Lighthouse – ideal for families; The Grapevine – excellent selection of wines and continental style food; This is just a small selection of many, there are also a number of cafes and bars.

Day 10                        Brandberg
Head north along the Skeleton Coast road before turning inland to Spitzkoppe.  You may choose to first visit 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 camping, you may wish to prepare your own meals or take them in the nearby lodge.  Camping only.
 
Day 11                        Damaraland
Some wonderful scenery on the way to Twyfelfontein today through the ancient lands.  Twyfelfontein is home to one of the largest collections of rock art in Southern Africa and a local guide will ensure you learn about some of the history.  Tonight is spend at a local camp, on the edge of a dry river bed, keep your eyes open as sometimes the elusive desert elephant wander through this region. Camping only.

Days 12-13     Etosha National Park
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 (one translation of Etosha means “great, white place”) Etosha rarely disappoints.  You will be camping in the park for two nights.  Each rest camp has its own swimming pool, floodlit waterhole, shop, restaurant and bar – just in case you’ve had enough of cooking. Camping only, if we are unable to secure a campsite in the park then we will use somewhere just outside the park
 
Day 14                        Okonjima and AfriCat Foundation
Your destination is Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation.  Overnight Main Camp and a night of comfort.  AfriCat is one of the most highly regarded conservation programmes in Namibia and one activity has been included.  You can either join the radio collared leopard tracking in the reserve in the afternoon, or alternatively the following morning join the visit to the captive cheetah that cannot be returned to the wild and where you can get excellent close up experience and then onto the educational centre where you can learn what is being done to ensure the long term survival of this amazing predator.  If you wish to join an additional activity this can be arranged (own expense).  Overnight in Main Camp and one activity included

Day 15                        Windhoek
Return to Windhoek today to drop off your car and take your onward connection