Chameleon Holidays & Travel for Safaris & Vacations in Africa | Southern Africa | Namibia | Namibia highlights Self Drive (11 days)

11 Day Namibia Highlights Accommodated Self Drive - Gold Level

Day 1     Okonjima Bush Camp, for AfriCat Foundation - 1night dinner, bed & breakfast + 2x activities p/p
Depart north to Okonjima, situated just south of Otjiwarongo and around 3.5 hours from Windhoek, the AfriCat Foundation is based here and is devoted 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 relocating animals, which have been causing problems in their home territory and providing refuge and veterinary care for injured or orphaned animals.  This afternoon we will have close encounters with large predators such as cheetah and leopard and get some excellent photo opportunities. Overnight is in a chalet set amongst the bush affording privacy and views across the reserve, a thatched lapa offers a bar, lounge and dining area overlooking a waterhole, along with the reception and curio shop and the swimming pool and self guided walks are close by. Dinner, brunch and two activities included.  Alternative accommodation is at Okonjima Villa or Okonjima Suite.

Day 2      Onguma Tented Camp, east of Etosha National Park - 1night dinner, bed & breakfast
Drive north to the edge of Etosha, Onguma shares the eastern border of Etosha National Park and this camp is a beguiling mixture of relaxation and elegance.  In the local “herero” languague Onguma translates to “place you don’t want to leave”.  The private nature reserve is over 20,000 hectares and has “protected land” lions, jackals, countless antelope and the rare black rhino.  Guests can participate in guided walks through the bush and both day and night game drives are available. There are seven spacious tents beautifully decorated with high attention to detail, the main building offers a comfortable lounge and dining area, cellar and dark, rimless swimming pool that cascades as if it’s falling into the surrounding bush area.  Overnight is in a double/twin room on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.  Alternative accommodation includes Onguma Plains Camp, Onguma Treetops or Villa Mushara

Days 3&4   Ongava Tented Camp, south of Etosha National Park - 2nights dinner, bed & breakfast
Game Drive across Etosha and depart at Anderson Gate, Ongava borders the park along the southern fence line where you will stay at Ongava Tented Camp for a further two nights. Accommodation here comprises of 10 air-conditioned rock and thatch chalets, each with air-conditioning, bathroom en-suite and private balcony overlooking the expansive plains of the reserve. Meals are served in the spacious thatched lapa with its comfortable lounge area, convivial bar and magnificent views. Ongava offers daily game drives in open-sided vehicles and walking trails (with armed guide), as well as excursions into the Etosha National Park. Game drives normally leave in the early morning and late afternoon, ideal times for game viewing, while dusk and night drives offer an opportunity of experiencing nature after dark. An ecologically aware ranger will guide you on an informative tour of the reserve, helping you discover some of the fascinating indigenous elements of the bushveld. A number of safe and secure hides are also available for guests wishing to spend time on close-up wildlife viewing or photography. Ongava has resident white rhino, and Etosha has black rhino, allowing guests staying here the opportunity to see both species. Overnight is in twin/double room on a dinner, bed and breakfast. Alternative accommodation includes Little Ongava, Epacha Lodge, Eagle Tented Camp or Etosha Mountain Lodge. 

Day 5&6     Mowani Mountain Camp, Damaraland - 2nights dinner, bed & breakfast
This morning drive into Damaraland and onto Mowani Mountain Camp, set between the Ugab and Huab Rivers in a vast and unspoilt wilderness area of desert, unique geological formations and amazing flora and fauna.  The main structure consists of domed thatching buildings that blend in with the natural surroundings and yet offer pure comfort on the interior.  While here, you can drive to Twyfelfontein to take a local guide and visit one of the largest rock etching collections in Southern Africa or perhaps take an optional activity with the lodge.  Overnight in a twin bedded luxury tent on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Days 7&8    Swakopmund Boutique Hotel, Swakopmund - 2nights bed & breakfast 
Continue your drive towards the coast today, you may wish to head to Cape Cross first, home of a huge seal colony before heading down the Skeleton Coast to Swakopmund.  This town is a picturesque resort with many good seafood restaurants, cafes and shops as well as an interesting museum and aquarium. You’ll be based for two nights at the Swakopmund Boutique Hotel, the town is the activity centre of Namibia and you can enjoy a scenic flight over the desert and coastline, dolphin cruise, skydiving, sand boarding or quad biking.  Alternatively, you can take a highly recommended optional day trip to the marine sanctuary of Sandwich Harbour.  Lunch and dinners is at own expense.  Alternative accommodation includes Hansa Hotel, Villa Margherita and The Burning Shore.

Days 9&10    Sossus Dune Lodge, Namib Naukluft Park - 2nights dinner, bed & breakfast  
Depart Depart from Swakopmund after breakfast and drive to the amazing Namib Naukluft Park, Sossus Dune Lodge is the only lodge situated within the park! We recommend an early morning drive to the Sossusvlei dunes the following morning, in time to watch the sun rise over the red sand dunes is a truly unforgettable experience. This is an excellent location for photography.  Overnight based in a twin/double room with en-suite facilities on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis (additional meals, entry fees and activities at own expense)

The Sossusvlei region is famous for some of the highest dunes in the world and early light is one of the best times to visit, with the cool morning air and watching the sunrise along with the changing colours of the dunes it is truly breathtaking.  Dead Vlei is a must, the skeletal camel thorns standing on the white pan with the orange dunes and blue sky as a backdrop is a photographers delight.  An optional extra is to see the sun changing the colours of dunes and mountains at dawn from a hot-air balloon (client expense).  It goes without saying that the night skies are amongst the clearest on this planet, with the stargazing platform and astral telescope being a popular after dinner rendezvous.  Alternative accommodation includes Little Kulala, Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge, Wolwedans Dunes Lodge.

Day 11   Windhoek
Return to Windhoek today in time to drop off teh rental vehicle and take onward connections. End of services