15 Day Best of Namibia Self–Drive

Day 1 Windhoek

Upon arrive in Windhoek, collect the vehicle and drive to your accommodation, here you will meet one of our tour consultants, who will go through your travel plans and answer any last–minute questions you may have. The remainder of the day is free for your to explore

Day 2 Kalahari Basin

Depart after breakfast and head south onto Kalahari Basin, where you’ll find gently rolling hills of dune, grassy valleys, trees and shrubs. Not considered a true desert today, but an ancient desert of deep sand and fossil rivers. Look out for animals adapted to the harsh climate including oryx, springbok, giraffe along with the largest flightless bird – the ostrich.

Day 3–4 Fish River Canyon

Your drive today takes you to the far south of the country perhaps stop at the Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground en–route to the Fish River Canyon and is reputedly the second–largest canyon in the world only surpassed by Grand Canyon. Admire the scale of nearly 550m deep and endless views whether you wander along the rim and gazing to its base, or even from the bottom gazing up, you’ll be in awe in this hostile and stark environment

Day 5–6 Sossusvlei

Driving north towards the Sossusvlei region in the Namib Naukluft National Park. The following day rise early venturing into the dune fields of the famous Sossusvlei dunes, wander around on foot, climb to the top of one to reveal an endless sea of sand and enjoy this remarkable and unique area – it’s no wonder this is one of Namibia’s highlights and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Perhaps treat yourself to a hot–air balloon flight first thing in the morning for a completely different perspective.

Day 7–8 Swakopmund

Drive through the desert to Swakopmund today, en–route stop at Walvis Bay to visit the lagoon, a protected RAMSAR wetland site, to see some of the many water birds including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, avocets, plovers and the endemic Damara tern. On to the adventure seaside town of Swakopmund, where there is the opportunity to join optional activities, perhaps take part in a marine cruise and experience the thrill of dolphins leaping out of the water along the boat and feed seals by hand; enjoy fresh oysters and champagne on the cruise – a great activity to enjoy.

Day 9–10 Damaraland

An early morning start driving north along the Skeleton Coast, see a shipwreck or two; a huge colony of seals, remains of old diamond/oil mines all of this make up a dramatic stretch of barren and unique coastline. Continue to the heart of Northern Damaraland to establishments with their rooms entrenched with local communities ensuring all involved benefit and are uplifted and where plateaus reach high on skyline and strange plant life dominates the surrounds. Search for desert elephant and free–roaming rhino in this wild terrain or meet with the local tribes
Click on this link and find out more about Grootberg Lodge and its award for sustainability – used in the camping and standard accommodation option

Day 11–12 Etosha National Park

Onward to Etosha National Park, one of the best game reserves in Southern Africa and home to species of game including lion, leopard, elephant, hyena, giraffe, and many types of antelope including the endemic black faced impala. 2nights are spent in the national park where you can enjoy self–guided game drives or sit around at the floodlit waterhole watching the animals come to drink.

Day 13 Etosha National Park

Continue your game drives further east and follow the natural rhythm of the animals, generally they are more active early in the morning and late in the afternoon, resting during the heat of the day. It is also worth the stop at the great Etosha Pan – a shallow and ancient salt–lake that can be seen from space and where shimming mirages form and dust devils dance.

Day 11 Ongava Lodge Etosha National Park (superior/luxury option)

For upgraded options, your first night is spent on Ongava Private Game Reserve in one of the best reserves and lodges in Namibia, here you find a large pride of lions and can see white/black rhino in close proximity, sit and enjoy the floodlit waterhole or head out for a night drive.

Day 12&13 Onguma Tented Camp, Etosha (superior/luxury option)

Game drive across Etosha, criss–crossing the park and stopping at some of the many waterholes along the way. Look out for wildlife as it congregates at the permanent springs to drink, much of the year the only source of water. Spend 2nights at the beautiful and intimate Onguma Tented Camp, the private Onguma Reserve is adjacent to Etosha on the east aspect of the park sharing Fischers Pan. Explore this side of the park on self–drives or via the lodge in open vehicles, or perhaps take part in exciting game walks or drives on the reserve

Day 14 Okonjima Nature Reserve

After a leisurely breakfast, drive south to Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation. Here you will have the chance to witness one of the best conservation programmes in Namibia and the chance to see Big Cats such as leopard or cheetah at close quarters

Day 15 Departure

Depending on the time of your flight, there may be an opportunity to join a further activity this morning (own expense), from here drive back to Windhoek to drop off your vehicle and connect with your onward flight back home.