Honey Badger 24 Day Self-Drive

24 Days

The 24 day Honey Badger Self-Drive Tour is the mother of all our Namibian self-drive safaris. Starting and ending in Windhoek, it reaches the both the northern and southern reaches of the country and lots of the pretty parts inbetween.. Virtually all of Namibia's main tourist attractions are visited. Lookout for honey badgers on your way round. They live in holes in the ground, among rocks, or in hollow logs, stumps or trees and are found everywhere in Namibia except for the Namib Desert.
Your epic self drives begins by heading northwards, towards the ever-looming sheer cliffs and fascinating rock formations of Waterberg Plateau Park, which can be seen for miles around. Rare and endangered black and white rhino are managed here as are buffalo, sable and roan antelope. Enjoy the natural beauty and splendour of Waterberg by foot as well on either a guided or unguided trail.

Spending 4 days at Etosha National Park is a real privilege. It would be wise to do a spot of homework and find out what animals (and birds) visit which waterholes and when. In the dry season, wildlife is lured towards all 3 restcamps and the many waterholes located at the southern edge of the Etosha Pan. For example lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and rhino are known to visit Ombika. Okaukuejo is know for antelope, elephant, black and white rhino and hyena, in addition to having the best flood-lit waterhole. Lion kills also happen here. Leopard tend to head for Halali and Chudup near Namutoni. The German fort is also great for birding as is Fischer's Pan in the rainy season for waterbirds.

From numerous species of animals and birds the focus changes once you drive out of Etosha to people. You'll be heading north into the Oshana Region and the main towns of Oshakati and Ondangwa, 2 rather bustling towns with a relaxed and informal nature. The Owambo region has a predominately flat landscape with characteristic stands of tall makalani palms.

Kaokoland is a completely different kettle of fish to Owamboland. Although it is not completely off-limits for driving a 4x2 vehicle, you will need to do some research. Once you've reached Ruacana fill up your tanks and plan ahead. It is possible to walk down around 500 steps to the bottom of Ruacana Falls, so take a raincoat. The drive to Epupa Falls will entail a number of river crossings, steep slopes and loose gravel roads.

The long drive to Palmwag takes you through Sesfontein, the border between Kaokoland and Damaraland. As you near Palmwag drive a bit slower and use your binoculars to search for Hartmann's zebra, rhino and even lions. Elephants sometimes drink right in front of the lodge.

You will now be generally heading south-east towards the Erongo Mountains. You are now in central Namibia. The diverse environment in this region is quite unique, even by Namibian standards. Erongo Wilderness Lodge is the perfect stopover to experience both endemic and near endemic mammal, reptile, bird and plant species.

Swakopmund is now the adventure centre of Namibia. Quad biking is a great way to get around the dunes that even 4x4s can't reach. The slopes and slipfaces of the dunes south of Swakopmund are ideal for sandboarding. Both of these activities have an element of danger. Many visitors prefer to admire the German colonial buildings and architecture with coffee and cake to follow.

Your next drive leaves the Atlantic coast and enters the Namib Desert. Sossusvlei is unbelievably popular, so if you want a bit of solitude try an unnamed dune. To maximize your photographic opportunities at Sossusvlei the softer morning light is better. Sesriem Canyon is best viewed at mid-day, as you get the chance to avoid the heat.

The flat gravel plains and desert make way for the distinct and different landscape of southern Namibia. Wild horses live on the desert plains in a relatively dry region, so they are usually free of diseases and parasites. Aus is not only a physical crossroad, but also the confluence of Succulent Karoo, Desert and Nama Karoo biomes.

The contrast in scenery for the final 4 days mirrors your driving conditions. Gravel roads will eventually give way to tarred but not before 1 night near the Fish River Canyon. From here it is onto the Kalahari Desert to experience the magnificent red dunes for your final 2 days. You will have earned that comfortable last drive back to your accommodation in Windhoek.

Although it is possible to book this itinerary 'as is', as with all our self drive trips this is entirely customisable. We can add or delete days, change the accommodation used and generally design the tour to suit your individual requirements. Visitors who might prefer a break from driving themselves can arrange a guided safari.