Makalani 20 Day Self-Drive

20 Days

This 20 day self drive itinerary really does pack in most of Namibia's highlights. Whether your interest is in Namibian people, wildlife, stunning landscapes or just some fabulous Namibian sunshine, then the Makalani self drive is for you. This itinerary derives it's name from Makalani palm trees, which are usually single-stemmed up to 10m high with characteristic fan-shaped palms.

The itinerary starts with a drive to Waterberg Plateau Park. The plateau itself is 200m high and its sheer cliffs and amazing rock formations dominate the surrounding landscape. There are a number of short walking trails which offer great birding opportunities as well as a diversity of colourful flora.

The next day you will drive to Etosha National Park, one of southern Africa's most spectacular wildlife destinations. About 20% of the park is an enormous mineral pan, commonly known as the 'Great White Place'. Whilst the pan often fills with water in the rainy season attracting flamingos and other wading birds, the series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan entices large concentrations of wildlife in the colder, winter months. Close-up observations and photographic opportunities of animal interaction are plentiful.

To the north of Etosha is Owamboland. This area is seldom visited by tourists but is one of the more fascinating areas of Namibia - as this is where the majority of the countries population lives. Wander around markets, visit local cuca shops and learn how the majority of the inhabitants live from subsistence farming on communal farming land, where there is no individual ownership or formal boundaries. Here you will stay in accommodation which is part of a traditional Owambo 'kraal' or settlement and get to participate in the lifestyle, daily chores & crafts of the local people

The drive west is to the area known as Kaokoland. Although this region shares a border with Owamboland, the atmosphere and landscape couldn't be more different. This is one of the sparsest populated areas in the world as the local inhabitants are the nomadic Himba people. Puros, approximately 100km north west of Sesfontein, is one of the best locations to view Kaokoland's famous 'desert-adapted elephants'. The true wilderness adventure continues with the opportunity to go canoeing on the Kunene River. It is now time to head south.

In Damaraland, you have another opportunity to search for the elusive desert-adapted elephant, great fun when self-driving. Viewing ancient Bushman rock art at Twyfelfontein, a massive open-air art gallery follows and Brandberg Mountain also has it's fair share of rock engravings as well. The Ugab Vingerklip and the Petrified Forest are a short drive away.

The next leg of your self-drive tour is to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, situated 53km north of the Atlantic coastal fishing town of Henties Bay. In mid-October bulls come ashore to establish breeding colonies with over 200,000 seals eventually congregating here in the November and December breeding season. Also in this location is a replica of the original padrão (stone cross), planted by the Portuguese explorer and navigator Diego Cão over 500 years ago.

And now for some relaxation and recuperation! Swakopmund is a picturesque town surrounded by desert and sea. Most of the original buildings have been restored and maintained from the German colonial area and they now house, restaurants, bars and cafés. After relaxing or joining one of the many day tours and activities available in Swakopmund, the drive heads southwards into the fascinating Namib Desert.

There is no part of the Namib Desert that is more stunning than Sossusvlei. It's mountainous dunes are shaped by multi-directional desert winds. Only 4km south from Sesriem is Sesriem Canyon, a narrow gorge about 1km in length. A drive south through the desert bordering the Naukluft Mountains follows. This section was created as a sanctuary for Hartmann's mountain zebra which graze with livestock. Other wildlife has also adapted to this inhospitable desert environment.

The drive into Luderitz can be an adventurous one, Barchan sand dunes blocking the roads are not uncommon! Numerous colonial-style buildings overlook the bay and the architecture continues throughout the town. Watch out for springbok close to the sea or brown hyena on the lookout for lunch on the beach. Situated in the Sperrgebiet about 10km inland from Luderitz is Kolmanskop, Namibia's most famous ghost town.

Whoever takes the wheel for the next leg still has a bit of an adventurous drive to Fish River Canyon. Often compared to America's Grand Canyon the Fish River is smaller but still impressive. The main look out point is at Hobas.

The final stopover before your drive back to Windhoek is at a lodge in the Kalahari Desert. Not far from Keetmanshoop is quirky Quiver Tree Forest and Giant's Playground. The forest has around 300 quiver trees, or kokerboom, that usually produce bright yellow flowers during the winter months.

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. If you do not like the idea of driving yourself the itinerary could easily be used as the basis for a guided safari.