This 10 day self drive safari uses comfortable, well-positioned accommodation allowing you to enjoy your vacation in Namibia to the maximum. Roads vary from tarred to gravel, the condition depending on the time of year. So allow more time each day if you are travelling in the wetter summer months, especially off road. There are 2 species of rhino in Namibia, the black (Diceros bicornis) and the white (Ceratotherium simum). They are almost the same bluish-grey colour and also known as hook-lipped for the black and square-lipped or wide for the white.
Your first destination is to Waterberg Plateau Park, a 50km long, 200m high, extensive ridge. This characteristic brick-red sandstone formation can be seen as far away as outside Okahandja. Apart from some interesting hiking trails of varying lengths, the park is home to around 25 game and over 200 bird species.
The real wildlife action is at Etosha National Park though. Several of the 114 mammal species found in the park are endangered including cheetah and black-faced impala. Huge conservation efforts are on-going at Etosha and the park proudly boasts one of the largest growing populations of black rhino in the world, also an endangered species.
The broad, open spaces of Damaraland offers self-drivers more options to explore the beautiful and rugged countryside that other destinations on this tour cannot match. This region can still be termed as an 'unofficial' wildlife area with opportunities to observe desert-adapted elephant, giraffe, zebra and black rhino. There are many natural attractions as well, including Namibia's highest mountain, the Brandberg massif, Spitzkoppe and the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein.
Inland Damaraland changes to coastal with the drive to Cape Cross Seal Reserve and it's legendary Cape fur seal colony. The surrounding area consists of 60km² of gravel plains as well as the actual rock outcrop where the seals gather. Literally hundreds and thousands of them appear in the November to December breeding season.
The drive south heads to what many Namibians consider as the country's adventure playground. Somehow, the city of Swakopmund seems to have remained in the early part of the last century. The grand German architecture, immaculately restored or maintained, is still here. But gradually over the years, action and excitement have moved in. Swakopmund is now the adrenalin capital of Namibia, with endless day trips and activities to be found on sand, sea or the air.
The drive from the sea into the desert is somewhat taxing, although not over difficult. You will be well rewarded though for no part of the Namib Desert is more memorable than Sossusvlei. One of it's gigantic star-shaped dunes was measured from the base to be 325m high. Another pan worth the walk is Dead Pan. This normally dried white clay is scattered with the skeletons of ancient camel-thorn trees, aged as being between 500 and 600 years old. From the dunes you take a scenic drive back to 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.
Waterberg, Etosha, Damaraland, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei.
Head due north out of Windhoek on decent tarred roads through the garden town of Okahandja all the way to and past Otjiwarongo. Overnight not far from Waterberg Plateau - a colourful brick-red sandstone mountain.
After breakfast depart the Waterberg area and head north to Otavi and Tsumeb to arrive at Etosha National Park via the Von Lindequist Gate, the eastern entrance to the park. A short drive follows to Namutoni, your overnight accommodation. Once you are settled in self-drive to some of the nearby waterholes. Consider ending your afternoon game drive at Klein Namutoni, the sun will be behind you which is excellent for wildlife photography. The waterhole at the fort is good for ...
With a long day of game driving ahead of you it is best to pack up early and get into the swing of things as soon as the gates open at sunrise. The gravel roads are usually in a decent condition, an advantage as you head from waterhole to waterhole in search of mammals all the way west to Okaukuejo. Your lunch stop will depend on your wildlife sightings and on the time you decide to wait for the animals ...
Leave Etosha via the Andersson's Gate with one final game drive on the way out. Head south to Outjo and west towards Khorixas. The focus shifts from wildlife to geographical features, becoming more striking as you head into the Damarland section of the Namib Desert. Before Khorixas you might be interested in taking the short detour to Vingerklip (Rock Finger). From Khorixas continue westwards until you reach the Petrified Forest. You will need to pay for the services of a ...
A short drive followed by a slightly longer walk will bring you to the 'White Lady' rock painting. For many years it was speculated that this Bushman painting was a depiction of a European woman (it seems to have escaped those doing the speculating that the drawing was done thousands of years before Europeans visited the southern part of Africa, and even more worryingly close inspection of the drawing seems to indicate it is not female!) From Brandberg you begin driving ...
Swakopmund is popular with visitors as it exudes old-world charm side-by-side a range of adventure activities. Optional action extends from sand-boarding to quad-biking and even scenic flights. These can be pre-arranged when you book this itinerary or left for you to arrange on arrival in Swakopmund. In place of an adrenalin rush an excellent preference would be to head out into the desert on the Welwitschia Drive. You will have to pick-up a permit from the Ministry of Environment & ...
Leave Swakopmund and drive south towards Namibia's main harbour port Walvis Bay. If you decide to take a catamaran cruise around the lagoon (not included in package price) you will be joined by dolphins and Cape fur seals swimming alongside the boat. There is plenty of other marine and birdlife to admire on your trip. If you do take this trip remember you still have a drive of around 300 kilometers to come which will take some 4-5 hours. Your route ...
This is a day for early birds as you need to be at the park's gates about an hour before sunrise. The drive down to Dune 45 is about 45 kilometers from Sesriem and is so-called because of the numbering system devised by conservation staff some years ago. It is arguably the most photographed dune in the area and many visitors stop and climb this dune. You might like to continue onwards towards Sossusvlei. Either stop at the 2x4 car ...
If you are looking to completely blow your budget you could consider joining a balloon flight over Sossusvlei this morning. Otherwise after breakfast, pack up and head back to Windhoek. If you are not flying out today we can book you suitable accommodation in Windhoek for tonight.
Includes
All your meals and activities as specified.
A welcome pack including maps and vouchers for the places that you'll be visiting.
See the individual lodges for precise inclusions & exclusions
A 24 hour emergency assistance phone number
Excludes
Vehicle & Fuel
Park entrance fees (these need to be paid on arrival).
Tips and gratuities (which are optional).
Any meals or activities not specified.
See the individual lodges for detailed inclusions & exclusions.
Vehicles
Although we have excluded the cost of renting a vehicle from the quoted rate we are happy to advise you on the best possible vehicle and arrange a rental for you. For an idea of what is available have a look at our car hire in Namibia section
Etosha, Swakopmund & the dunes at Sossusvlei are the highlights of this trip.
Okonjima Bush Camp, Etosha, Damaraland, Erongo Mountains, Swakopmund & Sossusvlei.
Okonjima, Etosha, Damaraland, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Klein Aus & Kalahari Desert.
Visits all the best Namibia has to offer including Okonjima, Etosha, Damaraland, elephant tracking, the Erongo Mountains, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Klein Aus Vista, Fish River Canyon & Kalahari Deserts.
As you would expect from our longest self drive safari, it visits most of Namibia including Owamboland & Kaokoland - two areas which seldom appear on trips through the country.
Our interactive Itinerary Builder allows you to plan your trip to Botswana or Namibia, selecting multiple properties on an easy-to-use map. Compatible properties can be booked immediately, and those without online availability can be sent to our reservations team for processing.
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