$8,617 pp (USD)
This tour is offered in GBP.
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Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival in Windhoek and collect your keys
Arrival in Windhoek and collect your keys
Upon arrival to Windhoek, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your lovely accommodation in the center of Windhoek.
Your rental vehicle will be delivered to your hotel. Your vehicle will be complete with a cool box and a mobile phone. You will also be provided with an information pack which will include driving directions, accommodation details and contact phone numbers.
You can then spend the rest of the day exploring Namibia’s capital city.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City)
- Accommodation:
- The Olive Exclusive
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Windhoek to Kalahari Desert
Windhoek to Kalahari Desert
Today you’ll drive south for approximately two hours to your lovely lodge on the edge of the vegetated Kalahari Desert.
Here you can relax by the lodge’s pool or join a scenic drive in the private reserve. Although vegetation and wildlife is sparse, there is a good variety of animals including giraffe, springbok, oryx, kudu and zebra. You might even catch a glimpse of the bat-eared fox, which is a specialist of this region.
- Main Destination:
- Kalahari Region
- Accommodation:
- Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Kalahari to Fish River Canyon
Kalahari to Fish River Canyon
After breakfast at your lodge, you’ll drive south to the spectacular Fish River Canyon, with a stop at Quiver Tree Forest en route. You’ll arrive at your lodge by mid-afternoon in time to join a sunset walk, before returning to the lodge for a delicious evening meal. This afternoon explore the demarcated trails along the canyon edge or head out on a canyon sundowner drive.
- Main Destination:
- Fish River Canyon (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP)
- Accommodation:
- Fish River Lodge
Wildlife in |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Fish River Canyon
Fish River Canyon
Today you’ll have a full day to explore the breathtaking Fish River Canyon on foot.
After a hearty breakfast, embark on one of the adventure activities that Fish River Lodge has on offer, from both guided and unguided including canyon drives, hiking and cycling.
- Main Destination:
- Fish River Canyon (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP)
- Accommodation:
- Fish River Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Fish River Canyon to Aus
Fish River Canyon to Aus
After breakfast it is then onto the next part of your journey as you drive initially north and then west towards the coast. The landscape changes drastically en route as you arrive at the start of vast sandy dunes.
You’ll stay in near to the town of Aus for two nights, giving you a chance to explore this interesting region. Eagle's Nest Chalets are made up of just nine individuals chalets, spaced out and built among the rocky landscape characteristic of this region.
Keep a look out for the Namib Desert horse, a small population of feral horses, whose origin is unknown and their presence adds to the mystery and intrigue of this region.
- Main Destination:
- Aus (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Eagle's Nest Chalets Klein-Aus Vista
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Explore Aus and Luderitz
Explore Aus and Luderitz
You will have a full day to explore this region and there is a lot to see. You might like to visit the coastal town of Luderitz and drive around the peninsula. You can also discuss with us the option of adding a boat trip to see the African penguins which live on islands off the coast.
Another highlight of this region is Kolmanskop. Once a small, but extremely rich mining village, Kolmanskop was hastily abandoned and is now a popular tourist spot with visitors intrigued by the eerie buildings which are half filled with sand.
You can also visit the Klein-Aus Vista Reserve, where there are numerous walking trails and even mountain biking on offer.
- Main Destination:
- Aus (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Eagle's Nest Chalets Klein-Aus Vista
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Aus to the Namib-Naukluft
Aus to the Namib-Naukluft
After breakfast, it is a longer drive today of around 6 hours to the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the southwest of the country and home to Namibia' famous dunes.
You’ll stay in the area for the next two nights and you’ll have time to explore the iconic towering sand dunes, as well as other incredible geographical formations of the region, such as Sesriem Canyon.
- Main Destination:
- Namib-Naukluft National Park (Namib Desert)
- Accommodation:
- Kulala Desert Lodge
Wildlife in Namib-Naukluft NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Exploring Sossusvlei
Exploring Sossusvlei
We recommend that you wake up early to enter the park as soon as the gates open at sunrise. If you prefer you can soar above this breathtaking landscape in a hot air balloon, which is available at an extra cost. Kulala Desert Lodge has it's own private gate into the park, so on guided trips (which can be booked directly with the lodge), you can get ahead of most of the other vehicles coming in from other lodges.
Other activities you can enjoy today include a nature drive to spot the desert-adapted wildlife or a dune walk. In the evening, you can enjoy a gin and tonic on a sundowner tour. After dark, you can also join a star gazing excursion with a knowledgeable guide.
- Main Destination:
- Namib-Naukluft National Park (Namib Desert)
- Accommodation:
- Kulala Desert Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
This morning, you’ll leave the Namib Desert and drive north through beautiful canyons and striking scenery as you head towards to the lovely town of Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast.
Walvis Bay is a stunning spot just outside Swakopmund and we highly recommend stopping over on your way into town. Sheltered by the Pelican Point sand spit, Walvis Bay’s tidal lagoon is home to abundant bird life, including flamingos and pelicans.
Swakopmund itself is a former colonial town famous for its German architecture and culture. Many residents speak German and there's even an Oktoberfest beer festival. It is an ideal place to spend a night between visiting the dunes of the Namib-Naukluft and exploring the attractions of northern Namibia.
- Main Destination:
- Swakopmund (City)
- Accommodation:
- Villa Margherita
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10-11
Swakopmund to Damaraland
Swakopmund to Damaraland
This morning, you will resume your Namibian road trip and head further north up the Skeleton Coast to Damaraland. En route, we recommend that you stopover at Henties Bay to see the Cape Cross seal colony, which is thought to be one of the largest breeding colonies of Cape fur seals in Africa.
On arrival at Doro Nawas, you’ll settle into your accommodation and you can spend the afternoon relaxing at your lodge. If you wish, you can take a walk in the surrounding area, stopping at viewpoints to marvel at the beautiful Damaraland landscape.
- Main Destination:
- Damaraland
- Accommodation:
- Doro Nawas Camp
Wildlife in Damaraland
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Head Deeper into Damaraland
Head Deeper into Damaraland
Delve deeper into this fascinating region of Damaraland as you head further north towards the outpost of Palmwag, where you will be picked up and driven into Desert Rhino Camp. The camp is so remote that you leave your car in a secure parking spot and your guide will drive you the further few hours into camp. This normally taking the form of a nature drive.
As the name suggests, this will be your base for tracking rare populations of desert-dwelling rhino, in collaboration with Save The Rhino Trust. Enjoy a walk or just a sundowner drink this afternoon ahead of a busy day tomorrow.
- Main Destination:
- Damaraland
- Accommodation:
- Desert Rhino Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Desert Wildlife and Rhino Tracking
Desert Wildlife and Rhino Tracking
The specialty of Desert Rhino Camp is tracking the black rhino populations in this little visited corner of Damaraland. This concession is home to the largest free-ranging black rhino population left on the planet. The lodge works with rangers from Save The Rhino Trust in protecting the animals in the region. Today, you will head out with your guide along with the rangers to track black rhinos.
Your activities are included today and it can be a long, bumpy day in the car but the reward of seeing these incredible animals in this harsh environment is well worth it. You may also encounter lion and elephant and almost certainly zebra, oryx and ostrich.
- Main Destination:
- Damaraland
- Accommodation:
- Desert Rhino Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Damaraland to Etosha National Park
Damaraland to Etosha National Park
After breakfast, you’ll get back in your vehicle and drive east towards Etosha National Park.
Etosha offers fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly around the waterholes. You can expect to see elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, zebra, springbok and gemsbok. It’s also one of the best places in Southern Africa to see the endangered cheetah, black rhino and rare antelope species such as black-faced impala, Damara dik dik and roan antelope.
Included is two nights at the superb Anderssons at Ongava, which was completely rebuild and opened afresh in April 2019. This modern safari lodge has just eight spacious suites that look towards the productive camp waterhole.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Anderssons at Ongava Camp
Wildlife in Etosha NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 15
On safari in Etosha National Park
On safari in Etosha National Park
Today you’ll have a full day to explore Etosha and the private Ongava Game Reserve
Despite being one of Africa's largest national parks, Etosha is easy to drive around yourself as all roads lead back to the main road. This means you can take your time visiting the many different waterholes where large concentrations of wildlife tend to congregate, particularly in the dry season between July and October.
Almost a quarter of Etosha consists of salt pans, including the Etosha Pan which is undoubtedly the park’s most distinctive and dramatic feature. The Etosha Pan is the only known mass breeding ground for flamingos in Namibia and at times there can be up to a million flamingos here.
Back at Anderssons at Ongava, you might also like to book a game drive with the lodge to explore the private Ongava Reserve. You'll enjoy the water level hide overlooking the waterhole and investigate the Ongava Research Centre.
- Main Destination:
- Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Anderssons at Ongava Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 16
Central Etosha to the Eastern Side
Central Etosha to the Eastern Side
On this morning, you will have the opportunity to book another guided activity with Ongava, before you depart and head east.
Take your time as you drive through the park and treat the journey as a self-guided game drive and stop for wildlife and at the waterholes on the way.
Your destination is Onguma Bush Camp, which is on the private Onguma Nature Reserve adjacent to the eastern boundary of Etosha National Park, where you will stay for two nights.
- Main Destination:
- Eastern Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Onguma Bush Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 17
Eastern Etosha National Park
Eastern Etosha National Park
You will have a final full day to explore the eastern reaches of Etosha National Park. You have the choice of booking guided activities with the lodge. Also, you can explore Etosha National Park independently by driving in through the Von Lindequist gate and paying the necessary park fees at the park office at Namutoni Rest Camp.
From Onguma Bush Camp, both game drives into the national park and on the private reserve are available as well as guided bush walks on the reserve. These can be a fascinating and a nice chance to stretch your legs.
- Main Destination:
- Eastern Etosha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Onguma Bush Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 18
Drive south to the Central Highlands
Drive south to the Central Highlands
Your final stop before you head home tomorrow is Ai Aiba Lodge, perched among the impressive Erongo Mountains. Take this chance for a final early morning game drive into Etosha, should you wish, before driving the three to four hours south to the Central Highlands of Namibia.
Ai Aiba has wonderful local guides and guided nature walks are included in the price of your stay. Take advantage this afternoon and discover the flora, fauna and rock art of the area. Or you can just relax and enjoy the surrounding and views of the lodge or from your private chalet.
- Main Destination:
- Erongo Mountains (Mountain Range)
- Accommodation:
- Ai Aiba Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 19
Drive to Windhoek Airport
Drive to Windhoek Airport
Unfortunately, today marks the end of your Namibian Self Drive Adventure tour. This morning you’ll drive back to Windhoek Airport which should take approximately three and a half hours. On arrival, you’ll have time to get some lunch and drop off your hired car, before heading to the airport to board your international flight home.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek Airport (Windhoek)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
