This 16 day self drive adventure aims to give you an excellent cross section of what Namibia is all about. We start & end in Windhoek at Hosea Kutako International Airport, and from there move south initially, then up the west interior to Etosha in the north, and then back south through the central interior.

On this journey you will see some remarkable places of wilderness and beauty, including but not limited to Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, Damaraland, Etosha and some of the bigger centres like Windhoek and Swakopmund.


Your 16 Days in Namibia at a Glance
1 night   Windhoek - Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel
1 night   Kalahari - Camelthorn Lodge
1 night   Fish River Canyon - Canyon Roadhouse
2 nights Lüderitz - Alte Villa Boutique
2 nights Sossusvlei - Desert Homestead Lodge
2 nights Swakopmund / Walvis Bay - Swakopmund Luxury Suites
2 nights Damaraland - Camp Kipwe
1 nights Etosha National Park - Etosha Village
2 nights Etosha National Park - Mushara Bush Camp
1 night   AfriCat Foundation - Okonjima Plains Camp

Day 1 - Arrival in Windhoek

Welcome to Windhoek, the capital and largest city in Namibia which is situated in the centre of Namibia. At the car rental company you will be assisted with your paperwork by one of our representatives who will also hand you your travel documents and welcome pack. After checking into your accommodation explore the town with its German colonial vibe, visit the lush national botanical garden and museums before enjoying dinner. Overnight at the Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel, Windhoek

Day 2 - Windhoek to the Kalahari

Today you will depart to the red sands of the Kalahari which are roughly 3-4 hour drive. After breakfast stock up on supplies and on the road snacks before heading south where your adventure begins.

Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge, Namibia

With 900,00sq km big mass of sand stretching across 7 countries, The Kalahari desert are the largest sand sea in the world. With plenty of rain it’s not a real desert, but an eerie and silent fossil desert. The Kalahari is a mecca for birds, reptiles and animals, so get out your bird and mammal checklist (which is in your welcome pack). Enjoy learning about the first settlers while on the Bushman experience or take a game or nature drive.

Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge, Game Drive
Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge, Accommodation from the outside

Overnight at the Camelthorn Lodge on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 3 - Kalahari to Fish River Canyon

Today you will be driving for 7-8 hours to get from the Kalahari to the largest canyon in the world (Make sure to pack snacks for the road). The Fish River Canyon are a huge 100 mile long ravine.

Swimming Pool at Canyon Roadhouse

On route visit the lush Quiver Tree forest 13km north west of Keetmanskoop. Between the rocks grows 100’s of the three quiver tree species. Visit the Giant’s playground just 5km away.

Canyon Roadhouse
Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyons remote locations means you do not have to share the Canyon with million other tourist. With its several viewpoints its not a vast tourist honey pot and sunsets are amazing. Enjoy the fresh air and spectacular light then head for dinner. Overnight at the Canyon Roadhouse on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 4 - Fish River Canyon to Luderitz

Before heading west take one final sneak peak of the massive canyon and drive a 5-6 hour drive to Luderitz. See the wild desert horses on your way through Aus. Overnight at the Alte Villa Boutique Hotel for (2) nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

Alte Villa, Luderitz
Alte Villa Boutique Hotel

Day 5 - Explore the Luderitz area

On this full day for Luderitz and Kolmanskop. Visit the Art Deco Building, the beach and Irmgard Shipwreck at Grosse Bucht. Kolmanskop the ghost town are just 10km from Luderitz. The buildings are being digested by the desert. Take a guided walk and visit the museum. Overnight at the Alte Villa Boutique Hotel.

Alte Villa Boutique Hotel
Alte Villa Boutique Hotel

Day 6 - Luderitz to Sossusvlei

After breakfast backtrack through Aus, heading north via Helmeringhausen to the sea of sand, the only coastal desert. After approx 7-8 hour drive enjoy dinner and have a great nights sleep. Overnight at the Desert Homestead Lodge for (2) nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Desert Homestead Lodge, Namibia

Day 7 - Explore Sossusvlei

After rising early and breakfast you will go straight to Sossusvlei entrance and the Sesriem Gate. Spend the day exploring the beauty of Sossuvlei, the Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Big Daddy and Elim Dune.
Make sure to also visit Sesriem Canyon. Arrange with your lodge for a packed lunch to enjoy on the dunes or return to your lodge for lunch. Optional extras include a guided Sossusvlei trip, a nature drive or a hot air balloon safari. Overnight at the Desert Homestead Lodge

Desert Homestead Lodge, Room Interior
Bar Area, Desert Homestead Lodge

Day 8 - Sossusvlei to Swakopmund

Time to say goodbye to the desert and head into town, Swakopmund. The drive are about 5-6 hours taking you north to Solitaire before heading west along the Namib gravel plains to the coast. You will cross the Tropic of Capricorn and drive through the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons. You can go to Swakopmund via Walvis Bay but ideally do a detour and go via Ganab to the Welwitschia Plains and Moon Landscape. Overnight at the Swakopmund Luxury Suites for (2) nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

 Swakopmund Luxury Suites
Room Interior, Swakopmund Luxury Suites

Day 9 - Explore Swakopmund Area

The Namibian Coastline are full of broken shells, rusting hulls and lots to do between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Enjoy sand boarding, Dolphins cruises, dune quad biking or sea kayaking. Or enjoy a Sandwich Harbour excursion if that interest you. You will be staying in a B&B so enjoy lunches and dinners on your own arrangements overlooking the sea.  Overnight at the Swakopmund Luxury Suites

Day 10 - Swakopmund to Damaraland

Swakopmund to Damaraland are about 7-8 hour drive taking you back to the bush. On route head north via Henties Bay along the Skeleton Coast to visit the Cape Cross seal colony. Detour within a detour - stop at the Lichen Fields and the ship wreck between the holiday town Wlotskasbaken and Henties Bay. Backtrack to Henties Bay before heading in land through Uis, continue north to the Twyfelfontein area. Overnight at the Camp Kipwe for (2) nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Camp Kipwe, Twyfelfontein
Camp Kipwe

Day 11 - Explore Damaraland

Go with a lodge guide to look for the desert adapted elephants around Huab River. Other game you will find are springbok, ostrich and oryx. Visit the Damaraland Living Museum for a bit of culture before enjoying dinner. Overnight at the Camp Kipwe

Camp Kipwe, Set amongst the boulders

Day 12 - Damaraland to Etosha National Park - South

Enjoy the shorter drive today. Within 4-5 hours you will be watching animals while enjoying a drink.
On route you can head east towards Khorixas and detour via the Petrified Forest before heading back to Khorixas and on to Outjo and north to Etosha.

Swimming Pool at Etosha Village

It’s really close to the southern entrance of Etosha, the Anderson Gate. vernight at the Etosha Village for (2) nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Room Interior, Etosha Village
Rooms from the outside at Etosha Village

Depending on how many times you’ve stopped on route you should arrive at your lodge in time for lunch (option extra). Head into Etosha for an afternoon drive, paying for your entry fee at Okaukeujo and stock up on supplies as well as get a map showing all the waterholes. Overnight at the Camp Kipwe.

Day 13 - Etosha National Park - East

Spend the day on your own pace, driving from one side of the park to the other stopping at many waterholes. There are animals everywhere so be on the look out. Overnight at the Mushara Bushcamp for (2) nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Mushara Bushcamp, Etosha's eastern side

Day 14 - Explore Etosha National Park - East

Today enjoy a full day drive or a morning and and afternoon drive. Pack a lunch and explore or book a guided drive as an optional extra with your lodge. Head into the park early morning when the gates open at sunrise and in the late afternoon before the gates close at sunset. This is when the animals are most active. Overnight at the Mushara Bushcamp

Main Area, Mushara Bushcamp
Room interior, Mushara Bushcamp

Day 15 - Etosha to Waterberg

Today head south via Otavi, Otjiwarongo to Okonjima where its cheetah time, home of The Africat Fountation. Here you check in at the Okonjima Plains Camp for (1) night on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, with twice daily activities included.

Okonjima Plains Camp

Arrive latest 14:00 to enjoy afternoon tea and treats before heading on your afternoon excursion *You’ll have 2 activities included. Discuss this with the lodge on arrival to plan which activities you can do and the timings of such.

Main area, Okonjima Plains Camp
Room Interior, Okonjima Plains Camp

Day 16 - Waterberg to Windhoek

Enjoy your last early breakfast and activity before heading to Windhoek, 3-4 hour drive. After dropping your car off you will be transferred to the airport where you will check in 2 hours before your flight home.

Tour Cost

Jan - Jun 2023 – Low Season
ZAR 61 910 per person sharing (Based on 2 pax)
ZAR 51 710 per person sharing (Based on 4 pax)

Jul - Dec 2023 – High Season
ZAR 67 705 per person sharing (Based on 2 pax)
ZAR 56 455 per person sharing (Based on 4 pax)

Includes
• Accommodation as indicated - can change depending on availability and request at time of booking
• Meals as indicated
• Meet and greet upon arrival
• Car hire as below
• Airport transfers on arrival and for departure
• Activities as indicated
• Tour file with detailed itinerary, map with route descriptions, vouchers etc.
• 24 hour personal and friendly support
• Fast and efficient response to service providers
• Care hire: 4X4 Toyota Fortuner – Automatic Transmission including a GPS, ZERO excess - maximum insurance, tyre & windscreen cover, unlimited mileage, 2nd spare tyre, additional driver, cell phone with local sim

Excludes
• Items of a personal nature
• Optional extra activities
• International flights
• Holiday or personal insurance
• Staff gratuities
• Park entry fees
• Fuel for vehicle rental
• Visas and visa applications