Namibia Self Drive Safari. All Namibia in 16 Days

Windhoek – Waterberg You start your Namibian adventure with an easy 300km drive, the majority of this is on good tarred road followed by a short 24 km section of gravel driving. Once you pass through the town of Okahandja the landscape becomes flat and the road is straight – pretty much the only notable geographical feature along this section of the road are the Omatako Mountains. Clearly these mountains have made quite an impression on Namibians for several centuries as the Herero word ‘Omatako’ is translated as ‘bum’. On reaching the Waterberg, settle into your accommodation and then scramble up to the top of the Plateau and enjoy the magnificent views of the surrounding plains. The top of the plateau is a wildlife reserve and hosts several endangered species including rhino, sable & roan antelope. Unfortunately the dense bush makes this area unsuited for game viewing, and although there is a guided game drive we recommend you give it a missLuderitz – Fish River Canyon Today you will head back towards Aus and then continue inland until turning south towards the 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 which is around 70km north of Ai-Ais where you will be staying. Overnight at Ai-Ais Camp (BB) – there will be plenty of time for game viewing in Etosha. Overnight at Waterberg Camp (BB)

Waterberg – Etosha Leaving Waterberg drive through the towns of Otjiwarongo and Outjo entering the Etosha Park through the Anderson Gate. The chances are that immediately on entering the national park you will start to see interesting wildlife. Do remember that you have to be inside the Okaukuejo gates before sunset – otherwise you will pay a fine, or even having to sleep in your car with the animals as your companions. And please do not step out of your car in National park. Only designated areas and Camps are provided for it. Overnight at Okaukuejo Camp (BB)

Etosha National Park It is really worth waking early and heading out on your game drive as soon as the gates open at sunrise. Animals are most active in the cool of the day (early morning & late afternoon) and in order to maximise your chances of good viewings it is worth imitating their behaviour. The roads in Etosha are gravel roads but in reasonable condition – and the general tourist behaviour is to drive between various waterholes searching for animals. As the day gets hotter head for shade, and lunch, at one of the parks three camps, Okaukuejo, Namutoni or Halali. With two full days in the park you should have sightings of most of the parks inhabitants (although be warned the cats are notoriously hard to find – and of course what you see is determined by luck and more importantly your ability to spot wildlife) Overnight at Okaukuejo Camp (BB) and next night at Halali Camp (BB)

Etosha N.P. – Ondangwa Morning game drive in Etosha and leaving National Park at lunchtime via the King Nehale Gate (north of Namutoni) – here you are entering a much more heavily populated area of Namibia. Around 60% of the country’s population live in this small section of the country, so you can expect to see lots of people, markets, cows, goats and lots of cuca shops (bars). You will be free to explore the area and the towns of Oshakati and Ondangwa as well as numerous small villages in the area. The predominant cultural group in this area are the Owambo people. Overnight at Oshakati Country Hotel (BB)

Ondangwa – Ruacana Leaving Oshakati you follow the main road in a north easterly direction towards Ruacana (a waterfall and hydro electric station on the Kunene River). At Otapi stop and have a look at the giant Baobab, a huge hollow tree that has served as a post office, a chapel and a hiding place. From here it is only a short drive to Ruacana where you will spend the night. Ruacana is a busy border crossing between Angola & Namibia and here you will meet your first Himba People. They make beautiful jewellery and you can often purchase pieces from them. Take a walk along the Kunene River and if you are interested visit the hydro electric scheme. Overnight at Ruacana Eha Lodge (HB)

Ruacana – Epupa Water Falls (Kunene River) To reach Kunene River Lodge you have two possible options – 1 route takes you along the Kunene River due east of Ruacana, but this is only suitable for 4 x 4 vehicles and incredibly rough, in the wet season it is completely impossible. The sensible drivers will head down to the town of Opuwo (the capital of the region) and then back northwards until they reach Epupa Falls and Kunene River Lodge (close to Swarbooisdrift). This may seem like a huge detour, but trust us – it is worth it! You have two nights here to explore the area, see the falls, visit to a Himba Village and even enjoy white river rafting on the Kunene River. The choice of how you spend your time and what activities you do is up to you. Overnight at Kunene River Lodge (HB)

Kunene River – Palmwag Today you have a long drive ahead of you, the roads are often not in good condition you can expect the 350 km you will be driving to take around 7 hours. Palmwag is an oasis which is frequently visited by desert elephants, rhino and other wildlife. Overnight at Palmwag Lodge (HB)

Palmwag – Damaraland This morning you can decide to join a guided game drive in search of desert elephant & rhino (needs to be pre-booked). And then leaving Palmwag drive towards the village of Khorixas around 40 km before reaching the town you will find the Petrified Forest, here you will need to pay for a local guide to show you the remains of million year old petrified tree trunks. Luckily the highlight of this part of the trip is still to come – from here head to Twyfelfontein, this world heritage site has an extremely high density of bushmen rock engravings. Leaving Twyfelfontein drive south towards the Brandberg Mountain, this is the highest point in Namibia (2600 m). You will stop at the lodge near the foot of the mountain. Overnight at Brandberg White Lady Lodge (HB)

Damaraland – Swakopmund (Atlantic Ocean) 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 the Brandberg you begin driving towards the coast, and after 130 km you will arrive at Henties Bay. Here turn northwards along the Skeleton Coast and head for the seal colony at Cape Cross. Despite this being one of the smelliest places in Namibia the seals make for a fascinating time. Then hop back in your car and drive down the coast, back through Henties Bay and then a further 70 km to Swakopmund. On arrival in check into your accommodation before heading out for a drink, dinner and a night on the town. Overnight at Alternative Space Guest House (BB)

Swakopmund There are a host of adventure activities to participate in while in Swakopmund. These range from sandboarding through quad biking to sky-diving. No activities are included in this package but they can be pre-arranged when you book this itinerary or left for you to arrange on arrival is Swakopmund Being a German inspired town good food and beer is never hard to find, so we are sure you will find something productive to do! Overnight at Alternative Space Guest House (BB)

Swakopmund – Sossusvlei Leave Swakopmund towards the harbour town of Walvis Bay, the lagoon here attracts a lot of marine & birdlife and is well worth a visit to view the pink flamingoes. You may decide to take a catamaran cruise on the lagoon (not included in package price). Today you have a drive of around 300km’s which will take you around 4-5 hours. Your route will take you across the gravel plains of the Namib Desert and through the Kuiseb & Gaub passes. Aim to arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon, Desert Camp is a self catering lodge and no meals are included in this package but if you do not want to have the hassle of carrying and preparing your own food meals can be enjoyed at the nearby Sossusvlei Lodge Overnight at Sossusvlei Desert Camp (HB)Sossusvlei Wake up early and leave your lodge, heading for the Sesriem entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. This gate only opens at sunrise, so there is no point arriving earlier, but driving the 60km from Sesriem through the dunes towards Sossusvlei while the sun rises is a real pleasure. The first major dune you will encounter goes by the imaginative name of Dune 45 – many people choose to stop and climb this dune but we suggest you continue onwards towards Sossusvlei. Park at the the 2×4 car park (unless you have a 4×4 vehicle this is as far as you can drive), Sossusvlei is a further 4km from here but you are already amongst fairly large dunes. The walk along the dry river bed into Sossusvlei is lovely but for the very unfit or terminally lazy there are 4×4 shuttles from the car park to Sossusvlei. Deadvlei, so named because it is a large pan with sculptural dead trees, is close by and definitely worth a visit. When you have had enough sand – head back to your vehicle (there really is no shame in taking the shuttle back – the sand is likely to be hot, and the walk less pleasant than the one in the cool of the morning) On your way back to the lodge stop at the Sesriem Canyon – follow the signs from the Sesriem Campsite. Overnight at Sossusvlei Desert Camp (HB)

Sossusvlei Wake up early and leave your lodge, heading for the Sesriem entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. This gate only opens at sunrise, so there is no point arriving earlier, but driving the 60km from Sesriem through the dunes towards Sossusvlei while the sun rises is a real pleasure. The first major dune you will encounter goes by the imaginative name of Dune 45 – many people choose to stop and climb this dune but we suggest you continue onwards towards Sossusvlei. Park at the the 2×4 car park (unless you have a 4×4 vehicle this is as far as you can drive), Sossusvlei is a further 4km from here but you are already amongst fairly large dunes. The walk along the dry river bed into Sossusvlei is lovely but for the very unfit or terminally lazy there are 4×4 shuttles from the car park to Sossusvlei. Deadvlei, so named because it is a large pan with sculptural dead trees, is close by and definitely worth a visit. When you have had enough sand – head back to your vehicle (there really is no shame in taking the shuttle back – the sand is likely to be hot, and the walk less pleasant than the one in the cool of the morning) On your way back to the lodge stop at the Sesriem Canyon – follow the signs from the Sesriem Campsite. Overnight at Sossusvlei Desert Camp (HB)

Sossusvlei – Luderitz (Atlantic ocean) Leaving the Sossusvlei area today you drive south along the edge of the Namib Naukluft Park with Luderitz as your ultimate destination. The district D707 road is seldom used but amongst those in the know is thought of as one of the most scenic drives in Namibia. Eventually you will reach a tarred road again at the small village of Aus , here your route takes you westwards through along the restricted diamond area ( Sperrgebiet ). This section of the Namib is characterised by vast empty plains with small dunes and hills in the distance. Eventually you will reach the bizarre harbour town of Luderitz where you will spend the next two nights. While in Luderitz you should visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop as well as drive along the rugged and rocky coastline. For the early birds there is a schooner trip every morning from the harbour which visits points of interest in the area and allows you to see Diaz Point, Cape Fur Seals, the occasional penguin and a host of flamingoes. Overnight at Bayview Hotel (BB)

Luderitz – Fish River Canyon Today you will head back towards Aus and then continue inland until turning south towards the 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 which is around 70km north of Ai-Ais where you will be staying. Overnight at Ai-Ais Camp (BB)

Fish River – Kalahari Desert The route heads northwards via the town of Keetmanshoop towards the village of Gibeon, before heading eastwards into the Kalahari Desert . The true lure of Namibia’s ‘second’ desert is it’s deafening silence and eerie solitude. Tall golden grasses pepper the red dunes with buck and bird species foraging and browsing around dwarf shrubs and mixed tree savannah. Not far from Keetmanshoop is the Quiver Tree Forest and Giant’s Playground. Some 300 quiver trees, or kokerboom, often produce bright yellow flowers from May to September. Overnight at Kalahari Anib Lodge (HB)

Kalahari Desert – Windhoek On the last day of the trip you head northwards back to Windhoek. Your route leads you through the village of Rehoboth before you finally arrive back in Windhoek (Capital city of Namibia). If you are flying out tonight you can leave your vehicle at the airport and check for your flight home. If you are staying in Windhoek for a night we can book for you accommodation as per your request and budget.