Namibia Classic Self-Drive, 14 nights

Our Classic Self-Drive itinerary is designed to encompass Namibia’s iconic highlights whilst offering excellent value for money. Utilising a 4×4 double cab vehicle, perfect for our rugged terrain, this adventure starts & ends in Windhoek and includes the Gamsberg Mountains, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein & Damaraland, Etosha National Park, and Okonjima/ AfriCat.

thumbnail

Day 1

You will be met in the arrivals hall of Windhoek Hosea Kutako Airport by one of our chauffeur drivers who will transfer you into town in an ATI luxury vehicle. After taking some time to shower, relax (and maybe have a quick nap), your hire car will be delivered to your guest house or hotel around 4pm. If you’re landing late in the day, it will be delivered around 8am the following morning. One of our representatives will meet you at the same time to offer a thorough briefing of your whole holiday and go through your marked road map, vouchers, and itinerary with you. We’re also on hand to book a restaurant for tonight, should we not have already done so.

thumbnail

Day 2

After breakfast you will set off on your self-drive journey to the next destination, following our detailed road directions and map. During your briefing we will have shown you the best places to stop off for lunch or a break, as well as any highlights which are worth visiting along the way.

thumbnail

Day 3

Today you will drive southwards from Corona Guest Farm to your overnight destination close to the Namib Naukluft National Park, Sesriem & Sossusvlei. Solitaire is the perfect lunch stop with a fuel station, café, shop, and the best apple pie in the Southern Hemisphere. The drive should take you around 5.5 hours excluding stops.

thumbnail

Day 4

Today you have the opportunity to drive yourself into the Namib Naukluft National Park to visit Sesriem & Sossusvlei. The gates open at sunrise and close at sunset, and your lodge should be able to advise you of the exact times. The drive from the gate to the 2×4 parking takes around an hour. At the 2×4 car park you will find NWR vehicles offering shuttles through the 5km 4×4 only section to the start of the walk to Deadvlei. The walk to Deadvlei takes around 20 mins each way, and you should take some time to enjoy the peace and solitude of this eerie landmark. After returning to the Deadvlei carpark, the shuttle drivers will drive you onwards to Sossusvlei where you can spend some time exploring before taking a shuttle back to your vehicle and paying the shuttle fee. Park fees need to be paid at reception on your way out of the Park, where there are also toilets, a basic shop and restaurant.

thumbnail

Day 5

Today you will drive northwards from the Sesriem area to your overnight destination at the coast. You may like to stop briefly in Walvis bay to see the lagoon and look out for flamingos, pelicans, and other birdlife. The drive to Swakopmund should take you around 5.5 hours excluding stops.

thumbnail

Day 6

Today you have time to explore the town of Swakopmund, maybe enjoying an ice cream or coffee at one of the many cafes. We also love the aquarium which has a walk-through viewing tunnel and daily feeding  in the large tank at 15h00. On Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays the feeding is done by a diver which is great to watch, especially for children. Other attractions include the snake park, a brilliantly informative way to learn about Namibia’s reptiles, and the ‘Kristall Galerie’ which houses one of the world’s largest quartz crystals. And at the end of a busy day, we recommend champagne and oysters on the deck of The Jetty restaurant to watch the sunset.

thumbnail

Day 7

Today you will drive north along the coastal road, turning inland at Henties Bay and continuing past the mighty Brandberg Mountain into Damaraland. Perhaps make a detour to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross if time allows. The drive should take you around 4.5 hours excluding stops or detours.

thumbnail

Day 8

Today enjoy a guided drive in an open-air 4×4 vehicle in search of Namibia’s desert-dwelling elephants, of which there is estimated to be about 600 left. Knowledgeable guides provide information about the area and assist with spotting the elephants. A drive can last between 3 and 5 hours and may include a visit to several sights in the area such as the Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes, and the Bushman Engravings. As chances of seeing elephants are slimmer during the rainy season, guests are advised to check with the lodge in advance when booking this activity.

thumbnail

Day 9

Today you will drive northeastwards from Damaraland to southern Etosha, Namibia’s wildlife highlight. The drive should take you around 4.5 hours excluding stops.

thumbnail

Day 10

You may like to wake early today and enjoy a self-guided game drive through Etosha, stopping at the many waterholes along the way and keeping your eyes peeled for the Park’s inhabitants. The Park opening and closing times vary depending on sunrise and sunset, and your lodge will be able to advise on the current time. You will need to complete a form at the Park entrance, and pay Park fees at the closest Rest Camp.  Park Fees cost N$150 per adult per 24-hour period, N$100 per child aged 9-16, no cost per child aged 0-8, plus N$50 per vehicle.

thumbnail

Day 11

After breakfast you will depart on your journey through Etosha, perhaps stopping at the central Rest Camp of Halali for some lunch and a break. The Park opening and closing times vary depending on sunrise and sunset, and your lodge will be able to advise on the current time. Allow a whole day for this drive as you will want to make the most of the wildlife viewing.

thumbnail

Day 12

You may like to wake early today and enjoy a self-guided game drive through Etosha, stopping at the many waterholes along the way and keeping your eyes peeled for the Park’s inhabitants.

thumbnail

Day 13

Today you will drive southwards from the eastern side of Etosha to Okonjima. You will travel through the towns of Tsumeb and Otjiwarongo which both offer opportunities for lunch or a quick break. The drive should take you around 4 hours excluding stops.

thumbnail

Day 14

Leopard Tracking: The Leopard ‘experience’ will take you out into the Okonjima Nature Reserve and will allow you to spend more time with the experienced guides whilst participating in the research data collection for the long-standing leopard project and newly introduced brown hyaena program. Some of the adult leopards are radio collared which enables the guides to track them with a specialised telemetry device. Although this significantly increases the chance of an excellent sighting, it cannot ever be guaranteed as they are wild free-roaming predators.

Game Drive: Experienced guides will entertain you with their knowledge, sharing interesting and enlightening information about the history of the Okonjima Nature Reserve and the research gathered over the past 30 years of conservation on Okonjima. On this trail, no telemetry device is used to track any of the carnivores researched by the AfriCat Foundation. Wildlife is the focus of the drive. Visitors are offered insight as the guides attempt to foster a general appreciation of the natural habitat of the Nature Reserve.

thumbnail

Day 15

Today you will enjoy a final short drive through the Okonjima reserve, looking out for wildlife, before you hit the main road south. You will head back to Windhoek via Okahandja, the drive to the city should take you around 3 hours excluding stops.

You will continue your drive, ending at Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport to drop your hire car off in time to connect with your onward flight.  The drive to the airport from Windhoek city centre takes around 45 minutes, and you should arrive no later than 2.5 hours before your flight departs in order to drop your car off and check in.

Included

Transfers as specified

4×4 vehicle hire as specified

Accommodation on the meal & activity basis specified

Tourism levies, VAT, Park Entry fees, & community conservation contributions

24/7 on the ground support

Excluded

International flights

Vehicle fuel

Personal insurance

Any drinks, meals, or activities not specified in the itinerary

Any visa costs

Gratuities and personal items

Featured Specials

Reviews