This 20 day self drive really does pack in most of Namibia. It includes two deserts, game viewing, cultural experiences, the Fish River Canyon and the massive dunes. The itinerary starts with a day at the Waterberg Plateau Park, before visiting Etosha Park. After 3 nights in the park you continue northwards into the Owamboland region - this area is seldom visited by tourists but is one of the more fascinating areas of Namibia - as this is where the majority of the population lives. You will get to wander around markets, visit local cuca shops and generally learn about life in this part of the country.

From here you drive to Kaokoland, although this borders on Owamboland it is completely different - this is one of the sparsest populated areas in the world. The local inhabitants are the nomadic Himba people, Kaokoland is a true wilderness experience unlike anything you have previously experienced. There is the opportunity to go canoeing on the Kunene River, before you turn south towards Damaraland.

In Damaraland, you have the option to go in search of the elusive desert elephant, before viewing ancient Bushman rock art at Twyfelfontein & the Brandberg. Then it is on to the coast where you will visit the seal colony at Cape Cross before spending two nights in the town of Swakopmund. After relaxing or joining one of the many adventure activities in Swakopmund the route takes you southwards further into the Namib Desert.

One of the highlights of your trip is likely to be the sand dunes at Sossusvlei, and from there you head further south along the edge of the Namib Naukluft Park towards the southern coastal town of Luderitz. After visiting Luderitz and the ghost town of Kolmanskop there is one last stop at the Fish River Canyon before returning to Windhoek via a lodge in the Kalahari Desert .

Although it is possible to book this itinerary 'as is', as with all our self drive trips this is entirely customisable, and we can add or delete days, change the accommodation used and generally design the tour to suit your individual requirements.

Day 1: Windhoek - Waterberg

We start your Namibian adventure with an easy 300km drive, the majority of this is on good tarred road followed by a short 24km 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 Namibian's for several centuries as the Herero word 'Omatako' is translated as 'bum' (or 'butt' for our American readers).
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. A few buck species inhabit the slopes of the mountains, but the real game is on top. The top of the plateau is a wildlife reserve and hosts several endangered species including rhino, sable & roan antelope. Unfortunately (for tourists, not for the animals) the dense bush makes this area unsuited for game viewing, and although there is a guided game drive we recommend you give it a miss - there will be plenty of time for game viewing in Etosha.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Waterberg Camp

Day 2: 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 - so covering even the shortest distance can be a rewarding and time consuming business. Do remember that you have to be inside the Okaukuejo gates before sunset - otherwise you face the prospect of a fine, or even having to sleep in your car with the animals as your companions.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Room at Okaukuejo

Day 3 & 4: Etosha 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 unsealed gravel roads but are 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. When things start to cool down again head out for another game drive. 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)
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:

Night 2: Room at Okaukuejo (this gives you 2 nights in the same room meaning you do not have to pack up and move)

Night 3: Room at Halali

day 5 & 6: Etosha - Ondangwa

Leave Etosha 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). For the next two days 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.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Oshakati Country Lodge

Day 7: 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
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ruacana Eha Lodge

Day 8 & 9: Ruacana - Kunene River Lodge

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 4x4's and incredibly rough, in the wet season it is completely impassible. Unless you have two 4x4 vehicles ion your party do not even think about taking this route. The sensible drivers will head down to the town of Opuwo (the capital of the region) and then back northwards until they reach 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, possibly arrange a 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.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kunene River Lodge

Day 10: Kunene River - Palmwag

Today you have a long drive ahead of you, the roads are often not in good condition you can expect the 350km you will be driving to take around 7 hours. Palmwag is an oasis which is frequently visited by desert elephant, rhino and other wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Palmwag Lodge

Day 11: 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 40km 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 (interesting, if not exactly riveting stuff). 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. After hiring a local guide you will be shown some of the more striking of these petroglyphs.
Leaving Twyfelfontein drive south towards the Brandberg Mountain, this is the highest point in Namibia. You will be overnighting at a lodge near the foot of the mountain.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady Lodge

Day 12: Damaraland - Swakopmund

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 130km jarring kilometers (this road is often very corrugated) 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. when your senses can no longer take the pungent smell of seal hop back in your car and drive down the coast, back through Henties Bay and then a further 70km to Swakopmund. On arrival in check into your accommodation before heading out for a drink, dinner and a night on the town.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Alternative Space

Day 13: 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!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Alternative Space

Day 14: 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
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sossusvlei Desert Camp

Day 15: 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 2x4 car park (unless you have a 4x4 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 4x4 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.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Sossusvlei Desert Camp

Day 16 & 17: Sossusvlei - Luderitz

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.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bay View Hotel

Day 18: Luderitz - Fish River

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.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ai-Ais

Day 19: Fish River - Kalahari Desert

From the Fish River the route takes you northward via the town of Keetmanshoop towards the village of Gibeon. From here you head eastwards into the Kalahari Desert the small red dunes are punctuated by long golden grass. Many buck and bird species can be found in Namibia's 'second' desert. This is an area often overlooked by tourists but the beauty and tranquility of the area is amazing.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Auob Lodge

Day 20: 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. If you are flying out tonight you can leave your vehicle at the airport however we can also book you accommodation in Windhoek if you require

 

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
The Cardboard Box Travel Shop's own Namibia Guide Book
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

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