This short 4 day self drive tour starts and ends in Windhoek. It visits the Etosha National Park - world famous for excellent wildlife activity. The accommodation on this trip includes 3 nights inside the park - maximising the time you have to spend on game drives and allowing you to visit the camps spot-lit waterholes during the evenings. Moringa trees can grow up to 8m high and have smooth, pale bark and large leaves.

The main attraction at Okaukuejo is that this camp overlooks a permanent waterhole, floodlit at night. A wide diversity of wildlife congregates and interacts with the action starting at dawn, when the animals approach in large numbers to quench their thirst. The procession continues throughout the day and in the early evenings. It is not uncommon to have black rhinoceros, elephant and lion, all drinking at the same time.

Although it is possible to book this itinerary 'as is', as with all our self drive trips this is entirely customisable. We can add or delete days, change the accommodation used and generally design the tour to suit your individual requirements. Visitors who might prefer a break from driving themselves can arrange a guided safari.

Self Drive Namibia

Day 1: Windhoek - Etosha Park

We recommend leaving Windhoek early this morning as you have a 435km drive to complete before reaching the park. Your route takes you due north of Windhoek via the towns of Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and finally Outjo (is a popular lunch stop - before the final drive into the park). You will enter Etosha at the Anderson Gate from where it is only a short drive to Okaukuejo. 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 2 & 3: 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 4: Etosha Park - Windhoek

Pack up and head out for a last game drive around the the park looking for predators as well as plains game and the many bird species found inside this incredible world renowned park. We recommend heading back the way you came (as it is the shortest route)- but you could also leave the park via the eastern gate and return to Windhoek via the towns of Tsumeb (just north of the town is the Otjikoto Lake which is worthy of a short visit) & Otavi before rejoining the route you used while travelling north in the town of Otjiwarongo.
Whichever route you decide to use, do stop at one of the wood carving markets in Okahandja as this is the best place to purchase Namibian wood carvings.
Meals: Breakfast

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