This short 4 day self-drive tour starts and ends in Windhoek and visits the Etosha National Park - which is famous for excellent game viewing. Etosha, meaning 'Great White Place', is dominated by a massive mineral pan. Temporary water in the pan attracts thousands of wading birds including impressive flocks of flamingos. The perennial springs and waterholes along the edges draw large concentrations of wildlife and birds.

You will spend 3 nights camping within the park boundaries allowing maximum game viewing and drives. Monster tiger beetles are very large, dark brown, flightless insects, with unmistakable enormous mandibles. So shake out your boots in the morning!

You will need to provide your own camping equipment for this trip as it is not included in the quote and can not be rented at the campsite - if you require we can assist in making arrangements for the rental of suitable equipment.

While it is possible to book this itinerary 'as is', all our self drive safaris are customisable, we can add or delete days, change the accommodation used and generally design the tour to suit your individual requirements. If you do not like the idea of driving yourself the itinerary could easily be used as the basis for a guided safari.

Self Drive Namibia

Day 1: Windhoek - Etosha Park

We recommend leaving Windhoek early this morning as you have a 530km drive to complete before reaching Namutoni. Your route takes you due north of Windhoek via the towns of Okahandja, Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Tsumeb. Otjikoto Lake, just north of Tsumeb, is a popular stop for lunch, or you could decide to push on and enter the park via the von Lindequist gate as soon as possible. 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 Namutoni 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
Campsite: Namutoni

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)
The waterhole at Okaukuejo is spot lit to allow for night game viewing, so after dinner head down to the waterhole and wait for the wildlife to come to you.
Meals: None
Campsite: Okaukuejo Campsite

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. On your way back to Windhoek stop at one of the wood carving markets in Okahandja as this is the best place to purchase Namibian wood carvings.
Meals: None

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