If your time in Namibia is reasonably short and you want to pack in as much as possible, then this 8 day self drive combination will suit you perfectly. It visits the 2 major tourist attractions of the country as well as the coast. Springbuck, or springbok in Afrikaans, are found in a wide range of habitats which includes living on the sparse vegetation offered by the Namib Desert. Survival is in some part due to their ability to browse in the dry season and graze in the wet.

Leaving Windoek early on the first day will allow time for an afternoon game drive in Etosha National Park. Mushara Lodge is situated just 8km from the eastern gate to the park and is set on it’s own 2,500 ha private reserve. A variety of wildlife and birdlife visit the grounds. The purple pod terminalia tree, from which the Mushara name is derived, surrounds the premises.

A further 2 days in one of the world's most exciting game viewing destinations follows. YOu can spend your days visiting waterholes, and game driving on the parks gravel road network where any number of animals might suddenly emerge. Fischer's Pan provides the birding alternative. At Okaukuejo the excitement is guaranteed well into the night here, the flood-lit waterhole is regarded by many as Etosha's finest.

Next up is Swakopmund - Namibia's favourite seaside resort. The impressive German colonial architecture as been maintained to a very high standard over the years, complimented by a wide choice of restaurants, bars and cafés. Visitors to the region in the first half of 2011, were able to watch the Swakop River flowing strongly into the sea from the Tiger Reef Beach Bar, a rare sight.

The drive south from the ocean along gravel roads will eventually lead you to the 2nd most visited tourist attraction in Namibia - the dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert. In the rainy season when you drive through the valley to Sossusvlei, the Tsauchab River may well be flowing alongside, all be it out of sight. Watch out where the tarred road and river meet. The small drift has been the venue for many a stuck vehicle over the years. The journey ends with a lovely scenic drive back to Windhoek.

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, Outjo and Tsumeb. Your accommodation for the next two nights is at a comfortable lodge on the eastern outskirts of the park. From here is is only a short drive into the park and an added benefit of staying here is the option to book one of the lodges guided game drives into the park. you can spend your days driving around the park looking for game returning to your lodge in the evenings
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Mushara Lodge

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: Okaukuejo

Day 4: Etosha Park - Swakopmund

Pack up and head out of the park via the Anderson Gate, this drive offers you the opportunity to see more game, but don't stop and watch for too long as you have a long 560km drive ahead of you today. We suggest driving via Otjiwarongo to the town of Omaruru, which in recent years has become something of an artists retreat, there are several places here to stop and enjoy lunch before continuing via Karibib and Usakos and then across the Namib Desert to Swakopmund.

On arrival in Swakopmund check into your accommodation before heading out for a drink, dinner and a night on the town.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sea Breeze Guest House

Day 5: 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: Sea Breeze Guest House

Day 6: 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.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Desert Homestead

Day 7: 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: Desert Homestead

Day 8: Sossusvlei - Windhoek

If you are looking for a spectacular way yo end your trip you should consider joining a balloon flight over Sossusvlei this morning. Otherwise after breakfast, pack up and head back to Windhoek. Although not as breathtakingly spectacular as the drive over the Spreetshoogte (there are not many views that are!) the route over the Remhoogte Pass is very scenic.

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