This 8 day itinerary includes 2 of the country's main highlights, and also manages to fit in 2 nights at one of our favourite lodges, Erongo Wilderness Lodge.This self drive is named after the warthog, which travel in small family groups and are a common sight in Namibia, often seen wandering along the side of the road. They live mainly on short grasses, fruit, roots and carrion.

The first 3 days are similar to the Springbuck Self-Drive itinerary, beginning with an early start and a long first day's drive to Mushara Lodge. This will also allow for an optional afternoon game drive into Etosha National Park, as the lodge is only a short drive away from the eastern entrance, the Von Lindequist Gate. Local wildlife occasionally visit the lawn.

Two more outstanding days searching numerous waterholes for wildlife activity follow. For many the real excitement happens at Okaukuejo. The flood-lit waterhole is right next to the camp. Any limitations previously experienced in your vehicle do not apply here. Nocturnal visitors include black rhino, elephant, lion, cheetah, giraffe and many species of antelope. Animal sightings are not guaranteed though and the presence of animals is seasonal.

Erongo Wilderness Lodge is nestled amongst the Erongo Mountains. The drive to central Namibia changes en-route making for an interesting and enjoyable trip. There is desert to the west and a mixed, woodland savannah to the east. A rare confluence of eco-systems are formed in this region which in turn has become home to numerous mammal, plant, bird and reptile species, some endemic to Namibia. As if this isn't enough, your overnight accommodation is nestled amongst, and surrounded by, huge boulders and granite formations, all on the outskirts of an ancient volcano.

Your gravel road-trip from Erongo to Sossusvlei will test both your driving and navigational skills. Desert Homestead is approximately 32kms south-east of Sesriem. Magnificent views of the distant dunes of the Namib Desert to the west are a highlight. Sossusvlei is the top attraction in the Namib-Naukluft Park. The rather eerie Dead Pan refers to the large dead camelthorn trees on the pan. Before you leave for Sesriem Canyon, pause and gently remind yourself of the unbelievable scenery you have just visited, the like of which you may never see again.

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. If you do not like the idea of driving yourself, a guided safari could be arranged.

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 & 5 : Etosha Park - Omaruru

Leaving Etosha it is a fairly easy drive via Outjo and Otjiwarongo to the town of Omaruru. Just west of the town nestled amongst the granite Erongo Mountains is a small part of paradise called Erongo Wilderness Lodge. You will spend two nights here allowing you a full day to expereince the tranquility that the lodge has to offer. This is not a lodge that offers a multitude of activities but you are free to walk around the surrounding veld or just sit on your verandah with a cold beverage and enjoy Namibia. The early morning guided walk offered by the lodge is excellent - with an attentive guide, and the sundowner drives are good value for money and frequently stop at the rock art in Paula's caves.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Erongo Wilderness Lodge

Day 6: Erongo - Sossusvlei

Todays drive takes in some of the smaller D roads of Namibia and as there is no direct route from Erongo to Sossusvlei you will find your self zigzagging accross some interesting parts of the country. The drive could well take you most of the day so think about getting away realtively early and perhaps ask the lodge for a packed lunch.
Your destination is a lodge close to the dunes at Sossusvlei
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