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Namibia> Safaris in Namibia> Self-Drive Safaris Namibia |
This suggested itinerary visits the main highlights of Namibia including Etosha, Sossusvlei, the Fish River Canyon and Swakopmund. We can help you find the perfect rental vehicle and recommend accommodation for this self drive itinerary. This itinerary is designed with mid-range accommodation in mind, however we find that most of our self drive clients are looking to 'mix and match' accommodation establishments in order to get the most value for their money; our travel consultants are happy to upgrade lodges if you would like something more luxurious on a few nights. Email us and one of our travel consultants will happily suggest how to fit a similar self drive itinerary into your budget and time requirements we will also design the itinerary to take into account any special interests your group may have.
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Route/Activities |
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1
Windhoek |
You will be met at the airport, where you will be required to fulfil a few formalities before taking possession of your rental vehicle. This itinerary can easily be completed in a sedan vehicle although you may decide to rent something with higher clearnace. Once you have taken possession of the vehicle head to your accommodation in Windhoek, to rest either in your room or around the pool alternatively you could join a day or half day trip. Tonight try one of Windhoek's fine restaurant which offer food ranging from traditional African through to classic French cuisine. Accommodation: Rivendell, Pension Christoph, Hilltop House Suggested activities: Township, Brewery, Mountain Biking or Cat Feeding Tour Notes:
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2
Waterberg Plateau |
There is no reason to start very early this morning, so have a leisurely breakfast before hitting the road. Leave Windhoek, heading northwards towards the small town of Okahandja, this is the ideal place to buy wood carvings as the town has two markets which sell carvings of all descriptions. After exploring the markets, continue northwards to the Waterberg Plateau. Here you could choose to join the Okonjima extension, which will take you to Okonjima, home to the Africat foundation which is dedicated to the preservation of Cheetah and Leopards. If you choose not to visit Okonjima just before reaching the Waterberg park you will have your first experience of Namibia's gravel roads. The total drive should not take more than 4 hours, so plan to be at the Waterberg in the early afternoon. Spend the afternoon on the lawn around the pool, and in the cool of the late afternoon walk to the top of the plateau and marvel at the view, or join one of the safari-drives in the game park on the plateau. Accommodation: Bernabe de la Bat Bungalows, Waterberg Wilderness, Frans Indongo Lodge Note: Although the Namibia Wildlife Resorts bungalows at Waterberg, Etosha etc. advertise themselves as self-catering they are generally not equipped with cutlery or crockery, so you would be well advised to supply your own if you intend to self cater. |
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3
Etosha Park |
Although there is no reason to leave early, the anticipation of seeing the animals of Etosha encourages many people to leave the Waterberg at dawn. Drive through the towns of Otjiwarongo and Tsumeb as you head for Namutoni, the eastern most of Etosha's three rest camps. If you are planning to self cater in Etosha the supermarkets in Tsumeb are a good place to stock up. A few kilometers north of Tsumeb is the Otjikoto Lake, the bottom of this lake has never been found, and it makes a great place to stop for a picnic lunch. Once you have completed the formalities at the gate and secured your accommodation, spend the rest of the afternoon game driving. After dinner you can visit the spot-lit waterhole in the hope that animals may come to drink. We recommend a minimum of three nights in the Etosha National Park, but wildlife enthusiast may want to stay longer. Accommodation: Etosha Aoba Lodge, Mushara Lodge, Mokuti Lodge, Onguma Game Ranch, Namutoni Bungalows Note: Game viewing is best in the early morning and late afternoon. Midday can be spent relaxing around the swimming pool at your lodge. |
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4
Etosha Park |
As the best times for game viewing are the early morning and late afternoon, it is best to wake early and leave your accommodation as early as possible. Spend the morning visiting the various waterholes in search of animals. Keep heading westwards toward Halali, the central rest camp. Have lunch at Halali and then learn something from the animals of Etosha, and spend the heat of the day lounging in the shade, this is also a good time to explore the swimming pool area. Accommodation: Etosha Aoba Lodge, Mushara Lodge, Mokuti Lodge, Onguma Game Ranch, Namutoni Bungalows |
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5
Etosha Park |
Pretty much the same routine as yesterday, head towards Okaukuejo today. Hopefully by now you will have seen most of the animals in Etosha, if not don't panic the game viewing in the evening at Okaukuejo is often spectacular. This waterhole is extremely popular with the animals, elephants and rhinos are frequent visitors, and lions make regular appearances. The down side of this is the waterhole is also popular with the tourists, and as it is located extremely close to the bungalows and campsite it can be noisy. Although this noise does not deter the animals it can be frustrating to have car alarms going off and people yelling while you are watching the game
Accommodation: Okaukuejo, Naua Naua Game Ranch, Ongava Lodge or Epacha Game Lodge Note: Ongava Lodge is one of the more expensive lodges in Namibia, however the opportunity it offers for night game drives and tracking rhino on foot makes it a worthwhile extravagance on any self drive itinerary. |
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6 & 7
Damaraland |
If you want to visit Kaokoland have a look at the extension. Leave Etosha and head south towards the small town of Outjo. At Outjo follow the road west to Khorixas, before turning of to the Vingerklip Lodge. You are now entering Damaraland, an area of beautiful semi-desert views and rugged landscapes. You can spend two days here exploring the sights, visit the rock engravings of Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest, Organ Pipes, Vingerklip, and Burnt Mountain. Returning to your accommodation in the evening.
Accommodation: Mowani Mountain Camp, Vingerklip Lodge, Bambatsi, Twyfelfontein Country Lodge. |
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8
Skeleton Coast |
Heading south towards Uis you will see the Brandberg on your right; this is Namibia's highest mountain and also home to the White Lady rock painting. You may want to follow the road to the Brandberg and hike down the riverbed to see the San paintings (this detour will take about three hours), the less active could stop at Uis and visit the community run Daureb Craft Center. Continue on towards Henties Bay, and when you reach the coastal road turn north towards Cape Cross. This seal reserve is a complete sensory treat, the smell will blow your mind! Tonight will be spent at Cape Cross Lodge which offers a range of activities and the opportunity to take long walks up the deserted beaches of the Skeleton Coast.
Accommodation: Cape Cross Lodge Suggested Activities: Kayaking and Quad Biking are offered from the lodge and offer an awesome way to explore this remote area. |
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9 & 10
Swakopmund |
From Cape Cross head south for Swakopmund, where you will spend the next few nights. Swakopmund is the main holiday resort of Namibia, and has lots of restaurants and plenty of activities to keep you occupied. Alternatively spend a few hours exploring the unique coastal desert on the Welwitchia Drive, visit the snake park or ocenarium, or just join the locals at one of the many cafés.
Accommodation: Sea Breeze Guest House, Beach Lodge, Strand Hotel, Sams Giardino Suggested Activities: Dolphin Cruise, Shark Fishing, Scenic Flights, Sandwich Harbour Tour, Horse Riding, Sandboarding or Quad Biking Note: The day trip to Sandwich Harbour is a favourite of ours. |
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11 & 12
Sossusvlei |
Leave Swakopmund this morning and head south to Walvis Bay, in season the lagoon here is inundated with flamingoes. Then follow the road back into the Namib Desert, you will spend a great deal of today driving through the Namib-Naukluft Park which is one of the biggest nature reserves in the world. Have a break at Solitaire, once the proverbial one horse town, but now a booming tourist metropolis! Head further south towards the dunes at Sossusvlei. You can either choose to make use of the lodges transport to visit the dunes at Sossusvlei, or drive yourself via Sesriem. If you are not driving a 4x4 vehicle you will have to walk the last 4km into the dunes, but this walk is really beautiful. Be warned that summer temperatures are HOT so try to get all the walking out of the way as early as possible. Accommodation: Desert Homestead, Kulala Lodge, Weltevrede, Kulala Lodge, Betesda, Namib Naukluft Lodge, Wolwedans Dunes Lodge, Zebra River Lodge or Wolwedans Dune Camp for those wanting a particularly special night we recommend Wolwedans Private Camp or Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge Suggested activity: Ballooning Notes: The Wolwedans and Zebra River Lodges are situated a fair distance from Sossusvlei and do not offer transfers into Sossusvlei, so you will either have to drive yourself or just enjoy the immense beauty of the Namib Rand reserve. We highly recommend adding Wolwedans (or Zebra River) to your itinerary but if you are desperate to also view the dunes at Sossusvlei would suggest adding a further night in this area at one of the other lodges. |
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13 & 14
Luderitz / Klein Aus Vista |
Drive south via Helmeringhausen towards Aus, the scenery in this part of Namibia is stunning so take your time, and enjoy it! Just past Aus on the road to Luderitz follow the signs to Klein Aus-Vista; or continue on to Luderitz. At this point we suggest you make a choice of spending two nights at Klein-Aus, or two nights in Luderitz. If you decide to stay at Klein Aus Vista you can make a day trip to Luderitz to see the sights. Wherever you stay don't miss the tour of Kolmanskop Ghost Town
Accommodation Klein Aus or Seaview Hotel, Kapps Hotel or Nest Hotel Suggested Activities:
Note: While in towns and villages in Namibia be sure not to leave anything visible in your car, either leave items in your hotel room or keep them looked in the boot. Even if items are not valuable a broken window can delay your trip. Although violent crime towards tourist is almost unheard of opportunistic bag snatching is a common problem. A little bit of common sense will certainly prevent you from becoming a victim. |
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15 & 16
Fish River Canyon |
From Luderitz follow the main road back towards Keetmanshoop, at the town of Seeheim turn south toward the Fish River Canyon. Two nights in the area will give you a good opportunity to explore.
Accommodation: Canon Lodge, Roadhouse or Ai-Ais Bungalows Suggested Activities: Horse Riding, Hiking, Scenic Flights |
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17
Kalahari Desert |
From the Fish River Canyon begin the journey up the B1 towards Windhoek, near Mariental head into the Kalahari Desert where you will spend the first few nights. This area is characterised by red sand dunes which are surprisingly inhabited by a good number of game species.
Accommodation: Camelthorn Lodge, Dunes Camp or Zebra Lodge Note: During winter the night time temperature in Namibia can drop below freezing so it is worth packing warm clothes if you are travelling from mid May - early September |
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From the Kalahari head back to Windhoek from where you can fly home or spend your last night at you guest house or hotel. |
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Additional Information
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| Vehicle | Even though this self drive itinerary can realistically be completed in a sedan car we would recommend either a 4x4 or Pick-Up Truck (Bakkie) for this itinerary, as the added ground clearance makes driving much safer. Have a look at our car rental in Namibia page for details | |
| Other | During the rainy season section of the roads (especially around Sossusvlei and Damaraland) can get washed away so caution is advised. If you do need to cross a river that is running it is a good idea to walk through it first in order to gauge the strength of the flow and the water depth, if the water is to deep or running to strongly wait a few hours and try again, as the water level generally subsides pretty quickly. | |