| Namibia> Safaris in Namibia> Self-Drive Safaris Namibia |
This short self drive itinerary visits the Kaokoland are of Namibia, as the terrain in this area is very rough we recommend a four wheel drive vehicle. We can help you find the perfect rental vehicle and recommend accommodation for this itinerary.
| Day | Route/Activities |
| Day 1 | OPUWO Drive from Windhoek to Opuwo, capital of the Kunene region of Namibia. Overnight at the campsite. |
| Day 2 | EPUPA In the morning, cross Kaokoland -- one of Namibia's most remote and beautiful areas -- and leave proper roads for a while at Okongwati. An easy 4x4 track takes you to the Epupa falls past Himba settlements and craggy landscapes. Spend the afternoon chilling out at Epupa Falls (the existence of which is being threatened by the Kunene Hydroelectric Project), and overnight at one of the community-run campsites there. |
| Day 3 | SWARTBOOISDRIF Bid Epupa farewell and backtrack to Okongwati, and rejoin the 'road.' Drive to Epembe, and then on to Swartbooisdrif. From there is is another bone-jarring 5 kilometres across rough terrain (you'll know why we gave you a 4x4...) to the Kunene River Lodge, where you overnight in pleasant surroundings. Angola lurks mysteriously and silently across the river... |
| Day 3 | SWARTBOOISDRIF (alternative -- not for the faint of heart!) Bid Epupa farewell and follow the difficult 4x4 track along the Kunene River to Swartbooisdrif. These 93 kilometres will take you pretty much all day...Proceed then to the Kunene River Lodge where you overnight. |
| Day 4 | TSUMEB Assuming you made it OK to the lodge... Another 30km of rough track is all that lies between you and a tar road, which will then take you past Ruacana Falls and then across Ovamboland to the old (and uncannily green) mining town Tsumeb, where you overnight. |
| Day 5 | NAMUTONI (ETOSHA) See loads of animals. Take in the bizarre German fort. Spend the night around the floodlit waterhole. |
| Day 6 | HALALI (ETOSHA) See even more animals. |
| Day 7 | OKAUKUEJO (ETOSHA) ANIMALS!!!!!!!! (more than you can shake a stick at). |
| Day 8 | WINDHOEK ...It's a long drive home. Stop at Okahandja to stock up on your all-important curios and wood carvings. |
| Additional Information | ||
| 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. | |
| Recommended Vehicle | 4x4 required. Take at least two spare tyres and ensure that the vehicle has enough fuel to last about 700 kilometres without refuelling. |
| Other Notes | You'll need reasonably detailed and up-to-date information about Kaokoland for the first part of this itinerary, which of course we'll be happy to supply you with! |