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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 itinerary. This itinerary is designed so that it is possible to camp on every day, if you would prefer not to camp have a look at our 16 day accommodated self drive itinerary. It is also possible to camp on some days and spend others in lodges, we will be glad to advise you as to what we feel will suit your needs best.
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Day
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Route/Activities |
| Day 1 Fish River Canyon |
It is a long drive south down the B1 towards Keetmanshoop, but the journey can be broken up by visiting the Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playgrounds. The best place to view the Fish River Canyon is from the viewpoint at Hobas. Camping at Hobas camp site or Ai-Ais hot springs. |
| Day 2 Lüderitz |
The drive from the Fish River towards Luderitz is very beautiful, as you cross the plains of the Namib Desert have a look out for the specially adapted Namib Desert wild horses. As the campsite in Luderitz is very windy, many people choose to stay at Klein Aus about 120km from Luderitz. Camping at Shark Island in Luderitz or Klein Aus |
| Day 3 Lüderitz |
Either explore the Klein Aus area or head to Luderitz and visit Kolmanskop Ghost Town. For those who choose to stay in Luderitz its worth getting up early to do the schooner trip to Halifax Island before visiting Kolmanskop. |
| Day 4 Tiras Mountain Conservancy or Duwiseb |
On the edge of the Namib Desert these two camps offer unique experiences. Duwiseb Castle is a bizzare monument to the Baron von Wolf, who built this European style castle in the middle of nowhere. Tiras mountain conservancy is ideally placed to break the long journey northwards. Camping Tiras or Duwiseb Castle |
| Day 5 Naukluft |
The Kudus Rus camp site is nestled in a beautiful valley in the Naukluft mountains, you will spend two nights here. This is a great place to relax and enjoy nature, or participate in one of the beautiful hiking trails. Once you have set up camp head up the valley to some of the rock pools and spend the afternoon lazing in the sun and swimming in the icy rock pools. Camping Kudusrus or Tsauchab River |
| Day 6 Naukluft |
Either spend the day exploring the area in the vicinity of the camp or leave early on either the Olive Trail or Waterkloof Hikes. |
| Day 7 Sesriem |
It is a fairly short drive from the Naukluft Mountains to the Campsite at Sesriem. We recommend you spend the heat of the day around the pool at Sesriem, and then in the evening drive out for sunset at the Elim Dune, Dune 45 or the Sesriem Canyon. It is probably not worth trying to drive all the way to Sossusvlei today, as you will head out to these dunes tomorrow morning when there is more time. Camping at Sesriem or if this is full one of the other campsite in the area. |
| Day 8 Sossusvlei & Swakopmund |
On arrival at Sesriem find out what time they open the gates to Sossusvlei, this is typically about an hour before sunrise, Sesriem as early as possible and start the 60km drive towards Sossusvlei. If you have a 4x4 vehicle you can drive all the way into Sossusvlei, without a 4x4 you will need to walk the last four kilometers. Enjoy sunrise in the dunes, and then spend some time exploring the dune fields. When you have had enough of the sand dunes; head back to Sesriem and then drive northwards through Solitaire to Walvis Bay. Much of today will be spent driving through the Namib-Naukluft Park, which is one of the biggest nature reserves in the world. At Walvis Bay visit the Lagoon where you will see many species of birds, including flamingoes. Then head north for the short 30km drive to Swakopmund. As the coast is often cold and misty we do not suggest camping in Swakopmund. Accommodation at the Municipal Bungalows, Alternative Space Backpackers or for the masochist Mile 4 Campsite |
| Day 9 Swakopmund |
Today is spent in Swakopmund you can participate in the various adventure activities such as sandboarding, microliting, quad biking or shark-fishing. 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. |
| Day 10 Spitzkoppe |
Spend the morning in Swakopmund or at the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, before catching sunset at the Spitzkoppe. This is one of the best places to enjoy the huge spaces of Namibia and the stillness of the desert. Camping at Spitzkoppe Community Camp Site |
| Day 11 Twyfelfontein |
Today head north from the Spitzkoppe into the heart of Damaraland. Visit Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest and the Organ Pipes. Camp at Aba-Huab camp site, often desert elephants visit the campsite at night. |
| Day 12 Etosha |
From Aba-Huab drive through the dusty village of Khorixas, towards Okaukuejo, the western most of Etosha's three rest camps. Once you have completed the formalities at the gate and secured your accommodation, spend the rest of the afternoon game driving. All three of the rest camps have their own spotlit waterhole, and the waterhole here is extremely popular with the animals; elephants and rhinos are frequent visitors, and lions make regular appearances. The downside 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. Camping at Okaukuejo Campsite |
| Day 13 Etosha |
As the best times for game viewing are the early morning and late afternoon, it is best to wake early and leave Namutoni as soon as the gates open. 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. Halali is the quietest of the Etosha Rest Camps and it is also home to the most beautiful of the three spot-lit waterholes, so we recommend spending the night here, otherwise you could push on to Okaukuejo or return to Namutoni |
| Day 14 Etosha |
Today head towards Namutoni, on the eastern border of Etosha, spend the game driving, you're sure to see more animals than you can shake a stick at. Camp at Namutoni |
| Day 15 Waterberg |
Visit the Otjikoto lake, the bottom of this lake has never been found, and it makes a great place to stop for a picnic lunch on the way to the Waterberg Plateau Park. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the grass around the swimming pool and in the cool of the evening walk to the top of the plateau to enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding plains. Camping in the Bernabe de la Bat Campsite |
| Day 16 Windhoek |
Leave Waterberg, heading south 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. There is no real place to camp in Windhoek, so stay at Rivendell Guest House or The Cardboard Box Backpackers, or ask us for another recommendation |
| 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. | |
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Namibia Safaris |