Ultimate Namibia Self Drive Safari

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, but a 4x4 is a superior choice.

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: Heinitzburg Castle, Hilltop House, Olive Grove Guest House or Palmquell

Suggested activities: Township or Cat Feeding Tour

Notes:

• We will happily recommend and book a restaurant for tonight.
• For those not wanting to rent a vehicle at the airport we can also arrange a transfer to your accommodation

After breakfast you will depart from Windhoek driving south on the B1 road to the town of Rehoboth. A few kilometers past Rehoboth you leave the tarred road and begin the journey into the Namib Desert. You will pass through the small settlements of Nauchas and Solitaire en-route to the first overnight stop near the massive sand dunes at Sossusvlei. You will spend two nights at your lodge here giving you ample time to explore the stunning surroundings.

Accommodation: Little Kulala, Sossusvlei Wilderness Lodge, Wolwedans Dunes 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 Lodges are situated a fair distance from Sossusvlei and so 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 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.

This morning after breakfast you will leave your lodge and begin the dusty drive towards the coast. Our destination today is Namibia's holiday resort town of Swakopmund. Travelling via the Kuiseb Canyon the scenery changes from sand dunes, to dark craggy canyons and then to the flat gravel plains. Shortly before the harbour town of Walvis Bay you will experience the cooling effect of the ocean, which offers relief from the heat of the Namib Desert and is the major reason this area is so popular with Namibian holiday makers. At Walvis Bay take time to visit the lagoon which is home to myriad bird species including flamingoes.

Accommodation: Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre or Sea Breeze Guest House

Suggested activity: Lunch en-route at Rostock Ritz

Notes:

• The Skeleton Coast is a strange place, although it is on the edge of the desert temperatures can be pretty cold (even in summer) so be sure to have some warm clothing available. Another anomaly is that the warmest temperatures here are often in mid winter when the fearsome east wind causes freezing temperatures in the interior and stifling heat and sandstorms at the coast
• Occasionally in this itinerary we have included lodges that may not be of top star quality but we feel have special merit, either due to an exceptional location or more often due to a special atmosphere. Sea Breeze is one of these places

Today is free to explore the town of Swakopmund. There are numerous activities on offer as well as several good pavement cafes where you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and some German baking. For this evening visit one of the towns restaurants for some seafood specialities.

Suggested Activities: Dolphin Cruise, Shark Fishing, Scenic Flights, Sandwich Harbour Tour, Horse Riding or Quad Biking

Note: The day trip to Sandwich Harbour is a favourite of ours.

Accommodation: Mowani Mountain Camp or Damaraland Camp

Suggested Activities: Ballooning and Scenic Flights are available from Mowani

Note: If you choose to stay at Damaraland Camp, you will not be able to visit all the sites mentioned as this camp is remote. However the area surrounding camp is exceptionally beautiful.

Accommodation: Ongava Lodge, Ongava Tented Camp, Little Ongava or Epacha

Suggested Activities: You will spend most of your time game driving in search of animals, however there is also the opportunity to participate in night drives and guided walks, these activities are not allowed inside Etosha Park, which make staying at these lodges on the edge of the park a top priority

Accommodation: Okonjima Bush Camp or Okonjima Main Lodge

Notes: If at all possible we will book you into Okonjima Bush Camp as we believe this is one of the finest lodges in Namibia

Note: Just 60km north of Windhoek is the town of Okahandja, here you will find two curio markets, mostly selling wood carvings, this is an ideal time to stock up on any wood carvings