Self Drive Tour: Namibia  12 day itinerary

Self Drive Tour: Namibia

Day 1 - Windhoek

Today you arrive in Windhoek, the largest city and capital of Namibia. Spend the day discovering this quaint city on foot. With a variety of historic buildings you can enjoy a walk through Windhoek on a mission to spot the Alte Feste, an old fort, which tells the tale of uprising and war; the Windhoek Castles which reflect Namibia’s colonial heritage; the Christuskurke, a church landmark recognised as a National Monument; and the Station, built in 1911 which is still in superb condition and is used as headquarters for the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

On the corner of Windhoek’s main street, Zoo Park, is a stretch of public space where leisure and recreation activities take place. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll, fun on the playground or entertainment provided by the open-air theatre. This is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic lunch and soak up a little African sun.

Overnight at Olive Grove Guest House (Standard Room) or similar/alternative hotel.

Day 2-3 - Windhoek - Namib-Naukluft National Park

From Windhoek the road takes you to the Namib Naukluft-National Park, the largest game park in Africa. Here you can see the star dune “Dune 45”. Its name comes from the fact that the dune is located at the 45^th kilometer of the gravel road that connects the Sesriem gate and Sossusvlei. Composed of 5 million year old sand, the dune is standing over 170m.

Another Namib highlight is the Deadvlei. It is found among one of the tallest dunes in the world, the “Big Daddy” reaching higher than 400m. Deadvlei was once an area where the river drained into and nourished desert life and even trees, but not anymore. The climate changed and the dunes were cut off from the river. All vegetation died, but it was even too dry for the trees to decompose. Therefore they charred black and became monuments to their own destruction. The area makes for great exploration.

Overnight at Le Mirage Desert Lodge & Spa (Standard Room) or similar/alternative hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner.

Day 4-5 - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Swakopmund

From the Namib Desert you drive to the picturesque town of Swakopmund. Enjoy the palm-framed streets, the promenades and the white sandy beaches.

Flanked by both sea and stretching dunes, Swakopmund is the perfect destination to enjoy a wide variety of great outdoor adventure activities. If you enjoy activities that give you a ‘view from the top’, you have the option to go skydiving, paragliding, enjoy scenic flights and sunrise or sunset hot air balloon rides. If you’d prefer a more ‘down to earth’ adventure, perhaps sandboarding or quadbiking are on the menu.

For a more relaxing Swakopmund experience, opt for catching fish from the beach, visit Swakopmund Saltworks or enjoy a tour of the town’s cultural buildings.

Overnight at Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre (Standard Room) or similar/alternative hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 6-7 - Swakopmund - Damaraland

From Swakopmund you make your way into Damaraland. Damaraland is a desert beach location in the Namib Desert where its lapping seas bring schools of dolphins and wash up shipwrecks. A variety of animals are to be spotted on the plains of Damaraland including desert elephants, through the desert as well as gemsbok, kudu, springbok, Hartmann’s zebra and giraffe. Although sightings are scare, lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena also roam the desert sand.

While in the area a visit to a traditional tribe of the Himba people comes highly recommended. Here you have the opportunity to mingle with the bushmen and observe them herding animals, making butter and jewellery; the trip offers an insight into the culture of the Himba tribe.

Gross Spitzkoppe, Brandberg Mountain and Twyfelfontein are where san rock paintings can be viewed, telling the tale of people who lived centuries before us. The sites are best viewed under Damaraland’s brilliant sunset; an event that creates a rich African atmosphere.

If you fancy an exploration of the lanscape, why not opt for 4x4 sightseeing game drives, quad biking over the dunes or a walk in the desert sand. These provide the perfect way to discover the vast, rich landscape Damaraland has to offer.

Overnight at Twyfelfontein Lodge (Standard Room) or similar/alternative hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 8-9 - Damaraland - Etosha National Park

The journey continues from Damaraland to Etosha National Park. The next few days offer the opportunity to revel in the wildlife of Namibia. Host to rare and endemic animals which include the endangered black rhinoceros and native black-faced impala, the grasslands of Etosha are roamed by a variety of wildlife.

Etosha National Park sports a resume of wildlife that includes hyena, silver-backed jackal, lion, cheetah and leopard prowling the desert land. Gemsbok, curly horned kudu, giraffe and elephant are also to be seen roaming the plains, not to mention the 360 species of birdlife. Experience these brilliant creatures in their natural habitat on optional 4x4 safari game drives.

The National Park is stunning in summer when it’s salt pan fills with water and attracts pelicans and flamingos. Throughout the year a spring runs along the perimeter of the pan, proving to be a magnet to a variety of wildlife and birdlife making for a great game viewing destination.

Overnight at Epacha Game Lodge & Spa (Chalet) or similar/alternative hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner.

Day 10- - Etosha National Park

This morning you will head to another part of the famed Etosha National Park - the eastern edge.

Spend the day picking from a selection of activities. Will you be enjoying a game drive into Etosha National Park once more? How about pampering yourself with a foot spa treatment, or a visit to a wine cellar for wine tasting or a private dinner? Or will you take this opportunity to slow down the pace, kick back and relax by the swimming pool or gaze at the landscape from the brilliant viewing deck. 

Overnight at Emanya @ Etosha (Luxury Chalet) or similar/alternative hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner.

Day 11- - Etosha National Park - Otjiwarongo

Today your sights are set on Otjiwarongo. Otjiwarongo is home to a neat and peaceful environment which is surrounded by some of Namibia's best-known private game farms and nature reserves.

Overnight at Okonjima Main Camp (Garden Room) or similar/alternative hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.

Day 12 - Otjiwarongo - Windhoek

Bid Otjiwarongo farewell and transfer back to Windhoek for a safe journey home.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Self Drive Tour: Namibia Map