Enjoy Namibia's incredible landscapes and unique wildlife on this iconic road trip
Classic Namibia self-drive which can be tailored to suit individual requirements
Self-drive trips really are the ultimate way to see Namibia, allowing you the freedom to stop as you please along the way to marvel at the incredible sights that unfold wherever you look. It also adds to the sense of adventure as you explore under your own steam and the excellent roads, coupled with maps and thorough driving directions that we provide make the drives a real pleasure.
Starting off with a night in the quaint colonial capital city of Windhoek you will have some time to relax before heading north to the renowned Okonjima Nature Reserve, home of the Africat Foundation. Here you can learn about the sterling conservation work taking place with predators all across Namibia. Next up is the iconic Etosha National Park, a shimming salt pan surrounded by game rich plains where you will see all manner of wildlife big and small. From Etosha start making your way west through the dry interior of Namibia until you reach beautiful Damaraland, one of the most scenic parts of the country and home to some amazing activities involving desert adapted rhino and elephant. There will also be the chance to see the ancient rock art sites of Twyfelfontein, as well as its incredible geological formations. The charming coastal town of Swakopmund is your next stop, offering the chance to enjoy an amazing array of activities as well as enjoy some time in civilisation after a few days in the desert. Leave Swakopmund and travel south to the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, a quintessential Namibian experience and a superb spot to round off the trip. Drive from Sossusvlei back to Windhoek for a final overnight stay before flying home the following day.
This incredible journey is an amazing introduction to Namibia and truly combines the best of what it has to offer – amazing scenery, varied and abundant wildlife as well as a huge array of interesting activities. Ideal for first-time visitors to help whet the appetite for more adventures to come.
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The itinerary…
Day 1: Flying to Namibia
This evening you will be flying overnight to Johannesburg.
Day 2: A night in Windhoek

The Olive Grove Guesthouse
Connect on to the regional flight to Windhoek, arriving there in the early afternoon. A driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you in to town where you will be spending the night at The Olive Grove Guesthouse. Your rental car will be delivered this afternoon and you will have a quick briefing on the trip before enjoying an afternoon at leisure to relax and then enjoy dinner in one of Windhoek’s many excellent eateries.
Day 3: The adventure begins

Okonjima Plains Camp Bedroom
Enjoy breakfast before setting off on the tarred road which heads north out of Windhoek towards the beautiful Central Highlands region. You will be staying at Okonjima Plains Camp, set within the eponymous wildlife reserve and home to an amazing array of conservation related activities. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the sparkling swimming pool and soaking up the sunshine before drinks around the campfire and dinner.
Day 4: Exploring Okonjima

Wild Dog At Okonjima
Today will be a chance for you to enjoy some of the activities on offer at Okonjima. The reserve is home to the Africat Foundation which does incredible work rehabilitating predators injured after interactions with local farmers. You can learn more about the work that they do and get up close and personal with leopard, cheetah and wild dog to name but a few. There are also a number of walking trails on the reserve if you are feeling active.
Day 5: Time to explore Etosha

Etosha Safari Camp Chalet
There will be the chance for one final activity at Okonjima this morning or you can have a more leisurely morning before continuing your journey north to the Etosha National Park. You will be staying at the lovely Etosha Safari Camp which is ideally located just a short drive from the Andersson Gate, the southern entrance to the park. Spend the afternoon exploring Etosha before returning to the camp in time for sundowner drinks.
Day 6: Safari time

Etosha Watering Hole
With a full day to explore Etosha and enjoy its abundant wildlife there is plenty to look forward to today. A recommendation is to take a packed lunch along with you and head out early, the gates open at dawn, to enjoy as much of the day as you can in the park. There are a number of waterholes where you can park up to enjoy lunch and hopefully spot lion, leopard, rhino or elephant coming to drink as you enjoy your picnic.
Day 7: The journey to Damaraland

Grootberg Lodge Swimming Pool
Set off from Etosha this morning, picking your way west through ever more dramatic landscapes until you reach the Etendeka Plateau which commands breathtaking views out over Damaraland. Your base for the next 2 nights will be Grootberg Lodge, a charming property on its own concession with access to some amazing walking trails, unique wildlife viewing opportunities and some of the most spectacular vistas anywhere in Namibia.
Day 8: Wildlife and views in Damaraland

Rhino Tracking In Damaraland
Grootberg offers one of the most comprehensive and varied activities programmes of any lodge in Namibia and as such genuinely offers something for everyone. Tracking desert rhino within the concession is one of their most popular offerings, as is the chance to see elephant and lion on a game drive. There are some lovely walking trails to enjoy and their sundowner drinks trip to the rim of the escarpment is a great way to round off the day.
Day 9: A road trip to Twyfelfontein

Camp Kipwe Deck
Continue on your road trip today as you drive through the dramatic landscapes of Damaraland where the stark desert plains are studded with rugged red mountains. You will be spending tonight at Camp Kipwe, a lovely little property set amongst rounded boulders and overlooking the beautiful flat desert. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool and enjoying the stunning views for which the property is renowned.
Day 10: To Swakopmund

Cornerstone Guesthouse Bedroom
Start this morning with a visit to the ancient petroglyphs – rock art sites – and geological features known as The Organ Pipes which are found at Twyfelfontein. From there continue through the desert until you reach the coast and turn south to Swakopmund, a quaint little Germanic seaside town and a great spot to spend a couple of nights. You will be staying at The Cornerstone Guesthouse which is right in the heart of the town.
Day 11: Enjoy activities from Swakopmund

Kayaking With Seals
Swakopmund is regarded as the adventure capital of Namibia and there is a huge amount to keep you occupied whilst you are here. Some of the popular activities include kayaking with seals in nearby Walvis Bay, taking a catamaran trip down the coast or visiting the dramatic dunes of Sandwich Harbour. Closer to Swakopmund you can quad bike through the dunes, go horseriding or simply take a stroll along Swakopmund beach.
Day 12: Back in to the desert

Hoodia Desert Lodge Bar
Head back in to the desert today as you drive south from Swakopmund and then inland through the Namib Naukluft Park, a stunning part of the country. Stop at the tiny outpost of Solitaire to visit the famous bakery before continuing on to Sossusvlei, an undoubted highlight of any trip to Namibia. You will stay at Hoodia Desert Lodge for 2 nights and can join one of the lodge’s guides on a sundowner drinks drive this evening.
Day 13: Tackling the Sossusvlei Dunes

Dead Vlei
You will need to be up early this morning to drive to the park gate at Sesriem which gives you access to the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei. Enjoy the drive through the avenue of dunes to the parking area where you will be able to set off to climb Big Daddy, take a stroll through Dead Vlei and marvel at the endless sea of red sand. There will also be a chance to stop off at the Sesriem Canyon en-route back to the lodge where you will have the afternoon to relax.
Day 14: Back to Windhoek

Windhoek Views
Enjoy a relaxing breakfast this at the lodge before setting off back to Windhoek, arriving in the middle of the afternoon at The Olive Grove Guesthouse where you will be spending the night. Your rental vehicle will be collected when you arrive, leaving you free to relax by the swimming pool before heading out for a farewell dinner – perhaps at the iconic Joe’s Beerhouse or the more elegant Le Stellenbosch restaurant.
Day 15: The journey home begins
After a morning at leisure you will be collected and transferred back to Windhoek where you will catch a flight to Johannesburg and then an overnight flight home.
Duration: 14
Location: Namibia Holidays, Africa
Price: £4715pp
This Classic Namibia Self-Drive costs from £4,715 per person and includes:
- 14 days car rental (Ford Ranger 4x4) including full insurance
- Welcome pack with driving directions, maps, coolbox and pre-paid cellphone
- 1 night with Breakfast at The Olive Grove Guesthouse - Luxury Room
- 2 nights Half Board at Okonjima Plains Camp - View Room
- 2 nights Half Board at Etosha Safari Camp - Standard Chalet
- 2 nights Half Board at Grootberg Lodge - Standard Chalet
- 1 night Half Board at Camp Kipwe - Chalet
- 2 nights with Breakfast at The Cornerstone Guesthouse - Standard Room
- 2 nights Fully Inclusive at Hoodia Desert Lodge - Standard Chalet
- 1 night with Breakfast at The Olive Grove Guesthouse - Luxury Room
Tailor this trip around your preferred dates, your budget and your ideas