Classic Namibia Self-Drive

Duration
14 days
Price from
£4,715 pp.
Location
Namibia, Africa
Etosha Game Drive Namibia

Trip Highlights

  • Encounter animals on safaris and reserves
  • Dune climbing adventure
  • Visiting the ancient petroglyphs

What's Included

  • 13 nights accommodation
  • Fully insured Ford Ranger rental
  • Game drives

Enjoy Namibia's incredible landscapes and unique wildlife on this iconic road trip

A self-drive journey through desert, dunes and wild-life rich wilderness.

Namibia is made for self-drive. Excellent roads, wide open spaces and spectacular scenery make it one of the most rewarding and accessible destinations to explore under your own steam. This route is ideal for first-time visitors, offering a carefully curated mix of big landscapes, wildlife encounters and cultural interest - all at your own pace.

Your journey begins in Windhoek with time to relax and settle in before heading north to Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation. Here, you’ll learn about Namibia’s leading predator conservation work. Continue to Etosha National Park, where the vast salt pans and surrounding plains support abundant wildlife - from lion and rhino to giraffe, zebra and countless birds. Travel west into the rugged beauty of Damaraland for desert-adapted elephant tracking, ancient rock art at Twyfelfontein and dramatic geology.

Next stop: Swakopmund. This characterful coastal town offers a dose of civilisation after days in the desert, with a wide choice of activities from dune boarding to marine cruises. The final stretch takes you south to the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei - one of Namibia’s most iconic landscapes and a spectacular place to end your trip. Your last night is back in Windhoek before flying home.

This is a brilliant introduction to Namibia - perfect for independent travellers, couples or families looking for freedom, flexibility and a well-paced route through some of the country’s best-loved highlights. A real sense of adventure, with none of the stress.

Ruth, Senior Africa Specialist, says, “Namibia is one of the best self-drive destinations in Africa. The landscapes change dramatically every day, the roads are easy to navigate, and the freedom to stop whenever you like makes it a wonderfully personal way to travel. This route covers the must-sees but leaves space to explore, which is part of the joy.”


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 A night in Windhoek

Staying at Olive Grove

Connect to your regional flight to Windhoek, arriving in the early afternoon. On arrival, a driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your overnight stay at The Olive Grove Guesthouse. Your rental car will be delivered later that day, followed by a short trip briefing. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax before heading out to enjoy dinner at one of Windhoek’s many excellent restaurants.

Day 2 The adventure begins

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 3 Exploring Okonjima

Day 4 Time to explore Etosha

Day 5 Safari time

Day 6 The journey to Damaraland

Day 7 Wildlife and views in Damaraland

Day 8 A road trip to Twyfelfontein

Day 9 To Swakopmund

Day 10 Enjoy activities from Swakopmund

Day 11 Back in to the desert

Day 12 Tackling the Sossusvlei Dunes

Day 13 Back to Windhoek

Day 14 The journey home begins

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When to go to Namibia

Find out the best time to visit Namibia with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

Bring your umbrella, it's rainy season. January is mid-summer in Namibia with the possibility of torrential downpours mid afternoon, but with temperatures of 30-35 degrees it tends to be hot and humid.

February

Similar to January, it is hot and humid with the chance of a downpour in the afternoon.

March

In March, rainfall starts to decrease and temperatures lower with nights becoming increasingly cool. Although daytime temperatures remain hot reaching up to 30 degrees.

April

April is predominantly dry and hot, although there can be a couple of sporadic rainy days across the month

May

Winter is coming. May has little or no rainfall and the humidity is low, in northern regions around Etosha you'll find fresher, greener landscapes with wildlife gathering around depleting watering holes.

  • If you're looking to tackle the Fish River Canyon Hike this is the best time to visit Namibia.

June

In June the nights are cold and temperatures can drop below 10 degrees, whilst in the Namib desert it can reach below freezing. There is no chance of rain as the dry season is in full flow.

July

Visitors in July will experience one of Namibia's coldest months, be sure to pack warm clothing as game drives can be chilly.

August

Like July, visitors in August will experience one of Namibia's coldest months, be sure to pack warm clothing as game drives can be chilly and night time temperatures can drop below freezing both at the coast and inland.

September

Considered the best month to travel to Namibia, September is temperate with clear dry skies and low humidity levels.

October

In October game viewing is at its best, the vegetation is fading with temperatures rising up to 29 degrees.

November

Heat continues to rise, with humidity levels remaining low, however there is a chance of rain in the afternoons.

December

December brings the first rains of the season, bringing everything to life as animals start to disperse as more water becomes available.

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