Our Ultimate Namibia Self Drive Safari offers you the opportunity to explore the best of Namibia at your own pace. On this 19 Day safari you will start off by exploring Southern Namibia and visit attractions like the Kalahari, Fish River Canyon, Kolmanskop, Wild Horses of the Namib before spending time at Sossusvlei, one of the most scenic places in Africa. From here you continue northwards to Swakopmund and the Skeleton Coast as well as Damaraland where you might see the famous Desert adapted Elephants and learn more aobut the Himba and Damara Cultures. The safari will end with 4 nights in Etosha and 2 nights at Waterberg both destinations offering fantastic game viewing. Come with us to Experience Namibia to the fullest!
Day 1 : Arrive in Windhoek & Drive To Kalahari
Arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek. Pick up your vehicle at the airport and drive straight to The Kalahari Savannahs. Depart for an afternoon game drive to experience the Red Dunes of Kalahari Desert to the fullest. Overnight in Mariental.
Day 2: Quiver Tree Forest & Reach Fish River Canyon
Continue southwards and visit the Quiver Tree Forest: The Quiver Tree (Aloe dichotoma) is a symbol of southern Namibia and several hundreds of them can be seen growing together and they live up to a 120 years. Drive to Giant’s playground near Keetmanshoop and then drive to the Fish River Canyon. Overnight in Ai-Ais.
Day 3: The Fish River Canyon
Explore the fascinating Fish River Canyon. It is the second biggest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon in the United States and is one of Namibia’s biggest attractions. The Fish River Canyon reaches a depth of 549 m and a width of up to 27km. It is about 160km long. Overnight in Ai-Ais.
Day 4:Drive Through The Aus Mountains
Continue your safari in a westerly direction towards Aus and Lüderitz enjoying the ever changing landscape as you drive. At this point you will be close to the Orange River which forms the border between Namibia and South Africa as well as the restricted diamond area called the Sperrgebiet. Overnight in Tsau Khaeb National Park.
Day 5 : Luderitz, Kolmanskop & Wild Namib Horses
You will have the full day explore the surrounding attractions which include: Lüderitz, Kolmanskop which is an old deserted mining ghost town with a fascinating history. Visit the Garub Water Point where you have a great chance of seeing a few of the famous Wild Horses of the Namib. Overnight in Tsau Khaeb National Park.
Day 6: Drive Through The Namib Desert
The morning is at leisure or alternatively you can organise to do a hiking trail in the beautiful Aus Mountains. Around noon you will depart for Sossusvlei driving through the NamibRand Nature Reserve with its spectacular scenery along the way. Overnight in Sesriem.
Day 7: Sossusvlei: Jewel of The Namib Desert
Morning excursion to Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. You will stop at the scenic Dune 45 along the way and spend a couple of hours at both Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. Some of the dunes in the area are a few hundred meters high but the view from the top for those that dare is one you will never forget. Overnight in Sesriem.
Day 8: Sossusvlei To Swakopmund
Depart for Swakopmund via the Namib Naukluft National Park. Swakopmund is a very popular holiday destination. Wedged between the Namib Desert and the cold Atlantic Ocean, Swakopmund which is known for its very relaxed atmosphere, has something for everybody. Overnight in Swakopmund.
Day 9: The Skeleton Coast
Today you will have the whole day to explore this wonderful town and all the activities that is on offer. Recommended activities are Living Desert adventure or a dolphin and seal cruise in the Walvis Bay lagoon or the magnificently beautiful Sandwich Harbour Trip. Overnight in Swakopmund.
Day 10: The Cape Cross Seal Reserve
Your journey northwards along the Skeleton Coast. After visiting a shipwreck and the massive Cape Fur Seal colony at Cape Cross Seal Reserve you will turn inland towards Damaraland. You will drive past the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain with the highest peak at 2573 meters. Overnight in Damaraland/ Twyfelfontein.
Day 11: History, Nature & Culture of Damaraland
Damaraland is home to the Desert Elephant and you might find them with a bit of luck. Visit the Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes and Petrified Forest where we will also find the Namib’s living fossil plant, the Welwitchia mirabilis & UNESCO Site of Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings. Overnight in Damaraland/ Twyfelfontein.
Day 12: The Himba Tribe
Today you will continue your journey further north into Damaraland. Here you can visit a local Himba village offering you the opportunity to learn more about this amazing nomadic tribe. Overnight in Twyfelfontein.
Day 13: Damaraland To Etosha National Park
Depart for Etosha National Park where will spend the next 4 nights. Arrive in Central Etosha by afternoon and you can choose to rest for the day. Overnight in Central Etosha.
Day 14: Central Etosha National Park
Start your day with the morning drive inside the central part of Etosha National Park. Get back to your accommodation by afternoon. Have lunch and rest for some time. End your day with another game drive in the evening inside Central Etosha. Overnight in Central Etosha.
Day 15: Central To Eastern Etosha
Start your day with shift of stay to Eastern Etosha. Enjoy the morning game drive enroute to Eastern Etosha. Get transferred to your lodge in Eastern Etosha post morning game drive. Later, head out for the evening game drive. Overnight in Eastern Etosha.
Day 16: Eastern Etosha
Enjoy the morning and afternoon game drive inside the Eastern sector of the majestic Etosha National Park. Overnight in Eastern Etosha.
Day 17: Drive To Waterberg Plateau
Before heading to the capital, we will move southwards of Etosha and drive to Waterberg Plateau National Park. Arrive in Waterberg Plateau by afternoon. You can choose to rest for the day or explore the National Park of Waterberg Plateau by joining in on an evening game drive. Overnight in Waterberg Plateau National Park.
Day 18: Waterberg Plateau National Park
Enjoy your stay inside Waterberg Plateau National Park to the fullest. This will be the last night of your stay on the trip. Enjoy the abundance of wildlife inside the park. Explore the park with morning and evening game drive as well as with number of optional activities available. Overnight in Waterberg Plateau National Park.
Day 19: Drive To Windhoek & Departure
There we come to the end of the journey! According to your convenience or flight departure timings, start your drive from Waterberg Plateau to Windhoek City or to Hosea Kutako International Airport for your onward journey.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- Standard Accommodation on a double occupancy basis. (Single occupancy costs can be given on request)
- Transfers as per itinerary including Airport Transfers
- Breakfast and Dinner
- All activities mentioned as included in the itinerary.
- Private Air-conditioned Safari vehicle (SSV) or Open Safari Vehicle (OSV) – as per cost details above
- Services of a professional experienced English-speaking Driver/Naturalist Guide.
- Experienced English-speaking guide during all tours
- Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Park entry fees
Exclusions
- Taxes, as applicable (Currently GST is applicable @ 5%)
- TCS (Tax collection at source) @ 5% or 20% (depending on the travelers LRS status) u/s 206(1G) of the IT Act.
- Meals other than mentioned in the itinerary
- International air transportation
- Domestic flights unless specifically mentioned under inclusions
- Visa fees
- City taxes (for accommodation), as applicable – where the tax needs to be paid in cash at the property (e.g. in Europe)
- Payment Gateway charges
- Travel insurance
- Covid tests and other requirements at the time of travel
- Incidental tips to hotel/lodge staff and porters
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry and drinks and all other services not mentioned under inclusions above.
- All services not mentioned in itinerary or specified as ‘optional’ in the itinerary
- Any add-on sightseeing/activities along with transfers if done other than those mentioned in the tour program.