10 Day Classic Namibia Self-Drive - Comfort
Enjoy a 10-day self-drive adventure exploring the highlights of Namibia in your 4x4 rental vehicle while staying in comfortable and scenic accommodation along the way. A dream come true for photography enthusiasts, Namibia is arguably the most unique and hauntingly beautiful country in the world. Driving through the remote, rugged and ever-changing terrain of dunes and valleys, you will feel a sense of freedom in an untouched landscape that is entirely your own. Starting and ending in Windhoek, this incredible and diverse journey includes the famous sand dunes in Namib-Naukluft National Park, the picturesque colonial town of Swakopmund, the rock engravings and geological formations of Damaraland, and the abundant wildlife in Etosha National Park which is home to 114 species of mammals and 340 species of birds.
Day 1: Windhoek
On arrival at Windhoek International Airport you will be met by one of our representatives who will welcome you to Namibia, provide you with your documentation pack, and assist you to the rental car desk to collect your rental vehicle.
Drive yourself to your hotel in Windhoek to check in and spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the city.
Day 2: Windhoek to Sossusvlei
Departing Windhoek after breakfast, drive approximately 4.5 hours to your lodge in the Namib Desert. This is the gateway to Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei, where some of the highest sand dunes on Earth stand towering over the white desert plains. Once you get settled into your lodge, the afternoon can be spent relaxing at the pool or taking part in optional activities offered by the lodge (at your own expense).
The Namib is the world’s oldest desert, and although it stretches along the entire length of Namibia’s coastline, the Namib commonly refers to the vast sea of sand from Luderitz to Swakopmund. For a big sandy desert the scenery is remarkably varied, with the giant red dunes of Sossusvlei being the most famous part. Because of how old it is the Namib is home to numerous species that don’t occur elsewhere and although no humans live in the desert an amazing array of flora and fauna manages to survive here.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 3: Sossusvlei
Early this morning you will depart your lodge on a guided half-day excursion to Sossusvlei. Located in the scenic Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes to make this one of the most scenic natural wonders of Africa and a photographer's heaven. This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia's premier attraction, with its unique dunes rising to almost 400 metres-some of the highest in the world. These iconic dunes come alive in morning and evening light and draw photography enthusiasts from around the globe. Sossusvlei is home to a variety desert wildlife including oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of reptiles. Visitors can climb 'Big Daddy', one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes; explore Deadvlei, a white, salt, claypan dotted with ancient trees; and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime champagne breakfast amidst these majestic dunes.
Return to the lodge to spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or taking part in optional activities offered by the lodge (at your own expense).
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 4: Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
Departing Sossusvlei after breakfast, drive northwest approximately 4.5 hours via the desolate, rolling hills of the Kuiseb Moon Valley towards the Atlantic Ocean. Reaching the coastal harbour town of Walvis Bay you can visit the shallow lagoon, one of the most important wetland areas on the African continent. Over 80% of the African flamingos feed in this lagoon and present a breath-taking picture when they appear in groups.
Continuing along scenic dune belts and the Atlantic Ocean you will reach Swakopmund, where you will check into your hotel and the rest of the day is spent at leisure. With palm-lined streets and seaside promenades, Swakopmund is a very popular holiday destination in Namibia. Its pleasant summer climate and long stretched beaches attract anglers and surfers from all over Southern Africa. For the international guest, Swakopmund is a bohemian mix of German architecture and African time, a laid back attitude with adrenaline activities, misty mornings and desert heat. It is colourful, it is vibrant, but most of all, it is fun.
Breakfast included.
Day 5: Swakopmund
After breakfast this morning, drive yourself to the Walvis Bay Waterfront to check-in for your full-day Marine Dune Day' excursion. At 09:00 the day starts with a leisure Marine Cruise where you may get a chance to see flying pelicans, seals, dolphins and – during the season – even whales, sunfish and turtles!
Around 12:30, your skipper will drop you off at the Walvis Bay Waterfront where another guide will meet you for the excursion to Sandwich Harbour in a 4x4 vehicle. After a short break at the Walvis Bay Lagoon to see masses of flamingos, you drive initially first to the Kuiseb river delta - a dry riverbed where the odd springbok may still be seen. If weather and tides allow, we will drive right to the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon, one of Southern Africa’s richest and unique wetlands and one of five RAMSAR sites in Namibia. If our vehicles cannot drive all along the beach to get to Sandwich Harbour because of high tide, you will get a chance to see the lagoon area from one of our many beautiful lookout spots and will have the time to walk and explore. We have lots of time to stop along the way for photography.
Sandwich Harbour, part of the Namib Naukluft Park, it’s a place many have heard of but very few have ever visited. The lagoon, salt pans and the bird sanctuary which form the Walvis Bay Wetlands are rightly heralded as the single most important coastal wetlands of Southern Africa. Giant sand dunes run straight into the ocean, creating breathtaking sceneries and unique landscapes, just waiting to be discovered! When it is time for lunch, your guide simply finds a suitable place to stop and serves a selection of oysters and snacks with sparkling wine, beers and cool drinks. We usually do this on top of a high dune overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, or on the beach.
The route homewards will take us past the area’s typical fauna and flora. Animals which have developed ways to adapt to the desert include the black-backed jackal, fog-basking beetle, dancing spider (‘white lady of the Namib’), golden mole, shovel-snouted lizard, palmato gecko, springbok, oryx, brown hyena and ostrich. Endemic to the central Namib Desert, the Nara plant has adapted well to the desert: Its taproot can reach more than 15m into the ground to reach water resources and they have no leaves to lower loss of water by transpiration.
You will arrive back at the Walvis Bay Waterfront at around 16:30 and then you will drive yourself back to your hotel in Swakopmund.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 6: Swakopmund to Damaraland
Heading north out of Swakopmund after breakfast, drive yourself approximately 4.5 hours via the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain (2579m), into Damaraland which is one of the least populated and geologically diverse areas in Africa. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the rare desert elephant, the black rhino and free-roaming antelope species.
Once you get settled into your lodge, at around 15:00 you will depart on a guided excursion to see the rock engravings at the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein. The engravings at Twyfelfontein have very few depictions of humans; by far the majority of the engravings depict animals and their tracks which revealed a deeper understanding of the hunters and the gatherers that lived there in the past. You will also visit the Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes. Many of these unique rock formations are the products of prehistoric volcanic action that occurred about 120 million years ago. Fascinating plants in the area include the Welwitschia Mirabilis, the Moringa and a variety of Commiphora species.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 7: Damaraland to Etosha National Park
After breakfast this morning, depart Damaraland and drive yourself east approximately 3.5 hours to Etosha National Park, famous for its vast amount of wildlife and unique landscape.
Get settled into your lodge located just outside of the National Park, and this afternoon you have the opportunity to drive yourself into Etosha for your first self-guided safari. Alternatively the afternoon can be spent relaxing at the lodge pool or taking part in the optional guided activities offered by the lodge (at your own expense).
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 8: Etosha National Park
After breakfast this morning, depart your lodge and spend the day self driving east through Etosha National Park, exploring the network of waterholes where the abundance of wildlife congregates and makes for amazing wildlife sightings and photographs. You can make a stop for lunch (at your own expense) at Halali Lodge which is located right in the middle of the park.
When you are ready this afternoon, exit the park's eastern gate and arrive at your lodge to spend the evening reminiscing on the wonderful wildlife sightings you enjoyed in Etosha National Park that day as you sit around an open fire.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 9: Etosha National Park to Waterberg Plateau
After breakfast this morning, depart Etosha and drive approximately 3.5 hours south to the Waterberg Plateau. The Waterberg Pateau is an impressive red sandstone table-top mountain that stands 200 metres above the surrounding bushveld with lush vegetation at the foot of the mountain. This wonderful wilderness area offers a number of scenic walks and hikes, the opportunity to see endangered wildlife that have been resettled in the Waterberg Conservancy, and the ability to experience the unique Herero culture on a local village visit. Once you get settled into your lodge, the afternoon can be spent relaxing at the pool or taking part in optional activities offered by the lodge (at your own expense).
NOTE: The Superior and Deluxe accommodation options are located on the Okonjima Nature Reserve and they include a light lunch and visit to the AfriCat Foundation this afternoon to learn about the conservation work they do and meet some of the animals.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 10: Waterberg Plateau to Windhoek
Depart the Waterberg Plateau after breakfast, driving approximately 3 hours to Windhoek International Airport where your Namibia adventure comes to an end. Make sure you leave with ample time to return your rental vehicle and check in for your international departure flight.
Breakfast included.
