Self-Drive Namibia
• Namib Desert • Walvis Bay • Damaraland • Etosha National Park
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
AUD
$12,550
|
Days
13
|
Nights
12
|
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
AUD
$12,550
|
Days
13
|
Nights
12
|

Introduction
Climb some of the world’s highest sand dunes and discover Namibia’s wide open spaces on an excellent network of gravel and tar roads with all the back up and support you could need.
Track desert-adapted elephants on ephemeral riverbeds in Damaraland and enjoy game viewing in an underground hide overlooking a waterhole on a private game reserve. You’ll also embark on exciting game drives within Etosha National Park, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Twyfelfontein, and to finish, explore the world renowned Big Cat research centre run by the AfriCat Foundation.
Let us tailor-make your itinerary to include travel arrangements before and/or after your stay.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Windhoek
After landing at Hosea Kutako Airport, transfer by shared shuttle to your Windhoek accommodation.
Day 2 : Windhoek > Sossusvlei
After breakfast you depart Windhoek in your rental vehicle and drive onwards to arrive at your lodge, where you will stay for two nights whilst you explore the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy your scenic desert surroundings and relax by the pool. If you want you can also visit Sesriem Canyon, a nearby geological attraction.
Your accommodation: Hoodia Desert Lodge lies nestled on the banks of the Tsauchab River, overlooked by the impressive Naukluft Mountains. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation in tented. The lodge restaurant serves excellent traditional and international cuisine accompanied by a wide selection of South African wines. A wooden walkway leads you to a refreshing swimming pool sculpted into natural rock.
Day 3 : Sossusvlei
This morning you will rise early for a magical excursion with your local guide into the Namib Naukluft National Park, entering the Park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world. Your guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored the area to your hearts content you can enjoy coffee and tea break in Sossusvlei area with seasonal fruits and homemade cookies.
Next, depart to Elim Dune ” for a generous “Out of Africa” picnic lunch under one of the majestic Camel Thorn Trees. You can also arrange a visit to Sesriem Canyon with a hike down the Canyon and lecturing about the local history and geology. Return to your lodge late afternoon.
Day 4 : Sossusvlei > Swakopmund
The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through awesome and ever changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. You will meet the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay, where you have the option to visit the lagoon to see the interesting mix of pelicans, flamingos and other seabirds, before continuing north to Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air.
This afternoon you have the option to explore the shops, waterfront and craft market as appeals, before heading out for dinner at one of the popular restaurants in town.
Day 5 : Swakopmund
Today is at your leisure to explore Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and surrounding areas.
You may like to climb the coastal dunes at Langstrand or Dune 7, explore Swakopmund’s shops, cafe’s, museums and waterfront, or partake in any of the adventure activities on offer such as sand-boarding, boat cruises, kayaking, walking foodie tour, dune cycle tour and scenic flights (all at extra cost).
You can also join a morning dolphin and seal catamaran cruise or kayaking excursion on the Walvis Bay harbour and lagoon this morning, where you will see seals, pelicans, and flamingos amongst other marine life, and hopefully you will also see Heaviside and Bottlenose dolphins.
Finally, you may wish to go on a half or full day excursion into Sandwich Harbour, the most important wetlands and feeding area on the west coast of Southern Africa for many migratory birds.
Day 6 : Swakopmund > Damaraland
Today you continue your self-drive journey, passing Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573 metres above sea level, and take time to view game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way.
Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces. It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word ‘wilderness’. If you arrive on time, you can join a scheduled afternoon activity.
Your accommodation: Onduli Ridge, named after the resident giraffe of the area, is built at the base of two south facing granite outcrops, offering magnificent views of Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, to the south and the dispersed cathedral-like granite inselbergs to the north. The six suites are hidden amongst the granite boulders that nestle the camp and the more temperate climate of central Damaraland allows for naturally ventilated suites, partial open-air bathrooms and largely open communal areas. The camp is designed to maximise the views of this most extraordinary landscape and every space becomes a viewpoint whether from the bed, the desk or the bathroom.
Day 7 : Damaraland
After an early breakfast you will be treated to an exciting 4×4 excursion along the ephemeral river valleys to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, including the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures. As the elephants are mostly active in the mornings you will normally have the best chance to see them then before returning to camp for lunch. However, you also have the option to take a picnic lunch and stop to enjoy that in the shade of a large Ana tree by the riverbed, ideally while watching a herd of elephant browsing nearby.
Your guide will arrange to fit in a visit to Twyfelfontein and other nearby attractions at a suitable time if you haven’t already done so the previous day. On return to camp there should be time to take a walk into the local area with your guide if desired, or simply relax and enjoy some well-deserved leisure time.
Day 8 : Damaraland > Southern Etosha
This morning after breakfast you will continue your safari journey towards the southern boundary of the Etosha National Park. In the afternoon, enjoy sundowners or a game drive.
You accommodation: Ongava Lodge is situated on the slopes of a rocky outcrop within the private 30,000 hectare Ongava Game Reserve, which shares a common border with Etosha. The lodge offers guests the full Etosha experience whilst providing superb accommodation and service, as well as night drives and nature walks on the reserve.
Day 9 : Southern Etosha > Eastern Etosha
Today you enter the Etosha National Park to explore and stop over at the various waterholes in the hope of experiencing some exciting wildlife sightings. You can have lunch at any of the rest camps inside the park. After your arrival your lodge, spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Your accommodation: Onguma Tented Camp has seven luxury en suite tents, each overlooking the nearby waterhole. The main complex, also overlooking the waterhole, includes a reception area, lounge, wine cellar, bar, dining room, and swimming pool. Onguma Game Reserve is situated on the eastern side of Etosha and borders Fisher’s Pan. Onguma Game Reserve has more than 20,000 hectares of protected land and wildlife. The nature reserve boasts over 30 different animal species
Day 10 : Etosha National Park
Today is available for you to have time to relax in lovely comfortable surroundings while still giving time to be spent game viewing in the National Park as much as appeals in your own rental vehicle, within park regulations.
Day 11 : Eastern Etosha National Park > Okonjima Nature Reserve
After breakfast you will depart for Okonjima, located at the base of the Omboroko Mountains near Waterberg. Arrive at Okonjima Bush Camp in time for lunch. Here you can enjoy superb accommodation and fantastic activities; starting with a guided afternoon excursion.
Okonjima has an education and research centre and you will have the opportunity to learn about the AfriCat Foundation which is perfectly situated to conduct ecological research focusing on a variety of rare and endangered species. There are interesting guided walking trails on offer, and bird watching is also a popular activity as over 300 bird species have been identified here.
Your accommodation: Okonjima Bush Camp is situated at the edge of a wilderness area in the Omboroko Mountains, about three hours’ drive north from Windhoek. Accommodation here consists of nine charming thatched African Chalets. Each exclusive chalet enjoys complete privacy and is a unique combination of glass glass panels and canvas windows that can be completely opened for unrestricted views of the savannah that offers a truly magical African bush experience.
Day 12 : Okonjima Nature Reserve
A full day of wonderful activities as offered by Okonjima. You will rise early and have tea/coffee and a snack before departing on the morning guided activity. Return to camp for a hearty brunch with time to relax and enjoy your peaceful bush surroundings until the afternoon guided activity commences.
In the afternoon guided activity commences, which is usually one of the aforementioned activities or a visit to the AfriCat Education centre. Main activities on offer include leopard tracking by vehicle, game drives to look for other endangered species such as brown hyena, aardvark, bat eared fox and rhino, or a variety of self-guided walking trails.
Day 13 : Okonjima Nature Reserve > Windhoek
Rise early this morning for another memorable guided activity before you return to Bush Camp for a sumptuous breakfast. After freshening up you will depart for Windhoek in the late morning, via the town of Okahandja, to arrive back in Windhoek in the mid afternoon.
Upon your arrival in Windhoek you return your rental vehicle, in time for your ongoing international flight, where arrangements end.
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Pricing
Pricing (per person), AUD
TYPE |
TWIN from |
SINGLE from |
EXTRA from |
---|---|---|---|
2025 |
|||
1 Jan – 31 Mar |
AU$12,550 |
||
1 Apr – 31 May; 1 Nov – 31 Dec |
AU$14,180 |
||
1 Jun – 31 Oct |
AU$14,415 |
||
2025
1 Jan – 31 Mar
Twin: from $12550
1 Apr – 31 May; 1 Nov – 31 Dec
Twin: from $14180
1 Jun – 31 Oct
Twin: from $14415
Departs
Daily, year-round |
Included
- Tailor-made self-drive journey
- 12 nights’ accommodation
- 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 9 dinners
- Local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages except in Windhoek and Swakopmund
- Shared arrival transfer in Windhoek
- 13-day Toyota Hilux 4×4 or similar automatic rental
- Additional driver, taxes, tyre & windscreen cover, unlimited kilometres, wi-fi, and zero excess
- Shared activities as per the itinerary
- Conservation and Namibia Tourism Board levies
- Concession and Twyfelfontein fees
- Laundry at Onduli, Ongava Lodge, and Okonjima
Not Included
- All meals and beverages not listed as included
- GPS unit, hail damage waiver, and petrol
- Laundry unless listed as included
- National park fees
- Gratuities
Important Notes
- Please enquire about pricing for a single travelling alone or cross-season
- Please also enquire about pricing to add a Sossusvlei sunrise hot air balloon flight
- Wi-fi coverage in your rental vehicle is 3G+ service dependent
Please refer to World Journeys terms & conditions