Namibia Explorer
12 Day Self-Drive Tour
Tour Type
Self-Drive
Duration
12 days
Group Size
1-4 per vehicle
Main Destinations |
Sossusvlei Walvis Bay Swakopmund Damaraland Etosha |
Tour Price |
Budget – from N$ p/p Mid-Range – from N$ Luxury – from N$ |
Included |
4×4 vehicle with a/c Accommodation Meal basis as specified Meet & greet VAT @ 15 % |
Excluded |
Personal insurances & expenses Fuel Park fees Drinks Tips International flights Airport taxes |
On your arrival in Windhoek, you will collect your rental vehicle and then check into your accommodation for the night. This is a good time to visit a supermarket to stock up on some provisions for the next few days. Locally this is called ‘padkos’ (food for the road) and plays an important part of any Namibian road-trip. A meet-and-greet can be arranged either at the airport or at your accommodation in Windhoek.
After breakfast and any last minute shopping, you depart for Sossusvlei, the world’s highest sand dunes. There are several routes you can take but the most scenic is via the Spreetshoogte Pass. However, this is a more adventurous option, as it is very steep, but it does offer beautiful views over the Namib Desert. You will probably only arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon so we suggest resting as it will be a very early start tomorrow.
You need to start today well before first light as you want to be at the park gates when they open at sunrise. It is often a good idea to arrange a packed breakfast with your accommodation so you can enjoy it in dunes. There’s a 4×4 shuttle service if you do not feel comfortable to drive in thick sand. Most people take all morning to explore this area so do not expect to be back at your accommodation before the afternoon.
After breakfast, you journey through the Namib Desert, via the Kuiseb Pass, and on to the coast. Rostock Ritz or Walvis Bay may be a good place to stop for lunch. The lagoon at Walvis Bay is home to numerous aquatic birds including flamingos and pelicans.
We suggest partaking in a morning activity such as kayaking on the lagoon with seals frolicking around you, or a dolphin cruise in the bay area. If you want to be more adventurous then booking a 4×4 trip to Sandwich Harbour might be just the ticket! After any activity, you have a leisurely drive to Swakopmund, where you can simply relax or grab any essential shopping you may require for the rest of your trip.
Today is a long drive since rather than staying around Twyfelfontein, we suggest slightly further north, around Grootberg, for its spectacular vistas and interesting activities.
If you stay at Grootberg they offer a walking trail, elephant tracking as well as a cultural tour to experience the day-to-day life of a #Khoadi //Hoas community.
Today you make your way to Etosha, “Place of the great white spaces”, named after the massive salt pan that dominates the landscape within the park. It’s one of the largest parks in Africa and home to a myriad of wildlife and birdlife.
Mirroring the behaviour of the wildlife, we suggest you explore the park early in the morning and in the afternoon when animals are more active and it is not too hot. There are books listing guest sightings at each resort which can be useful to get an idea of where you may see certain wildlife.
Today you head back to Windhoek.
It’s time to head home.