Classic Namibia Self-Drive Holiday

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days 10 From US$ 3,200

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highlights

Explore the world-famous sand dunes in the Namib Desert
Visit seal colonies on the Skeleton Coast
Search for desert-dwelling elephants in Damarland
Get up close and personal with big cats at the AfriCat Foundation at Okonjima

You'll start your Namibian self-drive adventure in the lovely city of Windhoek, and then you'll drive to Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert where you can explore the world-famous towering sand dunes and breathtaking landscape. Then you'll discover the fascinating colonial town of Swakopmund located on the Atlantic Coast at the edge of the Namib Desert, before driving up the Skeleton Coast to the mountainous region of Damaraland, famous for its spectacular scenery and desert-adapted wildlife.

Next you'll visit Etosha National Park in northern Namibia where you'll enjoy incredible wildlife safaris, and then you'll drive to the Okonjima Nature Reserve in central Namibia to visit the Africat Foundation - an education and research facility dedicated to the rescue, relocation and rehabilitation of Namibia's big cats, particularly cheetah and leopard.

Finally you'll return to Windhoek where your Classic Namibia Self-drive holiday ends.

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1: Arrive Windhoek, transfer to accommodation

Hotel

Upon arrival you will be met by your driver and transferred to your lovely accommodation in the centre of Windhoek. Your rental vehicle will be delivered to your hotel. Your vehicle will have a satnav and mobile phone, plus you will also be provided with an information pack which will include driving directions, accommodation details and contact phone numbers.

You can spend the rest of the day exploring Namibia’s capital city.

Day 2: Drive from Windhoek to Sossusvlei

Lodge

After breakfast you’ll leave Windhoek and drive to Sossusvlei, located in the southern part of the Namib Desert in the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the southwest of the country. Known for its orange sand dunes and white salt pans, Sossusvlei is Namibia’s most spectacular and best-known attraction.

You’ll stay in Sossusvlei for the next two nights and you’ll have time to explore the iconic towering sand dunes, as well as other incredible geographical formations of the region, such as Sesriem Canyon.

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Explore Sossusvlei

Lodge

Today, you have a full day to discover the towering sand dunes and incredible landscape of Sossusvlei. There are a number of attractions in the Sossusvlei area to explore, including Sesriem Canyon, Dune 45, Big Daddy and Deadvlei.

We recommend that you wake up early to climb the iconic sand dunes at sunrise, or if you prefer you can soar above this breathtaking landscape in a hot air balloon. Other activities you can enjoy today include a nature drive to spot the desert-adapted wildlife, a dune walk or an eco-sensitive guided quad bike excursion, sand boarding and horse riding. In the evening you can enjoy a gin and tonic on a sundowner tour, or after dark you can join a star gazing excursion with a knowledgeable guide.

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Drive from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund

Hotel

This morning you’ll leave the Namib Desert and drive north through beautiful canyons and striking scenery as you head towards to the lovely town of Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast.

Walvis Bay is a stunning spot just outside Swakopmund and we highly recommend stopping off on your way into town. Sheltered by the Pelican Point sand spit, Walvis Bay’s tidal lagoon is home to abundant birdlife, including flamingos and pelicans.

Swakopmund itself is a former colonial town famous for its German architecture and culture - many residents speak German and there's even an Oktoberfest beer festival. It is an ideal place to spend a couple of days between visiting the dunes of Sossusvlei and exploring the attractions of northern Namibia.

Meals

Breakfast

Day 5: Explore Swakopmund

Hotel

Today you’ll have a full day to explore Swakopmund and the surrounding area. You can search for Cape Fur seals and dolphins off Pelican Point on a boat cruise or guided kayaking trip, take a scenic flight over the desert, join a bird watching excursion or a living desert tour, or you may wish to visit the Swakopmund Lighthouse, the Swakopmund Museum and Sandwich Harbour.
Just outside Swakopmund several sand dunes have been set aside for adventure activities, including sand boarding, quad biking, camel riding and off-road driving.

Meals

Breakfast

Day 6: Drive from Swakopmund to Damaraland

Safari Camp

This morning you will resume your Namibian road trip and head further north up the Skeleton Coast to Damaraland. En route we recommend that you stop at Henties Bay to see the Cape Cross seal colony and you may wish to visit the shipwreck of MS Winston at Durissa Bay.

On arrival you’ll settle into your accommodation and you can spend the afternoon relaxing at your lodge, or if you wish you can take a walk in the surrounding area, stopping at viewpoints to marvel at the beautiful Damaraland landscape.

There are also options for you to take a nature drive in search of Namibia's desert-dwelling elephant, or you may wish to join the Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes excursion to see the rock engravings at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein.

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7: Drive from Damaraland to Etosha National Park

Safari Lodge or Camp

After breakfast you’ll get back in your vehicle and drive east towards Etosha National Park.
Etosha offers fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly around the waterholes. You can expect to see elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, zebra, springbok and gemsbok and it’s also one of the best places in Southern Africa to see the endangered cheetah, black rhino and rare antelope species such as black-faced impala, Damara dik dik and roan antelope.

We offer a choice of superb lodges, both in the park and on its borders.

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8: On safari in Etosha National Park

Safari Lodge or Camp

Today you’ll have a full day to explore Etosha National Park.

Despite being one of Africa's largest national parks, Etosha is easy to drive around yourself as all roads lead back to the main road. This means you can take your time visiting the many different waterholes such as Halali, Okondeka and Okaukuejo, where large concentrations of wildlife congregate.

Almost a quarter of Etosha consists of salt pans, including the Etosha Pan which is undoubtedly the park’s most distinctive and dramatic feature. The Etosha Pan is the only known mass breeding ground for flamingos in Namibia and at times there can be up to a million flamingos here.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Drive from Etosha to Okonjima Nature Reserve

Safari Camp

This morning you’ll leave Etosha and head south to the Okonjima Nature Reserve which is home of the famous Africat Foundation - an education and research facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of Namibia's big cats, particularly cheetah and leopard.

During your time here you’ll have an opportunity to observe and learn about Africat’s conservation work. Depending on your interests you can also go mountain biking or hike up the mountains to watch the sunrise, join a bird-watching excursion to spot some of the 250+ species of birdlife in the area, enjoy a nocturnal game drive, or you can experience a day in the life of a San Bushman on a bushman trail.

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10: Drive to Windhoek, international flight home

Following breakfast at your hotel, you’ll drive back to Windhoek which should take approximately three hours. On arrival you’ll have time to get some lunch and drop off your hire car, before heading to the airport to catch your international flight home.

Meals

Breakfast

what’s included

Private airport transfers
Hire car (plus detailed driving instructions)
Meals & drinks as stated in the itinerary
9 nights accommodation
MedVac insurance
Use of satnav & local cell phone for duration of holiday
National Park fees

what's excluded

International flights
Travel insurance & visas
Anything not mentioned in the 'What's Included' section
Optional activities

Tour details

Availability Available Daily

Duration 10 days

Tour Type Private Tour

Age Requirement 1 +

guiding method Self-guided/Independent

Meeting/Start Point Pick-up at your hotel or location in Windhoek, Namibia

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Payment

A deposit of 20% is required when booking this tour. The remaining balance will be charged 45 days prior departure. For any bookings within 45 days of departure, the full tour amount will be charged upon booking.

Travel Insurance

We advise to take out Travel Insurance to cover for any unforeseen circumstances. Bookmundi recommends World Nomads' travel insurance.

Cancellation20% Deposit payable upfront. Remaining balance payable 45 days prior to trip departure. Free cancellation up to 45 days prior departure, but the 20% deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applicable within 45 days of departure.

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