Spectacular Namibia (SN) – Self-drive Tour 12 Days | Windhoek to Windhoek
Experience Namibia’s valued treasures. Let yourself be captivated by the surreal dunes at Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. Discover UNESCO and RAMSAR World Heritage sites and the ancient Damara culture. Great Wildlife encounters in the Etosha National Park.
Highlights
- World’s highest dunes at Sossusvlei & Dead Vlei
- 2 UNESCO & 1 RAMSAR world heritage sites
- Experience the authentic Damara culture
- Wildlife discovery in the Etosha National Park
Days / Nights | 12 / 11 |
Category | Comfort and Superior |
Day 1
NAMIB DESERT
Your journey starts by travelling south into the heart of the Namib Desert, an area with awe-inspiring landscapes and majestic dunes. Arriving at your lodge, situated near the entrance to Sesriem, the remainder of the day can be spent at leisure. Enjoying a late afternoon walk or taking part in optional activities offered by the lodge.
Comfort: The Elegant Desert Lodge
Superior: Sossusvlei Lodge – Dinner
Day 2
SOSSUSVLEI
This day calls for an early rise, as you will forever remember the picture of a sunrise over the mighty dunes of the Namib Desert. Gaze at the bright splash of sunbaked sand combined with the mighty play of shadows cast onto the lay side of the dunes. From Sossusvlei visit Dead Vlei, a surreal white clay pan surrounded by great dunes and dotted with age-old Camelthorn trees. Travelling back, visit the Sesriem Canyon, an 18 million-year-old gorge eroded into the conglomerate floor.
Comfort: The Elegant Desert Lodge – Breakfast
Superior: Sossusvlei Lodge – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 / 80 km
NAMIB DESERT
After enjoying a breakfast amidst the spectacular scenery of the Namib Desert, depart to your next lodge situated at the foot of petrified dunes. Here you have the opportunity to explore the Namib Desert on spectacular scenic nature and sundowner drives or relax by the side of the lodge pools.
Classic: Namib Desert Lodge – Breakfast
Superior: Desert Grace – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 & 5
SWAKOPMUND
Today you travel via the Namib Naukluft Park to Swakopmund, a tranquil coastal town situated between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the Welwitschia plains and the aptly named Moon landscape, two of the attractions during this scenic drive. In Swakopmund, you have the option of participating in some of the adventurous activities on offer. These could include scenic flights, dolphin cruises, quad biking, parasailing, dune boarding.
Comfort: Organic Stay Guest House – Breakfast
Superior: Strand Hotel – Breakfast
Day 6
DAMARALAND
Today our journey continues through Uis past the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain (2.579m), into the Damaraland, one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the elusive desert elephant, the black rhino and free-roaming antelope species. We arrive at our lodge in the afternoon, where we have the remaining day at leisure.
Comfort: Ondjamba Hills – Breakfast, Dinner
Superior: Mowani Mountain Camp – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7
DAMARALAND
On an early morning scenic nature drive through, at times untouched wilderness area of the Otjimboyo Concession, we head out towards the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain. This is the best time to capture the perfect light of sunrise and catch the last mist engulfing the mountain. We continue down into the dry Ugab riverbed, which we follow back towards the camp. Stopping under one of the majestic camelthorn trees we enjoy a light picnic lunch.
On our drive along the meandering river we might encounter the elusive desert elephant that roam the dry riverbeds of the Damaraland, feeding on the nutritious pods of the trees lining the riverbanks. Arriving back at the camp we have enough time left to enjoy the scenery or follow one of the walking trails (Comfort Version). A highlight is the sundowner drive that offers you unforgettable photo opportunities of the Brandberg and surrounding landscape (Comfort Version).
Comfort: Ondjamba Hills – Breakfast, Dinner
Superior: Mowani Mountain Camp – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Your destination today is the wildlife heaven of Namibia – the Etosha National Park. On your way to this wildlife mecca you can stop at the Petrified Forest. The geological phenomenon found here depicts the creation and metamorphosis of wood into stone amongst some of the oldest landmasses on Earth. Here you also see the Welwitschia mirabilis plant – the oldest living desert plant on Earth. Before checking into your lodge located on the border of the Etosha National Park, you can already enter the park for your first game viewing excursion.
Comfort: Etosha Village – Breakfast, Dinner
Superior: Etosha Oberland – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Entering the Etosha National Park in the early morning, your time will be devoted purely to the abundant wildlife found here. The park surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan and is home to 4 of the Big Five – elephant, lion, leopard and rhino. The park’s waterholes support a diversity of mammals and birds, including species such as black-faced impala, cheetah, and Namibia’s smallest antelope, the Damara dik-dik.
Comfort: Onguma Forest Camp – Breakfast
Superior: Mushara Outpost – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Today you have the possibility to conduct your own game drives through the Etosha National Park, or optionally you can book an open game drive park drive with the lodge. You may encounter animal species you have not seen the previous day and look forward to any new surprises at the different waterholes visited. The Etosha Pan dominates the park.
This salt pan desert, which is nearly completely enclosed by the park and is lined by numerous watering holes, is roughly 130 km long and as wide as 50 km in places. During Etosha’s notorious dry spells the pan is a deathly place, lying parched and cracked under the molten African sun. It is claimed that game viewing is best during the dry periods as animals will then congregate closer to water. But even in the rainy season, the park remains an abundant wildlife haven.
You then have the pleasure of experiencing the rebirth of life as the young foals, cubs and chicks are seen frolicking with their parents, and the sprouting new green shrubs and grasses create a pleasing green oasis. In the afternoon you travel back to your lodge, where you enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. Comfort: Onguma Forest Camp – Breakfast
Superior: Mushara Outpost – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11
CENTRAL NAMIBIA
In the early morning you travel back south through the main cattle farming region of Namibia, through Windhoek and towards the international airport, where the lodge is fittingly situated in the lush bush landscape. The remainder of the day is spent at leisure beside the sparkling pool or the viewing deck of your room. In the afternoon you have the option of exploring the rich diversity of game species on an optional open-vehicle drive or a self-guided scenic walk.
Comfort: Omatozu Safari Camp – Breakfast, Dinner
Superior: Okonjima Bush Camp – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12
DEPARTURE
After breakfast, you travel back to the capital, Windhoek. Time permitting, en-route you may stop at the famous wood carvers market in Okahandja or the craft market in the main street in Windhoek to pick up the last few souvenirs.
Windhoek is a cosmopolitan melting pot of European architecture with African culture, with a variety of excellent restaurants to choose from. You will be dropped off at your accommodation of choice, or transferred to the airport for your outward flight.
Breakfast
INCLUDES:
- Comfort: 11 Breakfasts, 4 Dinner
- Superior: 11 Breakfasts; 9 Dinners
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- Activities as specified
- Accommodation as specified
- Tourism levy & Government Taxes where applicable
- Deluxe Travel planner
EXCLUDES:
- All International / Domestic Flights & taxes
- Rental VehicleVisasTravel & Personal accident insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Excursions / Activities not specified
- Gratuities