PRIVATE SELF DRIVE TOUR: Get behind the wheel and discover the best of Namibia on this 9-day self-drive tour. See the iconic sand dunes of Sossusvlei, unwind in the German colonial town of Swakopmund, and head out on safari in search of lions and elephants in Etosha National Park. Hike the Waterberg Plateau, explore Windhoek and souvenir shop in Okahandja.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Welcome to Namibia!
Upon arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport, you will be met and escorted to the car rental kiosk to collect your rental car. Once the formalities are completed, you can drive to your hotel for the evening.
If you are arriving in Windhoek in good time, then you may want to join an optional tour of the city. Admire the view from Lover's Hill, see the beautiful Parliament Gardens and the Old Fort. You'll also get to sample local food and meet some of the residents of one of Windhoek's townships. There's an optional dinner at a local restaurant - Joe's Beerhouse, in the evening.
Overnight: Windhoek
Sesriem
Windhoek - Sesriem. After breakfast, drive for approximately five hours southwest to your lodge near the mighty Sossusvlei sand dunes in Namib-Naukluft National Park.
You can either spend the rest of the day relaxing beside the pool, or you can join an optional excursion into the lodge's private concession. Heading out into the desert, you can spot some of the local wildlife, such as oryx, and enjoy a drink or two as you watch the sunset in this most spectacular of settings. Dinner is included back at the lodge.
Overnight: Sesriem | Breakfast, Dinner
Exploring Sossusvlei & Namib-Naukluft National Park
Today is a free day, so make the most of your time in the Namib-Naukluft National Park with a variety of optional activities. Enjoy an excursion to Sossusvlei; characterized by rust-red dunes and shimmering white salt pans, the area is eerily beautiful, and also home to a variety of wildlife. Climb the most famous Dune 45 and take plenty of photographs before enjoying a 2.6km hike up to Deadvlei, a barren white salt pan.
Other options include a Quad buggy nature trail out into the reserve, an excursion to Sesriem Canyon, or a choice of plane, helicopter, or hot air balloon flights over the desert.
Overnight: Sesriem | Breakfast, Dinner
Swakopmund free time
Sesriem - Swakopmund. On day 4 complete the easy drive from Sesriem to Swakopmund, Namibia's popular coastal resort town. It's the country's adventure capital and a former German colonial settlement, boasting all sorts of exciting things to see and do. The next two nights are spent in Swakopmund, and there are numerous optional excursions, including visits to see the flamingos at Walvis Bay, the sand dunes of Swakopmund, and an Atlantic Ocean catamaran cruise, plus much more. See the trip notes for details.
Overnight: Swakopmund | Breakfast x 2
Etosha National Park
Swakopmund - Etosha National Park. It's about a five-hour drive from Swakopmund to Namibia's premier wildlife hotspot - Etosha National Park. Covering more than 20,000 square kilometers, the reason Etosha is so good for game viewing is that it is mostly a desolate white salt pan. This means animals are relatively easy to spot, and they gather at the few waterholes to be found within the park. Lions, elephants, and both white and black rhinos reside in the reserve in good numbers. Arriving at your lodge on day 6, the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 7 is spent exploring Etosha. You can either do this on a self-drive basis using your rental car or on an optional guided game drive. If you'd like to enjoy a picnic at one of the fenced picnic spots within the park, then this can also be arranged for you.
Overnight: Etosha National Park | Breakfast x 2
Waterberg Plateau National Park
Etosha National Park - Waterberg. Today's drive is relatively short, approximately 2.5 hours to Waterberg Plateau National Park. The plateau which lends the park its name is elevated high above the Kalahari Basin and is made of sandstone approximately 200 million years old! The area surrounding the plateau is lush and green, a haven for birdlife and small mammals such as antelope. Once you've settled in at the lodge, you can head out to follow some of the hiking trails in the area, or relax in the lodge spa with some wellness treatments.
Overnight: Waterberg | Breakfast
Return to Windhoek
Waterberg - Windhoek. Today your self-drive holiday comes to an end. Make sure to get up early enough to enjoy one last walk up the plateau before the four-hour drive back to Windhoek, stopping at Okahandja for some last-minute shopping if you choose.
Arriving at the airport, return your vehicle to the car hire kiosk before checking in for your onward flight.
Breakfast
Tailor Your Tour
This self drive can be tailored to suit your requirements. If you'd like to spend more time at any of the destinations en route, or adjust the itinerary in any way, this can be arranged. We can also arrange activities and excursions to enhance your holiday and offer a variety of hotels. Simply contact us for a quote.
Prices & Dates
Prices shown are per person when there are 2 persons sharing a room. The 'Single Room' price is applicable when a single room is required, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. Please note: prices are indicative and final pricing may therefore vary, depending on hotel availability and time of travel.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Olive Grove Guesthouse, Windhoek
The Olive Grove is a small, tastefully decorated hotel with elegant and spacious rooms, each with a large veranda sporting tables and chairs for al fresco dining. The lounge area is ideal for travellers who want to relax in style after a long day of exploring. Meals are expertly prepared by the hotel's chef. There is also a plunge pool for a quick dip to cool off. The hotel is situated close to the Windhoek city centre in a quiet, peaceful area.
The Delight, Swakopmund
Less than a 10-minute walk from the beach, The Delight is a bright and modern property in the heart of Swakopmund. Rooms are modern, spacious, air-conditioned, and include flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, and ensuite bathrooms. Some rooms also include balconies. There's an onsite restaurant serving a delicious daily breakfast, bar and Wi-Fi is available for a nominal fee.
Etosha Safari Lodge, Etosha National Park
Etosha Safari Lodge is perched on a hill, with stunning views of the area. Each of the gorgeous chalets is equipped with its own small veranda and is beautifully decorated on the inside with light, bright colours. The exposed stonework on the outside is a stunning, authentic touch and the large windows bath the room in natural light. There are three outdoor pool within the complex as well as a restaurant with an alfresco dining area and bar. The Anderson Gate into Etosha National Park is only 9 km away.
Waterberg Guest Farm, Waterberg
Scenically located at the foot of the magnificent Waterberg Plateau, Waterberg Guest Farm is a delightful place to stay in the area, housing a choice of standard twin and double rooms and 9 individual bush chalets. All rooms feature modern amenities such as an ensuite bathroom, a fan, a safe, and picturesque views. There's an outdoor pool with comfortable Lapa seating and a garden, whilst dining is at the onsite restaurant and bar. Guests can also go and see the animals on this still-functioning cattle farm. Plus of course, there's the native wildlife which also inhabits the area, from leopards to eland and kudu antelope. Wi-Fi is free and available in communal areas.
At a Glance
Extra Tour Info
