Affordable Namibia Self Drive Safari

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Descriptions

The 14-day Namibia Self Drive Safari starts in Windhoek International Airport and includes activities in Windhoek, including wildlife exploration, hiking, camping, and guided walks. It also includes activities in Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha National Park, and Okahandja woodcarvers’ market.

Included

Excluded

Snacks & drinks
Meals not stated
Items of a personal nature
Optional activities
Fuel
National Park entry fees
International flights
Personal medical insurance- this is compulsory
Anything else not stated

Itinerary

Experience an unforgettable adventure through Namibia

Day 1: Windhoek Luxury Suites, Windhoek

On arrival at Windhoek International Airport, we are transferred into Windhoek where we will spend our first night in Namibia. Check into our hotel before exploring the city on foot or with an optional activity. Dinner tonight is at our own expense in one of Windhoek’s many restaurants. Accommodation: Standard room at Windhoek Luxury Suites Meals: N/A Included Activities: Airport transfer. Meet &Greet Optional Activities: Windhoek City Tour Distance travelled: ±45 kms.
Day 2: Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, Kalahari Desert

This morning we collect our rental car and then we leave the big city, heading southeast into the Kalahari Desert. Whilst not officially a desert due to its higher-than-average annual rainfall, the Kalahari offers impressive views over the deep red dunes speckled with desert species like oryx, springbok and ostrich. This afternoon we can enjoy a sundowner nature drive, exploring the Bagatelle Ranch, searching for wildlife such as giraffes, kudus, zebras, oryx, gnus and eland antelopes. The reserve has some of the highest dunes in the region and offers a fascinating view over a salt pan characteristic of the Kalahari. The Kalahari is home to more than 150 bird species, many of which can also be found in our reserve and the popular meerkats families can also be watched with us, even though they are actually very shy. Accommodation: Savannah chalet at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included Activities: Sundowner nature drive. Optional Activities: Cheetah drive Horseback riding Night Drive Stargazing Distance travelled: ±270 kms
Day3: Tok Tokkie Trail, Namib Rand Nature Reserve

An early start is recommended for our journey west from the Kalahari to the Namib Desert. On arrival at the Namib Rand Nature Reserve we can check in at the Tok Tokkie headquarters and enjoy lunch before heading off into this incredible landscape on foot. The Namib Rand Nature Reserve, located in southern Namibia, is a private nature reserve established to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert. It is one of the largest private nature reserves in southern Africa, extending over an area of more than 200,000 ha. The Reserve shares a 100 km border with the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the west and is bordered in the east by the imposing Nubib Mountains. Virtually all facets of the Namib Desert are represented on the Reserve– sand and gravel plains and stretches of savanna alternate with mountain ranges, inselbergs and vegetated dune belts as well as an abundance of wildlife from large antelope like the oryx, to the tiny Namaqua chameleon and tok tokkie beetle. Our hiking starts with a short 1-2 hour hike to our overnight stop where our camp is already prepared and we can enjoy a sundowner drink and our first sunset over the Namib Desert. Our first night spent out in the desert will be unforgettable. If the sky is clear and moonless, we can enjoy Namib Rand one of the few International Dark Sky Reserves in the world. Accommodation: Camping under the stars in the Namib Rand Nature Reserve Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included Activities: Afternoon hike through the Namib Rand Optional Activities: Distance travelled: ±300 kms
Day 4: Tok Tokkie Trail, Namib Rand Nature Reserve

Early morning tea or coffee is served before sunrise followed by a light breakfast so that we can set off in the cool of the early morning. The highlights of the walk are the breath-taking views of the dunes and plains as well as the “coming alive” of the desert as the guide allows us to feel, smell, taste and see the oldest living desert in the world. The “morning news”, as written in the sand is always fascinating and with some luck and the guide’s trained eyes, we may spot some of the desert specials (golden mole, dancing white lady, barking gecko, dune lark, flightless wasp just to name a few). We walk over a mountain saddle before descending gently to a dry riverbed. During the course of the day our guide will explain some wonders of the Namib to us- how the fascinating desert flora survives, how insect and reptile life adapts to the harsh environment and how mammals can survive here without water. Birding is surprisingly good, and we may be lucky enough to see one of Namib endemics, the dune lark. Larger animals we might come across include bat-eared fox, oryx, springbok and ostrich. As we realize that our survival depends on the water that has been deposited for us, this will probably heighten our admiration for the plants and animals that dwell here. For lunch we will stop at a shady spot where we can enjoy the treats prepared by our chefs and fill up our water bottles. There is plenty of time to relax, have a siesta and reflect on all we have seen. As the heat recedes, we start walking again up and over the dunes to our second overnight spot. The scene in front of us is a sea of endless dunes and “fairy circles” against a backdrop of magnificent mountain scenery. Photography is spectacular! The shadows on the dunes create an ever-changing palette of colors shortly before sunset. A sundowner and a delicious dinner after a long and enjoyable day are indeed welcome. We might hear some barking geckos, owls or just deafening silence. Accommodation: Camping under the stars in the Namib Rand Nature Reserve Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included Activities: Morning & afternoon hikes through the Namib Rand Optional Activities: N/A Distance travelled: N/A
Day 5: Le Mirage Resort & Spa, Namib Desert

Once again we are woken in the soft light shortly before sunrise. Coffee and breakfast is served before we set off through the dune field. The soft and rolling dunes are interspersed by camel thorn trees, which provide welcome shade for a rest. Today’s walk is easy and we arrive at Tok Tokkie farmhouse at approximately 11:30 where we can say goodbye to the Namib Rand Nature Reserve and head through to the boundary of the Namib Naukluft Park. We have a short drive through to our next destination, located just 30 kms from Sesriem where we can wash off the dust of our hiking adventure and settle into the oasis that is Le Mirage. This area offers equally stunning photography opportunities and for those that can’t get enough of landscape photography this afternoon we can take a self-guided walk or join a guided quad biking excursion to see more of this incredible area. Accommodation: Oasis room at Le Mirage Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included Activities: Morning hike on the Namib Rand Nature Reserve Optional Activities: Afternoon Quad bike excursion at Le Mirage Distance travelled: ±70 kms.
Day 6: Le Mirage Resort & Spa, Namib Desert

It’s a pre-dawn start this morning for our guided excursion to Sossusvlei, arriving at the national park gates at sunrise. For the energetic, be the first of the day to summit Big Daddy, the highest dune in the area, or meander around Dead Vlei and enjoy the dunes during the coolest part of the day. Sossusvlei is easily one of Namibia’s most spectacular attractions, characterized by the large red dunes. surrounding bleached clay plans. The dunes in this area are some of the highest in the world, measuring almost 400m, and offering some of the most incredible photographic opportunities particularly around sunrise. Accommodation: Oasis room at Le Mirage Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included Activities: Guided excursion to Deadvlei, Sossusvlei, Dune 45 & Sesriem Canyon Optional Activities: N/A Distance travelled: ±180 kms
Day 7: The Delight, Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast

Our drive today takes us through to Swakopmund via the Gaub and Kuiseb passes. Our first official stop is Solitaire, a small but important outpost for tourists and locals alike, and a popular place to stop and enjoy some more unusual photographic opportunities. From Solitaire, we continue through the ever-changing desert landscapes before arriving in Walvis Bay, the main harbor in Namibia. Here we have the opportunity to visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon, a RAMSAR listed wetland site, famous as the feeding ground for many bird species including the Greater & Lesser Flamingos, as well as the endemic Damara Tern amongst others making it an ornithologist paradise. From Walvis Bay it’s just a short drive to Swakopmund where we will spend the next two nights. Accommodation: Standard room at The Delight Meals: Breakfast only Included Activities: N/A Optional Activities: Stop at Solitaire, Tropic of Capricorn, Walvis Bay Lagoon Distance travelled: ±370 kms
Day 8: The Delight, Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast

A day of rest and relaxation, or explore the coastal region on one (or two) of the many optional activities available. Explore the desert on a Living Desert Tour, join a boat cruise to enjoy the fresh air as the seals, dolphins and pelicans cruise alongside the boat. Alternatively, enjoy the Skeleton Coast from the air and take a scenic flight (south or north) to get another perspective of this dramatic landscape. Alternatively, meander through Swakopmund, explore the local galleries and enjoy a walk along the Atlantic Ocean. Accommodation: Standard room at The Delight Meals: Breakfast only Included Activities: N/A Optional Activities: Living Desert Tour Sea Kayaking at Pelican Point Sandwich Harbour Tour Sandboarding Quad Biking Scenic Flights and more Distance travelled: ±0 kms
Day 9: Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp, Damaraland

From Swakopmund we head north along the coast with our first stop at the Zeila Shipwreck, the Skeleton Coast's most recent victim. Then, we have the option to take a short detour north to Cape Cross, home to one of the worlds largest colonies of Cape Fur seals. It’s a smelly but fascinating stop and as we meander along the boardwalk the seals will oblige us with a million photo opportunities. From here, we travel inland along the C35, one of the most culturally diverse roads in the country. Here, we have the chance to stop and meet the 3 different tribal groups, the Herero, The Damara and The Himba, that have made this area their home. These entrepreneurial women have created small craft stalls along the road in the hope of enticing the passing tourists to buy some locally crafted souvenirs. This is a great opportunity to meet some of the local women, and learn a little more about life in the rural parts of Namibia. Our next stop is the heart of Damaraland and our home for the night, just a stone's throw from Twyfelfontein and the perfect place to spend the night and enjoy our first Damaraland sunset. Accommodation: Standard tent at Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included Activities: N/A Optional Activities: Visit to Cape Cross & stop at the Zeila Shipwreck Distance travelled: ±350 kms
Day 10: Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp, Damaraland

We head out early this morning on a guided drive through the ephemeral riverbeds in search of the elusive desert elephant that roam Damaraland. Namibia is one of just 2 countries in the world (the other Mali) where elephants have specially adapted to harsh desert environments and now roam freely through the Damaraland and Kaokoland region. We return to the lodge around midday for lunch before heading out in the afternoon to visit Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world's largest collection of San rock etchings in the world, with some being estimated at more than 5000 years old. Accommodation: Standard tent at Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp Meals: Breakfast / Dinner Included Activities: Morning nature drive in search of desert elephant. Optional Activities: Guided tour of Twyfelfontein Distance travelled: ±30 kms.
Day 11: Okaukuejo Camp, Etosha National Park

After breakfast, we pack our things and make our way towards Etosha National Park. Today we are heading into Etosha via the western gate and game driving across the park to Okaukuejo/Halali. This area offers incredible game viewing opportunities including species that are not seen in other areas of the park including the Hartmann's Mountain zebra. Our camp inside the park means that our game viewing can continue into the night should we wish to sit up around the waterhole after dinner. Accommodation: Waterhole chalet at Okaukuejo Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included Activities: Self-guided game drive across Etosha National Park Optional Activities: Night drive in Etosha National Park Distance travelled: ±350 kms as game drive.
Day 12: Okaukuejo Camp, Etosha National Park

A full day today to explore the eastern part of Etosha, Namibia’s premier national park. The park itself stretches some 22,000 sq kms and is named after the enormous salt pan located within. The Etosha Pan covers around 4,800 sq kms and is so big that it can be seen from space. Spend the day searching for 4 of the big 5, from elephant, rhino, leopard, lion to plains game including giraffe, gemsbok, oryx and more. Our last night in the park should be spent by the waterhole, checking to see what might come down to the waterhole. Accommodation: Waterhole chalet at Okaukuejo Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included Activities: Self-guided game drives in Etosha National Park Optional Activities: Night drive in Etosha National Park Distance travelled: game drives only.
Day 13: Windhoek Luxury Suites, Windhoek

Enjoy a final game drive this morning as we make our way out of the park en-route back to Windhoek with optional stops along the way at the Okahandja woodcarvers’ market. Accommodation: Standard room at Windhoek Luxury Suites Meals: Breakfast Included Activities: Morning self-guided game drives in Etosha National Park Optional Activities: N/A Distance travelled: ±500 kms
Day 14: Departure

Depending on our flight time, we can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some last-minute shopping before heading through to Windhoek International Airport where we can drop off our rental vehicle in time for our onward flight. Meals: Breakfast Included Activities: N/A Optional Activities: N/A Airport transfer