11 Day Explore Namibia Self-Drive
The adventure itself allows for a four-wheeled exploration of Namibia’s most engaging highlights, which includes wildlife, salt pans, rock paintings, coastline & sand dunes!
Safari Overview
- Day 1: Windhoek – Arrive in Namibia! Welcome
- Day 2: Otjiwa
- Day 3 - 4: Etosha National Park
- Day 5: Erongo Mountains & rock paintings
- Day 6 - 7: Swakopmund
- Day 8 - 9: Namib Naukluft
- Day 10: Kalahari
- Day 11: Fly out
Highlights
Wonderful Namibian desert of the Namib-Naukluft Park, the coastal town of Swakopmund and the fascinating wildlife of the Etosha National Park.
Vehicle Rental Included:
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Accommodation Self-drive: Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4 4x4 (Automatic or Manual) or similar
Camping Self Drive: Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4 4x4 (Automatic or Manual) or similar with all camping equipment as needed – rooftop tent/s
All vehicles equipped includes: 2 spare wheels, spade, jumper leads, tow rope, bottle jack, wheel spanner, triangles, broom, and dustpan.
Rates & Info
Price Per Person – Rates valid until December 2022
FULLY ACCOMMODATED
USD 2220.00 pp / Adult
USD 650.00 pp / Child (6-12)
Family of 4: 2 x Adults & 2 Children Total Package: USD 5740.00
Family of 3: 2 Adults & 1 Child Total Package: USD 5090.00
Single supplement: USD 230.00
CAMPING
USD 1785.00 pp / Adult
USD 354.00 pp / Child (6-12)
Family of 4: 2 x Adults & 2 Children Total Package: USD 4278.00
Family of 3: 2 Adults & 1 Child Total Package: USD 3924.00
Single supplement: USD 80.00
Day 1 - Arrive in Windhoek
Arriving at Hosea Kutako International Airport, you will be welcomed by your own private transfer, who will take you to Windhoek, approx. 45km from airport. In Windhoek you will collect your rental vehicle and received necessary instructions and information. With getting familiarness with your vehicle and know exactly what side of the road you need to drive (We drive on the left side – just so you know - *wink-wink) you will head to your accommodation where you are able to freshen up & rest if needed. Afternoon you can explore on your own time the capitol city of Windhoek and enjoy relaxing dinner. We can recommend dinner either at your accommodation, Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Joe’s Beerhouse, The Stellenbosch or Cape Town Fish Market.
ACCOMMODATION: Arebbusch Travel Lodge
Day 2 - Windhoek to Otjiwa
After enjoying relaxing breakfast, we recommend leaving Windhoek between 07h30 – 08h00. Heading north to Otjiwa Safari Lodge, one of the oldest game farms in Namibia, which offers about 25 different game species, this includes the White Rhino. The evening you will undertake a night drive, where you will more likely find small predators & night animals. At night all the shy and small predators will come out, and maybe even a large leopard will show its appearance. The night drive will take place after dinner and with a cozy blanket & fresh Namibian air, you can be sure to enjoy this outing.
ACCOMMODATION: Otjiwa Safari Lodge
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast and Dinner
TRAVEL DISTANCE: +- 250km
Day 3 - Otjiwa to Etosha National Park
After breakfast, leaving Otjiwa behind, you drive past the town of Otjiwarongwe and then to Outjo. At Outjo you must stop at the local Backerei, with lots of German pastries & cookies to choose from – remember to take extra for the road. Etosha National Park is world-famous for its abundance of wildlife & great game viewing opportunities. Home to 114 species of mammals, including black rhinos, elephants, giraffes, various antelopes, zebras, lions and other big cats and hundreds of species reptiles & birds. We prefer to stay inside the park if there is availability as all 3 camps have 24 hour floodlit waterholes, which makes
ACCOMMODATION: Okaukuejo
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast
TRAVEL DISTANCE: +- 400km
Day 4 - Etosha National Park
It is worth to wake up early & head out on your game drive as soon as the gates open at sunrise. Animals are more active early in the morning when it’s cool and this will maximize your changes of good game viewing. Roads in Etosha are unsealed gravel road but are in reasonable condition. Best is to drive between various waterholes searching for animals & spending time at the waterholes. Midday in the heat, best is to stop and enjoy lunch at one of the parks two camps, Okaukuejo, or Halali. All camps have restaurants and swimming pools, so a quick dip in the pool will be great between the game drives.
ACCOMMODATION: Okaukuejo
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast
TRAVEL DISTANCE: Depends on game driving
Day 5 - Etosha National Park to Erongo
A 3-hour drive takes you from Etosha National Park to your next accommodation, set in the foothills of the Erongo mountains on the edge of the enormous Erongo crater. This is a special wilderness area where the desert, mountain and bushveld ecosystems combine and is famous for its huge granite boulders and historic rock paintings.
While at the lodge, you could take a guided rock painting walk or drive and a highlight is a trip to the famous Hain Cave.
ACCOMMODATION: Ai-Aiba the Rock Painting Lodge
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast
TRAVEL DISTANCE: +- 250km
Day 6 - Erongo to Swakopmund
After a relaxed breakfast, it is time to pack the vehicle and head towards the coastal town of Swakopmund, which offers many options, both for adventure & from relaxation. The seaside resort showcases its German origins in its European-style colonial architecture, making the town surprisingly attractive & friendly. There is a wide selection of restaurants with cuisines to choose from, such as Italian, seafood and sushi, and authentic Namibian German. We can recommend dinner at Kücki’s Pub, Brewer & Butcher, Jetty1905 & The Tug, is just a few to name.
ACCOMMODATION: Prost Hotel or similar
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast
TRAVEL DISTANCE: 200km
Day 7 - Swakopmund
Today is a free day from driving, to enjoy all that this coastal town has to offer – from many optional adventure activities from Quad bike the dunes, take a camel ride, Sand boarding, Sky Diving or relax on a Dolphin Cruise, discovering the rich marine live near Walvis Bay – fur seals, pelicans, dolphin & flamingos. If you do not feel adventurous you can visit the historical museum at the base of the lighthouse, visit the Kristall Galerie, home of the world’s largest Quartz crystals cluster in display, or do shopping at numerous shops and enjoy German patisseries at local cafes, all withing walking distance to the center of Swakopmund from your hotel.
ACCOMMODATION: Prost Hotel or similar
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast
Day 8 - Swakopmund to Namib Naukluft
After enjoying relaxing breakfast, we recommend leaving Swakopmund between 07h30 – 08h00. Although the drive today are around 300 kilometers, which will take you around 5 hours. On the way you will have time to stop at Walvis Bay lagoon, famous for its large numbers of flamingos. Some scientists regard the Namib Desert as the oldest in the world. We will travel via the Kuiseb Canyon, home to two Germans and their dog for two years during World War 2.
Stopping at the small town of Solitaire is a must, where the world’s famous apple pie is a definite try after lunch. Your 2 nights’ accommodation are on the outskirts of the park on a Guest Farm with spectacular view to watch the sunset with a sun downer.
ACCOMMODATION: Weltevrede Guest Farm or similar
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast & Dinner
TRAVEL DISTANCE: +- 300km
Day 9 - Dune 45 & Sossusvlei
Wake up early, enjoy a quick coffee & grab your packed breakfast prepared for you by your accommodation staff and depart for the Sesriem entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. It is a about 48km drive to the gate, which only opens at sunrise, from here its 45km to the first major dune you will encounter, Dune 45 – where you can choose to stop & climb to the top. Then it is another 60km drive from here to Sossusvlei – as you drive a 4x4 – you can continue to the vlei’s parking itself, where you can explore the area on foot. Midday before you head back to your accommodation, you can make a quick stop at Sesriem Canyon.
ACCOMMODATION: Weltevrede Guest Farm or similar
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast & Dinner
TRAVEL DISTANCE: +- 300km
Day 10 - Namib Naukluft to Kalahari
Leaving the Namib behind, heading East to the red sand dunes of the Kalahari beckon. Your last overnight stop in Namibia, you are spoilt with a sundowner drive, surely to make you feel the Kalahari’s heartbeat, its not just a nature experience, but a spiritual one, making you think back of your amazing 10 days Exploring Namibia!
ACCOMMODATION: Kalahari Anib Lodge
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast & Dinner
TRAVEL DISTANCE: +- 300km
Day 11 - Kalahari to Windhoek
It is an early morning wake up, to head back to Windhoek, driving distance would take you 3,5 hours driving, where your 11 Day Explore Namibia will come to and end!
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast
TRAVEL DISTANCE: +- 300 km
What's Included in your Self-Drive Tour:
- Accommodation, activities & meals as per itinerary.
- 4x4 rental vehicle with the lowest excess
- Airport transfers
- 24-hour emergency assistance phone number & support
- A Welcome pack including maps & vouchers for the places you will be visiting.
What's NOT Included in your Self-Drive Tour:
- International Flights
- Personal Travel Insurances, necessary vaccinations & PCR tests
- Fuel Costs
- *Park & Entrance Fees (these need to be paid on arrival)
- Any activities not specified.
- All drinks & meals not specified in Itinerary.
- Tips & gratuities (which are optional).
*A daily entrance fees are payable at all National parks throughout Namibia. These fees can be paid at the office inside the park.
Current Rates in Namibian Dollars for Parks:
Vehicle: N$50 Adult: N$150 9 – 16 Years: N$100.00 8 & under: FOC
Includes: Namib Naukluft, Cape Cross Seal Colony, Skeleton Coast Park, Etosha National Park, Waterberg Plateau
ACCOMMODATION:
The indication in the itinerary of what type of accommodation is provided each day are guidelines only and are used to give an idea of the accommodation offered, rather that and exact description. Please keep in mind however that standards can vary from one trip to the next, and occasionally we may need to change a night-stop without advance warning. We cannot guarantee the use of particular properties. Facilities and characteristics may vary from those described.
* SH - Standard Hotels, Lodges or Guest Houses, usually with twin or single rooms and en-suite facilities. These are generally standard, no-frills hotels perfectly accepted to most, do not expect too much. These are often small, family run establishments.
* CH - Comfortable Hotels, Lodges or Guest Houses with twin or single rooms and en suite facilities. Generally good levels of service and often added amenities such as restaurant, bar, swimming pool and garden.
Namibia have good tourism infrastructure and generally good service standards. Throughout this trip we stay in comfortable lodges which are simple, comfortable, and clean.
