NAMIBIA SELF DRIVE TOURS – 20 DAYS
Your unique Namibian experience – highlights of this trip include: the Kalahari Desert, the gigantic Fish River Canyon, the german village, Lüderitz, huddled on the Atlantic coast, followed by the Namib Desert, which is said to be the oldest in the world. You then continue your journey to the quaint seaside town,
Swakopmund, including a boat cruise with fresh oysters. Last but not least, explore one of the biggest attractions of Namibia, the Etosha National Park.
Route: Windhoek – Border of Kalahari – Fish River Canyon – Lüderitz – Sossusvlei – Swakopmund – Etosha National Park – Windhoek
Highlights:
- Windhoek
- Nature drive and game viewing
- Fish River Canyon
- Lüderitz
- The ‘ghost town’ of Kolmanskop
- Sesriem and Sossusvlei
- Swakopmund
- Dolphin Cruise
- Etosha National Park
PRICES
ZAR 37,520.00 per single room
ZAR 60,450.00 per double room
PRICES SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ACCOMMODATION!!!
Please note that the price may change, when it comes to a reservation and some accommodation are fully booked and we have to look for some alternatives.
Included in price: – Accommodation and meals as per itinerary – 15% VAT
– Bed levies
Excluded: – All meals and services not stated in above itinerary – Car hire (Quoted on request)
– Flights – All optional activities and excursions – Entrance fees – Drinks – Gratuities – Personal expenditures
– Airport taxes and visas
– Transfer
ITINERARY
Day 1:
After arriving at the Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, a representative of the car-rental company will meet you and take you into town. At the office of the car rental company, your reserved vehicle, as well as all the vouchers necessary for your tour through Namibia will be handed over to you. After check into your hotel, you can explore the city either on foot or by car. See the many colonial buildings dating back to the German occupation, e.g. the Ink Palace, the “Alte Feste” (an old fort), and many more. Coffee and cake can be enjoyed at the Heinitzburg Castle/Hotel, one of Windhoek’s three castles. The Heinitzburg Castle, which has been converted into a hotel, combines old world charm with modern comfort.
Hotel Thule (or similar) Bed/breakfast
Day 2:
Drive southwards via the Auas Mountain to Rehoboth, the Baster settlement. Just before you enter the town turn off left into the C25. After approx. 110 km you reach Uhlenhorst. Drive further south on the C21. After approx. 25 km on the right hand side you reach the entrance to the Lodge.
In the afternoon you can go on a game drive, where various antelope, smaller mammals and birds can be seen (Approx. 225 km).
Bitterwasser Lodge (or similar) Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 3:
Today travel further in a southerly direction to Keetmanshoop. Approx. 22 km north of Keetmanshoop you may pay a visit to the Garas Quivertree Park, where you find a rare cluster of the unique aloe dichotoma and remarkable rock formations. Continue your journey to the Cañon Roadhouse, which is situated near the Fish River Canyon. The Fish River Canyon is one of the natural wonders of Africa. A road running along the eastern edge of the Canyon leads to a series of viewing sites with splendid views of this grand natural phenomenon. (Approx. 480 km)
Canyon Roadhouse (or similar) Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 4:
Drive back to Holoog and proceed via Seeheim to the Farms Simplon and Sandverhaar. You drive on B4 direction Lüderitz, approx. 13 km east of Goageb you turn left into D462 and after 1.5 km you reach the entrance gate to Alte Kalköfen Lodge, the name was derived from two old ovens situated on the farms. The older oven was built in the middle 1850s and the newer one in 1910 with the purpose to produce line that was used for construction and agricultural purpose. Activities & excursions offered: Nature drive incl. old oven (2-3 hrs.), Sundowner drives, Guided Walking trails (1-2 hrs.) or unguided Walking trails. There is also a very interesting Lithoparium, where you can find a lot of different types of Lithops (living stones).
Alte Kalköfen Lodge
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 5:
Continue your journey via Aus to Lüderitz. This harbour town, set between the Namib Desert dunes and the wild Atlantic seaboard, was founded by the Bremen merchant, Adolf Lüderitz in 1883. This was the first German settlement in the then “Südwestafrika”. Explore this town with its historic buildings dating to the German era. The surrounding landscape, with its bizarre coastlines, offshore islands and the Bogenfels (rock arch) is exceptionally fascinating (approx. 410 km). There are boat trips to Halifax Island, where penguins can be observed. Another sightseeing option is Kolmanskop, the old ghost-town, which was founded in the time of the Diamond rush and is only a few kilometers away from Lüderitz. This deserted town is slowly being immersed in the encroaching desert sand. Permits to visit Kolmanskop must be obtained at the office of Lüderitz Safaris & Tours in Bismarckstreet beforehand. A visit to the “Felsenkirche” and “Diaz Point” should not be missed.
Zur Waterkant Guesthouse (or similar) Bed/breakfast
Day 6:
Travel back to Aus and after 3 km turn left into C 13, pass the scenic Neisip Plain, and after 55 km follow the D 707 and drive along the edge of the Namib Desert’s dunes and the Tiras Mountains. After another 60 km a sign shows you the way to the lodge. This is an ideal stop on your journey to Sesriem. The lodge offers nature drives, walking trails, mountain climbing and scenic sundowners. (Approx. 250 km)
Namtib Desert Lodge (or similar) Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 7:
The lodge is nestled in a valley in the Tiras Mountains and the stunning scenery in the area provides ample photo opportunities.
Namtib Desert Lodge (or similar) Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 8:
Leave very early and explore Sossusvlei, a huge clay pan, which is surrounded by the highest dunes in the world. The last 5 km into the Vlei, will necessitate the use of a 4 x 4 vehicle. Should you not drive a 4 x 4 vehicle, you may make use of the Sossusvlei Shuttle, which departs from the 4×2 parking area. Thereafter visit the Sesriem Canyon, where the Tsauchab River has incised a deep gorge into the plains. Pools of water on its gravelly bed in an otherwise arid region, attracts many birds and animals. Afterwards continue to your lodge just a few minutes away. (Approx. 240 km + 120 km Sossusvlei excursion)
Desert Camp (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast – dinner will be served at the Sossusvlei Lodge.
Day 9:
Spent this day at leisure. You can enjoy the day at the swimming pool or you can do a nature walk or you can also do the Sossusvlei excursion today. A lot of other activities are offered, which can be booked at the Sossusvlei Lodge Adventure Centre.
Desert Camp (or similar) Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 10:
Today your destination is the coastal town Swakopmund. Drive through the Namib Naukluft Park via Gaub Pass and the stunning Kuiseb, pass the waterholes Ganab and Hotsas, visit the Welwitschia plains and the so called “Moon valley” before you reach Swakopmund, Namibia’s seaside resort on the west coast, resembles a small Bavarian village nestling between the desert and the sea. The source of Swakopmund’s atmosphere is the graceful old buildings dating back to the turn of the century. The local jail, for example, resembles a country mansion. The railway station, a magnificently ornate building, was converted into a hotel. Eleven of these charming old buildings are national monuments. (Approx. 410 km)
Other sightseeing options: Visit the museum, the Aquarium or the Crystal gallery Sam’s Giardino Guesthouse (or similar) Bed/breakfast
Day 11:
Day at leisure. Listed below are possible activities to be undertaken:
Optional: Dolphin Cruise: which starts from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club, takes you through the harbour and lagoon area. If in luck, Dolphins may be observed swimming alongside the boat. Seals and a myriad of sea birds can also be observed. On board the boat you will be treated to South African sparkling wine or soft drinks, fresh oysters and snacks. This activity should be booked in advance. Optional:
Sailing excursion aboard a catamaran. Departure at 08h30 from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club. Set sail for Pelican Point, where a large Seal colony and playful Dolphins will entertain you. The trip is rounded off with fresh oysters, snacks and sparkling wine. The cruise last between 2 ½ – 3 hours. This activity should be booked in advance.
Optional: Different scenic flights are available.
Sam’s Giardino Guesthouse (or similar) Bed/breakfast
Day 12:
Today you drive on B2 (tarred road into the interior) via Usakos to Karibib, here you turnoff to Omaruru (C33). Continue on the C33 to Omaruru, Just North of Omaruru on the C33 you turn left onto to the D2329. 15 kms further you will find the turn off to the lodge.
In the afternoon you can take part in a nature drive (own expense).
Omaruru Game Lodge (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 13:
Day spent at leisure.
Experience nature at first hand and go on a game drive. Or relax at the waterhole.
Omaruru Game Lodge (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 14:
Today you drive back to the C33 in direction to Omaruru. Drive further north to Kalkfeld and after 14 km you turn left into the M63 in direction Outjo. From here, after another 72 km, you reach the Toshari Lodge, situated at the border of the Etosha National Park. (Approx. 275 km) Should you arrive early, you can enjoy your first game drive in the park. The Etosha National Park was proclaimed as a game reserve by German Governor von Lindequist in 1907. The heart of the park is the Etosha Pan, meaning “place of dry water”, an extensive, flat depression of about 6 000 km². There are 114 mammal species and about 340 bird species in the park, which covers an area of 22 270 km². This includes Elephant, Giraffe, Blue Wildebeest and Black Rhino. Among the predators are Lions, Cheetah, Leopard and several species of wild cats.
Toshari Lodge (or similar) Dinner/bed/breakfast.
Day 15:
Full day game viewing in the park. Shortly before sundown you leave the park at the eastern side through the Von Lindequist Gate and drive to Mushara Bush Camp.
Mushara Bush Camp (or similar) Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 16:
Enjoy another day for game viewing in the park, use this day to relax or visit the Fort in Namutoni
Mushara Bush Camp (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 17 & 18:
On your way to Tsumeb, visit Lake Otjikoto, which is situated 24 km northwest of Tsumeb this Lake used to be an underground, partially water filled cave, which collapsed. It contains several species of fish including two rare, mouth-breeding species. In Tsumeb a visit to the “Mine museum” is recommended.
Continue your journey in a southerly direction to Otjiwarongo region .Approx. 95 km south of Otavi you turn left into the D2433 and after another 17 km you reach your today’s destination. (Approx. 285 km)
Optional:
Next morning from 07h00 to 09h00 game drive on the 17.000 ha farm which is the home of a large number of rare animal spaces, as there are Black Wildebeest, White Blesbok, Black Springbok, Nyala, Red Lechwe, Roan and Sable Antelopes, White and Black Rhino.
Frans Indongo Lodge (or similar)
Dinner/bed/breakfast
Day 19:
Today you return to Windhoek. In Otjiwarongo you have the choice to visit a Croc Farm. Stop at Okahandja, the former tribal center of the Herero people. On the outskirts of the town there is a large open-air arts and crafts market. You may also visit the Herero graves, the old cemetery with graves of members of the German “Schutztruppe” (approx. 300 km)
Hotel Thule (or similar) Bed/breakfast
Day 20:
Drop-off your vehicle at Windhoek town office. Transfer to Hosea Kutako International Airport.
End of the tour
PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A MORE ACCURATE QUOTATION