Classic Namibia Self–Drive

7 Day Self Drive Safari

Safari Description:

A short self–drive to see the two iconic destinations of Namibia – the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Namib Naukluft Sand Sea with its spectacular apricot sand landscape, and Etosha National Park one of the greatest wildlife havens with a saline pan so large it can be seen from space. With accommodated options, a final night is spent at Okonjima Private Reserve and the chance to see big cats. Sandwiched between the sites is the charming coastal town of Swakopmund. Camping, mid–range and luxury accommodated options available and can be tailored to suit your requirements.

Safari Highlights:

Namib Naukluft National Park for Sossusvlei dunes and surrounds, Swakopmund coastal town and Skeleton Coast, Etosha National Park for superb game viewing opportunities and for those on the accommodated options – a night at Okonjima for AfriCat Foundation

Main Attractions:

Namibia: Etosha Park, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Namib Desert

Map & Short Itinerary:

Camping

Day 1&2 Sesriem /Sesriem Oshana Campsite 2 nights
Day 3 A La Mer Hotel Swakopmund 1 night
Day 4&5 Okaukuejo/Halali Campsite 2 nights
Day 6 Namutoni Campsite 1 night
Day 7 Return to Windhoek/end of services

Map & Itinerary
Accommodated

Day 1&2 Desert Hills Lodge 2 nights
Day 3 Cornerstone Guesthouse Swakopmund 1 night
Day 4&5 Okaukuejo Resort /Etosha Safari Camp 2 nights
Day 6 Okonjima Plains Camp 1 night
Day 7 Return to Windhoek/end of services

Map & Itinerary
Luxury

Day 1&2 Kulala Desert Lodge or Little Kulala (upgrade) 2 nights
Day 3 Strand Hotel Swakopmund 1 night
Day 4&5 Andersons at Ongava 2 nights
Day 6 Okonjima Bush Camp 1 night
Day 7 Return to Windhoek/end of services

Map & Itinerary
Length 7 days
Safari Type Self Drive Safari
Price From NAD 16015
Countries Namibia
Accommodation Accommodation, Camping, Luxury
Group Size Minimum 1 people
Single Supplement Yes
Please Note Subject to availability of accommodation
Departures On Request

Comfort Level:

How we rate comfort
Accommodation Comfort3 Star4 Star
Camping Comfort1 Star2 Star
Luxury Comfort4 Star5 Star
Enquire Now

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1–2 Sossusvlei area

From the capital city, drive down to the desert crossing dramatic landscapes to the Namib Naukluft area. Explore the orange dunes of Sossusvlei in this recently declared UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit Dead Vlei, where ancient skeletons of long dead camel thorn trees rest on the shimmering pan set against the backdrop of apricot dunes and blue sky – it’s a photographer’s delight and one of the most evocative desert sceneries in the world.

Day 3 Swakopmund

Drive over gravel plains and contrasting desert landscapes to the coast and port town of Walvis Bay where you can visit the lagoon with flamingos, pelicans and other water birds. Onward to the coastal town of Swakopmund, the rest of day is free to wander around the town with its colonial era buildings, and perhaps take advantage of one of the optional activities such as quad biking, scenic flight or sky dive!

Day 4–5 Etosha National Park or Ongava Private Game Reserve (for luxury option)

Your destination today is the remarkable Etosha National Park where you’ll spend 2 nights in/around this premier park, one of the largest and best game reserves in Southern Africa. Game drive to your hearts content watching out for huge herds of antelope and plains game including springbok, wildebeest, zebra and giraffe, as well as elephant, rhino, hyena not forgetting of course, your search for big cats including lion, leopard and cheetah. The park itself is over 24,000sq km and at the heart of it lies Etosha Pan, a vast and ancient lake that dried leaving behind a salt depression where mirages now shimmer and spiralling dust devils rise.

Day 6 Etosha National Park (camping tour) or Okonjima Reserve (accommodated tours)

Camping clients: a further night is spent on the east aspect of Etosha, giving you a chance to fully appreciate this remarkable park and enjoy further sightings

For accommodated clients: Leave Etosha behind and make your way south to Okonjima Reserve, home of the AfriCat Foundation. Take part in an afternoon activity to search for big cats at close quarters such as leopard, or find out about the conservation programme and learn about human–predator conflict and solutions, as well as seeing rehabilitated cheetah

Day 7 Departure

Today your Namibian self drive safari comes to an end as you return to Windhoek where you drop off vehicle and take onward connection.

How we rate our safaris

Namibia, Botswana and some other African destinations do not have a set star system that is familiar worldwide to many countries, however, as this is widely used, we have tried to replicate this format to give you an idea of the level of comfort during your safari. For example, a mobile camping tour in Namibia is given 1* and luxury accommodation increasing to 5*. Depending on your tour, there may be a bit of a mix of levels of comfort so please check if you are not sure.

1* or 1–2* Rated Safaris – Camping tours:

These are generally scheduled/small group or self–drive safaris (though a private–guided safari can also fall into this category if you wish to camp); the scheduled trips generally involve client participation where you may be expected to put up/take down your tent and assist with camp chores, dome tents and a ground mattress is supplied. For self–drive options this will often mean roof tents on the vehicle and all camping equipment. There may be the occasional night in simple accommodation but majority of nights are spent camping and most camp sites will have shared ablution facilities. If there is a good mix of both camping and accommodation, this may be rated at 1&2*. These are the most basic level of safaris offered and scheduled safari group sizes vary according to the trip and company – 1* tours are the most affordable option and geared for adventurous travellers who do not mind a bit of discomfort.

Accommodated Safaris

Standard/Mid–range safaris 2–3.5*

Standard accommodation style trips generally have no camping included (though on occasion with a specific activity such as a Delta or Serengeti excursion, or perhaps hiking, a couple of nights may be included). As a general rule this is not the case. With most small group/scheduled tours accommodation is generally 2/3* level – clean and affordable but generally without too many frills; rooms will have en–suite facilities, most will offer air con/fans in the rooms, swimming pools etc (not guaranteed), restaurant/bar facilities, though location can be a little further away from main place of interest this option offers excellent value for money for those seeking a bed each night! We try to indicate on each trip the level of comfort for the particular tour

Superior/Luxury Safaris 3.5–5*

A superior style of accommodation. Most lodges at this level will have air–conditioning or fans in the room though some accommodation establishments are technically “camps” as they may be partially build of canvas – these “camps” are permanent fixtures, generally built on a platform, and will have full and comfortable facilities – the occasional trip may have a more basic night or two involved depending on location to ensure clients can fully appreciate the region they are experiencing. Service is generally very good and most places (outside of towns/cities) will have just a few rooms/chalets. Tours in this bracket include very small group safaris (up to 8 clients), self–drive and private–guided options which are tailored to suit you. The luxury options offer a high standard of accommodation, facilities and service in the region with attention to detail – some “camps” /lodges will have private guides and vehicles, but all accommodation is the best available with personalized service and a quality or unique experience perhaps unavailable elsewhere or in a more moderate price bracket. Tours include fly–in safaris, self–drive and private–guided options.

Please note: this is a guideline only and each destination can vary – some areas in Southern Africa do not always have 5* accommodation (there are limited hotels outside of cities that have the same * grading accommodation) but will be best in the area, have limited volume of rooms and some of the best locations and experiences for clients that is outside of the normal “tourist/travel” route. This can include exclusive conservation regions and emphasis is place on clients having a unique experience rather than offering hairdresser type of facilities that may be found is hotels in cities in other countries. Please also remember that some of these locations can be remote so wifi may not always be available, nor a huge menu range.

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Contact Information

Tel: +264 61 309387
Email: info@chameleon-holidays.com

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday
08.00 – 17.00
Saturday
08.00 – 13.00
Sunday & Public Holidays
Closed

Address

7 Voigt St,  Windhoek