Namibia Highlights Self–Drive

Day 1 Windhoek

Upon arrival in Windhoek collect your vehicle and drive your accommodation, you’ll meet with a tour consultant where you’ll be able to answer any questions you may have. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the capital city

Day 2 Kalahari

Today your Namibian self drive safari heads to the deep–red dunes and rolling sandy hills of the Kalahari basin, join a recommended optional guided nature drive around the reserve to look out for some of the desert–adapted wildlife from entertaining meerkats to ostrich and oryx, and enjoy a sundowner drink amongst the linear dunes and grassy valleys.

Day 3–4 Sossusvlei

Onward to a landscape of haunting beauty and the desert region of the Namib Naukluft, a national park of nearly 50,000sq km. The following day rise early to venture into the dune fields and catch first light as the sun lifts over the bright red dunes and evocative shadows emerge. Ensure you visit nearby Dead Vlei, where the ancient and skeletal camel thorn trees stand on a white pan with the backdrop of orange sand dunes and blue sky.

Day 5–6 Swakopmund

Drive through the desert to Swakopmund today, en–route stop at Walvis Bay to visit the lagoon, a protected RAMSAR wetland site, where you may see the many species of birds including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, avocets, plovers and the endemic Damara tern before a short stop at the salt farm. From here, it is a short coastal drive to the historic and adventure seaside town of Swakopmund, where you can join optional activities, perhaps take part in a morning marine cruise watching out for seals, dolphins, whales and some of the other marine life found off the Skeleton Coast and Atlantic shores.

Day 7 Spitzkoppe/Erongo/Central Damaraland region

Today drive north along the Skeleton Coast road, stopping at a shipwreck close to the shore south of Henties Bay, visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony where thousands of seals congregate on the beach before retracing your steps back to Henties Bay turning inland onto the Erongo Mountains the many facets of the mountains and the astounding array of fauna and flora present

Day 8–9 Northern Damaraland

Journey to the heart of Damaraland, perhaps stop at Twyfelfontein rock etchings where some 2,500 prehistoric engraving depict animal spoor, wildlife and strange motifs before continuing further north, where plateaus reach high on the skyline and strange plant life dominates the surroundings. Enjoy optional activities such as nature/game drives, tracking black rhino – the last place on earth they are found roaming free, searching for desert elephant in this dramatic and rugged terrain, or experiencing cultural activities and interaction

Day 10 Etosha National Park

Onward to Etosha one of the greatest wildlife havens, enter the park through the western gate a region attracts other species not found in other areas of the park such as Hartmann mountain zebra and baboon.

For the luxury option, Ongava Private Reserve bordering southern Etosha is used, for superior accomodation, standards and game viewing

Day 11–12 Etosha National Park

Game drive across to the centre of the park. Around sunset it’s common for herds of elephant, as well as the endangered black rhino to enter the fray. Lion and other predators are of course, frequent visitors as well. Time is spent game driving early in the morning and late afternoon, when the animals are most active. It’s worth a detour to the magnificent Etosha Pan that can be seen from space!

For the luxury option, private reserves bordering Etosha to the south and east are used for superior service and accommodation – both offer excellent quality and standards

Day 13 Waterberg Region

After a final game drive; head to Waterberg Plateau region – depending on the route you take the drive will be around 4hours – perhaps visit nearby Cheetah Conservation Fund on the way and see how human/animal conflict is overcome. This afternoon, explore the reserve and head to a vantage point to enjoy the view, watching out the for diminuitive Damara dik–dik or join a game drive run by the guest farm

Day 13 Luxury Accommodated version – Okonjima Bush Camp

For those wishing to upgrade accommodation a final night is spent at the beautiful Okonjima Bush Camp, set in the veldt and enjoy activities – search for radio–collared leopard or see cheetah at close quarters, perhaps join tracking on foot where you can look out for wild dog, hyena or cheetah. A superb way to finish your tour in Namibia

Day 14 Departure

Perhaps visit the AfriCat Foundation and find out about predator conservation or stop at Okahandja Craft Centre to barter for any last–minute gifts before returning to the capital city and onward to airport for late flight, alternatively add a further night nearer Windhoek