The 15-day Northwest Namibia Self-drive Tour is an ‘adventure-filled’ Namibian safari. This exciting experience takes you ‘off the beaten track’ into the heart of remote areas of Namibia. You will experience contrasting landscapes including the majestic mountain ranges in Damaraland mixed with the vibrant cultures of Kaokoland and the amazing wildlife in the Etosha National Park and conservancies. This safari will most certainly leave you captivated with Namibia.
The tour starts in Windhoek or Swakopmund and ends in Windhoek. It is available on any day subject to availability. Vehicle recommendation: SUV or 4WD Double Cab. This is in addition to the package price; but we will quote you at the time depending on the most suitable vehicle for the number of people in your party; from two people and up.
15 day Northwest Namibia Self-drive Tour Package Daily Itinerary
Day 1, Sossusvlei (350 km)
After arriving, your first stretch takes you past grass plains interspersed with huge mountain ranges into the area of Sossusvlei. Where your lodge is situated. The rest of the day at leisure to take part in optional nature drives and walks to stretch the legs.
Overnight at Namib Desert Lodge
Day 2, Sossusvlei (180 km)
Today calls for an early rise, as you will forever remember the picture of a sunrise over mighty dunes in the Namib Desert. Gaze at the bright splash of sun-baked sand. Combined with the mighty play of shadows cast onto the lay side of dunes. After taking a walk along or even up some of the majestic dunes, travel back to your lodge. Stop at the Sesriem Canyon. A 30-meter deep gauge eroded into the desert floor by the forces of the mighty Tsauchab River.
Dunes at Sossusvlei
Overnight at Namib Desert Lodge – Breakfast.
Day 3, Swakopmund (370 km)
Your destination today is the Atlantic Ocean and the coastal town of Swakopmund. This idyllic town is wedged between the sweltering Namib Desert and the cold Atlantic Ocean. It is a bohemian mix of German architecture and African rhythms. The rest of the day is spent at leisure. With palm-lined streets and seaside promenades, Swakopmund is a popular holiday destination in Namibia. Its pleasant summer climate and long stretched beaches attract anglers and surfers from all over Southern Africa resulting in a laid-back attitude. Take time to get the feel of this quaint town with its historic buildings, museums, shopping arcades and beach bar that has transformed into its own personality by the vibrant use of color and the bohemian lifestyle.
With an abundant choice of adrenaline activities, misty mornings and desert heat. It is colorful, it is vibrant. But most of all, it is pure fun. Swakopmund is often fondly referred to as the “playground of Namibia”. Activities range from, adventure to exploring the fascinating features of the Namib Desert. And the animals and plants that occur and survive here. Scenic flights are a popular choice. As are skydiving over the desert, quad biking and sand boarding on the dunes.
Overnight at Royal SeaStar Guesthouse – Breakfast.
Day 4, Skeleton Coast (130 km)
You have the morning to optionally participate in one of the many activities on offer. Or simply embrace the relaxed pace of this idyllic coastal town while enjoying coffee and freshly baked pastries in one of the many café’s.
Continue north along the coastline towards Cape Cross. Where you spend the night directly on the shore with the cape-fur seal colony close by.
Overnight at Cape Cross Lodge – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5, Damaraland (220 km)
Today your journey continues through Uis past the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain (2.579m). Into the Damaraland, one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the elusive desert elephant, the black rhino and free-roaming antelope species. Arrive at the lodge in the afternoon, where you have the remaining day at leisure.
Overnight at Ondjamba Hills – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6, Damaraland / Brandberg
On an optional early morning scenic nature drive through at times untouched wilderness area of the Otjimboyo Concession, head out towards the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain. This is the best time to capture the perfect light of sunrise and catch the last mist engulfing the mountain. Continue down into the dry Ugab riverbed, which you follow back towards the camp. Stopping under one of the majestic camelthorn trees, enjoy a light picnic lunch. On the drive along the meandering river, you might encounter the elusive desert elephant that roam the dry riverbeds of the Damaraland. Feeding on the nutritious pods of the trees lining the riverbanks. Arriving back at the camp, you have enough time left to enjoy the scenery. Or follow one of the walking trails. An optional highlight is the sundowner drive that offers you unforgettable photo opportunities of the Brandberg and surrounding landscape.
Damaraland and Brandberg
Overnight at Ondjamba Hills – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7, Damaraland / Palmwag Concession (200 km)
Today proceed further north deeper into the remoteness of the Damaraland. On route, stop at the Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO heritage site where Bushman communities engraved and painted over 2.500 pictures some 6.000 years ago! Optionally, you can visit the Living Museum of the Damara, which is located directly next to Twyfelfontein. Your journey continues further north to the Palmwag Concession. This is between Kaokoland and the Skeleton Coast. Where the flat-topped Etendeka Mountains and the carpet of rich red rock greet the tributaries of the Uniab River. Amid swaying Makalani palms and robust Mopane trees nourished by underground water. Your lodge for the night overlooks the sweeping Damaraland landscape sprinkled with green euphorbias.
Overnight at Palmwag Lodge – Breakfast
Palmwag Lodge sunset
Day 8-9, Kaokoland (110 km)
Continue your safari further north into rural outskirts of the Koakoland. Here you reach your accommodation at Sesfontein. Staying at Sesfontein is a very rural experience with donkey carts a common sight. Guests can visit traditionally living Himba tribes close by.
Visit the Himba tribe
Overnight at Sesfontein Guesthouse – Breakfast
Day 9, Koakoland
After an early breakfast, depart from the guesthouse to explore parts of the dry Hoanib riverbed. In search of the elusive desert-adapted elephants and other Namibian game that call these dry landscapes their home. Tonight guests have the option, which we strongly recommend, to experience true safari style traveling. With accommodation in modern dome style tents in untouched landscape. The tents provide comfortable beds consisting of a stretcher, a fully made up bedroll, duvet, and pillow. When it does get chilly, especially during wintertime there is a supply of extra blankets for ultimate comfort. Basic communal ablution is provided and ensures privacy as well as comfort in the wildest of locations.
While the guests enjoy the surroundings and a sundowner drink, the staff will put up the tents and prepare the scrumptious camping style food. A warm dinner will be prepared on the open fire. After dinner, guests can enjoy listening to the sounds of the wild and gazing at the stars above. As dawn breaks, your day begins with hot filter coffee/tea and rusks around the fire before being transferred back to the guesthouse in time for a scrumptious breakfast and departing on wards to the next destination.
Guests not opting for the sleep out can book the Elephant drive as a stand-alone activity and return directly to the lodge.
Overnight at Sesfontein Guesthouse or optional sleep out – Breakfast, 1 x Lunch, 1 x Dinner
Day 10-11, Kaokoland / Epupa Falls (330 km)
Today you reach one of the highlights of Kaokoland. In the far northern reaches of Namibia, Epupa is a magical belt of Makalani palm forest on the perennial Kunene River. There’s something special about this Kaokoland refuge north of Opuwo. Where the Kunene River plunges into the gorge below. Baobab trees cling to the rocky slopes. As torrents of water rumble and tumble down the rocks with a flash of rainbow and an invigorating burst of wonder.
Epupa Falls in Kaokoland
Your camp for the night is a cozy thatched lodge on the riverbank set under the palms. Two hundred meters upstream from the cascading falls.
Dine with a river view and wake to the music of the falls and the sound of palm thrushes singing in the trees. In between rest and relaxation, there is much to experience here. Take the golden opportunity to visit the local Himba, one of the last semi-nomadic groups in Africa. Join a guided walk in search of the Kunene crocs. Or push your adrenaline limit on a rafting trip on the Kunene River (seasonal). And follow trails downstream keeping eyes open for wildlife who favor this rivers edge.
Canoeing on the Kunene River
At sunset join a sundowner drive to a hill overlooking Epupa Falls for that time of day when everything pauses for beauty and celebration.
Overnight at Omuranga Epupa Falls Camp – Breakfast
Day 12, Etosha National Park (370 km)
Your onward journey takes you back south to the wildlife heaven of Namibia. The Etosha National Park. We enter the most western gate, Galton, into the National Park. For your first game drive that takes you towards your camp for the night. This is located on a dolomite ridge overlooking the seemingly endless bush savannah. Here you can unwind after the adventure filled day alongside the pool.
The Etosha National Park surrounds a parched salt desert; known as the Etosha Pan and is home to four of the Big Five. That is elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino. The park’s waterholes support a diversity of mammals and birds. Including species such as black-faced impala, cheetah, and Namibia’s smallest antelope, the Damara Dikdik. An extensive network of roads link the over 30 water holes. Allowing visitors the opportunity of a comprehensive game viewing safari throughout the park as each different area will provide various encounters.
Overnight at Dolomite Camp – Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13, Etosha National Park (250 km)
The day is devoted purely to the abundant wildlife found in the Etosha National Park. Despite the size of the Etosha National Park, only the southern edge of the pan is accessible to visitors. Game viewing in the park is primarily focused around the waterholes. Ideal places to sit and watch over 114 different game species. Or for an avid birder, more than 340 bird species. Popular game species such as giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains and mountain zebra, hyena, lion, and leopard. Antelopes such as kudu, oryx, eland. As well as some of the endangered species such as Black rhino, cheetah and the black-faced impala are all found here.
Etosha safari
Overnight at Okaukuejo Camp – Breakfast
Day 14, Etosha National Park (250 km)
Again head out on a game drive into the vast expanse of the Etosha National Park. Or optionally you can book an open game drive park drive with the lodge. Encounter animal species you may have not seen the previous day. And look forward to any new surprises at the different waterholes visited. During Etosha’s notorious dry spells the pan is a deathly place. Lying parched and cracked under the molten African sun. It is claimed that game viewing is best during the dry periods as animals will then congregate closer to water. But even in the rainy season, the park remains an abundant wildlife haven. You then have the pleasure of experiencing the rebirth of life as the young foals, cubs and chicks are seen frolicking with their parents. And the sprouting new green shrubs and grasses create a pleasing green oasis.
In the afternoon, travel back to camp, where you enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure at the well-lit Okaukuejo Waterhole. Here abundant wildlife comes to quench its thirst. Which you can view from close range all through the night.
Overnight at Okaukuejo Camp – Breakfast
Day 15, Windhoek (490 km)
After breakfast, you travel back to some sort of civilization. Traveling south through bushland savanna reaching the capital in the center of the country; Windhoek. En route, stop at the famous wood carvers market in Okahandja or the craft market in the main street in Windhoek; to pick up the last few souvenirs to take home. Windhoek is a cosmopolitan melting pot of European architecture with African culture; with a variety of excellent restaurants to choose from.
15 day Northwest Namibia Self-drive Tour Package Rates
Rates are in Namibian Dollar (N$) which is equivalent to the South African Rand
From 1st November 2023 until 30th June 2024 Per Person Sharing: N$ 33 325 Single Supplement: N$ 8 225
From 1st July 2024 until 31st October 2024 Per Person Sharing: N$ 35 900 Single Supplement: N$ 9 235
Northwest Namibia Self-drive Tour Rates Includes
Accommodation as specified 14 x Breakfasts, 1 x lunch and 5 x dinners A Deluxe Travel Planner Namibian Tourism levy and government taxes; where applicable.
Northwest Namibia Self-drive Tour Rates Excludes
All International / Domestic Flights and taxes, Rental Vehicle, Travel and Personal accident insurance, Personal Expenses, Visas, and; don’t forget; gratuities, Excursions / Activities not specified.
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