An 8 Day Self Drive itinerary in Namibia, visiting the spectacular desert landscapes of the Namib-Naukluft Desert at Sossusvlei, the forbidding Skeleton Coast, the fascinating Damaraland and the abundant wildlife of Etosha National Park. Guide price £990 per person (Jan to Jun) or £1190 per person (Jul to Oct) based on 2 people sharing.
Flexible departures
Day 1 : Arrival at the Windhoek Hosea Kutako Airport in Namibia in the early morning. Pick up your rented vehicle and drive via the town of Windhoek through the mountainous Khomas Hochland down the steep Spreetshoogte pass to the Namib Desert. Continue via Sesriem to the magnificently situated Kulala Desert Lodge. Overnight here. (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast). 6 hour drive - you will need to depart Windhoek by 11.00.
Situated on over 46 000 acres of private property and bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, Kulala Desert Lodge lies in the heart of the Namib and offers magnificent views of the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei, as well as magnificent mountainous scenery and vast open plains. Twelve thatched and canvas chalets or "Kulalas" (Kulala in the Namibian language "oshiwambo" means "to sleep") with en-suite bathrooms and showers are set on wooden platforms to provide maximum airflow. For outdoor enthusiasts, mattresses can be moved to the rooftop to sleep under the stars from a private star gazing platform. The main lodge, with décor inspired from Northern Africa, has a lounge, bar, dining area and plunge pool, and offers a wrap-around verandah that overlooks the waterhole and provides a perfect location to view and photograph the desert sunset. Early morning guided game drives to the spectacular dunes are through a private gate on the Tsauchab River. Game drives and walks are also offered on the private reserve with incredible views, desert game and smaller desert fauna and flora. Another option, is an early morning hot air balloon flight. Beginning at first light, the 60-90 minute balloon safari offers a truly unique experience to soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert - with a champagne breakfast served at your landing site.
Activities available at Kulala include: morning drive to Sossusvlei to see the dramatic sunrise (£50 per person), an afternoon nature drive (£28 per person), horse riding at sunrise with champagne breakfast (£50 per person), horse riding with sun downers (£30 per person), 3 hour eco quad bike safari (£42 per person), dawn hot air balloon flight over the dramatic desert landscape (£200 per person). All Inclusive option available - please see below.
Day 2 : Rising early to see the subtle colours of the morning sun over the world's highest dunes at Sossusvlei is definitely worthwhile. Later, visit the interesting Sesriem Canyon. Overnight at the Kulala Desert Lodge (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)
Day 3 : After having acquired a permit at Sesriem, drive via the Gaub and Kuiseb passes through the Namib-Naukluft Park to the harbour town of Walvis Bay - here you can enjoy a kayaking trip with seals and occasionally dolphins in the Bay or for the less energetic a boat cruise. Continue to Swakopmund along the Atlantic coast. An unusual and fascinating German colonial town that is an ideal base to explore this region (including Walvis Bay wetlands, Swakopmund itself, the Skeleton Coast and the Cape Cross Seal Colony). Overnight here at the 4 star Hansa Hotel (Bed and Breakfast). 6 hour drive.
Day 4 : Today, drive through the Namib Desert inland via Uis to visit the famous rock art painting of the "White Lady" at the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain. Continue through beautiful landscapes to the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein and the Petrified Forest in Damaraland. Overnight at Doro Nawas. (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast). 6 hour drive
Doro Nawas Camp is situated in the ruggedly beautiful Damaraland area, on a small, rocky outcrop within the floodplain of a small tributary of the Huab River. This exciting new destination is a joint venture between Namibian investors, the local Doro Nawas community and Wilderness Safaris. The unique lodge design allows for an un-spoilt panoramic view of this diverse and dramatic landscape, which varies from tabletop outcrops, small canyons, dry riverbeds to savannah and grassland vistas. The magnificent terrain holds all the possibility for a sighting of the rare desert-adapted elephant while enjoying a nature drive or relaxing, viewing the stars from the rooftop of the main area or from your private unit veranda. Guests are accommodated in 16 en-suite rooms which combine natural stone and canvas walls with wood and glass doors, shaded by a thatch roof. The design and décor blends into the surrounding scenery, with attention to comfort and luxury in these sometimes-abrasive semi-arid desert conditions. Each unit consists of a bedroom that leads out to a veranda and outdoor shower. The main area is made up of indoor and outdoor rooftop dining areas, residential pool area, bar, curio and small gallery and leads to a picturesque courtyard and staircase to the roof that allows for relaxing sundowners and stargazing. Enjoy wholesome meals in the dining room and in the evenings absorb the dazzling African skies from your rooftop terrace before settling down for the night. Activities include nature drives appreciating the spectacular views and desert scenery. Wildlife viewing concentrates on the game found in the riverbed and along the valleys that sometimes fill with floodwater in the rainy season. A highlight is the fascinating expedition to Twyfelfontein with its renowned San art engravings, and the largest collection of petroglyphs – prehistoric rock art – in Africa. Doro Nawas creates a wonderful opportunity to contribute to economic empowerment of the local community while enjoying a luxury safari experience.
Activities at Doro Nawas include: morning game/nature drive (£45 per person) and afternoon game/nature drive (£29 per person). All inclusive option available - please see below.
Day 5: A full day exploring the dramatic landscapes of Damaraland. Overnight at Doro Nawas. (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)
Day 6 : Visit the impressive Rock Finger (Vingerklip) in the Uchab terraces and continue via Outjo to the famous Etosha National Park. Overnight at Ongava Game Lodge (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast) 3 hour drive.
Ongava Game Lodge is situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve. Ongava is the ideal place from which to base your activities when visiting Etosha. Accommodation comprises twelve air-conditioned brick, rock and thatch chalets, each with en-suite facilities. Meals are either served in the main dining area under thatch with a view over the camp's water hole, or on the dining deck under the stars. Activities include game drives in open 4x4 vehicles into the Okaukuejo area of Etosha where Lion, Elephant, Cheetah, Gemsbok, Springbok and Hartebeest can be seen at many of the water holes in the park. In addition, night drives, hides and walks with armed guides are enjoyed on the private reserve. Ongava has resident White Rhino and Black Rhino, giving guests staying at Ongava the opportunity to see both species. Etosha is Namibia's premier game viewing destination. It is one of Africa's largest game parks being nearly the size of Switzerland. Large herds of plains game concentrate around the waterhole's in the dry season making for exciting game viewing. Species that can be seen year round include Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Springbok, Oryx, Kudu and the Diminutive Damara Dik-Dik. Birdlife is also good with Ostrich and raptors in abundance. Local specials include the Short-toed Rockthrush, Hautlaubs Francolin, Rockrunner, Ruppells Parrot, White-tailed Shrike and Chesnut Weaver. For those who enjoy close wildlife encounters, tracking White Rhino on foot with an armed guide is a highlight not to be missed. Ongava Game reserve also has a good population of Lion, Eland, Mountain Zebra, Black Faced Impala and a number of other antelope species.
Activities at Ongava include: morning game drive (£50 per person) and afternoon game drives (£28 per person). All inclusive option available - see below.
Day 7 : A full day in the Etosha National Park and Ongava Game Reserve. Overnight Ongava Game Lodge (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast).
Day 8 : After breakfast, drive via Otjiwarongo and Okahandja to the capital Windhoek and the Hosea Kutako International Airport. Return your rented vehicle here before you take your scheduled flight out of Namibia. 5 hour drive.
End of Arrangements
Itinerary includes: Group B vehicle with Super Cover and unlimited kilometers. No excess deposit will be required, but fuel deposit of N$ 1000 is payable directly, all accommodation on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis, except in Swakopmund (Bed and Breakfast only), detailed maps and route instructions.
Itinerary excludes: International flights, accommodation in Windhoek, drinks, meals not stated in the itinerary, personal travel insurance, items of a personal nature, tips and gratuities.
Note: During Namibia's rainy season (Apr / May and Nov) we strongly recommend you upgrade to a 4x4 vehicle for this self drive - additional cost £380 per vehicle split between the number in your group.
All Inclusive Option: We can also arrange the above itinerary to include all your activities (game drives, nature drives, walking trails, tracking elephant and rhino etc.) at Kulala Desert Lodge, Damaraland Camp, and Ongava Lodge for £1495 per person (Jan to Jun and Nov to Dec) and £1700 per person (Jul to Oct), (excludes hot air balloon flights and horse riding).