19-Day Ultimate Namibia Self-drive Safari - Standard - RACK

With easy access from Windhoek International and situated in Klein Windhoek - the Namibian capital's prototype leafy suburb - The Elegant Guesthouse makes for a comfortable overnight stop.

The Elegant, as she is known in these parts, is in a quiet neighbourhood, very secure and close to the shops, restaurants and attractions of northern Windhoek. Getting there from the airport requires two turns, getting to the rest of the country from here requires just three turns.

Modern design and fittings give The Elegant Guesthouse a sophisticated air. Once a small six-roomer, the Elegant has been upgraded and is ever more sophisticated now, offering 17 stylish and beautiful guest rooms. They didn't just add more rooms. They first acquired more space and then expanded, so the mood is still decidedly relaxed (if not more so than before): the perfect way to start or end your Namibia holiday.

All rooms have en suite bathrooms, twin beds (together making a king) and are fitted with air conditioners as well as fast WiFi, television and most open out onto a drought resistant garden or the swimming pool area surrounded by loungers and umbrellas.

Breakfast is served in the light and airy open-plan breakfast room or out in the garden on warm days, which is about 90% of the time in Namibia.

In the vast Intu Afrika Kalahari Game Reserve, in southern Namibia, the Camelthorn Kalahari lodge provides you with accommodation on the doorstep of the astoundingly beautiful and serene Kalahari.

Wake up to a red glow from the sand dunes which surround this lodge and its 12 en-suite chalets. Natural materials like thatch, wood and reeds help to keep each room cool, especially in the summer when temperatures can reach 45°C. The swimming pool and shaded areas between the chalets offer some respite from the sun, when you get back from a day of animal spotting in the reserve.

The main lodge area and restaurant overlook a waterhole where giraffe, zebra and antelope come to drink. Make sure you take the time to see the enclosure which houses the two Kalahari lions, a predator which has recently been reintroduced to the reserve as part of their conservation efforts.

One of the distinguishing factors of this lodge is that you get to explore the bushveld with a San Bushman. Introducing you to the culture and way of life of this almost forgotten people, like hand-made weapon demonstrations, a look at some medicinal plants found in this area and animal tracking techniques – you will get some insight into what it takes to live in this harsh terrain.

Game viewing is done on foot or in 4x4 vehicles, which is a great mode of transport in the sandy Kalahari.

With bright and cheery rooms around a courtyard, a lively themed bar, and an al fresco terrace, the Canyon Roadhouse is another interesting addition to the portfolio in the private Gondwana Fish River Canyon Park.

Canyon Roadhouse is a roadhouse like no other because it's likely to be your destination. The upbeat and quirky décor barely disguises the age old coaching house of early pioneer days and the mood is set by a strong desire to go nowhere quickly.

Twenty four bright and comfortable en suite rooms line a courtyard - complete with all those the odd-looking plants that make you realise you're far from home - and there is a shaded campsite on the riverbed.

The living area features a lively bar and an á la carte restaurant dishing up hearty meals with fresh home-grown ingredients. The Kalahari is a hot, dry and dusty place, so the swimming pool is worth special mention here: large, cool and clean, it's almost as inviting as the cold beers in the bar.

The Canyon Roadhouse is en route to the Fish River Canyon and inside the Gondwana Canyon Park - a revelation of enterprise and home-brewed charm. The private reserve is twice the size of the Isle of Man and runs along the eastern edge of the length of Fish River Canyon conservation area.

The two other accommodation options in the park include the pioneer's farmhouse of Canyon Lodge and the rural inn of Canyon Village.

Alte Villa Boutique Guesthouse is for all the gemologists out there, those of you interested in diamonds. Close to where that first precious little nub of carbon was stumbled upon. Steeped, no, imbibed in history, Alte Villa Guesthouse is a real home of a guest house bang in the heart of colonial relic, Lüderitz.

Put your shades on and get ready for the outside of this place. It's yellow. Very. Once you've settled in you can walk to Lüderitz town and marvel at all that architecture. Think German. Think art nouveau. Think surreal. You’re there.

Alte Villa Guesthouse is not some old dinosaur - sure, it was built in another century, it was Friedrich III’s spin of the wheel if you’re being pedantic. But in 2017 it got a whole new look when the current owners rolled up with their new fangled restoring and renovating ideas. All homemade bread, apple pie and coffee. With decent decking furniture and the civility of a reading area off the breakfast room. Marvellous.

Alte Villa Guesthouse has just 6 rooms each with their own name (in German naturally), decor and decadence:

Rotes Zimmer - queen sized bed, ensuite, red walls with a glass chandelier. Pretty glam this one.

Zimmer Garub - named after a train station nuzzled by wild horses. Big photo of two rearing stallions. No pressure. Twin beds. Ensuite. Here’s the money shot though - along with the room called Grazplatz, it shares exclusive access to a living room. A beauty with a balcony with views of Luderitz harbour.

Grazplatz - see above for adjoining joy. Twin beds. Ensuite. A Zacharias Lewala vibe. He being the guy who found the first diamond in Namibia in 1908. Got rich he did.

Ichaboe - large 2 room apartment, 65sqm, twin bed in one room, 2 singles in the other. Kitchen, shared bathroom.

Tsiras - This is a 60 sqm double with its own private garden - you can have your breakfast al fresco here which is rather superb. There's a TV, a built in fireplace and ensuite.

Bogenfels - This is a large double, 57 sqm. This room has a sunny disposition and stares out to sea. Little wonder it's such a cheery number. It's got its own entrance in the front garden, twin beds and an ensuite.

With its quirky yet somehow harmonious design Desert Quiver Camp, near the entrance to Sossusvlei, can be a luxury camping experience, a back-to-basics desert lodge or both. And the best part - it's entirely up to you.

The 24 units, built of poles and canvas and stone, look like A-frames adrift and subsiding into the desert. The natural construction and sympathetic choice of colours help these structures blend into the dramatic scenery and, after a short while, the striking asymmetry becomes rather pleasing.

Inside, the rooms are spacious, cool and spotless. An en suite bathroom with shower, toilet and wash basin lurks behind the dividing wall and while the doorless layout - oddly popular among the newer establishments in Namibia - may not be to everyone’s liking, the spacious shower and piping hot water is a sure thing.

The unit has a large shaded porch with a kitchenette cunningly tucked away behind a canvas roll-down; the picnic bench and barbecue set the scene for a classic campout under the stars beside a flickering fire. A nice feature is you can order in your fresh cooking supplies and have them delivered to your unit.

If you’re not up to the ordeal of ready-steady-cooking your own meal or you just fancy a treat the camp’s sister property, Sossusvlei Lodge - well known for excellent service and quality food - is a few km up the road. As a guest of Desert Quiver Camp, you have full access to their activity centre, wonderful buffet restaurant, bar and pool all overlooking a waterhole.

Back at camp, a huge and ever-sparkling pool and its companion lopsided A-frame bar provide an agreeable venue for a sunset cocktail and a refreshing dip - the ochre view across the plains towards the rocky mountains is pure Namibia.

Swakopmund Luxury Suites pack comfort and convenience into an elegant apartment-style accommodation option in the belly of Swakopmund's restaurant quarter.

Although “suites” is a bit of stretch size-wise, for comfort you can expect elegant, neutral décor that is easy on the senses and top quality linen with quite possibly the most comfortable bed you’ll encounter on your tour of Namibia. Attention to detail includes Nespresso machines with complimentary pods, bath robes, extra thick towels, wi-fi that actually works, climate control, mini-bar and that general air of purpose and cleanliness of a professional outfit.

For convenience you are a few minutes’ walk to the beach, restaurants, cafes and main attractions of central Swakopmund - a feature you will welcome after many hours’ in the car on Namibia’s long and dusty roads. And the day reception is staffed with the friendliest of friendly Namibians who add that personal touch and valuable insider’s information for making the most of your visit.

A secluded upper deck lined with comfortable recliners and deck chairs is a wonderful place to catch up with your digital life. Or escape it entirely with a good book and a glass of chardonnay. Parking out front is secure with 24-hour watch and CCTV and, occupying the first storey down a pedestrianised side street, the location is quiet and safe.

Breakfast at the Swakopmund Luxury Suites is a delight. The breakfast room is stunning and the food is delicious. A great way to start your day before you head off to explore where the dunes meet the sea. You are just a short walk to the main beach and the main streets of town. Splendid.

Against and among the granite boulders, Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp has prime location for visiting the highlights of the area. From here you can easily explore the heart of Damaraland, the sights of Twyfelfontein and track desert-adapted elephants.

Within walking distance of the Damara Living Museum, Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp is a 10-minute drive from the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings, Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes. Situated in the Huab River Valley, there’s a chance the elephants could stroll past your tent at any moment or at the least, you won’t have to venture very far to find them.

Location is key and in that category Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp is a winner. It’s been a long day's drive from any direction to get here, so once you’ve arrived, it’s great knowing you won’t have to spend much time in the car to explore the area. Less time on the road means more time for adventure and to laze at the glistening pool with a drink in hand. Of equal importance when on holiday.

The eco-friendly camp has both standard and premium tents. The standard tents are just that, they are small and basic but tasteful and charming. The premium tents are more luxurious, both in the decor and the space. You have some added extras, a bigger room, a bigger bathroom, comfortable inside seating and a small fridge.

The main lodge area is rather lavish and quite ornate, shared by all guests for meals and to relax. There is a second more relaxed 'chill' area too and two swimming pools, one at each. Add the view and you’ll be delighted to call this home for the next few nights. Two-night stays allow you to book a spectacular guided nature drive in an open safari vehicle.

Jumbled sandstone hills, platinum-blonde savannahs and olive-green shrublands make this landscape of incredible scale, colour and silence - so much silence - a marvel. See the many wildlife species that thrive here and learn how humans and wildlife including elephant, lion, rhino, antelope varieties and smaller predators have adapted to life in a land so hot and dry that it becomes ever more a wonder.

The Masai-like Himba people of Kaokoland have retained their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle. Their land is harsh, inhospitable and fascinating, creating a delicate balance between survival and obliteration.

The Opuwo Country Hotel (also known as Opuwo Country Lodge) overlooking the untouched wilderness, provides a comfortable base from which to explore this beguiling region and to discover the secrets of its proud inhabitants. The lodge is also an excellent base for exploring the Kunene River and the far flung moonscape of valleys, mountains and ravines.

The luxury hotel opened late in 2005, and the rooms are all air conditioned and have en suite bathrooms. It's certainly not luxury compared to other high-end lodges throughout Namibia, but in these parts it's the most luxurious option there is and given the setting it's more than suitable. The air-conditioning alone takes the win.

The main living area houses the bar, restaurant, lounge, wine cellar, curio shop and a large verandah with a view that starts at the pool, sweeps over a mopane-covered valley, and ends in a haze of mountains.

Opuwo means "finished" or "up to here and no further" but really you can continue to the more northern reaches of Namibia from here and if you are heading in that direction, then you are almost certainly guaranteed to stay here along the way.

On the edge of the southern bank of the Kunene River, the lodge and campsites are nestled as an oasis under the wild figs, makalani palms and baobabs. A retreat in an otherwise harsh and remote area of pure beauty and although it’s not luxury, it’s a notable step up from other more basic tented camps you might come across.

Vast Meru-style tents on stone platforms peak out through the trees, with shaded patios just a few metres above the grey-green Kunene River swirling below. Venture too far and you’re likely going for a swim, not recommend with crocodiles lurking nearby. Each of the ten tents is fitted with an en suite bathroom with hot running water. Simple but all you need.

If you’re looking to camp, then you can either set up camp yourself or enjoy a tented campsite all ready for you to move in.  Ten dome tents housing 2 single beds each. The same experience as traditional camping, only the campsite is set up for you. Overlooking the river with private ablution facilities (open-air), fire place and sink. Request your firewood and simply enjoy the tranquillity.

Essential in the heat, the swimming pool is a welcomed delight and with a view, it’s the perfect spot to cool off and relax. Head across the bridge to the private island and explore. Enjoy the outdoor bar and a sundowner and at night the romantic setting for dinner under a canopy of stars.

Hobatere is an 8,000-ha community-owned concession managed by Journeys Namibia who run the wonderful Grootberg Lodge along the same lines and also manage the successful Fish River Lodge, so they’re no strangers to the business.

West of Etosha, Hobatere is the complete safari experience and the only complaint we’ve ever had about this place is that we didn’t book our clients in for long enough. The refurbished thatch chalets are not overly luxurious - there’s no air conditioning for example - but they remain secluded and spacious with comfy beds, an en suite bathroom (shower only, this is an eco-camp after all) and a private balcony.

The main building faces the waterhole about 200m away and you can spend all day watching elephants, lions, cheetah, leopard, giraffe, zebra and all manner of antelope; birding is still excellent of course as is the quality of the guiding.

The food is excellent the highlight being a three-course set menu dinner and the staff, who are all custodians of the conservancy, are friendly, keen to help and, with first-class training from Journeys Nam, pretty good at what they do.

Even before its hard refurb, Etosha Village was probably the best value safari lodge in Etosha. Replacing all tented accommodation with smart air-conditioned chalets, Etosha Village is now by far the best value safari lodge in Etosha.

Retaining its eco-conscious credentials - the bricks were salvaged from mining debris, grey water is filtered and re-used in the vegetable garden, water is solar heated and the kitchen produces a fair amount of high-quality composting material - Etosha Village had a major refurbishment in mid-2016 and what an upgrade.

Brick has replaced canvas, sleek tiles have replaced creaky wood decking and the en suite bathrooms are smart, shiny and functional. From the outside, the chalets are full of life and texture with gabion foundations, balustrades filled with pebbles, a gravelled forecourt and woven latte poles covering the roof. Inside, while a tad on the austere side, the rooms are spacious, practical and well-appointed with air conditioning, en suite bathroom, sofa bed good for two under-12s (the Village is one of a few child-friendly safari lodges in Etosha), fridge, tea/coffee, safe, balcony and a large gazebo to the side. Comfortable twin beds with soft cotton are a given.

The living areas have also retained their charm and casual comfort with a large swimming pool surrounded by loungers and parasols and a smaller pool adjacent to a third toddler-friendly pool. The food at Etosha Village is fresh and the staff here, recruited from the nearby village and trained in-house, are famous for their friendly and enthusiastic service.

Breakfast and dinner are sizeable buffet spreads and lunch is a small a la carte menu with local venison specialities. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and juice are on the house all day and the open-air bar is a convivial spot to share a drink and a tale or just gaze into the night sky as is your want.

Being just minutes from the southern gate is ideal for daily access to Etosha National Park for guided game morning and evening drives in an open-sided safari vehicle. The vehicles accommodate up to 10 people and if that’s a bit crowded or constrained, Etosha is one of the easiest self-drive game reserves in Africa: arm yourself with a prepared breakfast and lunch or a picnic hamper from the well-stocked supply store and spend the day at any number of quiet waterholes. A good reference book, binoculars and of course your camera should be required equipment.

Onguma Bush Camp is a comfortable, family-orientated lodge in a private reserve on the eastern edge of Etosha National Park. With 18 rooms including family suites as well as a small campsite, the atmosphere is tranquil and casual.

Onguma Bush Lodge is an alternative to staying inside Etosha National Park where your options are limited to three basic state-owned camps.

This comfortable lodge is located on the edge of the park near Fisher's Pan and the eastern entrance to Etosha. The rates are reasonable and the lodge is neat, small and an excellent base for families.

The en suite, air-conditioned rooms are built from local stone and have thatched roofs. The pool, open-air lapa and dining area provide the venues for some pleasant banter, spectacular sunsets and hearty meals. The lounge and dining area overlooks a waterhole for around-the-clock game viewing. The campsite has six sites with private ablutions and firewood; campers are welcome to make use of the bar, pool and restaurant.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Otjiwa Lodge is the perfect example of that. The oldest game farm in Namibia and home to over 25 game species. It goes to show - an oldie can still be goodie.

Otjiwa Safari Lodge is a 30-minute drive from Otjiwarongo, less than an hour from Waterberg and close enough to Windhoek (on tarred roads) to make this your first or last destination in Namibia.

This game farm has numerous accommodation options:

At Eagle's Rest there are the family units and the elegant rooms.

The family units have two bedrooms, a kitchenette, a lounge, parking and since you probably want family time. It is also self-catering, which is ideal since we know that kids can be fussy eaters and mom knows best.

The elegant rooms, on the other hand, are not self-catering. You can lounge around on the private patio or in the room itself in front of the TV and air conditioning. If we're being honest, these rooms are more standard than they are elegant but offer the necessary comforts and some finer elements of luxury.

All the rooms come with access to a pool, WiFi (at the business centre) and the restaurant.

Large groups or families can stay at The Nest, a self-catering cottage with views over a floodlit waterhole. This house has 3 bedrooms, sleeping up to 12 people on beds and sleeper couches. The kitchen is big enough for everyone to feast, but dinner is best served with the view at the outside 'braai'. To keep yourself busy (and great for the kids) there is a small shaded pool for you to take advantage of.

Otjiwa Lodge is an oldie but a goodie. This is a place to just kick your feet up with a book and a drink or bond with your entourage by the pool while you enjoy a barbeque. The simple pleasures are all you really need here anyway.

For something more upmarket, you can stay at the Mountain Lodge - a more intimate and luxurious option with only 5 chalets, each with its own private patio and plunge pool.