2024 Namibia Camping 15-Day Self-drive Tour

Day 1

Arrival in Windhoek

We are met at the airport and transferred to Windhoek, where we pick up our rental car. Our accommodation today is situated just outside the capital in the Auas Mountains. We can spend the rest of the day at leisure, choosing to relax and recover from the long flight or we could already do our shopping for the next few days of camping. We could have dinner tonight in one of the restaurants in Windhoek.

(approx. 40 km, driving time +- 45 min.)

Ti Melen Guesthouse (BB)

Day 2

Tsaris Mountains

Our camping adventure starts as we head via Rehoboth to the quirky Tsauchab River Camp at the edge of the Namib. Our camp is built under the shade of huge fig trees with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. It is interestingly decorated with artistic exhibits made from old tools,

boxes and implements. At the camp there are various hiking trails and a 4x4 trail.

(approx. 280 km, driving time +- 4 hours)

Tsauchab River Camp, Campsite (self-catering)

Day 3

Naukluft Mountains

Today, we have time to explore the rugged landscape on foot, as the surrounding area is a hiker's paradise. Well-marked trails lead through wild gorges, over barren ridges and wide plains.

On the way, we can enjoy the magnificent views of the vast foothills of the Namib. With a bit of luck, we may even see a herd of the shy mountain or Hartmann's zebra.

Afterward, we make our way to Sesriem. Our campsite is located inside the park. The view from our tent affords us a priceless panorama of the tall dunes in the west and the majestic Naukluft Mountains in the east, If we feel up to it, we could make an excursion to the one-hundred-meter-high Elim Dune or to the Sesriem Canyon in the afternoon.

(approx. 80 km, driving time +- 1.5 hours)

Sesriem Oshana, Campsite (self-catering)

Day 4

Sossusvlei

We take a drive to the dunes of Sossusvlei and enjoy a short hike through the thick sand to Deadvlei – a striking clay pan of bizarrely-shaped dead trees. The contrasting colours of the red dunes, the deep blue sky, white pan floor and dark camelthorn trees make for fantastic photography. We can also climb the highest dune, "Big Daddy", and are rewarded with a breathtaking view when we reach the top.

(approx. 120 km, driving time +- 2 hours)

Sesriem Oshana, Campsite (self-catering)

Day 5

To Swakopmund

We pack up our tent and continue north to Solitaire, where we could stop over for a taste of the town’s famous apple pie. We then pass through the central Namib Desert. On the way, we are sure to see ostriches and perhaps also springbok, zebra and oryx antelope.  We overnight at a hotel directly at the sea, on the northern outskirts of Swakopmund. Dinner reservation in the hotel’s own restaurant with sea view (optional).

(approx. 360 km, driving time +- 5 - 6 hours)

Beach Lodge (BB)

Day 6

Swakopmund

Today, we take a remarkable boat trip in the lagoon of Walvis Bay. We will see hundreds of seals as well as dolphins, flamingos, and pelicans on this boat ride.

In the afternoon, we have time to explore Swakopmund.

(approx. 90 km, driving time +- 1 hour)

Beach Lodge (BB) + catamaran trip

Day 7

Swakopmund

We spend this day at leisure and have the opportunity to partake in various other activities such as a desert tour in search of the "Little 5", fat-bike tours, sandboarding, quad-biking, camel riding, township tours, etc. A visit to the museum or the snake park, are also recommended. We could also book a scenic flight over the vast Namib or the Skeleton Coast. All activities are optional.

Beach Lodge (BB)

Day 8

Spitzkoppe

Once we’ve stocked up on some fresh camping supplies, we head further inland. We drive past the Spitzkoppe into the Erongo Mountains. The individual campsites at Erongo Rocks are nestled between huge granite rocks in the wildly beautiful landscape at the foot of the Erongo Mountains. In the afternoon, we can take a walk through the spectacular landscape and perhaps we round off our day with a sundowner atop one of the giant granite boulders.  

(approx. 230 km, driving time +- 3 hours)

Erongo Rocks, Campsite (self-catering)

Day 9

Erongo Mountains

We have the whole day to explore this remote landscape. It is said that the Erongo Mountains are one of Namibia's hidden gems. We can also visit the nearby "Living Museum of the San" (optional), where the Bushmen demonstrate life in the bushman village. We will learn many interesting facts about the traditional life of the San and also about the flora and fauna of the Erongo from this visit.

Erongo Rocks, Campsite (self-catering)

Day 10

Twyfelfontein

Today, we head to Tywfelfontein via the small mining town of Uis and past Brandberg - the tallest mountain in Namibia. Here, we can visit the fascinating rock paintings and engravings, which were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Our campsite for today is beautifully situated between granite knolls and has its own bathroom skillfully built into the rocks.

(approx. 250 km, driving time +- 4 hours)

Mowani Mountain Camp, Campsite (self-catering)

Day 11

Etosha National Park

Our safari continues to Etosha National Park, one of the largest game reserves in the world and considered to be one of the most outstanding game parks in Africa. On the edges of the Etosha Pan - a huge limestone salt depression - there are numerous waterholes where flocks of animals and birds congregate throughout the year. Our camp is only a few kilometres from the entrance to the park. In the afternoon, we could take a drive into the park for our first game viewings or we could choose to simply relax at the camp.

(approx. 320 km, driving time +- 4 hours)

Etosha Safari Camp, Campsite (self-catering)

Day 12

Etosha National Park

Exciting game viewing awaits us today in the Etosha National Park. We have all day to visit the various waterholes at leisure. More than 110 mammal species inhabit the park, including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebra, twelve different antelope species and lions. At sunset at the latest, we leave the park to drive back to our camp.

(approx. km/driving time, depends on drive in the park)

Etosha Safari Camp, Campsite (self-catering)

Day 13

Okonjima

We leave the wildlife of Etosha Park behind. Today's drive isn’t long, so we can have a leisurely breakast and take down our tent without haste. Afterwards, we drive to Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation. Extensive research projects on rare and endangered species are run here and we will have the unique opportunity to learn about and experience much of it. 

Our campsite is situated in a 22 000 ha private nature reserve in the middle of the Omboroko Mountains. Afternoon game drive (included in the price).

(approx. 230 km, driving time +- 3 hours)

Okonjima Plains Camp, Campsite (self-catering)

Day 14

Drive towards Windhoek

We pack up our camp for the last time and then drive to a private game reserve nearby Windhoek. Here, we can relax by the pool or rest up in our airy room before our long flight home tomorrow. In the afternoon, we could also go on a last game drive (optional).

(approx. 200 km, driving time +- 2.5 hours)

Okapuka Safari Lodge (HB)

Day 15

Departure

Our safari adventure comes to an end today. We take in the glorious bush feeling and the African morning sun one last time before we head to the airport.

(approx. 80 km, driving time +- 1.5 hours)